Tulips

Spring means flowers. On Sunday we visited the Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm for the Tulip Festival. Acres and acres of beautiful flowers, food, music, and tons of people. It was a beautiful day to do something fun.

Spring Break...

in Oregon means anything goes weather wise, even as we pray for sun. This year we had rain, wind, hail and finally some sunshine. As for the last several years, we spent the week at the Dunes.

Crocus

Spring is in the air. Monday was absolutely beautiful. I had the day off and opened up the windows and back door to let some fresh air in. Today, when I arrived home from work I noticed that the crocus are starting to pop in the yard. I'm ready for spring.

Spring time cuties!

The preschool spring sing was a lot of fun. These two were really excited for the evening.

Spring Break

This is how we spent Spring Break

Spring Break

A few photos from our Spring Break at the Oregon Dunes. It's Spring in Oregon, so we had beautiful weather and then the stormy set in. It was good to hang out with family and friends.

Easter

A few pictures from our Easter.

Spring Break

Spring Break in Oregon. Wet. Windy. Typical. We headed south back to my old stomping grounds in Brookings. There were moments when we thought we'd be blown off the road. Boots were required for beachwalking. I had the chance to catch up with some friends and former students (Lin, Suzanne, Sami, Terrah, Emily) Here's a few images of our week.

Pizza and chips at Wild River

Blustery weather at Lone Ranch Beach




And finally a bit of blue sky and sunshine.

More Snow

This week winter hit again. On Wednesday I woke up to snow and a phone call that school would be on a two hour delay. I was kind of glad to have some time. Plus another full day off would probably mean adding another day to the calendar in June. It continued to snow all day, but it wasn't piling up. It was a slushy, wet mess.

The sun came out on Thursday, but school was cancelled. Why? Who knows. So I spent the day catching up on chores. I am so ready for some Spring.

Spring Ahead..

This week I've come to really hate the concept of daylight savings time. I've always had a period of adjustment getting back on schedule after we make the change, but this week has been ridiculous! For some reason I haven't been sleeping well; waking up at strange times and then right on through the alarms. Yes, I said alarms. I've never been a morning person and so I have more than one! And this morning was the worst by far. I didn't wake up until the time I usually leave for work. It made for a very chaotic morning which I did not enjoy since I arrived at school just ten minutes before first bell. I just hope the transition improves soon.

This is Spring?

It's April and I'm really, really ready for some sunshine. We've had a few days of sunlight here and there, but it's really lacking. I'm feeling a lack of Vitamin D, which just makes everything much more difficult.

Stress levels are high at work right now. Some of the seniors are clicking into the fact that they have approximately six weeks to finish everything. Add that to some really unmotivated underclassmen and some days aren't running very smoothly.

On a more professional note, the school funding situation looks really bleak here in Oregon and many people are seriously concerned about their jobs. It's having an impact on our students as well as professional morale.

So, back to Spring. It should be a happy time. It's not. I'm ready for summer.

A New (Blog) Look

So, I decided the blog needed a new wallpaper. And replace the photo. This one is a shot of the North Santiam River taken along Highway 22 last October. Anyway, Western Oregon has been hit with a deluge of wind and rain over the last few days and it's been depressing. It's April, for Pete's sake! I really just want a little sun.

April so far has been pretty quiet. Ten days back from Spring Break and I'm already really, really tired. Partly, I think it's the weather, but I've already whined about that.

Easter was a very nice day with the family. Mom and Dad hosted a really yummy dinner of ham, potatoes, veggies, and strawberry shortcake. Traci and family came. Aunt and Uncle, and then Kelly surprised us all. We had the flurry of cards, candy, baskets and Cheetos. Yes, Cheetos.

Here's hoping that Spring shows up soon. Hope you all had a very Happy Easter!

Spring Break

This past week was Spring Break. I was looking forward to a few days with no plans. I had some tentative ideas of how to spend my five (not counting weekends) glorious days away from my students. Monday was a great beginning. I slept in, did a workout, had vacuumed the carpets, and was waiting for my laundry to try when the phone rang and my non-plans became, plans....

