I arrived in Orlando today. You know Flint is about to get hammered with the big snow I've been waiting for... Grrr. Foiled again! We got stuff set up for the precon tomorrow and headed out for dinner. We needed a couple of things so we stopped at a Walgreens or CVS. I bought pants at the drug store. I know it isn't quite the same as buying them at a gas station, but still... I can't wait to see Mickey. I hope the weather doesn't interfere with mysweetwilliam's travel.

When I first started the travel gig in 2001, I realized a sturdy, easy to find bag was essential. So, when I drove up to Freeport, ME to check out LL Bean one Saturday, I saw this bright yellow hard-sided case in the Samsonite store. It has been my travel partner across many states. Well, I haven't taken a lot of "checked bag" trips in a while. Tomorrow, I'm heading to Orlando for FETC and then am staying the weekend for a trip to Disney. My pretty suitcase looks quite abused. I promise it has earned every one of the scratches and marks.

I downloaded Oregon Trail for my iPhone last night and have had quite a good time going west with the ol' pioneer family... except when the kids keep breaking bones and getting dysentery! I'm quite the hunter and fisherman too. Here were are, at the end of the trail... where 32 acres awaits ;)

At the conference, I had some fun with the ribbons. They really had some creative ones like "runs with scissors", "official something", and "my ribbon is better than yours". My fav was "diva". It was purple.

I presented the keynote at the Michigan Association of School Administrators' (MASA) mid-winter conference today. let me just say that school superintendents can be a tough crowd. They don't do a lot of those "teacher pleasing behaviors" Dr. Jones was so good to help me learn to do. With that said, the reaction after the presentation was overwhelmingly positive and kind.
During the session, an artist illustrated my talking points...live...in real time. It was amazing. Here's her drawing.
I spent a great day with MI STAR Discovery Educators helping superintendents get on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Reader. It was an inspirational day.

I learned to pass a Krispie Kreme "Hot Doughnuts Now" sign when we lived in San Antonio. This is what a casino looks like from the highway while not stopping. I don't think I've ever seen that before.

While I worked, Big Bexar kept me company. Times sure are tough for a dog.

While I was in Ft Wayne, mysweetwilliam smoked some pork on the Green Egg. We picked up some buns and cole slaw to complete this masterpiece. You should be super jealous right about now. #justsayin

Yesterday, I slept all day. I really didn't feel well. I saw absolutely NO football yesterday! Today, thanks to DayQuil, I feel better. That's a good thing because I'm so swamped with work right now there's no time to be sick. I'll be in Kalamazoo Wed-Fri this week working with superintendents. Then on Monday I head to Orlando for FETC. All the preparations in addition to other tasks can be overwhelming. It is a busy time of year!

I don't mind the cold. I don't have to spend long hours in it, and snow still delights me. This morning while snuggled in bed, I checked the temperature on my phone..... -7. That's some serious nostril freezing weather!