Author: EmilyMaxwellMcLemore

Mom. Wife. Teacher. Artist. Marathoner.

The Value of the 4H Youth Fair

Published on by EmilyMaxwellMcLemoreLeave a comment

I just delivered my girls entries to the Erath County 4H Youth Fair. I am writing this post BEFORE awards happen. On purpose. Because the value of this contest is not in the ribbons and the awards. Yes, they are nice. Yes, they motivate us to get the projects finished. But the value of this contest is so much more than a 1st Prize or Best of Show.

As a newcomer to the world of 4H, we are still learning all about the various contests and opportunities for our kids. I am constantly amazed at the many projects they can participate in and experience. All of the projects, be it painting, drawing, sewing, cooking, fashion, decision making, acting, showing animals and more have actual REAL LIFE applications. Unlike so many of the manufactured and virtual experiences that seem to pull focus because of the glitz and technology, 4H projects and contests make my girls think!! I love that.

So what did Lexi and Kylie compete in this year for the fair?

Well, Kylie is in her last year as a Clover Kid. (K-2nd grade). Kylie turned in three photographs, a drawing, a repurposed craft and a snack! Clover Kids don’t win anything, but they start learning about the rules and meeting deadlines.

Lexi is in the Intermediate division (6th-8th grades). Lexi turned in all 5 categories of photographs, made a textile, a jewelry set and a snack.

So what does all of that really mean?

It means lots of planning, organizing and work on the part of the kids and the mom! Yesterday after school, gymnastics, a band parent meeting and dinner, Lexi had to finish the hem of her cape and both girls had to make their snacks.

Then we had to do all of the paper work and packaging. It would have been really nice to just say the heck with it. But we entered, we paid the fees, and we committed to the process, so it didn’t matter that it was late and we were tired.

You finish what you start!

This morning as I delivered the entries, I was tired. All the parents were. 🙂 But the camaraderie was overwhelming. In so many competitions, it is stressful and everyone is against each other. In our county (and I think 4H in general) the parents help each other. My hands were full, the registration lines were long, and I was running late. A mom who was finished getting her daughter’s work entered walked up, took the bulk from my arms, stood in line with me and helped me get my girl’s entries where they needed to go. She didn’t have to do that. Our daughter’s compete against each other. But that isn’t the world of 4H. I love that.

And here are our entries. Ready for judging!! I am so proud of my girls for their hard work. And I’m so thankful that our community supports the work of 4H and is committed to teaching students that learning is so much more than what happens inside a school building.

 

Goals for 2017

Published on by EmilyMaxwellMcLemoreLeave a comment

I’m a big fan of setting goals.  Not so much resolutions, as those seem to be out of reach, never gonna happen goals… like never eating sugar again. Talk about a set up for failure. But attainable goals, absolutely!

This also means that my children are asked to consider what they want to accomplish for the year. We are a goal oriented household.  Why? Because as I explained to a family member, if you don’t set a goal how can you evaluate how you spent your year?! Having goals also helps focus your efforts and keeps you from floundering from one thing/event/activity to the next.

So for 2017, my goals are:

  1. 1000 miles of cardio, 2 minute plank and the splits.
  2. Bench press 80% of my body weight
  3. 6 races (1/2 marathon and/or triathlons)
  4. Lower BMI by 15% (yes, this one is going to be tough)
  5. Read all of Psalms, Proverbs, Romans and the Gospels
  6. Complete the course work for my superintendent certificate

The rest of my household created equally rigorous goals for themselves. My only requirement on my girl’s goals were that they had to be something that wasn’t necessarily achievable in January.

We also have to update our Frantic Family board with a new rallying cry. If you haven’t ready 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family, you should!!!  Here is the board from last year.

fullsizerender-29

What is great about this is that we could look back to the board and see how we accomplished so many of our Defining Objectives!

My plan is to make a pretty board this year! Add it to my list…

So there you have it. My challenge to you is that if you haven’t written down any goals for the year, do it. Don’t get tied up in resolutions. Make plans to achieve your goals!

My Blog Story

Published on by EmilyMaxwellMcLemore1 Comment

In an effort to get my blogging back on track, I’ve decided to link my personal blog, my work blog/portfolio, my classroom blog and all of my random musings to one site. Last year I lost the desire to blog, because I never knew where to put my posts! Do I post to the family blog? My work blog? At one point in 2016 I had at least seven different poorly created and rarely updated sites. This is the year of simplifying! And I’m choosing to post it all to emilymaxwellmclemore.com!

edublogsclub-1-2ilwoxz

I’ve also joined a weekly blog club! Every Tuesday those of us bloggers who have joined up with #EDUBLOGSCLUB will be given a prompt and then we will respond.  I am excited as it will hopefully give me that kick in the pants to get things going again!

So Week 1: My Blog Story.

Hmm. As I alluded to at the top of this post. I am a veteran blogger. I’ve had a website or blog since the start of such things! In fact, I created my first website in 2000 and it was called Time Flies and it was about scrapbooking.

Since that time I’ve had numerous websites and blogs and have very much enjoyed learning about and using technology as it developed. In fact, making the decision to bring all of my creative outlets into one platform is a little disconcerting to me. It shouldn’t be. I get that. But for whatever reason, it is.

