Oops.

September slipped away without a post. Not sure how that happened. So to update you a little --
*We went to Justin and Shelli's wedding, which was fabulous and exhausting. It was good to be with old friends. And how did we get so old anyway? More people need to get married so that we can all get together more often.
*School has been somewhat all-consuming. I'm sitting in the classroom right now, waiting for class to get started. I briefed my first case, which was terrifying, and last week I had my first quiz. Hoping to get the (cross my fingers) good results back this week. There is a lot of reading and learning going on. And you can ask me all about intent and causation and I'll have some things to tell you. Along with Torts, Contracts and Crimes. Did you know that the burden of proof of "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt" is only applicable to criminal cases? I did not. Anyway, I'm working on outlining each class (sounds fun, right?) and keeping up with reading and briefs. And it seems never-ending.
*I went to Women's Retreat with my mom and sister, and was totally blessed.
*I came back home to a husband who loves me and shows it to me in a million ways and realized again how blessed I am to have him as my partner and teammate.
*Fall weather is (finally) here. I'm enjoying cooler temperatures and sweaters.
*And of course, there can't be fall weather without me getting nervous about winter, so that's going on too.
*I'm really enjoying being near my family. It's nice that it doesn't have to be a big deal to go over to my mom's house for supper or anything else, for that matter.
*We love our house. And are learning the joys and trials of homeownership. (Cutting down trees, fixing wet basements, decorating, etc.)
*I wrote two grants for work, and am working on a third.
*Patient numbers are steadily going up!

Those are the highlights I guess. I feel very busy, and ready for a homeleave, unfortunately those don't seem to occur outside of boarding academy. I'm feeling a little under the weather today, but it might just be allergies. I don't have time to be sick, so praying that will just go away. And my teacher is here now, so I'm going to go pay attention to class.

Update

Yesterday evening Michael has his interview at MCE, and he felt like it went really well. He was told he would get a call at 9:00 last night, and 9:00 came and went. At 9:30 the superintendent called and said that they were having another three interviews (for a different position, which Michael also applied for) today, and that he would let Michael know after that. So basically, Michael thought he had no chance, they had hired someone else, and he didn't have much hope for the second position. We were very disappointed. I had a crying session by myself last night. I picked him up from the airport today and he was feeling pretty low. I made a last supper in our house, (from now on it's eating out or at the cafeteria) we took a walk and packed up some more of our belongings.

At 9:20, the superintendent called and said that they had filled the second position. This was no surprise. We didn't think he had much of a shot at this anyway. Then he said that they would like to offer him the 8th grade position. Michael was stunned. You could have knocked him over with a feather. He started laughing (a little hysterically), and accepted immediately. So we're super excited about this. It means a lot of things, including some security with salary and benefits. Also, that God has once again seen fit to keep Michael in teaching, at least for the time being. I think Michael is a phenomenal teacher, but it's nice to see God's hand in it all, and know that I'm not the only one.

House-wise, we're now hoping to close by the end of the month and still get the tax break, but no guarantees. So far, the seller is still willing to hang with us to close on this house. We think we'll get it still, but we're just hoping they'll be patient with us. In the meantime, we'll stay with my parents for a couple of weeks, at least. So that's the update. Thanks for your love and prayers.

Another one bites the dust

We got back from a largely successful class trip this morning. Many of the students told us how much they enjoyed it, how much fun they had, etc. and there were no major issues, so I count that as success. It was exhausting though, and then for the whole afternoon we had graduation practices, and then a pizza party with the students left on campus while I tried to grade the finals I missed while I was gone. I'm actually getting pretty close.

Our closing date was moved to tomorrow, but because of a little glitch we may not be able to close and/or get financed. See, there's this little thing where they want you to have jobs where you'll be buying the house, and of course we're still working here, even though I have a job, they want to see pay stubs. Which I cannot provide from a job that I haven't started yet. Even though I'm still working here. Anyway, when we heard all this today I collapsed a little. I've told a couple people, so if you're one of them, forgive the redundancy, but these last two weeks have been the most stressful of my life. I think if it were just my job, or just trying to get the house stuff finished long distance, or just packing and moving, or maybe two of those things I would be okay, but it's just so much. I feel overwhelmed and I was a puddle for a few minutes today. I tear up thinking about it now. Anyway, we've been praying about this house for more than a month now, and I keep saying to God, "If it's not your will, let it fall through." So maybe that's all this is, it would just be nice for it to have fallen through a little sooner is all, so that it's not all compounded right now. But maybe I'm learning something, or supposed to be learning something from this. Like, try not to overbook yourself so much.

