Wide Awake and counting down- 1.5 days (and 15, too)

I've had the ceiling fan running at night lately, since the weather has decided it could be warm for a while and guess what!  I woke up at  4:20 (about my least favorite time to wake up- if I fell back to sleep I wouldn't wake up until well past 5;30 and that just wouldn't be cool) and was FREEZING!!

My mind started racing when I decided I couldn't let myself fall asleep completely again- thinking about all the things that I need to do today, that apparently the other admin wants to do an observation of me today- on my last day of teaching??  whatevs.  I have a lot of my elementary classroom packed away, and will make massive strides to that end in my high school today.  I am not sure what I will get finished in my  5th and 4th grades as they suddenly are a week behind the other classes.....  turtle races may or may not happen.

I was really happy to get a good walk in last night- almost 5 miles.  Apparently we will be walking between 5 and 10 miles every day in Italy, which is perfect if you ask me, and I want to get some consistent miles in to prepare.  I hope the Mad-Seester Rose is too!!

I ordered the last of my non-clothing stuff for this trip last night- unless I decide I need a neck pillow- geez this goes on for days.  But will all be TOTALLY worth it when we get where we are going and see what we are going to see!!

So today I will be finishing up with all of my elementary students and the rest of my high school kids as well, though I will see the big kids for a few minutes tomorrow morning.  I have no picture today, but I do have my link to art in Italy.  One week from last night we have our final meeting before Italy and two weeks from last night, I will be leaving to head to my sisters for some pre-trip excitement.

But first, I have some other things to attend to and that will be a joy- but a little sad.  Endings can be that way, but the beginnings are not that far away.

Off to the (turtle) races and 16 daysI

Getting ready for the go!

It was the last Tuesday of school yesterday, and I was dreading it a bit.  I have some quite raucous 5th and 4th graders and they do try my patience some days.  It is the number of children that are in my particular classes- I deal with a class and a half- ugh- sigh-grimace- and there are a number of factors in that whole dynamic.  Anyway, I wanted to do something that would keep them busy and truly occupied for a few days at this crucial time of the year, when all Mad-Art teachers earn their names.  So- turtle races.  I hadn't done these in 5 years, as it loses a lot of fun if the kids know what you are going to do.  I like to spring things on them occasionally and this is one of those times.

HOLD IT HIGH AND TIGHT!!

Simply put- they trace a turtle shape on tagboard, cut it out, and decorate it.  Then on race day I attach  2 thick yarns to 2 table legs, slap some tape on them to keep the yarn in place, and the kids pair up and race.  Oh- right before they race I punch a hole in the neck area, they string it on the yarn and do all sorts of contortions while staying behind a line to coax the turtle down the yarn....  and no one better be sticking a pencil into the hole to make it bigger or you are DQed and no starburst for you!!!  Yes that is right, we sort of have brackets, where they go on to the next round, and the LOSER gets a starburst candy.  And yes people - there are tears when some of them lose.....  You just can't win sometimes.  So as things go on they all end up with a candy since they all lose, except for the ultimate winner who got a bigger package of starburst.  The candy serves to keep them busy and out of the way.  Of course there are claims of cheating and all, but I just keep those turtle rolling.  Lol.

Wiggling it towards the end

I am not sure if the next groups on Thursday will have time to do it, since they have not made the turtles yet, but maybe.  I had people sticking their head in the door to see what was going on, and they never do find the courage to come in.  This sort of thing is not for the feint of heart, y'all!

Anyway, last night I had a mini-moment.  Naturally this happened when I was going to bed.  I looked at the Universal adaptor system I picked up from REI for my trip and had a moment of - holy crap do I have everything I need for this???  I started rolling through stuff in my brain and as I shut off the light decided I really need to finish my school stuff before I start obsessing over packing for my trip.  But OHHHHH that is right there at the edge of my mind.

A week from today I am going to have a mini- as in tiny, small, little - slideshow for the people going on the trip about a little of the art that we will be seeing, with an emphasis on the architecture types.  Mini because no one wants me to start lecturing on the whole history of art and also because I have no desire to turn this into a class... I just want to enjoy the trip and the students will have a little background knowledge that they can use to enhance their experience.

Anyway, on to the first day of finals!  I have had my high school kids working on final projects, and actually most of them were working right up until today.  A few are going to store unfinished oil paintings until next year.  That works out just fine, I am glad they have been busy. Cleaning begins today!!

End of the year wrap up is a bitter sweet thing, but it is what it is.  And through out we can find a way to spread some joy.

