Giving It Up--Sort of

I let it happen again. I start thinking about things and then one thing lead to another, and well, we all know how I am about things.

It started out with the best intentions. For Lent, I decided to give up something different. In the past I gave up things like chocolate, lattes and such. Those were easy tasks and paled in comparison with this year's endeavor.

Let's just say I'm counting down the days until Easter.

Yep, this year I gave up negativity and criticism. For all you naysayers, I have had some good days.

And, in true transparency and disclosure, I've had some bad days.

And let's just say, in all honesty, that I've probably had more bad days than good. And, sadly, those bad days have been epic.

Epic as in epic failure.

Unfortunately, in this endeavor, it is true. I think I would have been infinitely more successful if I didn't count the bubble-above-my-head conversations.

You know the ones. The ones like, "Hey, you big fat stupidhead! Don't ya think a blinker is in order!: or "Boy, that comment was nine kinds of stupid!" Or, "Jeepers, that's dumber than a bag of cat hair."

Yeah, things like that.

Maybe next year, I should go back to giving up chocolate.

Weathering the Storm

The day after Christmas 12 tornadoes blew through North Texas, killing 11 people and causing $1.2 billion in damages. 

In my community alone, there were 171 structures damaged or destroyed--an estimated loss of $20.4 million, according to Ellis County Emergency Management. While my home was untouched (the tornado passed just five to six houses down from us), it heavily damaged Shields Elementary School where our neighborhood children attend.

It was a scary site and the damage to the school was extensive rendering it uninhabitable for the remainder of the school year. Now officials are investigating the building of the school after an engineer who was assessing the tornado damage told The Dallas Morning News that he found "horrific" problems with how the school was built.

With all the devastation that tornadoes bring, the one thing no one should have to worry about is whether their school houses are built to code so they can weather a storm.

Dropping SAT scores, Bubble Maps & Irony

And so it goes on the education front…SAT scores have plummeted to their lowest levels in more than two decades with Texas students faring even worse. Theories, of course, abound as to what caused the drop.

Interestingly enough, in an article that appeared in The Dallas Morning News, a spokesperson for the Texas Education Agency, said the lower scores this year were at least partly the result of testing policies in two dozen school districts — including Dallas and Fort Worth — where all upperclassmen now must take the SAT each year.

Ya, think?

As anecdotal evidence of that, I'd like to share a little ditty a school teacher friend of mine shared as she slogged through grading English papers. In a Bubble Map, a student wrote that the character Pap in Huck Finn is "alliterate."

As my teacher friend so aptly put it, "Oh, the irony!"

Yes, indeed.

School's Back, Count Downs Begin & Twitches Abated

A full of week of school has gone by and all my teacher friends are still busy scurrying about as they try to rustle up extra textbooks… learn upwards of 100 new names… figure out how to juggle 39 kiddos in a classroom…or try and get back into the rhythm of bells and 20 minute lunches.

Some have already launched into the countdown towards the Labor Day holiday. Others, I suspect, have secretly begun the countdown towards next summer.

And then there are those who recently joined the retired teacher brigade who felt a pang or two when school started without them (as evident by their Facebook posts).

I, on the other hand, entering Year 3 in the no school zone remain pang-less. For the most part, I'm still enjoying my (ad)venture in real estate. Even though I supposedly am master of my own schedule, I find that is rarely true. Clients can be as needy as school children, but without the classroom walls, bell-to-bell schedule and big yellow buses.

Whatever first day of school twitches I get are easily remedied by going to help by daughter set up her classroom at the start of the school year. But if that doesn't do the trick, I find myself in the nearest office supply store standing in the back-to-school aisle.

After all, you can never have enough #2 pencils, can you?

After Months In Writing Remission… I'm Back

And so it begins again… another school year ready to kick off and a blog that's grown a bit dusty, sitting idle for months.

Who knew I'd have so little time to devote to writing, ranting and waxing poetic when I retired and launched my great (ad)venture in real estate?