Okay, I'm going to bed now. If you think of it, send up a prayer for us and the house. At this point I just want it to be over, one way or the other.

What's happening

One more A day, one more B day.
One senior class trip (4 1/2 days).
One graduation (6 services).
Getting the power of attorney transferred to my mother so that she can do the closing on our house next Wednesday (while we're on the previously mentioned class trip.)
A million papers to sign to buy a house.
That house also had to have the carpeting and some dry wall taken out of the basement after the flooding in Nashville.
Michael has a phone interview with Nashville Public Schools tonight.
He also has an interview at Madison Campus Elementary the day after graduation.
Packing the house.
Getting my wisdom teeth removed the Wednesday after graduation (two weeks from today).
We hope to leave here with all our stuff on June 6th.

That's about it for now.

Under Contract

Wednesday we got locked in for our interest rate, and officially got under contract. So if everything goes according to plan we'll be closing at the end of May or beginning of June. And we'll get the tax credit, which is a great feeling, gotta say. I think our house inspection will be next Tuesday, and I think that's the last big hurdle before closing. It's kind of crazy to do all (or most) of this long distance, but somehow it's working out, and our realtor has been awesome. If you're moving to the Nashville area I would definitely recommend her.

So I'll tell you more of the house story. Back in March we put a bid on a house that was in foreclosure. It didn't have an agent at the time, and hadn't had one since last December. About a week after we made the bid they finally found an agent for the house, so we were asked to sign an agreement that we knew there were multiple offers on the house (more than ten!), and to make our best and highest offer. We raised our offer significantly and hoped for the best. A month later we still hadn't heard anything. I went back to Nashville specifically to see Leslie before she headed to Thailand, but managed a little house hunting without Michael while I was there. We'd been doing our homework and keeping track of our favorite houses online (try mlsfinder if you're a control freak like me). I told my agent which houses I wanted to see, and she set it all up. In the week before I went to Nashville three of our favorite houses were put under contract. This was really discouraging and enough to make me think this would never work out. The day of house hunting my dad went with me and we saw about seven houses. Which was exhausting. Only three of them seemed like viable options. I talked to Michael on the phone and we decided to put an offer on one that he liked a lot, but I felt really weird about. We offered $5,000 less than the asking price. Everyone said we would get it. Who won't come down $5,000? I was still feeling uncomfortable about it and prayed about it alot. He came back with a counteroffer, asking us to pay closing costs. We didn't feel comfortable giving up that much more cash, when we're already putting 20% down (and moving, probably buying a car, etc.) so we said no. He refused to come down! I felt huge relief. We immediately moved on to our next favorite house (and actually the one I preferred). We made an offer, then had to sign an acknowledgment that it had multiple offers on it. This felt eerily similar to the last time, and we were preparing ourselves not to get any house at all and to move in with my parents for a while. But last Thursday my realtor called and said they had accepted our offer. And since then it's just signing papers and getting interest rates locked in and setting up inspectors. I forgot to mention that I found a four leaf clover in the back yard of this house, and I also found a four leaf clover the day before I was offered the job. It just felt like a little promise from God. Of course, if all of this falls through, I'll have to rethink what kind of promise it was, but all the same, it's awesome to feel God moving in our lives and in our plans. So that's mostly the whole story of the house hunt. Or at least the highlights.

We're very busy. Four weeks until graduation weekend. I'm busy finalizing details of class trip. We're packing. There's a lot going on. My sleep patters tell me I'm stressed. You could probably have told me that just by reading this post. But God is good, and I'm trying to remember His promises to take care of me. Also, keep Michael in your prayers too, he hasn't found a job yet, but I know that God hasn't forgotten about him. It is frustrating though, because it seems like everything else has fallen into place, and being the planners that we are, we like to know what to expect. Still, it's feeling right, and being right with God is a very good place to be.

Well...

