Trying not to feel discouraged

When I was at the doctor Tuesday, he mentioned it might be 48 hours before I was feeling better.  I am trying to remember that I do feel better than Tuesday, but I don't feel great.  In fact, I felt better yesterday than I do today.  I'll be honest, it is frustrating.  I'm grateful that I'm not missing any big life moments, but at the same time, I feel like I'm missing so much of the glorious care free summer.  I know it's going to get better, and I also am beginning to understand how sick I really had been.  The good news is that there are still eleven weeks left before school starts again!

Sometimes silence is golden

We are in the middle of our first week at home together.  In some ways, this is really just the beginning.  We had a weekend like normal, then Monday was Memorial Day, and then yesterday I was incredibly sick.  Today is really the first day we are all up and functioning on what would normally be a regular work day.  When I am home by myself during the week, my morning is quiet.  I watch the local news until everyone leaves, then I usually turn off the TV and work on my computer, or get other things done around the house.  Andrew though, likes having the TV on.  He is in the back family room on his computer, but had some sports program on.  Now, we all know I like sports, but listening to idiots discuss random and irrelevant facts about teams and athletes is not my thing.  I also acknowledge that I'm still far from feeling great and my patience is not at full strength, but it seems we have some adjusting to do!

There is much devastation

Last night, significant severe storms went through.  Where our family lives, there wasn't even any rain, but up near my extended family, it was destructive.  I had no idea because I went to bed really early, but our "go-to" local network has been on the air consecutively (even without commercials) for the lats 16 hours.  Major buildings have been destroyed along with businesses and houses.  A high school very close to our former community had a significant amount of damage, and there has been a confirmed fatality up further north.  The fact that there is only one seems miraculous based on what I have seen.  So grateful for that though, and especially grateful that my friends and family are safe and okay!

Not how I planned to start summer break

I will be heading to the doctor this morning.  I honestly don't remember the last time I felt this lousy.  I am so sick.  I've started running a fever this morning, and the aches are miserable.  I still think it is just an infection, although I suppose it could be influenza.  The symptoms still mesh with a sinus infection though.  Hopefully within 48 hours I will feel better.  This was not how I planned to begin my break!

UPDATE:  The doctor says that I am sick with a very bad sinus infection.  Not only has he started me on a heavy duty antibiotic, but he gave me a shot in the office.  He told me even with all of this, it could take 48 hours for me to feel better.  I am to stay down for two days to rest and hydrate, but hopefully I am on the road to recovery!

Sick again

I am fairly certain I have a sinus infection.  My face hurts, my teeth hurt, and my mucous is yellow.  I can't get it all out of my nose, and I'm just pretty miserable.  I had a good week in between this crap, but ugh.  On the upside, we don't have any plans today, and I can stay down all day...which is exactly what is going to happen.  Unless I wake up feeling significantly better, there is a trip to the doctor in my plans for tomorrow!

Our first day off

Today is our first day off for the summer.  Exactly one year ago today, Robert graduated.  This year flew by faster than I even thought was possible.  They say that time flies when you are having fun, and our family must be having a blast!

Honestly, it's true.  Our little lives here are amazingly awesome.  It is especially easy to feel that way today, as we are staring at the wide expanse that is our entire summer break stretched before us.  The possibilities (and sleep opportunities) seem endless right now.  I know there will be rainy days, literally and metaphorically, but for today, I'm just going to be grateful.

Department chair

My husband was officially named department chair today.  The previous chair accepted a position as a middle school principal, so a new chair was needed.  Three individuals expressed their interest, and I am so proud of Andrew for taking this on.  Congrats to my hubby!

The school year is over

I picked the kids up at 11:00 this morning, and the three of us are officially on summer break.  Andrew still works tomorrow, but all of his grades are submitted.  I think this is my favorite part...when all of the entire summer is stretched out in front of us.

This evening is graduation.  I am not attending, but will be joining Andrew afterwards for a gathering to celebrate a colleague (and friend) who is leaving the classroom to become a middle school principal.  We also have a bunch of graduation parties to attend this weekend, and friends are coming from out-of-town to stay Saturday night.  Overall though, it gets to be a fairly unscheduled and laid back weekend.  I am all about that!  And then, it leads right into the enjoyment of 12 weeks off school.

