I love my job. No, not waiting tables. That chapter of my life closed with 2005. Oh, 2005, we came to know you so well. If we ever see another like you it will be too soon. So fuck you, so long, and thanks for all the rotting smells. But I digress. I have a new job, well, not exactly new, I am back with LMDC but doing an outreach program to schools in Gulfport: schools with no art classes, schools with stressed out teachers and children who have lost everything. So I get paid to do arts and crafts with elementary school children. (or as we like to call it: arts and farts and crafts, well, not really, but once again I digress) How cool is that? 2006, so far, in my book, you are okay. To say that LMDC is big in the arts is an understatement. They are of the firm belief that literacy, music, and art are the foundations for everything. Books, music, and art? Where do I sign up? They are laid back, super nice, would bend over backwards to help, and they gave me this awesome job after only knowing me for three weeks. I only worked with them a little over two weeks before the storm hit. Joel and I even helped board up the windows, not that it helped any, but we tried. After the storm I had time to step back and look at my situation. I loved working at the Pass Christian Library, but there is no room for me there at the moment. I loved Lynn Meadows, but I thought I would not be able to get back with them (on a paid job basis) for at least a year, but here I am representing them in the schools. We are a museum without walls. You can’t come to us? We will come to you. Lynn Meadows is the only place around here I can see myself advancing in and working at for years to come. The director absolutely adores me and has full confidence in my abilities and me. I haven’t had a challenging job like this, well, ever. I have to come up with programs in the general theme of dreams and hopes for the future in the realm of art and literacy. I have a box full of construction paper, markers, paint, clippings, and my imagination to fuel me. My first program is already set. A story quilt with a “new beginnings” theme to go along with the "Expressions- Katrina" story quilts we did at a couple of schools right after the storm. So I have to sketch out how I want to do it and I think I have it. I am very excited about being challenged and learning from the kids. I am sure my eyes will be opened in all kinds of ways and I can’t wait.