I was offered the job last Friday. I'm hesitant to say much before I sign the contract, but I'm really excited about it. It's going to be a big challenge, but I feel like I'm ready for a new challenge. Teaching has certainly been difficult and rewarding in many ways, but I certainly don't feel like it's my passion. So here's to change and to all the pieces falling into place.

A couple of things...

I got my acceptance letter from law school on Saturday. I wasn't totally surprised, but it was still a good feeling to have that piece of paper in my hands.

I had a second interview at a health clinic in Nashville. I haven't talked much about it, so as not to jinx it. If I get it I'll talk more about it. If not, this may be all you ever know about it. I should hear one way or the other in a week or so.

Michael had an interview at a private non-Christian school in Nashville. It was a little odd. Not sure he would take it even if they offered, unless they offer pretty good money.

We made an offer on a house. This would be contingent on my getting the job. It's in foreclosure and has a couple other offers on it, so we're trying not to get our hopes up about it since there are so many ifs. If it doesn't work out you probably won't hear much about this either.

Feelin' groovy

So far nine law schools have emailed me and asked me to apply to their programs, including the University of Notre Dame School of Law, which is a top 25 law school, and Charlotte School of Law, who offered me a $15,000 scholarship for each year. I must admit that I'm tempted, but not tempted enough not to move to Nashville. Still, it's nice to be wanted.

Yesterday we made the announcement to the student body that we're leaving. It was not the most fun moment. And some students came to beg us to stay and offer all kinds of "incentives" for us to stay. Kind of awkward, but, once again, nice to be wanted. We had originally hoped to keep it a secret and just slip away at the end of the school year, but alas, that was not to be. The rumor got out, and then we just had to address it.

In other news: Michael and I both have interviews when we're in Nashville during spring break, which is way ahead of where we were last year at this time when we wanted to move. It kind of feels like everything is falling into place for us to leave for real this year, which is good, since we've already told everyone that we're leaving. I don't know what God was waiting for, maybe to teach me patience, or for me to rediscover some passion in my life, or for some unknown reason, but I do have hope that it will really all work out this time.

Love at first listen

I'm really loving Sara Groves' remake of Jars of Clay's Flood. I bought the whole $30 package that came with extra downloads, a mug, free trade coffee and an autograph. And I think Flood was worth it. Also, my favorite song on the new album, Like a Lake. I think it's about being open even after we've been hurt. My favorite lyric from the song

"Everything in me is tightening,
Curling in around this ache
I will lay my heart wide open
Like the surface of a lake

Wide open a lake."

It's beautiful and a little sad.

I'm also enjoying her jazzy remix of her own version of When the Saints.

Also today, I'm really glad to be a literature teacher, for the simple fact that I get to read the literature too. We read part of Walden today. Parts of me think that Thoreau is totally ridiculous, unrealistic and pompous. But parts of me really love him and I smile when I read it.

My favorite quotes from Walden for today.

"For a man is rich in proportion to the number of things which he can afford to let alone."

"I have frequently seen a poet withdraw, having enjoyed the most valuable part of a farm, while the crusty farmer supposed that he had got a few wild apples only."

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

"I would drink deeper; fish in the sky, whose bottom is pebbly with stars."

Otherwise, the last month has been very difficult at work. I don't really want to go into it or talk about it anymore. Suffice to say that at the end of many days, I come home, look at Michael, and think that he's the only person left in Pennsylvania who I like. (This is not altogether true, but you all know I'm perhaps prone to exaggeration, and it definitely feels that way some days.) So I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving break, but not the parent-teacher conferences that come before it. But if I can get through that without being screamed at (remember last year?), I think I'll have a really good break. I'm going to celebrate my mom's 60th birthday with her. Which freaks me out. How can I have a mom who's 60? I'm not prepared to have my parents grow old and die. And too often I dwell on it too much and then can't sleep. I digress. I'm going to try to start keeping a gratitude journal. Because I feel that my spirit could use it. Maybe I'll share some of that here.

In any case, you should go buy the new Sara Groves album, and if you can, you should get the extra downloads. Also, if you haven't yet, you should see Up. I cried a little. My favorite line, "I hid under the porch because I love you."

And I'm not going to try to write some conclusion to wrap this all up.

