Dynamic Leader

I read a challenge to blog about words.

The words "dynamic leader" crossed my path this week in reference to the new superintendent at our school. When I saw this, I was upset as I am in disagreement with a lot of what she is doing and how she is handling things. That was when I thought dyanmic leader meant something good. I have been doing a lot of thinking about this, especially after attending the annual budget hearing the other night. I asked questions that weren't answered - she just did not answer them. There was no presentation of the budget or talk about money. We heard about all the programs she's adding and all the wonderful changes she's making. She is a leader - the head of the school. She is dynamic - forceful; characterized by change and activity. So, she is a dynamic leader by definition. Dynamic leader does not have a positive connotation to me now.

In my thinking, I know I have been comparing her to the newly-retired superintendent who led our school for 15 years. He was not the most popular man with the teachers as they were sometimes told no, and teachers don't take no for an answer well. (I can say this because I was a teacher for 33 years, lived education, and saw it all.) But, he was a fair man. He did what was best for all. He didn't "play games". He didn't favor anyone. He was unassuming and just did his job.

I've decided a good leader is like a good ref. You should be able to watch a ball game without the ref being a focal point of the game. You know he is there. He has control. He makes it work. He is almost invisible.

Our former superintendent was a good ref. He was a real leader.

Smarties to the Rescue

I spent yesterday scrapping. I am trying to put together an album for my nephew who will be graduating in June. His mom has left me with a number of holes in his life, which has been very frustrating to me. So, I dug in my retreat goodie bag (from April 14) for a snack. I found my box of Smarties - a wonderful candy resembling M&Ms, but made in Canada. Oh, how I enjoyed that box of Smarties. They have a crunchier coating than M&Ms. The colors are much more vibrant, too. Somehow, that treat helped me get through my rough spot. It was very disheartening, though, when the last Smartie was gone and I had to face that the next time I have a chance at seeing any is the last weekend in September.

Love At First Beat

It's time to get back to my blog. I think I wasn't posting because I figured no one would be reading, but I want to put things into words again.

This morning, my daughter called to ask me to go with her to her doctor appointment. I flew to get ready. You see, she is expecting our first grandchild in early November. I got to hear that little heartbeat. What a sensation! We had been talking in the waiting room as we looked at new born pictures in an album (not CM!!). I was saying how everyone thinks their baby is so beautiful, but very few brand new babies are cute. Well, I just know that my new grand baby will be absolutely the most gorgeous child born. I am not the kind of person to let anyone know that, but will certainly think that in my heart. They aren't finding out what s/he is which I used to agree with. All I really care about is that s/he is healthy. I pray for that.

There is a little glitch with all this. Our son is getting married on October 20 - in California. We are in central New York. Molly says she'll be at the wedding - I think she has to believe that at this point. I know it will break her heart to miss her brother's wedding. I really believe she won't be there. I just hope that she won't have the baby while I am in CA for the wedding. That would be my luck, though. It sure is going to be an interesting time in our lives!!