Holy Batman Storms!

Well, a few good storms lately and we thought we were through it all..until today. It began to get windy late this afternoon, and I could see the storm off in the distance. Joe and I decided to go for a walk to watch it roll in off the creek. I honestly thought a tornado was going to roll in when the winds really picked up! Our walk back led to a soaking wet and giggling me, although it was a little scary.

As we were sitting on the couch, Joe stands up and declares that he heard something break..glass..I walk into the kitchen, no such thing..I go up and check my studio, nope..I ended up making dinner and Joe asked if we should eat outside because the storm had passed. I said no because everything was wet.

After dinner, we decided to go outside. I wanted to feed the fish, and I walk out the door and around the back, first noticing the carpet on the deck in a pile, completely oblivious to the fact that our patio table is missing?

Yeah..holy batman storm..picked up our patio table, umbrella and all, and dumped it in the neighbors yard, shattering the glass top! Thankfully the umbrella was OK. We had a bit of glass to clean up, and I did some research only to find out that replacing the glass would cost an exuberant amount of money and it was cheaper to explore other options. At first, I was thinking I could mosaic the top. How hard would that be? A piece of wood, a bunch of tile, and whala, a piece of art!

That is, until we ventured into tile territory at Lowes and sauntered past the patio furniture. Who can beat $37.50 for a new half price patio table that you put your choice of tiles in? After about an hour of putting together, we have a new table..doesn't quite match, but it compliments the old set nicely..

T-Minus 14 til GOTV

Oh yeah, the annual adventure to Mariaville, NY is right around the corner. The clan is ready to roll! The music is ready to go! It's going to be badass this year!

A Last Look at Colorado

The last night we were in Colorado, we were at the Keystone Science School for dinner and the Gift Exchange. A friend of mine passed on this picture he took of me while a bunch of us went out to check out the sunset..I think it's one of my favorite pictures ever taken of me ;) Some of the pictures I posted (not the mountain top one) were self portraits. I always figure that I smile best for myself..but this one, is just amazing ;)

Yay for New Classrooms!

Today, I spent a good part of the day just exploring my new classroom. I haven't had a chance to go in and just BE in my classroom yet, so today was it. I managed to get some work done. My goal is to get all set up, do nothing in August, and then when the other teachers all come in all curious, I'll be ready for them!! I'll wow them with my super powers ;) Check it out!!


This is the first thing I saw when I walked in. Bland and white..had to be fixxed!!



it's all about thinking differently! Public School..Apple Computers..what better than to put up my prized collection of "Think Differently" posters?

Hot and Sticky..with hail!

So it's weird to be back in New Jersey. It's so easy to quickly get used to the dry heat of the Rockies. Here, today, it was 101 and sticky! Right now, its storming outside and this particular storm is accompanied by hail!! Maybe it will cool it down just a bit.

Tomorrow, I have another workshop in my new district on the ActivBoard. I'm excited to learn about it. The opportunities this summer for professional development seem never ending. I suppose it makes up for years at Catholic School with limited resources! I'm enjoying every minute of it though!

Vail Pass, CO - Day 6

What a way to wind out the week. This morning, I went biking at Vail Pass. I found myself taking in the views in total awe. There were times when I was gliding down the mountain just saying "oh wow" outloud. The workload today was light. We were able to perform a sketch of one of our "pajama parties". Then we headed back to the Keystone Center for one final meal and the gift exchange.

Don had brought some amazing black and white pictures from NOLA and also a poster from Mardi Gras. I knew he had it and I wanted it. The exchange was done in such a fashion that gifts could get "stolen" from you. I played my cards right and ended up with the pictures. I'm sure they'll look nice in my living room.

Tomorrow morning, we head home..It's kinda sad because I've made such great friends this week and now we head off to our own corners of the country. I'll miss the mountains, but I'll be happy to see Joe and my cats..

Loveland Pass, Continental Divide, and the Arkansas River, CO - Day 5

We started our day today with a hike up the Continental Divide at Loveland Pass. It began at 11,990 elevation and we rose to about 12,300 feet in elevation. There were mountain lion tracks in the snow, yes SNOW!

The views from the top were isolatingly beautiful. After that, we headed in for a morning lab activity before heading out to the Arkansas River for an afternoon of class 3 rapids while White Water Rafting. The water was brisk, but not too bad. We drove through Leadville, AKA DEADville: The highest city in the United States...and quite "high" at that! We came back to go to the Dam Brewery..no, I didn't misspell DAM, it really is the Dam Brewery! We ate a nice dinner before heading back for our nightly pajama party.

Breckenridge, CO - Day 4


Today, we headed off to Breckenridge to tour an old gold mine. Inside the mine, it was about 42 degrees and very damp! There was even frost at points! After that, we headed to a local river to run some tests on the local water, which included waders and bug counting amongst other things. After that, we headed back for an easy afternoon before an evening of drinking and hottubbing. Tomorrow, its a long day. We head to the Continental Divide at 5:30 AM. Then we come back for some work before an afternoon of white water rafting in some fierce rapids!

Breckenridge Ski Area (above)

Don't I look cool in hip waders?

This is the stream we tested at.

This is my work group.

Sapphire Point, CO - Day 3



Today, we spent the morning doing an economy activity. We were businesses who cooperated with each other in order to create a finished product, from buying and selling the pieces to delivering them to competing with another town. For lunch, we went to Sapphire point where I spent my lunch feeding the chipmunks who would eat right out of my hand!

The evening was spent at the bar after a stint of "Power Outlet Shopping" with my new friends from Tennessee and New Orleans.

Did I mention that I took a 6:30 am hike up Ptarmigan trail? All in all, we hiked about 3 miles, half of it straight up hill!! It was quite an invigorating experience.

Tomorrow, we go out for field testing in the water. Then the evening is free.

Keystone, CO - Day 2



Today, we spent doing some teamwork activities at the Keystone Science School and identifying a key issue. We learned how we could adapt this starting activity to apply to a local key issue. We did some topography activities that were really neat.


It's funny how you find your nitch in a group of summer camp folks. You start off the first day with the ones you feel most comfortable with, whether they are the close ones or the roommate, but then, you find your nitch. The "bad kids" adopted me today. Yes..the bad kids who got kicked out of Target last night for joking about shoplifting (as if a teacher would really shoplift something, ESPECIALLY on a sponsored workshop like this? Come on now...) Well..they were adventuring back out to Target tonight with a stop at the "BA". So I decided to go with them. We hit up the pool toy section and got some diving rings. Then we exchanged a pair of speakers and TRIED to exchange a rock, but they wouldn't take that back. We headed back but the "BA" looked dead so we went back to the hottub and pool. What a way to round out a day! Tomorrow begins with a 6:30 hike up the mountain (by choice, of course, and I'm doing it!)

Silverthorne, CO : Day 1


















I got here fine. There were no delays. My roommate is from Texas and she's great! The bus up here was quiet, I think everyone was just taking in the views as they are just magnificent. I can see snow from my hotel window! Tomorrow, we wander out into the field. The altitude isn't really affecting me, but my roommate felt a little lightheaded today. They say it shouldn't last. One of the facilitators likes to walk in the morning, so I might go walking a few mornings.

Anyway, I'm going out to wander, it's only 8:20 here! Enjoy this view from the parking lot while you await a report on day 2!!!

Colorado in T minus 3!

Wow, it's already here! This summer has just been brimming with goodness. First, it was three fantastic shows with half of Phish, the duo, and Phil and friends..Next it's Colorado! I am so excited about it I'm nearly giddy! It's going to be a lot of fun!