After all these long summers of drought, this past summer was a wondrous relief. Not once did I have to drag along the hose and reposition the sprinkler head, or watch in dismay as my plants struggled to stay alive in the heat. Instead of the horrid, dry brown of summer grass, we were treated all along to lovely green fields, with ponds full of water! I never failed to appreciate one day of this change in climate. Until lately...
The BUGS!! They are everywhere, of every type and every smell! Tonight, Andy and I treated ourselves to burgers before church, and INSIDE the place, there were bugs. Crawling along with windowsill, and even getting onto our paper wrappers before we spied them! I caught myself grumbling about all the rain bringing them out, and then I remembered:
you have to take the bad along with the good.
I'll take a few bugs every summer!!
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Friday, August 24, 2007
TGIF Big Time!
Wow - a week since my last posting. Had no idea. It's been a week of motivational speakers (great, by the way!), team-building, celebrating reaching Recognized by TEA, a biggie; procedures, elections, etc, etc. Coming home with feet very angry at all the hard work after being pretty lazy all summer, a sore back from sitting in little hiney chairs at Primary, and so on. Too tired and pre-occupied to post....
Thursday was "Meet the Teacher Night." I wish I could explain to those of you not teachers how the beginning of school feels; at least at the Elementary level. Shiny, happy yet hesitant faces looking at class lists to see who the teacher will be. Parents coming in carrying $50. worth of school supplies that will be used up by Nov., new shoes and clothes and haircuts. Familiar faces you want to kiss - or hide from - and new ones you want to know. I love it every year.
I work in an old building called the Alamo because the facade in the front "looks like" the Alamo in SA. Every year, parents come in to bring their children to meet their teachers and exclaim, "This is where I went to school! Boy, it looks different!" Not better, necessarily, but different. They want to stand there in the halls and remember how it felt, and return to those days of their youth. It's always a neat thing to witness.
Now, the kids come. The doors will unlock at 7:50 Monday, and by 8:30, it will feel like we never had summer. Halls quiet, kids listening, teachers instructing. It's a wonderful day, full of new friends, and high hopes.
I love the beginning of school!
Thursday was "Meet the Teacher Night." I wish I could explain to those of you not teachers how the beginning of school feels; at least at the Elementary level. Shiny, happy yet hesitant faces looking at class lists to see who the teacher will be. Parents coming in carrying $50. worth of school supplies that will be used up by Nov., new shoes and clothes and haircuts. Familiar faces you want to kiss - or hide from - and new ones you want to know. I love it every year.
I work in an old building called the Alamo because the facade in the front "looks like" the Alamo in SA. Every year, parents come in to bring their children to meet their teachers and exclaim, "This is where I went to school! Boy, it looks different!" Not better, necessarily, but different. They want to stand there in the halls and remember how it felt, and return to those days of their youth. It's always a neat thing to witness.
Now, the kids come. The doors will unlock at 7:50 Monday, and by 8:30, it will feel like we never had summer. Halls quiet, kids listening, teachers instructing. It's a wonderful day, full of new friends, and high hopes.
I love the beginning of school!
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Erin, Crystal, followed soon by Dean
It's been a busy few days. My cousin's daughter and her family came to visit for a few days in the middle of storm Erin. That was an adventure for them - they actually went to Sea World the day it blew in, and made it to 3 shows before the park closed. (They went back yesterday and had a wonderful time.) We enjoyed our time with them, and I've become re-acquainted with the Disney Channel and sippie cups! They have 2 cute kids, who entertained us mightily and we got to know her husband, whom we'd not been around very much. I'm glad they came.
In the middle of Erin, I had to go to Region 20 in SA for some dyslexia training. Scary driving, but I got home safely. The only tragedy of the day was that I opted to stay there and not go out to eat with some of my cohorts. They came back full but drenched; I was dry and hungry.
