Day 228

Can You Describe This Fish?

For writing today, the students had to put their descriptive writing techniques to the test.  They were asked to give a detailed description of a given fish, like the one above.  There were five different fish used, one per table.  

After the descriptions were completed, students switched their work with a student from a different table.  Using that description, the students were asked to draw the fish.  

We compared the drawings the to pictures.  What did we learn?  We need improvements...in descriptive writing and writing neatly!

Day 227

Flowers From Students and Friends

Fruit "Flowers" From Mom and Dad

Another Beautiful Bud From My Best Bud

Oh, NO Dixie...My Cake!

Making A Wish That Better Come True

All in all, it was a good birthday.  It sure is different to be an adult on your birthday.  

As a kid, my birthday was a day with a festive pool party, the last hurrah before school would begin.  But, now, school begins so early, ugh!

My day started with some students of mine greeting me with flowers and more came later with some chocolates too.  A student also made a bracelet for me.  

"Were the students extra good for your birthday?" one may ask.  Oh, no...it was picture day and for some reason picture day makes kids extra chatty.  

Although, they did humor me.  I was waiting for someone to ask my age.  Two hours into the day, it was asked.  I replied with, "My age is a palindromic number."  SILENCE.

A few hours later when I pointed out that a girl's birthday, that would be tomorrow, made her a palindromic age too, with turning 11, is when they got it.  A student called out, "33 is your age," with a, "22,"  to follow!  The 22 sure did make me smile and I was especially thankful that no one called out, ""44".  

Some friends at work surprised me at lunch with some flowers, a balloon, and a gift card to BevMo.  So sweet and how did they know I would like BevMo? ;)

When I walked in the door, at home, I was surprised to see a fruit bouquet on my kitchen table.  I could not figure out how it got there (long day).  And then I realized that my mom had brought it by.  :)  We now have yummy fruit salad for the next few days!

Chris came home with a beautiful rose and a dessert to share later, after dinner.  We went out to Outback, per my request, and came home to my birthday cake.  

Opening of cards and reminiscing of the 311 concert and Santa Barbara vacation (birthday gifts from Chris) finished out my night. 

Cheers to a good 33!

Day 226

A Photo Worth Many Stories

See how Harley, the cat, has his back to Kona, the black lab?  Moments prior to this photo being taken, Kona was trying to get outside to the backyard BUT Harley was standing in her way.  So, Kona just stood there letting the kitty intimidate him.  

Now, let's go back a few weeks ago to when Harley was trying to get out the door.  I caught him in mid-jump and he was frozen because Kona was sitting in the way.  These two have an ongoing battle!

Then there is the fox...see that dead looking animal between the two?  Kona is OBSESSED with her stuffed animals.  We think she is all excited to see us when we come home but, no, she just wants to get to her stuffed animals! 

Day 225

My Sunday Afternoon

Back to work...I am trying to relax while watching my new love, "Cupcake Wars" while creating my lesson plans on Word.  Speaking of Word, I need to mention Chris, who saved me.

My laptop has been acting up and has been super slow.  So, I have been trying to throw away items that I don't need.  Well, I threw away something that didn't "look" needed.  

Uh, oh!  It was sure needed...my Word wouldn't work!  Thanks to Chris, it all got fixed and I got back to using Word to make my lesson plan sheets. 

Day 224

Listened to the Book, Saw the Movie

I really enjoyed listening to this book.  I would listen as I walked the dogs and when I was trying to wind down to go to sleep.  It was an incredible book with an even greater message.  I was so sad when the book was over...I wanted to keep hearing about the characters' lives.

Today, I went with my mom to see the movie adaptation of the book.  It was good!  I was especially impressed on how well the book was adapted to make it into the movie. 

Day 223

Wine and Cheese Party

It was the second (hopefully annual) wine and cheese party hosted by my principal.  She opened up her lovely home to host the staff for wine and appetizers.  A great way to start the new school year.

Day 222

New Amplification System

It was Back to School Night and I survived!  I can practically sing and do cartwheels in front of 30 fifth graders, no problem.  BUT put me in front of 30 adults...YIKES!  I get so nervous every year.

Then, this year, a new amplification system had been installed and I needed to show it off to the parents.  It works, it did its job, but I just feel that I was blessed with a loud voice without giving much effort :)  That doesn't mean I didn't practice with the system by singing BEFORE the parents arrived!

