How was I Queen today? Let me count the ways...
I was Queen of the Morning, actually getting out of bed a record-breaking 30 minutes after the alarm. I was ready & out the door by 7:49, putting me in the classroom two hours before my first class - I graded those papers and was able to provide my long-suffering students (the ones who were desperate to know if what they turned in put them into the "passing" category) some respite.
I was Queen of Cool Teachers with my freshman English class - six students out of 18 showed up for this next-to-last day of the quarter so instead of the writing assignment I was going to give, I pulled up a video version of a short story we had read ("The Monkey's Paw" - it's a pretty awful rendition; watch at your own risk of embarrassment for the bad actors), led a short discussion of how & why it was different than the story, then allowed for a free-flowing 40 minute gab session. We chatted about the best scary movies; taste buds and favorite weird food combinations; pets we've had (and how they died, were killed, or otherwise maimed); and what is NPR. Then I let them play with my basket of puzzles and games for 15 minutes. And I gave them chocolates.
I was Queen of PTA at our board meeting, which is to say I am purely a figurehead in the organization; I do nothing of substance. I barely remember the rudimentary parts of Roberts Rules of Order and I frequently forget to be neutral in discussions. Seriously, I do not jest - when I'm able to be at my kids' school, I basically smile and wave at everyone. People who need things will occasionally speak to me and I point them to the appropriate person for answers (rarely myself). Most of the time anyone with a question, comment, rant or request harasses one of my co-vice presidents. They are like the Prime Ministers, God bless them.
I was Queen of Preparedness, putting snacks into backpacks and setting up lunch fixings in the fridge and on the counter for ease of packing in the morning. Truly I feel giddy at having completed this step right now instead of waiting until I'm bleary-eyed and grumbly at 6:30 a.m. I don't know why I just discovered this tactic a couple of weeks ago...
I am Queen of Poorly Chosen Evening Snacks. I am in the process of eating a fourth slice of toasted French bread with margarine and am considering making another. And I'll have a glass of wine while watching the missed episode of "Survivor." And I'll surely raid the Halloween leftovers before bedtime. Let's call these rewards for a Monday well executed, shall we?
You may kiss my ring.
