And a week later....

I had absolutely planned to blog about my first week of school before this- this is pretty typical of most of my life.  I had PLANNED to do such and such, but then something else came up and off I went.

In my case, the weather was hot and humid over the weekend, and having no air causes me to lay like a noodle off and on through the day, under the ceiling fan, and not get too much done, other than in fits and starts.   Then Monday, when it was nice, I was off on a tear, trying to get as much done as I could..... followed by a couple hours in Debi's Sunshine aka the kayak.  I still have some photo editing to do, but that's ok.  Last night I, again,  had thought about blogging, but I took off for an early evening walk, and then got distracted ie: I flung myself down willfully on the couch after 8:30 and barely moved for a while.  Tuesday is a long day, and this one was long and enjoyable, but I was tired nonetheless.  I'm thrilled to say that I slept well and am looking forward to Wednesday.

Labor Day weekend kept me busier than I anticipated.  I went to a wedding reception on Saturday, which was lovely, then a Labor Day party thing on Sunday, which was fine- albeit a bit annoying after a while, but still.  I cooked spontaneously for the Mad-Middle son and his lovely Sarah and my sweet little Grandboy.  And like I said, I got to kayak!  :)

The first week of school was fine, active and noisy, but the kids are excited and things are good in that regard.  Things at both school seem to be going fairly smoothly, so far- so good!  In some ways it seems almost like we never left, but in other ways there are huge changes in personnel so its all changed.  That is just how life seems to go, and people seem to have settled into it.

So on this little bit sleepy morning, I wish you a happy Wednesday!  I have another post begun in my mind, but I do not have the energy to write it today.  :)  So general and random it is!  And I'll throw a couple IPhone photos in for good measure.

Be a joy giver today my friends, someone might need some of yours!

Is it bedtime, yet??

I am definitely paying for my weekend this morning.

Staying up late for prom two nights in a row was the start of it.  That just is self explanatory.  It was a really good night for us and the kids.  

The nice weather is the other factor.  I went for a couple of really long walks.  Sunday found me cutting down brown, dead stuff in the garden, digging out a few plants, filling the wheelbarrow, checking the bees, directing the MA as he used the tractor to fix the massive chunks of lawn the snowplow took out this past fall, raking, and a bunch of other things I can't remember.  I have some photos but I frankly can't be bothered to post them right now....  Lol.

My legs are really tired from the shoveling, my elbow is tired from all sorts of stuff and my eyes are tired from yet again not falling asleep in a timely manner.

On a positive note, we got to talk to the Mad-second son last night for a long time and we get to FaceTime with miss Ella and her parents tonight.  And plans are underway for visits from both of them, so that definitely made my night.

There is a week of wonderful weather evenings coming up and a plan for a day trip on Saturday!  So this is looking good.  Daffodils continue to open and there should be a massive bloom happening later in the week!!!

In spite of exhaustion, I am feeling ever optimistic and summer is ON ITS WAY!!  So many YESES to that!!!!

Planning to find all the joy that I can until then!  :)

Another week in the books

Today marks the end of the 3rd quarter at school and it is almost the end of March in my life outside of the classroom.  I am glad to divest myself of THAT quarter, too many weird, crazy things have happened and I need my usual crazy.

I am breathing a giant sigh of relief as I did manage to get a LOT of grading done in the last few days and today I will finish it up.  Monday begins the giant clean sweep of the art room.  I will save a lot of things for  the art show I am having at the credit union in a few weeks, but the rest will be handed back.  I have a bunch of stuff left (I recently discovered) from the first semester, imagine that!!  Lol.  I WILL change the displays at the front of the school next week- that is the next item to cross off the list.  After that, I will be able to get some more organizing done in my rooms.  This will make the Mad-Artteacher very happy.

I am thrilled to say I got in several miles of walking in this week.  I am going to probably go again tonight as well.  My times are getting quicker again and it is so necessary for me to be outside and in the sun.  I am not all that thrilled with the temperature turn of events the last few days- WOW it is cold again, but that won't last.  Easter comes in a week and with that I will begin my weight lifting routine again.

So how is my arm, you  might ask?  The left one is just dandy.  The right one has it's moments.  It can get very stiff and I still have a hard time writing neatly for long periods of time. It is really weird.  But overall, it is pretty good.  I get little aches and pains but not bad.  I have to decide this coming week if I need to go see the Orthopedic doctor again.  I am going to see what happens by Wednesday.  The orthopod will be in town the week after Easter so I will have to make an appt. before Friday.  I think I just have to let it heal, I don't foresee an appointment being necessary.

