Where is Everyone?

It is Labor Day--is everyone laboring, sleeping or traveling?

We, Dave and I, are still in Michigan.
We will go home the 10th for two weeks, then return.

Our Son-in-law is working and seems fine.

We are resting up after spending four days with our four-year-old grandson. He is adorable but a very active outgoing little boy. It is always fun to connect him with his cousins. They were busy this weekend with band and a cross-country meet, so we didn't get the help we usually do.

I'm glad your son-in-law is doing well.

Later in the week we're heading to Virginia to a Marine Corps reunion and visit to our daughter.

Carol

Carol,

Have a wonderful trip.

Staying around the house this weekend. There's plenty to do. Always is.

Malcolm

Had the Labor Day celebration last night with weekly family dinner; Skyped with Dave, Lyn, and Jaycie.

Today is about shifting closets. It's time to bring the dark cotton transitionals to the front and put away linen and summer pastels - I use the time to do some thorough closet cleaning and airing stuff out, etc.

It will be a full day of fun labor.

Ann

We dont have labor day here in the UK every day's a labor. So I trotted off to work after a Doctors appointment.

David,

Hope the work is more fun than the Doctor.

Ann,
That's a great idea--you are organized.

Malcolm,

Don't work too hard.

No work was quite painful and I would rather be at home writing.

What is work?

I just came home from the hairdresser at Wal Mart (the only one open) because I start a new job tomorrow as the director of an alternative school. I thought my hair needed sprucing up. Well, now I'm eating lunch after washing out what was done at the hair dresser. Lucky men; they just buzz it all off and wash their head.

So, part two is sorting through the clothes for 4 days of look powerful but approachable and first impressions last. I have teachers and students I have not met that have already been there a week......

I retired from my long term job on Friday with a great reference letter, a card with some "best wishes" and a piece of cake at the end of the day when most had left early. The few people there sang happy birthday to a girl whose birthday was the next day.

Nothing like that sort of send off to know you've made the right decision. One of my staff members came crying into my office, and I thought it was a tearful farewell; instead, she was crying because she wasn't appointed interim in my place. Another asked for a picture from my office.

No sad words; no gold watch; no pin with years of service. I would have liked a logo umbrella at least. Nothing.

Michigan - that's where my family lives - near Grand Rapids. I wish I was there right now with a little cooler air. Hope you all are having fun. Mine starts tomorrow :-)

DK,

I am glad you have a new job. Sometimes, all you can do is walk away and move on.

Reminds me of a boss who timed everything I did.

All he wanted was for me to do everything, do it fast and never, ever make a mistake.

I finally got another job and he was so surprised.

After that nightmare, the next job was wonderful.

dkchristi wrote:

I retired from my long term job on Friday with a great reference letter, a card with some "best wishes" and a piece of cake at the end of the day when most had left early. The few people there sang happy birthday to a girl whose birthday was the next day.

Sorry, but I am literally LOL at this description! Oh well, hopefully you'll be more appreciated at the next job.

I agree that it was funny. One of the sentences in the reference letter was, "I consider her one of the most intelligent colleagues I have ever been associated with." Obviously. There'a a classy send off, and there's mine.

I was a round peg in a square hole. School districts foster mediocrity by tenure and by promoting buddies instead of those who are competent; and especially they don't promote the intelligent ones. There are exceptions, but they are not the rule.

I could have lasted longer by dummying down, putting in my time and not caring. I tried; my spirit died a little each day. I was still a superior employee, even at half mast. If I'm going to die on the job, it's going to be from subbing in a PE class or from celebrating success with too much excitement, not a spiritual death.

My colleagues wanted to know why I would take on a challenge when I have it so easy. "Just show up is all you have to do; don't let it matter." Forty hours a week that don't matter? Nope, not for me.

Good thinking, DK. Best of luck on the new job.

Glad to see you, Dick! How is Maisie?

Dear DK,
What turmoil in your life this week! Was that the Imokolee school that you leave?

There is the Duette Elementary School out here in Duette. It is the "last one room school house in America" and serves grades K through 6, although I do think after third grade the parents send the kids off to the town school in Palmetto. I think there are 15 students, totally. The Principal of the school is Donna King. She is a lovely person, a progessive and complicated teacher that can do all 6 grades. She has people who help. Her whole life is wrapped up in ways to make what they learn mean something to her students.

This year the school may close and she will have go to a job in the city.
I will be sorry to see it go, if it does. They have five computers, a library, a lot of one on one attention, and they have all read Wooffer. How prejudiced could I be?

If anything, I think it should be enlarged.

Love,
Betty

I hope they keep it open, Betty. I think the closing of the small schools in favor of large consolidated ones as they have done in Indiana was a big mistake.

Alice, Maisie is just fine and has settled in now and is quite happy here. An hour ago she had a bad dream, though, and had to be comforted by Jackie. Hamsters seem to have a lot of bad dreams.

I agree about small schools. I love the school where I am now director. It has grades 9-12, about 200 students. I know half the students by name already; the teachers know them also. The staff is dedicated and professional. It's a breath of fresh air - a charter school.

Betty, Dick, Maisie and DK,

Thanks for checking in.

Dear Alice,
I have been out beyond my self. I ordered 10,000 strawberry plants and have been preparing for them. Then, I get the phone call. The supplier has decided that they are running a little short and since they would rather be able to fulfill their big farmer orders than my little one, they cannot deliver. Tuff Crap!

I wondered about that, being the fair person I am who would honor any kind of orders no matter how small, once I committed to it, but that is not the way of big business. They are worried about the guys with the 100 acres and not my little bit.

I felt that someone had stomped on my foot. (That is the same as men feel when some one kicks them in the hanging down things)

So...

Tomorrow is a new day.


Love,
Betty

It looks like the big guys are still kicking the little guys, Betty.

You are very strong and intelligent, and I know you will find a workable solution. You will be able to take all the credit for your genius and not have to share a whit with those bozos.

It isn't very peaceable of me, but right now, I'm hoping those dear people will get it back, right in their hanging down things.

Love ya!

Ann