Week Two

It's in the record book. The beginning of my eleventh year in this district. A relatively smooth start to what should be a very good year. I have fully 15% of the total school population. It's nice to be needed! Got four more kids this week, and two transferred in who thought about going somewhere else. Another African nation is represented with some slim stately twins, and another Jesus, along with his little brother (and I DO mean LITTLE -- he's about 4 feet tall!) has joined us.
Todd has made it back from another driving marathon, in an unairconditioned vehicle for over 7 hours, no less. He's over in Jackson for some rest and relaxation. He will surely produce a witty novel, comic or tragic, based on his adventures some day. Perhaps an article in a magazine between now and then?
Nana has cooked supper on Friday and lunch today for us. Great food and conversation, pleasant ambience. We'll be back!
So, what is going on in the land of mystic writers? Rose is on her way to the Emerald Isle to check on the wee ones. Amy continues to resist the temptation to share her thoughts with us, along with the reticent Cousin Andrew. His older brother sent photos, but little commentary, so we are left to wonder whether he has survived his visit across the pond. Laura is faithful to report the daily goings-on in the Carolinas. Meanwhile, Todd is reunited with his elusive ipod, Scott sets a new swimming record, Gma and Gpa get a new recording contract playing bluegrass, and David volunteers at a race instead of running in it. The only one who has remained sane all along is Teddy, but he is young and impressionable. Long live the eccentric southern writers of this, the early twenty-first century.

First Week Back

I've made it through the first week of school. Just 35 more to go. Naw, I'm not really counting. They are still very cute and I'm in the "honeymoon" phase of getting to know my new kids. David says I always do this. There are about 60 total. I have one boy named Jesus, one Angel, and a girl named Bethlehem. They were all in one class until some schedules changed. Three Jose's, two Yi's, a Nhan and a Nang, four Abdi's and two Mohamed's. Guadalajara and Guanajuato are represented, as are Beijing, Jakarta and Yangon. Both coasts of Africa have sent their "tired and poor" (sorry, just can't help humming the melody penned to the poem on the base of the Statue of Liberty), "the wretched refuse of your teeming shore, send these the homeless, tempest-tossed to me"...etc.
The good news is I'm teaching what I love to teach ALL day long. I have a spacious room, two new computers, and third period planning (what I've ALWAYS wanted!). The better news is I have given the responsibility of yearbook sponsor to another teacher, so that weight is lifted from my shoulders. It has taken a few days to straighten out the mess of transportation and special ed paperwork. I have a new translator, too, who will help with the Spanish speakers.
So, things are pretty good these days!
Due to gas prices, I'm still carpooling with my honey. It's more fun anyway, and definitely improves one's prayer life and reflexes! (He relies on faith and his Southern charm, not turn signals or brakes, in traffic.) Maybe it's one reason my hair is curlier... We're talking about how we can ride the new train that is starting to operate soon between our fair city and the metroplex. Should be interesting. It stops less than two miles from our house and carries people to Riverfront Park. The timing will be tricky, getting to work on time. It sure would be less stress on the driver. Might require some biking, hiking or bus riding. Free exercise!
I've been walking more and enjoying visiting with my neighbor Michelle. We've known each other at church for years, but never thought about this outlet for companionship. She's about 15 years younger than me and has sons ages 11 and 3. We have fun talking about their "growing pains" and our relatives, jobs, and houses. I logged 57 miles last month!
That's the news from this end of the county for this week.

On the Horizon

It's going to be a great year. That's what I tell myself. I saw some of my new students today and they are so cute! I got my basic schedule, and it is doable. My room is still not quite ready for prime time, but it's coming along. I got my computer up and running and I saw a lot of my co-workers. There are some neat new faces and the really great ole ones! I love my job, and I pray that this year goes well so I can enjoy my new closeness with my parents. They are getting settled in. Thanks to Ron's sister, Mom had a big day drinking iced tea and moving furniture! She was "high" with the feat of moving some big pieces around and hanging the first picture. I just HAD to go by and see. They've had visits from two church people so far, delivering fresh sourdough bread and a chocolate chip pie. Dad looks great! They had even hooked up the cable that was dangling from the wall and were watching "Walk Through the Bible" on PBS.
I hope some day Todd can go to visit them. He hasn't set foot inside their house yet, and tomorrow will make ten days since they arrived! He IS working, though, so I can't complain. I don't approve of driving for a lifetime career, and feel sure that he will tire of it within the first few months. It is awfully hard on your health, and can make you fat, sitting that much, sleeping that little, and eating mostly junk food.
A young lady I saw today, daughter of an old teaching friend, recommended that Todd get his MBA. I was surprised because he doesn't have any business background, but she assured me that it would be a great step into the business world. She had considered teaching school earlier in her life (even did her undergrad in education), but decided against it after subbing at our school while her mother taught there. She got her MBA and is SO happy in the corporate world. It makes you think...
A small but significant thing that has happened recently in my personal life is that my optometrist recommended a new type of contact lens and drops. It has made a big difference in my eye comfort and reading ability. I didn't know how much it would help!
And, of course, I must mention the successful trip that my sister-in-law made to Ireland. I'm so happy for her, that she could do all that touring and relaxing. It sounds wonderful. I have traveled alone before, and found it really enjoyable, for the most part. She is doing such a remarkable job of researching the family tree on that side of the family. I am grateful for that because it will help our boys realize where they are from and why they are the way they are. My mother-in-law, too, is impressive because in her low-key, pleasant way, she introduced us to a whole group of relatives. She moved among them, bestowing friendly comments and exchanging small talk. She is a truly genteel southern lady whom I am blessed to be related to. ( She did a really good job of helping to raise some fine children, too.)
So, let's see...How are all these random thoughts related? New class, new closeness, new job possibilities, new contact and "vision", new realizations of great relationships. Yeah, it's going to be a great year!

