My classroom is finished. The books are all organized on book racks, placed carefully in a clear shoe caddy–which is perfect for books, by the way– and hung on the back of my closet door. I have over 200 books ranging from a few classics to the new award winners to the most popular book the kids love–A Child Called It–to the Left Behind series. All my bases are covered. I have books for every reading level, every topic, every genre. My kids will love to read by the end of the year!
I bought carpets, bean bags and throw pillows all scattered around the room for little reading nooks. Every child will have the chance to read in one of those comfy spots each week. I love this feeling of excitement that the school year brings. It always helps balance out the frustrations that will come later.
I began to paint my art room last night. I decided for a shade lighter than chocolate brown. I wasn’t sure that I’d like it or not as it went up on one wall. I left it over night before going on to any other section just to make sure it would be okay. I still wasn’t sure as of noon today, but I got back from buying a few items that will help pull it all together. I’m so excited. By Sunday, it will be done and I will have a lovely spot to retreat to after school next week.
If you’ve never seen the Somerset magazine series–artful blogging, Somerset Home, etc., you need to do so. The Somerset series is incredible. I bought Somerset Home the other night and fell in love. There are so many ideas that I’ve been trying and that I want to try. Beautiful art pieces are every where. Love it!
The house is still quiet. Jake has emailed several times and is doing great at school. Last night, I found myself wandering around the house not knowing what to do. The house was clean, supper eaten, bed made, etc. It was a strange feeling of loss and idleness and confusion. Thus the reason I started painting at 8pm, I suppose. I’ve not written a poem in two years, and I was thinking last night that I need to do that soon. It’s been a year since I wrote a professional article. It’s time to get busy on one of those, too. I can’t get over how much time I have in any given day. No husband, no kids around, just me and all these minutes click, click, clicking away.
I’m not worried, though. In a month, I’ll be complaining that I don’t have enough time. School will start, data will need to be collected, work will need to be graded, I’ll be the cheer-leading sponsor, so basketball season will be upon us before long, and, of course, so many teachers have been asking for my help with creating a reader’s and writer’s workshop, so the emptiness will soon be filled, I’m sure.
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Goodness girlie–you’re on a roll! Once you decide to do something, you get to it, don’t you!
Wish you had a digi to shoot a pic for us. Hmmmm, I’m thinking the brown will be perfect when you mix it up with the greens, yellows, pinks, buttercreams you decided on. Perfect. So much so that I may move in with ya to fight off the alone-time blues. Why is the grass always greener? (kidding, I love my grass…just wish it wouldn’t be so loud!)