Dear Friends,
I wish you a happy and healthy 2014!
There are so many reasons to be optimistic as we look to the future.
Minnesota’s economy is healthy and growing. Our unemployment rate stands at 4.6 percent (one of the lowest rates in the nation), the “school shift” has been paid back in full, and students throughout our state are benefiting from historic investments in education. My priorities for the next legislative session are to create good jobs and grow the middle class.
2013 brought changes to the Slocum household. I love my little house. It is so cozy and perfect! I just installed new windows to be more energy efficient and a new roof because the old one was pretty well trashed by hail. It is amazing how noticeably more snug the house is with the new windows.
I made the momentous decision to retire from teaching after 25 years. It was a tough decision. I found it increasingly difficult to leave my students mid-way through the school year to do my legislative job. Also the legislative job has increased in scope, as I move into greater leadership, as the vice chair of the Education Finance Committee. I am finding that I am busier than ever with the legislative work. I do miss teaching and the kids in particular, but overall it was a good decision.
Daughter Meghan is enjoying her remodeled house with her partner Cena. She continues to teach some of the most difficult kids in the metro area at an intermediate district. She loves it and has great stories to tell. She enjoys playing the piano and, of course, the cabin on Caribou Lake in Lutsen. Her dog, Pandora, loves the cabin too!
Daughter Caitlin has settled into her house and is enjoying the joys of home ownership-like shoveling snow and mowing in the summer. She plays tennis on a competitive team and is really quite good. She got a new teaching job teaching special education emotional/behavior in a traditional school district. The change has really put her skills to work. She is getting the hang of it and happy with the change. Caitlin enjoys her dog Zeus and spending time at the cabin.
My dog Orpheus enjoys the squirrels in the yard-they give him good chase. He and I didn’t get to the cabin much this last summer and I know he missed it. He had to be happy hanging out on the porch and barking at whatever passed by. He is a good little watch dog!
May your New Year be interesting. Hug your kids and grandkids. Hug your Mom and Dad. Let’s fill this New Year with love and joy.
Cheers,
Linda