Nice

Today I went, for the second time, to teach an art class at a little elementary school that's within walking distance from my house. When I arrived there, students were eating lunch with family members on large grassy areas that surround the building. Volunteers in cute aprons and chef's hats were serving healthy snacks; I suspect they were university students. I found out from the teacher of the class I was visiting that the last Friday of every month is family lunch day. Very cool. Some parents had brought pizza, some had packed nice lunches. "Dessert" from the volunteers was beautiful carrots. I wish I could have seen what else they served. Curious.

The weather was beautiful. Because it usually is, our schools use outdoor areas extensively. Kids almost always eat outside.

I still think my grandson's school is just about the best in the world, but it is great to see good stuff happening at the other school in town.

The class I was working with was well mannered and productive. It helps that classes are small - 21 students. In my first teaching job, 41 students were packed into a second grade classroom. In SC. With no AC. Oh, my! And I wondered why I couldn't do better than I did. I was happy to see that the teacher and her student teacher had time to run to the restroom, eat their own lunches in peace, and seemed relaxed - not toooo overworked. Parents seem to take very active roles in making the school work. So nice.

After teaching, I stopped by the Art Center, of course, then went to take my paintings down at a local business. I will rehang them at an attorney's office on Monday.

Tonight, Papa grilled pork roast with Ollie's BBQ sauce. I cooked great grits and green beans. Life is good.

Good News

I received this message today:

Just wanted to tell you how much I love the new look at the Art Center. It's contemporary, edgy and fabulous. Thanks for all you do. I'd say we're officially noticed.
proud member

Now that's the kind of feedback I like!!!

Saturday I will redo the flower pots and move them around. And hang the kids' art that will be finished at a class tomorrow.

Our maintenance director is putting his finishing touches on the exterior, too. The new show is hung and looks great. Food and music are planned and champagne is in the fridge. Let's party.

All Better

I had made peace with the complaint I received yesterday and was able to smile about it today. Tonight I got a message from the complainer thanking me for my "rapid" response. It also included a supportive comment about how difficult it is for the board to balance the old and the new. Whew:)

I will look at this one as a blessing, preparing me for others that are sure to come. I can practice my replies.

And besides, I enjoyed my lovely day. Late last night I realized I had three events/appointments scheduled for today. To one I needed to take an appetizer. So I scrounged through my pantry and fridge, dug through recipes, and whipped up a delicious bean dip. I had Papa write a letter for me to sign so I could miss a financial appointment,then this morning called the handyman I was supposed to meet at the Art Center.

I picked up chips to go with the dip on the way to my wine tasting party and enjoyed a relaxing lunch with girl friends. Great brownies for dessert. After that, I zipped over to the Art Center to oversee the work that was going on. It all worked.

Papa and I finished up the great soup I made last night and ate too much of the leftover yummy bean dip. Just now, Papa brought me a bowl of popcorn.

What a nice day.

Growing Pains

I've been very busy at the art center for the last few days - well, maybe weeks or months. We've just painted the building purple! With citrus green trim and fuchsia doors. As I have mentioned in earlier posts, we are trying to update our look and increase visibility. For many years our building was a putty color, so this is quite a change. Shock, maybe. I should add that we are located on Main street, lined with funky little shops and eateries.

A new sign reading ART CENTER Morro Bay went up on the front of the building today. If winds are not too strong, in a few days huge letters reading the same will be high up on a larger, rear section of our facility. Hopefully they'll be up soon. I will post pictures then.

My committee and I have worked very hard to make our art center show what it is, make our signs readable and memorable, and entice visitors. On Sunday we'll have a celebration of our face lift. Lots to do before then.

All good, right?

Today I received the first major complaint:( Sigh.

Growing pains.

Roo

With errands today, Papa and I hauled the kids around for a while then took them for their favorite bubble gum ice cream.

While the kids were eating, Roo said, "When people look at me for a long time I um....................."

After waiting for her to find the words, I said, "You feel uncomfortable?"

Roo: "Unh hunh!" She seemed relieved that I found the words for her.

Me: "Why do you think people look at you that way?"

Roo: "Because I am so cute and maybe they want me to be their kid."

No esteem problems there.

I Love My Flowers

I've been spending some time working in my back garden and talking to the little plants in the front yard. Here are some photos to show what's happening. I'm also working on my raised veggie beds - pictures of those later.






You can see that our tiny plants are finally growing!




Pretty parsley at sunset.





This time last year, this area was barren.



My favorite rose color:)



Iris grow right up through my rose bushes and the creeping geraniums go wherever they please. Kind of wild.

Happy

I am happy to say that I sold this little painting today. The buyer is the same one who bought another small painting of mine last week. I am very flattered and pleased. I hope everyone is impressed that I actually photographed the painting before I took it to the art center.

I am also very pleased and excited that our art association is nearing the end of a face lift process. Soon the paint and new signs will go up and on May 2 we will have a celebration for the new look and our change from just an association to an art center. I am very proud.