The phone call was from mom. I was heading down to the parents' on Tuesday to talk Dad into changing the oil in my car. I admit it was long overdue.

So, Mom's on the phone. "You might want to pack some extra clothes." (I'd planned on spending the night.)

"Why?" I asked.

"We're going to the Coast. Leaving in the morning."

The discussion went on for awhile and a couple hours later I found myself packing for a few days at the Coast.

On Tuesday we headed over to Newport. The weather was surprisingly nice. Mid 50's, and somewhat sunny with lots of wind. Dad & Eric went out fishing while the rest of us took a walk.
Wednesday was similar, but the weather was cooler.

Thursday's weather was crap. Typical Oregon Coast during Spring Break. We went for a cliff walk near Depoe Bay, and the entire time the song "I'll fly away" was running through my brain!




On Friday the weather was improving. Dad & Eric took the boat out again, leaving around 7:30 am. The Coast Guard closed the bar at 9:00 to boats under 26 feet (Eric's boat is 24') so they had to stay out until they were cleared to follow a charter boat back in around 2:30. Immediately after coming in the bar was closed to boats under 32 feet, so they got lucky.

Saturday was beautiful. We walked over to the OSU Hatfield Marine Science Center. When I was a kid our elementary classes and middle school science classes made regular trips over there. We walked in this time, and it was completely different. The things that I remembered most clearly were the octopus tank and the touch tank. They've been completely rebuilt and they're so much nicer now. We found out from one of the volunteers that they were redone about fifteen years ago. Wow! Time really flies. Either way, it was a great way to spend a little time. And very economical since the center doesn't charge admission, but does accept donations. After lunch we took a walk on Nye Beach.

Spring Break was a good week. Now, if I only had a couple more days to get prepped for going back to school tomorrow.

Ducky Visit

It turned out to be a beautiful afternoon, and at one point I looked out the sliding glass door to see this female mallard standing on the patio.
She waited very patiently for me to find some bread, and after her snack and staring at Kit for several minutes, she waddled off. I have no idea where her mate is. She may be half of the pair who visited frequently last year until the buildings were resided.

Coastal Weekend

So, it was time for the Annual Guys Weekend at the Dunes. Dad and Eric took off on Wednesday leaving the women at home. Sounds kind of sexist, doesn't it. It's not, really. A little space can be a good thing. Rainy Oregon outings can be miserable so we waited to make any definite "girl plans" until closer to the weekend. Last year we went to Portland. This year, we headed to the Coast for an overnight.

So, Saturday dawned chilly and a bit wet with hopes for showers and patchy sun. We (Mom, Sis, Auntie & I) set off to Lincoln City and spent the day shopping at the outlet mall. I made a few spring/summer purchases to spark up my wardrobe. Now, if only the weather would cooperate so I can wear them! We ate dinner at Mo's. Love the clam chowder, then headed on into Newport where we spent the night. Sunday was more shopping. We wandered Old Town and lunched at Rogue Ales before heading eastwardly for home. It was really great to get away for a couple days.

Tempted to Play Hooky

We've had really beautiful weather the last few days. They're the kind of days I don't expect to see some of my students. Surprisingly, they were all present on Friday. Granted they weren't very motivated, and immediately started with "Do we have to be here? It's too nice for school." I did admit it would be a good day to load up quads and go to the sand. The kids were all for that, and for a moment I was so tempted. But responsible me beat out impulsive me.

Sunny, Happy, Palm Sunday

Today was beautiful, sunny and the temperature hovered in the 60's. In other words, it was Spring. And it was a beautiful day for church. Palm Sunday has always been one of my favorite services. Today was no exception. The Lenten Witness message on prayer was excellent, and a baptism was celebrated. That baby was so good, and quiet. I just walked out feeling so good. Positive. After the last few weeks of stress and worry, I feel like things are improving.

Spring

The calendar says it's spring. And my favorite flowers agree. I love daffodils. I just wish the weather would cooperate. Over the last few days western Oregon has had rain, sun, hail and snow. This is not the way I wanted to spend my spring break.