Wonderful, awesome, sassy and crazy…

A friend/co-worker of mine shared this t-shirt on my FB page today.  I LOVE IT!  What I love most is when I read that it makes me get even MORE excited about this coming Monday.  I *GET* to go back to work after summer vacation.  I’m so blessed.  I, of course, love my summer, but WOW, DO I LOVE MY JOB!  I do!  Some people think I’m nuts.  I’m cool with that. I am nuts about the job God has given me.

Because…I truly believe in this verse right here:

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, -Colossians 3:23 (HCSB)

We are SUPPOSED to be excited about our work…

Enthusiastic about our daily jobs…  here’s another version of the verse:

Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.

(International Standard Version)

I love that..WHOLEHEARTEDLY!  Do it with all your heart. (BIG HUGE CRAZY SMILEY FACE HERE)

I have this saying hanging in my shop:  Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life.

Here’s another one: Make your vocation your vacation.

And let’s not forget to do this:

I thank God for my WONDERFUL job where I get to teach some AWESOME kiddos, work with some SASSY people AND they all love me even though I’m CRAZY!

What do I care?

What do I care …

If someone doesn’t appreciate my need to look on the bright side?

If smiling is not EVERYONE’S favorite thing?

If people think I’m ugly, fat or stupid?

If my art doesn’t please someone?

If my car isn’t nice enough?

My house not big enough?

Or I don’t wear the “in” styles?

What do I care?

I don’t. 

Peace. 

I AM CREATIVE!

I love this quote.  It’s by, as you can see, a very intelligent man.  It was said that he had an IQ of 160.  That is a number to tell you about his “smartness.”  I can only imagine his attitude, demeanor and wit.  Reading some of his quotes and other things that have been written about him makes me think he definitely had a mixture of book smart, street smart and social smart.  BLESSINGS!

Anyway, THIS QUOTE below is one of those where I’m like, “RIGHT??!!??”

The person who illustrated this quote is very talented as well.  If you want to look at some of their other works, you can click here.  She has a ton of beautiful things!

WHO SAYS ARTISTS AREN’T INTELLIGENT?  Albert Einstein, one of the smarties himself, didn’t.  (or at least that is what this quote says to me)

I am creative.  I am artistic.  I am intelligent.

SO PROUD

I’ve had encounters with two former students this week that have made my heart swell with pride.  They are both on an awesome path where they are constantly doing amazing things.  I’m so blessed to know so many former students like this.  Out of all the things that give me joy in teaching, seeing students succeed is my most favorite.

It’s like watching a work of art develop into this beautiful image or sculpture.  I’m not saying I created it.  We all know who created it, but I’d like to think I put a brush stroke or mold here or there to help push the creation in the right direction.

Students, of course, make their own decisions no matter what you teach them.  When they make those RIGHT decisions and set goals while keeping their eye on THE ONE who truly is in control, I almost become giddy!

Also, when they come back and give me even a tiny amount of credit in helping to *raise them right*, my heart is so full.

I’m SO PROUD.

I love Mickey!

Why does the sight of that crazy little mouse that was sketched out by Walt Disney so many years ago make my face smile before I even think about it?

I see those ears and just think JOY!

Some people see $$$ and think of the amount of money it takes to go to a Disney Park.  I know it takes a chunk of change, but when our family went there a couple of years ago, it truly was MAGICAL.

I feel like Mickey is my friend.  I KNOW HIM!  I mean, he hugged me!  I was at his “house” there in Orlando and he introduced me to so many of his fellow Disney family members.  That makes us tight, right?

Well, either way, that is the way I feel about it.

The fact that he is so ALIVE NOW  …and he just started as pencil and paper is amazing to me.  It’s like every artist’s dream…to have their creation touch others positively.   Walt Disney started something that, I’m sure, he didn’t realize would be this big.  I’m certain he knew it would be great, but really…ALL THIS!?!   His vision and creativity ended up being the sparks that built this enormous fire of awesomeness!

I love the awe in eyes of all ages when they see THE MOUSE …or other characters.

AND even though I know there is a person in that mouse outfit…

I love Mickey!

p.s. I wanna go back to Disney World.  Just sayin.

I’m a mean teacher!

I expect my students to come in, sit down and listen a little.

I ask them to do things like color and create, paint and sculpt.

I encourage them to continue working and not to give up.

I ask them to concentrate and work toward a goal.

I demonstrate the correct way and then help and assist them to do it on their own.

They can do it!

Most of them try their hardest and a large part of my students GET IT.

They CAN draw, they CAN paint and they CAN create art.

Some of them say, “I’m not an artist.”  To them I say, “YES YOU ARE.”

I expect them to do their best.  My class, like any other, takes some work.  Just like other classes, students do well in it or they do not so well in it… but really, truly, it depends on about 90% attitude.

If they start out thinking they CAN’T… they are probably right.  If they start out not liking the assignment or for some reason think I’m MEAN by asking them to do it… they will more than likely not have a good outcome.  If they get to the point that their attitude becomes disrespect, it is certain they will not do well.  All that does is make me sad for them.  I will not accept their I CAN’T attitude or their misconception of why I assigned the project …AND THERE IS NO WAY I will take their disrespect.

So, if that makes me a mean teacher…

I’M A MEAN TEACHER!

Blessings Today

#1 This is the video I created today. This woman is awesome and I’m glad she allows me to help in her ministry! What a blessing!

#2 I met a new friend today. His name is Chris and he’s one of those people you meet and you instantly like. I probably talked his head off and he might think I’m a total art freak…or other variety, but I sure did appreciate God allowing me to meet him today. He was taking my pic for an upcoming article on a project I do. He’s a total artsy…one of MY PEOPLE…he’s in the ART TRIBE. What a blessing!

#3 My child played volleyball tonight and their team won. I’m so proud of that gal. ANOTHER BLESSING!

# There are more to list, but I won’t go on…God knows He showers me and I want to give all of the praises to HIM!

Amen 🙂