Bittersweet Reflection

Tomorrow is my last day of work before retirement. Students (some I haven't seen in months) have been making their way down to the school this week to bid me adieu. My faculty is holding a farewell party on Friday night at a local restaurant. There will be hugs and cards and presents.

I received my teaching certification in college, but I never intended to teach because my student teaching experience was ghastly. (My "mentor" spent our planning periods telling me about her out-of-body experiences.) I figured there were easier, better-paying jobs out there. So I worked as a secretary for several years in various types of professional offices. I loved the detail-oriented work, but generally didn't like the stresses of working with difficult bosses, commuting miles to work, or being restricted as to days off. In 1979, I decided to find a new career and looked into and was accepted into the insurance industry, a place where there were few females. I was hired and began training. In only a few weeks, I was desperately ill with....morning sickness! So much for the new career.

When I had my children, I blissfully stayed home with them for several years. Then, in 1985, hubby decided to go back to graduate school. Somehow we had to eat! :) So I took a teaching job in a middle school in Mesquite, thinking, "It's only 3 years...."

Well, now it's 24 years later, and I am finally retiring. I am ecstatic, nervous, relieved, scared, and generally a bundle of emotions about this event. I took the first opportunity to retire even though I could have sat in that classroom in the prison for the next 10 years. However, two years ago...Arbonne entered my life.

I love Arbonne. The products, the people, the company are all first class. The products have made a difference in my life. (I know it sounds dramatic, but it's true.) I have met the nicest people, gone on first class trips, and been treated like a professional businesswoman every step of the way. I am so excited about spending this next period of my life helping people like myself who yearn to realize their dreams while caring for their families with pure, safe, beneficial products.

So, I'm at that door. You know, the one that closes on an old chapter and opens into a new one. While I have made friends in the old chapter (who will remain friends), I am looking forward to new ones. I believe it's God's guidance that has brought me to this place. I anticipate a wonderful year ahead! Just let me know if I can help you, dear reader, in any way, because, you know, I'll be available!!

Scrapbook Retreat

Karen and I enjoyed our retreat this weekend SO much! The company was congenial, the food delicious, the surroundings frilly, and we got LOTS of pages done! Thanks to our hubs for letting us go off on a girl weekend for 3 days!

Vote for Ian!

https://www.greatamericanphotocontest.com/voter1/index.aspx?referid=EmailFriends&p=1041138&x=.jpg

Vote for Ian's photo in the contest above. He could win scholarship money!

Caleb's visit to Grandma

Caleb and his mama came to visit a few days with us in Palestine. We had a great time with them! Here are a few pics of that time:

Turmes visit: Happy New Year's!

One Month Old

Here's a photo of Caleb taken last night on Dec. 27. He's so alert! His eyes are bluer now, and he's grown longer and heavier. We enjoyed the chance to cuddle him!

Merry Christmas!

MY CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM ALAN! After a very hectic November and December, we spent the day shopping in Tyler for each other. My diamond fleur-de-lis ring is quite unique and I am thrilled with it! Alan picked out two blazers for his gift.

I hope everyone has a warm and wonderful Christmas.