Along with creating blogs and websites, I am also:

  • a wife and mom
  • a teacher and hopefully one day soon please campus administrator
  • a runner and triathlete
  • an artist and visual historian

I use my blog to tell my story of my crazy, very full and beautiful life.

MY UIL OAP JUDGING PHILOSOPHY

Published on by EmilyMaxwellMcLemoreLeave a comment

fullsizerender-18

It’s judge hiring season for UIL One-Act Play. I remember as a director how stressful this time was. The wonder and the fear… so much responsibility to give just one person! And what if the judge hated our play?!! It truly was a nerve-wrecking process.

Now I sit at the other side of the table at the Director’s Meetings and I see the same stress and fear. I love that most of the district’s have gone to panel judging so that there are three sets of eyes and ears (and perspectives) as this is essentially a playoff game with no preseason or district competition to see where you rank among other schools!

For directors and contest managers still looking for judges and looking at my profile, here are my take-aways.

I love UIL OAP… all of it. The camaraderie, the competition, the nerves and the joy.

I respect you and the work that you have put in to get to this point. I competed in non-advancing OAP shows as a student. We worked just as hard as the advancing shows.

Resources are limited. I know that some schools have state of the art equipment and stages and some of you don’t even have a single 4×8 platform. As a director, I worked at 2A, 3A and 4A schools. I have lived in both worlds.

I value your students. As a judge, I give honest critiques, but my goal is that every student walks away feeling empowered by the UIL OAP experience. I don’t believe in belittling students, nor do I believe that it anything is gained by making a student feel as if he or she was solely responsible for the failure or the success of a production.

I appreciate the opportunity and I don’t take it lightly. When I sign my judging ballot, please know that I take the responsibility seriously… I have read your play prior to competition, I have watched the production you have placed on the stage, I have taken detailed notes, and I have given constructive feedback. It is only after the awards and critiques are over that I take a deep breath of relief. Getting it right is that important.

Thanks for taking the time to consider me for a judging assignment.

Emily McLemore

Adjunct Drama Instructor: Ranger College
Visual Art Teacher: Stephenville High School

MFA, Theatre: Florida Atlantic University
BA, Theatre: Hardin-Simmons University

Art and Soul Painting Class

Published on by EmilyMaxwellMcLemoreLeave a comment

Over the last few years I have taught a few painting classes for friends. I try to keep it simple, but sometimes I have to do something a little more challenging just to keep me interested.

I taught this class right before Easter this year and really enjoyed the teaching process as it is a totally different process and mindset than what I use in the art classroom. In my classroom, good enough isn’t allowed. For a 2 hour painting class for the masses, good enough is the mantra!

IMG_8309

So anyway, just incase you were wondering if I am still painting and teaching. yep.

Not much personal painting going on as we are remodeling our house and I lost my designated painting space, but still lots of art happening in my world.

Inventory Reduction Sale

Published on by EmilyMaxwellMcLemoreLeave a comment

It’s been forever since I’ve posted on here. ouch.  Life is so very busy. And for the sake of my entire family, I’m losing my studio and gaining a patio. So, I have paintings that need to go.

Below are a few of the paintings that I need to sell. Sizes and prices on the captions (you might have to hover on a picture for the caption to come up).  If you might be interested in one, send me an email at emilymclemore@yahoo.com. If you are local, you can pick it up. If shipping is necessary, I will only charge actual shipping plus the cost of the box.

11×14 Acrylic $35
10×14 Acrylic $35
16×20 Acrylic $85
12×12 Acrylic $35
20×24 oil $125
20×24 oil $100
20×24 oil $125
20×24 oil $100

I’ve got more to sell, so maybe I’ll post again before next year!!

Another redo

Published on by EmilyMaxwellMcLemoreLeave a comment

Here is the original painting that I created as part of my course work with Leonid Afremov. I painted it as directed and required, but I didn’t love it.

IMG_0044

In fact, I’ve looked at it a number of times over the last year or so and considered what I could do to fix it.

Well, I finally decided to just get rid of most of the red.

And here it is.

I have to say, I much prefer the piece now.  I like how the bold reds are just barely seen. They provide a depth to the blues and greens, but are not so over powering!

And now I can say that this piece is mine!

For more information about this piece, click here.

Finding my palette

Published on by EmilyMaxwellMcLemoreLeave a comment

Over the last couple of paintings, I feel like I have found my go to painting palette.  I really like the heavy use of greens, blues and yellows. Limiting the palette has actually opened up my paintings in a new and fresh way. My painting mentor Leonid Afremov uses EVERY color with lots of reds, and it totally works for him. But it didn’t work for me.  So get ready to see a lot of paintings without red!

To purchase the above painting or prints of it, click here.

Runner in Pink

Published on by EmilyMaxwellMcLemoreLeave a comment

pink run2

I’ve had this big 2’x4′ canvas sitting around for a while. It had a light pink splatter on it and was screaming for something fun.
So this morning, I had some downtime during my conference, so I painted this runner girl.

pink-run-web

I’ve got an entire series in mind now… wouldn’t it be fun to do silhouettes of a girl hurdling or a girl kicking a soccer ball… yeah, lots of ideas, not much time.