Hello long lost friends!! Thanks for stopping by for this month’s Where Bloggers Live 10.2022: A Day in the Life. This month, the gals and I are sharing a look at a typical workday in each of our lives. You may remember, however, that I am retired…which was the whole reason I started this blog in the first place. Thought blogging about retirement would help me figure out what I should be doing in this new(ish) chapter of life.
But LIFE has had a way of filling my days for me – often times with unplanned bits of chaos. And as I approach the date of the ninth anniversary(!!) of my retirement from a job that I loved for over 25 years, I find that I am just beginning to settle into this season.
WHERE BLOGGERS LIVE
Ever wonder where the ideas for this series come from? Well, let me tell you!! Each month our fearless leader Bettye comes up with a prompt for the gang to respond to. The prompts always make me use my noggin for more than a place to hang my hat!! This has been one of my favorite series in which to participate and as I look forward to the quickly approaching new year, I hope to continue to join these fun-loving ladies for 12 more months of thoughtful posts.
If you’ve missed any of the Where Bloggers Live posts this year, you’ve missed a treat. So far, we’ve given you a look at our ‘rides’ in January and our furry fam in February. Then in March we described our dream house. In April I was overwhelmed by LIFE (the LIFE that fills my retirement with craziness) when the gals wrote posts about their favorite piece of furniture. Would still like to do that…someday.
For May, I shared my photo albums and scrapbooks. And June’s post, my favorite movie moments. My July post for the Where Bloggers Live series detailed my longing for temporary escape from life, make that LIFE while predicting that one was probably not in the stars for us this year. Little did I know that shortly after writing that post, my life would turn upside down with the death of my mom. And I have been trying to regain my bearings since.
Where Bloggers Live 10.2022
For today’s post we are sharing A Day in the Life: a Work Day. Many of my days lately have felt like work. Work to get up in the morning, work to get through the day. But I have been so thankful for the support of family and friends. And for an opportunity for actual work that came just as I needed it most.
On the very day I flew to Kentucky to be with my mom for the last time, I received a call from the amazing art teacher at Lucia’s elementary school. She was inquiring if I would be available to sub for her in the brand new school year while she traveled to North Dakota to help take care of her dying father. At the time, I didn’t know my mom would be gone in just a few short days. I explained that I didn’t know what I was facing with my mom but I would be happy to substitute if I was home to do so.
My sweet mama passed away on 08.02.2022. A week later I was back home in El Paso. And on 08.11.2022, I began subbing in my new friend Amy’s beautiful, well-organized art classroom.
A Day In The Life: A Work Day
Subbing in the art classroom was such a blessing to me. It provided the elusive structure I had missed and longed for since retiring. And a sense of purpose and direction that I had struggled to find lately in my day-to-day life that my career had provided for so long. I enjoyed getting dressed up in the morning. Even found the 30-minute drive across the mountain to school and back a pleasant distraction.
The Lundy students in grades second through fifth come for art every week. The ‘littles’ – the babies in kinder and first grade – only come every other week. For the most part, I saw all the sections of a single grade in one day. Usually 6 classes a day. Fifth grade on Monday, second grade on Tuesday, Wednesday was third grade, fourth grade on Thursday and the littles alternated on Fridays.
I began my school day around 7:30 am. Would get the classroom set up for the day’s classes, then head to the playground for morning duty. This is the same campus where I subbed for several kinder teachers – Lucia’s teachers – last year. So, I already knew a lot of this year’s first graders. Part of my morning duty meant I helped them line up on the black top when the bell rang until their teachers picked them up for class. The hugs I received from the children I already knew, and the children I came to know were some of the best parts of those days.
Art Lessons, Life Lessons
Most days I would have 2-3 classes in the morning, a 45-minute prep period, lunch and 3-4 classes in the afternoon. On Tuesdays and Fridays, I did cafeteria duty during the first graders’ lunch time. Which meant I got to snuggle Lucia and all the babies I had taught the year before…while helping them get their food and opening their milk cartons.
