Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Catching Up

I've been absent from these pages for several months.  I took the summer off because the grandchildren stayed with us for six weeks,  and I didn't do anything but make memories with them. 

4th of July with the second cousins

Digging for fossils in Fossil

Breaking the rocks to find fossils

Trying on antique clothing in the museum in Fossil

Gloves!

We hiked up to the bridge at Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls

We spent a week camping on the Oregon Coast.

Crafts with Nana.
Scrambling for candy at the Umatilla County Fair Parade.

Umatilla County Fair

We learned about local agriculture at the Sage Center.  Moments after this  picture was taken Megan fell off the stool.

Hiking with Grandpa Paul at Hat Rock State Park.

 Then I took a long-term substitute assignment at our local high school for a teacher who had just had a baby.  I had forgotten how much work it was to work!  I had great students, but it was exhausting…my teaching skills were rusty.  I felt like a first year teacher.  It was surprising how much had changed in the few years I had been retired.  I spent every spare minute the first few weeks just learning about all the new technology I needed just to take attendance, keep grades, and manage electronic portfolios.  I was relieved when the 10 weeks ended.

If you leave your iPad unattended in the classroom, the students will take selfies, and...

take pictures of the teacher when she is not paying attention!


In a moment of weakness I agreed to contract with the Education Service District to write grants.  Once again I was reminded of how much had changed since I stepped out of public education.  I am enjoying working with the local school districts on the grants, but it has required a lot of study time to get up to speed on the latest rules and regulations.  By the time I have written a grant application, it feels like I have used up my quota of words and have none left over for my blog.

Writing for me is a little like exercise.  I can skip a day here and there, and then before I know it, I haven't exercised for months.  I need to write regularly and, unfortunately, I've let myself fall out of the habit.   

Now I'm going to make the effort to write here more regularly.  It's good to be back.  

11 comments:

  1. "It's good to be back."

    It's good to see you back! Sounds as though you had a great time with the girls.

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  2. It was nice to see your blog once again. Yes, you certainly have been busy and you have taken up some daunting tasks. Good for you! It is good to keep the juices flowing.

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  3. Great pictures! I love seeing your beautiful grands, and I know how much they must love their #1 Nana! I'm glad you're back, but then again, I see you on Facebook so for me you have never really been gone. :-)

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  4. There are more important things than blogging -- as you've just illustrated with your wonderful pictures! -- but it's great to see you back.

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  5. Welcome back! Gee those grandkids seem so bored.

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  6. A wonderful summer was had by all, I see.
    Funny thing about jobs; we work hard to polish our skills, but then one day are willing to let it all go again.

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  7. Glad to see you back to the blogging sphere. Missed you, but there is nothing better than making memories with the grandkids.

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  8. I would have been totally exhausted with my granddaughters for that long. Maybe it's because Grandpa Art just goes about his life while they're here instead of participating.

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  9. With all of that going on, your absence is excused! But it's good to have you back.

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  10. Good. I've missed you, but you have been busy, very busy. Quite honestly, going back into the classroom scares the heck out of me. I've been gone way too long.

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  11. It's so good to have you back. Can't tell you how much I've missed your words!

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