A Whirlwind

Whew! I am just now getting a chance to take a deep breath! School began the 17th, and it has been quite a whirlwind the last week. I am teaching 5th grade reading, English, and social studies, and also a 6th grade English class. I teach six periods a day, which for most teachers, that's normal, but I was spoiled last year only having to teach five classes a day. Now that we've been in classes for a week, things are starting to calm and come into focus. I am breathing now, which is nice. LOL My students are great, and I seem to only have one that tries my patience - which I have less of these days - on a rather consistent basis. This is my fifth year of teaching and my first year of actually feeling like I am in control and have a grip on lessons and behaviors. So nice! The other fifth grade teacher is brand new, and it reminds me of my early days -- and I say thanks everyday that I made it through them. Being a teacher is hard work. I don't think people really understand how all-consuming it is unless they know someone well who is in the field. When school is going I dream about some aspect of my class almost every night, and I think about it all during the day too, of course, and then on the weekends I am planning for the next week, so it's in my mind then too - all consuming. I love it though. I just love being in charge and getting to boss others around! LOL I really am good at that! Editing is going well. I hope to finish it up this weekend. Next weekend I am going to OK to stay with my mom in the hospital while she has her second knee replacement. Roy and Cleo are going to go to Ponca to see family. Then on the 7th, I am chaperoning our school dance. Don't ask me why, cause I don't even know how to dance, but volunteering always looks good, so I decided to go for it. Roy's school has started with a bang. He is working for a new Old Testament professor at Baylor who is working him quite a bit. He will actually get to teach some classed this semester, which will be such a great experience for him. Since we are both in school now, it's like we just say goodbye in the mornings, hi honey, how was your day? in the afternoons, and goodnight baby, sleep well in the evenings. Such is life. So is this post long enough or what? Sorry guys. I don't get to talk to grown ups much anymore....

Update on Life

My trip home to Ponca City was so great! My mom's knee surgery went very well, and she is recovering faster than expected. It's amazing, really. I am blown away by her determination and will power. No one can ever say she's a wimp, that's for sure. I started work again last week. Inservice so far, but it has been stressful, to say the least. The school is just growing so quickly that we cannot keep up with it. I have also started editing my fourth book, and I am enjoying my new laptop that was purchased with the money I am making from editing. I got this fabulous new bag/carrying case too. It is very classy! This weekend we have been enjoying the company of an old highschool/college friend from Oklahoma. Yesterday we toured a local winery, which was really exciting. We even did a wine tasting and bought a bottle of white wine. The owners are from Sweden and have a fabulous accent! Last night we watched both of the Bourne movies, and today we went to the theater and watched the third one. I must say, Matt Damon is quite the sexy actor! Mmmhmm. :) We are still waiting to hear from our insurance company as to how much they will give us to repair our roof. Also, we had an incident with a file cabinet we purchased at Oakwood Express. Supposedly they only sell solid real wood, but somehow we ended up with particle board that has a laminate of rosewood, or something like that. Anyway, Roy's talked to the manager about it all, and he said he can't do much for us, so we will have to contact the corporate office. It's really frustrating because we bought a lot of furniture from them last year with the understanding that it's all solid wood ... surprise, surprise. So other than the Texas heat, the furniture store, and the insurance company, and stress at work, life is good. I have to go now ... Cleo just pooted on my lap and it is about to choke me!!!!!!!