While I was away from the blog, I would still get notifications from Facebook saying some number of people had liked a post or from WordPress saying someone had signed up to receive emailed posts. It got to feeling that MORE people were reading than when I was here writing! It was like people looked around and said, “Hey, where’d she go???”
I’m here and I’ve missed you! Having a limited amount of time and energy really sets the agenda sometimes and forced me to make some hard choices. I still don’t know if I made the right ones, but it’s done and everyone is fine.
The book fair was great. We sold thousands of books and gave books to kids who couldn’t afford to buy one. I brought in a children’s author and illustrator and put on 2 assemblies. We had teachers volunteer to come to evening story times. We gave 300 books to classroom libraries. We raised enough money to buy hundreds of books for the library and even some much-needed technology for the school. I decided before the craziness even began that whatever results we had, it will be a success because we are getting books into kids’ hands, celebrating reading, and bringing a team of caring people together. I have absolutely no idea how we’ll ever “beat” these results next year, but I don’t know that we have to.
Our backyard construction is moving right along. There have been people in our back yard almost every day, banging away and making a mess. Here’s what I am looking at today…
The garage is framed and the roof is on. We actually got a new roof on the entire house because of a hail storm last January. Next comes electric, plumbing, and bricks.
Mr. B and I celebrated 15 years of marriage. We haven’t really gotten to spend much time together lately with his nonstop travel and my projects, but we finally escaped to reconnect. Sweet Girl turns 8 this week and is a lot more grown-up than before.
On the whole, things are really, really good. I appreciate my friends and family, the house and the sunshine I am sitting in now as I reflect and write. Yes, I’m tired and feel a little slow-going today. But I recognize the luxuries we have and am incredibly grateful for them all.
I’d love to hear about how you have been. In the coming weeks, I will be visiting your blogs, returning your calls, reaching out to see what’s new. I don’t think I’m sending out holiday cards this year, but that may change too. 🙂 Tell me what’s been going on with you…
Leave a Reply