Alright, alright, alright, I'll admit that I've ranted a lot. It just never transferred into actual writing. In fact, most of my ranting has been peppered all along the North Dallas toll road, Interstate 35 and thoroughfares throughout North Texas in general. And, the truth be told, those rants weren't exactly PG fare either.

Such is my life.

So finally after months in writing remission, I'm taking tiny baby blogging steps again, so I'll keep it short.

This was the first summer I spent without attending/working at a high school journalism workshop. Even after I retired from teaching, I still dutifully participated at a summer high school publications workshop.

But not this summer. No siree, Missy.

This summer I boldly declared my independence from all things counterproductive and resigned from the workshop (for reasons better left in the "if-you-can't-say-anything-nice-don't-say-it-at-all category). Instead, I flew off on my first European trip ever–to Italy.

And, sadly (or happily depending upon your perspective), I did not miss the workshop.

No siree, Missy, not one bit.

Such a revelation actually surprised me. In ways I had never realized before, the distance was quite liberating. There is something rather confining and restricting about not letting go, about not letting others step up, about not moving on. Talk about an epiphany.

And then there's something rather remarkable that occurs when distance brings clarity, especially from half a world away. I was sitting with friends at a little Italian cafe waving to school kids whizzing through the piazza on their bicycles as they journeyed home. That experience brought more joy than a summer full of workshops.

I guess you had to be there--or not there--to understand.

A Day at the Movies

One of the perks of my (ad)venture in real estate is that I can arrange my own calendar.

Instead of waiting, I can actually go to a matinee and watch a movie when it first comes out and eat a buttery bucket of popcorn for lunch (don't judge me).

Such was the case a few days ago when my husband and I went to see American Sniper, the movie about former Navy Seal Chris Kyle, America's deadliest sniper. 

Chris Kyle visiting MHS in February of 2012

Almost a year prior to this death, Kyle came to Midlothian High School (where I was teaching at the time) to share his experiences and discuss his book at a teacher in-service. Kyle was invited as a guest speaker because he had a special connection to Midlothian. He had once attended MHS and lived in Midlothian with his wife and children. I'm thankful I had the opportunity to meet and thank Chris Kyle and his wife, Taya, that day.

I enjoyed the book and the movie–although the word "enjoyed" seems so ill-fitting and out of place. Both the book and the movie helped put into perspective the sacrifices our soldiers and their families make for us and the toll their tours make. 

Days after seeing American Sniper, the movie still haunts me and leaves me with a sadness that a true American hero is gone. (Kyle was killed Feb. 2, 2013 by a former Marine he was trying to help.) 

As we approach the anniversary of Chris Kyle's death, remember those who sacrifice so much for our freedom.

New Year's Resolutions for 2015

Well, 2015 is just around the corner-- a brand spanking new year filled with hope and new dreams, and, of course, New Year's Resolutions.

I really should give up on that, though. No, not the new year, but those pesky New Year's Resolutions. I went back and perused previous blogs about my resolutions, and I noticed a nasty little trend… None of them made it. None. Zilch. Zippo. Nadda. Zero. Not a blooming one.

Rather discouraging don't you think? Especially since I started a new Pinterest board entitled, "A Better Me."

Jeepers Creepers. It all seems sort of pointless, doesn't it?

But then I was surfing the ol' Internet for some inspirational quotes to include in my chapter newsletter for ADK, when, what to my wondering eyes should appear… Well, no, silly, not the miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, but this quote: "Resolutions are most often empty promises for those who have an abundance of dreams, but refuse to wake up and live them."

Hmmmmm… I don't know that I would call that an inspirational quote. Seems like a much needed kick in the behind by a reindeer or two. So I decided that perhaps that little quote should be my 2015 resolution–To actually wake up and live those promises I make to myself.

In the meantime, though, while I was looking around for inspirational stuff. I found these New Year's resolutions for teachers posted by the Pensive Sloth, another Texas blogger. Wish I could claim these as mine, but alas, they are not… here are two of my favorites…

To see them all, head on over there.

