I have been having a lot of fun decorating my house for the summer. I have never been one to live with the same decor all the time. If my mantle stays the same for more than 3 months, something is very wrong with me.

I suppose since the theme of my last program at school is “The Wonders Of The Sea”, I have just been fixated on ocean things. Why wouldn’t I? I have been singing about it with the kids every day for 3 months now? Also…I have a pool now. Which is a poor substitute for God’s Great Ocean and all its surroundings…but, still..it’s sorta/kinda like a pretend tiny ocean. It is a salt water pool, after all.

Anyway, I am having all the girls from school over Friday for a Pool Party! So, I have been getting ready. You have already seen the damage I did with my 2 friends a few weeks ago with the dishes, etc. I have now moved on to buffet top, mantle, foyer table, etc. So here are a few pics to let you see what I have going on here in the Creek House.

I just Love this pic of old beach chairs. It came from Target. It is a sepia tone, and a very nostalgic print.

This picture of the mantle looks very washed out, I promise it looks much better IRL. I have used beiges, and creams, and whites, with touches of aqua to match the dishes. The tall sea birds are from Cracker Barrel, the biggest shell planter is from Michael’s, the shell balls are from TJMAXX, the pic from Target is propped on some old books I have, the next shell is a real one, then the vase with the cording is from Michael’s…I just added some sea grass(faux). The tiny metal sign says ‘Seaside Serenity’. Then the little buoy and star are from Jo Ann Fabrics. I like to GATHER decor items from many places. I’ll see if I can get Adam to make a better pic of this to show you.

This is the top of the buffet. I have covered it with a fishing net. There is a white vase with shell and floral impressions from Pottery Barn, filled with grasses and twigs. In front, a very special book…The Gift of The Sea, and in front of that a clear glass vase filled with white sand and sea shells. The cover of the book just happened to be in the aqua color. Then 2 mini beach chairs that I have had forever. I just have always loved the look of them in a garden display and now in an ocean setting. ******A very good friend of mine who was helping me when I moved, told me to throw these away. She said I did not need them anymore, and they were just cluttering up my new house. So, into the garbage they went. HOWEVER…I just couldn’t do it. I like those old chairs. So, I fished them out of the garage sale box and kept them. And, I am glad I did. But, don’t tell her!**** Behind the chairs is a shadowbox which houses a favorite picture of mine. It was lying in the garbage can at the framing department in Michael’s one day. They were throwing it away because the mat had gotten dirty and torn. I asked if I could have it and they thought I was nuts, but said yes. It also is beach chairs facing the ocean. A grouping of collected shells sit across the bottom. Also in this grouping is a starfish, and a woven fan from Hawaii.

More to show later.

Monday will begin the last week that I can call myself a teacher.

Monday will start the last week that I am responsible for the music education of 70 3 year olds, 70 4 year olds, and 66 5 year olds. Give or take a few.

Monday will begin the last week that I will have to be out of my house by 8:00, in order to reach school on time.

Monday will begin the last week that I will stand in the front door of our school to greet the children as they enter.

Monday will begin the last week that I make my ’rounds’ to all the rooms to speak to everyone before starting my day.

Monday will begin the last week that I search the CD collection for fun songs to get us all moving and laughing, and singing…and jumping, and hopping, and skipping.

Monday will begin the last week that I have a little one risk the wrath of their teacher to break out of line just to give me a hug.

Monday will begin the last week that I will walk the children over to the church sanctuary for program practice.

Monday will begin the last week that I drill into the children the reason we do not wave from the stage…proper stage presence, you know.

Monday will begin the last week that I will dole out ‘special treats’ to those who obeyed and tried their best to ‘do the right thing’.

Monday will begin the last week that I attempt to straighten up my room before I leave, so that everyone will not think I am a slob…I will fail, as usual.

Monday will begin the last week that I will stand with a group of children, in the carpool line waiting for their parents to pick them up.

Monday will begin the last week that I walk out the front door, yelling behind me “See you tomorrow, Bonnie.”

Monday will begin a very hard week. And, come Friday…a wonderful chapter of my life will end. And, on that…..

Monday that begins the last week in August, when teachers are bustling about, preparing for another year, waiting for classes to start up again…they will start without me.

