Photos of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving and Gratitude

Some things that I am grateful for are:
1. Love
2. My husband
3. Family
4. Art Supplies
5. Books
6. Dancing
7. Music
8. Nature
9. Kitties
10. Friends
11. Children's Art
12. Education
13. Peace
14. Creativity
15. Life

Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving weekend! If you haven't made your gratitude list yet, it's not too late!

A New Day from Remix America on Vimeo.

I Baked!

This happens about once a year, so I wanted to be sure to document that I actually baked something from scratch!  I just tried a piece, and it turned out really yummy!  I just might have to try cooking or baking something else in the near future.  

I totally LOVE MCBA

Here are some pics from my recent visit to MCBA.

Oh, yeah!  Paper Arts, etc.!

EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique)

I was reminded of a very interesting technique that helps to improve the quality of life, or to heal from emotional pain.  We all have emotional pain, right?  So, if you are interested, check this out:  go to www.emofree.com to download a free manual on EFT.

Also, go to YouTube and look up EFT videos.  There is a lot you can learn without having to spend any money, just spend a little time.  Oh, and you might have to let go of ego, because the technique might make you feel a little silly at first.  It is well worth it, though!

If I remember how to embed a video, I might do that soon, too.

May you all be healthy, happy, and peaceful!

Altered Book Project

Today I am starting a round robin altered book project with some people in the Visual Journal Collective.  I am posting a few pictures of my cover and a couple of pages before I give it away to the participants!

Paper Pulp

Our students had so much fun with this experiment/activity/sensory experience.  I finally felt like a good teacher!  I love to witness the joy of learning!  I guess that is why I teach!

Got Wood?

We're getting ready for the cold months ahead!!

found poem

Earnings Statement

vertex leds

IN HABIT

created with love

collect U.S. 

clear

LACIE

Plastikoil PBS 14 Punch

rawvision

Shoes and Feet Week

We talked all about shoes and feet this week at school.  For the final day, we had the children take off their shoes and socks (or tights) and give themselves a relaxing foot massage.  This went with a discussion about things we need to do to take care of our feet.  

Voting with Preschool Children

Here is a photo of the information we shared with our class before the children voted for their presidential candidate.  I think it's from Weekly Reader.

Oh, What a Day

"Larry" vomited in his hands and shook them all over the place at snack time.

"Sam" waited a little too long to go to the bathroom and so it started to come out before he could get on the potty.  I had to lift him onto the potty oh so quickly, and we made it just in time (but his underwear still needed to be changed)!!!

"Frank" tripped up the stairs of the climber and split his lip.  There was blood on his hands, face and coat.

To top it all off, I had a bad headache all day.

Sometimes it is harder to see the brighter side of life.  Maybe tomorrow some of this will be funny.

I Voted

Today I got up at my regular time (4:50am), but I didn't leave for work at my regular time (5:50am).  I waited around until 6:50am so that I could go cast my vote at the polls!  I voted, and it felt good.  My line wasn't too terribly long.  They had people check in to be sure they were at the correct polling location.  Then they sent people back into the line where they were.  This was before the doors opened.  Once the doors opened, I went to the table for my last name.  I signed my name.  I went to another table where they showed me how to fill in a bubble correctly. Finally, I was given my paper ballot.  I contemplated leaving some of the Judicial seats blank, but since most didn't even have incumbents, I filled in the bubbles.  I think I did alright.  At least I got to put my ballot through the machine and get a red circular sticker that stated, "I Voted".

At work, our students voted.  There were 13 votes for Barack Obama and 1 vote for John McCain. If only children could have their votes counted, eh?!

Well, I am worn out.  Hope you are all well.  Good night.

Monday

Today is November 3rd and it was nearly 70 degrees and sunny!  I just love days like this.  I sat outside and wrote thank you notes to friends and family who were so kind in remembering my recent birthday.  I feel very grateful for all of my friends and family.  It is easy to focus on the negative things that might be happening, until one day, something wakes you up enough to realize that life isn't so bad.  There is so much beauty surrounding us all;  if we are able to see it.  I am going to work on telling the people in my life how much I appreciate and love them.  I don't think anyone can hear enough kind words.  It is especially important to tell those who are closest to us, i.e. spouses, partners, best friends, that we love them.  It is so easy to forget the extreme impact an "I love you" can have on someone's day.  Also, I am going to work on really hearing it when someone close to me says, "I love you".  I need to pay attention to the meaning of those words and appreciate that they are being told to me.

I was reading Marriage Magazine today.  It got me thinking about relationships and how much I enjoy learning healthy relationship skills.  Now I just need to put them into practice at a greater frequency.  

Halloween

Here are few pics from Halloween.  Sorry a couple are sideways.  I'll work on that!  Hope you all had fun!