Day Forty

Highlights from a fun week-end, Part Three

I was finally able to give baby Joey and his family the quilt that I worked on this summer. Nina, Grace, and Johnny sang "She's a Grand ole quilt" and opened their gift that was full of love.

I love watching people open presents, especially ones that I have created.

Day Thirty-Nine

Hightlights from a fun week-end, Part Two

Saturday night was pure fall fun. A fire in the chimney outside on a cool evening, surrounded by friends, stars, and darkness. We ate yummy peanut butter cup smores and roasted marshmallows. Grace was a chatter box until her eventual crash. Then quality adult time with good friends.

Day Thirty-Eight

Highlights from a great week-end, Part One



I just had the greatest week-end with some of my greatest peeps.
Thank you to Nina for having a baby Joey so that I could come to your craft-filled fun shower. You took very good care of me.

Thank you also for letting me stay and play with my favorite big girl.

I am so in love with little Grace. She played fun games and cuddled up for good stories... and gave me an excuse to eat apple pie for breakfast... Along with an amazing frittata.

Thank you, Kevin, for putting on a great concert. I loved hearing you sing. I am happy that we got to have some QT.

Thank you mother earth, for a beautiful fall day.

Day Thirty-Five

Okay, so I got a forward today... and while I decided to spare you all the forward, I wanted to honor Alison's request... so here it is, just for fun.

1. IF YOU COULD BUILD A SECOND HOUSE ANYWHERE, WHERE WOULD IT BE?
If I wasn't working, I'd split between two houses in British Columbia and Costa Rica... If I had to realistically choose... I'd have one house here in the Berkshires and a second in Vermont.

2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING?
My overalls.

3. THE LAST CD YOU BOUGHT?
None at all... but I have bought songs online... the most recent of which were Lea DeLaria singing Blondie's "Call me" and Gwen Stefani's "Rich Girl".

4. WHAT TIME DO YOU WAKE UP IN THE MORNING?
5:00 if I am going to the gym, 6:00 otherwise.

5. IF YOU COULD PLAY AN INSTRUMENT, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I'd like to leard guitar to play in my classroom, it seems like ot most practical instument to play solo.

6. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE FLOWER?
Lilac ot Hydrangea

7. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SPORTS CAR OR SUV?
Neither. I'd go for a hybrid.

8. DO YOU BELIEVE IN AFTERLIFE?
I believe in many.

9. FAVORITE CHILDREN'S BOOK?
Tough one for an Elementary school teacher... Probably anything Eric Carle.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SEASON?
Summer now that I am a teacher.

11. IF YOU HAD ONE SUPER POWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
The power to change minds... any mind...

12. IF YOU HAVE A TATTOO, WHAT IS IT?
A rose with wings.

13. CAN YOU JUGGLE?
Heck no

14. THE ONE PERSON FROM YOUR PAST YOU WISH YOU COULD GO BACK AND TALK TO:
I've been trying to reach an old friend, just for fun... but I am pretty at peace with the past.

15. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE DAY?
Any day off... Saturdays... Summer days... Random Jewish holidays.

16. WHAT'S IN THE TRUNK OF YOUR CAR?
I strive to keep it empty... The spare and jack are in there, though I wouldn't know how to use them if I had to.

17. WHICH DO YOU PREFER, SUSHI OR HAMBURGER?
I'd like to say sushi... but really, I love a good cheeseburger... blue- cheeseburger.

18. FROM THE PEOPLE YOU WILL EMAIL THIS TO, WHO'S MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND FIRST? N/A

19. WHO'S LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? N/A

20. WHO DID YOU RECEIVE THIS FROM? Alison

21. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
My new obsession is Friendly's Orange Sherbet and Vanilla swirl.

22. DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?
Love is what you make it.

23. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR DREAM JOB?
I am leaning towards librarian for the quiet and organization...

24. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEAL?
Breakfast, suasage biscuits with eggs over medium.

25. WHAT ARE YOUR TWO FAVORITE MOVIES?
Stand By Me and Best in Show

26. WHAT'S THE MOST ENJOYABLE THING YOU WILL DO TODAY?
I went in the sauna at the gym and ate homemade salsa.

27. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY?
Christmas morning...

28. IF YOU COULD HAVE JUST TWO HOURS TO YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH YOUR TIME?
Sew... one of my many projects on my list... or maybe just nap.

29. FAVORITE SOUND? Laughing

30. FAVORITE WORD? famously

31. WORD YOU HATE?
"Emily...???..." (said in whine tone)

32. FAVORITE SMELL? Lilac or fresh cut grass

33. FAVORITE NUMBER? 69, but not for the reason you think.

34. FAVORITE SPORT? Baseball... if I had to pick.

35. WATER OR SNOW SKIING? Snow, of course.

36. FISHING OR GOLF?
Gouge my eyes out before I'd ever stick a hook in anything alive... so I guess it would be golf... to play... but not watch.

