More Geocaching

After we found the water truck cache, we spent a couple more hours tracking down some more caches.  All off these were quite easy - since the one that was difficult was the one we didn't find!

This one was our first micro/small cache.  It was a "log only" cache, and it was in this railing - attached with a magnet.

Next up was one associated with a view of Gull Lake.  We found it after scrambling around some pretty large boulders on the side of a steep hill - but it was a blast trying to get the GPS to hone in on it.


This is the view associated with this cache:  Gull Lake with June Mountain behind it. 








Don found the next one - after I spent a long time looking around on the ground. I won't tell you where it is, but he spotted it after standing back and looking for something out of place with nature. In the photo below, he's standing at the mouth of June Lake Mine - something we never knew existed in our 20 years of coming to June Lake.  





The mine is situated in the center of the picture below:





The next cache we found was another micro, and it was located here:

The last one for the day was at Gull Lake.  When we parked, my GPS was pointing right AT it, and I briefly thought it would be there - but I misread the description.  We spent 10 minutes looking for a LOG, when we should have been looking for a ROCK.  Once I re-read the directions, I went right back to the original spot and pulled out the little camo box. It had some of those little monkeys from the game "Barrel of Monkeys," so I took one of those and left one of my dominoes.

The one we didn't find?  Well, it should have been on the side of a hill, under a bush, next to a pile of rocks - and we looked for 30 minutes and never found it.  Pretty frustrating; but I guess that happens!

Geocaching - Our First Find

Note:  While I'm not giving the ID code # for this cache, I am giving spoiler information for it. 

While we were in June Lake, we decided to take up a new hobby - geocaching.  I'd read about it on someone's blog, and then saw an article in a magazine - and did a little research.  I have an iphone, so I downloaded two critical apps:  MotionX GPS and Geocaching.  A search of the area close to us at the campground found several dozen caches, so on Sunday we set off to find some of them.  Our first one, which was also the closest to our campground, was associated with this 1937 Chevrolet Water Truck. We were treated to a little local history in the description, and were instructed to find a cache that had been placed nearby. 

I have to admit that we were thrown at first by several other things in the immediate area of the truck. First, about 15 yards to the west, we discovered this contraption below - which I think is a guzzler. I mean, it's got water in it and two places for game to drink - but if I'm totally wrong, please let me know.









Next, we were thrown off by the fact (that we eventually learned) that this area is part of the June Lake Frisbee Golf course.  There are three numbered wooden stakes - one is IN the truck, and two others are equidistant from it, forming a triangle.  We thought at first they had something to do with the cache. Then, I spied this golden can sitting in plain sight under a tree:



When I opened the can and looked inside, I discovered some pencils and some score sheets for the June Lake Frisbee Golf Club.  We realized then what we'd found.  There was also a tee box, similar to one on a regular golf course, over at another spot in the clearing.

So, we kept looking, expanding our search outward.  One of the hints had to do with "cement"-ing a friendship, and when I discovered this behind a huge boulder, I knew we were getting close:







We walked all around the boulder a couple of times, and then spotted the cache in a crack (though it was under a rock and the pine cones you see in the photo):

I opened it up, and found the log and several swag items. There were marbles, buttons, and a few other things, so I took one of the marbles. I had already decided that I would use dominos as my swag-to-leave, so I left a marble.  That marble made its way over to another cache later that day.

That was our first ever find; we found 5 more that day (and also had to record a "Did Not Find" on one), and one the next day. I'll describe a few of those in a later post.

June Lake Memorial Day Weekend

We just got back today from a 5-day trip to June Lake. We stayed at Oh Ridge Campground, in the same site we were in last summer (#45).  We like it because of this view:

When we left southern California last Thursday, it was sunny and warm - and stayed that way until we turned off the 395 to June Lake  - the last 2 miles. We drove right into a snowstorm, and set up in a blizzard.  When we got up Friday morning, there was just a couple of inches on the ground, but the roads were solid ice. 


I took this first thing Friday morning with the sun over my shoulder.




This one was about an hour later after the ice had begun to melt off the roads and it was safe to walk on them.

Friday was the coldest day - it got gradually warmer each day that we were there.  Don caught lots of fish, I read several books and didn't think about work AT ALL.  Wonderful. 

Come on! Enough already!

It's May 23, and Don's still having to shovel snow. 



This was taken before the sidewalk was completely covered - we've got about 2 inches so far. Some of it is pea- to marble-sized popcorn snow - it looks a bit like hail, but is airy and light. It's still snowing lightly right now - hopefully it'll stop soon.  Unwelcome, but not unprecedented for this time of year in the southern California mountains.

