Labor Day Weekend: Highlights

I'm keeping this post short (well, the writing part...I've got lots of photos to share) and limiting myself to only the highlights of the Labor Day Weekend. Randy and I drove to Nashville and I talked to middle school students at FRA about my artwork since I am the Alumni Artist this year. My artwork is displayed at the school for several months...even though my dad is the teacher, it is such an honor to have been chosen and such an encouragement for me to KEEP working as an artist...even though I am busy!

I discovered that a sewing machine that had belonged to my Aunt Bobbie is still perfectly in tact and now a heirloom in my parents' home. With Anna Grace showing me all the little details, I got very excited about this "found treasure" and hope to have it in my home one day. I just HAD to put up the pictures...mostly for you, Phyllis!

Sears, Kenmore Sewing Machine

All the little tools/feet/etc.

The vintage illustrations to go with the parts.

Of course we got to see the little kittens, Maximus and Rosie, who made it through the weekend unharmed.

And last but not least...The big part of our weekend was spent working in the yard of my Pa's soon-to-be home (his sweet brother-in-law left it to him after he died and my Pa is going to have it renovated and move in). My mom "tricked" Randy and I making us think it would be some weed pulling and then we would go to Burgess Falls for a picnic. We ended up spending hours and hours in the yard and then stuffing ourselves at Steak and Shake. It was all good fun- and a good workout too!

Our crew looking strong- Except for my mom and dad?!

Now we're tired...

That's right...I dug this root out of the ground with my bare hands! (actually I used a shovel)

The Call of the Wild

Remember this book? I don't really, except for I think the main character was a dog named Buck who was conflicted between joining the wild or staying civil. Well, I think my own son Jack is conflicted with the same decision this weekend. Those of you that have seen Jack in the past months...he has since grown...filled out...become more muscular...more manly. My students get to see his picture whenever a slideshow, video, etc. is ending in class and one student the other day said, "he looks like a lion!"...and he does!
Well, this Labor Day weekend we brought Jack to what we call the big house (my parents' place) to meet the kittens. We thought it would be best to meet them while they were small to get them used to one another. As a joke, we had been calling this week and used a deep, scary voice as Jack threatening the precious little kittens. Now I feel ashamed for the jokes because I think it was probably a valid threat without our knowing. At the big house, we tried to introduce Jack to little Maximus and even smaller Rosie on Friday night and, although Randy had a good grip, Jack was hissing, growling, and trying to get to the kittens. Strike 1.
Jack was banished to the garage while the kittens got the rest of the house (totally fair). Therefore, my mom was surprised the next morning when Jack ferociously busted through the --locked!--cat door and into the house. Luckily my mom picked him up before he could find what he was looking for. My dad came behind her with some serious duct tape and reinforced the lock. Strike 2.
The beast will now stay locked up as long as the kittens are out, which is making the poor guy so confused.
The weekend isn't over and all I am asking for is a safe three days with no strike 3...

Communication Mishaps

#1.

"Mrs. Hartman, you have a new student. Meet Patel."

Ok...raise your hand if you would have thought that you're new student's name is Patel. Well, after saying the name "Patel" over and over and repeating "Nice to meet you, Patel" twice, I saw on the boy's class schedule that at the very top it said 'Patel, Meet'. Poor kid...I don't know if he was more embarrassed or me. In the next five minutes I found that Meet is actually a great English speaker who just moved to Memphis from India. Glad I could make his first day interesting.

#2.

I think I mentioned a student who doesn't speak any English at all and only Chinese. Well the students were making portfolios to carry and store their artwork and I had a demonstration on the board for the students using the name "Maddie" to show a right and wrong way of writing their name. The boy started out doing everything exactly right for his portfolio...his border looked the best out of all of them...Unfortunately when I walked by his desk five minutes later I saw that he had written in the biggest, best-written block letters the name "Maddie".

I then wasted a piece of posterboard to write his name big in the center, took it to his desk, and then saw a big smile go across his face as he ferociously erased the name "Maddie" from his portfolio.

#3.