Now, it looks like Dean may be coming our way. All the hype before school starts really is not the way I'd like to end my summer, but that is how it appears to be shaping up. Andy wants to go stock up on water and canned food; I wanted to go buy new shoes. (I hope Erin, Gregg and Dana stay safe and dry in Houston!)
Hope you are having a good weekend -
In the middle of Erin, I had to go to Region 20 in SA for some dyslexia training. Scary driving, but I got home safely. The only tragedy of the day was that I opted to stay there and not go out to eat with some of my cohorts. They came back full but drenched; I was dry and hungry.
Now, it looks like Dean may be coming our way. All the hype before school starts really is not the way I'd like to end my summer, but that is how it appears to be shaping up. Andy wants to go stock up on water and canned food; I wanted to go buy new shoes. (I hope Erin, Gregg and Dana stay safe and dry in Houston!)
Hope you are having a good weekend -
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Mrs.Jeckle/Mrs. Hyde
It's happened. I felt it last night at the Huttons; my school persona has reared it's ugly head again. Oh, well - it was nice while it lasted.
We met the Huttons at the beginning of summer in about 1995. They'd just moved out of SA, and our families hit it off immediately - our girls the same age as their boys, active in church - it was a natural fit. That summer, we grew closer and closer, spending premium time together. It was great.
Then, August came. School. Schedule. Jackie saw a side of me she'd not met before. Tired, grumpy, preoccupied. Our fun time dwindled down to weekends at best, but we hung on. When May came, and I was really all those previously mentioned states, she actually told someone to watch out, that I became "mean" at the end of school. Then, we were back to the good old summer, and I was back to the Amy she'd met a year before.
Well, it's August again, and the party's over. Last night, after sitting in training all day, I felt old, tired, and grumpy. Sorry. I'm going to work on those good traits this year, so the "good Amy" is around more. I like her a lot better!!
Have a good day!
We met the Huttons at the beginning of summer in about 1995. They'd just moved out of SA, and our families hit it off immediately - our girls the same age as their boys, active in church - it was a natural fit. That summer, we grew closer and closer, spending premium time together. It was great.
Then, August came. School. Schedule. Jackie saw a side of me she'd not met before. Tired, grumpy, preoccupied. Our fun time dwindled down to weekends at best, but we hung on. When May came, and I was really all those previously mentioned states, she actually told someone to watch out, that I became "mean" at the end of school. Then, we were back to the good old summer, and I was back to the Amy she'd met a year before.
Well, it's August again, and the party's over. Last night, after sitting in training all day, I felt old, tired, and grumpy. Sorry. I'm going to work on those good traits this year, so the "good Amy" is around more. I like her a lot better!!
Have a good day!
Sunday, August 12, 2007
So, who's watching?
I've been SO hungry for pizza lately! I want it all the time, and Andy has placated me when he couldn't hush me. Don't know why, but it's been annoying! So, the other day, I took myself to the Pizza Hut for buffet, all by myself, and worked to quell that little craving. Good salad, good pizza, good people-watching.
After I'd been there a while, a little boy approached me. He looked like a ragamuffin from a movie; disheveled hair, cock-eyed ball cap, mis-matched clothes. Cute, blond and dirty; like kids I see at school. Couldn't place him, so I was curious that he'd walk right up to me.
"Are you still a teacher?"
"Yes."
"Do you still teach at the Elementary?" Kinda shy, quiet questions coming from this little stranger.
It was bugging me, because I take pride in noticing these little lost ones, and he was not ringing any bells.
"What grade are you going to be in this year?" I thought this would help place him; he was tiny.
Big grin: "6th."
"Did you have a good summer?" Safe, obscure question. Don't want to hurt his feelings that I don't know him from Adam.
"Yes."
I see that his dad has left their table and is heading to pay and leave.
"You have a good year and make good grades, okay?"
"Yes ma'am. You have a good year too."
