May Day

It's thundering and lightning here. One set was too close! We got lots of rain for a short time; more to come according to the weather people and their computers.

April was interesting. I signed up with Associated Content and have 5 articles posted! Check it out at http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/774570/diane_e_tatum.html . I also signed on with FaithWriters and Suite 101 yesterday. I'm hoping this will inspire some writing while I'm waiting for Gold Earrings, A Time to Choose, and Paperfolding 101 to sell.

Sounds like the storm is back, so it's time to log off!

Spring has sprung and so have I!

So, I have finished 2 of my Christian historical fiction novels: Gold Earrings and A Time to Choose. No publisher interest yet.

I'm also writing a teacher/education professional book Paperfolding 101: Creating Graphic Organizers from Regular Paper. I'm just starting to market it to the teacher-made publishers.

Today I signed up on Associated Content in hopes of writing something that actually makes money.

See me on Ravelry as dktatum! Knitting has become my favorite hobby. Beading, reading, and cross-stitch are in the back seat.

Fibromyalgia - My daily unknown. Will I feel well or achey? Will I drag around tired and/or depressed? This is a big reason I "retired" from teaching. It's hard to be consistent and available when you don't know what each day will bring. Cymbalta has helped a lot. I'm back on Celebrex, too. Still use Amitriptylin and Gabapentin at night to get a deeper sleep. Still, each day is a question mark. I can plan to do things; I just don't know how I will feel doing them.

Back to School Without Mrs. T

So Tullahoma is back in school without me. It is very strange but also liberating at the same time. I've been working on getting my novel Gold Earrings published. I've sent out 29 submissions to literary agents so far.

Meanwhile I have volunteered at East MS counting money. It was great - free hugs and seeing friends. I miss it, but I'm also feeling so much better than I do at this time of the school year. It was the right thing to do.

Summer Vacation!

So summer has officially begun in Tullahoma with the end of school! As I look into the future, I have high expectations for the summer and beyond. I did "retire" in that I do not intend to teach next year, for sure, and future years ... well... we'll see.



My first big excitement is a 10 day trip to Scotland with hubby Ken. What fun that should be! Next I may be chaperoning and driving luggage for Highland's youth group at Missionfuge, Mobile. And on July 22 when teachers return to school on my 31st anniversary, I won't! Of course I also get my last check on the 25th.



My goals? To write, to finish the novels I've begun and to publish the one that's complete. I hope to do more things with the youth at church. I hope to clean my house and put away the clutter. I hope to see my former students around Tullahoma - WalMart for example. I want to spend more time is devotional with the Lord. I hope to feel better, live healthier, and get better from my fibromyalgia, asthma, high blood pressure, etc. I want to read the books I have stacked around me.

Happy summer!

April musings

So...as I prepare to retire in 5 weeks, I am full of mixed feelings. I really value the relationships with my students. I love teaching Around the World in 80 Days in the spring after TCAPs are completed. I love my classroom and colleagues. BUT...fibromyalgia and asthma are winning the war. I just have nothing left at the end of the school day. My family needs more of me though.

I'm hoping to write, do crafts (knit, scrapbook, sew, bead, etc.), and shop! I seriously need to clean ans de-clutter my house too. I can't wait to be able to read during the day and enjoy it. I can surf the 'Net to my heart's content as well. I can also take off to see my parents and sons when they need me, and, if Ken has a business trip somewhere cool, I can tag along.

I've taught for 11 years now. I have tenure if I want (or need) to go back to teaching. We'll see what God has planned for the next step of my life journey!

TCAP Question Review

So, I'm in Nashville reviwing the q's for the 2010 Language Arts test. You are SO glad I'm here speaking for you. I've seen some crazy q's that have answers that are all correct in a manner of speaking OR 2 are correct OR none are really right for the standard being tested. I can't give you any specifics, but I am fighting for you!

Dad was doing VERY well when I left there on Sunday. I had a temporary crown installed (where I broke my tooth eating pizza at my mom's the first day I was there!) on Monday before heading for Nashville. Permanent crown to be installed on Tuesday next.

Elie Wiesel was featured in today's USA Today. Apparently his foundation - responsible for the Holocaust Museum in DC and fighting for Holocaust survivors - has been decimated by the Madoff Ponzi scheme that's in the news. He states that we'll start over again. Knowing that my 7th grade guys started pre-reading activities for Night today made the timing of the article seem odd.

Don't forget to check my netvibes page too.

Taking care of Dad

February 9, 2009

I'm in St.Louis helping Mom and Dad. Dad gets stronger each day and is recovering much of his personality and humor. I'm doing a lot of cooking, supporting, pulling and pushing, and general chief cook and bottle-washer duties. Besides physical duties, I'm working on grading papers from school.

I have my knitting with me as well as Twilight. In addition, I brought New Moon in case I get to read. Of course, I have the laptop to post grades, check email, and stay in touch with family and 7th graders.

I'll try to keep you posted.