Just one more to go

The kids are home for the day, so just one more day.  As much as I look forward to the arrival of summer break each year, there is a part of me that is sad to see this year end.  Not only has Catherine had a fabulous year (her best one in fact), I'm not sure I'm ready for the beginning of her senior year next year.  Oh, that breaks my heart a little.  This year really has been amazing for her.  She had the best teachers I could've asked for, and her grades have been the highest year.  I can't tell you how awesome she is.

I also know that I'll never have another freshman.  Another reminder of the passage of time.  Strangely enough, this is hitting me tremendously hard.  We've had a wonderful year.  I am so in love with this time of my life, and Andrew and I have talked about how we just want to soak up everything we can about the next fourteen months. 

At the same time, school is such a struggle for Thomas, and that makes it a struggle for us as well.  He's better about working harder than Robert was, but he just can't seem to figure it out for himself either.  It's tough to watch, and tough to live with.  I know though, at the end of the day, that Thomas is going to figure out his way in life, even if it takes him a little longer than some.

For right now, I'm looking forward to making wonderful memories this summer!

Two more down

I have picked the kids up from school.  Two more exams are in the books.  Unfortunately, we already know how Catherine did on her math exam, and it wasn't good.  It was so awful in fact, it appears to have knocked her semester grade down a letter.  Ugh.

Tomorrow she has English and Chemistry, but there isn't a lot of stress in either one.  Both finals are projects that are going to be presented, and for the most part Catherine already has the projects finished.  Thursday she only has one exam, and that is more of a reflexive essay, so really her stress is done.  That math result sure is disappointing though.

Thomas has World History and Algebra tomorrow.   He should be in good shape with WH, but definitely needs to review his math.  Thursday he has Spanish which will also require studying and review, but gets to end with his Guitar class final.  That will definitely not be stressful.

We are almost there...summer break is right around the corner!

Summer of 1990

I vividly remember the summer of 1990, as I vividly remember most summers of my high school and college years.  Those tend to be drama-packed, hormone-driven transitional years for many people, and I was no exception.  The summer of 1990 was right after my sophomore year of high school, and it was the first summer I could drive.  It was a tough summer for me, as I was adjusting to life without both of my best friends.  One had graduated from high school and was leaving town with no intention of looking back.  Kristen, my other best friend, was the daughter of our church pastor.  He was reassigned that summer to church two hours away.  Even though I had plenty of other friends, it was something of a lonely summer for me.

It was also the first summer I really remember appreciating spending time with my dad.  My mom was a stay-at-home mom until my senior year of high school, so she was always around.  My dad though, was a workaholic.  It was a summer I remember spending time riding around town, just seeing what might be happening.  Dad loved taking car rides, and I was always happy to ride along.  Dad loved country music.  Of course as a teenager, I couldn't stand my parents' music, and I especially hated country.  But on one ride on Father's Day, I remember hearing George Straight sing, "Love without end, Amen."  That song spoke to me in a way I'm not sure any song ever had before, and tears filled my eyes.  I remember taking a friend with me to Murphy's Mart (it had to be about the last summer it was in town), and I remember her making fun of me for purchasing a cassette tape (that's right!) by a country artist.

It was another few years before I began to really follow country music.  Honestly, I often made fun of the songs myself when Dad and I were on car rides.  That song though?  Well, that song I always turned up and tried to sing along...if I didn't get too choked up about it.

Today I was out running errands and listening to the radio.  Now, I pretty much ONLY have country music stations programmed.  One of them is a classic country station, and sure enough, George Straight's classic song started playing.  All of a sudden, it was 1990 again in my heart.  I absolutely can't believe it has been almost thirty years since that summer.  I still got tears in my eyes, of course, and in some ways even more so because I miss my dad so much each and every day.  But I was also able to have the perspective that I was so incredibly lucky to have had him in my life as long as I did.

I'm so grateful for my dad, and I'm so grateful for music which helped to shape my life, and helped to make my memories so special and vivid.

Last full day of the school year

After today, the kids only have half days remaining this year!  I'll be honest, this is literally the only time of the school year when I don't love having high school students.  At the elementary and middle schools, they are in coasting mode and having fun.  There is no homework, and hopefully no stress to the student and family at this point.  Not the case at high school though.  With finals, it is still all in, and in many ways more stressful than normal.  It's just not my favorite time for high school.  This afternoon was the beginning of finals, but my kids both had band so there was nothing to worry about.  Tomorrow Catherine has Algebra II, and I know she has studied and prepared.  After that she has career readiness, and that is really more of a reflection than an exam.  Thomas though, has science tomorrow and he desperately needs to do well.  Sending up lots of prayers for all of our students!