Amy provided me with all the lesson plans and her lessons were wonderful. Not only art lessons, but life lessons. The third, fourth and fifth grade students have class for 45 minutes while second and below only visits for 30 minutes. We never had enough time!! For starters, I talked too much. And then wanted to try to do too much. And spent too much time having the children practice the art technique we were learning before getting to the actual project that incorporated the technique.
We learned about:
- the elements of art: line, color, shape, form, texture, space and value. The children would quiz me to see if I could name all 7 elements in order. They made foldables illustrating the elements of art.
- artists Piet Mondrian and Keith Haring.
- using line and shape in art through picture books and easy biographies.
- muralist Artur Bordalo II, who created an amazing mural in downtown El Paso the third week of school.
- the difference between shape and form and drew form villages and wrote their names in 3D block letters.
- different types of lines and the ways line can imply texture; then created line monsters.
Have a look:
Not a People Person
Because of my shyness and social awkwardness, I do not consider myself a people person. But I do consider myself a kitty and puppy person. And a children person. Children are different from other people for me. Being with children was exactly what I needed during this difficult time.
People struggle saying my last name – Clingan. So, I suggested the kids call me Ms. C. and made the shape of a letter C with my hand when introducing myself to them the first time. When the babies would see me around campus, they would say ‘hello, Ms. C.’ and make a C with their little hands. Their hugs and their smiles got me through some of the hardest days of my life.
Lundy has 2 new administrators this year. Both of them were very supportive while I was subbing in the art classroom. Mr. Baldner, the principal, left me several notes commenting on my rapport with the students. In all my years of teaching, no one had ever done that.
God Only Knows
I can’t help but believe that Amy and I were put in each other’s lives for exactly this season, this chapter. When I approached her at the end of school last year about keeping me in mind to substitute for her, I had no way of knowing what was coming to both of our lives and the lives of our parents. But God did.
In 1979, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Art Education from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. LIFE (the U.S. Army and a bad marriage) would find me living in the Republic of Panama much of the next 10 years following my graduation. It wasn’t until we moved to El Paso in 1988 that I was finally able to work full-time. I applied to teach art with the El Paso Independent School District in 1989. When I was called for an interview, the district didn’t have any art openings but had several openings for a librarian. And I had a minor in Library Science. I was hired as an assistant high school librarian and worked as a librarian in the district until my retirement 12.2013. How ironic, how interesting, how perfect that I would finally teach art all these years later!!
I took the selfies below on my last day subbing in the Lundy art classroom. Lucia and I tidied things before I locked up shop for the last time. We also spent a little time drawing together. She wanted to try making one of the ‘form’ villages I had been doing with the upper grades art students. Lucia never fails to amaze me with her artistic ability.
I think you can see the delight we both share in creating art. But around my eyes you can also see evidence of the lingering sadness.
Since 09.30, the school district has been on a 2 week fall break that concludes today. During this time, I have caught up on all my housework and ironing and prepared for a 4-day visit from Brennyn, Cady, Declan and Mustafa. I have enjoyed being home, returning to doing some regular exercise, reading, scrapbooking with my sister.
And I’ve had more time to miss and grieve for my mother. So often I find myself reaching for the phone, thinking I have been remiss in calling her. I miss you every day, Mom.
Your Turn
It is always fascinating (and often frustrating) how life unfolds. In my last Where Bloggers Live post, I shared that we were most likely not taking a summer (or any other season) vacation this year. Well, surprise, surprise…we are actually going on vacation the end of this month!! Wonders never cease!! We are headed to Boston and NYC for a few days and then on to Ohio to visit PC’s family and finally to Tennessee to visit my sister in her new house. Looking forward to being a tourist in the exciting cities of Boston and New York.
Hope you will join me in visiting the blogs of my dear Where Bloggers Live buddies to discover how a workday looks for each of them.
