Decions, decisions..and patience

A rainy day at the beach gives me time to think and research.  I love researching topics of interest.  Now that I am semi-retired and can't travel much, I have time to read all those files and papers that I have stored up.  To me it is fun and doesn't feel like work because the mission of helping children has never been work to me but rather a passion.

While I am trying to decide what the next decade of my life will be and having to take the time to be reflective since I can't actively engage, I am reading books like ENCORE which give me food for thought.  Do I want to go off in some direction entirely new to me...like my interest in real estate?    Do I want to go in to some kind of sales....I always blow the top off of those what line of work should you do ..always comes out with sales and marketing at the top.  But what would I sell that I am passionate about?  One thing I do know it will not be in health care!

Would it be fun to give away money instead of always being the one asking for it...I know I could make better decisions than some I have seen over the year by well intentioned folks.  Or do I want to ride the waves of uncertainty and just let life happen.

I do know that whatever I do when all this is over I want to travel and spend time with my grandkids.  They grow up way too fast and I don't want to miss it.

Tomorrow is my first grandchild's birthday.   I cannot believe it has been 10 years.  Her other grandma and I had our ears to the door as we anxiously awaited that tiny cry.  It had to be one of the most exciting days of my entire life.  I truly fell in love that day and have never had a single day that I have not thought of this sweet child who has brought me such joy.  I thought that I could never love like this again but realize that with each and every one of my special children comes new joy.  Until you become a grandma you never know this kind of love that overwhelms you.  Your days become so much better because just a thought of the grandkids brings a smile.

Now while little Emma turns 10 (actually one of my favorite ages)  I am looking forward to having some time with her this summer.  She has already told me that she wants to bring a friend to the beach.  They grow up too fast.

Life certainly can throw us some curves.  I retired on January 31.  Plans in the works for years was to play golf and travel.  I did not anticipate that Scott would be terminally ill and that my life would center around being a caretaker.  I am not complaining...it is what it is.   When you get married it is for better or worse and in sickness and health.  I don't think we really think it about it that much on that exciting day but realize as time and years pass that those words take on a new meaning.

The time to think which I am not sure I had much of in recent years has given me pause to think about what is next after this transition.  I call it transition because it will also be a stage of my life not a permanent part of my life.

I also realize that I need to do something constructive.  Some of my immediate plans need to be put on hold and while I really want to coach, mentor and help other leaders across the country my travel is limited so rethinking what I can do to help without travel.

Watch for more blogging and other things coming down the pipe.  Need to be creative!

Transitions

One more week of full time employment with CISNC. On Feb 1, I move to part time consultant and will start my own independent consulting firm. I will be offering primarily coaching and advising to non profit and education leaders, public speaking and some advocacy work. I hope that I can do a little teaching along the way too.

I am excited about my new venture. I will remain as a Senior Advisor to the CISNC team to ensure a smooth transition and help our outstanding new director get firmly established. It has always been said that one should leave when you are at the top...certainly I feel that I have reached the top of the mountain. This past year has been a bit challenging with Scott's medical issues but we have the best outcome report we ever had, raised the most money and have and incredible staff in place to help Eric take CIS to the next level.

No more guns

As the nation continues to grieve the loss of young lives we as a nation need to commit to make the needed changes to our gun laws that prevent future incidents.  Gun control is not elimination of guns but rather being more thoughtful and strategic about what kind of guns are allowed to be bought and sold and who can buy them.  

There is absolutely no reason for any assault weapons to be allowed in the hands of the average citizen.  NO REASON!   For those that feel the need to carry a concealed weapon upon proper registration, background checks and a three day waiting period then go for it.   Not sure why anyone would need a concealed weapon but that is personal.

As a history major it is very clear to me that the amendment was never written to allow the citizens to have assault weapons that would allow random acts of violence to be perpetrated among our citizens. The amendment was passed to keep a foreign power from seizing property of landowners and to protect the people from foreign invasion.


Enough is enough!!!!

Is it time????