The latest

I got the postcard from Millionaire almost two weeks ago. Sorry for not updating. I am not needed as a contestant. I'm pretty OK with it. The whole two weeks I was waiting I kept thinking that I didn't really want to go, but also that maybe I was just kidding myself and trying to talk myself down in case I wasn't accepted. But when Michael called me from home to tell me I hadn't gotten I was just like, Oh well. I think this was largely due to a couple of near sleepless nights of anxiety associated with just thinking about being on national television. In any case, I won't be going on, nor winning a million dollars.

In other news, we had college days yesterday, which included getting up at 3:30 to leave at 4:00 for Washington Adventist University (formerly CUC). We had a pretty good (really long) day. At least it was quite a bit better than my last college days experience there three years ago. And by the way, yes, this is my fourth year teaching. How did this happen? I'm not quite sure. Sometimes I have to really think through it chronologically to believe it. I'm starting to forget names from my first two years. And not be able to remember who was in what class. I expect this will only get worse.

Tonight we're going to Cirque Del Soleil (or however it's spelled) with the gymnastics team!

Tomorrow is homeleave! We're flying to Tennessee! I'm going to see my family! My sister and her husband bought a house! I'm going to help paint the living room!

That is all.

Five and a half weeks in...

We've made it to our first homeleave. So far the school year has been pretty good. We had a good Senior Retreat, my third in four years. We elected Senior class officers and I think we got some good ones. There were some issues during the retreat, but nothing that we haven't survived, although one of our senior boys was expelled afterward.

My classes are going pretty well. My first section of English is so quiet. I practically have to beg for participation. Second section I have to cut them off. Class dynamics are so weird, one group will love something and the second just won't care about it in the least. My business math class I have 28 students. (!) I'm pulling my hair out a bit with this one. My classroom is too small for this many students and it ends up getting really loud really fast. I'm already really frustrated with it, which is not a good sign. I've made seating charts, I've threatened, I've taken points away, I've nearly cried in class... nothing is working. I'm going to make a new seating chart this week and give it another go.

Our housemate has made it almost six weeks. We're hoping to start integrating him back into the dorm soon. Maybe a night or two a week at first to see how he handles it, and hopefully by this time next month he'll be back in pretty much full time. We've felt mostly pretty good about it, but we do miss our privacy. And he's messy. That's annoying. I mean, I'm no neat freak, but this is beyond that.

This homeleave we went to New York for a couple of days. Tuesday afternoon we drove to Newark, New Jersey and got into our hotel. Then we got tickets to In the Heights, so we went into the city. It was a really great musical. More modern music and dancing. It was about two days in Spanish Harlem. We recommend it. It was right up there with Wicked and Billy Elliot.

Wednesday we slept in a bit and then went to try to get the lottery drawing tickets for Shrek the Musical for the Wednesday matinee. Lucky for us there were only about 16 people there trying for the 16 tickets, so we got cheap tickets and pretty good seats for Shrek. It was fun, not as awesome as some of the other shows we've seen, but still a good time. Then we found the Strand, New York's largest bookstore, with used, new and rare books. My book loving heart enjoyed it. Then we got some awesome Thai food (they have vegetarian duck) down near China Town.

Thursday we went to Who Wants to be a Millionaire. Michael's been wanting us to try out for a couple months, so we finally went. To audition you have to sit through tapings of the show, so it was really long. We got there at about 10:15 and we weren't done until 4:30. To audition, they have you come into the studio and sit to take a 10 minute, 30 question multiple choice test. About 200 people tried out, and they don't give the results until after three tapings of the show. Which was a really long time. We were pretty done by that time. And the test was really hard, so we didn't think we had passed it at all. Only about ten people did pass, and actually, I was one of them, and the only woman! I was pretty nervous. Don't really want to go on TV. Anyway, so after the show I had a short interview with one of the show's producers and they took my picture (we had already filled out these long questionnaires earlier), and that was it. I'll hear in a couple of weeks whether they want me for the show or not. Really, I'm pretty OK if I don't get on, because it just makes me anxious to think about it. But at least I know I'm smart. I guess, it's really just trivia, not smartness. Actually, I think it's just as much about being able to make good guesses as anything.

So anyway, we're home now and enjoying a quiet Sabbath together. Tomorrow we're back on duty. It's nice to have the house to ourselves for a little while.