The Recliner Story (it was just meant to be)

About 3 weekends ago, Don and I went to Colton to look at 5th wheels.  The more time we spent walking through various models, the more we realized that a) the ones we liked were the ones we couldn't afford, and b) the ones we could afford were nowhere as nice as the trailer we currently own.

I told Don there were two things about the trailer (a 28' Keystone Sprinter) I didn't like. One was the lack of storage, and the other was the horridly uncomfortable sofa sleeper. He looked at me like I was crazy, and said, "Go make your lists.  You have lots of storage."  (He knows I'm a list-maker.)  I went home and plotted out each storage cabinet, compartment, and drawer, and then placed everything I knew I'd want with me into those various places.  When I was finished, I still had lots of empty space left for those things I've probably forgotten that I'll need one day.  First problem solved.

As for the second problem, the story is fun to tell.  One of the things we  have always liked best about coming home to our cabin is plopping our butts back in our old recliners.  It's this "Ahhhhhh" sensation that tells us we're "home." (It also emphasizes how much we hate that sofa sleeper!)  I decided that if I was going to live in this trailer,  Don and I each needed a recliner.  We measured the space the sofa sleeper was in:  62".  We looked at RV-specific furniture, and found only captain's chairs or gliders - neither of which we wanted.  Next, I did a search on the internet for recliners.  I think I spent 3 hours looking at every available recliner, and found NONE that were narrow enough to fit two of them side by side in the 62" space.  During that search, I came across what I first called a double recliner.  I learned in further searching that it's called a reclining loveseat. 

So, searching for reclining loveseats took me to Lazy Boy - who carry nearly 50 models.  Of those 50 models, TWO are less than 62", and they each START at $1159.00.   Ouch!  I kept looking - Living Spaces, Ashley Home Furniture, and more.  The only possible affordable one was at Living Spaces, and it measured exactly 62".  Nope. Wouldn't work - you need room to put your arm down on the side to move the lever.

I next went to Craigslist.  We're in the Inland Empire of southern California - a pretty big area.  I entered the search term "reclining loveseat," and up popped about 15 entries.  One of the entries was right in Yucaipa (the town where I work).  The photograph showed it to be gray with large white polka dots, but I thought if it fit, we'd deal with the color. I emailed the owner, and asked him if it was still available, and if so, could he measure it for me.  He emailed right back (must be on line all the time like I am) and said it was 56".  Perfect!  I asked him to call me, and about 15 minutes later the phone rang.   It was his wife, Linda L, who was an instructional aide in the classroom next to mine while I was teaching at Yucaipa Junior High.  She told me where she lived, and Don and I went over there the next day.  We needed to make sure it felt good, and was large enough for Don's long legs.  We both sat down, had the "Ahhhhhh" sensation, and pulled the (separate) footrests out. The footrest hits me on my ankles/heels, and the backs of Don's calves. He said that's fine. 

Now, get this:  it's not gray with white polka dots. It's beige, and what looked like dots in the original picture are really diamonds made out of smaller dots. When you lean back, the chair moves forward (instead of the back moving backwards) so it's possible to recline without destroying the mini-blinds or wall. There's plenty of space on each side to reach down and move the levers. The recliner is a Lazy Boy, one of those $1159 models, only 3 years old, and recently reupholstered.  Here's the best part - the price:

$85

We took it home so Kenny could have a place to sit while he was here, and Thursday he and Don took it to the trailer, removed the old sofa sleeper, and put the recliner in the trailer.  Doesn't it look wonderful?  The way everything played out - from the idea, to the location, to my knowing the seller, to it fitting in our trailer, to the price - just shows me that it was meant to be.

What a Week!

Anchorage, Alaska

February 2003

I'd like to welcome two more followers!  It's so cool that there are people who actually like to read what I say - just as I enjoy reading all the blogs that I follow. But what I like even more is being part of a community of people who either share the same dream or are already living it.  First is Myrddin, a motorcoach owned by Jim and Linda. The blog is told in the first person by Myrddin - a unique perspective! The second new follower is On Da Road - a gal who writes a blog called Midlife on Wheels.