Jeopardy, Being Sentimental & Veterans Day

A few interesting things of note…

#1…A big Woo-Hoo to John Pearson aka Mr. Teacher. A number of you who follow this blog also have been fans of John.

As you may recall, he was the 2013 Teachers Tournament Champion on Jeopardy. He will battle it out on the Jeopardy Tournament of Champions on Monday, November 10. It's on Channel 21 at  6 p.m. in the D/FW area. 

So grab your remote and head on over to watch it and give John your support.


#2…I’ve never been much of a sentimental kind of gal. No siree, Missy, but this week I sold one of my former student's homes in Red Oak, and it was an interesting moment for me. You can read about it by going to my other blog that chronicles my latest (ad)venture.


#3…And finally, don't forget Tuesday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. Make sure you remember those who have served and sacrifice so that we may live free.

Twitter, Hootsuite & Counting Chickens

Twitter, Hootsuite, Analytics, Instagram, Linked In, Blah, Blah, Blah…Circles, Schmerkles… I admit I have no clue as to what and why I need to do whatever it is I'm suppose to do. I just trudge forth blindly. I feel like I'm the Helen Keller in a digital age–except this Helen Keller can't decipher the vocabulary or anything else for that matter.

So I know you will find it rather amusing that when I checked my FaceBook page after a several day absence, I was surprised to see in my notification bar that there were 76 page views of my Get Richie on Oprah and Save the Chicken page. (I bet you didn't even know I had one.)

Of course, I'm thrilled. But I'm also perplexed. I haven't done anything to that page in well over a year, if not two years.

I'm not even sure when the page got 184 likes. When I first created the page, I encouraged, bullied, cajoled everyone I knew to go and like that page. It was rather sad. Let's just say if I hadn't had a soft spot for The Chicken, he'd be running around exactly like a chicken with his… well, I'm sure you get the picture.

So we're back to my conundrum: I try to do something and follow all the instructions for promoting pages and gaining readership, and I got nothin'. Zilch. Zippo. Nadda.

I sit and do nothin', zilch, zippo, nadda… and my page views and likes double.

Hmmmm…  I'd ask you to go and like the Chicken page, but then I might spiral into some sort of negative numbers. Maybe I'll just keep sitting this one out and wait and see if Oprah calls me.

In the meantime, I'll give The Chicken a bit of a reprieve.

General Observations about Things

Since I launched my ad(venture) in real estate, I have discovered a few unsettling things. Sadly, those things cross over into all professions wrecking all kinds of havoc like Thing 1 and Thing 2. (And you do remember how I feel about Things don't you?)

The following  pithy little comments were true when I was in the classroom and my name badge said "educator."  So raise your hand if you agree and here here we go… 

•Some people (bless their hearts) can make money even if they are dumber than a bag of cat hair.

•The phrase "bless their hearts" is a special code phrase that allows you to say just about anything. For more special sayings, you can go here.

•Some people can make money even if they don't communicate well. I'm not talking about being able to write a dissertation on Dante's Circles of Hell. (And don't you sometimes feel as if you're living there?) No, I'm not expecting a dissertation. No siree, Missy! I'm talking about not returning phone calls, emails, text messages. 

•People lie… a lot… OK, OK, OK so lie is such a harsh word… Let's just say people bend the truth a lot… Or say one thing and then do another thing… Perhaps they are living in a parallel universe where their reality is a little different than mine. Personally, I think the world would be such a better place if people would say what they mean and mean what they say…

I'm just saying…

13 years later remembering 9/11

There was a time when I walked through the day in a daze.

There was a time when I couldn't and wouldn't schedule anything on that day.

There was a time when I read vignettes from the 576-page Portraits of Grief book.

There was a time when I stared at the photographs of all the first responders who died that day.

There was a time when I tried to make sense of it all.

