Grace's Adventures in Austin

One day in Austin, my aunt took me to The Thinkery and the roller skating rink. Before that, I went to Houston  and got 2 books, stuff for my bed, a cord for my tablet, 2 outfits, flip-flops, and I saw the BFG with my grandma. It was excellent.

Table runners and Pie Carriers

I found some co-ordinating napkins at Kohl's on clearance. I kept them for a long time, not knowing what to do with them. Last summer, I started watching Missouri Star Quilt Company Tutorials on you tube. I saw the one on snowball quilts, so I started cutting and sewing squares together. Of course, me being me, I never measure or plan, so I just started putting things together. I'd get to a certain point, then stop because I didn't know what to do next, then I'd think of something and start again. So they took a long time to get finished. I bought some co-ordinating blue yardage from JoAnn's for backing and binding. These were the perfect trial and error projects. I learned so much and refined so much doing them. I made them long and short. And I have several - not sure what to do with them - maybe church craft fair? Definitely giveaways :)

MSQC Beach ball Quilt

These were a little more recent - I thought they would be great gifts, so I made one for my sister and it turned out well. So I looked through my stash for co-ordinating fabrics of appropriate sizes. I had limited success on this, but they are done and they turned out well. I have 2 random patterns and one Nightmare Before Christmas for my GS co-leader. 

The Crafty Gemini Pie/Casserole carrier

Partial Teaching Assignment Change

I got the phone call today. The heads up. I've been in and out of school all summer because of summer school. This week is EOC retesting, so I've been "helping" out with that, though, of course, they're paying me to do it.
Something that is good that they did for us for the next year is offer to trade inservice days for some online training modules you can do over the summer. I finished one part over summer school - just some modules on technology options, mostly Google products. I learned a lot and will utilize some info, which is always what you want from that kind of thing. The other one was a module that takes you through the new evaluation rubric. That one was a bugger. But it's done and I passed, so yip!

Back to the phone call. Usually the curriculum director lets us know what it's going to look like when they start finalizing the master schedule. I have my administration certification - I know that is not an easy job. Especially in science, where there are so many certification potentials. She told me earlier that I was going to have more Anatomy. That's good, though not all of those are going to be seniors - which is what makes Anatomy so great - they're all seniors. At some point they stop caring. Juniors probably do that too, but they still have another whole year to gear up for.
Today's phone call was to tell me that my other assignment wasn't going to be Biology. It is going to be either Chemistry or IPC. Neither of which I have taught before. I am certified in Chemisty. Not certified in IPC. IPC are freshmen. Chemistry are a combination of sophomores doubling up, juniors and seniors.

I've been thinking so hard about revamping my biology curriculum - moving to a more critical thinking model, less notes and facts. I'm glad I haven't done the actual work to lay that all out - I figured that I would do that and I would end up with all Anatomy. Oh but no.
I'm certified for Chemistry but I've never taught it and I certainly haven't done those kind of labs or understand that material in the depth required to do the labs. I can do IPC. All of that is laid out from the other teachers. And they are freshmen. Neither one of them are tested subjects, which I don't really care about. So I don't know. We'll see. Hopefully something will pop up out of no where and solve my problem. Bwahahahaha.

Summer Plans

The girls spent the first week of July with grandparents. Millie spent a few days in Houston, then Grace spent some time in Houston, then she went to Austin with her aunties. They want her to stay for drama camp, but I don't know if she's going to want to.

My summer school ends on July 8, then I'll be testing the next week. My parents are going to Galveston that week, so we may go up that Thursday. One or both of the girls may go with my parents if available. There is a girl scout luau and then a free movie on the 10th. The next week is Grace's birthday on Wednesday, so she wants to go to the American Girl store and have lunch at the bistro there. Then we're going to Galveston and do the Rainforest Cafe for dinner. Hopefully we'll find some fun things to do there. I want to go to the Longview Balloon races that weekend, then drop her off at summer camp in Conroe. Then we may be done for awhile, except for girl scout beach weekend. Then some days working at school and starting inservice in the middle of the month. 

It seems like it's almost over. . . . 

Row by Row Experience

www.rowbyrowexperience.com


So I've been collecting these. On my trip, I got 3 in San Antonio, 1 in Slaton, 1 in Boerne and 2 in Lubbock. Friends have gotten me ones from College Station, Fredericksburg, Cedar Park and Waco. I've been to Houston for 3.  I've been getting the kits because I'm more likely to do it. I don't really think I'm going to make a quilt. Quilting is hard on a home machine. I like to make quilted stuff and piece things together. But with the kits, I'm thinking I may have enough stuff to make 2 - maybe one for a quilt top and maybe one for a wall hanging or table runner. BUT I have a lot of projects to work on before I start on them. Since I don't plan to win prizes, I can be working on them for the rest of the year. Lots of new skills and practicing skills.

For later this summer

For later this summer

Summer vacation Day 3&4

So Friday was my first whole day. I was busy all day, so Scott and the girls were supposed to go to Critter Fest at one of the local museums. I went up to the room to rest during my lunch break and they hadn't left yet because Millie wouldn't get dressed. They finally went and had a good time. Friday night was worship service, so we had a dinner before at BJ's Brewhouse. Good food. Sick again - my theory is the rolls, so no more rolls for me, no matter how delicious :(

On Saturday, we had a Bible Study and some mission speakers, so I wanted Grace to come with me. She did and was so good. I think the best thing about these conventions is to learn about the mission speakers. 

Golden Triangle Zone Delegation

 Saturday afternoon, there were enrichment sessions, but we wanted to explore Lubbock a little and get outside, so we went to the Lubbock Lake Landmark. There were metal statues of bison, mammoths and other animals.

There were some weird desert plants. We went to look around Texas Tech - there's no much open, even in the student center, on Saturdays in the summer. 

Saturday banquet with Leslie

I had to be back at 7 for the banquet. I was able to sit with my best friend from college Leslie. Her zone is hosting the convention in 2 years in Waco. I can't wait.

We drove the whole way home after the meeting on Sunday. It wasn't as bad as I thought. The girls were really good. But w were so glad to be home. 

Summer Vacation Day 2

The view from the car or wind farms. Super cool. 
The trip to Lubbock was interesting. It wasn't as desert-y as we thought we would see. For awhile, it was familiar, just stubbier trees, but eventually we were able to see the more grassland environment. We enjoyed seeing the wind farms. We saw the plateaus and other terrestrial structures. 

Grace and I at the photobooth. This is a bridesmaid's dress for my friend's wedding in October. 

I had a meeting in Lubbock at 3, and we made it in time. While I was there, Scott and the girls moved in and went to get dinner for them (I was fed at my meeting). Of course, the meal made me super sick and there was grossness. Grace and I went downstairs later to mingle around the exhibits and be seen. It was nice to see people. 

As Zone president, I had to host a caucus for the zone members who attended. It was nice to see them and catch up before bed. 

Millie was not all that greatly behaved the entire time we were gone. Hard stuff.