Day 221

First Day of School

A Full Desk = Lots of Learning About to Occur

Today, I met my 30 fifth graders.  They all came prepared for school in their new outfits and full bag of supplies.  I continue to be amazed by the school where I teach and I truly appreciate working in such a high performing area.  But, I sure cannot forget my first year of teaching during the 02/03 school year where I had to supply the paper, kleenex, snacks for the kids.  

Cheers to a new school year!  I hope it will be a success.

Day 220

NEW Smart Board

This was installed while I was away and today I got to play.  A Smart Board is an interactive tool that is perfect for a classroom.  I am still learning but look forward to exploring this new technology with my fifth graders!

Day 219

Packing Up to Go Home, Ugh!

Coffee Bean Stop, YUMMY!

Lunch at Mo's in Pismo

So, cleaning up and leaving a sunny, beautiful day in Santa Barbara was rough!  Especially since I knew that I was heading home to end summer vacation and to begin work the next day.

To break up the trip, we stopped in Pismo Beach at the outlets, so that we could get some work clothes shopping completed.  I also HAD to stop for an iced latte at Coffee Bean.  I cannot believe that we do not have this coffee place in Nor Cal.  The iced latte is so wonderful with crushed iced.

Then, we grabbed some lunch at Mo's Bar-B-Que.  And, Chris had to get some of their barbecue sauce to bring home.

Day 218

The Santa Barbara Bowl

Loving the Amazing View from the Concert

311...Amazing Show!

For my early birthday gift, Chris purchased the 311 concert tickets.  We went to downtown SB to begin the night and then went up to the SB Bowl.  The opening act was Sublime, not the best performance.  They just stood on stage and played...could have put on the CD and would have gotten the same feeling.

So, during that show, we enjoyed the views and grabbed some drinks.  Then...

311 came on stage and they put on an amazing show!  I did see them while in college and knew that they performed with a great amount of energy.  They played many older songs as well as a few from their new album.  It was WONDERFUL...I am still singing their songs.  

Thank you, Chris, for the great gift!  Oh, and how could I forget...the furry friends saved up some money to buy me a 311 t-shirt and Chris a hat.  So nice!

Day 217

Leaving the Harbor, On a Foggy Morning

Setting the Sails for a Race

The View From Inside a Cave, Looking Out On Our Boat

Chris and Katie Exploring, In the Cave

A Second Cave...A Pitch Black, Creepy Cave

Looking Out From Inside the DARK Cave

A View of Santa Cruz Island

The Dolphins Came Out to Play

And Play

Our journey began on Saturday, a very foggy morning.  My mom, dad, brother, niece, Chris and I all boarded upon the boat and set out for Santa Cruz Island.  The almost, 30 mile trek took over an hour and we endured many bumps.

When we arrived to the island, the first stop was too bumpy so we had to continue along the coast.  The fog began to lift, yay!

We set anchor along a different, calmer coast.  After Chris grilled up some lunch, we explored the caves on the dinghy.  Derek and I both forgot our shoes so we were not able to explore too far into the first cave.  Chris and Katie went around and found some tide pools.  

Next, we decided to explore the other cave.  When we entered, it was completely dark.  With the aid of some flashlights, we looked around but it was a little too scary for Katie.  We set back for the boat to grab some shoes in order to explore the first cave, some more.

But...when we arrived back at the boat, the captain (my dad) said that the wind had picked up and we needed to head back to Santa Barbara.

We set to venture back and got all set for the ride.  The ride back was much smoother and the sunny skies sure helped.  While enjoying the scenery, dozens of dolphins were spotted.  They were playing in the wake of the boat!  

Swimming behind us, the many dolphins jumped and put on an excellent show.  I was too excited and the boat was too bumpy to get any spectacular pictures.  But as Derek said, "One never tires from seeing the dolphins."  They are such beautiful creatures and we are so lucky to have this as one of the many times we have spotted them putting on a fabulous show.

Day 216

The Captain...Someday

The Patient Passengers

View from the Top

My parents and my brother, and his family, joined us to go on a sunset cruise along the coast by Montecito.  It was a beautiful evening and it was amazing to feel the wind and sun on us.

