I’m finally home! I thought I was going to have to spend the night in New Orleans. All the flights were booked and I was flying standby! This column was supposed to be in on the 29th, but today is the 30th so this may be the first column of next year either for this week or next. I am one of many who can’t believe that 2011 is over. I can hear everyone saying, “My where did the time go to?”Florida was wonderful and sunny. I walked the golf course with my sister and brother while Dave, Dee and Jim golfed. I was almost tempted to try the sport, but tennis works much better for me. I went out one day to help a friend of Dave’s work on his footwork. I don’t know that I was much help. Dee had a tennis racquet for me to use; it was a wooden Chris Evrett! I told her it was worse than an antique! I suggested that she buy a new one. I didn’t find time to go swimming, but I did get to Dania Beach. The water felt good on my feet, but with all the jelly fish around I wasn’t about to go swimming!I shall miss my sister Dee and her husband Dave. They are wonderful hosts and took great care of Jim and I. They are true snow birds. They leave Canada in November and will return in April. They won’t miss the cold weather completely, but they should miss most of the snow.I hope everyone had a great Christmas. I’m sure there were some lonely families with loved ones missing. Some families will have tiny ones enjoying their first Christmas, and that is such an awesome feeling. A number of my students went to family out of state. I hope everyone makes it back in time for the first day of class! We have some serious work to accomplish before the new STAAR tests in April. I’m a little anxious since we are facing so many unknowns. You teach to the best of your ability, but that doesn’t mean they will test well. We shall see.This is going to be a very short column. I have no idea what has happened while I was away. The only thing I can attest to is that it is going to be a very long election year! I am weary of all this wrangling. I’d like to join the President in Hawaii. Then again, I did go to Florida so I guess that works too. Obama and I imagine that, taking the same beach vacation, or not!I wish everyone a wonderful and prosperous New Year. May God bless our country and bring our precious soldiers home safe.