Celebrations for a retiree!!

My friend, Debby, retired this past summer after 36 years of teaching. WoW!!! That is a long time. I look forward to seeing her tonight and visiting with current collegues over fine wine and good food. Retirement has suited Kirk. He is puttering around doing all kinds of chores. The only one he has not attempted, yet, is cleaning out the garage. He has straightened it up a little and I hope he will consider an all out cleaning and throwing away of "stuff" when it gets cooler.

I am collecting information for my own retirement this summer. I will finish out the school year and retire the end of May or first of June. I really don't plan to just stay home the whole time, there are lots of things I can do. However, I do look forward to being able to just sit and think.

Wigged Out!!

It is truly amazing how these people find me, but they do. When they are born and they come down the chute and bounce into being they are automatically programed to be members of my class. It is one of those strange games of chance and I am the lucky winner. Today a student in my sixth period class stopped at the door and said " Hello, Mrs. Grimes. How are you today?" There was something strange about him, but that is not a new thing. He is ALWAYS strange. He's always dressed in black. Today his hair was very different. He sported a coal black wig. Yes, ladies and gentlemen a wig. It was one of those(ya'll remember those vinyl looking wigs that looked like patent leather???? Well, that would be my boy. And yes, it was a boy wearing this wig. I told my neighbor teacher to poke her head into my room and look. She was quite taken aback. She said, "You know, you have the darndest luck--these kids flock to you like bees to honey. How do you do it?" I had no answer for her. I have the strangest collection of students this year. They range from girls who want to be boys, boys who want to be girls, Goth's, cheerleader/pep squad types, but very FEW normal children. My last year is shaping up to being one of the strangest in my recorded history. Not since I had the kid who wanted to sprout gills and live in the ocean with the fish, have I had such an assortment. It should be a really interesting year. I will keep everyone posted. It will be anything but dull.

Short weekend-long week coming

I had to work today. It was a day long workshop on subject matter for 9th grade. I got a lot of good stuff to work with, but damn it I am tired. Sitting and getting is worse than anything. I did see a good friend who moved to another school.
Boy, the expectations for teachers during this year is staggering. Retirement looks better and better. The trade off-- money for peace of mind-- will be well worth the sacrifice. I'm tired so I think I will pile up in bed and watch a movie and knit until my eyelids slam shut--which won't take too long to happen.
Goodnight

Singing God's Praises

Last night I was a part of a group of choir singers who knew exactly what they were there to do. Travis Park Choir combined with St. Paul UMC choir to practice for the upcoming revival that St. Paul is having this coming week. I really wish that we (Travis Park) could combine with them more often. St. Paul is a predominately African American Methodist church here in San Antonio. St. Paul's choir and its' directors were so gracious to us. It was a true blessing to experience singing with them. I am singing part of a solo--only by default--and St. Paul's choir was so supportive of my efforts on a song that I had never heard before. I only hope that I do it justice. I believe that if you don't use your God given talents that you lose them. I don't want to lose mine--they have just now come to the surface of my life.
I can hardly wait to experience this revival. I know that the Spirit of the Lord will truly be in that place. For someone who arrived stressed and tired, I left spiriturally uplifted. The Spirit of the Lord was in that place. I wish I had the plain, simple, and all encompassing faith that these people have in God. I would be truly blessed.

What a party!!

Last night we had a party!! It was "Uncle Ralph's" birthday. Kirk, being the sweetie that he is, cooked the entire meal except the rice pilaf. I had a late meeting and did not get home until 5:45. I was a wreck because I wanted to get home and get the rice on because I knew that it would take a while. But, Kirk was to the rescue like those Texas Rangers are and had a snack--hors'dourve(sp?) Everything was sooooo good and Aunt Nell brought champagne--YUM. My favorite. TWO BOTTLES no less. It turned out to be a really great party for four. Ralph is the brother Kirk never had. We really enjoyed the evening. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! FROM TWO PEOPLE WHO LOVE YOU A LOT!!!!!!