My Blog

Goodbye Old Room, hello new "room"

Marta — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:10:19 GMT

Aug. 8th starts my new school year. This will be my 17th year teaching, all at good old PHS...and when I say old, I do mean old. The part of the school I have been teaching in was originally built in 1929! It has gone through a few small renovations, and improvements, but for the most part, things are as they were. BEcause we are not in compliance with the dissability act, and it is nearly impossible to build what would make it so, we bonded and happily passed! This brings some very good, and some not so good things.....as I cleaned out my room and office at the end of last year, there were some pretty big emotions. I took down 16 years of students senior pics...they would bring me one, and I'd hang them at the top of my board in my office...art from students, both amazing and a bit scary..but they were proud of it so it ment so much to me...it really was a bit emotionally draining. The kids hated it too, the posters, pictures, boards came down, things were boxed up and stored in other teacher's rooms, the chaotic, creative room became sterile and the kids were not liking it.... I got a call at the first of the week from my principal to let me know that they had figured out where they were going to be putting me while the 2 year construction was going on....I am going to be in the auxiliary gym! A half gym that in the past the cheerleaders, drill team and wrestlers have shared. *rubbing head* So it is going to be an "interesting" change. I will have both my 2-d room and my ceramics room in the same place....and I'll have to get water from the janitors closet.My sister and I drove over to look around. The janitors had taken and dumped all my stuff in the gym because Asbestose removal started today....I nearly cried. I can't hardly imagine in and what I found nearly made me ill. I wish my other sister had seen it too...both sisters teach, one in elementary and the other in another high school in Nevada. I get tired of her complaining, because she has small classes (Mine range from 28-35) and hers are 12-18......ALyse and I moved what I could around and got a little "office/yearbook desk" set up. I feel a miniscule better, but I still want to cry when I think about it.......It is going to be an "interesting" school year, and I am going to be spending a lot of time in my new "room" trying to make it feel like a place we can actually create.

Get it now Veil!

Marta — Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:57:16 GMT

This isn't a "vagrant" because it is fine, just not the color the client asked for....asking $25 plus shipping First Come First Serve http://tribes.tribe.net/silkveils-madreluna/photos/10febff0-229e-421a-9fc5-0cd2d7e92835

I love my Boys

Marta — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:26:43 GMT

http://youtube.com/watch?v=o2r5P8IeAyI Yup, I love my little (did I say little? He's 105 lbs!) shit. I had to share....THis is his reaction to a Zagareet. He's be a blast at a hafla

CONGRATS!

Marta — Mon, 05 May 2008 05:08:24 GMT

Congrats to *drum roll please* Yeshes Devi for the winning name "Vagrant veils" Please look forward to future "Flash Listings" When you can purchase a "Vagrant Veil" for cheeper price! YEA!

CONTEST - PLEASE ENTER

Marta — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 23:25:40 GMT

In the spirit of Miss Geisha Moth, I am going to run a contest. I need to figure out what to call my "mess up" veils, which I will sell occassionally at a discounted price. "Mess Up" generally means I got a color run where I didn't want one. Sometimes this is a big run, sometimes it is subtle. Your job? I can't call them "ooops veils" because that's what Jes from Akai silks calls hers.....so I need something cute, creative, funny...to call mine. I have a "mess up" in red, orange and yellow that will be shipped free to my favorite guess (I think I'll let Bert vote too) Suggestions start now and will end Tuesday night at midnight....YOU ARE WELCOME TO SUGGEST MORE THAN ONCE. Please post ideas here http://tribes.tribe.net/silkveils-madreluna Oh, also..if any of you know how to do a bulk e-mail to everyone in my friends list, could you give me a hint? THANKS

A Day Away from School

Marta — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:29:31 GMT

4 weeks of school left and I am a combination of excited, stressed and anxious. I advise the yearbook, so from about early March when the last deadline has to be submitted, until mid april when the books arrive and I have to start tagging them, I can breath....I went to a yearbook workshop in St. George yesterday and left my little cherubs with a sub. Even though I was doing school stuff, the day away from a formalized school day was really nice. I got ideas for next years cover, chatted with other advisors...I am the veteran advisor after putting in 14 years. (Oi!) I came back to a clean room, no nasty notes left with my lesson plans from the sub, and this cute note left on the board. It's nice to know I was missed.

Happy Customer

Marta — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:49:27 GMT

I got this e-mail today and was so touched. hiya Marta! Wanna' see your fire veil in action? That veil is amazing to work with! Hope you like the performance pics taken today in a retirement home. Isabel I love hearing from Happy Customers!