So the weekend!!  YAY!!  There will be a trip to the north for coffee and Coco's and hiking on Saturday.  I am SO EXCITED!!  Why are we going??  Because my friend in all things Bayfield and hiking and I made it through the 3rd quarter unscathed (HAHA- well some of us were scathed and both of us may carry a bit of emotional baggage, but we are alive and sassy!) and  because we WANT TO!  AND of course there is a small matter of a bunch of coffee that I need to purchase. Don't judge me!  Then a quiet Sunday and 3 days of school before Easter break.

Since I apparently will not have company on Easter this year, I have decided that Thursday I will go shopping somewhere out of town- all by my lonesome.  Kind of a celebration of sorts- of spring and no school and why ever shouldn't I?? Otherwise only a plan or two, most of which will involve possibly a book and a couch and who knows what else.  Oh, perhaps a walk or 4.

As this cold and sunny day begins, it is a good feeling to have progress at school, which is where my life was really affected from this accident.  Speaking of which, I was discussing that whole accident thing from almost 8 weeks out.  I had an interesting realization of what massive denial I was in, thinking that I could go back to school after being out for only a week. I laughed for a while over that one.  It seems clear now, but I remember needing to get back to work so much.  I knew that the kids wanted me back, heaven knows the subs were happy I was back, and I just couldn't take watching stupid tv for one more day.  Ah well.  I am glad I provided some amusement to those around me.  Or maybe it was consternation, I really don't know.

So make this a wonderful, sunny, joyful day!!  Be the joy giver that I know each of you can be-- and hang on baby, the weekend is almost here!!

Oh good grief

When life gives you snow storms, make sarcastic snowladies!  I love her snow crown!

And this was a pretty obnoxious turn of events:

A freaking foot of April Snow. Sigh.  I was unable to really take any artsy pictures with my big camera.  I just can't.

And so this is what I did:

I made Lola  hold a little offering to the snow and spring gods.  And then I made my ode to spring snowgirl.... complete with flowers, kale ponytails and flip flops.  I just have to find some joy in this mess....

Don't cha love the flip flops??

And the kale ponytails??

Deft use of pansies for added joy- a flower child!

The snow was not as packy as you would imagine- it sticks but I couldn't roll it into snow balls.  I bet as the day warms up it will though.
Regardless, I did the best I could and was somewhat creative with the accessories.  I just LOVE the little thing that I put on Lola's dish.  She's so CUTE!!

This is the cutest lil thing- dried flower skirt, pansy buttons, irritated expression

Tomorrow we are leaving to go to Janesville.  I am hoping the MA comes with me, as he is not feeling well right now.  Even though I have been accused, we all know he got this from some germ laden client.  Bummer.  I don't mean to sound unkind, but he was due.  I bet it has been at least 5 years, minimum, since he has gotten sick.  Really.  He makes ill..... oh wait.  LOL  Never mind, that is quite amazing really and I am always hacking and wheezing from something shared with me from a little darling at school.  I was really surprised that he was not up to his usual obnoxious self this morning.  Tax season got him this year.  And seeing his first free weekend is graced with a foot of snow covering the yard and garden, well going to Janesville to party with Ella and see the kids again is just perfect.

The good news is (besides the fact that we didn't have to use a snowday that we don't have) that the snow already seems to be compacting and melting. The temps are supposed to be in the 40's and that is good for us.  The rest of the weekend is bringing even warmer conditions, so by the time we get back, we should be back to where we were.... just some snow piles left.

Anyway, I wanted to try to find some positive in this pretty depressing day.  We all know that lying under the snow are those signs of spring that are waiting to see the light of day again.  Just have to wait for a while.  In the meantime, be a joy giver no matter what the weather is throwing at you today.

Friday morning observations

I find I can sleep SOOOOO well on Friday morning- so well in fact I usually get up an hour or more after I plan to.  And as you know, no amount of exercise, relaxation, planning or praying can get you to sleep that well on Saturday morning! This is something that drives me crazy.  It would be so amazing on a Saturday morning to wake up at 5 am, look at the clock, smile and think, I think I'll just turn over and lay here for a moment and then have it be 7 am.  No.  Just No.  That won't be happening, when I do that (only it will be closer to 4), I will turn over, think about laying there for a bit longer, and then be wide awake within 30 minutes.