A family Sunday afternoon at the Reds game

Our family enjoyed a family afternoon at the Reds game.  Unfortunately, they lost, but we sure had fun spending the afternoon together!  I was worried about the weather (thunderstorms were in the forecast) and how I was going to hold up after being sick all week, but it all worked out really well and we had fun!  I love having an afternoon to spend with my kiddos!

Already have a job for next year

I have already scheduled a sub job for next year!  I didn't even know it was possible for that to happen, but a teacher put in for a personal day (I am pretty sure he is taking his daughter to college that day) and I am on his preferred list.  When I received notification, I snatched it up!  I am so ready for this summer, but I know I will be ready to get back at it in August!

Last Friday of the school year

This is the final Friday of the school year.  I am here at school for what should be my final job of the year.  I'll be honest, there is a big part of me that would rather be home sneezing and coughing in the privacy of my house, but that doesn't pay.  Unfortunately, they are short on subs, so I have to cover another class that I know is going to be challenging, but I'm getting paid to be here today!

Finally starting to feel human again

Today was almost the worst I've felt all week, but this evening I am starting to feel human again!  That's a good thing, because I am scheduled to work tomorrow.  I regret that I had all four days off work, there was gorgeous weather, and I pretty much never moved off the couch.  At the same time, I'm grateful that I didn't miss paying jobs while I was sick.  It all works out!

I'm also happy to report that I'm finished with my "on call" for jury duty.  It was a two week call, and while I'd be happy to serve at some point, not so much when it would mean not getting paid.  I'm not sad that I didn't get chosen this time.

Only five days remaining in the school year, and then twelve weeks off for summer!

I've been sick for three days

Today is the third day I've felt pretty lousy.  Thankfully, I haven't been scheduled any of these days, and I haven't even had to turn anything down.  It's the end of the year, and things are winding down, so I'm not worried about it.  It's just a bad cold, and I'm sure I'll be fine tomorrow, and definitely by Friday when I am next scheduled.  It does feel a little weird to be home on a Wednesday though.  This is the first time I've been home on a Wednesday all semester...and in fact the first Wednesday off since December 5.

While I'm not to worried about this, I am plenty worried about other things.  It was a contract negotiation year, and I have a feeling it isn't good.  We'll know more next week.  There just seems to be so much negativity, and sometimes down-right hate around, and I'll be honest, that stresses me tremendously.  Time to bring out the prayers for peace.  And since I'm not doing much but sitting around this week, I've got plenty of time to pray!

Mother's Day 2019

I have really enjoyed today.  Honestly, I'm just so grateful that I have my amazing kiddos that I didn't need anything else...and I really meant that.  I really just wanted to sleep in, and go visit my mother.  Andrew made us an awesome breakfast of eggs, hash browns, and bacon this morning (after I slept in) before Catherine went to work.  She's worked all day, and I really don't mind.  Andrew, Thomas, and I headed north to spend just a little time with my mom before she went to lunch with my sister, then swung by to see my paternal grandmother and my aunt who was also visiting her.  I've done a couple loads of laundry, and Andrew made an absolutely amazing dinner of steaks, potatoes, and asparagus.  My only regret of the day is that Thomas has Youth Group this evening, so we had to eat before Catherine got home from work.

The biggest surprise of the day was an email from Robert first thing this morning.  It was very thoughtful of him to want to make sure I heard from him today.  I was very touched by his gesture!

Championship day on the baseball diamond

Andrew had a baseball tournament game at 10 this morning.  If they won, they were to play again this afternoon.  I wasn't going to go to the 10:00 game, but followed along on the app.  We were excited to see they won after begin down early.  Thomas and I decided to go to the game this afternoon and take our sweet pup.  The game that was played between our two games was only about 2/3 of the way completed, so we had time to hang out.  It was a really close game with a pitching duel.  Thomas and I had to come home with two innings to go, and we were ahead when we left.  We scored another run after we left and came out on top!  I was sorry that we weren't there for the post game celebration, but I was so happy the team was league tournament champs!