Day 215

The Boat's Flag

Chris in the Galley

Our Condo on the Water

View from Stern

Captain's Quarters

After a five hour drive, down the 101...we made it to Santa Barbara.  But getting there wasn't the hard part, it was the two trips of lugging all the food, drinks, and luggage from the car for a long walk away to the boat.

Here you see all about the boat.  And this boat has a story that started nearly twenty years ago...

While living in Westlake Village (in Southern California) my brother, Derek, took out this small raft with a motor to go fishing.  Well, this created a spark with my dad and a motorized boat was bought.  

As a family, we would take this boat out to the Channel Islands and a love was begun.  My brothers and I all got scuba certified and boat outings were our thing.

But this didn't mean that we knew what we were doing!  A few trips with some serious trial and error took place, but we all got the hang of it...my mom and I sure learned how to be bathing beauties real easily.

After my parents moved away from Westlake Village to Northern California, the bigger boat had to be sold.  A smaller boat to take out on the delta and to the lakes would take its place.  But, we soon learned...we were ocean people.  But, we were Southern California ocean people.  That smaller boat was sold.

Some years went by and being boatless just was not working.  My dad started to investigate, little did I know, about a boat and a slip in the Santa Barbara Harbor.  And, one day I received a call from my mom exclaiming, "We have a condo on the water!"  

Now, Chris and I enjoy traveling to that condo on the water!

Day 214

How I Spent My Morning...In the Dentist Chair

After a teeth cleaning and three cavity fillings...I survived!  The one saving grace was that I was able to watch a movie, hence the TV in the picture.  But, my mouth has not fully recovered yet, ugh!

Day 213

Blank Nametags

All other years we, as teachers, have learned of who was in our class by now (school starts in one week, from tomorrow).  BUT we won't be finding out until the day before school begins...the same day the parents find out.  

There is no one to blame, I feel sorry for the office, since there are so many changes to each class, but it is still frustrating.  So, in the meantime, I am laminating and cutting blank things that need writing on...all next Tuesday.

Day 212

My Cricut

I pronounce this machine like "cricket" but others say "cry-cut".  It is a machine that cuts out all shapes, designs, and letters.  It is perfect for all of my classroom preparations.

Day 211

Slow Cooker Pork

Easy and yummy dinner.  Place a pork tenderloin or pork sirloin into the slow cooker.  Add a 2L bottle or root beer.  Cook on high for about 4.5 hours.  Shred the meat and drain the root beer.  Then choose a favorite barbecue sauce to slather the meat.  Make your sandwich. 

Day 210

BBQ Time

Full Tummy

The first photo shows the wood piece that had been soaked in red wine which was being used to BBQ our filet mignons.  It was "scrumdiliumshish"! AND the hot dogs for the doggies.

After our dinner, I saw Dixie posed like that (shown in the picture) and had to capture it.  She is SO tired from our day of swimming at Shadow Cliffs, once again.  And, the yummy hot dog dinner.

Day 209

My Gift to Chris

After we got married, we received an electric can opener.  Well, I was annoyed with this can opener because it couldn't be put away and had to sit on the counter.  But there was no counter space.  So...I threw it out!  Chris was, let's say, annoyed.

Eight years later of using a hand operated can opener, I bought him a gift...a new, electric can opener.  He is actually SUPER excited, ha ha ha.

Day 208

The School Prep Begins

Here is my "mile" long of lamination that needs to be cut.  Now, don't everyone come rushing to help cut.  And, after cutting I get to re-organize my classroom.  The good news is that the re-organization is due to getting a Smart Board.  :)

Day 207

Cafe Art

My First Masterpiece

Today, I met my mom at Cafe Art for our "therapy" session.  Painting ceramics is sure relaxing.

I will take a picture of the finished garden pot, when I pick it up.  But, for now, a picture of the cafe and my first piece of work will have to do.

Day 206

Products of Our Garden

Not only do I love berries but I love them even more when they have grown in our garden.  It is a real satisfaction to grow one's own food.

Day 205

What a Good Sport...With Pretty Nails!

Kona's Manicure

Our friend had showed off her lab's painted nails and that prompted me to do the same for Kona, I didn't want her to feel left out :)

It was amazing how Kona just sat there and let me paint her nails AND she let me hold her paw while the paint dried (some did get smudged but that was my clumsy self's fault). 

Watching Kona run down the hallway with her pink nails is just adorable!