More pictures from my neighborhood. This is Mr. Byrd's horse. He still plows Mr. Byrd's field every spring.
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Pretty yellow flowers (buttercups?) by our shed.
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Computer Games

I have a confession to make. I completely and totally enjoy losing myself in the world of computer games. I have bookmarked Yahoo Games, MSN Games, Pogo and Worldwinner (I won't pay money to play so every once in a while I have to get a new log in name). I try not to indulge too often, because I could happily play games all day- clicking myself into carpal tunnel syndrome. I make this confession because I spent hours this weekend playing word puzzles online. Ah, sweet therapy! In between dealing with 2 grumpy and tired teenagers (both of whom got haircuts that they complained about incessantly) and one very bored and housebound husband, I played crosswords and puzzles and spades. It made the weekend very relaxing. After an absolutely horrible week at work and anticipating another stressful week ahead - I had a decadent and absolutely useless weekend. If you could only see the smile on my face.

Future Blackberry Jam
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A friendly face on a rainy day
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A Meme

Marie has given me a meme. As this is my first meme please be patient with me.

1) What is the total number of music files on my computer? Not any, I only put files on to burn CDs and then I delete them. Music files make my old bessie cough and wheeze

2) What is the last cd that I bought? Jet - a great rock and roll band out of Australia. I bought it for my son, who is the bass player in a newly minted garage band.

3) What is the song playing right now? It's 6 am so the house is quiet. Last night I was listening to the 1812 Overture and other great Tchaikovsky hits.

4) What are 5 songs that I play alot and mean alot to me? Alright - I still think in terms of albums, but here goes
1 - Vision the collected works of Hildegard von Bingen. It's in Latin, and I love losing myself in the voice as an instrument
2- This is the Life. Afro Celt Sound System with vocals by Robert Plant.
3 - Where's Your Head At. From the Tomb Raider CD
4 - Enya. Just about anything she has.
5 - Hallelujah sung by Rufus Wainwright. I love Leonard Cohen, but Rufus has the voice!

Math Camp

My daughter, a dedicated and hardworking student, (truly, she is) needs some help in math. Fortunately our local university has a really awesome math camp for middle school kids who struggle and otherwise hate math. I have decided that this evening camp is just the ticket for my math phobic child. I had enough good sense not to ask her if she was interested - I just signed her up and presented her with the good news. "You did what!" she shrieked. "You didn't even ask if I was interested!" Fill in the rest with your best 13 year old indignant voice and you will have a good idea of my evening. As I was trying hard not to let her see me giggle at her reaction she gave me her best line... "Math is for school, NOT for summer!" I refrained from telling her that that was EXACTLY the attitude that had landed her in math camp in the first place. It's nice to know there's some comic relief in parenting teenagers.

Sunrise from my driveway
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School Days or Daze

School is out on Friday. That means I can attend a bunch of meetings, pack up and move my classroom, clean the remains and go to the restroom whenever I need to (without resorting to threats or promises beforehand). I find the end of the year to be bittersweet. I hate to let my students go, but I'm so tired at the end of the year I can hardly get up in the morning. I know that many people think that teachers get the summer off - not true. We generally have to take a number of workshops to maintain our teaching certification, begin making lesson plans for the next year and catch up on housework. I will spend at least one day a week at school for the entire summer - and I won't be paid for any of this extra time. As you can tell from this post, I become sarcastic and negative when I'm tired. I'll try and get something more upbeat later in the week. (FRIDAY!)

It's Field Day and time for.....
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Tug-O-War!
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Dance, dance, dance

Dance week is finally over. This was my 7th season as a dance mom and I've got hell week finally figured out. The kids have rehearsals every night followed by 4 performances in quick succession. I was prepared with a stack of library books to read while waiting, confiscation of all costumes to my bedroom (somehow pieces disappear when the kids keep them), practical black shoes to wear backstage, and a smile for all the beautiful dancers as they enter and exit the stage. I've learned that my old stage hand skills are quite useful backstage, and I try to read W.'s mind as much as possible. W. is the director of the kids dance studio. She is so amazingly talented. She makes our moderately talented children look like they were born with her skill and grace (instead of the 2 left feet of most of us parents bequeathed them!) She puts on a real ballet - not just a recital- and it's just wonderful. Brava! Bravo! Now if I can get enough rest for the next one....

Highway 321 is being widened to a 4 lane. To do this the highway crew is moving a mountain from one side of the road into a valley on the other side. It's fascinating. You can see the car mirror in the lower left corner. I was in a Tacoma truck. This dumptruck is HUGE.
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Waiting in line at the bank.
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Said the spider...
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test test this is a test

I am so over testing children! As a teacher I am expected to assess my students and keep a record of their progress (or lack thereof) but this craze of the last 5 years or so to test test test has gotten out of hand. I teach kindergarteners and 1st graders. To give them a reading assessment is like taking a college exam and giving it to each student in the class individually, out loud, and writing down every word he or she utters while using a stop watch inconspicuously to keep the time. This is done during class time, not before or after while the other 18 students sit and "stay busy". I have done nothing but say "Be quiet, go away, I'm testing" for 10 DAYS. I finished my class this morning. We will be studying the scientific and mathematical properties of paper airplanes tomorrow. I think we all deserve it.

Okay enough rant. I will go find more pictures to take in the morning. It should be a beautiful drive - 'cause we're having thunderstorms tonight.

Diana at Biltmore. I think I like this because of the shadows from the gazebo. Someday I'll visit Italy and Greece and have lots of fun photographing sculpture. It's nice to have art that's touchable.
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Biltmore Daisies with an overlay. The flower on the right was out of focus, so I played around with some overlays for a more "impressionistic" version.
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Homestar Runner

NPR featured Homestar Runner and Strong Bad on this evening's broadcast. It's an online cartoon produced in Flash. The brothers that create the cartoon were looking to do a Saturday morning show a la 1973. So get yourself a bowl of cereal, load up your Flash and head to Homestar Runner! (Of course, my cool and hip son already knew all about it... so much for being ahead of the curve.)

Biltmore Waterspout
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The Azalea Garden at the Biltmore House
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The Biltmore House. Beautiful even on a cloudy day with no light.
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This fairly boring picture entertained me because of my taste buds. The Biltmore Winery has a wine tasting and this weekend a a fun jazz band performing. As you can see on the tables, everyone around us was drinking wine and being very "Biltmoreish". I finished the wine tasting, leaned over to my sister and said "I would really like a beer." I was definately out of place with my Kielbasa and Bud. But I had a great time!
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Biltmore Weekend

I had a wonderful time with my sister visiting the Biltmore House this weekend. I took lots of pictures and I'll share them through the week. I really needed a weekend to recharge my batteries!