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This is a continuation of my journal from my 2001-2002 school year.  Please read the previous posts to give this entry context.  

May 7, 2012

I spoke to Women of Mystery, a local reading group with a mystery theme.  They’d chosen to read my book One Tough Cookie.  There were about thirty very articulate, intelligent women at the gathering, including fellow murder mystery author Denise Osborne.  We’d met years ago, but then had fallen out of touch.

The presentation was great fun, but as usual, I was nervous beforehand, and then completely pumped up afterward, so I didn’t sleep much. 

May 8 - Day of the Teacher 

Our principal announced over the speakers that it was Day of the Teacher and he encouraged students to be appreciative of their teachers.  Some of my students did come in and say thank you.  It was sweet.

We also had a full color certificate in our boxes from the district office.  It said: “Teacher . . . The most significant something a someone can be.”  You’d think they could come up with a wittier quotation.

Since we’re cutting teachers next year, a person wonders about the expense of printing and delivering all these certificates, which will indubitably be in the garbage can by the end of the day. 

We’d also just learned that our district superintendent was leaving for greener pastures.  He will receive $60,000 more at his new job.  His raise equals the top salary for a teacher in our district.

So these certificates are rather bitter wafers. 

May 9 - My Birthday

I had a great birthday.  Although my husband had already given me my gifts, he’d saved his romantic card for my actual birthday.  One colleague brought me chocolates and a card, and another gave me a funny card with a line of old women in a steam room.  Inside it said, “We’re not getting older.  We’re getting hotter.”  Jonah gave me a card with some old-fashioned, long board surfers on the front.  Inside he wrote, “Vinnie, Thanks for helping me CATCH THE WAVE, of education and teaching.” 

I’d told my students it was going to be my birthday and Evelia and a girl from fourth period escaped from their first period PE class and ran up to my room, each with a garden rose.  Another girl brought me a calla lily.  Third and fourth periods both sang happy birthday to me. 

I received a card from one of my sisters and an e-mail from my mom and one of my brothers.  In the evening Danny and I went out for dinner.

After that, Roxanne came over.  She and I had been discussing whether there’s any cure for cellulite during our walk.  She brought me a card with a baby on the front with bubbles pointing at her body parts saying, “SAGGY CHEST,” “FLESHY ARMS,” “FLABBY TUSH,” and “PUDGY THIGHS.”  Inside the card said, “See . . . We’re still a couple of babes after all!”  Roxanne also brought me truffles and a very cool sleeveless, black and white blouse. 

It was a great birthday.  I felt spoiled.

The night before our temporary principal was confirmed as our principal for next year.  I’m happy about that, too.  He brings an element of humanity to his leadership.  He isn’t going anywhere except to retirement.  He takes his position seriously and still remembers what it felt like to be in the classroom. 

May 10^th

I took a day off school and went to bikram hot yoga to purify myself.  Then I walked with Danny and puttered around the house.  My brother Frank’s card arrived, a special “For my sister” card.  Tomorrow’s my murder mystery party.  And the day after that, two other friends are making me dinner for my birthday.  I like this celebrating for four days!