This weekend I got a text message saying "Hey, so I think we're gonna go running about 1 o'clock and then watch a movie later if you're interested". I responded that I would go running but probably not the movie. A couple of hours later, I show up at the friend's house in my running gear, no makeup, and the lovely elastic headband that takes care of my bangs but accentuates my too-large forehead. As I walked in the door I saw all of my friends all dressed in cute sundresses and such, hair done with makeup. I give the confused look and then they explain that instead of physically running, they were in fact running around...like errands and shopping. Could I be any more stupid? Yes....when I went back and looked at the text there was the @ symbol before the "running around" and the "1 o'clock".

Obviously I need to pay more attention when communicating with people these days!

Cars, Kittens, and Babies

Sneaking my way out of school at 4:05 on Friday, Randy and I got on the interstate and drove to Nashville. We got there in time for some Mazatlan with my mom and then lay on the couch the rest of the evening. Saturday was spent eating omelets and then to work...Randy and my dad worked on his car- brake pads, oil, etc. (the main reason we went) and I helped Kelsa sew baby blankets for her soon-to-be nephew at the house. At one point I was on the phone with Phyllis and Randy was of course with my dad and my mom thought it was funny that we were both learning from the in-laws. Anyways, Kelsa and I made two baby blankets made of fleece with satin trim. I would say we did all right, I still have a lot of room for improvement. The most important thing is that they were made with love for Keeley and her little baby boy, and I also got to spend some girl time....then....

What do you do on a beautiful Saturday afternoon?

We decided to get kittens. Well, not us but my parents did- we just highly encouraged it. My mom and dad have been toying with the idea for a while now and Randy and I selfishly talked them into getting them this weekend so we could be there. My dad was too "emotionally involved" with all of them on Craigslist and the sympathetic vocabulary got to him a little too much so he left us with the decision. In barely no time, my mom, Randy and I got in the car, drove to Pegram, and picked up Maximus and Rosie from a litter of 5 orange males and 3 calico females. There isn't anything cuter than kittens, even if you aren't a cat lover. They are about six weeks old and already have great personalities. Maximus was the biggest of the litter and most playful (name chosen by my father), Rosie was the smallest and most sassy (name chosen by my mother).

They gave Randy and I quite a scare when they hid for hours, but seem to fit in well at the Tucker home.

Later that evening, I went with Kelsa and Michelle to a much needed dinner at Rumba and then back to chat at the cabin. On Sunday we mostly watched the kittens wrestle and we also ate an absurdly large lunch of pork chops, fried apples, corn, and green beans...and ice cream with chocolate bars.

To top off our weekend we got to see Rob, Jen, and our little nephew Grayden who is so grown up! We had to wake him up from a nap which wasn't too fun, but he livened up quick. The little guy was singing "God is so good" and eating blueberries and cheese during our visit. We didn't hear him say too many other words, but he did wave to us as we left. It was so good to see both him and his parents and at the same time made us sad that we don't see them more often!

Also, last week we had round two of trivia and while our team did worse, I got the art question right this time...pheww!

Now on to week 3 of school and another study week for Randall.

I hope to...

So the first week with my students I always ask them to write down one or more art goal that they hope to accomplish during the year. I have the students the complete year so I have lots of time to try and fit in as many things as possible. Being (big) kids, I got some pretty funny answers. I don't know how I'm going to do some of these...

"I hope to learn how to write in a hardcore lettering. Like on a Heavy Metal CD."

"I want to make a large cup with a built-in straw."

"My goal is to draw the '3' the exactly same way as Mercedes-Benz within two months."

"I really want to get better as a designer because one of my goals in life is to become a famous car designer so if you could help me out some I'd love that."

"I want to help fill the recycling bin more full than the big trash can."

"I'd like to draw me my own vet to work at when I grow up!"

"I want to make a sculpture of myself."

"I would like to make a life size deer out of clay."

"I want to draw Michael Jackson."

"I want to use clay. I want it to be something big like a rollercoaster."

"My goal is to make a vase for my mom since she just got out of the hospital."

