GOT NAME?

Yum! This is the season for cherries here. But this has nothing to do with the post:)

As I mentioned earlier - I am in the mist of a career change. I am "technically" on a professional development leave from teaching for one year. What I want to do is coordinate a mentor program in the middle schools for students in math & science. There is a large professional corporation in town that would like to promote something like this with their employees. Obviously - heavy in the math & science fields. This cannot be funded by the schools (since the state is in a budget crisis - we laid off teachers). I will have to write my own grants.

What I am struggling with at the moment is a NAME for the program. I have other "issues" but I'll save that for another post. My first idea was: Mentorworks! - but they (powers that be) don't want the words mentor or remediation - used in the title. This program is focused on academics and a "school program."

Here are some ideas that go with the program when brainstorming-
guided study * math * science * support * partnership * education * resource * supplement * curriculum * boost *

Acronyms are a common - but those of you that were there during the cyber shower and saw me play the verification letter game - know that I stink at this. ;0

Any one have ideas to share? I know this is the least of my concerns in the BIG picture - but I need to get a hold of something and develop from there. GOT NAME?

Still here - just slow

(Another pic - called umbrella)

I have started so many posts in my head but just don't get it down in time. A few ramblings...

My little dude was taken to nature camp this week. For some reason this was hard on me. He has been to camp before but this time without his big bro. I waited in the parking lot and watched him. He is shy at first but a typical extrovert. He will make friends. I guess there are some days I want to hold them so tight and keep them from growing up. This feeling creeps up at random times. If you don't have kids yet - wait- you will get these soon enough. They are like a rock drowning your heart in an ocean. It also centers me into what is a priority in life.

(Little Dude fishing)


My lack of posts and comments - although I enjoyed a cyber shower- is mainly due to going through a career change now. It has me caused some confusion, questioning and lots of stress. I am following my heart on this, realizing I need a change - just praying for some better answers. When it is official - I will post more details. I am a low risk taker - if you knew me - this is huge.

The last of the rambles for the night - is that I really enjoy reading other people's blogs. It is also fun to get to know others especially in the adoption world. I am trying to comment but I do like to check around and visit sites. I get inspiration, opinions, lot of funny stuff, and updates on the adoption. I think people are fascinating. I like learning about different people and their personalities. Some places - like a concert- a beach- a mall- offers more diversity. I realize that we are not alike- I wouldn't want us to be. Differences make us interesting. I have my opinions too but I guess I am seeing how I measure up.

Update - I finished my web class- that is why I am out with the camera lately - to relax again....

Ode to a Dragon fly

This post is dedicated to Ms Dragonfly for her good news...
This afternoon I went to a friend's place- out of the city and took my time, enjoying the beauty. These dragon flies were playing with me. I have been trying to get the right exposure too. If they would just stay still....





Next comes the frogs...

Argh!

I make up blog entries in my head constantly - especially when I am driving. I regret not able to actually get them posted. Sometimes that is for every one's good.
I am taking a web publishing grad class. It is with a program called Dreamweaver.
I signed up thinking I could do a classroom web page and maybe change my blogs into something more. Well, I also though I was pretty decent at blogging - at least enough to have some options on a page.
I am totally lost in this class! It is from 8-5! I am dying! First I cannot get my head organized on planning the web site - I don't know why. Maybe last weeks margaritas ruined that section of the brain.
Second this program is NOT for beginners! It is like the Cadillac of design. You do everything from scratch! No templates to start with - You can BUY a template for $50+. It takes about 15- 30 min to make one button! I am sure I will learn something but I get so frustrated because I am on break and didn't plan to work that hard.
Pathetic aren't I?
Whiny too.
So my dear blogger friends- I will not leave you in this world- I may learn to jazz some stuff up but don't hold your breath.

Update on terrarium:
The missing critters are not on the ground, under the table or in the room. I just vacuumed and checked.
The big frog named Moe is gone! Black hole for sure.
We found a tree frog and green frog and added them. What the heck.

PS waiting for good news from Ms Dragonfly- I am so excited for you. And Loud secrets - I saw a color in my web class called chandelier pink. It has sparkles in it.

Black Hole

Black Hole: Swirling hot gases in outer space. Largest known gravitational force in the universe. A "hole" in space so dense that even light cannot pass through. An inverted bend in time and space causing space to warp.
Yes, this must be it. I have come to the rational conclusion that there is a black hole existing in my terrarium. As many know - this terrarium of critters had become my summer project. My nemesis, way too time consuming- addictive toy- obsession.

I was given a terrarium to play with. It was missing some key parts so I used my non existent bonus to buy the parts. I paid for the finest creatures in all the land of Oz.

Some days are good, other days I consider doing CPR on a frog (never know if the handsome prince is there). My kids encourage the battle. "Save him, Mom. He just can't die- I feed him every hour." and it goes on and on.

My morning ritual is to check who is living and who has taken the easy way out and chose death to escape our house of turmoil and torture as we blunder through the How to take care of XXX.

We are learning but with a cost. My sanity is on the brink.