8th graders and an "Outdoor Classroom"

Marta — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:00:51 GMT

March 25th. Is it finally spring? It was too warm and nice to stay indoors today. PHS has what the call an "outdoor classroom." The AG kids spend time down there learning about plants, helping care for the area. (It's a beautiful restored block in the middle of town where the first DR. had his homestead.) In the spring they plant a garden and donate the produce to Care and Share. My 8th graders, my trusty senior assistant and I walked the 3 blocks in the cool wind to the pond where the kids were asked to sketch. They were suposed to observe, notice what spring sounds like, feels like and smells like and try to add those things to their pics. One of the teacher's dogs followed us and helped me keep the kids were they belonged *grin* The ducks chattered, the geese yelled at us, I gathered stray feathers for an altered book page, the kids laughed and enjoyed the sun....and we all walked back happy and smiling. What more could you ask on a spring day?

A Moment of Reflection

Marta — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 18:23:01 GMT

Bert and my anniversary was yesterday. 7 years....and if I have one more person ask if I am feeling the "7 year itch" I am going to scream. In some ways I feel like I've been married forever, and sometimes it doesn't seem like I've been married at all. I love my husband dearly, and I can't imagine being with anyone else. That being said....The pic above was taken by one of my photography students whom had recently graduated. She is a talented little girl, and had an amazing eye. I look at this picture with many different thoughts running through my head. I remember well how horrible I thought I looked. My self esteem was nil at this point. I had a hard time seeing anything good about myself. I can look at the pic. and see the traces of "wild woman" clawing to get out. This was 5 years before I started dancing, and I was being domesticated....The ring on my finger is not the ring that I wear today. I was engaged so someone else. Someone who little by little was taking away my individuality, my fire, my passion for life. Thank god the wolf clawed a tiny hole in the cage I had allowed to be built around me. Thank god the light filtered in and woke me up. The relationship ended with a phone call and an announcement that I was leaving. He got ugly, and a bit frightening and I was so greatful that I live across country from him......8 years later, I think about who I was back then, and who I have become. My self esteem is still in need of some work, but because of my wonderful husband who loves me for whom I am, I can practice and discover who I am deep down inside. I could not think of anyone whom I could ever live the rest of my life I am so lucky to have found him, and I look forward to the next 7, and the next, and the next. Happy Anniversary Baby, I love you!

Headaches and my sweet dog

Marta — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:06:05 GMT

4 am and I am jolted awake with a tiny cold wet nose in my face...Shayodi was trying to wake me up. Angry and Rolled over and realized I am stuffed up and have a pounding migraine. She has done this many times. She somehow knows when I'm not feeling well. So I drag my ass out of bed and down a couple of Excedrines and a perscription decongestant. Wake up again to go to school not feeling great, but now I'm nausiated because I didn't eat anything when I took the pills....God I feel rotten, but I'm here at school sucking it up. Thank goodness for my baby looking out for me!

Happy Birthday Sinney!

Marta — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 03:09:42 GMT

Our boy is 1 year old today.....and I'm a dork *grin* Take a look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ78RABfYxc

Merry Christmas from the Mitchell Zoo

Marta — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 19:39:08 GMT

I had grand plans of printing cards and sending them out....and here it is Dec. 19th and I haven't even printed them yet.....so, Merry Christmas from the Mitchell Zoo!

Merry Christmas

Marta — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 02:42:29 GMT

Mom and I went tree shopping today while my hubby and Sin were "Search and rescue" training.....I'm posting this tonight because I really don't know how long it's going to stay up....4 cats, two dogs (one of them being a 98 lb, 11 month old shepherd) Heaven help us.

Performance Eyes

Marta — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 05:31:47 GMT

I LOVE getting together with friends to dance....No pressure, no nerves. Seriously, 10 seconds of jitters and then it was just damn fun. We need to do more local Haflas. Lots of fun, no stress, and very little driving so your body doesn't hurt before you go on stage....now if I could loose the gut and about 100 lbs......

A visit with Grandpa

Marta — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 15:33:17 GMT

Dad was not doing well yesterday and wasn't able to get out of bed.....3 back surgeries, and a heart valve replacement last year....he has a lot of really bad days lately.....Shay, Sin and I went to visit. Sinder was really excited to see Poppy.

OMG I'm tired!

Marta — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 03:32:32 GMT

and they wonder why women are tired all the time....I'm nearly caught up.....Today I DId our weeks worth of laundry d*ishes *made 7 shirts *made one tote bag *4 veils (3 of which were tie dye so they count as two ) *altered 80 little league Football pics to upload to my color lab *shampooed the livingroom carpet My ankle is fat, and I think I have a pinched nerve in my neck....but it feels good to be that much closer to being caught up....too bad I have to go back to school tomorrow *sigh*

Are you game?