"I want to design a life size sculpture of Lamborghini."

"I don't like art but I want to learn."

"I hate to draw flowers."

"I wish that I can become better at the art part of art."

"I want to use shrinky-dinks."

(I couldn't bare to copy the original spelling but did try to keep the original grammar)

Sounds like I've got lots to keep me occupied this year, huh?

Julie & Julia

Well, I just went to see the movie Julie & Julia with some friends whose husbands are also locked away studying this entire weekend. If you haven't yet seen the movie I would definitely recommend it...maybe I just enjoy cooking as of late, but I also thought the cast was pretty amazing. The movie fueled my desire to become a better cook, and some of you know that this summer I had big dreams for myself (notice I said "dreams"). If Randy ever gets out of dental school and we are able to get out of debt, I would love, love, LOVE to go to culinary school. There actually is one in Memphis but seeing as I'm an art teacher and that is what is paying the bills, my little urge to become "Chef Lynsi" has to wait. Plus, even though I like to cook, I don't think I would like being the chef of a restaurant, owning my own bakery, or even having my own cooking show should I ever become that famous, haha. I simply want to be a great cook for my family and friends. My mom is a great cook, and so thankfully she has shared some fail-proof recipes with me. I found what I believe is the best Kroger in Memphis this weekend so that is another step in the right direction. Randy and I watched the Cake Boss last night so I could show him how much ART is in cooking and baking. Maybe one day I can combine the two and have some impressive culinary skills under my belt. For now, I just enjoy experimenting from the several cookbooks I do have...and try not to cook too much since I cannot resist cooking without eating, which can be a problem when I cook for 10 but only 2 are sitting at the table!

Here are some things I've cooked lately: (these are the recipe names, not my description)

Killer Chicken Mole

Oreo Truffles

Chocolate Crinkles

Fried Mozzarella

Fresh Pesto and Mozzarella Pizza

Spicy Chicken and Chorizo Pizza

Spicy Three Meat Meatloaf

Serrano Pepper Polenta

Did I mention my husband loves HOT food?

Round Two

Summer has officially ended and although it is just as hot, school is in session. For me, this is my second round of teaching art at the middle school level in Shelby County, and I also like to think of it as a second chance. If I could sum up my teaching motto last year in one word it would be survival....hopefully this year I will get past simply surviving and actually do what I know I am good at doing. (That would be teaching)

Last year I questioned myself a lot, but this year I am prepared. I know the schools, the administration, the faculty, the crazy schedule of being at two different schools and sharing classes with another art teacher, and I also know the type of student I am dealing with. I saw some familiar faces this week and was happy about seeing most, scared about seeing a few. I had to learn names like Charlesiah, Jochebed, and Schaffer. (to name a few)

I was sad to hear I will not get to keep one of my favorite students from last year (one with cerebral palsy who lost her hair, ability to talk and ability to walk, but was the first person to remember the name of my cat and that my husband was going to be a dentist)...But found that this year I will get to teach a younger student with the exact same condition. There is something about teaching students with special needs and seeing them smile that I find to be more rewarding than anything else. And one thing I will be learning how to handle this year is a student who knows NO english. None. It is beyond me why a sixth grader who speaks only chinese is in a class with 26 students...he actually came to my class twice. Since I couldn't communicate with him, he stayed. I still don't know which name is his first and which is his last...I guess I'll learn.

Cheer squad was interesting. These girls mean business. Every girl has a back handspring down (apparently it is required) and most can do back tucks. They pay something close to $3,000 a year to be on the squad because of all of the competition costs...like Florida for Nationals...Disney World included. They cannot under any circumstance wear their hair down, or even have bangs down, even at practice. All this is under the coaching of a professional cheerleader-man (no, he is not gay...he is engaged and extremely nice). And then there I am just watching and trying to figure out the littlest bit I can about this strange world of "professional, competitive, obsessive" cheerleading. The girls treat me as though we will become best friends...which could either be a good thing or a very bad thing.

All in all, I am ready for the year and all that it will bring me...

Well, not everything, I'm sure.