masters

After a long semester of hard work... I wanted to post a few favorites.







I have a learned a lot, which has already changed the way I teach. For that I am grateful. I have also learned that studio art courses are not a good fit for me and my family during the school year. I won't do it again. About once a week, I would go close to the whole day with no willow time. Just a few hours... and that wasn't enough for any of us. If getting my masters was just about money or prestige, I would never do it. But getting my masters is about being a better teacher. Just a few classes in and I am already seeing amazing results in my student's work. That is why I'm doing this. In the future, we'll save those studio classes for summer. On-line art history anyone? :)

willow specs

Well... Willow's cute occasional cross-eyed-ness got checked out today. She is far-sighted and needs glasses. Willow started wearing shades early... and she often steals Justin and my glasses to put on herself.....so hopefully things will go smoothly. I'm also hoping this isn't a HUGE expense. I am certain Willow will look even more darling in glasses and am trying to tell myself that this is an easy problem to fix. Better this than something else......

journals

In response to the weekly art think about- Have you met a professional artist? If so, who? What do they do? If not, what do you think it would be like to make art for a living?

"I think being a artist would be very fun and entertaining because Mrs. Marable seems so enterjetic and full of life. She make it seem like being art teacher is a fun job."

I also had a student write that art isn't nearly as bad as he thought it would be.

High praise. Now we just need to work on the grammar!

I went to the Kansas Art Education Convention this weekend in Hutch (got your christmas gift sarah!). I won two door prizes, presented two workshops, and learned a ton. Daniel Pink was the "key note" speaker. He talks about the importance of PLAY and discussed google's 20% time (where employees have 20% of their time to innovative without direction). That is where gmail and google news came from. I am inspired to give my students an Innovation Hour, every 5th class. This will be a time they can make what ever they want. At first I thought this might be a kind of lazy day for me... but I think they will need me more than ever, as they all will be going in different directions, needing different supplies... and all that jazz. If not, I'll use it for my our innovation time. Who knows what we'll come up with! First one is tomorrow. I'm excited.

Willow asked last week, "Would you like to see my drawing?".... so cute! She also said "I'll get it" when chasing a toy. It is amazing what is in her head just waiting to burst out.

Have a wonderful day... take some 20% time and make something!

This is my school picture. I learned early on that you don't want to miss school picture day as a grown up. If you do, someone from the yearbook staff will stop by, toss you against an aluminum wall (brick if you teach at the front of the building), and take a terrible (usually out of focus) picture.... with no warning. Standing in line, checking your hair, putting your feet on the x, turn one way, tilt your head another way, smile.... it is all still the same. I think I feel even more odd and self conscious about it now.

While you're feeling nostalgic, check out lunch!

Grandma Ruthie

My grandmother passed away last week. The week has been hard. Being with family made it easier... and having things to accomplish... like cleaning up the apartment and car... going through pictures... eating (a lot). Back in Topeka, it is harder. I have to work, cook, clean... all I really want to do is cry.

This was my contribution to the service:

It was a joy to have Ruth Kivett as a grandmother. She showered us with love in the form of hugs, kisses, leg pats, trips to the dollar store, delicious food, candy, and generous monetary gifts that got many of us through college and other tough times. She offered up her home for meals and sleep but also for so many hours of fun......the swing set, hide and seek, dance contests, pinball wars, plays and haunted houses, press cookies and sprinkles, big wheels, and unforgettable "secret passages." As we have grown to adults she has continued to be a huge part of our life. She has met boyfriends and girlfriends, attended weddings, met great grandchildren as tiny babies, heard about careers and all the ways our lifes change from day to day. She was the phone call you wanted to make on a commute home and the person I always wanted to share news of my latest cooking accomplishment with. Her faith was passed down in many ways, perhaps not the most concrete ones, but it is there in the mazzuzahs on our doors and the matza ball soup we all crave. We wanted to hear about how many quarters she had won or lost at card games in the days or weeks between visits. The calls that rolled in from Tunie and an endless stream of other friends always reminded us that friendships are made to last. Her door at the village was never closed and friends, family, and staff always knew that Grandma Ruthie would have an ear to listen and a candy bar to share. She will be greatly missed... and I hope that wherever she is now, she has many familiar soles to visit with and that the soup is hot!