We started with 5 tadpoles. 3 turned into froglets and were never seen again. The other 2 just disappeared. One day the fish are there, the next day there is only one- only to mysteriously return the following day. The newt died today- he was missing for 2 days and surfaced this morning.

Current census:
2 small gold fish, a very small algae eater, a new newt, a frog, 6 sand toads and two ivy plants.

Many of our creatures "disappear." I have too many critters MIA. There seems to be a daily replacement necessary.

My theories:
1) The fish eat the tadpoles- But they are on the other side of the tank and only twice the size of tadpoles. NO way for them to get to each other unless one sprouts wings to fly over to the other side.

2) The water plants are actually carnivorous in the tank- they look so pristine and lily like. A little frog hops on the leaf to be smashed like a pancake and digested into oblivion! Cool! they only cost $1.99. What a deal.

3) There is a black hole festering in my terrarium. Things are constantly being taken into different dimensions. Some come back alive or belly up. Some decide anywhere - any warped galaxy is safer than our tank. This seems to be the only rational theory.

Getting the picture?

I depserately need a new lens. Macro- I think. I am in the right spot but can't seem to get the shot I want.

Here are my "bees in action"





Why can't I get the bee in focus?
I am trying for the flying bee next to the flower.

Here is my dragon fly picture. Not as cool on others' blogs site.

Flying Squirrels

WHOA! What a morning... My neighbor & I were talking outside and we hear some crazy animal chatter in the trees. Next thing we know there is a little red squirrel jumping over our heads and landed in the yard and dashed into some bushes. I hadn't even finished my coffee - so we both checked - did you see that?

Our suburban little red squirrels don't do this. Plus my dog was in the yard too. We were amazed and thought how cool it was. I went back to my deck to do some reading when I saw a squirrel do it AGAIN! This time from the other side of the tree. Then it scampers back and joins the other squirrel in the tree and they chase around until one ends up "flying" out- sometimes landing on a neighboring tree - sometimes just thudding onto the ground.
I raced inside to get my camera- knowing it probably will stop and I would be too late. I put my dog inside. Then stood near the base of one tree and wait. After some misses - I got it!

I can't tell yet if it was the same squirrel jumping or two. There were only two playing in the trees. It seemed like they were playing "king-of-the-tree". They ran around & around when all of the sudden - one comes "flying" out from some part of the tree and lands randomly. If it is only one - what an cool survival adaptation! Or terrible trait that will cause it to die out very soon due to poor landing choices (ie my dog). Maybe it bumped its head too many times. You never know.

This whole morning ritual only lasted about 10 minutes. I hope to get out there tomorrow and see if they do it again! Please click on the picture to get the whole effect.


One of the squirrels.

What makes you tick? Part 4

You Have A Type B+ Personality

You're a pro at going with the flow You love to kick back and take in everything life has to offer A total joy to be around, people crave your stability. While you're totally laid back, you can have bouts of hyperactivity. Get into a project you love, and you won't stop until it's done You're passionate - just selective about your passions

Do You Have a Type A Personality?

I think the stability part is off- I hide it well. I don't rock the boat, though. The passionate part is very true- I am working on something soon to feed one of these passions too.

What makes you tick? Part 3

65%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle² -

Not too bad- I thought I was worse. I know I am getting worse as people keep sharing really cool tricks to try on a blog:)
I should take this quiz again at the end of the year and compare...or maybe not....

What makes you tick? Part 2

How do you canoe?

We use to canoe more with our dogs when we did training for search & rescue work. Yesterday we went and it brought back some great memories.
There are different "styles" to canoeing.

There are the zig zagers.

There are the circle people.

There are the tipsy people that like to tip.

Some like the white water canoe trips.

There are some that move straight-as-an-arrow.

There are browsers, and lets-get-somewhere people.

The place where you sit can be important too.

I think canoeing with someone is necessary to see if your are compatible. It is part of a list we joke about. My best friend & I took a women's trip and found out we are OK too.
My husband prefers the back spot while I like the front. In the front there isn't as much pressure. I can tell what side he is paddling on and help keep us straight or help us turn. Also up front- I am the scouter.
He wants the control spot - I am OK with that- I mean- then he is to blame if we get lost!
Yesterday, we rented canoes as a family down an easy river. Very calm. It was a sunny day and another couple joined us with their boys. Three hours, very peaceful. Stopping for some swimming. It is one of those events that gets ruined if you do it alot but a couple of times in the summer is just right. The kids made it nosier than usual but they had a good time. It was hard to see much wildlife since the kids talked real loud and shouted when they saw something like a turtle or a bird.

We took an exploratory path - the city adventurers but ended on a back pond. Once we convinced everyone to whisper or not talk we could see what was back there. We saw a blue heron and a beaver swam around us. I think it was a mother protecting a nest. of course - I did not have my camera so trust me - very cool. When we stopped on a sandbar - I was teased as Pocahontas for identifying the animal tracks- deer, raccoon, and fox. None of these are very hard...

Today I am sore from sitting on the aluminum bench- I have a delicate be-hind....
So how do you canoe?