What a week this has been:

Monday: Negotiations with the District, then meeting with a school board member

Tuesday: had blood test, then conducted GATE testing at Yucaipa Elementary, then lunch with other chapter presidents (we call it the Madame Presidents' Club since we're all women), then worked in the office, then nail appointment, then worked in the office

Wednesday: Day-long Citrus Belt Uniserv planning meeting followed by rally for public education in front of Assemblymember Cook's office

Thursday: visited 3 dfferent sites to get coaches' votes, then held ratification meeting for our tentative agreement (it passed with a 91% approval rate)

Friday: Took Kenny to the airport at 6 am, worked in office til 1, came home and took a 3-hour nap, then cooked a home-cooked meal for the first time this week.  That nap has helped so much. I've been tired all week, and I think I'm starting to catch up on sleep.  Kenny, on the other hand, had a 20-hour trip ahead of him to get back to Okinawa.  He should be there in a few hours.

I'm so glad this week is over. Tomorrow Don and I are packing our food and clothes and misc. in the trailer, so that next week all we have to do is take the cold food. We heard on the news that it might be windy Thursday, so we're hoping it's mild wind when we cross the desert. Don's also worried about the cold temps at June Lake - but since we have a small propane heater in addition to the trailer's regular heater, we should be fine. This will be our "shakedown" trip before the summer trip, and the summer trip is going to be our first one where we are going to be "pretending" that the trailer is our home.  I think that 53 days will give us plenty of time to make lists and adjustments.

I haven't gotten rid of any stuff lately - I haven't even had time to think about it.  Perhaps tomorrow I'll be able to get back into the swing of things.  I might even be able to sew a little!



I saw this quote on the RV Dreams Forum AND on Huffington Post - so apt for those of us who are on our way to becoming fulltimers:

I look at every item I own as a burden and if I am going to keep an item the happiness it gives me must be worth the burden. The burdens include: cleaning, maintaining, moving, insuring, or just worrying about an item. These all seem like small things, but they add up.

So true, isn't it?  This will help me get the job done!

Another Day Closer...

Enjoying the weekend

Green Valley Lake in the San Bernardino Mountains

(we live in these mountains)

August 1991

Welcome to Gin and Syl,  my newest followers!  It's so exciting to learn about fellow bloggers who not only share the interests we have, but care enough to read what I have to say about everything. Gin and Syl are also getting ready to retire - I think I'm a few months ahead of them - and since they live only 21 miles from my sister-in-law, whom we'll be visiting summer 2011, I hope we can meet in person!

Yesterday our teachers' association had its annual retirement and recognition event. We've been having it (the last few years) at Mill Creek Cattle Company in Mentone, in the huge back banquet hall. We had about 150 people - a good crowd considering we only had 4 retirees this year. Since I was the emcee, I didn't get time to eat any of the non-sweet finger foods. I ate too much cake. And pie.

Tonight Kenny and Theresa are in Los Angeles at the LA Galaxy game. Don and I are watching it on TV, and he's watching the game intently, looking for them in the crowd. We know they're in the end zone, about 3 rows up - but he seems to think he knows which end zone, and which section, and is constantly pointing and shouting every time the camera shows the end zone. Too funny.  It's a sellout crowd, and he thinks he's going to see his kids.  What would really be funny would be if the camera did a close up and they were in it.

Don and I went to Costco this morning-got there just as they opened, and were in and out in an hour. I had an extensive list, but an hour! I think that's a record. Of course, since it wasn't lunchtime yet, they didn't have any sample carts set up, so Don complained about that - but then shut up when I reminded him how crowded it gets around lunch time. My tequila supply is replenished, so I can now continue making those wonderful margaritas in my bullet blender.  Does anyone have one of those? The common brand is the Magic Rocket or something like that - mine's a different brand but has the same little glasses you blend everything in. It makes better margaritas than a regular blender, and since it's small, it'll go with me in the trailer.  So wonderful - frozen margaritas whenever I want them! Jose Quervo, you are a friend of mine....

My retirement date is now June 2, 2010 - the only "up" side to our taking 6 furlough days next year. I'll have to change my side widget - something I think I said I'd do last week - but forgot. If I don't look at the widget every day, it seems like the time passes more quickly.  We have two weeks before we go to June Lake for 5 days. Then 2 more weeks after that school will be out and we'll be on our way to Colorado for the summer!  

If any one is going to be in Lake City, Taylor Park, Ridgway, or Priest Gulch (near Dolores), let me know and we'll see about meeting!

Another Day Closer...

The Eiger Glacier, Switzerland

 March 1989

I'd like to welcome two new followers to Wanderlust! First is Diana - and if it's the Diana I think it is, I've been reading her blog for a while now. Second is Happy Camper - Steve from Kansas, who recently acquired a truck/camper and has been using it a lot.  It's been quite fun reading Diana's and Steve's blogs.  I'm glad they're enjoying reading mine!