Also, why is it when I feel sickish, the sun is out for days on end- DAYS!! And now when it appears I am on the mend and tomorrow is SATURDAY- we are supposed to get 3 - 5 inches of snow???  NOT FAIR PEOPLE!!!

Ok, I am done whining now!  :)

I did manage to go for a good walk yesterday, it wasn't super fast, but I got almost 5 miles in.  I walked over to the stone house and took a few pictures, but that will be a different post.  I have a bunch of photo editing to do from that yet.

I started another blog, it is merely a way for me to keep track of my elementary art lessons and at what point the kids left off- it is one I haven't told people about, or even given anyone a link for it, and yet I already have many page views- I find this weird.  How do people even find something like that??  Oh well.  It is not narrative at this point, it is merely a way for me to use pictures as a reminder.  I can walk into my elementary art room and seriously have no idea what I did with the kids the previous week - and for that matter what I did with a different set of kids the day before!  Schedules, days off, subs, concerts, early dismissals, unexpected interruptions all work together to totally throw off any possible syncing of art lessons for the elementary school. I am already happy with this method!  I have been able to add a few notes to the photos, but I can see on an insane day that just posting the pictures is going to give me a reminder.  And for any one who is judging me and saying that I should just put it on a calendar and write it in- I say- you have no IDEA what my day is like and how my brain works, so stop it.  So there, I feel better now.

On a REALLY positive note- I am coming up on a weekend where I have no obligations to deal with! No play, no company, no painting of any sort (er, um, well, I do plan to paint the arch) and I can try to reorganize my house, wash a LOT of clothes, clean a few more seriously dusty areas I have discovered and generally pull myself together!  AND I plan to do a little goofing off and I need to pick up my book club book, as I have some serious reading that I need to do- it has been TOO LONG!!

And yes, I AM enjoying my livingroom- a LOT!!  I love the color, I love the ceiling fan and the LIGHT!  I love the floor!!  It gives me joy!

Until next time, be a JOY giver!!  and a whole lot of joy will come back to you, too!

ON TO PLAY WEEK! (is it done yet?) and weekend wrap up

Play week is not for the faint of heart.  It is a tremendous amount of work and I will be standing a lot this week.  A LOT!!  I hope I can find my black crocs, because I am going to need them.  Which reminds me, I have to find a black t-shirt sometime this week, or go buy one or something, because the ones I had are just too unimaginably big and I think I thrift shopped them.  I am so impetuously compulsive sometimes about that sort of thing.  I am sure those big t-shirts would have been fine.....  ugh.

So tonight, it is full dress and makeup dress rehearsal, and I am going to be putting makeup on the main cast members.  I am excited about this, being able to do the lions and scarecrow's makeup, PLUS the witches and the tin man!!  And Dorothy, but I just need to glam her up a bit, she can do fine on her own mostly.  I adore this part of makeup, including sliding eyeliner on the nervous and blinking furiously boys that are in the cast.  Some of my favorite moments of hilarity and bonding have taken place while staring at the anxious eyelids of the play cast members.  It is an intimate moment in time, so to speak, lots of fears have been revealed over eyeliner.

I am making sure to pack healthy food, including some of the copious amount of hummus I made last night and probably will have some almond milk along to make a protein shake.  I will need the energy to teach all day, then go directly to makeup and then to staging and marking for dress rehearsal tonight. The first dress rehearsal generally finishes after 8:30 pm.  With 49 munchkins involved......  oy.  They will soon find out that the witch really resides behind the stage, as I do not take any fooling around when we are in character..... something that the big kids understand, but the little kids don't quite get.  Sorry kiddos, Mrs. Oswald has been taken over by one of her other personalities.

So weekend update- I did end up getting the card table- even though we went and had Chinese last night to avoid the whole cooking thing.  Which is cool as I have lunch now for today, since I did not get all the cooking done I had planned yesterday.... but that is fine.  I had NO IDEA that the Chinese place had a tofu dish.  YAY!

I got a 5.5 mile walk in also, even though I swear people were conspiring to goof up my afternoon to myself.  I didn't exactly get what I planned for, but oh well.  It was good enough.

