"Helen, You are the winner of the Amazing Race"

I believe that I have earlier blogged about my love for the Emmy Award winning Reality Game Show, "The Amazing Race". It's a great show- and I'd like to go on it (but mostly I like to joke about going on it.)

I have left on what is for me the closest thing to an "Amazing Race". I got out of school on Monday afternoon, which is kind of a race in itself. For the first time in nine years, I FINALLY left my classroom behind on the day we got out. Lots of other people are able to do it. In fact, most people besides me are able to do it! This year I had a great motivator....my Amazing Race.

I flew Tuesday morning here to Charlotte, NC to see my beloved Stacey and her beloved new nugget Cameron. It's so nice to be with old friends, and just have the fun of being together. Stacey is finishing an Amazing Race herself- her three months of being a SAHM. She heads back to work next Monday, which is partly why I raced down here to be able to see her. It's amazing to watch all the goes into the care of a little person; but it's even more amazing to see the joy that she brings!

Tomorrow, I head to Durham. I will be renting a car and heading to see my college roommate, Kathleen and her husbad Dewayne.

Saturday will see me flying to Harrisburg, PA to catch up with the clan McGinnity who will give me a ride back to MA on Monday. In the spirit of the race, JoEllen hopes to leave me a red and yellow clue box at the airport and make me find my own way to Hershey Park. Or perhaps hire and Amish gentleman to pick me up in a horse and buggy and make me turn butter to earn my next clue....:)

I've really been wanting to get back to consistent blogging. (Stacey even kicked me off her sidebar till I do- tough love!) I had thought about bringing my laptop and at least composing when I had some time. It's worked out well that the homes I will be staying at are well equipped with computers. There might be a couple posts here and there this week.

I'm not the most spontaneous person. This trip was certainly planned, but no one thought I would follow through with it. But, I did it. I'm really glad that I did. Here's to a summer of fun!

You have a blessed day!

I have arrived in the south. I haven't spent too much time down here- all but a brief visit to South Carolina two years ago and to Texas more than ten years ago. It's an interesting place....

I dragged myself out of bed this morning to head for the airport. Josie was extremely kind to let me leave my new blue machine at Overlook Road and transport me to Logan.

I got to Charlotte around noon today and Stacey was waiting for me as I descended the escalator, all that was missing was the sign with my name on it! I got a little bit of a sense of the suburban area; many strip malls, all you could need. It's HOT down here- since New England has become the new Seattle....

After hitting Target and Kohl's, I asked Stacey if people down here would say, "have a blessed day". She told me, "no, not really". Guess what the lovely lady told me at Target....

School's Out for Summer.....

Well, friends I've done it! I'm done with another school year! I can't believe that next school year I will have been teaching 10 years! Since I teach 10 year olds, a whole generation has basically past! I wonder how many years till I'm not a "fun" teacher anymore?

I am leaving in the AM on the first leg of my very own, "Amazing Race". I will be heading to Charlotte to see the lovely Stacey, and I'm sure the even lovelier Cameron. (oh, and Jeremy and Charlie, too.)

I had high hopes of doing a lot of composing and posting from the road, since I've had lots of blog ideas and no time to execute. I am currently in the midst of the packing, and I'm not sure the laptop will make the cut. Stay tuned....

Hey Helen, where have you been?

Well, it's the end of school. I'm trying to keep my head above water. In case you are really interested, come on over to the Encounters and Exchanges in US History blog, where you can see my post about the great project that my kids have been working on- fun pictures.

Gretchen- I think the historian in you will enjoy this.

Be back soon with some new topics- NEW car, Summer Fun ideas, maybe some more Bachelorette discussion