School thoughts

For the first time in 28 years, I am not busy fixing a classroom or thinking about the first day of school or what the year will be like. I must admit that I have mixed emotions. I will miss the children, but I do look forward to not having a strict routine and doing schoolwork each night. Now, I was at the same school all of those years, so there are friends I am leaving, too. The school itself is important to me. It's an inner city school, high poverty, and in an area where the people just seem to stay, have kids, and send them to school there.

It was a hard school to work in because of the indifference of the parents. Many were who they were when they were in elementary school...not much self-growth, still with elementary attitudes of get even, I don't have to follow rules...school or society...it was a school community that you embraced and kept in your heart or had to get away from. I stayed because I thought that is where God wanted me. Yes, I taught kids, but I loved them, too. I cared about what they went through when not in school, and some had really hard lives. The teachers that I have seen retire from my old school, were caring, understanding, loving, and wanted to be there.

So with mixed emotions, I move on into another phase of my life. Getting my first State Retirement check today, was a happy time, and it made me feel more retired than I did. But my heart is still with the children.

First one since retirement!!!

Yes, I am counting down the days already! This will be my first holiday season since I've retired. I am so looking forward to decorating. I am already planning get-to-gathers that I normally don't have time to do. I may even have my shopping done before Christmas Eve. That's an exciting prospect for me!

I am hoping it will be the best Christmas we've had in a few years. Hopefully, my daughter will be home by then...that in itself makes any day Christmas for me.

This year we will have my great-nephew to enjoy, even though he'll only be six months old, babies just bring joy to all things.

Honestly, I have already started planning Thanksgiving, too. I just want the entire holiday season to be filled with fun, family, and love!

Now What???

Now what...can you tell by the picture???

My husband and I are working on a project now. We own land in NC and have decided to build a campground. Actually, I am excited. I think it will be 24 hours a day of work, oh yes dear, that fun not work. Well, I don't see a man in the picture do you? Nah, really I think it will be quite an interesting undertaking. That's partly why I retired, so I would have time to help get it going while hubby works for another couple of years.

We are hoping it will be something our daughter and nieces and nephew can continue to develop after we are too old. They love camping, so I hope it works and will be fun for them.

Today, for some reason, was not a rainbow day, so I turned my thoughts toward something totally unconnected with the days happenings. I am thinking that I need to improve my computer skills so I can thrust myself into the world of creating a website for the campground. I'll keep ya posted and let you know when it's time to come camp with us:)