Vacation

As of today, I am "on vacation" for the next 13 days. No work, no worries, but a very long "to do" list. I'm looking forward to some "down time" reading, painting, maybe even a little stained glass.

In the past when I was a teacher in the classroom, I always had a healthy chunk of June and July as "down time" to take a break from teaching and recharge the batteries for the coming school year. One of the advantages of the teaching vocation is that it has a beginning and an ending point each year--a cycle that is familiar and comfortable. I was always ready for the school year to end and ready for it to begin. In my current position there is a very different cycle--beginning of school work, during school work, and summer work.

I'm still trying to "master" the art of scheduling my "time off" from work by distributing my 225 work days around family activities and holidays. I'm hoping that the next 13 days is enough to "recharge" the batteries and get me ready for the next round of workshops, trainings, and seminars for the school districts served.

I'm excited that all three kids want to go on vacation with us this year--surprised that they still want to "experience" the family vacation and hopeful that Mike and I have the patience that it sometimes takes with adult children who have strong opinions.

Vacation......ahhhhh.

Growing Up

***Photo from Krambeck Photography FaceBook Project by Mike Krambeck: http://www.facebook.com/

Growing up "small town" takes on new meaning when you live it every day. Sometimes good....sometimes bad....everyone "seems" to know the business of everyone else within the small radius of the community I call home. When I was growing up (I really still am even if I turn 50 this year) it bothered me that you couldn't go anywhere without someone knowing who you were, who your parents were and where you lived. Now as a parent it is comforting to know that my youngest son can't go anywhere without someone knowing who he is, where he should be, and how to get in contact with me if he should get hurt or injured.

Last night, sitting at a ballgame a few miles away, one Louisville team was finishing a game, another was beginning a game and everyone was supporting the other. One team lost, one team won but the players from both teams were cheering on the other as they played against town teams from the area. Everyone knew when someone got a "hit" that was a personal milestone for that child....everyone knew when someone felt bad and offered a word of encouragement or a pat on the back.....everyone knew everyone else's business.

Growing up "small town" is something you have to experience because it is something you can't see or touch--it is something you "feel." I'm glad my children (and myself) have experienced growing up "small town." I wouldn't have it any other way.