I kept thinking after he left, and I still don't know who he is. But sometime in his last couple of years, he noticed me. And, luckily, I came across as approachable and friendly. Thank God for that - and I hope I remember him as this new year begins; each and every one of those little ones I meet everyday deserve to feel as important as I hope I made him feel on our chance encounter meeting at Pizza Hut on a hot August day.
So, that's why I was craving pizza!
After I'd been there a while, a little boy approached me. He looked like a ragamuffin from a movie; disheveled hair, cock-eyed ball cap, mis-matched clothes. Cute, blond and dirty; like kids I see at school. Couldn't place him, so I was curious that he'd walk right up to me.
"Are you still a teacher?"
"Yes."
"Do you still teach at the Elementary?" Kinda shy, quiet questions coming from this little stranger.
It was bugging me, because I take pride in noticing these little lost ones, and he was not ringing any bells.
"What grade are you going to be in this year?" I thought this would help place him; he was tiny.
Big grin: "6th."
"Did you have a good summer?" Safe, obscure question. Don't want to hurt his feelings that I don't know him from Adam.
"Yes."
I see that his dad has left their table and is heading to pay and leave.
"You have a good year and make good grades, okay?"
"Yes ma'am. You have a good year too."
I kept thinking after he left, and I still don't know who he is. But sometime in his last couple of years, he noticed me. And, luckily, I came across as approachable and friendly. Thank God for that - and I hope I remember him as this new year begins; each and every one of those little ones I meet everyday deserve to feel as important as I hope I made him feel on our chance encounter meeting at Pizza Hut on a hot August day.
So, that's why I was craving pizza!
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Missing Palmer....
Many years ago, I began reading Palmer's blog; only the second blog I'd ever ventured into. He was a young minister with a baby and a dying wife. I got caught up in their story, and have followed it to this day. Palmer remarried and has since also died of almost the same cancer that killed his wife before him. Lately, I've really missed hearing what Palmer had to say - and so yesterday I went back into his archives and read his last few months of postings. It made me so sad, once again to think of one with so young and vital a life cut so short.
Then I began to think of the other husbands this summer who have died too young. My cousin Bobby was only 57, and a couple of weeks ago, a co-worker lost her husband at only 64. Three women, all widows when they thought they had many years ahead with their spouses face nights alone.
Andy and I do not sleep cuddled up. We both like to sleep in our own space, but we do cuddle a bit before we say our "Goodnights." Sometimes it lasts longer than others, depending on how hot the night air is or how late or tired we are, but it's enough to know that we've had another day together.
I hope I never take it for granted.
Then I began to think of the other husbands this summer who have died too young. My cousin Bobby was only 57, and a couple of weeks ago, a co-worker lost her husband at only 64. Three women, all widows when they thought they had many years ahead with their spouses face nights alone.
Andy and I do not sleep cuddled up. We both like to sleep in our own space, but we do cuddle a bit before we say our "Goodnights." Sometimes it lasts longer than others, depending on how hot the night air is or how late or tired we are, but it's enough to know that we've had another day together.
I hope I never take it for granted.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Latest good news
Some days, you just can't think of a thing to say. Another day of my summer break has passed, and I don't have anything to show for it. Andy and I are both really, really tired from our busy weekend, and I was waiting to hear from Erin, so I just let the day go by, resting. Usually, I don't mind treating Monday as a rest day, but the closer school gets to starting, the fewer Mondays I have left.
On Friday, Andy went with me to get the results of my tests from Dr. Cruz. Good news: all was benign!! I do appear to have what is called Dr. Hashimoto's Thyroidism, so I'll be seeing an ENT surgeon in the next couple of weeks to set up getting my thyroid out. It is about the size of a small orange, and will continue to grow, so out it will come. It should be a much less stressful surgery than I faced before, with a shorter recoup time.
I am so grateful to God for the good report once again. I'll keep you posted. Let's assume this will be the last trial for a good, long while!
