This Blog and Me...

It's summertime - my time of the year where all else quiets down and I can really think about the things that are important to me. I've been so enjoying alone time with my dog, FUN time with my nieces and nephews, and time with my family and friends (many breakfasts and lunches to visit). Honestly, is it me, or does this summer seem to be flying by unusually quickly?

It's been a rainy week here and I've been able to settle for a bit and do some reflecting. I have been thinking about this blog....and how I haven't posted in quite some time - but have a bunch of ideas, materials and tools I want to share with all of you. Yet, I feel like I say this every summer and then the school year starts and all else gets in the way! I've been thinking about this past year and how time was fleeting and life took over. I've been thinking about completing my application for RAMP before this summer is up. I've been thinking about my time over the past two years as president of our local school counselor organization, time spent on numerous district committees, and time advocating for the role of the school counselor. I've been thinking about my goals and ideas for the year to come. I've been thinking about how excited I am to have a new working window in my office and how I raised the legs on my computer desk so my long legs can now fit underneath. The things I get excited about in an urban district...pathetic really! I've also been thinking about how I hope to conquer the school/work AND life/health balance this year...I MUST. I WILL.

The Blog

This blog has been such a wonderful tool to build professional connections - collegiality and friendships. I've felt so blessed to have been able to share my thoughts, experience, and ideas with all of you. It has given me a greater sense of purpose...my reach and impact has grown beyond my school walls. Over the past five years, there has been such a wonderful growth for our field in the number of quality bloggers, Facebook pages, Twitter participants and materials on sites like Tpt. I've been so inspired by all I continue to read, all with whom I "chat" with and communicate with. The ideas....geez....they blow me away! I'm also so thrilled to hear of the excitement of new folks just starting in our field and the graduate students I teach each summer as they head out to their internships.

Nonetheless, I find that this blog and my blog's Facebook page suffers when things get busy and as I attempt to balance work and home life. That said, I'm not ready to give it up ...so, I will be easy on myself and post when I can and when I'm moved to do so. I think part of me wants to be sure I'm posting QUALITY ideas and materials - I've been around the block long enough to know that not all that I come up with is quality....it serves a purpose, sometimes it's a quick answer to a need...but doesn't meet MY usual standards. And if it doesn't....it will not be shared with all of you. Hopefully all of you will hang in there with me and continue to read along when it's time for me to share with all of you.

In the meantime, there are a few weeks left of summer and there is much to be done! Stay tuned....