It has been forever since I blogged...I actually forget about it....but summer is here and the living is easy.....love the summer. Cool winds, white sandy beach, time to read and relax, play on my computer and enjoy the good life. Really thinking seriously about retiring and spending more time just having fun...no stress...enjoy the grandkids and love just being free to do what I want. I love my work or I should say our mission but think age is catching up. I know I will miss the hectic life but also think it will be great to lay back some...wish I coud take a few years off and try it and then go back if I am bored but life does not work that way.

Oh well...more time to think...no instant decisions....a process of thinking future forward

Just found out today that my baby boy got engaged...now understand that he is 31 but in my heart it just seems like yesterday he was in to skateboards, baseball and junior golf. He was such a fun kid. He had such a great personality and his smile would melt the heart of even the most hardened teacher (which he often had to use) He was not into school but loved to learn. His middle name as a little boy was 'WHY?" You could answer and then he would ask why then another why. He graduated from high school (not sure he ever finished a book) but did quite well and played golf so well he won a golf scholarship to Va Tech. After a couple of years felt it was too cold and he really wanted to go to Carolina (much to my dismay since I was teaching at NC State) but it was the right decision for him and while I think he majored in golf, he did manage to get a degree in Economics. He move to Charleston, then Charlotte and now lives in New York. I had hoped he would come home before he met that special someone but God had other plans and has blessed him with a beautiful young lady who I believe really is his soul-mate. Call it Mom's intuition or instinct but I knew when I met her she was the one...he had described the kind of girl he wanted and Ginni certainly was the picture.

I am so proud of him....not sad that I will be giving him away to another woman but know that with Ginni I will always have my son. A mothers love just grows and embraces all those who love her children. I love my son-in-law like my own so know that Ginni will be another daughter.

Loss if a Leader

There have been so many beautiful tributes to Senator Kennedy that one more would seem trite but when you have spent your adult life watching the Kennedy family it feels very personal when one of them passes away. Teddy use to be my least favorite of all. I really, really liked John and when he won the election (I was in the 7th grade) I remember deciding that I wanted to be in politics. I choose not to do so but did stay in public service arena giving my entire professional career to heping those less fortunate. After 40 years of doing this work I am still inspired by the messages of all of the Kennedy clan. Yes they were blessed with money but they could have easily done what a lot of peole do that have money...spend it on themselves and forget that the world is not all like them. The Kennedy's used their power and influence to help us all remember that those who are less fortunate need our help. As they rejouice in heaven, let us pray their legacy lives on.

Old and young

Emma, my first grandchild called last night ..twice! The first time was to tell me she was going to lose her first tooth and the second time to call to tell me she lost it! She was so excited! Seems funny since my husband (who just turned 61) was almost in tears when he told me had lost another tooth! Funny how things change over time! When you are little you can't wait to get old and lose your teeth when you are old all you can talk about is how you wish you were younger and your teeth did not fall out.

The sands of time. Notice how they seem to drop faster the older you get?

We had an awesome Education Ball...it was the best ever. We had a complete sell out thanks to so many people who helped to sell tickets and get folks involved...we already have folks volunteering for next year to dance!! The sponsors were very happy ....a grest thing to have and they all said they were coming back next year! Watch our website for lots of new footage and picture next week. Amazing week!!!

The deaths of several famous people this week serves to remind us that fame and fortune do not guarantee you will really live to see or enjoy it. Certainly the life of Michael Jackson as gifted as he is was a mixture of both triumph and happy days and huge depths of despair. Whether Michael was guilty or unjustly accused we will never know. His judgement on that awaits him as he leaves this earthly place but that he gave his gift of music to the world is indisputable. I am glad there was a Michael Jackson because at least for his brief time he made the world sing and dance. He made people from all cultures sing the same language at least for a brief period of time. He made people near and far celebrate in the common language of talent. Thank you Michael.

Farrah Fawcett also gave us a beautiful and gifted smile and made us laugh and cry at her talent. She stood in the face of death and defied its toll on her life. She also had dignity in her final days and tried to share her pain so that others would know they are not alone in the battle to fight one of the most devasting diseases of our time. Fawah with her golden smile, lovely locks and sweet disposition taught us that beauty can be inside and out.