Fun with Family

It's a whole new "era" in our lives. Mom and Dad arrived on Friday about 12:30 p.m. and we went straight over to their new house. Mitch, the landlord, was still painting some things and asked that they not stay there that night. The movers arrived a few minutes later and began unloading the boxes and furniture. We went on to the house for lunch and rest time. I went back to supervise the unloading and answer questions. About 6 p.m. as the first rain drops began to fall, they finished the last load, we paid them, and they headed back to Texas. Meanwhile, Konni and Kevin arrived at our house, David and the boys departed for the drum corps show (which was ultimately rained out), and we had a quiet dinner at home of carry-out Chinese food. Everyone found a suitable place to sleep, and we all settled in.
Saturday Kevin had to get back to Texas, and Konni helped Mom and Scott and I all morning as we sorted boxes and made a path through the living room (the "staging area", as the movers called it). Todd had gone off to drive a car -- paying propositions take priority! Just after lunch, we had a refreshing outing to the salon for a much-needed style session for Mom. It's not quite what she wanted, but it helped. That afternoon, we attacked the stacks again while Scott bought groceries and prepared supper on the grill. David mowed the tall grass, making friends with the neighbors and finding a ferocious yellow jacket, and Mitch continued his meticulous painting in the master bathroom.
Sunday Konni flew home early; then it was church time (where Dad sang every song, loud and clear, in his beautiful tenor), lunch at home, a bridal shower, and Scott and David returned to the homestead with the folks and me to repair the desk leg, set up the computer, move in the console TV and set up all the peripherals around it. We also unloaded Nana's car, which had been loaded to the ceiling with last-minute things thrown in as they left the apartment on Thursday. The path through the living room is getting wider, things are getting more sorted (not sordid -- I know what you're thinking!), and we are just pacing ourselves, not doing too much at any one trip. Mitch is still back there, though, saying the paint is not dry enough to allow anyone to enter the master bathroom where there is also the walk-in closet and linen closet, so some boxes cannot be emptied and they cannot even sleep there yet. It seems like the song "One More Day" keeps playing in the background unendingly.
Monday we headed for the bank to establish a new account, then to the Senior Citizens Center to see what they have to offer. The calendar of events and menu both look fabulous. There is exercise M-W-F 10:30 to 11 a.m. and lunch at 11:30 every day. It's only $1.25!! There are art classes and much more. They even offer Tai Chi on Thursday nights at 7 p.m. It's right next to our church building, so Mom can probably let Dad do things over there while she attends Ladies Bible Class on Tuesdays when that starts up in September.
Lunch with Scott at Panera Bread, another short work session at the house, securing shelves in the closet, arranging pretty glassware on the upper kitchen display rack, and moving dressers and TV in the master bedroom. Still not clear for occupation, due to landlord. Back at home, scheduling Dad's dental appointment (to consult about his broken tooth), checking on the V.A. hospital, cable TV installation, voter registration, car tags, etc. We are able to print out some forms which helps. Todd's gone all day (and night) driving for the company. After our supper, there's "Wheel", "Antique Roadshow", and "History Detectives" (none of which I can actually watch due to finishing my part-time permit job and getting the master his supper).
It IS fun to have someone to talk to and people to sit and eat supper with. It IS fun to set up a new house and arrange familiar objets d'arte. It IS fun to introduce old friends to my folks and to discover interesting things going on in our community. It reminds me a little of when the children were little and we would find things on their level to do while Daddy was at work. It opens your eyes to things that go on all the time whether you realize it or not. It helps you see your world in a different way, to try to get places and do things with them. So far, we are all healthy and happy. We WISH they could sleep there, but it's not that bad having this time to "bond" and adjust to the new life ahead. The grandsons are enjoying talking with and helping these grandparents whom they have never had more than 24-48 hours with at any one time all these years.
Time moves on, things change, but family is SO important. Being together is such a blessing. Konni cried to leave the other day, but she is glad they can get the care they need here. We will all adjust to the new life, and I think it will be a better situation. I don't look forward to being away all day at school, but we'll face the challenges as they come. My first full week day away will be next Wednesday. This weekend, we'll visit David's relatives, so Mom and Dad will have one day to "fend for themselves". They are quite capable. I am proud of them for being so flexible and independent.
Thank you, dear reader, for "hanging in here" with my long post. I promise less next time.