But, every ending is a chance for a new beginning…a chance to do new things…a chance to do old things there has not been time for…a chance to write a new chapter in this blessed life of mine.

And, so I will…in a little while…after the tears have dried.

Alex showed me how to use my camera to make Black and White pics….but, he did not tell me how to put it back on color. I made this cute pic of the kids in a K5 class…so just imagine the sub is yellow!

I had the following conversation with a little one today.

CHILD: Mrs.Owens, you got ‘old’ hair.

ME: Did you say ‘old hair’ or ‘gold hair’?

CHILD: (laughing) You don’t have ‘gold hair’…that’s silly!

ME: Well, what exactly is ‘old hair’?

CHILD: It’s like the color of silver.

ME: You’re right, my hair is turning silver. Some people think that means that
you’re getting old…but it really means you’re getting smarter!

CHILD: Are you real smart, Mrs. Owens?

ME: What do you think?

CHILD: I think you are really smart, cause you sing good songs. And I think you
like to play games. And, I think you can see good ’cause you wear glasses.
And, I like it when you ‘mess up’…’cause you don’t care, you just laugh.

ME: Well, I guess that makes me pretty smart, then. But, what about my hair?
Do you think it is OK?

CHILD: Yes, Mam. I think it is beautiful. It is shiny like diamonds. I think it
IS ‘old hair’, though. But, that’s OK, ’cause YOU are old, too!
*************************************************************************
And, so I am. But, if I have a song in my heart, and don’t take my self too seriously, if I can still play games and have diamonds in my hair…then I am one blessed lady…and I’m ‘smart’ enough to know it!

Several years ago, a group of Moms from our school got together to honor us teachers with a luncheon. It was held at Maria’s Vineyard, a local home with much charm and beautiful gardens. Many weddings are held there, too. So, when the word went out that they were going to do another luncheon this year, I thought, “Oh, how nice of them.” We all left school about the same time and travelled to the house. As soon as I walked in, I saw some friends who used to teach with us, and I thought, “Well, that was nice of Bonnie to invite these girls, too.” But, only when she began to welcome everyone and said, “this luncheon is in honor of Tonja”, did I finally realize I was the one being honored! I was floored…to say the least. Bonnie had some wonderful words to say. A former teacher who has moved away wrote a poem, which they printed out and framed for me. I was given gifts galore, and beautiful, sweet cards from everyone. The food was delicious, and the fellowship sweet! I was so humbled to think that they went to so much trouble for me.

This wonderful school that has allowed me to teach with them for 20 years, is the best. I heard so many words of affirmation and praise as to what I had accomplished with the students…but, in reality, the thankfulness is all mine. With the often chaotic and mostly upturned life I lead, FPPS has been a place of refuge for me. I have had a place where I could go, and leave the troubles behind, and just focus on the children. It has been a place where, when those troubles tried to follow me there, someone was always waiting with a hug, a word of encouragement, or a quick prayer between classes. Such support from Bonnie, our director, has always made my job such a joy. Even though I’ve heard it said that working with a group of women can be tedious at times…this has never been the case with our ‘family’ of teachers here at FP. Everyone is willing to step in and help shoulder the load for as long as is necessary. These ladies have blessed me, prayed for me, cried for me, cooked for me, even sang for me. And I love them all. My words can not do my feelings justice.

So, Bonnie, Paula, Daronda, Andi, Debbie G, Stephanie, Tina, April, TJ, Lynn, Mary Alice, Eve, Dawn, Jennifer, Donnell, Brenda, Jana, Jeanna, Debbie C, Allison, Kim, Sherrie, Rhonda, Angel,…and Ann, Anne, Diane, Kathy, Julie, Belinda, Sue, Katherine Y, Courtney, Regina, Katherine C, and Nita, who lives with Jesus…you have a place in my life, my memories, and my heart…forever.

To the Mom’s who hosted the luncheon…a heartfelt thank-you for your servant hearts and your kindness toward us teachers. Thank-you for trusting us with your most prized possessions…your children.
************************************************************

Yes, I had my camera with me…However, a camera without a little card thingy is no good. DUH!!! But, there were pics taken and I will share them with you as soon as I get them.