Hello Coffee Share peeps! It’s been much too long since I’ve been a part of this wonderful group, and I am sorry I’ve been MIA. But there’s been a LOT going on in my world, and I’ll do my best to give you the short version.
Some of you know that’s near impossible, but I’m gonna try! So come on in. I’ve got a variety of teas to choose from and some of my Strawberry-Almond muffins to nosh on. We’ve got lots of catching up to do!

Sorry I’ve been gone so long. A quick look back on the blog tells me it’s been since before the first day of school. A lot has happened since then… but I can actually sum it up pretty easily:
The new school/district is as good as it appeared to be back in August!
- I have almost full autonomy in my classroom, which if you ask any teacher, they will tell you that’s nearly unheard of these days.
- I actually like most of the people I work with directly.
- The pay is better.
- My honors kids are amazing and (for the most part) self-motivated.
- My STAAR retesters are equally as awesome, albeit considerably louder.
- My class sizes are reasonable!
I know it sounds like a fairy tale (all my teacher friends say so), but it’s REAL.
As for the rest of my life, the biggest change has been that I had to get a new car.
Those of you who’ve been following for a longish while might remember a few years ago when I was rear-ended by a semi-truck. Remember how I struggled to get a new car because they still showed the totaled car as in my name, and being owed on? Well, the car I ended up with somehow ended up in my father’s name, and through a whole slew of problems because of that, I recently was forced to get a new one in my name:

I was able to take it home just before the Solstice, then immediately went “home” to visit my family for a week. Thus this past week has been equal parts relaxing and planning.
I spent quite a bit of time working on my bullet journal for the new year:

I cooked a New Year’s meal with all the traditional Southern luck foods: black-eyed peas, cabbage, pork:

I bought my first ever Smartwatch (because my Fitbit died, and this was a better financial decision):

And I finished up by going to the museum and then to a cafe to write with a writer friend of mine:






So that’s it! It’s been both busy and relaxing this week, but I feel ready to take on 2020! Though, I’m not sure I’m ready for my students on Monday…
How are things going in your world?
If you want to be part of the coffee share, check out the host: Eclectic Alli, or go straight to the link-up here.
Congrats on the job. Being a fellow teacher, I know the little things make a huge difference. Ypu are off to a great start for 2020.
That is so true! People who don’t teach simply do not understand! Thanks for stopping by! And I hope your 2020 is amazing!
Glad the new job is gong so well. Hope you have a great 2020 🙂
Thanks! Hope your 2020 is the best one yet!
Hi Elizabeth – and welcome back. I’ve wondered how you were faring but wow, attempting spacial coexistence with a semi is not for the faint of heart. Glad you’re okay and finally in a new car for all the trouble.
Thanks! I’m glad to finally be involved again! And writing again! Transitioning to the new job was a bit stressful, but I’m finally fitting in, and have a routine down to allow me to do some writing and blogging again. Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like a wonderful week! Happy to know that your new school is a good fit. Makes such a difference in the enthusiasm and energy level. (That food looks really good!)
Best wishes for your week!
Thanks! I’ll take any and all good wishes and good luck I can get! Thanks for stopping by!
I’m so glad your job is as satisfying as you thought it would be. I’m also so happy you finally got a new car. All that trouble you had with your old car and the totaled one sounds so frustrating.
Sounds like the new job is a very positive change. Wishing you the best of luck in 2020,. With the way your 2019 ended, I’d say you’re on the right path for a great year ahead!
I certainly hope so! It feels better already, but we’re still only about a week into 2020. Good luck to you in 2020! And thanks for stopping by!
Happy New Year
The year looks all kinds of promising
~B
I agree! Thanks for stopping by!
I’m so so happy for you. That is amazing!
Thanks!