Saturday, May 9, 2009

Let Me Out!

Help! My calendar has trapped me in a vicious vortex of end-of-school events! I'm a prisoner of my schedule! I've missed you all terribly. This morning has been filled with a very little housework and as much blog-reading as I could manage. I decided that I'd better get a post done, or someone will be sending out a search party. While reading, I had some big fat computer issues. I couldn't see the text part of Simone's blog (so I'm missing out on that giveaway), and then another blog I was visiting started that crazy open-as-many-windows-to-this-blog-as-possible thing. What's that about? Is it Blogger? Is it Explorer? Is it operator error?

My morning school, Lewis Ames Elementary in Littleton, Colorado, is closing this year. We are all so sad to leave each other and go to different schools that we've been denying the future. I was rudely roused from my own denial this week when I learned that I've been sentenced to the darkness of hell next year. The administrators of the program I work for are sending me to the only school I've ever truly abhorred (it's the adults, not the students). The deciders (love that Bush-ism) at that school (and don't forget the administrators at the top) make decisions based upon a lack of literacy experience and a belief that a program (rather than excellent teaching) can save their school. Or maybe it's the Magic 8 Ball in the principal's desk! Anyway, I'm in for a summer-long attitude adjustment. I'll have to stitch even more to work out my demons therapeutically and visualize myself doing my best job ever. I think I can, I think I can ...

Ames is having an open house this week, and I'm on the committee planning it. We've been making, baking and painting dough ornaments to give away (pictures to come later), so I've been a busy girl. Our school was treated to a wonderful field trip to Coors Field (home of the Colorado Rockies) this week for a wild event. If you're interested in seeing part of the excitement that exhausted teachers and students (some kindergarteners passed out on the bus ride home), you can look here.

How about a stitchy pic? If you recall from who-knows-how-long-ago, this was what Eden looked like ...
Today, Eden looks like this ...

Hey, there's a little progress. I like seeing both pictures together like that. I started filling in the pond area with some "ripples" from the fishing line. We'll see how that goes. Of course, the swans are gonna need their own "ripples", so making them all work together oughta keep my mind working. I'm not sure where these creative moments (read: wild ideas) come from, but what the hell! Can it hurt to give it a try? Only the unstitching hurts, right?

On another And They Sinned note, my sister finished her journey through Eden (enormous gasp)!! I know! Isn't that exciting? Sharri is now wondering which bank to rob in order to frame it. Hopefully, I'll get a picture for you tomorrow when we go visit Mom.

I'm off to ... 1) enjoy the fabulous sun on the deck, 2) make and bake some more ornaments, 3) remove the hideous debris of the week in my house, 4) savor a Diet Coke with lemon. Two weeks left until I'm set free to roam the golf course and stitch until my elbow hurts.

Happy Mother's Day, all of you moms out there. Make some fun.

20 comments:

Missy Ann said...

That's great progress on Eden. I can't wait to see how the ripples in the pond work out, it's a great idea.

Sorry to hear about your school.

Loraine said...

Nice to see your still alive after all of your science excitement! Great job on Eden. It's looking wonderful. You really make me want to stitch this amazing piece.
Good job on the last 2 weeks of school. You can...you can... you can!

Pam said...

Your Eden is looking great! I can't wait to see more of it. Happy Mother's Day!

Jan said...

Eden is looking so wonderful! You are so near the end and I am envious...course now one needs to start, before one can finish! LOL

I am so sorry to read about your school's closing and the rotten assignment for next year. Here is hoping that things work out great for you, regardless!

Enjoy this special summer and get plenty of x's in! Have a great weekend!

Erica said...

So sorry to hear about your school closing. I know what it is like to have your career shaken up, especially during these times!
Perhaps something good will come from it eventually.

Diane (di) said...

Wow, Eden is really coming along. It's just beautiful and you are sooo close to being finished.

I'm sorry your school is closing Doris. Not to mention the 'deciders' that sent you to the 'darkness of hell'. You'll just have to stitch a whole lot more (which means more WIP pics for us... yay!) :)

Siobhán said...

Wonderful progress on Eden!

I'm so sorry about your having to change schools. Stitching will help you get through it!

Every so often that 'opening a ton of windows' things happens to me, too. It seems to happen when I don't let the page load in its entirety before I try to read it or if I try to close it before it's all loaded. I HATE it when that happens!! Enjoy your weekend.

mainely stitching said...

Oh, wow, I can't believe how great Eden looks! What amazing progress! :D

Sorry about the disappointment with your upcoming transfer - I hope it goes much better than expected!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Awww, Doris! Bummer about your school and I'm sorry you're being sent to a school that is less than ideal for you. But, I'm guessing that you'll be the bright light that brings positive change. Loved the video of the record breaking balloon blow-up and all the science experiments! The kids looked like they had a blast. Love, love, love the pond!!!! I'm sure it's going to look awesome! Cheering you on to a grand finish. Enjoy your weekend with your mom and sister. Happy Mother's Day, Doris - you're in my thoughts!

staci said...

That windows thing could be a virus (I hope you don't have one, but I had that problem before my computer crashed.)

Good luck next year. Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day! {{hugs}}

Anonymous said...

Hey Doris -
Yes, you CAN (must haver heard it somewhere...).
Eden is progressing alright : som uch density to the pattern, not sure I could take it.
I have developed a "stitching" elbow, although I do not stitch that much. Maybe I should strat golf... ;-)

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

Wow, Doris, you have been stitching up a storm on Eden! Looks GREAT! I love the green shades.
So, is the number 2 now? LOL
I like to read your blog, counting down to vacation~~~~
Happy Mothers Day
Jennifer

Ellen said...

Happy Mother's Day! I enjoy the progress of your Eden.

Hugs

Suburban Stitcher said...

Goodness, that's really coming along now! Sorry about your job switch and school closing. Definitely NO FUN!

Pam said...

Doris, check out the blog for Blackbird Designs!!

Deb said...

I bet the next weeks can't go by fast enough for you! And you know, maybe things won't be as bad as you think next year (I'm trying to be optimistic for you). And you've made great progress on ATS! YGG! It's such a wonderful piece, but I do hear you on that framing expense. But it will be worth every cent.

Von said...

You made great progress on Eden!

It's too bad you have no say where you go when Ames is closed. You'll have to be very good to yourself if returning to the hated school turns out to be as bad as before. Crossing my fingers that things have improved!

Ranae said...

That windows thing is terrible isn't it? Alot of bloggers are getting annoyed. I thought it was the bloggers I was following, but thats not the case. Maybe I have a too fast a clicky finger for dial up, lol.
I love what you did with the ripples in the water, it will look fantastic.
A huge Congratulations to your sister, it must be spectacular
Take care!!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to see ATS. I'm sure it's fabulous. I hope the next 2 wks fly by for you and you have a wonderful summer. Hopefully the new school won't be total hell for you; I'll keep my prayers that it'll be better than expected.
robin

Jackie said...

can i go, play in the Eden once it finished ?? bet is sure a beautiful piece of work.