37. BOXERS OR BRIEFS? boxer briefs... mmmm....

38. HOTEL OR TENT?
Its really dependent on a lot of things, but I will go tent.

39. FAVORITE RESTAURANT? The Blue Benn Diner in Bennington, VT

40. ARE YOU GLAD THIS SURVEY IS DONE?
It was really quite fun. I am a test-taker at heard.

Day Thirty-Four

It is Wednesday and I am over the hump.

Phew. As crazy busy as I am and as crazy as I feel, the days pass more quickly than I can keep track of... Except that each morning I have to write a morning message that reads "Good morning. Today is Thursday. We have Music and Spanish. Matt is out star." Hence, I am reminded.

Today felt great- like the kids were finally 'N Sync, and functioning normally. It feels good to be hitting our stride. I am getting more comfortable... They are getting more comfortable...

At the end of the day I went outside to take photos of the garden that we "observed" for science yesterday. I entered the butterfly garden, recognizing it solely by the swarm that fluttered around my head. It was amazing and beautiful. It was a great finish to a great day.

As a side note, Mollie has learned how to read. She can read a book called "Doggies" by Sandra Boynton. I bought it for Willy, but read it to Mollie and because each page features a dog bark, she read along with me.

She has also learned to sing a new song. "Feel So Good" by Chuck Mangione. The high swells moved her.

Day Thirty-One

Just sitting down with my morning coffee, getting ready for a day of planning and preparation for the week ahead. Next to Monday, Sunday is the worst day of the week... waiting, anticipating, anxious about the week ahead. I hope soon that I will hit my stride with this class and we will be off and running... without so much of this worry.

Todd and I went kayaking yesterday. Up to the Deerfield River in Charlemont. I hitched a shuttle ride for the first time, a job that has always scared me a little... but the only people you ever ride with are other boaters, so there is really no reason to be nervous. Then we had a good time, pushing our limits, doing lots of rolls, in and out of current... I even practiced my "off side"... rolling on the side that I am not accustomed to, and that felt great to be successful. I had only one missed roll at the end, after successfully making it through Zoar Gap (the largest rapid on this section of river)... and it is because I was trying to do a pass the the paddle trick. Fortunately, Todd was there and I used him to "T-rescue" rather than having to get out of my boat and swim. For any of you that don't understand the contents of this paragraph, I will have to explain kayaking fun to you sometime. It really is fun for me now. I am working on changing my attitude about what makes a fun day. I used to measure its by success having no swims... Now I am working to remind myself that its is a successful day when it is a fun day on the river... and sometimes that might involve a little swim that bruises up your shins.

After watching Napolean Dynamite last night, I had a dream that I was watching a couple meet for the first time at a bus stop. The girl was now a woman, but she was a girl that I mentored in college. I was a big sister, in a way. She was a teenager that was running away from her residential program, performing sexual favors to get rides and drugs. In my dream, she looked good... Not quite a LaFawnDuh, but good... and that made me happy.

I also spent the night, about two hours or so, revamping Todd's resume to get it ready to apply for a caretaker position that we found on line. The hunt is beginning for a new place... but slowly and with patience so that we can find the right place... We figure if we start looking now, hopefully in three years, we might find a place to settle for a few more years. Now, I love the guy... after writing his resume, I want to hire him. Listen to this:

Profile:
Responsible and mature property manager, skilled and experienced in all aspects if on-site caretaking including landscaping, snow removal, painting. plumbing maintenance, and basic carpentry.
Efficient, diligent, flexible, professional, and productive in all aspects of a job.

It's just dripping, isn't it?

Day Twenty-eight

Sometimes I fight being social, i.e. this is the first time I have really hung out with people from work. I guess I did once in the Spring, but I felt like a newbee to the group tonight when a few of us went out for drinks after work. We had a great time- and it feels so good to laugh with these people who understand my stress, and know my children. We had a great time, but the work I had hoped to do tonight is now set aside... and who knows what I will be in for tomorrow... a bit underprepared... It is also past my bedtime now. (Todd had to keep me up past 6:30 last night).
On a positive note, I have gone to the gym twice this week, which feels great and its a slow start back to getting myself back in shape. Light weights. Shorter runs. Lots of stretching and water, lots of water.

Good night, moon. Good night, stars. Good night, room. Good night, friends.

Day Twenty-seven

Two quotes from my day as a Kindergarten teacher

From the bathroom located next to my classroom: "Honey, it helps to pull up your pants first before you flush".

and later in a note from a parent about their child's needs:"He learned how to wipe his behind of BM this summer".

How proud I feel of these kids, learning the most important things in life. Things we simply take for granted.

Day Twenty-six

Total exhaustion on Monday afternoon.

I just had a wonderful week-end. Maya was here for long walks and long talks. We took a hike on Mount Greylock. It was a great chance to see the forest through the trees and to talk and talk and connect on many levels for hours. Then home for a great dinner, prepared by Maya, and some more wine. The best part was that today when I got home from work she was still here, so we went next door to Mario's for dinner and got to spend a few more hours together before she headed back to her world. It feels nice to have a good friend visit... and a new/old good friend at that.

