Last year we started with a snow day. We also had 12 inches Christmas Eve of 2009. We have had none this winter and I am personally okay with that.
This is one of the many ways that I arrange my classroom. I almost live here during the school year so I thought it would be a fitting photo to include in my reflection. When we ended the year it was with packed and covered rooms because we were getting a face lift; the building is 50 years old believe me it needed the face lift. Gone is the nasty dirty carpet. I now have nicely tiled floors and new lighting and paint. It is wonderful.
The classroom across the hall from mine is a high needs special education classroom. The teacher is unbelievable with her students. I stand in awe of what she does each day. Her class was learning about diversity and each student created a diversity picture. They hung them outside of my classroom because there are no lockers on my side of the hall.
As most of you know I have a new man in my life Winston Princeton Churchill. This is him when he was still very little.
Here he is being very royal. He is now to big for this as well. The poor baby also has hip displacia; so for now he is on glucosamine just like his Momma.
This was taken just a couple of weeks ago. Winston is now 8 months old and he loves Cookie the beagle basset mix that likes to be up.
This summer we went to Yankeeland and threw a surprise 50th wedding anniversary for Mom and Dad. This is one of my favorite pictures from this party. There are many others that it could be a whole post of its own and I may just do that on their official anniversary date which is January 14, 2011.
While in Yankeeland my sister and I took a day trip together. Just the two of us. No kids and no husbands. We went to Olana the owner was one of the Hudson River School painters. His property and home are just breath taking. I love the Persian influence that is evident throughout his home.
I also attended my class reunion this summer. It was the 30th a little less than half of the class was there; we had 126 students in our graduating class. Many of these people I had known since grade school. It was wonderful to see them again.
I often talk about Yankeeland and the property I grew up on the next couple of pictures are of that farm.
This is the old stage coach road that led over the mountain.
This is the view from the back bedroom the creek is one on my favorite places on the farm.
I went back to Yankeeland in October because I was one of three people named alumni of the year for my high school. It was a huge honor. This photo is of me listening to the hostess read what was written about me and why I won the award.
My brother was kind enough to be my date for the ceremony because Mr. Doohickie was unable to attend. He was a wonderful date.
My sister and her husband were also able to attend the dinner. They make such a handsome couple and my sister has always been one of my biggest cheerleaders.
This is me with my Mom and Dad before the awards portion of the ceremony. My Mom is the person that nominated me and the letter she wrote was very moving, even though I knew I had done all of the activities that she talked about it still made me tear up that what I did was recognized by the committee as something that was worthy.
Receiving my award.
Myself with the other two award winners; both of which were members of the class of 1974.
The last big event or should I say purchase occurred in November of this year when City Cyclist announced they were going out of business. I finally decided to try riding a bike again. I had not ridden since 5th grade when I took a nasty fall and damaged my knee cap. When I had surgery several years later the doctor asked me why I had never had my fractured knee cap set. So this was a huge deal for me I have always been afraid of falling. I am happy to report that the step-through Biria is a wonderful bike and of course Mr. Doohickie is thrilled that I will go on rides with him. But please do not expect crazy camera shots while I am riding or long posts on the rides we take. I will leave all of that to him.
Overall 2010 has been a good year even though work has been extremely stressful. Onward and into 2011 and waiting to see what changes it will bring.
Happy New Year to each of you.
