Sleeves Rolled Up...Back to Work!

My summer seemed eternal. The stars were aligned for me to travel and absorb all that came near. The travel was a journey within a journey where I learned more about myself than anyone or anything I embraced.

Coming home to a guest art teacher from Italy opened another opportunity for growth again. Funny to realize I learned more about Fort Worth trying to entertain my guest and friend Elena than the nine years I've lived and worked here.

I reconnected with my family in Texarkana, Texas and visited Bindi in Arkansas. All around it was a very full and eventful summer that has spilled out to the future. I stay in contact with my sweet sister/friend Marie in Singapore as does my daughter with her son, Nez. I do believe in fairy tales, you should know that about me by now. So I hold my thoughts close that she (Sara) and he (Nez) might beat the odds on long distance romances...that they retain this sweet first love and be reunited again in the near future. I would be so happy to have him in my family.

At the moment, I have another house guests who are thriving and making progress for a new life. If you can guess who this is...please accept thanks for all the help given and be assured that everything is being done that can be done to bring happiness back.

Tomorrow will be the end of a two week session with 1/2 of my art students...then two more weeks for the rest of the school. This year the numbers are up again with more than 825 little brushes to inspire. I haven't lost my passion for teaching...in fact the trips and summer interludes inspired a renewed burning to do a better job but I'm overwhelmed by the shear numbers. Thirty-four kindergarten students in one class....well, let's say I can't turn my back! We have a deaf education program at our school...the only place a deaf child goes for elementary education in the FWISD....so the aide I have for Kinder in a deaf aide! God knows I love her and don't want to be bias but....she doesn't wear a hearing aide, reads lips and doesn't voice! I think she understands but often not...at least I do have someone to take the wee ones to wee wee ( as that is a real problem when your classroom is the furthermost from the school behind the gym & no bathroom).. Sorry I guess, I'm venting a bit! Still..I love teaching art and for the most part I'm left alone. Sort of, "Out of sight, Out of Mind" working for me. I have five 45 minute classes, back to back (no lead time) then a 30 minute lunch...another class followed by my conference period 45 minutes ( I call...God, I have to Pee Pee Time) at 1:15....then 2:00 is the last class of the day, my oldest group (the 5th graders) hormones and all. I surely love them but at the end of the day, they'll pretty burned out and I'm getting thin on charm! lol Nevertheless, I've decided to push myself for more challenging project for them, to get them involved in an after school Art Club and offer more one on one with the special ones. You remember them ( I was one of those)...kinda sad, a bit lost and needing to fit in somewhere. Just wanting someone to acknowledge that you're worthy of the time to listen.

It's a wish, I have to be a better person...to improve my mind, my heart and test my resilience. Wish me luck...no, I need some heartfelt prayers to lift me to be my strongest and most patient...so many are depending on me.

Queenie