My cousin Simone wrote up a sheet of memories... this is it:


Ruth, Ruthie, Winch, Grandma

When I think of Ruthie, also known as Grandma or Winch, I think of someone who was an incredible listener.

A friend, a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother, a mentor, and a person to play cards with.

So many memories flash through my mind – sitting in the breakfast room table watching the Price is Right drinking a Diet Rite and cutting up ingredients for her famous Tuna Salad.

Grandma’s homemade bread, the frozen Thin Mint cookies in the freezer along with a variety of other frozen items.

You would never be hungry at 6801 Locust. The kitchen was always bustling with something yummy to eat.

Friday night dinners – these were always a fun time. All the guests would arrive early and stay late.

I remember Saturday mornings I spent in Ruthie’s bedroom with the other cousins watching TV while Grandma slowly got ready. She liked to go to bed late and wake up late.

She was an avid Chiefs fan and loved to watch the Royals. I remember the matzo ball soup, the burnt and crispy homemade chocolate chip cookies, the See’s candy box, and the never ending candy dish.

It was always fun to visit her house, since I did not grow up having cable TV. I was excited to watch Nickelodeon, Showtime, and MTV.

I recall those famous and exciting trips to McDonald’s and Winsteads. Bannister Mall and Ward Parkway.

We used to eat Nuway Burger and she loved Cashew Chicken at the Princess Garden.

And don’t forget the soup better be boiling hot and or it needed to be re-heated.
The toaster oven, the famous black pepper shaker…


Thanksgiving and Passover were always fun events as well. Grandma made sweet potatoes with sugar and marsh mellows. A family favorite! Don’t forget brownies and rugalah.

Grandma liked her card playing with her friends and enjoyed window shopping. Another memory was how she would shop at numerous grocery stores just to get the different specials.

I have fond memories of the numerous spring and summer vacations I spent in Kansas City.

On my last visit with her in August 2009, I remember sitting outside with my sister Valerie on the rocking chairs outside Village Shalom enjoying the beautiful sunshine. We talked about all kinds of subjects. It was a peaceful time.

We always talked about what meals we ate and if they were good.

Grandma will always be Grandma, and will always be in my heart as an amazing grandmother. I love you.

By: Simone Kivett
September 2, 2009

$1 menu

I pored a bowl of cereal today... only to discover we have no milk.

I went to make toast and found dry heals.

I visited the $1 menu on my way to school. Fruit and Yogurt Parfait did the trick.

I am obviously back at work! Why didn't I go to the store on the weekend?

occupational hazard

About 3 weeks into summer I realized I could stop wearing my watch. When days are spent cooking (scones, bagels, cookies, brownies, new vegetarian cuisine, jam), playing on the slip slide, hugging two very cute girls, dress making, traveling (to great wolf lodge, the farmstead, kaleidoscope, Indiana), visiting the pool, organizing play dates and dinner parties, and sleeping in... a watch just gets in the way. Now that school is back in session, and journaling time is about to begin, I really need my watch. I can't find it. Shoot!

The start of the school year has been great so far. I am excited about all the things I learned at the convention last April in Minneapolis. I have already changed so much about how I run things in my classroom. My students seems excited and I have missed them.

Willow is doing well with her daddy-o. She is also chattering away about more water and how hot it is outside. Her favorite things are balls and dogs... or she just says those words the most! Her smile and giggles are catching. I do miss her while on the clock. We are really missing Kassy too. She has been gone a week. Blah! I still feel like seeing her on 100+ vacation days is super fun. We are planning all the fun we'll have over labor day weekend. Birthday celebrations and such.