One week from today people- one week from today begins my spring break, and I begin it with............drum roll.............. a dentist appt!!!  WTF?????  WHAT WAS I THINKING??????? I can't even.

But then I can go to the gym all day if I want!

Can't think about that now, too much to do before that.

So a few weekend photos, I have a couple including a stone house one or two and a few other little things.  Because it reminds me that life will be back to "normal" soon

peek!

Stone house

Little Cabin in the snow

Winter shadows

Until next time, be a joy giver and avoid those joy stealers!!  HEY, and if you find yourself to be stealing someone's joy, give it back. You both will feel better!  :)

Going into the weekend....

So there is super good news on the reno front, as just discussed in my previous post- just scroll down, sweetheart, and now I am looking forward to a pretty good weekend.  I have a lot to do, but have scheduled my sanity time into it:

(sanity time highlighted in red!)

Saturday:

*Drink coffee and relax a bit!
*Fetch black paint for stage from the Builders
*Get myself to the gym for a back and biceps workout
*go to grocery store
*go to Seed and Feed
*go to lunch
*go to school to paint stage black
*go home!
*walk or snowshoe 
*have dinner at some point

Now that sounds like an interesting Saturday!  I'd like to scavenge a card table somewhere in there, but I am not sure where to find it.....  one of my mad friends certainly must have one I could use for a week.

Sunday:

*Drink coffee and relax some MORE
*putter around in the house
*Get myself to the gym for a chest and tricep workout
*Go home and make lunch
*Do whatever the hell I please!
*Cook some stuff
*Walk and/or snowshoe, and TAKE PICTURES!!!
*oh shoot- go to Shopko and get makeup for the play....

This is my plan and I am sticking to it!!

I am thrilled about the progress of the house, I was so happy to do over an hour of cardio last night!!!  I am delighted to be done (mostly) with scenery painting and I do NOT have to sew a pair of witches legs for the play, as they have been purchased!!  Of course you know I will promptly find the old ones I had sewed many years ago.  I know they are at school somewhere.

Play week is next week and it will be insane- but it is what it is.  And I need to relax and enjoy this weekend instead of worrying about the days after that.

AND I am ignoring all talk of snowstorms for Monday too.  I just won't have it!

Until next time, be a joy giver!!!  And enjoy your weekend!

Need some motivation tonight- and a weird thing

I did a whole lot of stuff that didn't seem to add up to much this weekend.  

I did a whole slew of things on a list that did not even include the laundry and straightening and things like that.  I certainly made a lot of dishes for the little bit of cooking that I did.  Interestingly, I discovered that I have no less than 15 individual containers of lunch things in the two freezers- so for the next 3 weeks I do not and can not really, do a lot of cooking on the weekend.  I have at least 2 kinds of soup, a few baked rice, some red lentil sauce, some greens and beans and then there is some couscous and lentils, and cooked beans..... I think I am forgetting something, but you get the idea.  I made some  pickled beets, some fresh beet and carrot salad (to use up the whole beets that I buy ONLY for the beet greens) and a batch of hummus to use up the chickpeas I also discovered in my freezer.  Along with some baked tofu, I am set for a while!

I washed a big sinkful of dishes at least 4 times this weekend- and really that is the drawback of cooking.  However, the fresh food is worth it.  And good grief the clothes that I washed.  Last I checked there were only two of us living here. I wonder who is slipping their clothes into my laundry basket.  I think they need to stop, especially the little woman who gets all those workout clothes dirty.

I did go work out, I did some yoga, I snowshoed..... but the winter blah feeling has hit.  Not even a round of online shopping did much to help, and I didn't think that eating was going to help so I didn't.  I think I should probably go to bed!

At least I got some pictures taken, and I had a few great conversations via phone and on a device or two.  I think I should just call it a good if uneventful weekend and call it a night.  I do have that book club book that needs some reading and there is always a blog to pay attention to!  :)

I hope your weekend included some joy along with the ordinary weekend lack of excitement.  I guess sort of boring is ok sometimes.

And coming up this week:

Scenery painting commences. Stay tuned!

** weirdness in a stat
I occasionally check in on my stats for my blog and SO strange- my last blog post, my snowshoe post had 191 hits on it!  WHAT??  The most I ever have had before is like 48 or something like that.  VERY unusual. I wish there was a way to check out the specifics on that!  freaky! Ok  I'm officially mystified, but that's ok.