30, 45, 50

I know you all are saying....."What's up with that title?"  I also know that you, devoted readers, all fifteen of you, have eagerly been awaiting the arrival of fall and the end of my summer blog writing hiatus.  That being said, I also know you are anticipating my usual heart-felt and weepy comments about being an empty nester. Alas, no, I will spare you my musings on that...although it was sad watching Kate and the big Uhaul move to Cincinnati and Molly return to Otterbein.  The good news is, they are happy, doing well, and loving their prospective places.  No, this year I'm writing about three HUGE anniversaries...my 30th year of teaching, the 50th anniversary of Sherry Baby by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and the 45th anniversary of the pixie haircut.  The first I never thought I'd live to see the day, the second I just can't believe, and the third I swore would never come again.
 Anniversary #30: I can't believe this is the big 3-0 of my professional life. Wow.  I am now the longest tenured teacher in my building.  I am the expert.  I am the holder of the memories and the collective culture.  I have 18 teachers asking me "how do we do this?" and "what did you do then?" I was a little panicky until I thought "WTH...I can say whatever I want!"  Yes, this stage of teaching is awesome.  I am not only the building expert,  I am now much older than the PARENTS of my students.  I can tell them anything I want as well!  Only bad part....according to first grade, I wear grandmother shoes...yikes!
Anniversary #50:  A big shout out and eternal debt of gratitude to my big sister Merc.  Yes, it was through her influence that I am a huge FV fan.  All those nights of listening to at least a stack of  5 LP albums on the stereo as we all drifted off to sleep...the Beach Boys, the Lettermen, the Association, Jan and Dean, Beatles, and more....my siblings sure set the tone that influenced my musical tastes.  No Donny Osmond or Partridge Family in our house. ( I remember when I asked my brother to get me Donny Osmond's first album, and he brought home Seals and Crofts instead.  If I forgot to thank you, I'm thanking you now.)  Frankie Valli was interviewed yesterday on NPR and he has a one man show coming to Broadway the month of October.  He also said his largest worry in those beginning days was that the public would find out many of the Four Seasons had done prison time.  Ironically, that was where they learned to play and sing.  Frankie went on to say he would keep on performing until he could no longer stand.  Although I appreciate the sentiment, I pray this isn't a metaphor for my teaching career.
Anniversary #45:  Yesterday I went to get my "sort of bobbed looking" hair cut.   I sat down and said -"Cut it off.  CUT IT ALL OFF!"  She did.  She swears it's a modern day version of the look I first sported 45 years ago.  I think I look just like my first grade picture.  So do all of my first graders.  Actually, I feel good.  I think I look like a super old first grader.  Even if I do wear grandma shoes.

http://www.npr.org/2012/09/29/161979742/frankie-valli-on-hair-products-and-finding-his-falsetto

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myIG9PEwXZw