Big News!

We have a tentative agreement in negotiations with the District.  The down side is that we'll be taking 6 furlough days next year - meaning a 3.2% pay cut.  The up sides:  a) our health benefits plan is IMPROVING - something extremely rare in difficult economic times; b) approximately 20-25 jobs will be saved; c) class sizes in K-3 will only go up to 24 instead of 30; and d) I'm retiring 6 days earlier next year than I thought I would!  (5 of the furlough days will be taken at the end of the school year; the 6th is to be taken on my choice of a teacher prep day - guess which one I'm taking?  The LAST day!)  I'm going to have to go change that countdown widget on the sidebar.

I'm very proud of my bargaining team - I thought a couple of times we were really stalled, but they persisted and showed great strategic expertise. I can do this job one more year with people like this in the Association.

Another Day Closer...

Collecting the Milestones - #1

Wheeee! This is the last Academic Planner I'll ever buy!  After this, I'm going back to the ones that go from January to December, like "normal" calendars.

Another Day Closer...

Mom

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!
You're just as beautiful now as you were then.

Thursday Thoughts 5-6-10

Oceanside, California 

May 1996

I took today off - lately my back and neck have been killing me. I would feel fine in the mornings, and then as each day went by, the neck would start cramping up and pain would start  moving across my upper back.  No doubt it's stress - I've had a nice day here at home - did some quilting, watched some television, took a nap, made a dessert pizza after dinner, and am now enjoying Flashforward and computer time. And of course, my neck and back don't hurt at all.  It'll be nice when school's out!

Kenny's flying in tomorrow night - I have an awards dinner in San Bernardino, so Don's going to Palm Springs to pick him up. He's been in a class up at Beale AFB in northern California, and is coming here on leave for 2 weeks before he goes back to Japan. I'm glad the timing worked out that he's here for Mother's Day.

Speaking of Mother's Day - Don asked me, like he always does, what I wanted.  We usually go out somewhere nice to eat.  I decided that this time I don't want to go down the mountain to find a place and fight the crowds.  Instead, we're going to breakfast at our little Mexican restaurant here in Forest Falls (it's the only restaurant up here, and they make nice Huevos Rancheros), and then I'm making a roast, potatoes, carrots, etc. for Kenny and Theresa. She can come up after she gets off work at the casino.

I just realized that when we leave this house I won't have my DSL any more - and since my email address is tied to my DSL provider, I'm going to have to change my email address.  I suppose it'll be a gmail address - it's free, and I like the other google services. 

I'm worried about our Anaheim Angels. Their pitching has really, really been in the tanks lately.  And what's with Brandon Wood? Poor guy - a starting third baseman in the majors, and is batting below .180.  We traded away Chone Figgins for this? So sad to watch the team struggle these days.

That's it for my Thursday thoughts!

Another Day Closer...

Aready a long week...

Me, in July 1976, heading up towards Rock Creek Pass above

the Flint Lakes in the

Weminuche Wilderness, Colorado

I feel like I did in the picture above - heading up, and up, and up.  Yesterday was negotiations with the District. While it didn't go poorly, it didn't really go well, either. I feel we did make some movement, though, and continue to hope for the best (which is really not a good thing, considering what the "best" could look like).

I then worked a few hours in the office, and went to a social event in the evening. We were finished by 7, and I headed home, exhausted. At 8  I went to bed to read, and I think I turned the light off around 8:45.  That's the earliest I've been to bed in a long time.  But I must have needed the sleep, because I didn't get up until Don woke me at 6:30.

I'm enjoying a no-appointment/meeting day in the office, getting things organized/filed/trashed/etc. - something I seem to do all the time.  It's endless.  I'm also answering member emails about issues related to health care, negotiations, layoffs, retirement, evaluations, parent complaints, administrators, paychecks, and more.  I have to keep reminding myself that when I'm not tired, I really do love my job.

Another Day Closer...

Yard Sale Day 2

It's over. Hooray!  Between the 4 of us, we made $730; the stuff that I sold made me $160.  All the rest is now in the back of two pickup trucks, and will be dropped of at the Deseret Thrift Store tomorrow. I'll claim what I can on my taxes next year.

I'm sunburned and tired, but I really did enjoy those two days with my friends.