Marta — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 01:56:54 GMT

1) Can you cook? A: 2) What was your dream growing up? A: 3) What talent do you wish you had? A: 4) If I bought you a drink, what would it be? A: 5) Favorite vegetable? A: 6) What was the last book you read? A: 7)What zodiac sign are you? A: 8) Any tattoos and/or piercings? A: 9) Worst habit? A: 10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride? A: 11) What is your favorite sport? A: 12) Negative or optomistic attitude? A: 13)What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me? A: 14) Worst thing to ever happen to you? A: 15) Tell me one wierd fact about you A: 16) Do you have any pets? A: 17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly? A: 18) What was your first impression of me? A: 19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary? A: 20)If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be? A: 21)Would you be my crime partner or my conscience? A: 22) What color eyes do you have? A: 23) Ever been arrested? A: 24) Bottle or draft? A: 25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it? A: 26) Would you date me? A: 27) Whats your favorite place to hang out? A: 28) Do you believe in ghosts? A: 29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time? A: 30) Do you swear a lot? A: 31) Biggest pet peeve? A: 32)In one word, how would you describe yourself? A: 33) Do you believe/appreciate romance? A: 34)If you could spend 12 hours with me and ask/do whatever you liked, what would it be? A: 35)Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same? A:

Ok, I'm game.....

Marta — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:32:18 GMT

I'm taking this challenge from my friend Qamar! For the first three people who respond- and re-post - this challenge, I will send you something. It might be something I've made, or something cool from my hidden stash, it might be a mix CD - or a rubber duck, a book I think you will enjoy, or something else that is awesome. Whatever it is, I promise that I will get it to you in 30 days or less. The only thing you need to do in order to participate is to be one of the first three to reply to this, AND post this very same thing* - 'cause its fun to give people stuff.

Thanks Zahara sigh

Marta — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:56:04 GMT

If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 50 things about your friends, and let them learn 50 things about you! 1. How tall are you? 5'7" ish 2. Have you ever done heroin? No. 3. Do you own a gun? No. 4. Do you recycle? not really 5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? yes 6. What do you think about hot dogs? depends on the day 7. What's your favorite Christmas song? Ave Maria if it is sung right 8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Cappicino baby! 9.Can you do push ups? Ummmm, no 10. Is your bathroom clean? clean-ish 11. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring *grin* Cause I love my hubby....and the diamond necklace he bought me....I have others, but.... 12. Do you like painkillers? some...some not. Loratab makes me puke 16. Middle Name? No 17. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I'm hungry, my back and belly are sore from class last night, what is Sinder chewing up as we speak 19. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink Cappicino Diet Pepsi Vanilla Pepsi Jazz (when I can find it) 20. Who is your hero? Bert 21. Last person you called? Bert 22. Current worry? Bert 23. Current hate? the cold 24. Favorite place to be? Hummm, at home with Bert and the "kids" 25. How did you bring in the new year? Snoozing 26. Where would you like to go? Lots of places...I'd like to see the world 27. Do you own slippers? Yep 28. What shirt are you wearing? Burgandy...Bought in Taos, New Mexico *grin* 29. Do you burn or tan? Burn 30. Favorite color(s)? Black, purple, green, blue, and fushia 31. Why did you choose your display name? Never thought of using anything other than my real name 32. Do you swear a lot? Sadly, more and more 33. What songs do you sing in the shower? Usually just yell at what ever animal is scratching at the door and wants to come in and make sure Mom isn't drowning 34. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a child? monsters under the bed and closet 35. What's in your pockets right now? change 36. Last thing/person that made you laugh? My students 37. Best bed sheets as a child? Loved my rainbow ones 38. Worst injury you've ever had? Did a split dismount off the balance beam and ended up with my foot backwards and half way up my calf....nasty! 39. Are you doing anything else right now? watching the clock. Can this day just get over please?! 40. How many TVs do you have in your house? Three 41. Who is your loudest friend? Diane 42. Who is your most silent friend? ?? 43. Does someone have a crush on you? *shrug* 44. Do you wish on shooting stars? Yep. 45. What is your favorite book? Tough one! Snake Hips was pretty damn funny 46. What is your favorite candy? another tough one...currently? Chocolate covered sugar babies 47. What song do/did you want played at your wedding? Enya 48. What song do you want played at your funeral? I don't really want a funeral....but if someone must....Enya 49. What were you doing @ 12 AM last night? Dozing off....pushing Sinder over so I wasn't perched on the edge of the bed 50. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up this morning? I have faculty meeting, and I need to get up to let the dogs out.

