Happy Valentine's Day! ....Things I love....

Yesterday at school, my students went to the library (without me).
Throughout the rest of the day, I kept finding these little notes around my room.
As I would go to sit down, one would be on my chair.
When I would go to my desk, several would be resting on top of my books or my computer.
I'd go to the sink and there were a few more.
Even as quickly as I would turn to write something on the board, new ones would find their way to my work space. It was fun to discover and read each one.
My students loved watching me discover them!

I LOVED THE SURPRISE!
(especially the one that said,
"You are very nice to people and you ARE going to let us have a pizza party!")

(Thanks to the Librarian for helping them surprise me.)


I also came home with enough CHOCOLATE to last a year!
(Well, maybe not at our house.)

I saw this idea on The Pioneer Woman's blog. I liked it so I'm going to copy
(the idea- not her likes).
Beware- my list is long!

my family
my students
fluffy white snow
Almond Joy candy bars
Jane Austin
sunsets
geraniums
Monet
home made bread
frozen raspberry jam
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
grandchildren
English countryside
Warren Kimball art
playing the piano
daisies
clean windows
"The Prayer at Valley Forge" by Arnold Friberg
pickled beets
old clocks
military uniforms (service men)
cows
"The Wizard of Oz" the movie
Johnny Carson
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
lighthouses
mountains
Chopin
white fences
pearls
Julia Childs
Numbrix puzzles
old barns
new babies
Andre Bocelli
stone walls
'68 Mustang convertibles
Norman Rockwell
Creme Brulee
Colonial America
wild flowers
Amish farms
Il Divo
Peeps
American flag
climbing rose bushes
Abraham Lincoln
Ann of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
the sea
history
full moons

I'll probably think of more things to add,
but I will spare you!

What things would you have on your list?

Have a great Valentine's Day

P.S. I forgot to add "friends" (including you blogging friends).
Thanks for the reminder, Marg!

P.P.S. Liz, grandchildren are part of my family- which is #1 on the list!

♥

Up a Creek Without a Paddle...or not

It's time to start thinking about a fun family vacation!

Two of our favorite ones included going to Disneyland (2007) for Thanksgiving
and having a family reunion in Seattle (2008).

(Ken, Liz, and Karl on Lake Washington)

(Cassidy and Katie getting ready to canoe.)

(Hiking at Snowqualmie Falls)

Hanging out at Disneyland.

(Heidi and Ovidiu)

(Maddie's first trip!)

However.....

This year's expectations must include:
1. Something really low budget
2. A location close by
3. Enough room for a crowd


Any suggestions?

To blog or not to blog.....What kind of blogger are you?

Blog: a contraction for the term "web log"; a place where you share your thoughts with the world.


Blogging has indeed become quite widespread and popular. Not that long ago most of us didn't even know what a blog was. (O.K., just those of us over a certain age.) Anyway, you might say that blogging has exploded, kind of like some new, fail proof, hybrid popcorn that spills out of the popper, over the sides of the bowl, and on to the counter (with a few kernels in the bunch).

Everyone seems to have a blog of some sort, with ideas, opinions, advice, photos, food, and instructions of every kind imaginable.

So, is it all about sharing our thoughts with the world?
Are we all secretly longing for fame and recognition?
Why do we do it?

I don't really know.
I just know that once you start blogging, it kind of gets in your blood.

Did you know that they even have blogging conferences?
If you would like to read about the latest one, check out Rhoda's blog
at Southern Hospitality.

All of these incredibly talented people (mostly ladies) get together to learn and share ideas.
They all know each other from reading each other's blogs. They all say it is a highlight of their year-a memorable event for sure. One thing they all agree on is that it is a great way to make new friends.

Here are just a few different kinds of blogs:
1. Decorating blogs. (I'd love to be in that category, but since I only do one or two projects a year I would have a hard time filling in between posts!)
Check out The Lettered Cottage
2. Cooking posts (I do love to cook and once in a while I post a recipe, but I'd soon run out of interesting dishes since I avoid cooking as much as possible.)
Mennonite Girls Can Cook
Barbara Bakes
3. Photography blogs (I would really like to be known as a great photographer, but with just a small digital camera and no special training I'm unable to compete with the pros.)
bBCronicles
Little Red House
New England Life
4. Mommy blogs (or "grand"mommy blogs- yes, I do a bit of that, too.)
Nienie
5. Informational blogs
The Livesay (Haaaaiti) blog


6. And even special occasion blogs like
Matt and Sara's blog updates on their little Bronson's condition.
Did you know that in a little over a week they have had people visit from all over the world?
What a support system!

So, I guess I'll just keep on blogging. Maybe I'll develop some decorating skills that I can pass along. I might fine tune a new delicious recipe. I'm trying to learn to take better photographs. Who wouldn't like to become a better writer?
I have even made some new friends, too!
(Check out some of the other blogs I like to visit. Each has something special to offer.)

