Wednesday 30 March 2011

Lily sleeping on the bed with me yesterday. I love the way she puts her little arm (leg-but the arm one!) over her face.
I feel a bit miserable this week. I have not been to school-feeling ill-and this is the week that ofsted have turned up so I missed it. Although I am not complaining about missing it-that would not be true -I do feel guilty as I have missed the added stress that everyone else has had to cope with. Anyway, Foundation Stage got 'good' like a great big relief bringing tick. The rest of the school will have their judgement tomorrow. What a horrible thing ofsted is. The actual inspectors are usually pretty nice, but the ridiculous build up to it (which in many ways has been going on for the whole year in my school-the disadvantage of not having much notice anymore) puts such a strain on people and takes their energy away from what is important.

Good things to cheer myself up-the Amaryllis I got for Christmas-finally planted a few weeks ago and now flowering. They are so impressive. The petals are so velvety. I keep taking photos of it but none of them quite capture how it looks. Have a look at these beautiful drawings of Amaryllis on this post, and this and this by Laura Frankstone

I am continuing to draw since finishing the Danny Gregory book and have been enjoying that.

I have also learned a new technique from another book I have-about Nature Journals by L.K Ludwig. It is making photo transfers with water-a bit hit and miss but when it works it gives great results. I have not taken any photos as it all seems too much effort but will do soon!

Off to have another sleep now I think.

10 comments:

jabblog said...

Cats are so endearing when they sleep like that and they're such good company when you're feeling ill. I hope you're beginning to come out of it now.
Ofsted inspections are a pain. My daughter's going through one in her new job. She's only been in the new school half a term! Bit hard!!

Linda Sue said...

I empathize! Sleep as much as you can ( as though there any other option) and do not stress. spring bugs are the WORST!

Linda Sue said...

ALso LOVING your header- looks a bit like the Seattle sky line.

Leenie said...

The Danny Gregory book is a good one. I'm working my way through it as well. I, too, like your header art. It's surprising how expressive simple lines can be and how we can free our creativity when we learn how to put all that bothersome logic to sleep. Heh.

Sounds like you picked a good time to be under the weather. Stay warm and get rest. It works wonders.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you're feeling poorly - look after yourself and get well soon. I think these inspections are pointless if they interfere with the normal running of schools (and get the staff so stressed!)

Rattling On said...

Hope you're feeling better. Ofsted is universally hated, time for something more realistic and less staged. I can't imagine that there are ever any real surprises in the results, are there?

Tracy said...

SWEET sketch of Lily... looks like our Charlie, he usually snoozes with arm over his eyes/face. ;o) So sorry you're not feeling too great. The ofsted sounds so incredibly stressful. Hope you will have some time to de-stress this weekend and refresh... The Nature Journals sounds wonderful! I have just purchases a photo transfer medium, which I have yet to try--very exciting! Happy Day, Sarah ((HUGS))

→lisa said...

I'm sorry you're not feeling well, I hope you're over it soon :/

I don't know what Ofsted is, but I'm glad you're not having to cope with the stress of it while you're ill (is it like some kind of unscheduled professional inspection/assessment?)

I love the drawing of Lily. We call our dog's front paws his "hand-feet."

cloudbusting2 said...

She looks very happy lying on your bed. Maybe thinking about the red flowers in her dreams.

Anonymous said...

Love the drawing of Lily! So good!

We go through the same type of thing as ofsted (called Joint Commission) in hospital work. Sometimes I wish I were sick when they come...LOL! I hope you are feeling better!