Money Making Summer

Usually I am ready for school to start, but this year, my hiatus has been notably interrupted. I decided to teach summer school for the month of June, and have been tutoring too. Thus it is my money making summer. The downside is I had little time off, the plus side is I am virtually debt free! So summertime is over but I have made progress. Wondering if this should be a money saving fall...

Baby boy

Today I am a grandma for the first time. My grandson surprised us by coming in to the world 8 weeks early, but gave me life lessons in his arrival. Although not the smooth entry we thought would happen, he brings with him hope and love. As the family gathered around his worried parents (and grandparents), I can't help but feel he knew the love that surrounds him. Amidst all the worry, tears, joy and exhaustion, I can't help but feel my daughter was everything a mom should be. Avoiding any drugs that might stint his tiny survival, she battled to stay calm and do everything she could to be the best mom in the world. He is so fortunate to have her for his mommy. He will spend much of his first month in the hospital NICU but already knows his mom and dad's voices. Another generation began today...I am blessed!

Spring has Sprung

I love spring break. It comes when the bluebonnets are blooming and usually consists of a week of fun, friends and freedom. There is so much to do that whether you stay in town, or vacation away, it is a break in the year that is needed. Recently a friend of mine posted a comment of "4 more days" which quickly inspired someone to berate her on our profession. Many of us who read her quick rebuttals commented trying to get this person to get off the rampage. She just wouldn't quit. She said how teachers always complain and get a third of the year off. Nothing would appease this woman. We finally left it alone and started a strand she couldn't see but all teachers reading it, were undeniable offended. Many times teachers have daunting jobs that seem to go unappreciated. There are always teachers who aren't doing their job up to par, but the majority of us work hard, long hours of which most are unaware. Even over spring break we spend time "catching up" and thinking about what we still have ahead of us. To have someone completely dismiss the work we do as unimportant, a lazy profession is unacceptable. It makes teachers feel like no matter how hard we do the job of educating all children (our future) the public will never appreciate it as more than an easy, overpaid job when in fact, the opposite may be more accurate.

Blessings

I am extremely fortunate in life! I have three wonderful kids, whom..although not perfect, have wisdom beyond most of their peers. I may not have been the perfect mom but they have been shaped into productive citizens with a good head on their shoulders. They love and give love. I am also blessed with a great surrounding family. One who laughs and loves without reserve. One that you can count on for support when it matters (well most of the time). When we all get together, despite our short comings, you can feel the love and warmth through the house.

I am also extremely blessed with friends. Far and near I am fortunate to be able to pick up the phone and catch up or vent about the trials and tribulations of life. We laugh and cry together. We celebrate and mourn together. Even if we don't see each other much, or we do...we're great friends and I can count on them. So many do not have that. Their friends are superficial, their lives are more or less meaningless. They measure success in their bank accounts, losing out on some of life's more meaningful paths.

Ahhh...to be a kid again!

Today was a snow day...great for kids, especially since snow is an oddity around here. It will be a long time before we see it again anywhere near our homes. It's so different from our northern friends who (especially by this time) are sick of snow and cold. Here though, two days ago it was in the mid 70's, and today...snow! As a teacher the day was long and hard (try keeping their attention vs. snow falling). But their excitement reminds me of how fun snow can be...remembering how fun as a kid it was to play in the snow, no matter what the temperature or how cold we were. I remember ice skating until my toes were so cold they hurt. Funny how things lose their appeal and fun aspect as we get older. Ahh...to be a kid again!

Comeback

Funny, sometimes I wish I could be mean. I have a very hard time being mean even to those who are mean to me. Really...deep down inside I am glad I'm not a "mean girl". Yet those issues go through my mind when events unfold.

If you read my previous blog, you know that a guy simply quit speaking, emailing, texting or anything...for literally no reason (after dating two years). I don't have a problem with breaking up even if it's painful for one or both people involved. Well...funny, but finally, two weeks later he texts. It's almost humorous...I mean after two weeks, why? Of course, the text comes in late at night when I am wanting to get to sleep. I didn't bother to answer in the end..but the plethora of responses that went through my mind certainly kept me awake. First I was angry that he had the audacity to even text after such a long break. Then the responses came (in my mind of course). His text was simply "You doing ok?" The responses that didn't get sent but certainly went through my mind were things like, "Nope, I died", "Really, now you want to converse?", "FANTASTIC!", "are you drunk?"and of course..."wtfe...how dare you contact me now". In the end I spent several minutes coming up with these ideas and finally falling to sleep much later than anticipated. The truth is this happens to me almost every time I break up with a guy, no matter who's idea that is. That is to say, guys always try and come back...why? If it didn't work out...it just didn't work out...leave it.

Now, if he had ended things in person, as mature people do...I do believe we would/could have remained good friends. Even perhaps if you tried an apology for bad manners, being uncommunicative and immature. But when you are so disrespectful to me, to the relationship and time spent together, what is it you expect?

Boys without Balls

I have had two serious boyfriend in the past 5 years. Both were intelligent, financially stable, well-educated men who prided themselves on their accomplishments and being well mannered. The truth is, when it came to relationships, they were totally the opposite. Therefore, they are none of which they envision themselves as. Both boys (real men have to earn that title), think it is simply okay to stop talking, never having the balls to simply talk like a well mannered, well educated person would. A simple, "this isn't working out and I think we should call it quits" is better than just silence with no closure. I'd dare say, it's even mature and adult like to talk. I'd do it myself, but after that time it simply isn't worth the effort when I've done nothing wrong... So modern men around the world, stop breaking up over text messages or just ignoring the situation and get some balls. Have the manners and decency to meet, and face it for closure. It is extremely hard to earn respect otherwise.