My students are Amazing!

Marta — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 14:27:18 GMT

My advanced art class is working on studies of "Georgia O'keeffe" They had to choose either one of her bone pics or her flower pics and copy it using acrylic paint. This required mixing color, blending, creating hues and tints....and they are kicking ass! I'm so proud!

MY FEET HURT!

Marta — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 03:38:02 GMT

It's been a good day....I feel positive, but damn am I tired....and my FEET HURT! Bert and Sinder had rearch and rescue training today....all day, poor guys.....so I got up with them. Once they were on their way, I picked up the house and vacumed (much easier without an 80 lb shepherd following behind you pulling things out that you just picked up.) I ran to do a few errands up town, then started dying silk. I got 7 veils dyed and ironed...a good start to the stuff I'm taking to Moab at the end of the month. I have half of the laundry done, and I'm just now sitting down....and my feet are telling me I've done too much. I get so frustrated with my feet that hurt every day...but I sat down and took a pic and started thinking of all the things they have been through....plus packing around all my weight.....and damn, I've put through them a lot! I really need to start taking better care of myself.

Napping

Marta — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 23:08:28 GMT

Saturday the boys went on search and rescue training. They started at 8 am and didn't get home until 5. They started out moving rock for an elderly couple as a service project and then went on a hike-training exercise which ended up being 5 long, hot miles....not bad for a 6.5 month old shepherd...and my poor husband who pack another members 15 week old, 25 lb shepherd a good part of the way. Needless to say, the boys are tired today and have been napping a lot . Poor boys!

Ok guys, cout and paste and pass it on :)

Marta — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:14:33 GMT

Taken from Je'Sennia Three names you go by: 1. Marta 2. Cricket 3. Mama Luna (my teachers joke for my business name) Three Parts of Your Heritage 1. English 2. Irish 3. not sure...I'm sure there is something else there. Three Things That Scare You 1. something will happen to my husband or kids (two legged and 4) 2. Thunder 3. Heights Three of Your Everyday Essentials 1. Cappicino 2. Computer 3. Art of some sort Three Things You Are Wearing Right Now 1. Sweat pants 2. "Make me purr "t-shirt 3. ponytail (it's the end of the night and I cleaned carpets. Give me a break!) Three of Your Favorite Bands or Musical Artists 1. Jewel 2. The Corrs 3. Enya Three Things You Want in a Relationship (other than Real Love) 1. sense of humor 2. Understanding 3. Kindness Physical characteristics that appeal to you 1. Eyes 2. Hands 3. Smile Three of Your Favorite Hobbies 1. Art of any sort 2. baking..not cooking, baking (doesn't happen often anymore) 3. lately, sewing...Mom's so proud Three Things You want to do really badly right now 1. Have a shower 2. Spend some time with the hubby. (we are both too damn busy) 3. Get this damn brace off my foot. Three Places You Want to go on Vacation 1. Egypt 2. Ireland 3. New Mexico (I love Taos and Santa Fe, my husband does not) Three Things You Want to Do/Be Before You Die 1. Be secure enough to leave things for friends and family...and donate to my school. 2. Be able to afford to build our own house...with EVERYTHING we want in it 3. Know that I am going to be remembered for being kind, loving and generous. Three Ways that you are stereotypical of your sex. 1. I love jewelry 2. I love chick flicks 3. pms Three Ways that you are NOT stereotypical of your sex. 1. I don't always have to wear makeup 2. I love high heels, but can't wear them....stinking foot surgery 3. I have a motherly instinct, but don't have the need to have children of my own.

A Sad Day

Marta — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 03:34:46 GMT

Sinder had his first search and rescue accident....It's a dang good thing I don't have little kids. I was a basket case! Bert, Kyla, Kelsey and I took the dogs up to woods ranch. Kyla was hiding...Sinder found her, did a perfect re-find and was so excited to come back and tell Kelsey, Shay and I that he was running too fast. He hit a ditch that was covered in weeds at full speed, skidded on his face a good 6-7 feet and rolled. He cried a little, but is acting fine now....he'll be sore tomorrow. I feel so guilty!

Playing around with ideas for a photo shoot

Marta — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 03:29:39 GMT

My troupe friends and I are getting together for a photo shoot...and my dear husband took pity on me...he has an amazing eye, and I certainly hope he can get the morning off when the three of us go out.