My family met near Vero Beach for vacation last week and had a lot of fun. The office never knew I was gone – really. In fact, they said they wished I’d hurry up and get back because they had less to do when I was here – and they got less tasks via email. When I’m on the road, I send email after email because I have time to think. I also think on Sundays, when I’m in church. It is like …Zen. I clear my mind – connect with a higher power and that higher power reminds me of everything I haven’t done that needs to get done – and I’m also reminded of everything everyone else is supposed to get done as well. So, if my staff had it their way – it would be no more vacations or church for me. Well, tough. I went to church on vacation and purposefully ran into relatives that we had never formerly met from my husband’s side of the family. As it turns out, the church we went to was started in a relative’s living room and when we visited the old courthouse, on our own, we found out that our relative had won the “Key to the City.” That started me thinking, of course. If you don’t have a city – you can’t give away keys. I even found myself watching city council meetings on TV. I also found out the Santa Rosa County Courthouse debate is not unique, just the zip code has changed.

This week’s issue includes our popular Back to School Guide. You’ll find profiles on each school as well as messages from the principals. We have also included a school supply list and information on Florida’s Tax-Free holiday (August 1-3) to help everyone save money on their back to school shopping.

I had the opportunity to drive to Miami and back last week for a two-day Florida Press Association conference in Miami. I enjoy driving by myself – but I’m not sure my office does. I’m usually listening to an educational podcast which makes me think of everything I should be doing in the office. I call the office and ask them questions conduct brainstorming sessions over the phone. I’ve actually been told that they really have work to d0 – if I don’t mind. I was also listening to 100 things great bosses know – which made me wonder if employees ever listen to 100 things great employees know. I don’t think that there is such an animal. However, there must be – because my staff must have already read that book or listened to that podcast. Whew. Oh, I also learned that Miami is the pits to drive in. However, I did get to eat at a famous Cuban restaurant and stay at a “haunted” hotel. The Biltmore Hotel was built in the early 1900s and spent some time being a VA hospital during and after WWII. There is also a mobster that was killed there. I slept great the first night – however, after reading about the hauntings … didn’t sleep so well the second night.