And so as we approach the 13th Anniversary of 9/11, I realize that life has crossed over into this day bringing bits and pieces of normalcy where none existed before. There are errands to run, appointments to keep, work to do.

And yet, 13 years later, I still have not forgotten you--each and every one who perished on that day.  I still hear you like ghosts whispering in the wind.


I will always remember you.

I will never forget.

The End of Summer Blues and Back to School

Despite entering my second year of teaching retirement, I can't get rid of that sinking feeling this time of year.

You know that time of year…

The time of year when knots the size of baseballs seem to grow in your stomach (and you know it's not from that cheese enchilada)…

The time of year when beads of sweat form above your brow (and you know it's not from the 90+ degree heat)…

The time of year when you start to hyperventilate as you drive down the road (and you know it's not because you zipped by that nice little police car parked along side the road)…

Nope…

It's because you passed through a school zone, it's mid-August, and for teachers, their summers will be officially over.

After 27 years of teaching, I have a rather Pavlovian response to this sort of thing that I can't seem to shake. Summer has always been my favorite time of year. To see it wilt away, just saddens me.

But with the end of summer also comes the beginning of a new school year which always brings a rush of hope and promise. A do-over of sorts. From new bright yellow #2 Ticonderoga pencils to new school clothes to a perfect clean slate–not just for students, but for teachers as well.  It's your chance to try for the gajillionth time to open the door of possibilities.

It's right there just open it.

What lies beyond is the magic they call teaching.

Best wishes to all my teacher friends as they start a new year!

NOT IT! NOT IT! NOT IT!

I am thankful.

Very, very thankful. 

And not only am I very, very thankful, I am fearless.

For the first time in a gajillion years, this is the first May I don't have to worry about being "IT!" (And that, my friends, is merely by default since I am retired.)

As you all know, this time of year brings out news reports of the end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it when some yearbook debacle erupts after the delivery of spring yearbooks. It's becoming more and more an annual tradition exacerbated by social media that plasters such failings and fuels the controversy.

Now just because I am a retired publications adviser, doesn't mean I don't have some level of empathy for my colleagues who still are fighting the good fight, hunkering down, practicing their yoga relaxation breathing and waiting to see who gets tagged "IT" this year. (Still, I must say it's great to be relaxing on  the sidelines watching instead of hyperventilating during the six o'clock news.)


It didn't take long before the first yearbook debacle made its way to the evening newscasts (and we're only mid-way through the month). 

So far, the winner goes to Yukon High School in our neighboring state of Oklahoma in what the news media has dubbed a "yearbook fiasco." School officials are scrambling to have 1,100 yearbooks returned to remove an "unflattering" photo of a female student. One student told reporters, "You could just see up her skirt, but you couldn't see anything."

Great. Just Great. 

To all my former colleagues who have already had their books delivered, let us be thankful that this mess is north of the Red River, and let me join you in harmony and solidarity as we all shout: 

"NOT IT! NOT IT! NOT IT!"

A Time To Opt In

I recently attended The Dallas Morning News' 23rd Annual High School Journalism Day & Competition. I along with my buddy, retired publications adviser extraordinare Mary Pulliam had been working with the folks over at The Dallas Morning News with their event and we even facilitated a session for advisers.

It was a win-win for everyone involved, but most importantly the kiddos who attended were the real winners. They got to meet staffers at The Dallas Morning News, participate in a contest that exposed their talents to professional journalists, and, of course, there was a pretty nifty catered lunch thrown in as well.

But as successful as the day was, it wasn't without a certain level of disappointment. Absent from the day's events was the school I formerly taught at along with a number of other schools who used to attend but opted out. Schools like my former school that used to win awards every year.

I don't know why these schools decided not to come. I'm sure they were busy. For many teachers, it was the end of the six weeks, so perhaps they were behind on grading. Perhaps their advisers were still struggling with finalizing their spring yearbooks or a looming newspaper deadline. Perhaps their principals wouldn't let them come.

