Day 75 of 350

Well, today I spent the day at John A. Logan College at the Tech  Showcase. It is a conference that is held every Spring for educators in this area. There seemed to be more people there this year than in years past. The day started with a keynote speaker and then was divided in to 5 break out sessions and lunch.
The keynote speaker was very good and very engaging. He spoke about native learners (in the new digital, computer, etc. age) as opposed to the people like me and everyone over 30 who has to learn all this knowledge. He talked about the way children learn and what is working now. I saw and got several of his points but getting everyone to see this point of view and keeping track of who's online where...HEADACHES!! for the tech people!!!
I sat through 4 sessions about the iPad and it's use in the classroom. Only one of them was awful. The guys presenting were from a district that is not Mac friendly so they had only a few nice things to say about the device. I actually got up and left it was so Mac-bashing. (my husband calls me a Mac snob so I was completely offended :D)
I did learn some new things and they always share new sites. There are so many Apps for the iPad for education. It's an amazing tool. I know it's not perfect and has its shortfalls but the good far outweighs the bad!

LaDonna & Marsha

I spent the day with Marsha yesterday. Their house is "sale-pending". So they are gearing up for a move somewhere. I chose this picture because she and I took a few walks down memory lane yesterday. We found a lot of "treasures" that had been tucked away in her basement for awhile. Good times and much laughter!

Tomorrow I have a dentist appointment. Can't wait! :) Shouldn't be too bad. I am just getting my permanent crown. YAY!

Day 70 of 350

Well, I was able to miss days again!
It was a crazy week of school. The book fair, the art show, and the start of spring break Friday.
No excuse really. I just did other things.
I have book group this week. I must finish my book. It is really easy and really hard all at the same time. I can't decide if I really like it or nit. I think I like some of the parts so far and some are just bizarre. The book is "The Divine Romance" by Gene Edwards. He also wrote a Tale of Two Kings. It was different too but it seemed to make more sense. :)
I was hoping to have a photo job this week. So far I don't.
Monday I plan on cleaning the basement some.
Tuesday I will finish up what I started Monday. And I have book group.
Wednesday I am going to Marsha's to catch up and regroup with her!!!
Thursday is the tech showcase at JALC. Geeks unite!!!
Friday I have a dentist appointment and then general goofing off on my last day of spring break. (not really because Jackie's shower is Saturday and I have to help the girls get stuff ready.
Saturday is Jackie's shower at 11 am.
So my week off is completely planned!!!

Day 66 of 350

Spring Week! It has been a run of beautiful days. The sun is shining and the temperatures are warm. The wind is blowing. It's really March and it's really Spring! We are going to revisit Winter this weekend though, but that's ok. Maybe it will keep at least some of the Easter flowers from all blooming.

I finished editing Aaron's pictures and got them posted. I'm ready for my next project! 

Good news!!! The tech support people of the software that was continually crashing was able to help me with my problem and now it runs like a dream! YAY!!! I can use it here at home and on my school computer!

Examples:

Love being able to add frames to my images. And I love to be able to make the collages! I really think it adds some pop!

Our spring book fair and art show are going on this week. Thursday night is our late night with the parents invited to view the art and shop at the book fair. Everyone is crazy right now trying to get everything decorated beautifully! It really does look amazing at West Side!

Evan has three pieces of her art in the UE spring art show! She also won a couple of awards last night for two of her pieces! I'm going to let her toot her horn on her blog but I am very proud of her! 

I am sooooo ready for Friday and the start of Spring break! 

Day 63 of 350

OK, I had to look and make sure that was right because I am so far behind in the posting.
I took Aaron's senior pictures last Saturday. So every evening this week I have been editing pictures. I jsut finished up and got them uploaded to zenfolio.
Preview:

He is a kayaking buddy of DeWayne's too. I love the way this one turned out. DeWayne thought of this pose. It's actually at the loading dock of the old IGA in Harrisburg. ( I love that this background was free on OnOne's website!)
I've received some new software that includes backgrounds and borders this week. BIG problem! It crashes every time I open it and try to edit a picture. I've been emailing back and forth with technical support. It runs on my school computer so I brought it home for the weekend. (Of course, I will be bringing it home next week too because spring break starts!!!!)
I was so ready for this week to be over. The time change kicked my butt!
I slept til 7:30 this morning!

