Hooky

*Image by AC Berkheiser

Yesterday I skipped school.  I did have an appointment but that was over before 9 a.m. The morning started out with a haze and cloud cover.  Once the clouds broke it turned into the perfect pool day.  I am not sorry I didn't get back to work because it was just the afternoon I needed to recharge my batteries. Do you ever play hooky?

Words

*Image by fahid chowdhury

Today is the reading test, ahhh the words!  I'm actually jealous of my students because once they're done testing they can take a nap or read a book.  I just walk around the room all day watching them read and test while singing songs in my head and making mental checklists.  Which words will be scrolling through your head today?

Surf

*Image by nikon nutt1

Today the big state test comes and scares all of the kids into submission and fear for their future.  Not really.  In order to make my classroom test ready I had to take down or cover every word posted on the walls of my classroom.  This even included the labels on my calendar.  This no-word policy is so staunch that custodians lined the hallways after school covering bulletin boards and even the posted school rules in the corridors.  No words.  Not even the label on the counseling office was safe.  The only poster I have left is of a surfer, that is where I will be casting my far-off glimpses when I am board of pacing the rows of testing students.  I will imagine I am in the ocean of no words.  Where will your boredom take you today?

Weeding

*Image & print by SoundsLikeRain

I am not exaggerating when I tell you that the weeds in my back yard were almost as tall as my fence.  I spent a good couple of hours tackling those monsters.  Now you can laugh at my expense because I even got a little sunburn where my shirt rode up above my shorts.  Yeah, I have a striped sunburn right above my butt - fantastic.  Next time I'll just garden in my bikini to avoid all of the funny lines I now have.  How do you deal with weeds in your yard, or are you lucky enough not to have to fight this battle?

Hunger Games

*Image via Jen Scott Curwood

Tonight at midnight fans will gawk at the big screen to see this wonderful book on film.  I hope that they stayed true to the plot and didn't take too many liberties.  I have tickets for Saturday. Are you going to be watching?

Darth

*Image & t-shirt by Engram

Next week my students will be taking the new standardized test here in TX, the STAAR.  In order to be motivational or clever some teachers are using Star Wars quotations to inspire greatness in students.  I think I'll go with the ever so pun-y 'let the scores be with you' from a bulletin board in the hallway.   I would love to walk in on test day brandishing Darth Vader, but I think that Yoda would be much more kind.  Who is your favorite Star Wars character?

Midsummer

*Image & cut hearts by TheLonelyHeart

My students are really starting to fall in like with Shakespeare, and it's pretty exciting.  In the past 2 years of teaching it has been a while since I've seen students get excited about something.  No, not everyone loves it. but they understand the play and they can have active discussion.  I have not been excited about teaching something in a while and this feels invigorating.  I want to keep this feeling around.  My fingers are crossed that this time next year I'll be teaching in a high school.  What has you excited and energized lately?

Flood

*Image by photoholic1

This is what the weather in TX looks like right now.  We had a tornado drill at school yesterday just in case, tornado warning last night.  Flash flood warning is still on for the morning and water is pounding down from the sky.  I'm glad I just had a week in the sun, maybe the rain will help the kids focus now that they're back in school.  I hope that school trumps weather this week, especially considering that some of my windows have been expertly sealed with duct tape.  Any storms on your horizon?

GBQ

*Image by mamaloco

Happy birthday to my favorite Green Bean Queen!  Hope that you have a splendid day today and that you celebrate by enjoying the outdoors and eating something fantastic.  Happy Birthday!

Beach

*Image by CarolynCochrane

This is what a vacation should be about.  Fine white sand, sea shore, warm sun, relaxation. That is my kind of vacation (not to mention a margarita or a cold beer on the beach to top it off).  Are your spring breaks about a trip to the tropics or are you headed to the mountains to catch your last bit of snow?

Pi

*Image by Cerita Ambar

Happy Pi day to all of my beloved geeks!  Are you baking today, or just calculating?

Break

*Image & card by BlueThistlePaperie

I wish I could coordinate spring break for all of my best people.  It would be so lovely to have a week off at the same time as all of my friends, like the good old days.  What would you do for spring break with all of your friends?

Breezy

*Image & dress via Piperlime

Apparently, Texas is still in the middle of winter (although we've already had a few 80 degree days).  That must be the reason I can't find any breezy dresses around town.  It's either winter formals, or Easter dresses.  I'm not in the market for either.  I thought that for sure Texas would be ready for spring break this time of year, but I will have to stick to internet browsing in the meantime.  Are you feeling spring yet, or are you still stuck in winter?

Fedora

*Image & hat via Anthropologie

Being outside for a vacation deserves a flashy fun accessory.  I'm thinking a fedora would be a nice addition to my summery wardrobe.  I'm not seriously considering this beautiful red number, but it sure is pretty.  My biggest problem is that I have a tiny pin-head.  I tried on a few hats and they were all too big, so internet hat shopping is out for me.  I have to see if there are fedora's for children, because that is seriously the size of my noggin.  What are your hat preferences?

Wonder

*Image via  A Mama's Blog

I feel like my life should be a little easier the week before spring break, but it is quite the opposite.  Too many loose ends to tie up.  Too much to do. Up too late.  Awake too early.  I wish I at least had an invisible jet and some Amazon heritage to help me balance.  Whose super powers would you like this week? 

p.s. If I really had the option, I'd just fly like Superman, but his outfit isn't as cool.

Crawdad

*Image & dress via Anthropologie

Half of me thinks this dress is awesome and the other half of me thinks the crawdad graphics are unique, but creepy.  I can't decide which half to listen to.  I'm leaning toward the awesome half.  I'm getting ready for spring break and am gravitating more toward fun dresses to pack in my luggage.  I think that some shopping may be in my future.  I am getting a case of spring fever.  The weather here is getting nicer and warmer, and I'm itching to be done with school and it's only March.  Are you feeling the fever of spring?