But perhaps they should have juggled their schedules and made the time to come. Or at  least, had their kiddos send in their contest entries.

Because in the end,  what they really opted out of was what was best for their kiddos. And I don't think that is what teaching is all about.

A Glimpse at the Life of a Publications Adviser

It's Sunday night and I've finally sat down to blog away. 

I've turned on HGTV's "Beachfront Bargains" for fun. While I'm fairly certain that my life will never be blessed with a beachfront bargain must less a beachfront, I am semi-comforted by the fact that I am not running around crazed trying to juggle yearbook deadlines, newspaper deadlines and end-of-the six weeks grades.

Ok… so it's not a semi-comfort. Rather, it's a full-fledged "NOT IT"-ecstatic-full-throttle-extravaganza celebration here.

My publications adviser friends are not so lucky. Take a brief glimpse into their world:

One changed her profile to this…

Another felt obligated to let their yearbook company know that they were working on those pages (as if they needed to) on the weekend. 

My favorite Facebook post, though, was from one of the Mansfield advisers. They're working on their group picture pages when they received this little gem, noting "Our AcaDec sponsors submitted this group photo for the yearbook. Genius."

Yep, pure genius, and so glad that I can say, "NOT IT!"

Making the Grade, Goals & Expectations & Yoda

Wow, has it really been months since I've updated my teaching blog? Goodness gracious me. I guess I didn't realize it because I'm constantly writing posts in my head as I'm zipping down the road. It's just that I forget to actually post them.

Part of my problem is that by the time I actually sit down in front of my computer, my moment of brilliance has long since passed (of course, that assumes it was there to begin with), and I can't quite seem to formulate what in the Sam Hill I wanted to blather about. 

Now I am reduced to grasping at snippets of memories of all the things I wanted to say.  I wanted to give you three snippets, but I could only remember two…

Snippet #1… Making the Grade… I had to muster up some "Oh my! Oh dear! Oh, so sorry!" for by BFF Jennifer who told me she was up at school late Friday night trying to get grades done. They were due on Monday, and she didn't want to devote her entire weekend grading, grading, grading. Obviously, people who think teacher's get paid enough (people like Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst) don't know teachers and don't understand the time and workflow that goes into the job. (Another reason why I am thoroughly happy to be retired.) I think if you averaged all the time when I was a teacher grading, planning, making deadlines, weekend work etc. I'm fairly certain I made less than minimum wage. Oh, yeah, but I had summers off. Oh wait, I forgot, this is a no whining blog, darn it.

Snippet #2… Goals & Expectations… We expect our students to have goals, and clearly we have expectations for them. Now that I've launched my (ad)venture in real estate, I, too, am supposed to have goals, and my office manager has expectations. So I zipped out to the nearest office supply store with my $10 off coupon and purchased two white boards, an assortment of dry erase markers and some nifty bulletin board squares--All so I could list my goals.

With only five months left to achieve my goals, my whiteboard screamed at me mocking me in black, red, blue & green ink all my shortcomings. Now I can see clearly why so many of our kiddos either fail to make goals or settle for mediocre ones. It's easier to wipe the board clean and come up with an easier, more do-able list. After all, isn't that the point of dry erase markers? To make life easier and allow more do-overs.

But I'm not that girl. 

And life isn't easy.

And you often don't get do-overs.

I had to give myself my own YMCA Yoda speech: "Do, or do not. There is no try."

Show & Tell: In Jeopardy, Bad Teachers & Veterans Day

For someone who has retired and is supposed to have free time, I find myself recognizing this truism…

I'm so busy now I don't know how I ever found time to work before. 

Of course, part of that could be launching my new (ad)venture in real estate. 

But I don't think so. Somehow I have managed to fill in all the spaces between the hour hands with stuff to do. Lots of stuff to do. Main difference is that, for the most part, it's all stuff I like or want to do except I never, ever seem to find enough time to devote to writing. So before that gets away from me, I have three important things I wanted to share… So we'll call this post Show &Tell…

Show & Tell #1…

My blogging buddy & teacher friend John Pearson is a contestant on the Jeopardy Teachers Tournament. (Some of you may know him as Mister Teacher). 

