2014 was a year of great change for me. It is the year that my oldest graduated college and struck out on his own. It was the year that I started thinking about turning the house into my own house - not one that I share with teenagers and 20 somethings.
As I reflect on the changes, I see how much I have grown and how much growing I have yet to do. I can now think about my dad most of the time without feeling like my heart is being slowly ripped out. I can tell stories without crying and can now make potato candy (his favorite) while thinking of fond and pleasant memories.
During 2014, I have watched BOTH my children grow into the fascinating people that they are meant to be. I have watched my husband, who is now the only male in the house of 3, deal with living in a house full of estrogen. Poor guy...
Professionally, the fall semester of 2014 was one of the hardest I have ever had to endure. I had a terrible schedule, a terrible calendar, and I had to learn one unit ahead of the kids for yet one more new subject. For a time, I actually dreaded reading and studying history - which is one of my favorite things to do. I was moving quickly towards burn out and have never been so grateful to see a semester end.
I also had to deal with the new budget that the North Carolina General Assembly created to punish the older teachers. I have now maxed out and less than I would be making back home and will basically be paying the state $220 per month next year for the privilege of working in their system. (Can't help but feel bitter about this.) They took my bonus away - which is how I pay for Christmas. Oh...I could go on forever about the budget! (I won't though)
2015 looks to be more promising. My daughter and I have a couple of colleges still to visit before she makes up her mind. Those should be nice girls day out type trips. We still have until August until she leaves. I plan to make the most of that time.
As I reflect on the changes, I see how much I have grown and how much growing I have yet to do. I can now think about my dad most of the time without feeling like my heart is being slowly ripped out. I can tell stories without crying and can now make potato candy (his favorite) while thinking of fond and pleasant memories.
During 2014, I have watched BOTH my children grow into the fascinating people that they are meant to be. I have watched my husband, who is now the only male in the house of 3, deal with living in a house full of estrogen. Poor guy...
Professionally, the fall semester of 2014 was one of the hardest I have ever had to endure. I had a terrible schedule, a terrible calendar, and I had to learn one unit ahead of the kids for yet one more new subject. For a time, I actually dreaded reading and studying history - which is one of my favorite things to do. I was moving quickly towards burn out and have never been so grateful to see a semester end.
I also had to deal with the new budget that the North Carolina General Assembly created to punish the older teachers. I have now maxed out and less than I would be making back home and will basically be paying the state $220 per month next year for the privilege of working in their system. (Can't help but feel bitter about this.) They took my bonus away - which is how I pay for Christmas. Oh...I could go on forever about the budget! (I won't though)
2015 looks to be more promising. My daughter and I have a couple of colleges still to visit before she makes up her mind. Those should be nice girls day out type trips. We still have until August until she leaves. I plan to make the most of that time.
