Time is here...the feel is in the air. A brand new school year is here! I am so excited about what the year will have in store for me and the students.

I am somewheat of a nerd when it comes to back to school. I love the paper, pencils, smell of the newly opened box of crayons, and getting to get a new lunch box. I never fail to get so excited in anticipation of the new year.

I will be posted some ideas for my classroom as well as some of the products my students and I create. Look out 2012-2013 here I come!

Daily Inspiration

I was looking at Poetry Daily and really liked 

this poem. It just made me want

 to be near the ocean.

Graceline

       after The Sea by Max Ernst
I still see the wake of our ship,
           or the route our ship took
                       combed evenly across the ocean.
It makes graceful lines
           that have a way of lasting:
                       so spontaneous and definite
I could start our journey all over again
           and live in the present.
                       In his painting of the sea,
that comb—a few teeth missing—
           scraped away the recent white
                       and oatmeal oils
to show at last the older blues and blacks:
           this makes a restless
                       pattern over the sea
the way a ship performs just this task, with fidelity,
           to scratch what is already there
                       with a little incident, remark, anecdote—
a grazed knee, a few shouts in a port,
           so for the passengers on deck,
                       the ocean becomes theirs,
dense and dependable, even homely.
           They leave what can never be left.
                       The ship creates the illusion of a path—
a past that issues from it and winds
           over the ocean and is unforgettable,
                       and the ocean is unforgettable.

JANE DURAN

One Little Word 2012

I am on a journey to explore my one little word for the upcoming year. In 2012, my focus is going to be on SIMPLIFY...
I want to simplify my life, my habits, my wants, my hangups, and my soul. This word just seemed to resonate with me at the beginning of this new year. I want to be able to simplify those things in my life that at the moment are chaotic.
I know that the simple things are what make me happiest. Not material things...not expensive things...just the basic simple in life is what does it for me.
Join me on my journey?

Yes, I am.

"If you are a dreamer come in 
If you are a dreamer a wisher a liar 
A hoper a pray-er a magic-bean-buyer 
If youre a pretender come sit by my fire 
For we have some flax golden tales to spin 
Come in! 
Come in!" 
— Shel Silverstein

I am a dreamer. This has always been one of my favorites by one of my all time most loved poets.
Let's take a moment and be childlike. It makes the world much more fun!

Crazy Girls

The things you do with your sister and daughter. I actually found my shark helmet quite comfortable. I was hesitant to remove it, but thought I probably should since I wasn't going to be purchasing said helmet.
Yes, me being the shy individual that I am, asked a total stranger to photograph my sister, my daughter, and myself in the middle of Target. She gladly took Deb's iphone and well, you see the amazing results. Amelia looks a bit wary of us. Not sure why. One day she'll look back at this and be very happy that she sported the look along with us.

Good times with some crazy girls!

Searching

I find that I am searching. Searching for something. I think it is peace, stress free days, not worrying about mundane stuff.
I sometimes wonder what I would do if we won the lottery. Would I be stress free then? No money worries, no wondering about the economy and the possiblities of jobs not being there.
I am not sure that is the answer to everything. I know that ultimately my search for peace is met by God. That is the only way I can truly experience it. I've been reading and reaffirming my faith lately. Knowing that I am not alone in this world is the most comforting thing I've ever felt.
I picked up medical records for Mike from his neurologist's office on Monday. Reading those really brought back our ordeal three years ago. I knew then that he would be O.K. I had the strength that I could only get from God. Those times are a blur when I try to think about everything that went on. It is almost surreal...like it didn't happen to us. Yet, I know it did.
I still need God. I still need His strength and love. Everyday. I need this to keep going.
I read some of my Nana's poetry recently. I love how her words are so joyous and in praising God she found her joy and peace. That is how I want to find mine as well.

Dog Days of Summer

Hot doesn't begin to describe the weather we are having here in central Texas. The only good thing, to me, is that I have an excuse to sit inside and devour books. I've visited the local bookstore, Book Pride aka Dog Eared Books and the library several times already. My wonderful husband surprised me with five new titles. My reading list is growing.

I've also been doing some jotting down of ideas. My little notebook is now secure in my purse. My pen is at ready. I've been basically people watching and looking for character inspiration for a short story I have brewing in my head. Hopefully I'll have enough to hammer out a few paragraphs soon. I'm still not sure where I want to go with it.

Until then, I will just enjoy my reading....and maybe some iced tea!