How cool is that? The tournament begins Monday (that's Nov. 11). You can check out the times and station by clicking here.  His episode airs on Thursday. So let's all support John and give it a watch. 

Show & Tell #2…

For the most part, pretty much all my training in my latest (ad)venture has been pretty good unlike the beating one normally takes in teacher professional development days. 

In fact, these real estate people take their professional training pretty seriously. They lock the doors when it's time to begin. So, if you aren't there on time, you are out of luck. You actually have to pay attention or the monitor will come by and tell you to. In the last one I attended, they fined you if your cell phone went off because it's supposed to be turned off or silenced. See what I mean. No shenanigans. No siree, Missy.

But, most importantly, they take their food and snackage seriously. One session I attended had a catered lunch with turkey pesto, chicken salad and crab cake sandwiches, goat cheese  empanadas, wild rice salad, fresh fruit salad and sweet potato chips. We also had a morning snack and an afternoon snack. Snacks ranged from ice cream to a variety of delicious popcorn to fresh fruit.

All of that was a very good thing since the instruction (for the first time since I've been doing this) was sub-par. (And by sub-par, let me just say it took 25 minutes to highlight one item. Really. Yes. Really. I would have rather poked my eye out with a pencil.) At least the food and snackage was enough compensate for it.

Which brings me to two other truisms…
#1… If you're a bad teacher, you shouldn't teach. Anyone. At any place. At any time. For any reason. And I mean period (and not an Obama period either).

#2… If for some reason, you must have a bad teacher, then the food and snackage needs to be of high enough quality to compensate for the bad teacher. Raise your hand if you agree. Thought so.

Show & Tell #3…

Howard the Shelter Cat with his favorite Marine Corp blanket

And finally, Monday, Nov. 11 is Veterans Day. 

And while I  believe everyone should thank veterans all the time, at least remember those who safeguard our freedoms on this special day. While I appreciate all veterans, Howard the Shelter Cat and I are particularly fond of Marines. 

Semper Fi.
 




 


 

Missing (NOT), Howard Time & Goodbyes

I talked to a former business associate of 25-plus years who later subsequently became more of a friend, and she asked me about my retirement from teaching and whether I missed it.

Well, I can honestly say, "Hmmmm. No, not really."

I mean, I miss the kids somewhat, but  not really because I still talk to them. Plus, I do volunteer stuff within the educational realm. So, no, not really. And, I certainly don't miss very many of the "big people." (And all you teacher-types out there know exactly what I mean.)

But all that got me to thinking, and you know what happens when that happens. Jeepers creepers, it's list making time. So here it is…

Richie's (partial) list of things she doesn't miss…

•Hails Bails, the bells or the music or whatever it is that moves teachers from one time block to the next. It's nice to be what I like to call as "Howard time." As the saying goes… a picture is worth a thousand words…

Howard The Shelter Cat on Howard Time

•Defining my existence and scheduling my life by publications deadlines--underclassmen photos, senior photos, first yearbook sales, first deadline, cover deadline, endsheet deadline, story idea deadlines, first story deadline, revisions due, blah, blah, blah, blah.

•Twenty minute lunches that masquerade as "30 minute duty free lunches." Welcome to my slice of heave: I can eat whenever I want, with whom I want and for how long I want. 

•Being interrupted every second and unable to complete anything. 

•Servers that don't work when it rains or when the wind blows a certain way or when you have this major assignment for the kiddos…

*************************

Oh… I could go on and on and on… but no need to… I probably have a list somewhere of things I never liked about teaching archived on this blog.

But back to my friend, Nancy…She reminded me of one of the things I did miss or do miss in these first few months of Retirement City. It's during this time that you sort of discover what people really were friends and who just masqueraded as such. 