Andrew has had so much fun coaching these boys this year.  They are a fabulous group of young men.  I tell Andrew they are going to spoil me because I can't imagine another group of young men being any more wonderful...it can only go downhill from here!😁 . I'm grateful Andrew had the opportunity to coach these young men, and I'm especially glad the could go out on top as champs!

Teaching the kids to play euchre

Thomas has been invited to a birthday party next week with friends from our former town.  I love these kids, and I'm thrilled that he has remained part of this group, even if only a couple of times a year.  He mentioned in passing yesterday that the party was a euchre tournament.  I asked if he knew how to play, and he was pretty non-committal...which of course means no.  Andrew and I decided it was time we teach the kids to play this classic card game!

Andrew was supposed to work tonight, but that ended up being cancelled.  Catherine had to work right after school, but it was only a three hour shift.  We had the most fun teaching our kids this game.  We will play again tomorrow to give Thomas some more practice, and I can't wait until we play again!

Just one more Friday after today

We are into single digits here (when we are done in just over two hours).  After today, there are only nine more days total, and one Friday.  I am scheduled to work that day, and I don't mind.  It's the only day I'm currently scheduled for next week.  This year has flown by, just as each year does...even though it never feels that way on Mondays!

For the seniors, most of them are finished on this coming Monday.  Honestly, there aren't many from this class I am going to miss.  Of course there are a few, but most of those I am friends with parents.  Not only did I never really connect to this class, I dreaded them and avoided them like the plague generally speaking.

Next year will be very different in terms of my emotions.  As fast as I know this year is going to go, I am going to enjoy each and every day that I can until then.

Not good news for my aunt

Yesterday our family learned the results of my Aunt Cathy's latest scan.  She has been fighting melanoma for the last 20 months.  Honestly and sadly, she hasn't done the best job of taking care of herself.  Last August, her scans were completely clean, and I think that is why my mom was unprepared for yesterday's results.  The cancer has spread to Aunt Cathy's lungs and is now considered stage 4.  She is eligible for some experimental medications and even a clinical trial, so that is where things are now.  My mother was tasked with telling not only their mother, but both of my aunt's daughters as well.  It was definitely not the news for which we were hoping.

It was so incredibly thoughtful of him

Andrew hasn't felt well all week.  He stayed home from school Monday, but went back yesterday for the teacher work day.  Today he had students and came home exhausted.  He also came home with a plate full of desserts for me.  Apparently today was a Teacher Appreciation at the high school.  I worked, but was able to leave early due to the teacher's schedule.  Andrew decided that I needed to have some desserts because I am important at the school.  He even told the principal that he was bringing a plate home to me, and the principal agreed I am part of it.  It was so thoughtful of my husband.  I am lucky to have him!

Yesterday was such a tease

None of the schools in our county had school yesterday since it was election day.  It turned out there was nothing on the ballot here, but there is no way to know that before the school calendar is decided.  Because our schools are used as polls, from a safety stand point, they have decided not to hold school on election day.

It was an amazing day.  Of course, it started with sleeping in which is always wonderful.  Secondly, the weather could not have been more beautiful.  I had a couple of errands that absolutely had to be done yesterday and I didn't mind being out and about.  The sun was shining, the temperature was wonderful, and the humidity was low.  Catherine didn't have to work, and since baseball practice was cancelled even Andrew was home fairly soon after work.  It was a relatively care-free day without much to worry about.

Days like this are rare, and pretty much non-existent during the school year.  We are soooo close to having them more frequently though with our summer off.  With only twelve more days of school remaining (counting today), it is so easy to just feel like coasting into the end of the school year.  With high school students have finals though, it doesn't really work that way.  That's what makes yesterday feel like such a tease.  We are so close, but not there yet!

The first weekend in May

Last evening we were invited over to hang out with some friends.  The baseball coaches have become friends, and we all enjoy hanging out.  We didn't stay out terribly late, and we were able to get a fairly decent night of sleep.  Before we went, we even took Thomas to dinner as a reward for some hard school work he has accomplished.  It was a very pleasant evening.

