Don't Fence Me In...

Today I am meeting with our new Principal. We have met briefly, but haven't really sat and talked yet. I had some things I wanted to prepare for that meeting, so yesterday I took the time to really dig in and get those things in order at work.

Most of the time, "normal" people park in the parking lot. On Summer days, and times when there are no kids on campus, some of us who work in portable classrooms pull our cars right around to our doors. Knowing that I also wanted to fill my car with boxes to pack up my kitchen in prep for the re-do, I pulled my car behind the cafeteria and through the field around to my classroom. That was around 10:00am.

Because I wanted to stay somewhat incognito, I didn't tell anyone I was there. I worked all day. It was quiet and peaceful and I really got a lot done. I looked up at the clock at one point and realized that it was 4:00. I called the office to let the AP know I was there and ask what time the building actually closed. She told me 5 or 6. So I started to wrap up. At 4:50 I packed the car and left.

When I arrived at the back side of the cafeteria, the gate that I had to drive through was LOCKED! I didn't totally panic because I could see cars still. I called the front office on my cell phone. No answer. Mild heart palpitations. I called my AP's cell phone. No answer. BIGGER heartbeats. Surely she didn't leave early. I called my FIL to pick up LG at Dance Camp because I was "locked up". It gave him a good chuckle!

Suddenly my phone rang. The AP said, "I'm sorry, I was on the phone." I told her my predicament and asked her if she would call the custodians to open the gate. First she laughed. Hard. Then she called them.

Now the head custodian LOVED coming out and seeing my locked in face! She laughed and said, "Girl, you supposed to be on vacation!" She's right. She unlocked the gate. I promised to let her know that my car was around there next time. And we exchanged cell phone numbers as she scolded me for coming to work on my time off amid some "Serves you right" talk.

I know. I know.

I love the summer. I love having days off. I also love having the freedom to go to school if I want to and work a bit. It's that freedom to come and go as you want that feels so good. Well...that is, unless you find that you're fenced in! Then it makes you stop and do a double take. And for a brief moment you wonder if you should be there at all.

The answer, for me, is "yes". I love that place. I love what I do. I love the people I work with. And I love preparing for a new year at a slow easy pace that summer brings...unless it's 5:00 and the fence is closed!

When Changes Come...

I opened the morning paper only to find that my position is being removed from all of our schools in order to meet the budget reduction in our state. I have known that this was a distinct possibility for quite some time. Still, when it's finally in black and white, it hurts.

I came to school and several colleagues asked how I was doing. I appreciated that. I really do work at a GREAT place. And I reminded them that the one thing that is constant is change. It happens every year. This year it is just much deeper than normal. At this point there is still no way to say what my job WILL be next year. Unlike so many who are facing job changes and/or losses in this economy, I have options.

Today, I'm a bit shell-shocked. But tomorrow will come and I'll be fine. I feel sorry for young teachers who are just starting out and cannot get jobs. I hurt for those who are already in classrooms who will be "bumped out" by more senior people. I can't imagine being certified in one area and being told that the area will not be offered next year. Those people are in a position that must be so very frustrating.

So here is the verse I am resting in today from Isaiah 26:

3 You, Lord, give true peace
to those who depend on you,
because they trust you.
4 So, trust the Lord always,
because he is our Rock forever.

OK, I might be a redneck, too!!

Last week or so, my brother Greg wondered aloud on his blog if he was a redneck.

Here I am staying at an upscale resort on the Disney property wondering the same thing. This conference is being paid for by the state. Since I am speaking, I get to stay at the convention hotel which is one of the nicest on the property. I have my own room on the 7th floor. It has a wet bar, the snacks (that are WAY over-priced) and all. Last night when I was in the dressing area, I noticed a silver canister on the floor under the counter with a plastic bag in it...I thought, "Oh,how nice, they have left a wine bucket in here in case you decide to buy the bottle of wine in the wet bar (again, way over-priced)." Not that I was going to buy a bottle of wine, but a lot of honeymoons take place here too. I thought, "It really is pretty---silver (plated) and all." It was a fleeting thought that soon passed.

This morning, as I stood in the dressing area preparing for the day, I needed to throw some trash away and looked for the trash can---which I thought should surely be in that area. Then, it dawned on me, my beautiful wine bucket was just a TRASH CAN!!!

BUT, if I were a redneck....I am certain we could throw some ice in there and chill down some wine (or would it be beer??)!! ;-)