Good bye to two great talents who have left us a better place for having them grace us.

Long, hot day coming to an end. One more day in Memphis before heading home to the beach and then to Raleigh.

This is way too cool! I like putting this in one time and then I don't have to go to all of my contacts!

I know I have been really slack about writing but been so busy trying to raise money for CIS that I have lost track of time.  I think I see some light!!   We are continuing to get good corporate support in spite of the recession and quite honestly I am pleased with a possible 10% cut in the state budget (we got cut 20% two years ago) so all in all could be worse.

The good news is that our programs are working.  We graduated 44 students this week from our PLC in Fayetteville and 64 in Charlotte.  What a great week..more news to come!!  

I have not written in awhile..not because I did not have some thoughts but because things just have been kinda crazy.  We are waiting to find out if all the hard work we have put in for the last twenty years is gong to go backwards because of all the budget cuts.  Very discouraging to see how much money we are going to lose at both the state and local level which will affect the kids we serve but also threatens jobs of folks who have dedicated their lives to help those less fortunate.  CIS has made huge progress serving over 160,000 kids last year.  It would be very discouraging if things were not improving but the sad fact is we had one of our best years ever. Just in Charlotte alone we will graduate 392 students who overwise may not have graduated.  Regardless of the outcomes for this year we have to hold on to the good things and all the kids we have helped over the years!

Keep your fingers crossed that not too many kids will lose services.

The Magic of Disney

It was really hard to leave the beautiful WARM and sunny weather of Florida to come back but at least by the time I got to Myrtle Beach most of the yuck had gone.  I needed a rainy day to recover and rest anyway so worked out fine.  The week at Disney was indeed magical. Seeing Disney through the eyes of a children is the best part.  I went to Disney with Lori and Paul, Emma who turned 6 while at Disney, Lily 4 1/2, Julia 2 and Jacob 5 months. Erin, Lori's BFF came with us too and she is so cool.  We arrived on Sunday and after having our bags delivered to our room (we never touched them once we took off from the airport, we went straight to the Magic Kingdom.  We stayed in Ft Wilderness in a cute little cabin with a bedroom, kitchen, bath and living area with Murphy bed (the kids thought that was really cool)  To get to the Magic Kingdom we took the boat from the settlement which was really cool too...had a nice beach and that is where we went to the Hoop Dee Doo show and a great country dinner.  They have a campfire each night too roast smores and sing campfire songs!  We spent a day in Epcot and got to go see the World.  They had to go Japan because they thought Karen would be there and Lily kept asking when Karen was coming. So we had to have lunch there in case she came to town!!

We spent one day at Animal Kingdom which was a hoot.   Emma, Paul, Lily and I rode the rafting ride and that was a real challenge because Emma and I got soaked to the bone and it was the first thing we did!  Advice...go river rafting last or at least when it is hot!!    We also spent went back to Magic Kingdom again and spent Emma's birthday.  She was treated to a special treat...she got her hair done and had lunch in the castle with the princesses.  She had a ball!!

The weather was GREAT.  Suggestion if you go to Disney stay in the park, do the dining plan which gives you two snacks a day, lunch and a really nice dinner, provides all the transportation and they treat you royally...worth the money. We were lucky as we got a great deal ...good time to go is March or September and the weather was perfect.

I am so lucky to have a daughter and son-in-law who wanted me to come with them!!!  I got to sleep with Julia and Emma each night so that was actually fun for me.  I am so GLAD that I went on the trip because it was such a special time with my grand kids.   I almost did not go because of work but so glad I decided to put family first...they will be grown and gone before we know it and I would not have wanted to miss this trip.  I have great pictures and many happy memories of this trip.