On Friday, Andy went with me to get the results of my tests from Dr. Cruz. Good news: all was benign!! I do appear to have what is called Dr. Hashimoto's Thyroidism, so I'll be seeing an ENT surgeon in the next couple of weeks to set up getting my thyroid out. It is about the size of a small orange, and will continue to grow, so out it will come. It should be a much less stressful surgery than I faced before, with a shorter recoup time.
I am so grateful to God for the good report once again. I'll keep you posted. Let's assume this will be the last trial for a good, long while!
Saturday, August 04, 2007
The Things We Hold On To
Andy calls my dresser and its surrounding area the "Black Hole" - a reference to piles of stuff on both the dresser and its floor. Sometimes, the term is used with a chuckle in his voice, but lately (all summer) it's had a bit of a tinge of frustration that I hear. I don't blame him; it's awful. It makes me shut my door when people come over, and he's threatened a few times to just go in and throw away all that is involved. I know it's a "thing" with me - good intentions each day and all that - but for whatever the reason, I can't bring myself to tackle the chore.
One of the items I deal most with is my bunny. I'm 52 years old, and I still have my stuffed bunny that I slept with as a little girl. The wire in its ear pokes out, and there isn't much stuffing, but I can't bring myself to throw it out. I know neither girl wants the thing, and I should just have Andy do it while I am out to save me from it, but there it lays, bringing back memories of comfort and security.
This is my promise for all to see; the Black Hole will be dealt with this coming week. Now some of you will hold me to it, and Andy will be a happy, happy man.
I will be, too, when all is said and done; it's just getting started.
Is there a 12 Step Program for Procrastinators???
One of the items I deal most with is my bunny. I'm 52 years old, and I still have my stuffed bunny that I slept with as a little girl. The wire in its ear pokes out, and there isn't much stuffing, but I can't bring myself to throw it out. I know neither girl wants the thing, and I should just have Andy do it while I am out to save me from it, but there it lays, bringing back memories of comfort and security.
This is my promise for all to see; the Black Hole will be dealt with this coming week. Now some of you will hold me to it, and Andy will be a happy, happy man.
I will be, too, when all is said and done; it's just getting started.
Is there a 12 Step Program for Procrastinators???
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Hard work with a little fun thrown in....
Home from Houston... tired but satisfied. Didn't help as much as Dana probably needed, but I did a fair number of boxes. Lots of moral support, if that counts for anything! Last thing I did before leaving town was to see her new school home and meet a couple of co-workers - made a good impression. I love looking at schools, and this one seems a happy place for kids.
Tuesday night, while Gregg was out with his buds, Erin came and picked us up. We ate at Macalister's Deli - great sweet tea - and then went to see Hairspray. It was SO fun - lots of memories of my preteen years of the early 60s; American Bandstand on a Sat. morning, girls in dresses only, segregation. I laughed outloud during most of it and then giggled at recollections all night afterwards. A wonderful night with my grown daughters. I'm so glad they are close!!
Now I'm back for a busy weekend - get biopsy results tomorrow, Bourne movie date with the man of my dreams, Game night on Saturday and then the elders' luncheon at our home Sun. lunch. Two weeks of summer to go - school is crossing my mind like it does come Aug. 1.
Life is good.
Tuesday night, while Gregg was out with his buds, Erin came and picked us up. We ate at Macalister's Deli - great sweet tea - and then went to see Hairspray. It was SO fun - lots of memories of my preteen years of the early 60s; American Bandstand on a Sat. morning, girls in dresses only, segregation. I laughed outloud during most of it and then giggled at recollections all night afterwards. A wonderful night with my grown daughters. I'm so glad they are close!!
Now I'm back for a busy weekend - get biopsy results tomorrow, Bourne movie date with the man of my dreams, Game night on Saturday and then the elders' luncheon at our home Sun. lunch. Two weeks of summer to go - school is crossing my mind like it does come Aug. 1.
Life is good.
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