My blog's title originated in July 2004 as I was preparing to send my then 16 year old daughter to Annecy, France as an exchange student. It was to be a 10 and 1/2 month separation that I was sure I could not endure. BUT, thanks to the internet and blogging I survived her adventures outside of our 'nest'. Once she returned, I thought of changing the title but realized that 10 and 1/2 Months was a fitting description of the cycle of my teaching life too. Now that I am retired the days and months have much less structure but the title remains out of nostalgia for my teaching days.