Back at work

Vacation is over :( This is the first time in many years when I haven't been really bored before vacation was over. I guess I am getting more ready to retire. I had just learned to sleep later again, now its back to getting up just after 5:00. It's not that I accomplished too much. But, just enough to keep busy. I spent one whole afternoon uncrocheting a rug. I've been making these for several years out of cotton yarn and when they get a hole, I just undo to the hole and crochet it again. Wouldn't you know, the hole is always close to the beginning , not the end you unravel from. Now in the evenings I am putting it back together.
I have read a few more books, but I forget to log them on my list before I take them back to the library.
Anyone out there remember Mr. Popper's Penguins or Runaway Ralph by Beverly Cleary? I am teaching both these books in small groups right now. It is fun to have the kids get to read something a little out of their reach to do independently. I took my laptop home yesterday to finish up some planning for these books, and forgot to bring back the power cord. The MacBook Pro is a great machine, but you do have to plug it in sometime! Dan was nice enough to drop it off for me.
Tonight as usual, I have bell choir at 5:00. One of our songs has me playing the REALLY BIG bells. It is like lifting weights - you feel it in your ribcage. Dan meets me at six and we go out to eat before Chancel choir at 7:00. We are down to one car again, so this week he has to come or I have to stay here!
It rained all day today. Lucky us!

Nya nya, I'm on vacation!

Vacation! what a wonderful word. I have already accomplished a few things, because this week is going to be too short! I finished completely the baby quilt for my friend at school. Baby J's baby quilt is pieced and will be finished when I get some more flannel. I went to the library, then to church to give blood. I even let her wiggle the needle a little! I know Chelsey will appreciate that!

Last week I spent some time in the dr's office. My foot was really giving me fits, I thought maybe I had broken it, without an obvious injury. Well, after xrays and tests for gout, I was given a diagnosis of arthritis and a prescription for pain/ anti inflamatory. It may be mental tricks, but boy, it feels better than in a long time.

The back yard is devoid of sticks and limbs, courtesy of an afternoon's work by Dan. Looks much better. I was worried about the limb that fell in the lilac bush as it was stuck upright there and was about 8 inches around. The lilac seems none the worse for wear.

Best part of this week so far? Sunshine!

odds and ends

We are half way through our second week of school with no snow days! This is so great the district rewarded us with a mandatory Saturday work day! Joy, joy! I actually have some things that need doing, so I guess it's ok. My student teacher is done and I'm working the new schedule which includes 10 minutes of playground duty with second graders. Yesterday I noticed a 9 foot long icicle hanging from the north side of the building. Even though no kids should be over there, I thought I'd better tell the principal and he had a great time pulling it down from the drain spout. Unfortunately the ice was blocking water behind it so he got a little shower as well. He even came to my room to thank me!
I've had a cold this week but feeling better each day. I needed to get to the Dr for a physical but they weren't making appointments - the computers were down. For two weeks. Must be hard to get things done in those circumstances. Way harder to do things the old fashioned way!
This week I am helping to interview candidates for the superintendent's job. She is retiring. We are considered to be a rather large district, so want someone with experience. Should be interesting. It extends the day quite a bit so I hope I don't embarrass myself by yawning too much!