April, then May....

It's not just me... people all around me (who just happen to also work at school!) are already doing the count down. "Two months!" "9 weeks, 1 day" "only 9 more Mondays!" Now, having the year I've had, I thought I was especially early on the count down, but oh, no!

It's not that we don't like our jobs - school is a great place to be - but I think as the stress grows more and more daunting, we look for Summer as our only positive. It is a taste of the life we would really prefer having year-round. School used to be lots of fun and we even mourned that day when the bell rang and the kids walked away for the last time. Now, we race them to our cars.

So, here's my take - 43 days to go!

It's that same ol' feeling

Do you ever FEEL a place? This morning, as I drove to school, I "felt" Tulsa, Okla.
It's the weekend of the Soul Winning Workshop, and as sure as I was up there, I felt the air, the anticipation of getting to the Fairgrounds, the excitement of seeing Christians from all over the US gathered for 4 wonderful days, and of course, the singing. Thousands of voices in glorious harmonies, filling the Pavillion and rocking the place at the same time.

I have such wonderful memories of the Workshop - and though the last time I went without Andy I said I'd never go without him again, I'd be there right now given the chance. Drat not having personal days to take off!! Being there is a place that bonds you with the people you go with, the Pursches, Huttons, Bryans, Mainords, Ray, and of course, Andy and my girls. A little preview of Heaven....

So, they'll go on without me this year, but my heart will be there - and it FEELS wonderful!

moving

Gotcha - not us!!

I have twins that I work with that came at the beginning of the year. Really irritating, obnoxious little 4th grade girls who know how to push every button on me and all the kids around them. They are always amazed at how the other kids treat them, and I try really hard to not permit their cruelty, but IF YOU KNEW these girls, you'd "turn the other cheek." Anyway, about a month ago, they announced they were moving to a new home and changing schools to a nearby district. Needless to say, the kids have been counting the days. I will say, I was struck when the more likable of the two said, "I've learned a lot here, and I'm going to do better in --------. It's a new start for me." Unfortunately, her sister hasn't caught on. Well, after Spring Break, they're still here, and it was hard to mask the look of disappointment on the kids' faces. They both assure us that Friday is their last day.

Now, today, my buddy Jimmy (the boy with the cartoon voice) tells me HE'S moving to San Antonio. His mom's "friend" is ready for them to come up there, and even though she'd told him they'd wait until school was out, she plans to go the end of the month.

How differently I feel about these two situations !! I'd be losing them to the Intermediate campus next year anyway, so my time was limited, but this is sad to me in that I won't see him at Wal-Mart or HEB - and it makes me think about people coming and going out of our lives all the time. There are some folks I'd never get over losing in my daily life, and others that are just a blimp on my screen.
Like the twins - I hope they find a new start, with people who will love them like I love Jimmy. They deserve it.

The older I get...

A student told me today that they moved to Pleasanton because his dad was getting too old and not doing his job well (sound familiar?!?), and without a pause, he adds, "Like he's 49 or so, maybe 51." Now, you can imagine my reaction - unless he's a San Antonio Spur or a professional ice skater, I'm thinking this is NOT that old. I didn't tell him my age.

Speaking of my Spurs, I've been pretty worried about their play-off standings. Those are some of the most fun nights I have, with my buddies and me and all cheese dips and chips we can eat. Sure, I want them to repeat for a back-to-back, so I'm holding my breath and being optimistic.

It was a good day today.

The end is in sight!

Next to my computer, I have a calendar. I love to look at calendars, especially when something cool is on the horizon and I can count down the days. I used to especially love March calendars, for they held promise of Spring Break and trips to Tulsa Workshop. This year, Spring Break stands alone, and I am resigned to that.

However, when I looked at the calendar, I saw something new to look forward to - 9 weeks of school. 9 - single digits until this most difficult of years is over. I always look forward to the end, but after this year, I am even more so. This year has had such difficulty embedded in it that on some days, I can scarely breath. It has been, other than my year at Jr. Hi, just about the worst.

But I can do 9 weeks. I can - and will - continue to go and do what I love most about my job; give my kids all I have. We both deserve to finish this year with my best. I hope you'll pray that it's a quick and painless time.

Spring Break Monday

Spring Break Monday. Home alone, quiet house, working on the computer. Some of my coworkers are at the beach, some skiing, some elsewhere visiting family and doing cool things.
I want to be home, today, "catching up" with rest, shows I've taped, and emails I've not written. Later in the week, Andy will be off, and we will go somewhere just the two of us. I need it - some of that romance Darla mentioned last week.

Till then, I'll be thinking of my two girls - each dealing with events in their lives that I've gone through and know things will work out just fine. Moms just have to sit by sometime and listen and love from a distance. They know I'm here.

YES !!

The bell has rung, the children are gone- Spring Break is here! Dana is coming home for a few of the days, so that will be nice, but I'm looking forward to Monday - I'll be home alone with movies and whatever I want to have for lunch. Most of the week will be quiet, which is what most of my co-workers are planning too.

I'm not saying I wish we were going somewhere, but things didn't work out that way. I'm thinking BIG road trip this summer, though. (Andy isn't even in on my ideas just yet :) !!!)

For those of you who are also teachers, enjoy your days off !! April and May are still to come!!!!

Secrets

Had a great visit in Houston with the kids; wish I could go stay some over Spring Break, but Erin and Gregg both work, and Dana will be coming home, so I'll just have to wait till Summer... (hint, hint!)

The last week or two, secrets have become a big part of my life. It's like the good and bad of humanity has landed in my head, and asked me not to talk about it. As an elder's wife, we are priviledged to counsel people when they are down, and I feel Andy and I are a good team at that, but it's hard to learn things and not let them effect you. You have to take what is given, help the person process it and reach closure, and then drop it without dwelling on what they have shared. It's tough. Being uninvolved is much better on the heart, sometimes.

And then, there are good secrets - ones that will come to light in all good time. Ones that restore a little of that lost faith in people.

Have a good evening!

News from HOUSTON

Greetings from Houston - Erin and Gregg did good on the house! Lots of neat touches and they're already busy making it their own.... Roarke has lots of room to run and play, and two empty someday grandkid rooms, just waiting. Right now, we are using one of them, and look forward to lots more visits.
Andy loves the backyard; you can probably handle it with a weed-eater. Very pretty landscaping and cozy feel. Tonight we are going to take Andy to Carabbas - the original - and stuff him full of Italian food.
The weather is lovely, and my kids are here with me; overall, a nice day in Houston!

Poor, dumb trees !

Well, it never fails. A few weeks ago, I noticed the ash trees on campus budding out. It was still February, for goodness sake!! Well, today, winter is back with a vengeance, and the ash trees are shivering in their trunks!! This crazy Texas weather!!

I hope you are warm and cozy where you are!!

From the mouth of 4th graders

Today was the TAKS writing test for 4th graders. My assignment was a group of 6 mainly dyslexic students and kids that would "disrupt" the regular class. It makes for a long, long day, and I'll be heating left-overs for Andy.

To show the mood, here's a quote from one of my boys. "Mrs. LaMore, I really hope we get a new governor, so we can quit taking these tests!!"

Oh, Taylor. If it were just that simple.