This morning we got to sleep in since Catherine didn't have to be at work until late morning.  I had really, really wanted to go car shopping, which really needs to happen and we just don't have many opportunities to do so.  However, Andrew had told Thomas he wanted to take him to a movie today, and I wasn't about to be the bad guy in that scenario.  I got a few things done around the house while they were gone, and also received word that my second cousin Monica has become engaged.  So very happy for her!

I've also been emotional today.  In addition to being disappointed about the car shopping,   This evening is prom, and although Catherine seems to be fine with not going, my heart still breaks a little about it all.  I suspect part of it is my memories about never having a date through 3-1/2 years of high school.  It just affected me today.

I had hoped we could do something fun as a family last evening after Catherine got off work, but since we decided to go out, I was hoping that we could do something fun tonight.  Unfortunately, Andrew isn't feeling well at all, and has already gone to bed.  He is supposed to be gone all day tomorrow at a fundraiser, and we hope he is able to do so.  I just hate sitting around on a Saturday evening with each of us doing our own thing!

I can tell it is the end of the school year

I am in one of my favorite assignments today, but I can tell it is getting to be towards the end of the school year.  Kids that I genuinely enjoy on most days are behaving so obnoxiously today.  It is literally like they have lost their minds.  Overall, these are good kids.  They are Honors students, but they have clearly lost their minds today.  It doesn't help that they are mostly freshmen, and I've felt that this class is a little more immature than I had expected.  And here we are at a Friday at the end of the school year, and they are just checking out, not even trying, and being downright disrespectful.  It makes me not sad that I'm not scheduled for a bunch of days from here on out.

It's a good day for early morning hot chocolate

Today is a very, very wet day.  The rain that began around 5:30 this morning was torrential.  We even had some thunder and lightning to go with it.  Just walking from the house to the car resulted in everything being wet.  It's also a bit chilly, although not terribly so.  It's just kind of an icky Friday morning.

But, on the upside, it IS Friday morning!  As I said to someone this morning right before school started, "At this time tomorrow we will all still be sleeping."  And that is so true, at least in my house.  I suspect Andrew's game for this evening will be cancelled, and tomorrow our only solid plan is that Catherine has to work.  Even that isn't until 11.  At some point either tomorrow or this afternoon I need to work at the church, but I can be flexible in that.  Sunday Andrew has an all day golf outing/fundraiser.  Overall, it's a pretty relaxing weekend.

Anyway, because today is Friday, it is coffee cart day!  Teachers can pay $5 at the beginning of the month and receive their choice of coffee (made to order), tea, or hot chocolate each Monday and Friday.  I've been fortunate enough in that many times when I've subbed on those days, the teachers are subscribers and the EA will make hot chocolate for me.  Because on Monday we thought I would be permanent for the rest of the year, Andrew signed me up for the coffee cart.  When we found out I wouldn't be permanent, I told the EA I was still working most Mondays and Fridays, and would let her know my schedule.  With the damp chill in the air, it is a wonderful morning for some hot chocolate!

Nothing big is happening in life

Today's school is almost finished, and we are down to fourteen days of school remaining.  Honestly, things are seriously beginning to wind down in terms of school work in some classes.  At the same time, some classes are even more stressful because of final projects that are coming due, and Thomas especially needs to do well.  But regardless, three weeks from today is the end of it all.  I am looking forward not only to less stress in the summer, but enjoying family moments with our little family.

We had the final band concert of the year last night.  Andrew has several wrap-up activities, but the rest of us are pretty much just going through the days.  For right now, I am completely fine with nothing major or dramatic happening in life!

May begins

And just like that, 2019 is 1/3 of the way over.  It's just crazy how quickly time is passing.

After today (and we are almost finished), there are only 15 days of school remaining.  It is really, really getting near to the end.  I've enjoyed this year the most, although parenting children who struggle with school is always challenging.  Catherine works hard and takes everything so seriously.  Thomas doesn't seem to know what is happening around him.  I tell myself though, that he is a very polite and courteous young man, he is smarter than his grades show, and he has passions in life.  It's going to be okay.

Usually May is ridiculously busy, but this year it isn't quite so involved.  With no spring athletes, that helps.  Band has also done away with an awards and dessert reception, although we do have to sit through the middle school performances instead.  I also don't have a senior graduating this year and that certainly helps.  Next year though, we will be right back into the festivities of that.

I am so grateful for each and every day.  The mundane ones, the crazy ones, and all the ones in between!