Bettye at Fashion Schlub
Daenel at Living Outside the Stacks
Iris at Iris’ Original Ramblings
Jodie at Jodie’s Touch of Style
Leslie at Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After
Sally at Within a World of My Own
I would like to thank you for stopping by today. Not sure what life or LIFE has in store for me in the near future…other than our glorious upcoming vacation. And I do have 4 substitute teaching commitments at the end of October and in November. Have put myself back on the calendar for pet walking and drop-in visits through Rover.com. And of course, the holidays are approaching. Hoping to settle back into some sense of normalcy before the year’s end. Hope to return to blogging more regularly, too.
Wishing you a glorious, peaceful weekend with those you love most.
Hugs and kisses,
XO baby…
I love you. Thank you for being beside me through thick and thicker.
Oh how fun! I went to college with the hopes of being an Elementary art teacher as well and minored in fine arts alongside my bachelor’s degree in child psychology with a master’s in education. It sounds like this job came along at the perfect time for you and how wonderful that you came along at the perfect time for the “regular” teacher.
Thank you, sweet friend. I am interested to learn you minored in fine arts. I knew you were terribly creative. And child psychology?? Oh, dear. I struggled so with psychology. With your Master’s in education, no wonder you are such a wonderful home school teacher.
Hi, Leslie! I’ve missed your blog posts! I was actually thinking about emailing you to see how you were doing. It sounds like you’ve been quite busy! I really enjoyed looking through all the pictures you posted from the art classes you taught. It sounds and looks like you did an amazing job! Kudos to you!
I am right there with you in missing my mom. Mine did not leave me as recently as yours. She’s been gone a little over 3 years now. But not a day goes by that I don’t think about her. Bless you! And I’m so happy to see you posting again. 😘
Oh, Gale, it feels like old home week, reading sweet messages from you and my blogging friends. I have missed it. Didn’t realize how much. Just back from visiting your blog and catching up with you. Loved all the smiles. You are a family of beautiful smile-ers!!
It is strange with grief. I can be going along just fine and then something will hit me. Something will come up that I wish I could tell my mom (and dad). Or I will be scanning through my photos and get to those difficult last days of Mom’s in the hospital. Heartbreaking to see her in those pictures. She was always so lively and had such a beautiful smile herself. Those photos just tear me up. Maybe I need to move them into some kind of separate folder for the future when I can handle them better. I am sorry for the loss of your mother, too. I am thinking I remember that. Thinking it was somewhat sudden. We both need to take solace in knowing that our moms are always with us in our hearts and memories. And they are in a better place. Maybe even friends???
Thank you for coming by. Big hugs to you, my friend.
Hi Leslie: I loved your post and kept thinking how similar our lives have been lately! I’m very sorry about the loss of your Mom. I just lost my oldest sister a couple weeks ago and returned last week from her funeral. I have been back and forth to help care for her for months. I’m so glad that you had this teaching opportunity to help you through the grief process. And as you wrote about getting your art degree from UT Knoxville in 1979, I realized that you were on campus with my husband who got a degree in architecture there. That’s amazing to have a connection. Six degrees of separation right? Enjoyed your post very much!
Oh, how fabulous to read this Leslie. The joy you are feeling just emanated from your words. And the HUGS. Hugs make our life better in more ways than one.
You have to love how everything worked out and you were so appreciated. Isn’t that what everyone needs??
BTW, I couldn’t get to your post from your website. I just got here from your email. So I’m not sure why that happened??
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thanks for the heads up about my site. I think I might have been working on things when you tried to access it but who knows? I am surprised how much I had forgotten in the few months since I last blogged. Will keep an eye on the functionality of things.
Oh, the hugs. The little children hugs. They truly helped me through this dark time. I am subbing twice in the coming week and looking forward to receiving more hugs!! Thank you for stopping by and for the kind words. You always make me feel loved.
Oh, Leslie, isn’t it amazing how God works? To have an art degree and never use it, to retire as a librarian, and then to finally have the chance to sub in an art room when you really needed that diversion, and to give another person the chance to be with her loved one…that is God at work.
I am telling you, this post almost makes me want to sub! But, not enough to get up at the early hours I would need to do so!!!
