1. It’s only a week and a day until The Eighth Day releases, and some book stores have already received their stock and put the books out on the shelves. If you see one, send me a picture by Tweet or FB! If you actually buy one and want the temporary tattoos that go with it, I’ll be happy to mail you a set!
2. I received my author copies, which is always a thrill. In this case, they were a bright spot in an otherwise stressful week.
3. I experienced several “LASTS” in my teaching career last week: The last time I will do parent-teacher conferences on the teacher side of the table. The last time I ever have to administer the state standardized tests.
4. I hated the tests more than ever this year. I really need to wait until I am officially retired before I start venting. I don’t want anything I say to be linked to my current students. But on behalf of all my colleagues who will still be in the trenches next year, I need to state LOUDLY AND CLEARLY why test scores are NOT a measure of teacher effectiveness.
5. I’m almost ready to send my manuscript of Book 3 to my editor for her first look. Last week, I read the manuscript on my Kindle, took notes, and made changes in the document. I need to let it rest a couple days — read somebody else’s books, kind of like cleansing the palate — and then repeat that process one more time. Then it will be time to send it to the person who will help me take it to the next level.
6. I am not entirely thrilled with my Kindle Paperwhite. I needed a new Kindle, because my 2nd generation model was dying, and I thought the Paperwhite was going to be a good choice. But although the visual look of the page is superior to my old model, I’m not crazy about the way the home screen is organized. The highlighting function is awkward. (A dictionary screen keeps popping up instead of the highlighting function.) The method for viewing your notes — and deleting them when you’re through with them — is also very clunky.
7. The weather is finally pleasant in Pennsylvania. The crocuses have come and gone, the daffodils are in full bloom, tulips and hyacinths are not far behind.I enjoyed my first bike ride of the season this past weekend.
8. Gabbey got invited to both the Junior and Senior prom. When I mentioned she was going to need two dresses, Gina suggested we get her a reversible dress. The husband Googled “reversible prom dress”, and would you believe he not only found one, Gabbey fell in love with it and my husband managed to buy it on clearance! You can see pics HERE and HERE.
9. This is the week formerly known as Spring Break, but I will be teaching until Wednesday. We had our “spring break” back in February when the ice storm closed school for several days. (Lucky for me, I actually got my first draft written on those days.)
10. After I turn in Book 3 — and given time for a Brain Break — I am going to play with my Shiny New Idea. Step 1 is learning a little more about string theory. (I do worry it’s too hard for me to understand, if even Dr. Sheldon Cooper recently gave up on it!!)
So excited for The Eighth Day to release. It must be so weird thinking of retiring. As I look to a new career later this year, I have some of those moments coming up too like my last court hearings. Exciting but weird.
WOOT! for those school lasts. Can’t believe you’re at this point, but so excited for you! And I say your author copies online. They are so purdy…. 🙂
A reversible dress is genius! Love it!
Sounds like a full week! That’s too bad about the PaperWhite – I was thinking of upgrading…
Congrats on completing that third book. You are so close now. I am not sure what to say about the end of your teaching career. I am sure it is bittersweet. Possibly more bitter as TPTB make it harder for teachers to teach effectively.
I clicked on the pics of the dress because I’d never heard of a reversible dress. Wow. That is amazing. They both are gorgeous. What a great idea!!!!
Love the idea of a reversible prom dress!
Yay for no more state testing! We’re living in a data-driven society that doesn’t take into account actual people. Drives me nuts too!
I love the dress!
I didn’t even know reversible dresses existed. Although it would make sense given there are reversible jackets and coats. And I love the pics. The dress, both ways, looks fab!
Can I just say that as a parent I am not a fan of standardized tests as well. Nuff said on that topic.
Getting giddy for your release *squee!*
What a round-up~ you’re a busy lady! That dress is so cool~ we could’ve used something like that for my stepdaughter a couple of years ago 🙂 So excited for you as you approach release day!
Spring is finally here! Isn’t it nice?
Your daughter is so lucky! Two dresses in one! They’re both very pretty.
I’m looking forward to your rants on standardized tests. 😉 In the meantime, so excited for your release tomorrow! Also, thanks for your thoughts on blogging over at my blog. I really appreciate the conversation. 😀
What will they think of next? Though that’s pretty awesome! I hope she has a great time at both. And wow, a week and a day – how time flies!
Exciting things are afoot! I can tell you from the parent side I am entirely displeased with the public schooling around here, and the standardized testing is only part of the reason.
Daffodils and crocuses! We had about 2-1/2 inches of day lily poking up…and it snowed last night! 🙁 Mostly melted now, but still…
Love the reversible dress.
Hi Dianne – lots of lasts happening .. yet lots of firsts ahead of you – exciting times. You sure have a lot going on – and I hope that brain can get a brief switch off!
Spring is glorious isn’t it – and that’s great you were out on the bike ..
Reversible dresses – I’m going to take a look now .. cheers and enjoy the lasts!! Then Eighth day will be rarin’ to go .. cheers Hilary
Your daughter looks beautiful in that dress. Sounds like you have some exciting stuff on your plate. I am so excited about your upcoming book release. I will look for it if I go to a bookstore in the near future.
As a former educator, I agree with your opinion about those test scores. Teachers get blamed for far too many things. I’m on the verge of a rant, so I’m going to stop while I’m still ahead!