Special Plate

My hubby and I made three of these last spring (2 were wedding presents) on our spring break in Florida. A rainy day took us to one of those do-it-yourself pottery places.  And I am just now getting around to posting a picture.  We use it for all special occasions. And I love it, so I wanted to share how art is also the best part of my day:-)

Forget Sailboats- I GOT A JOB!

okay, so I already painted two sailboat pieces, but didn't take pictures (will do next time I return to VA Beach).

MORE IMPORTANTLY- I GOT A J-O-B. not just any job, but an art teaching job! SURPRISE! Just when I was about to be happy with a para position, an intermediate (8th and 9th grade) position opened.

Things I am MOST excited about this new position:

1. It is OLDER students. I loved my elementary kids, but this is the level I want.
2. I get to see the students for more than 45 minutes a week. Try 1hr20 ( I think) every day for 90 days!
3. I have another art teacher right next to me!!
4. The school district is really awesome ( happens to be the school system my husband and 1/2 of my in-laws went through)
5. The art department has 2 kilns and 6 pottery wheels!
6. #5 means I get to expand my own knowledge of 3D- bring on the pottery blogs!
7. Because of #2 I get to use ideas I have always wanted, but never had time for, and maybe learn names faster than December ( I say maybe b/c I am terrible with names)
8. I get to do more advanced projects because the students are older
9. The school district is extremely personable- I really didn't think that you could get more personable than Piedmont, OK- but Carroll County- you did it!
10. I CAN'T wait for the first day of school. August 9th.

With this said, I may be doing a revamp to my blog, make it more student/parent friendly. I started blogging thinking i was a way to share artwork with the parents- so they knew what was going on in my class, but it turned more into sharing ideas with other art teacher ( which I do NOT want to get rid of). Any suggestions?? Comments?? Pottery ideas??

Larceny

June 14, 2010
10:30pm: Arrive home from Galax, Virginia

10:30-10:45pm: Mom unloads my car into her car, locks her car, but forgets about mine accidently

11:15pm: bedtime

11:23pm: a phone call is made to "O 0nbr" from my blackberry(unbeknownst to me)

11:24pm: a phone call is made to "Ass" from my blackberry ( again- no clue)

June 15, 2010
some time before 12:09pm: man named Brian finds my phone while walking around witchduck  pond  (neighborhoods away from where I live)

12:09-12:20pm: Brian calls a few people from my contact list in my phone until he reaches my brother

12:21pm: bro calls, says some guy found my phone on Virginia Beach, last I remember using my phone was in my car before we got home. No way I left it at a rest stop. But I am still confused.

12:25pm: I call my phone number to reach Brian, he answers and tells me where to go to pick it up.

12:36pm: On the way, I realize my purse is missing from my car, but I was pretty sure nothing valuable was in it.
12:45pm: pick up phone, the cover is on upside-down, but looks to be in good shape, Brian was very nice to return the phone.

about 4pm: Tee and I walk Sadie and Hannah. Two house down I see a pen in someone's lawn and think that it might be mine. Tee looks down and see's my memory card to my phone, that I hadn't put in my new phone yet. A few more paces down is a water drain, said purse and contents are dumped in sewer.

next 10 minutes: Tee and I fish my belongings out of the drain to realize my camera is missing:-( but everything else was accounted for including checks we had already cancelled.

After searching the house high and low for my brand new video camera- we realize that was probably in my purse as well:-(

The good news is, I have my brand new phone, my movado watch wasn't stolen, our gps wasn't stolen, Tee's nice sunglasses weren't stolen, and my car wasn't damaged. Also, I have a back up camera that is pretty nice, just not as cool as the one that was stolen.

The bad news is, being a victim sucks. I have had a sick feeling in my stomach all day. Learn a lesson from me- and lock your cars and don't leave valuables out in plain sight. ( I actually ALWAYS cover up my purse, especially recently because I have just had a weird feeling.)

Thought: The theives had to have taken the stuff with in 45 minutes of us arriving back to VA Beach, I wonder if they were watching us???  I NEVER leave my car unlocked- how is it that the one night it is, and my purse is out there it is stolen?? Could they be checking every night?


Why do there have to be jerks out there?

Progress...

Almost done. I have just a little touching up I want to do, and I am gonna finish! The great news is, I think I have sparked some interest in another teacher at my school, and I might have a next project:-) I am excited!

(original post here)

Art is the best part of MY day

I am excited to be painting an actual art project for another teacher at my school. She found a tiny picture of two paintings of poppies and asked me to help her out. Well, I couldn't resist. I already love the project because they are huge, odd shaped paintings. Her husband crafted these amazingly strong frames and we stretched the canvas today (haven't done that in Y E A R S). I have put on the first layer of paint, and I can't wait to take pictures to post of the final product. Maybe I will be inspired to do some more painting this summer!