Day 53 of 350

I skipped yesterday. Oh well! Seems to be a trend! :D

This is what DeWayne and Evan did yesterday together.  They went exploring and decided to give Superman a visit in Metropolis. I am envious because I have not ever explored the downtown of Metropolis to see this museum and the big statue of Superman.
Today they went to St. Louis to the zoo and to the art museum. They had a great time yesterday and today. Good dad and daughter time!
We all at supper together tonight. Even Jackie is home and I cooked! I don't get to do that very often. Salmon cakes! Yum!

Day 51 of 350

Wow! I can't believe that it's been 50 days since I started doing this thing of counting the days of the year! I also can't believe that is't only about 80 days until Jackie and Austin's wedding! WOW!

Day 50 of 350

I really like this picture that I took of our Christmas tree. I was practicing with the light and the lens and the just stuff on my camera. I also needed to see JOY great big today!

Church was wonderful. Jeff was talking about love again today. I need to hear what he is saying. I like what he is saying. I get what he's saying. Loving some people is hard. Loving no matter what happens is hard. BUT, if I do not have love, I am a clanging symbol. Just making noise and not being very effective as a witness for Christ. So I do not want to fail this. I do not want my feelings to get in the way of love. UGH!!! Why does it have to be so hard!?!?!

Enough of that.

Evan's friend from school, Beka, was here overnight. She's from Texas and didn't want to go home for Spring break. She is very sweet and I like her. I'm glad she is friends with my daughter!

Evan and Angela took a few minutes this morning at church and spoke to the people about what they are doing this summer. I was very proud of both of them. They both have a heart for missions and seeing people come to Jesus! That's exciting!!!

More tomorrow!

Days 47, 48, & 49 of 350

ok i'm a loser! I can't even keep up with my blog! I did better last week when I was sick :D

Evan is home for spring break. She got yesterday afternoon. She surprised me at school! It is so good to see her face! I miss her and don't realize it until I see her. I worked out and she overnight mailed her passport to  the mission office. She went to eat with friends and I came home. She and DeWayne got home at about the same time and we layed on the bed and talked. Good times!
I need to post a picture.

LaDonna & Marsha

Wow a wonderful blast from the past. I wish I still had that little chair Marsha is sitting on! This is at the house in Broughton. My Griswold grandparents lived there. Now my mom and  dad live there. (And the TV is in the same place only it's newer! ) Love the tree and the tinsel. I don't remember that scary doll sitting next to me! Good thing! It probably gave me nightmares. LOL 

I'm glad that I somehow ended up with most of the old pictures. I have scanned most of them and they just are everywhere. In my Picassa albums online, on my external hard drive, on disks, and on my desktop in folders. Gotta do something with them! I have some ideas! 

Evan needs some things for her trip so we are going to Carbondale to shop a little bit today! (I would rather go to Paducah, so we'll see)

DeWayne is fixing us a wonderful breakfast so I better get going!

Day 45 & 46 of 350

I just realized that I forgot to post yesterday.
We had home group last night and didn't get home until almost 9. I got may hair cut and colored right after school so I didn't get home until right before group time. (Just enough time to run in and run out :D )
Sooooo, that being said, I have nothing. LOL
I went to Curves today and worked out. I hadn't been since the first of February. UGH! I feel a lot better and have more energy. I know it's good for me and I know it helps keep my weight down. It's just hard to make the time when my job and my life get in the way of working out. So, now I have to get with it again., I must go at least 3 times a week and keep it up!
I will post a picture tomorrow and get back on track!