Guess I'll vote "to blog"!
♥
JoAnn

A busy, but nice day....

Today I attended a work shop at school and spent time learning better ways to teach my students. It was a great training session. They fed us a tasty breakfast, yummy lunch, and snacks. They gave away prizes. I needed the encouragement and fresh ideas. (Did you know our school has about a 92% free or reduced lunch population?) The presenter acknowledged that we are at the most challenged school in the district and that we start off the year with many of our students considerably behind the rest of the other schools, and yet are expected to achieve the same test results by the end of the year. (He teaches at the Jr. High feeder school that our students will attend.) It was nice to have someone validate and understand our situation. Despite the challenges, I love our kids!

He told us about a boy who had attended our school and is now in Jr. High. This boy had been in my class in the third grade. He was a challenge then and became an even greater one as he found his way into gangs, drugs, and other bad situations. But, he turned his life around and is doing so well. He has been speaking to other students about his decisions to take control of his life. He credits his teachers and principals for helping him get through the tough times. The presenter had actually "gone to bat" for him and convinced the Jr. High Principal to let him attend their school. Together they worked through the difficult problems.
Anyway, it was a nice reminder that teachers can make a difference in their lives.

I also attended a wedding reception tonight and ran into several former students. It was fun visiting with them (until I found out one is now eighteen years old-that makes me
feel really old)!

I didn't get any house work done today,
but I did get my overdue pedicure (Yeah!),
so it was a nice day after all.

Coming soon: I'm looking forward to spring in Utah!

Thanks for letting me use your beautiful pictures, Linda!
(She took them last spring.)

♥
JoAnn

P.S. Our hearts and prayers go out to our friends Matt and Sara (click on their names)) Staker. Their little boy is in intensive care at Primary Children's Hospital. He is fighting for his life as he tries to overcome a drowning accident. Please help pray for him, too!

I'm linking this post to The Little Red House Mosaic Monday!

Ode to Winter.....II

(Art by Renoir- with a little touching-up by my husband.)

My Second Annual Ode to Winter

I've had it with winter and cold, frosty air,
And going to work in the dark.
I'm tired of the hassle of wearing a coat.
I miss my morning walks in the park.


I'm off to "Paree" and the hills of Montmartre
with artists and carefree young friends.
I'll strut down the paths of Champs-Elysees
And shop till my money all ends.

I won't miss the bleakness of storms without snow,
or snow that is now dirty brown.
Or scraping my windows before I drive home-
a sure way to bring on a frown.

The groundhog has spoken-expect six more weeks
(I cried when I heard the report.)
Unless, ...what's that? There's a storm coming in?
Oh, let's go out and make a snow fort!
JoAnn Clegg

If you would like to read my first Ode to Winter you can go here.


Wow, I feel a lot better now that I have that off my chest!
And
Yes, I know I am NOT a poet.
Yes, I have major jaundice in the picture.
Yes, I know I am under the influence of 23 eight year old children (16 of whom are boys).
Yes, it has been a long week.
and
No, unfortunately, I don't have plans to go to Paris any time soon.

Have a fun, relaxing weekend!
♥
JoAnn

Life Immitates Art.....

I thought I'd start off my blog today with these pictures of Maddie and Fanny Agnes, a delightful character in one of my favorite children books, "Fanny's Dream"
(written by Mark and Caralyn Buehner-the authors of "Snowmen at Night").
Liz sent me the pictures last night and I had to stop and chuckle a bit. In the story Fanny is so excited about going to a real ball that she accidentally picks the carrots and leaves the weeds (she is a hard working farm girl). Maddie is such a tease that she stopped "mid-reading" of the book to strike this pose. I tend to get involved in the books I read, too, so it warmed my heart to share this love with Maddie.

Way to go, Maddie!

Here is some great advice about jumping in and enjoying the moment:

"Waiting for the fish to bite,
or waiting for wind to fly a kite,
Or waiting around for Friday night,
or perhaps for their Uncle Jake,
or a pot to boil,
or a better break,
or a string of pearls,
or a pair of pants,
or a wig with curls,
or another chance.
Everyone is just waiting."

Dr. Seuss

♥
JoAnn

P.S. No, you are not losing your mind! I totally changed this post.

Groundhog Day.....

Will the groundhog see his shadow today?

I'm hoping he doesn't!
I'm ready for some Spring and a little time in the gardens!

How about you?

♥
JoAnn

(I just read that he DID see his shadow! I guess that means I will be doing my annual
"Ode to Winter" soon.

P.S. Thanks for the cartoons, Linda!

and, most importantly,

Happy Birthday, Irene!