Last week of school and 17 days

I look at this coming week with a mixture of dread and anticipation and just a touch of sad.  Even though I have been complaining about the behaviors of certain children in my life-ahemloudcough- it is always sort of bittersweet when another year is over.  I NEVER am able to get through everything that I want to, and then there is the matter of the kids who leave.  It seems that every year, through relocation or graduation, some of my favorite students leave the school.  I know that 3 of my elementary children are moving away- far away- and I won't see them again, most likely.  It is sad, but perhaps they are moving for a parent's new job or something positive.  I hope that is the case.  Meanwhile, I have a very exciting thing for the 4th and 5th grades to do- called turtle races.  I'll not discuss that at this time, just in case.....  haha  I like to do things mysteriously at times.

A lovely result from all the rain

Anyway, it will be odd to have no seniors at school this week, but we shall adjust just fine.Today will be a work day for everyone and then tomorrow, we begin the process of cleaning the hs art room.  As I told them, I didn't make this mess, I'm not cleaning the whole thing up.  I will probably have to come in to school one afternoon and finish the process, but since I have to do my requisitions anyway, it is tolerable, I suppose.  Most of us do not want to set foot in that building more than absolutely necessary until August.  However most of us end up finishing things during that first week after school is done.  Since I have plans for the end of June, I have to get it all done sooner rather than later.  I have been known to wait for a full week to go back to finish my stuff in the art room.

Holy smokes, it is June tomorrow!!  This is when stuff gets real!  17 days until the trip- last night I started thinking about food, and I have to memorize the Italian word vegetarian.  Lol  Heck, I could probably live off of gelato.  :)  I know the tour director has planned for my particular preferences as well as my sisters (we are not all that high maintenance, really) and the planned together meals are going to be of the authentic type- read: if I see any one going to a McDonalds they are getting lectured.  haha.  Actually I will be so busy and occupied that I am not paying attention to what others are doing.  I hope my sister is ready for tourist Debi, who never wants to sit!  I figure I can sleep when I get home- and the more exhausted I am the more likely I will be able to fall asleep.

Meanwhile, I have been watching the weather for up here, as usually the day after school is finished my good friends and I go to Bayfield and celebrate the end of the school year.  HOWEVER, it is looking like rain all weekend.  I am sure a decision will be made soon, but if we have to put this event off until Monday, I am still available for trips to the north!  Wednesday- I have appointments frequently through the day, and I am not sure what the rest of the week brings.  I HAVE to go out of town to do some clothing shopping next week, so things are filling up.

On a fun note, I  reconnected with my cousin Gilbert yesterday.  He has a cabin way up north and he stopped by on the way home.  That was so nice and he will be stopping by again when he gets up there!  I used to see him and my cousins connie and Shirley maybe once a month  or 6 weeks when we were young, our families were pretty close.

Anyway, I suppose I should get myself prepping for school today.  After a perfect day yesterday, it is looking decidedly unsettled here.  Really we don't need more rain today, but apparently I don't get to choose!  Probably our newly planted tomato plants would appreciate the water.

So, have a great Tuesday, everyone!  It will end up being a short work week- which will be great for all of us.  And that really will be a joy.

Catching up and 18 days now....

WAIT,   WHAT??  18 days - I can hardly wrap my head around that.  This is seemingly happening very soon.....  a Captain Obvious statement I know, but wow! It is so hard to believe that I will get to use my passport for the first time in a mere 3 weeks, when I have been waiting for this for  over a year.  Things I learned about in art history are a mere short frantic time away!

All the grandkiddos

As suspected would happen, I had a few things on my plate the last few days, so no updates.  We had such a nice time with the kids here.  Even though it was raining a lot, we found time to get outside a little and we even went to see the Mad-middle son Greg and his family at his little farm.  Greg and Sarah have a little menagerie of animals there and continue to acquire the things to actually be a somewhat self-sufficient little farm.  I am sure the man who lived there for so many years would be happy to see someone use the barn and the land as intended.

feeding the chickens

Checking out the tractor with uncle Jon

Anyway, the weather didn't cooperate much, but we were able to have a nice time anyway.  Ava is just a little doll- such a happy little girl.  She smiles and smiles and is so content to be with anyone who is willing to talk to her, and she had lots of volunteers.  Ella would have stayed on my lap every moment but did manage to get down and play and have fun at Grandma Debi's.  Friday, they even came to see me at school!

Greggy! His poor little eye got bit by a little bug of some sort.

Ruthie was such a smilie girl!

Meanwhile, trip preparations keep moving along.  I have most of my non-clothing items purchased- except since I already have a memory card filled from my new camera- ahem, oh boy- I think I need to get another one, though I have received the 2 I ordered.  And maybe I should get a biggish one.  I am going to clear the things that are on my table in my back room and start laying out the things I want to take with me, so they are all in one place.  I have been putting things on my dresser and frankly, there is no more room on top of it!

