Looking Back and Forging Ahead

All changes are more or less tinged with melancholy, for what we are leaving behind is part of ourselves. ~Amelia Barr

It's been a emotional couple of weeks for me...my career as a teacher is a bout to come to a close.  I have been with my school for 13 1/2 years, it wasn't an easy decision. I love my job, I am the "funmaker" on campus - the Activities Coordinator.

I have had the pleasure of working with some of education's most talented people and the privilege of being apart of the best kids on planet's lives.  My kiddos have never called me Mrs. Crocker, I started out as Miss DeAnna, then it went to just "DeAnna" and then my name became Momma Dee (that one makes me cry).  They were my kiddos, they all have a place in my heart and each year as I was planning their graduation ceremony, I wanted it to be special for them, so that they would remember that they met life's first big hurdle - the passage from child to young adult  - with with dignity and grace.

I did my best to take care and educate of the kiddos who stepped into my classroom or sat at my desk...I feel like I am leaving a legacy of caring and enthusiasm. The kiddos come and go every year - some I saw through all 6 years at Excelsior, others I only had the privilege of being in their lives for a few, others have remained in touch and are truly dear and close to my heart. I am used to the kiddos leaving their mark and the process of bonding with new ones and the process repeats.  It's difficult.

But as I think about my colleagues...it is then I began to wonder, "did I make the right choice?"  I am having a hard time thinking about not seeing the friends that I have made in this 13 year journey everyday, I am having a hard time letting go of people that I probably have spent more time with in the last thirteen years than I have with my own family.

  

Then it hits me, that is why I made the choice...I have been gone too much for too long and I needed to change that.  PC has been the most supportive in my decision because he wants me around for much longer.  After my collapse in 2008, he fretted over me keeping the long hours and planning and doing the big (go big or go home is my motto) events I do with the kiddos. 

 He fretted I would be *gone* if I didn't give something up.  So I expressed all of this to some of my dearest friends and colleagues and they all supported my decision and are happy for me.

 However they are also sad, like me, that I am leaving their everyday lives. I'm not leaving the work force completely (I would go crazy).  I'm going to school to be a Nurse...a long lost dream that PC is encouraging me to fulfill.  Will it be easier than what I do now... I don't know if easier is the word but it will be different. 

 Friday night my "Sisters" threw me a surprise going away party with all the people that I will miss more than I can express, it was a beautiful evening filled with laughter and tears, as I am sure the next few days will be...but I am not *gone* I can still pop in for lunch or we can go have cocktails and of course, all the ladies are already planning their cookies for our Annual Exchange. The photos in this post are from the surprise party, in case you are wondering.

 I will miss them all deeply. Thanks for reading, time for some therapeutic puttering.  Tata for now!

Show and Tell Friday - My Surprise Party (Prince Charming Planned it All)!

So, remember back in May, I celebrated a bit of a Milestone...the BIG 40.  My PC was so worried about me not taking this day well that he wanted to do something special for me. He knew keeping the whole thing a secret was not plausible because I am too nosy and sneaky and I usually figure out things.  So, I knew I was having a party, but I didn't really know much more than that and I was pretty proud of myself because I was overly trying to figure the whole thing out...I was willing to let myself be surprised and I am so glad I did (The man has a future in party planning).

First there were the decorations...he was worried he didn't have enough balloons. Silly Man. Isn't it pretty!?

However he could not let me forget that I was turning 40..I might be having senior moments already.

He really went all out.

Down to the party favors...he looked all over the desert for tiny wine glasses to put mints in and give to the guests.  Don't you just want to take him home? Sorry ladies, he's mine.

As if all of that is not enough, LOOK AT THIS CAKE!  He  told the designer at The Cake Shop (how did he even know there was such a place), ""She scrapbooks, loves wine and old things, like antiques." She told him to go home and pick out some of his favorite photos and this is what she did.

He chose not to put Happy 40th - because it was everywhere else. He truly did make me feel celebrated!

Look at the details!

Just Gorgeous!

But the bestest surprise was my present (like I needed one after all of this)...he flew my Momma home for three days!  She was there for my birthday!  It was the best ever!  I was truly surprised...never even thought it was possible!  My wish came true before I blew out the candle!

All my kiddos, family and friends sang Happy Birthday...it felt great.

My BFF was there, her hubby, and some more dear friends and family.

I received some precious gifts (this is my dear friend K's mom's necklace - my new favorite!

And of course, some great "gag" gifts.  But at least they are cute - I mean look at that hat!  I will find a place among my ephemera to display such a cutie. And with all of those pictures, not one time did I get a shot with my PC because guess what, he was making sure he was taking pictures because he wanted to make sure I blogged about it. He is the best hubby in the world and I'm so lucky  he picked me! Thanks for looking - TaTa for now!

Linking up with My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday - such a fun day!  I love all the posts but it takes me a couple of days to visit them all, and my poor house does suffer so.

Wine & Cheese Baby Shower

My BFF is going to be a Gramma and I have wanted to throw her a baby shower since her daughter delivered the news..but she wasn't having any of it...until I mentioned that we would just have a few friends, a little food and some Wine..."We can call it a 'Whine' & Cheese party...you get it?" she said "yeah yeah, no" and popped my bubble. Then a few days later she said that her DD wanted to have the shower for both of them..she said "but, NO GAMES...just fun." Yeah! A Party! I love to throw a party! Especially for a friend! So I have been gleaning ideas from blogland and how-to sites for a couple of weeks, with the exception of trying a few recipes to see if they will work here's some of my inspiration sites:

Ky - over at Have your Cake and Eat it too has a great post about her "BFF' wedding shower. I love this whole table; so the grapes, strawberries and those cupcakes are a must.... Rachael has some YummO! Ideas for setting the scene and recipes that I would like to try. She suggests: SET THE SCENE
Maximize a supermarket bouquet by dividing the stems among a few old wine bottles. I think we'll use Daisies because my BFF is just finishing up redecorating her kitchen with a Beachy theme (think "Something's gotta Give")and we all love daisies.
Use cloth napkins—you won't have to keep buying paper, and they help dress up the party. Probably white and a baby blue (it's a boy).
Skip pricey bottled water and serve tap instead: Add ice, orange slices and a rosemary sprig. Love this idea - but I may use lemons and limes! We have a few beautiful pitchers we can use!

Rachael also suggests a crostini - this worked great at the Cookie Exchange and I love the other recipes she suggets also.

Fried Cheese Bundles »Figs with Ricotta and Honey »French Onion Crostini »Goat Cheese Truffles » The folks over at Bellenza have a great guide to Wine & Cheese pairings as well as a few really cute favor ideas. Aren't those bags too cute! I can't wait for the whole thing to come together Better get the list together. TaTa for now!