On the Northern Wind

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There was a huge cloud that passed over the neighborhood today.  Everyone stepped outside.  It was like one of those scenes in the movies where the aliens arrive and there is wide spread awe.  Only I didn't see any aliens.  There was a huge continuous cloud with equally amazing cool breezes.  The weatherman said that because of the cloud we didn't break the record.  If you don't live around here the weathermen have been drunk on us passing the continuous days over 100 degrees that was set in 1980.  It makes the initial news blurb every night, right after a quick barely noticeable mention of the debt crisis and right before the two sentences about the famine in Africa. 

School starts for me in three days.  I am happy to get back to the school routine.  The house runs more smoothly when everyone has a set schedule.  I volunteered to do an inservice.  I have not even thought about it all summer.  I might want to get on top of that or it will be a painful hour with my peers while I sit and stare back at them when they don't laugh at my jokes.  Tough crowd.    

Crusty Monster

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I hate waking up with a cold.  My face feels completely crunchy.  The body releases awesome things when you sleep and they always pool and dry in the most unusual spots.  This morning I got up...barely in time for work.  My right eye was swollen shut.  It made it so difficult to see the random crusties.  I thought I got all of them.  I got some of them.  It was a rough morning. 

I didn't wake up completely till around noon.  It provided for an eventful 4 hours. I will have to get sleep tonight and wash my face better tomorrow.  (I think I scared the children.) 

Good news...I only work for a three day stretch then I am off for a glorious two days.  I can make it.  This is my last week before going back to school.  It is sad.  I had such great hopes for organization.  I got some of it started but could use a couple of weeks...with no teaching drivers ed.  

I am excited to set up my classroom.  With all of the sickness, and driving I have not even thought about the new school year.  This year the school district is making big changes we are allowing the use of phones and their own laptops/tablets.  It is an exciting change.  I have their first "phone" lesson figured out and can't wait to think of additional ones.  If I must confess it is what I thought about for most of the 8 hours I was driving students.  A busy girl gotta multitask.  

Any cool ideas for teaching using cellphones? 

Summer is almost gone

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The hotter it gets the more I find myself looking at pictures of water and snow.   I've watched White Christmas twice, Day after Tomorrow three times, and Elf.  I also find myself waking up earlier.  Not sure what that nonsense is all about.  It is good I suppose...as I only have a week until school starts.  (Deep sigh.)

This summer flew by lightening fast.  Feels like I only accomplished half the things on my to do list.  Even though I did not get my book released yet...I did get other stuff done.  I wrote nearly every day.  It was bit of a scattered effort.  Half of it was on the book I won't use, and the other half was on another book that will never see the light of day.  However, they were both not done in vein.  I discovered my main character.  I learned that a story is more than plot and characters.  I learned that the stories I love are filled with problems, and stakes that grow with every page.  I learned that if you love your characters you will put them in the biggest trouble you can imagine and let them fix it themselves.

And in between the increased number of hours driving and all the writing I found how I want to change my bedroom.

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Isn't that beautiful.  I have several book shelves but they are mismatched and completely crowed with books...and they may need dusting.  It would be freaking awesome if I could build this...it looks easy right?  A couple of boards of wood, some nails, throw some paint on that puppy. I love the ceiling too but am thinking maybe we start with small steps.

Put on Your Creative Hats

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After posting my inspiring on Random bits, I was out and about the blogsphere checking on my friends to see what everyone has been up to.  About ten minutes into the process I had the most pleasant of surprises...there was a post about me.  Well, not completely about me...it was about my blog.  So that is the same thing.  

Laura, at Literary Legs posted Redefining Creativity about where creativity comes from and how it comes to each of us.  

So please take a hop on over and see how she has masterfully cleaned up my post and mentioned this little blog on her own.

Random mid week bits

1)  I have been thinking that one day, one day soon I will start my new hobby...book art.

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I am obsessed with book art.  It looks simple, just cutting a book up. The combination of images really do tell the story without needing any of the words.  I marvel at the cutting talents of the artist that did this piece.  I forget that I have clumsy cutting styles.  But I think I could so do something like this....maybe more of a beginner one.  

2) I adore dogs.  The only thing I adore more are funny dog pictures.  I found on my tumblr an artist, Carli Davidson, who specilizises in dogs.  She has the most wonderful series called Shake.  Do yourself a favor and check it out.

A few of my favorites...who couldn't just love dogs after these adorable pictures.  Stay cool everyone!

The Clocked Winked

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Or was that you? 

A day ago I was standing there with my five year old hand in yours.  You held tightly, I was worried I would get lost.But now I am letting you go.  You used to put a cold wet rag on my forehead when I didn't feel well.. Now I have one in my hand for your dry eyes. In a few minutes I will help you close your lids the last time.  You used to put me in the bath every night at 9.  I am cleaning you before the funeral home comes to pick you up for your last ride from the house I call home. You would wave goodbye till we turned the corner.  This time I was on the porch, waving watching you be driven in the back of the black long car.  

The clocked winked, or maybe I miss you.

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This week's Write on Wednesday was inspired by time.  It isn't too late hop on over and check it out.  There are some really nice people and we would love to hear how the winking clock inspires you. 

I love life

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I love life. 

I love waking up with purpose. 

I love having people that need me. 

 I love being surrounded by those I love.

I love fresh cut cold tomatoes on toasted bread.

I love it when people walk away from me and they are little bit better. 

I love life.