Work was exhasuting today and I am not quite sure how I will make it through the rest of the week. My kids demand constant energy and for me to think for them before they have the chance to think for themselves. A 5-year-old agenda is not one to follow and its hard to get them on my schedule. Deep breath.

Tomorrow is a new day and it can only get easier from here.

Day Twenty-four

Oh my, how we have grown!

This is Maya and I, a rekindled friendship after 15 or so years. The first picture was an occasion when we decided to curl our bangs. We were hip. How great to be back in touch. She is here visiting this week-end, sharing wine, laughter, bocce, and good food. We just read our star signs, a site worth checking out: www.astrologycom.com gives you all the info about your own star sign and your sign in relationships. This might make me a troll... but I prefer to think of myself as a fish and ram.

Day Twenty-two

Phew! I made it.
I felt much better prepared than last year, but a few things are different. Last year all my students were driven by parents... This year, 10 are on the bus. Imagine 10 5 years olds. lost.
I also took for granted how well I had trained last year's group. These kids need to learn to stand in line, raise their hands, sit still, walk through the halls, find the bathroom, tie their shoes, keep their hands to themselves... There is so much work to be done.
A weight has been lifted but it is only just the beginning...

Day Twenty-One

'Twas the night before school days, when all through the schools,
not a teacher was sleeping, not even the fools.

The nametags were hung by the cubbies with care,
With knowledge that students soon would be there.

The children were nestled, all snug in their beds,
While visions of recesses danced in their heads.
And teachers drink wine, and a night cap,
Trying to settle their brains and get in a nap...



And so I sit ready for tomorrow to begin. I spent my day in meetings and later cleaning, hanging name tags, organizing, shopping, typing, and sewing... all in an effort to get it all together for tomorrow. I just might be ready. As ready as one ever can be when you never know what to expect.

Will I see tears tomorrow morning? Will anyone wet their pants? Who will spill their juice? Who will make me get mean on the first day?

You don't want to see me mean. They just don't know it yet. My unsuspecting little ones...

Day Twenty

Back to work.
The part I like least is packing a lunch everyday.


Apple for the teacher, greek salad, cheese stick, granola bars, and green beans. yum.

On a happy note, Todd and I did go to have massages this evening. I got a gift certificate to the local massage school from one of my class parents. Mmmm... Not the best massage ever, but what feels better than even a lousy massage. I got a good rub and left feeling relaxed. Unfortunately for me, I seem unable to ever clear my brain. It is still swimming with thoughts of today, tomorrow, the first day of school, last year, next year, and everything in between. Deep breath.

Day Nineteen

Summer Fun with Mini-Friends

Today is my last day of freedom... The final day of summer and I am sad to see it go. I am focusing on a few thoughts to get me through:
1. I feel much better this year than I did last year.
2. I am prepared.
3. I am grateful for many weeks of fun and relaxation.
4. I am getting a massage tomorrow night.
5. There will be another summer vacation next year.
I am breathing deep to keep the anxiety out and to keep myself together. In some ways, I am just anxious to get back now so that I can get it over with and leave this stress behind. Then I will be able to enjoy this beautiful fall weather and the leaves beginning to turn.
Wish me luck!

Day Eighteen

It is turning into a very fun week-end, as I knew it would. Yesterday Todd and I brought Kevin and Fred and Diane to Hudson, which turned into the perfect day. There is tons of well priced junk and over-priced antiques, but a huge variety of things to look at in every store. We had a nice lunch and Kevin and I split a carafe of Sangria, which may have made the day that much more fun. Then shopping, iced coffee, and home again.
We went to Meisner's auction and saw things we couldn't afford and watched people spend a lot of money on Shaker stuffs. Then we ordered pizzas and Kevin had his first ride on a mini- dirt bike. Fun for all. Todd spoiled us by getting amazing desserts from Mario's next door. I ate my favorite cheese cake. Then more laughing, talking, and silliness until we were all too tired to look at each other anymore.
Who could ask for a better day?

Day Seventeen

Yeah! Kevin is here visiting! Mollie was so excited she needed a walk. I am excited for a fun, fun week-end with a fun, fun friend.

Day Fifteen

Today was another fun day of school preparation. I went to the library with the family this morning and checked out about 20 books for my classroom before heading to my classroom to work. I worked on name tags, organized some toys, sorted books, and went through the constant pile of mail that is in my box.

This is one of the two shelves of blocks that Todd helped me to sort through. This project was one that I started last August but never had a chance to finish until now. That is the pressure. I know that whatever I do not finish now will not get done until next summer. :-)

This evening was also a potluck where 5 sets of parents asked me the same question- the one piece of information that I neglected to put in their welcome letter. Now I know for next year. :-)

I also got to talk to all the other teachers and as it turns out, I am not the only one who is this nervous and anxious... we all are. We are also all taking sleep aids and drinking wine to make it through the next week. I am ready for the year to start so that this anxiety can end...