They Like Me, They Really Like Me

On Thursday, a few of us met with our principal and found out that we might not be rehired next year. A job that I was qualified for and would have allowed me to stay at my school was given to someone less qualified. There were other factors that were involved in the story but I will spare you, dear reader. I was quite upset and found it difficult to focus the rest of the day. I vented with a few of my colleagues. Without my knowing, they wrote a letter that a bunch of them were going to sign and present to the principal. I found out about it and asked that they not do it. I didn't want a confrontation with the administrator because I will need her as a reference and might need a job from her in the future. I tracked down the letter and the author gave a copy to me. I was so moved and touched by it...beyond words. I share it, not to be self-aggrandizing, but as a reminder to myself of my talents and abilities. I am sure I will need a shot of self-confidence if I have to look for employment elsewhere. I also share it for my posterity so they will realize how super awesome their great-great-great grandmother was. (LOL) The letter follows...


As teachers of Eustis Elementary School, we are all very much aware of how difficult it is to plan for a new school year and how the additional complications this year make it so much more stressful and difficult for you as an administrator. However, we are requesting that you reconsider your decision to not rehire Debbie Clayton for the 2009-2010 school year. Not only is Debbie an excellent teacher with an uncanny knack for recognizing a student's true strengths and weaknesses and finding solutions for the many challenges they both face and produce, but she consistently goes above and beyond what anyone could ever expect of her to assist her colleagues in every way possible. She always does so with grace, a positive outlook, an even an occasional joke, which definitely goes a long way towards alleviating the normal tension in the workplace. When a student or a fellow teacher is faced with a problem, Debbie is always the FIRST person to step forward to offer a helping hand.



More importantly, Debbie possesses an additionall talent the EES will sorely miss next year. Debbie has technological expertise that far exceeds what most of us possess. since we will be losing the services of Carolyn Twaddle next year, we are going to need someone on staff who not only has the ability to assist with technological challenges, but who has that special gift of always wanting to help when someone else is struggling. That is the kind of personality that we need on staff at any time, but especially now aw we are forced to do without the support we have grown so accustomed to.



We are hoping that you will be willing to rethink your plans for next year and consider all of Debbie's talents and the needs of EES as you reconsider and allow all of us to benefit once again from having Debbie as part of the EES faculty.

Do it Now!

Madison wants to make sure you know that she has posted new blogs. Please read them and make comments. It completes her. She is homesick and needs to hear from you. :(

Best Mother's Day Ever!

Lew made an egg and cheese omelette for me for breakfast. Then he orchestrated the kids doing other chores. I got my mother's day cards on the way to church, one from the kids and one from Lew. At church I was blessed enough to get to sing with the Young Women. We sang "As Sisters in Zion". Then...

Parker did the dishes for me. I arrived home to this lovely clean sink. He also tried to get some beek jerky for me, but his plans were foiled.

Jensen made this life size card for me on the driveway.

Madison called first thing this morning and then sent me an orange mocha frappucino which always makes my day.

Three generations. Pat, Jensen, Debbie

Then we cooked dinner for my mother. It was a wonderful day.

A Few Hours at the Spa

Two years ago, for Mother's Day, my kids and Lew had given me a gift certificate for a facial and a massage. I had told them before that all I ever wanted for my birthday, Mother's Day and Christmas was a gift certificate for a massage. (I don't really like material possessions as you all know, I'm a minimalist.)I figured that would give me a massage three times a year.

I put the gift certificate in my drawer and I was going to save it for a day when I wasn't stressed and when I had nothing else to do. When you get a massage they tell you to go home an take an epsom salt bath and then relax, yeah right. Guess what I figured out? There is never a time when I am not stressed! Today I figured that I had nothing else to do so I was going to get my massage. I had things to do but they were on my "it would be nice to do" list not my "had to do list".

My gift certificate was actually expired but I called and they said they would honor it. Woo Hoo! Off I went to get my massage. My favorite place to go, actually the only place I've been is here. A massage to me is like going to the beach. I have to think about it and rationalize it then pick the perfect day and clear my schedule and then when I get there it is so wonderful I ask myself, "Why didn't I do this sooner?" Then I promise, "I'm going to do this more often".

This time the gift certificate for a facial AND a massage. I have never, ever had a facial before. What a treat. When the lady was giving me the massage she said, "I'm going to use this new essential oil I got at the last conference. It smells like lemon and tiki. Is that ok?" I was thinking, "Honey I don't care if you use motor oil and vinegar as long as you keep kneading the sore spots." But, I didn't say that I just grunted a quiet, "Sure".

Ladies, if you have never had a massage before, GET ONE! They are wonderful. The first time is awkward if you are a never nude. You get over it real quick.