My Thoughts Exactly by Annette Kniola

D is for Disappointment D is for Dumbfounded D is for Depressing D is for Despicable D is for Dismal I could go on, but I will stop there.  I think you can understand the D's due to the fact two of my boys will be entering a D school this year. When I first moved out here in The Estates, it was an A school.  And since then, many Collier schools have continued to decline.  I call that a bunch of phony boloney and I request the Department of Education to come and kiss my rubber duck!  These grade are nothing but a farce.  All based on that damn FCAT I so ever disagreed with, raising the standards way too high, and placing too much stress on all of our teachers and the kids.  Sometimes I felt like I sent my kids to school just so they learn how to test, not getting the real education they need. But I know that wasn't true.  At least I hope it wasn't true. And the poor teachers, what a blow for them.  Such an embarrassment they may feel walking into class this year, pretending

This past week had been crazy!  And since today is Monday, I thought the title was perfect. To begin, I will say one word.  Rain.  And lot's of it!  Recently I received a message on my Estates Community Facebook page of one family's drainage situation.  And they are not too happy about it.  The family lives off of 43rd Ave NE, off Everglades Blvd.  Apparently the water in the ditches were draining into Everglades Blvd rather than into the canal.  On their behalf, I contacted Mike Stone who is the Road and Bridge Maintenance Supervisor for our area.  He was kind enough to go out and take a look.  The answer the family received was that all was normal, even as other streets remained dry. Not what they expected to hear.  Unfortunately, this family plans on moving into town in two years once their child graduates.  In the meantime, others have since posted comments in reference to the rain. "Yes! We live off of 35th Ave NE. The ditches are full & everyone's yard has a

Before I start into my little rant, I do want to say one thing.  Life really is great, but there are moments I simply do not understand.  It seems at every corner of my life, a new member of laziness arrives.  It really is quite pathetic the amount of time and energy I give to the many things I do. Lately, it's just cleaning up messes for those who were too lazy to do in in the first place.  It has gotten utterly ridiculous in today's society because I do believe laziness is running rampid throughout. And it's not funny. What give's people?  You say you are going to do something, then do it!  Don't offer everything but your blood to make it happen, then in turn walk out the door and completely be blitzed by a mind sucking memory varmint and not produce?  People like you are pathetic. I am a big on commitment.  It's a very important character trait I hold very close and respect at all costs.  Especially since most of my commitments are for our community.