Nancy is not a masquerader. She and I plan on lunch once her picture day taking rush is over. 

And, as far as those other folks? Well, let's just say I'm changing their ringtone to: "Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye…"

Zombies, Crazies & Survival Tips

Perhaps it's because another full moon is headed our way towards the end of the month.

Or maybe it's because Halloween is just around the corner along with all the stuff that witches brew brings.

I don't know. All if know is that my Crazy Magnet is stuck in the "on" position and I need to know speedy quick how to unstick it. If I  thought WD-40 would do the trick, why I'd stockpile pallets of that greasy stuff in my garage and call it a day.

Forget about the Zombie Apocalypse. It's the Crazies Apocalypse that I'm worried about.  They're everywhere. No, silly, not Zombies, but Crazies. On the roads, in the stores, on the phone. Here. There. Everywhere. And, I do not like them here nor there. I do not like them anywhere. No siree, Missy. (Hails Bails, I think they even may have had a hand in that whole government shut down thing.)

Luckily, after teaching high school for 27 years, I've developed some slick Ninja moves to survive the Crazies Apocalypse.  Now I am not admitting I've done any of these things, but here are some tips that just might save your sanity…

• Start waving at someone--anyone--even if you don't know them  and walk briskly toward the person you don't know to get away from the Crazy. Of course, the person you don't know might think you're a tad bit crazy and start waving at someone else, which then, of course, will cause a Crazies Chain Reaction and explain why we're headed for the Crazies Apocalypse.

• If you're approached in a  parking lot, act like you've lost your car (which for me isn't too much of a stretch most of the time) and keep hitting the horn button. Not only will you find your car, but you'll drown out the Crazy.

• If you have a nifty bluetooth headset, you can always pretend to be answering your phone and carry on a sane conversation with yourself. (I wonder if that would be considered an oxymoron in my case? I'm pretty sure I've got the moron covered, not so sure about the oxy.)

• If you're in the supermarket, either hide behind the Halloween costumes until the coast is clear or start trying on Halloween masks, so no one will recognize you. Of course, you probably should remove the mask once you get to the check out counter or you might face an entirely different problem. Something involving numbers like 10 to 20, if you know what I mean.

• If you're in your classroom, well unfortunately, your options are limited and involve handfuls of emergency chocolate. Lucky for you, if you were hiding down that Halloween isle in the grocery store trying on masks, you probably picked up a bag or two and are all set.

Back-to-School, New (Ad)ventures & the Class of 2017

Jack at the end of the summer pool party

Most of my teaching buddies found their way back to school this week marking the beginning of that fun-filled extravaganza that we fondly and not-so-fondly refer to as teacher in-service.  Since I retired at the end of last year, this is my first back-to-school in 27 years that I am not going back-to-school.

I had several teacher friends ask me how I felt about that. Well, so far, I must say, I'm feeling pretty darn tootin' good about it. So good in fact, I threw an end-of-the-summer party for my teacher friends and felt blessed that it wasn't the end of my summer yet.


I wish I could say that I spent my summer doing a whole lot of nothing. Instead, I spent most of it launching my new real estate (ad)venture and loving every minute of it.  You can check out my new (ad)venture at askthehomediva.com and my new blog at askthehomediva.blogspot.com.

One of the perks of retirement and being your own boss is that you get to spend some time navigating through all the social media and internet postings. One of my former students posted a link to buzzfeed that listed "32 Extremely Upsetting Facts About the Class of 2017." Most of these kiddos were probably born in 1999.

I pared the list down to my top 5…

Favorite 5 Upsetting Facts About the Class of 2017

#5…They have never lived in a world with monthly texting limits.

#4…The Backstreet Boys have been a band longer than they've been alive

#3…For them Star Wars has never been a trilogy

#2…Eminem is old enough to be their dad.

And my #1 Favorite from the list… drum roll pan-leese…

#1…This looks like something out of a fantasy novel to them…

Here's wishing all my teacher friends a great year!