Now, it's on to Craigslist for a few big ticket items, and getting ready for our next trip. We'll be going to June Lake Memorial Day weekend. I am using my two "optional" days on the Friday and Tuesday before and after so we get 5 nights at June Lake.

Now I'm going to go feed the blue pig.

Another Day Closer...

Yard Sale Day 1

The first day of our large yard sale was today.  We had 6 different families and individuals with things for sale, and since we had it at Suzy's house, we were pretty busy all morning. I sold about half of the clothes and shoes, and lots of assorted other things - but there's a lot of stuff left for tomorrow.

That's Don on the left, talking to my good friend Patrick.  Patrick's mother Suzy offered her driveway for the yard sale, since they also had lots of things to get rid of. Suzy will be retiring THIS year, and she and her husband Gary plan to travel in their motorhome about half of each year.

This is a shot looking back at about 2/3 of our stuff.  I had three long tables from the office, as well as a big area on the ground - and I hung clothes on the fence (in the picture below).  But some of the stuff on my tables belonged to my friends Tara and Crystal who had asked me to try to sell some things for them. Patrick and his wife Patty had about 2 tables plus a lot of space on the ground, and Suzy had some large furniture plus 3 tables.








This is Patrick and his daughter Frances, who was a great cashier for us for most of the day. I hope she comes back tomorrow.  She's trying to sell an electric guitar with amp and accessories - there were lots of nibbles but no takers.

I'm tired, but since I was with friends all day, I had a great time.  I'm going to go make a taco salad for Don and me and then relax and watch soccer (we're Galaxy and Chivas USA fans).

Another Day Closer...

Thursday Thoughts

Moose cow and calf 

Big Hole National Battlefield, Montana

June 2004

A. Continuing to get rid of stuff:

1. Gave away two 2-drawer file cabinets via Freecycle today - woman came and picked them up this afternoon.

2. Mailed the beer steins and quilt.

3. Threw away a bunch of old papers and magazines - why had I kept that stuff?  (I ask myself that all the time.)

B. I am nothing without my man.  At least, that's what the Air Force told me today. I went to the BX (and had planned to go to the Commissary), but as I was paying, the cashier noticed my ID card had just expired on April 2.  He confiscated it and told me to go to Pass & ID to get another. He insisted I would be able to get the new one without Don since they were using the DEERS system.  So, I went to Pass & ID, where I was turned away since I didn't have my lord and protector with me.  He'll have to take me in tomorrow where they'll acknowledge the supremacy of the sponsor and give me my new "dependent" ID card.  (And I was a Captain in the AF, for goodness sake!)

C. Our District administrators and board members continue to pretend that lies are truth. We have written proof of three different points, yet they needed to humiliate a woman at the board meeting and tell her she was misinformed.  I am (still) appalled that they can say what they say with a straight face. 

D. I'm sad for the 11 almost-retirees - who had the early retirement incentive pulled out from under them yesterday.  One was so upset she was sent home since she couldn't function at work. So far I know of only ONE who will still retire - meaning 10 people are going to work another year or two who'd be much happier if they weren't, and 10 teachers who could have been "saved" through those retirements will stay on the layoff list.  The explanation we got for the rescinding of the incentive is flimsy and based on faulty speculation.

At least we're getting closer to the end of the school year!

Another Day Closer... 

Busy, busy day - getting rid of more "stuff!"

Don looks over the upper Conejos River Valley, Colorado
June, 2006

We sure did get a lot accomplished today. We have:

a. Two boxes to be mailed - beer steins to a colleague from Zweibrucken Air Base and a quilt to my sister in Texas

b. 4 large bags of trash

c. 6 boxes (paper case size) of small items for yard sale

d. 1 large sack of clothes and shoes for yard sale

e. 1 small box of memorabilia and 1 box of Christmas ornaments for our daughter

f. 2 boxes of notebooks and teaching materials to give away (I held on to them just in case I ever went back into the classroom - but now I won't so I don't need them any more).

Don spent several hours in the basement going through fishing stuff and bringing me boxes of things to go through; I just kept sorting and pricing and trying to get rid of as much as possible.  We're beginning to make a dent in the stuff - and when I first started, I didn't know I had that much!  Crazy!

My thoughts go out to the people of Yazoo City, Mississippi and all the surrounding towns affected by yesterday's tornadoes. 

Dreamin' of a new trailer

Looking south along the Waterpocket Fold from Boulder Mountain, Utah

June, 2004

Today we spent about an hour at our trailer, hanging some wire baskets for fruits and vegetables to clear up counter space, and putting some plastic drawers in the bathroom closet.  After that we went to Colton and visited McMahon's RV and Mike Thompson RV.  I'd seen a Heartland ElkRidge advertised at McMahon's, but it had already been sold.  

