April 29

Thank you Sydney.  I think one of the greatest weaknesses in our society is our general lack of thankfulness, or at least our willingness to express that thanks.  I try to make it a point to remember to say thank you for even simple things – a student held open a door for me today, my husband told me I looked nice, a teacher brought me a biscuit for breakfast.  Each of those things made my day so much brighter and the least I could do is to tell them how much I appreciated that action.  It is so easy to be critical of others – the kid who fell down in the hall, the driver who cut you off on the road, the person who was rude on the phone or in an email.  But that critical attitude rubs off on me and makes me feel negative.  So, two of my “words to live by” are patience and thankfulness.  Thank you, Sydney, for reminding me of that.

April 13

I’m finding that people responding to my blog motivates me to write some more.  Thank you Chloe and Christie – I really do love writing, I just get so overwhelmed with life at times that I let it slip by me.  Yes, George was a lot of fun.  The venue had tv screens all over so our group was able to watch the fateful NC/Kansas game while they enjoyed the concert!  But I didn’t get pictures that night – did notice however that George was not wearing boots but very nice leather loafers…..Hmmmm.  My yard on the other hand, is looking great.  I took pictures today but will have to find my adapter so I can load and post them.  I surely hope this cold snap they are predicting the first part of this week is not fatal to my plants!  Everything looks so good I would be crushed!   I put up fishing line around my yard – just strung it from tree to tree about hip height – I have found this to be the best deterrent for deer!  Since I started stringing it, I have not lost any plants to deer.  For some reason, I guess since they can’t see it, it frightens them and they avoid the yard.  Now if I could find some way to get rid of the voles in my yard.

Tomorrow I have to go to Columbia for a coaching conference – I always enjoy these meetings but am feeling a bit guilty – I am gone Monday and Tuesday, then have to work at the district office Thursday and Friday, and the next Monday chaperone on the field trip to Charlotte.  All is part of my work – yet I hate to be gone so much.

A favorite part of my work is the professional learning communites that are being formed – groups of teachers who meet to discuss ways to better promote learning in our school.  These groups are so great because our time is not spent griping or even making lesson plans but seriously looking at what is working in our classrooms and then sharing that with others so we all can improve.  This is what makes education such a vibrant, exciting profession. 

April 6

Spring break – what a wonderful time.  Before the break, lots of people asked “What are you going to do?  Where are you going?”  Well, nothing exciting – no Myrtle Beach, no Dollywood, but since I did what I wanted to do, it was a wonderful vacation.  I painted my living room – I love to paint.  It doesn’t cost a lot, the results are quick, and you get to use your creative juices to create something new.   My parents live near me and I saw them several times.  I’m very lucky that they are so healthy.  I also took down my greenhouse.  It better not freeze now!  But what fun taking out all my plants and putting them out in the pergola – it reminds me of the courtyards in the deep South with flowers and ferns and water.  I love my yard.  I was able to go see my grandchildren – I have six!  So that was a real treat.  Went to a George Strait concert – what fun that was!  So all in all, it was a great vacation.