I miss “talking” with you!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Oh, Marsha, I have missed you, my friend. Love love love the way you summed up little blessings and miracles in the last few months of my life. God at His best.
Subbing isn’t easy but sticking to one school where the babies come to know you and respect you helps. I think having been in the art classroom allowed me to get to know all of the children just as being a librarian did. And now, hopefully, I can sub in different classrooms successfully.
Thank you for the visit.
How lovely to see this blog post pop up in my blog lists – you have been missed!
Thank you for sharing a walk through of your day, it sounds like you were a perfect fit for their art department and I can understand why the students all loved you. That placement came at the most perfect time for you, and gave you something to focus on when you most needed it most.
Lucia has such talent in her drawing, make sure you tell her that I am very impressed!
It does seem that the subbing opportunity was a blessing for you, the teacher and the children. I had assumed that your degree was in library science but now see some of the foundation for all your wonderful art projects. Grieving is so hard – hang in there and find happiness as you can.
Wow, NINE YEARS RETIRED!? You’re living the dream, Leslie, truly. I am counting the minutes. Well, actually, the days. Each month on a certain day I have “___ more months!” on my calendar alerts and it pops up with the new number, and what ever else might be going on around me, that brings me such joy to know that the end is in sight 🙂
“My sweet mama passed away on 08.02.2022” Oh, Leslie, I’m so sorry 🙁 I know what a significant loss that is.
“It provided the elusive structure I had missed and longed for since retiring.” Ha ha, structure (and obligation) is exactly what I’m trying to get AWAY from! I can’t wait for UNstructured days!
“The hugs I received from the children I already knew, and the children I came to know were some of the best parts of those days.” Aww, I’m happy for you.
“Mr. Baldner, the principal, left me several notes commenting on my rapport with the students. In all my years of teaching, no one had ever done that.” That’s wonderful that he did that. Acknowledging others’ skills and achievements and contributions is such a simple thing to do…yet so few people actually do it. And it means so much to people to hear that!
Ooh, when are you going to be in NYC? Fall is a fabulous time to be in NY!
So glad to have you back, Leslie!
Leslie, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. I can only imagine how hard that must be. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. Just by reading your blog, I can tell that you were a wonderful and loyal daughter to your mom.
Thank you so much for this sweet comment. LIFE and the death of my mom took the wind out of me for most of the end of 2022. But I am hopeful for this shiny new year. Thank you so much for these kind words. XO
Wow, Leslie, what amazing timing to finally teach art and to reconnect with children at such a difficult time in your life. I am really touched by this story. Thank you for sharing.
Oh I’m so happy to see you back! As I was reading your story, I could see how God was making a way for you. He knew exactly what you needed. Thank you for sharing.
Oh goodness, how great that you got to teach art. And it sounds like you really enjoyed it. I’m so sorry about your losing your mother, but maybe the art teaching was God helping you get through the very sad time.
Iris
You are so wise. I think the art job came along for just that reason!!
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom.
I think being able to sub afterwards was a blessing in disguise, and I’m glad it’s gone well!
-Lauren
I was sorry to hear about your mom. I feel the same way about people vs children! Depending on the kid, of course. I’m glad you got to have this experience!
I’m so sorry for your loss. It must be so fun being an art teacher.
I’m happy that you were able to find comfort in the classroom. It’s amazing how He prepares a space for us in our moment of need.
I love seeing the art projects and miss hanging my kids’ pieces around the house. Art was my favorite class growing up. My bio dad was an artist, so it kept us close.
Gosh I love how The Father sends things our way that give us the strength we didn’t know we were seeking. How beautiful that He found a way to help you navigate your sadness with a joyful distraction.
The hugs! My mom worked as a baker in my grammar school cafeteria and she said the hugs were the best part of her job. So special that your little Lucia was there as well… I bet she is super proud of her Gam. And also nice to have received such sincere feedback from the principal.
Hope you enjoy your VERY well earned vacatiyn. I’ve been enjoying your IG pictures! Lovely time of year to travel and you should be headed home just as the weather turns icky up here!
xoxo