We spent an hour or so with Debra at McMahon's - and she showed us a set of Coachmen Chaparrals and then three Coachmen Brookstones. The Chaparrals are in our price range, and are also light enough to tow with the truck we already have (Dodge Ram 2500).  There's a rear kitchen layout that I like - the 270RKS.  The Brookstones - oh my!  Not only are they way too heavy for us to haul, these are definitely "luxury" fifth wheels.  I can dream, right?!

I told Debra I was interested in previously-owned Heartlands and Tetons, so she'll let us know if any come in. She's expecting some new ElkRidges next month - so we'll go look at those when they come in. We think, however, that we're going to buy something previously owned - no need to get something brand new. Everything hinges on what we get for our house - we need to pay off a credit card and the  rest of the trailer - then we'll see what kind of down payment we can make on a new rig. Maybe we'll find one with a good truck as part of the package - a truck that can tow a heavier trailer. 

Next we went over to Mike Thompson RV - and I really didn't like anything there. The Keystone Outback is too "cheap" for me - and I don't mean to offend anyone with an Outback - but it just isn't my style.  We looked at some Montanas, but they are all too large and expensive.

So, I keep on dreaming. I really enjoy the "shopping," and since we've been in our Keystone Sprinter for 2 years now, we're getting a good idea of what we like and don't like. 

Another Day Closer...

Thursday thoughts

Sunset over the Pacific

Honolulu, February 2006

I'd rather wake up in the middle of nowhere than in any city on earth.

- Steve McQueen

This morning we woke up to yet another big snowfall.  Now I know that there are people who live up north or in the midwest who think it's no big deal - but this is southern California. We've been in a drought for so long that when we get an El Niño year, it's almost too much to take. During the night, we got about 8 inches.  Not a whole lot in the big scheme of things, but definitely a lot for Don to shovel.  Poor guy - just when it about finishes melting, we get more. 

  Sorry this picture is so small - it's from my iphone, uploaded to Facebook, then downloaded to here. If you want to see it in a larger format, it's HERE. 

 We were going to go camping tonight - had a site reserved at Lake Perris - but since we got this snowfall, and he can't get the truck out (no 4WD and he doesn't want to put chains on), we both decided to just hunker down and stay home. 


So my goal for this weekend is to finish gathering "stuff" for the yard sale - which is next weekend.  I can't believe it's already here!  Hooray!  I have so much at the office, and so much at home - I sure hope we sell most of it - the rest I'll donate to the thrift shop.  At least I'll get a tax write-off for it.
I also have some sewing to do - I haven't touched my machine in about 3 weeks, and I'm committed to a couple of swaps in some internet groups I'm in.  It'll be nice to just sit and not think about work. 


Capistrano teachers went out on strike today.  They are not asking for a raise. They agreed to some pretty huge pay cuts - but the board imposed PERMANENT cuts - 10.1% - in spite of a mediator's recommendation to the contrary.  Everyone knows this bad economy is not going to last forever. Even our district knows that any cuts we take (and we're going to be taking some big ones) are temporary.  We're getting pretty close to a settlement here - thank goodness.  But all across the country public education is taking hits - not just financial.  It's so sad to see all the misstatements and generalizations, along with the anger and fear.  I am proud to be president of a local union.  We do NOT protect bad teachers. We do NOT make too much money - I have a master's degree and years of extra training - and we DO care about kids.  We ARE evaluated based on our students' achievement - but it's a holistic approach, looking at kids, not test scores.  To reduce students to numbers on a standardized test is wrong in so many ways.  It's a damn shame what politicians have done to public education. 


Okay, enough venting for today. 

Another Day Closer...

I decided on a countdown

 At Red Rock Pass (between Henry's Lake, Idaho, and Red Rock National Wildlife Refuge, in Montana

Summer 2007

See the cool widget over on the sidebar?  I decided to count down to my last day of work.  Even though I won't be officially retired, that's when I'm going to make the transition to retirement.

Today we got rid of the spa, and I filled up 3 very large boxes with kitchen things and Christmas decorations.  These will go down to the office to be ferried over to the yard sale.

My son just called from Japan - he'll be coming to California next week for a class at Beale AFB (up near Sacramento) and when that's over, he'll come here for 2 weeks.  It'll be nice to see him!

Until then, we're

Another Day Closer...