This is puddle jumping at its finest

Trying to get everyone to look one way was a challenge  LOL

It is a gloriously beautiful day today here- I think I will have to get out for a walk....  and probably get in some weeding as well.  Coming up this week is a lot of finishing up at school.  I am going to finish up grades, finish cleaning my rooms ( my elem room is in pretty good shape!) and generally making sure I do not have to return to do a whole lot.  I do have to get my orders in by the time I leave, so that is my plan for the first week after school is out.

Grandpa found a bike for Ella!

Ava in the back seat with Grandma Debi

Omg, this cracks me up...

I got in lots of cuddle time with Ava

When Ella said- Let's go this way!- I said- Where are we going- To Uncle Gregs!!!  

It was a lovely weekend and I am looking forward to buttoning up the school year this week.  I can't believe it is here already, that year seriously went fast.

On to new adventures as we finish up others....  This weekend coming: Bayfield baby!!!  My partners in #haveanadventure and I are heading north soon.  I will be finding my joy again.

Short update- and 3 weeks!

21 days....  3 weeks from today.  Wowza

Last night when I was laying awake and not falling asleep because of some cute little grand girls being in my house, (they safely arrived about 10:30)  I was assaulted by some odd pain in my tummy.  Of course it was nothing, as I woke up perfectly fine this morning.  However, I went there- what if I have an appendicitis attack and I have to have surgery and I can't go on my trip!!!  Seriously, you guys, I think I am almost to freakout mode.  I think I need medication- lol

I don't have much time today, as there could have been some early morning visiting with the Mad-oldest son..... but I do have time to think for a moment about that flight that will be happening in 3 weeks and where I will end up in about 4 weeks! Rome!

And that definitely will be  joy.

Happy Friday everyone!

22 days- time is flying!

I realize that 3 weeks from tomorrow is lift off!  WHAT????  Now it is seeming more concrete and way less abstract.... If I didn't have so much going on, I might be having moments of panic, but I don't have time for panic!

These girls!  AND I hope to get pix of the 4 babies this weekend as well!!!

Tonight the Mad-oldest son and his family are coming!  I have a few groceries purchased and have plans after school to do a bit of straightening and possibly childproofing of the house, since certain adorable little children who may or may not be 3 years old will be here for 4 days.  I haven't seen them since Easter, and the MA has not met little miss Ava yet.  Tax season is a bummer sometimes. Anyway,  we will have company and I need to do a little prep work.  I am hopeful that they will be able to come and visit me at school on Friday!  Rumor has it that one certain little Ella was ready to come and see Grandma Debi and  Grampa Fred several days ago.  :) AND I get to see everyone, school really interferes with my Grandma role with these nearby kids as well.

I did some research and reading last night about some of the art I will be seeing.  I have decided to stop looking at a lot of the stops we will be at, and concentrate on the art of Florence and Rome.  I want to be surprised by some of it, want to just immerse myself in whatever sights and sounds and tastes (gelato in Venice)  that come my way.  I love having things somewhat out of my hands, as this rarely happens.  And it takes a while to surrender for me, but once I do- I'm good.

So Venice apparently besides the architecture and the gelato and such has a Peggy Guggenheim Museum of Modern art contained within it.  Seriously??  I LOVE modern art- I will have to see what happens there.  Might try to sneak a visit in there.  I know this is the country for all thing Renaissance, but if we have a nice collection of notable artists such as Miro, Braque, Picasso, Dali and the like, well.......  hmmmmm.  I'll play it by ear, though.

Anyway, I better get myself rolling here and get ready for school.  I should have some cleaning time today, but the other thing is it is the last day of class for the seniors. A sad/happy day for them, and hard to keep the rest of them on task.  But we have a limited number of days now to get our oil paintings done-ish.  And that is not taking drying time into account- rumor has it oil paintings never dry.  Lol.

Babies are in my future today- going to be a GREAT way to end the day.  A joy for sure!!!

And 23, plus spring/summer has truly arrived

Full fledged, green leafed, growing grass spring/summer has arrived here at last!  Yesterdays rain resulted in some massive chlorophyll expansion in our great northwoods.  Seems a little over-dramatic, but this is truth.  It was a notable change over night.  This is good!

23 days to Italy.  I got around to doing some camera accessory shopping last night (if it isn't last minute, it isn't procrastination, right?) and now I have to push on to a few other things...  It will be hard to think about all things Italy when I have company this weekend, but that is ok too.  I am ready to think about all things Grandkiddos and my own kiddos and things like that.

I had a nice discussion with my Italy bound colleague yesterday and it was so exciting to listen to her talk about the general way things will go.  Also we are traveling with a group of 45- 3 groups from Cali and one from Texas.  Interesting! Hopefully next week we will have a more detailed itinerary.  I know I am very impatient.  

Today is the senior class trip- and the 8th grade roll ahead day  hour- holy smokes, I forgot about that.  Oh well.  I can talk my way through most anything.  

Press on people, it is Wednesday- long weekend ahead!  Keep on spreading the joy.  :)