School's Out. For. Summer!

No more pencils
No more books
No more teachers dirty looks
Out for summer
Until fall
We might not come back at all
School's Out. For. Summer!
--Alice Cooper

Hooray! School is out for this year. The last couple of days, I've been in my office doing stuff like this:

All that stuff is all cleaned up and put away until next fall. As we were eating lunch today, we realized that things were really quiet on campus and then realized that our principal had let all the classroom teachers go home---she forgot to tell us. So, we did what every dedicated teacher does on the last day of school and promptly picked up our purses and went home.

P.S. Take a look at this creative recycled packaging for one of our co-worker's gift card. Who says you need wrapping paper and bows??

Peace

Peace to you this morning----from my front yard.

All The Colors Of The Rainbow

Yesterday, I served breakfast at the Hospitality House and lunch at Herbert House for men.

(Betsy, Cheryl, Martha, Mimi, Benny and Sue are really rocking the hair nets, aren't they?--notice I am conveniently missing from this picture!)

It ended up being a good time of fellowship, but also a time to recognize that without volunteers, the Hospitality House is not very hospitable and that we have far more in common with the groups that received the meals than we have differences.
This morning in Sunday School, the message was repeated as we remembered that "God has no favorites". As we cut out pictures of every hue , I asked if anyone knew why we were making a rainbow.


Darlene answered, "Well, it's kind of like us. We're kind of like all the colors."
Yes!!! Each one is special in and of itself, but what a beautiful thing when we are all together!

rainbow collage by the Good News Class

Take a Risk

On my way through Vivan yesterday, I glanced at the old library building and noticed these amazing doors. (there's another one just like it on the other side)

Making a quick trip around the block to back-track, I got out and took a few pictures.


People driving by gave me some curious looks as I carried my camera up to the vacant building, but hey, that's what my "word" this year is all about, right?

Last Day At The Lake

As this school year comes to a close, so do my weekly visits to the Caddo Lake State Park. For lunch today, I sat out on the steps to the swimming area, enjoying the sunshine and the birds chirping overhead.

The long drive up to Rodessa each Monday really was much more tolerable knowing that I could spend a few minutes at the lake and relaxing. I even got to watch the lake as it changed through the seasons:

Summer Storms:

Fall Floods:

Winter Waves:

and finally, Spring Sunshine:

Prayers for Girls

Two of my young students are sick right now---very sick.

In the afternoons after school, I work as a teacher to homebound students. Usually, I just serve one student at a time and for the past 2 school years, I've worked with "A". Being in her home for 4 hours a week gives me an opportunity to become really close to her and to her family. But, for the past 2 weeks, she has been in the PICU battling a staph infection near her brain. She is in a wonderful hospital here in town, but she looks so small in that big hospital bed. I'm happy to report that she's improving and am hopeful that she will be able to have surgery to replace her shunt this week. (again)

Then, since I had some free afternoons, I was called to take on a new student for the last couple weeks of school. This little girl, "A#2" is a kindergarten student recovering from back surgery. Unfortunately, on my third visit, I discovered that she, too had just developed a bad infection--possibly staph--from her recent surgery and she had to return to New Orleans Children's Hospital. She's been there for almost a week now and will probably be there for a while longer, as they decide the best course of action to treat what may be a serious allergy to some of the hardware used in her surgery. Besides the financial burden of traveling to the hospital, being 5 hours away limits her visitors and support system.

I can't imagine what either of these moms must be feeling as they watch their little girls fight the pain and uncertainties of serious illness. I pray that the love and support of friends and family gives them the strength they need during this time.

May = Magnolias

Here in the south, May = magnolias.


Last week, I couldn't believe that a neighbor down the street spent most of the weekend cutting down a beautiful magnolia tree in their front yard.


Granted, I don't own one myself (although I think I'd like to) and they are reported to be messy in the fall, but May brings such beautiful blossoms and deep, rich green leaves. When the girls were very small, Callie practiced her counting by counting the magnolia trees that she could see from her car seat on the trips back and forth to Jana's preschool! Some day, I'll have one of my own, but for now, I'll be content to enjoy the trees on the corner.

A New LIfe

Not long after I began blogging, I began reading about prayers and fund-raisers that were being offered for a fellow blogger, Nie-Nie. If you haven't yet heard her story, take a few minutes and watch this vide, "My New Life". She most definitely is "not her body" and is a wonderful example of strength and courage. (be sure to have a hanky ready when you watch this.)

Faithful Friend

I've spent every night this week (and last, actually) working on IEP's and other paperwork needed to get through the next day. I t seems like I've been paddling really hard the last few weeks just to stay above water. Yet, lately I think I might be starting to sink---making silly mistakes and such. Thank goodness for my faithful companion who seems to have no worries at all. :-)

taken with my iPhone

P. S. Did you notice my new "reactions" widget at the end of my post? Fun and customizable!

Happy Birthday, Valine

Valine's birthday was Saturday and we spent it together, along with her Aunt Pam, doing our favorite thing---antique shopping at Canton, TX. From all the weather forecasts, we were beginning to wonder whether we would have to spend our whole day in rain ponchos, darting from pavilion to pavilion. But, our Canton luck held out and we had a day of great weather--overcast at first, but ending in an afternoon filled with sunshine.

The picture above shows a huge crowd, but it was taken at lunch time near several food vendors, so it is a bit misleading. There were lots of people celebrating the start of May at Canton, but the place is so huge that most areas were not nearly as crowded as this.
We even managed to sneak in our favorite lunch at the Red Barn.

Valine received several phone calls wishing her a happy day


and we each managed to find a little something fun to take home with us (although nothing from this pile).

Images Giveaway

Wow---Some of my photos are being featured in a runoff for a great giveaway. Visit Punctuation Mark and vote for one of mine---they are #'s 11, 12, 15, 23, 35 and 36. Thanks!

Red Carpet Affair

It was a Red Carpet Event Friday night, when I took my Sunday School Class to the first annual Joy Prom. The event was sponsored by a church youth group and it was held at a local high school. The evening featured a walk on the red carpet for the special guests (complete with paparazzi and adoring fans),



a photo "booth",


food and lots of dancing.


For some, this was first prom they'd ever attended (including me, by the way) and everyone had a great time!

Friday

Friday morning, I got up early in order to drop Emmi of at the groomer before school. As we walked out the door, some movement near the carport caught my eye. A baby blue jay was hopping around on the ground,


while his brother sat perfectly still atop one of the chairs.


After grabbing my camera and taking a few pics,


I jumped in the car and took Emmi, then returned home to meet Callie. I was thrilled to find the baby still there--- perched on the chair as adult birds of different varieties swooped around overhead, and chirped their warnings to me. I guess it "takes a village to raise a child" in nature, too. Of course, I took a zillion more pictures of him as he watched me intently.



He was still there when Callie arrived a little while later and never moved as stood just a foot or two away. Of course, I finally had to leave him to go to work but it sure was a great way to start another busy day!