View from my window

Gorgeous day - picture perfect, the bay is deep blue, low humidity, no wind. But...there is a conference presentation to prepare, leaving shortly and a powerpoint that is not finished so...

heavy sigh...pouring another cup of coffee and praying for inspiration!

New Feathers for New Friends

I love to paint and used to paint A LOT -- but school, and more school, and a dissertation and work kept me from doing much of that. However, I found a reason to re-ignite that creative passion. These poor, homely, brown owls I found at Hobby Lobby:

You may remember I love birds and particularly owls after spending 4 years studying screech owls for an eventual MS in Biology. I do so love our feathered friends. But these guys, well, they needed something. So, after looking at some different species, I decided a tawny owl feather coloration was in order. Of course these aren't tawny's, but my imagination told me they could be....

After a few hours with acrylics and brushes and  listening to Faure's requiem (singing that in spring concert  with the Cathedral Choir -- I LOVE IT) -- are the results:

Whooo is more pleased? Me or the owls???!

Christmas 2010 -- Santa Claus came!

Christmas in my new house -- it was wonderful, though we did miss Annie, Audrey and John as they had to stay back in California. Just a few pics -- I busy with company and cooking and just enjoying my family. Here's the table -- I love the stargazer lilies. They smell HEAVENLY.

Scott with some professional type clothing for his professional type job...and Mom's dog, Allie, enjoying my couch :)

Jen with her new pearl necklace from Santa-Mommy !

 Jen and my Mom...it was happy times!

In the kitchen with 2 of my 3 kids...a blessed Christmas for sure!

Thanksgiving 2010

Shared with dear family - Eric, Barbara and my Mom. Great dinner Mom~~ you outdid yourself!!! xoxo

Barbara being all elegant :)

My Mom and her son

The next day -- IHop! And Eric had to have his peppers with his pancakes :)

San Francisco !

Catching up - I was in San Francisco last October for a week. It was a pretty cool conference regarding use of inquiry in the classroom, but even better, Annie and Audrey drove in from Lemoore and stayed with me for an overnight and we had a blast. I so miss them!

The Exploratorium - a great place to explore science. Conference attendees spent a week here learning some new things and just enjoying the company - and the scenery in San Francisco.

This is the outside of the Exploratium. Yeah...I was blown away. Designed to house the celebratory signing of the Panama Canal agreement, it has been renovated and remains a gorgeous piece of architecture.

Nestled right next to the Golden Gate bridge, it was a genuine treat to walk to 'work' here everyday!

After five days of meetings and work, Annie and Audrey arrived! Here they are near the Golden Gate bridge. We were soooo happy to see each other!

Audrey and I. I saw her running up to me when they arrived...it was easy to spot her pink boots I bought her for Christmas! :)

Inside exploring the Exploratorium - so much to see and do!

Pointing out some marine animals in the salt water aquarium.

I know that Audrey has inherited her Mommy's curiousity about nature - which her Mommy inherited from me after accompanying me on many field trip and helping me with plant and animal studies while in graduate school!

Time for dinner - so we headed out the Fisherman's Wharf! The Texas Rangers were playing the San Francisco baseball team for the world series during this time so the crowds were pumped!

Annie's dinner...oh-my-gosh the fish and crab were AWESOME!

Oh yeah...that was the name of the San Francisco team, just in case you forgot :)

It was chilly - so while at the Wharf, Audrey found this bunny hat. She wore it EVERYWHERE - including to bed !

The next day was Chinatown. It's pretty cool - lots of really beautiful things that are so carefully crafted, mixed in with not so high quality. Makes for a fun day of shopping. And, Audrey continued to wear her hat :)

It was sad to say goodbye, and this was the last time I have seen Annie or Audrey. However, in a few weeks they will be HERE for a WHOLE MONTH while Annie finishes up her nursing school clinical hours!! Can't wait! Stay tuned!!!!!

In just under two weeks....

My favorite sing-along buddy and movie buddy will be here. Audrey and her Mommy will be staying with me for about a month!! Oh my gosh -- they have not seen the new house, been to a real Tex-Mex restaurant or had a hug from me since September when they left for Lemoore, California. Life has been soooo good for all of us, except for this distance thing. But, that will disappear soon. Bring on the hugs!!!
P.S. House update soon! Painting, sewing, gardening...it's FABULOUS!

End of hiatus

This article scheduled to appear in March issue of National Science Teachers Association publication "The Science Teacher" is one of the six, yes SIX publications that I've managed to write and publish between last spring and now. I've also moved into my new home. It's awesome. More awesome than I ever imagined, so much fun sewing new drapes, completing projects, getting things JUST right - I love it because it's mine. I love the things that are in it - remembrances of loved ones that are near and far. And Ella loves the yard. We are in heaven :)

I have traveled much, shared much with students and colleagues, worked very hard, am writing new grant projects, waiting to hear about one I helped to submit (3 million dollars!), mentoring new students and graduating students (one of my students got into a PhD program at the Illinois Institute of Technology - I am so happy for HER!), students that have graduated and published. Yes, published a few months after their graduation!!! It is so gratifying being here and doing what I love!

I was elected to the A&M Chancellor's Academy of Teacher Educators by my university. Its a huge deal - only one person gets nominated from each university in the A&M system. I get some $ which is nice and a big medallion to wear to graduation. Regalia stuff. I'll post a pic when I'm decked out. I can't believe it - an award for doing what I love. Again, I am filled with so much gratitude.

This article regarded work I did in rural Falfurrias, Texas. It was a ton of work and preparation. Everyone asked "why". I said, "because these kids and these teachers need something to celebrate -- why not science?". We did. Huge celebration of 90 preservice (future) science teachers who (very begrudgingly) drove 90 miles each way to spend the evening with Falfurrias high school students, elementary students and their families. Everyone was learning about science, and about going to college. It was a home run! I analyzed the data, wrote the article during spring break last year, the National Science Teacher Association liked it, and here is the result after several revisions.

And now? There is much posting to catch up on. New plants to put in as the coldest weather we have had in 27 years did a real number on our tropical plants. And,  in 2 weeks Annie and Audrey are coming to stay with me for a whole month. YES!!! SO much to look forward to, work to do, more writing, students who need help, and a woman who wakes up filled with gratitude, looking forward to a day that will be different than the one before.

Thank you God.