So excited about going to Disney World with the grand kids.  I have not taken a week and gone away on vacation in years so very excited.   I took Lori to Disney when she was 6 so will be fun to be with her daughter when she turns 6.   As luck would have it the legislature is going to introduce our bill on Tuesday and I really need to be there....thought for a quick 2 seconds that maybe I should be there but then my grandma kicked in and I figure life will go without me.  Emma is so excited.  I think I get to sleep with Julia (the two year old) but doubt that is going to go over with Emma and Lily so figure all four of us will probably be sleeping together.  I think I am glad that with all the bad news on the economy that I can escape for a few days and just chill.  The world of children who are innocent of all of the bad stuff is a great place to be for a few days.  They will certainly make you forget the gloom and doom and once again you can see the world through the eyes of magic.  If you can't be a child again at Disney then we really have lost it...so to the world of Mickey Mouse...here I come!!!

Snow reminds me of my childhood

Finally...it snowed and I got to see it!  Seems like every time it snows in Raleigh I am somewhere else and it is not snowing!  I was in Denver last week and saw a few snowflakes.  I have tried to figure out why I like snow so much.  I think it is because growing up in Virginia where it snowed alot (or at least it seemed to) we use to have so much fun.  Becasue we lived way out the in the country you really could not go anywhere when it snowed not to mention I lived on a road called Snakepath (honestly).  Ginger and I and all of my cousins who lived around us would take our slids and pans and anything else we could use and play until we were frozen.  It seemed to always snow in the night and so we would wake up to a winter wonderfland.  We had tons of trees and they were always so beautifully covered with snow.   I also remember when my Mom died we were sitting by the big picture window which she loved to sit and look out at the snow or flowers in the spring and it started to snow unexpectedly.  I remember we all said that is Mama sending us a message that she is okay.  Interesting, when my Dad died several years later it starting snowing at the burial service.  It was if he was also sending a message.   When it snows I always think that my Mom and Dad are sending me a message....all is okay and we are waiting on you.

STIMULUS and more spending

Okay now the debate is raging.   Spend or not spend?  Invest in the present or invest in the future? Each day it seems that the only news we are getting is bad news or going the economy going from bad to worst.   SO what do we do.   I think the media has scared even those of us who could spend to hole up and buckle down.   This could be a very mixed message.  If those of us who can help propel the economy quit spending then who will fuel the economy back to life.

I guess all of us are asking what happened and how did it happen so fast?  We were assured that if we saved money, invested in retirement and did not outlive our wages that we would have a comfortable and secure life. But what happened?  Did the sins of few bring down the house?  It sure seems that way.  While there was no doubt greed and as my Daddy use to say far too many people trying to live like kings on a beer budget, what happened to those of us who did not live that way. Well it looks like many of "us" are going down the tubes along with the greedy, and personally irreponsible.  I know good hard working people who have lost their jobs because of this mess and then I know those who were living far beyond their means who are now in trouble...but how do we help the deserving and hold the irresponsible accountable?  I don't think we can so therefore we will bail everyone out...the good, the bad and the ugly.  Those of  us who are staying above water will pay as well or at least our grandkids will pay.

Maybe we have all lived in fantasy land for too long and this is a wake  up call for all of us but what a shock.  As I watch my 403 (B) turn in to a 203 (B) I just pray that I can retire by the time I am 75!!  Not my plan but Lord give me my health so I can work forever!  Good thing I love what I do!

From the Colorado Mountains

I am sitting here in Denver, Colorado listening to sessions about alternative schools. Very interesting group of folks who have worked hard to open new models that work for kids who are not making it in regular school.  The models while different in some ways all have the heart and soul of what is good for kids.  It is fun to hear people talk who REALLY care about the kids that others often write off.  My long time friend and colleague, Arlene, is with me so gives us time to debrief and think about different models that work for kids.  All of these are part of national network funded by the Gates Foundation to bring like minded folks together to change the face of education.  We do have some common elements about what is good for kids but the excitement of sharing what really works and what are the most common challenges transcends all of the models.  The burning question is how to do we go to scale so that more children can experience success.    How do we change the school cultur and get the kids to buy in to education?   How do we engage the unengaged?   How do we get the policy makers to embrace and support innovative and creative designs.   How do we get corporate America to embrace change and support change.  I can't help but think if business had created the same products for the last 100 years without changing that the economy would have been in a recession long before now.   We need a New School Stimulus bill that rewards entrepneurship based on results!   What a concept!