Another Sunday

Wow, Sunday again... already!
I have to say that the week has gone slowly, probably because I've been tired due to end of the 3rd term. I always find the 3rd term of the school year the most difficult. It is the coldest term, being the heart of winter, and many illnesses spread their merry way around classrooms. I think this is exacerbated because the year 'adds up' by then. The holidays haven't allowed enough time to recover each time before getting back into the intensity of relating with so many kids with issues and so stress and fatique build up- not that I'm complaining. I enjoy my job. I'm merely making an observation about something that shows in all the staff and kids.
Anyway... the holidays are here. I've slept in a little yesterday and today and catching up on washing and watering the garden ready to spend this week in Adelaide staying with my youngest son so my daughter who shares with him can have a break up here. She'll enjoy spending time with the animals, including Mutley, and watching pay TV, etc.
I'll spend the time in Adelaide catching up with family and doing lots of school paper work and shopping. It'll especially be great to spend a more extended time with Nick, my youngest son, who isn't doing too well at the moment. He seems pretty happy to have received an entrance exam for a course for which he's applied. He's an especially gifted writer and will do well in the course should he get in and manage to attend. Getting out and about more will help him.
It is really frustrating find a good psychiatrist who is taking new patients and who has an appointment available withing the next 2 months. This is a real problem. There is such a shortage of doctors in all fields in this country.
Anyway... I'll catch up with Mark before he flies out to Singapore on Wednesday morning. He's organising and attending his own exhibition there and the venue is paying all his expenses as well as paying a daily 'wage' for spending the time there. I think he'll be there for 8 days. Artists have to pay their own expenses and a fee for exhibiting in a gallery space until they become more renown. Mark is getting more known and respected in some circles, so it is something of which he can be proud- I sure am! Of course, we mothers love our kids no matter what, eh?!!
Mel (my daughter) will spend time together tomorr before she catched the bus up here, then we'll spend other time during the next two weeks shopping, etc. It is her birthday on October 11.
I'll also enjoy spending time with my second son Bryan in between his work commitments.
I like living and working here but I do miss my family in Adelaide. It's good that it's only 2 hours away by car.
Enough of my rambling.
hugs and prayers
Julie

School Animals

Thought I'd start showing some of the animals at school- they're mine, but I share them with the kids and staff there- still have no more of my family on camera, but will get them organised during the holidays. Mel's (my daughter) birthday on the 11th October will be an opportunity!

These animals reside in the school office:

A very relaxed 'Peeper' Eastern Bearded Dragon














Peeper was tense when he first came to school to live, but not any more, as you can see!

'Zag' Golden Bell frog

Mark's art... and a pleasant weekend

Wow! When I went into my blog list to edit the last post to say I CAN'T load photos onto the site from Word format I found this draft. I must have run out of time to finish it and then forgotten it!
I've been to Adelaide to the official opening of my oldest son's latest art exhibition. This exhibition will run for a month now, and also coincides with the Melbourne Art Festival, to which he has also sent works. He is exhibiting in Singapore in October and has established quite a fan base in New Zealand. He's getting there- he's 28 years old and is very committed to his art. I am very proud of him. Of course his art is very 'out there'! This exhibition is titled 'Apples'. It is a series of work that takes as it's focus the Apple iPod. You can see his art at Grenaway Art Gallery, Kent Town or onine at http://www.greenaway.com.au/ARTISTS/SiebertM/Apple/ApplesWrk.htm
I will add now that the exhibition is over and it was a success in that Mark sold several works and is doing well with this agent promoting him.
He's being interviewed on Radio National during this week and just discovered he is a finalist in an art prize in Sydney.
I enjoyed my 'catch-up' with my family during the weekend, so did Mutley. The cats and ducks left behind here weren't as happy but they're fine!
One more week of school left now before the holidays... and so much to do but all of it ok! Assessment Profiles to complete for all students in Science and Health learning areas, reports to write and I'm finalising applications for funding to be sent to Sydney tomorrow. Two classes and I are asking for funding to further develop 2 garden areas. I'll write more about them and the animal program I'm doing some other time. I'd better get on with work now.
Blogspot never prints the time accurately here... must be set on a different time zone- maybe where it's based? I don't know, but I thought I'd mention it because you might think my plans for the day or evening are a bit 'funny' given the times that'd be showing onscreen!
Have a great week everyone!
hugs and prayers

photo additions

I'm in the process of adding some photos to my blog, now that I have a digital camera. I'm really enjoying the camera.
I've added a couple of pics of Mutley at work so far and will continue tomorrow. It's late now... midnight, and I need to get some sleep.