Friday: Ross and I got Wendy’s for dinner. We both sooned realized that our recent separation from fast food due to our teensy budget has rendered our systems intolerant of it. I guess that’s a good thing. We then went to Barnes and Noble where Ross used part of a gift card to buy me a book. What a guy =)
Saturday: I met up with Ross at Gallery 5 to take part in his RVA Bloggers meet up. It was pretty cool, but he seemed disappointed because he didn’t think enough people showed up. I also got bitten buy the owner’s pet squirrel, peanut, while I was there. I then met up with Stephanie and Kate to have a 3:30 lunch at 3 Monkeys. The waitress hated me because I ordered a roast beef and turkey sandwich without the roast beef. The three of us then went out to Short Pump where I succeeded in buing nothing. We then returned to the city to get ready to go out for Steph’s birthday. I started getting ready at 8:30, a time when I’m normally getting ready for bed. We finally made out to bar by 11:00, where we proceeded to dance in an exceptionally crowded (I’m sure to the point where it was illegal) room where I got burned by the cigarette being held by the young gentleman who attempted to dry hump Kate, whose face he hadn’t even seen yet, mind you. Oh, the single scene. Let’s just say, I’m glad I was only visiting it.
Sunday: I got home from Steph’s bday festivities at 1:30 and waited up for Ross to get back from having his love affair with Matt White. Since I hadn’t been up that late since about sophmore year of college, my system was shocked and needed me to sleep until 12:30. Which I did. I dragged my unshowered self to the store. Once home, I was carrying bags to the porch as a wasp flew up my right pant leg and proceeded to sting me. I dropped my bags on the sidewalk, and starting banging on the door for Ross to let me in. If he had taken three seconds longer, I would have stripped off my pants right there on the porch. But, hey, I found out that I am not allergic to wasp stings, something my mother was always afraid that I was for some reason. So I need to call her and tell her that. The lesson I learned is that getting stung sucks, especially when it’s happening inside of your pants.
Almost Monday morning: I am now typing this because my excessive sleeping has left me unable to drift off. The Science SOL test is Thursday, so of course all I’m thinking about is that. And thinking about how I’m not asleep and I should be. I’m sure articulating my fears and reading about them over and over will help, too. Crap. Good night.
Today a co-worker of mine lost his 16 month old baby boy to brain cancer. I had only met this little boy a couple of times, but I am more shaken up than I ever thought I would be. He was only diagnosed 4 weeks ago, and today he is gone. In 4 weeks he went from running around and laughing, to lying in a hospital bed, taking his last breaths in his parents’ arms.
I haven’t taken a single nap.
I have read myself to sleep every night, rather than passing out in front of the T.V.
I have only had one soda (diet) a day.
I shared how a book can make you feel emotions. (We finished Where the Red Fern Grows today. There were tears and sniffles abound.)
I have left work on time each day.
I have gotten to work on time each day.
I have finally connected with my male co-worker (over our mutual love for fish sticks, and our respective spouses’ disdain for said delicacy).
Two days to go still. However, all I have awaiting me are practice tests, review games, a movie, and dancing with Stephanie. I think I’ll be ok.
As the year comes to a close, my job starts to become a lot like everyone else’s. I sit behind a desk, checking my email more times than necessary, waiting for other people to finish what they’re doing so I can move on the the next thing. We are in supreme-o review mode right now and in fifth grade, that means a lot of simulation tests, a lot of review quizzes, etc. I would love to do games but, unfortunately, games don’t exactly hold the kids accountable for anything. So written work it is. So sad really. Anyway, I’ve been watching the clock for it to be resource time so I can atleast get up and go talk to my co-workers. I’m ready for summer. Like for real.
P.S. I found a tick on my bottom last night. ON MY BOTTOM!
Seriously. I can go from Glenda the Good Witch, to the Wicked Witch of the West, and back again in about 2 seconds flat. I had some cheater cheater pumpkin eaters today and after I ripped them each a new one, I was back to my typical, smiling, silly self with the other good children immediately. I find it to be quite an amazing quality, as long as I’m not frightening the children.
Today the School Resource Officer from our feeder middle school came by to talk to the kids. He basically comes to talk about school rules and policies, and to show him that he does, in fact, have a gun, stick, pepper spray, and handcuffs that he is allowed to use if provoked. He shhhpeeel is pretty standard, but he brought along a surprise with him. The middle school decided it would be good if they sent a 6th grader with him to give the kids an insider’s view of the transition from elementary to middle school. And who did he bring with him? None other than my most favorite child yet: J.R. I had the privilege of teaching J.R. last year. He’s one of those kids who is a perfect mix: very responsible, smart, and kind, but just enough twinkle in his eye to remind you that he is a boy. J.R. was a a major bright spot in my life last year (and for all of his teachers), but I hadn’t seen him since his last day of 5th grade.
When I walked my kids into the auditorium to hear the officer speak, I saw J.R. standing up in the front, and I just started crying. It was the perfect combination of surprise, happiness, and most of all, pride. He looked like such a little man standing up there, and he did a perfect job talking to the kids. It totally made my day and reminded me of why I do what I do in the first place.
I have to give a presentation at the staff meeting tomorrow and I’m nervous.
I woke up at 10:30 this morning to be greeted by my mother-in-law plugging away in our little front yard. Ever since the hole fiasco, she has been adamant that we get that little patch of land cleaned up. Well, thanks to Nic, the whole got filled in a few weeks ago and a few plants were added. However, my MIL decided to take things further and create a bonafide flower bed out there. She dug, she pulled, she tilled, she trimmed, she planted, and she got more work done in 3 hours than I would have in 3 months.
After the majority of the sweat-labor was done, we all went to lunch at Ginger, which is insanely awesome. The whole time at lunch, the MIL kept saying, “We’re going to finish this today. We’re not going to let it sit.” She knows us too well. See, Ross and I aren’t bothered by much, so the crappy front yard really didn’t get to us. However, we were not going to fight her-she was adamant that we finish the job today. And Ross and I will do what you tell us to, we’re just not ones to take initiative unless absolutely necessary. So anyway, after treating us to some mulch and another hose, the in-laws went back with us to the house and got down to business. In no time we had a beautiful (and mulched) flower bed, mowed grass, and a clean porch. I can’t even believe it and neither will you if you come by to see it.
To reward ourselves for Ross’s parents’ hard work, the hubs and I then sat down to watch Deliverance and Narnia. Quite a mix, but both really good. Now I’m upstairs cuddling with pup #1, while Ross is watching TNG downstairs. All in all, we’re quite content at the moment and grateful for such a good day.
My mentor teacher, Janie, takes care of this little girl a couple times a week. Her name is Abby and she’s three. Abby’s mom has been dropping her off at my school every Tuesday and Thursday for the past 2 1/2 years. I watched her change from a little baby to a walking, talking person. Abby loves to say hello to Gary the Gerbil, make fingerprints, eat Laffy Taffy, and figure out which chairs are just the right size for her. I always stay a little late on these days just to chat with Janie and be a witness to Abby’s cuteness. Even though I’ve been around Abby for a while, she’s not one of these children who just run up and hug anyone-she’s selective. Well, today, Abby and I had a breakthrough. Not only did she ask me to pick her up, she gave me a hug when we said goodbye. I felt like I had won a gold medal or something. It was a great ending to what had been a much better day than yesterday and the day before. Thank God for the little ones.
I spent 40 minutes of instructional time today trying to sort out the mystery of the food fight from Hades today. The results of my inquiries further supported the undeniable fact that all children lie.
