School Starts!!

Time has flown by and I haven't even finished my vacation pics.  Sorry about that.  I will have to share those another time.  It is time.  School begins tomorrow.  Happy and sad.  I have a hard time giving up my freedom but I do much better when I am on a schedule and doing something I feel passionate about. Not that the time I have had to do my own artwork hasn't been fulfilling, it's just with school I feel called to my work and maybe can make a difference in a child's life.  I started to take some pics of my middle school classroom.  Still have things that haven't found a home but for the most part this is what my room looks like in part.

This is the entrance to my classroom.  Bookcase by door will hold hand sanitizer, lotion,  sign out sheet and recycle box.

To the left of the entrance is my computer station.  This computer is used for student research.  I also have a scanner and my own color printer.  Want to put fabric across shelf to hide storage of ink, old art books for projects and drawing boards.  Under this are mesh boxes that hold my collection of bottle caps that the community has been saving for an art project.

This corner has an area rug for working on the floor.  The white bins are for student journals.  In my larger classes I also use these tables for seating.  Will show more close-up pics next time.

My desk is here with bookshelves against the wall.  As you can see I still have some organizing to do.

This is the bulletin board behind my desk.  It is divided up for different uses.  The area that has the map of North America is for 6th grade.

This is the other bulletin board on the same wall.  Between these two boards is one of my white boards.  May God bless all of you who have started or are starting your school year.  It is going to be an exciting year.

Day 4 & 5

Nathaniel and I visited the Fred Harman Museum.  He is known for his Red Ryder and Little Beaver comic strips and his western paintings.  It is a small museum but for me to see his studio was inspiring.  If you have ever watched The Christmas Story you are familiar with the Red Ryder bb gun.  Mr. Harman's son is the only living heir and he is 82.  The museum guide said they are not sure what will happen to the museum once he dies.
We spent some time in downtown Pagosa Springs shopping.

We always go to this shop.  Lots of pottery, housewares, jewelry.  

"You are my Sunshine" is what I always sang to Nathaniel when he was little.  I also like Cinderella's quote, because I love shoes!

We had dinner at JJ's with the family.  It is where Bob and Danyelle had their wedding reception.  Great food and fun!  Afterwards we had a early birthday party for Heath.  He loved his cupcake.  He doesn't get much sugar.  

Day 3

So one of the best ways to see the scenery and get to experience a train ride the way people did during the 1800's is to take the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway.

Leaving the station

This is the original train that has been in operation for 128 years!

The train tracks run along the Animas River.  This bridge is a stop along the way where hikers get off to enter the wilderness.

An old entrance to a silver mine

When you arrive in Silverton you have a couple hours to visit shops, have some lunch and enjoy the view.

Day 2

Our second day in Pagosa Springs we hung out at the springs.  The pictures are taken across the road from the springs.  It is heavenly sitting in the springs.  There are many temperatures from 89 degrees in the large pool to the "Lobster Pot' which is 112 degrees.  It is amazing that this is water coming out of the earth.  It is full of minerals and many people come to the springs for the healing effects.

Colorado, Day 1

We arrived in Pagosa, CO late Saturday.  Met Bob and Danyelle at Grace Church--great church if you are ever in the area.  From there we went to Bob and Danyelle's for dinner.  She is such a good cook.  Of course, the main event was Heath!

Nathaniel spent alot of time playing with Heath.  Tomorrow, onto the Springs!

Colorado

So, I am going to Colorado to see my brother, sis-in-law and my nephew.  Yeah!  Have decided not to take my laptop so I probably will not  be posting until I get back.  Will have lots of pics to share when I return.  Enjoy each moment!

Weekend in the Country

Beautiful!  What a great time in New York.  We travelled up to my brother's house to celebrate my nephew Eli's graduation from high school.  Can you believe I forgot my camera--so frustrating not being able to take pics.  Paul and Tina have a beautiful place with cows, chickens and a huge garden.  We had lots of yummy food, visited with family and friends and sat by a bonfire.  From there we stayed at our neighbor's house about 20 minutes from my brother.  We played cards late into the night, had a huge breakfast that Christine prepared and for my first time I drove a four wheeler--so fun!! and gorgeous scenery thru the woods.  Ate wild blackberries, picked wildflowers and relaxed.  Hated to come home.