New school year

We're one week into the new school year. So far it's going well. Except that it is really hot and muggy, and the library has no air conditioning. Which is rather uncomfortable... bleh. We're both teaching the same classes from last year, so to give ourselves a new challenge, we have a student staying with us. He had some behavioral problems last year and he wasn't going to be reaccepted, so we offered because we like him and think he can do better. We're hoping things will go well and he'll be able to transfer back into the dorm by the end of October. That's the goal. So far it's going pretty well. We had a bit of a hiccup yesterday, but now I think we're back on track.

I'm teaching mostly Juniors again this year, and this class seems to be a more studious bunch, which is kind of fun for me. In English, my first period class is silent. I have to beg them for interaction. It's like pulling teeth. My second period class can't get enough of the interaction. It's always interesting to see how different the dynamics will be between two classes when you present the exact same material.

We have a lot of new staff this year, and that presents some challenges. I have no internet in my office for my desktop computer or my laptop, which is pretty aggravating. I have to go to the computer lab every time I want to print anything off. And our grading system is web-based, so I haven't been able to put in any grades yet, which is frustrating. We'll see how it goes. I'm definitely missing some of the old staff, but enjoying getting to know the new ones, and hoping they'll be good for the kids. After all, that's what it's all about. I'm mostly excited about this year, despite desperately wanting to leave last year. We're senior sponsors and we have senior retreat coming up next weekend. We're hoping it will bring the class together some, because wow, that has not happened yet. There are a lot of challenges, which is a good thing.

Short update

The last month has been a whirlwind of activity. This week I'm catching up on my sleep and reading.
Some things that happened:

Adventures in crepe making
Finals and all that grading
Survived graduation as a senior sponsor. Wished that some of our students didn't survive.
Three years of teaching under my belt. How did that happen?
Signed my contract for next year.
BMA hired a new principal (two years in a row... hopefully we won't have to do this again next year.)
Got myself down to Tennessee
Threw Christa a bridal shower
Christa and Wes got married! (it was beautiful)
Got my computer keyboard fixed! (it only took 8 months)

Coming soon:

Post-wedding reception for Christa and Wes
Michael gets Lasik
We go to Mexico!

My monthly update.

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. ~Anne Bradstreet

It's finally starting to look like spring here. The trees are turning green at the bottom of the mountain, the pears and cherries are blooming.

Spring also means Alumni Weekend. And the Junior Senior banquet, which the Juniors are in charge of. Both of those are this weekend. I've been really busy planning the banquet, but I think it will be nice. At this point, I don't even care that much, I'm just really ready for it to be over.

We were in Boston this last weekend over our April homeleave. It was beautiful. We walked alot. We stayed in the theater district, right downtown. There was a Maggiano's half a block from our hotel room, actually, I could see it from our window. So of course we had to hit that up. We went to Quincy Market and Paul Revere's house and the Old North Church. On Saturday we went to Concord and to Minuteman National Park, the Old Manse, Old North Bridge, etc. Unbeknownst to us, it was the day before the Revolutionary War started (April 19) two hundred and some hears ago. So there was a reenactment and all these people there to watch it. It was kind of cool and kind of crazy.

Also, we were both a little sick while we were there, so Saturday we drove back home and got a little rest before starting the week back up.

And we've got 32 days until graduation!

I'll try to post some pictures of our weekend soon.

Crunch time

After much job hunting, a few fruitless interviews, getting advice from many people, a lot of "pros and cons" lists and quite a bit of crying and stress, we've decided to stay here for another year. We had hoped to have jobs and maybe a house picked out, but the economy didn't cooperate.

I'm sad about it. And I'm somewhat relieved just to have a decision. But I'm still sad. So we're going to go out this Saturday night and go swing dancing and eat crepes in Philadelphia. Also, Michael might let me by a crepe maker. And we'll probably go on vacation to Mexico this summer. So those are my consolation prizes. That and having a summer off again, which was really nice last year.

Without the heavy depression this winter my life has been much better. And I can imagine living through another Pennsylvania winter, which I couldn't imagine at this time last year. I really didn't think I would make it. But now I can see coming through it. Plus every year flies by faster than the one before. We will have lived here for four year. Shocking. And we'll finish with the class that were Freshman when we started. It's like going through high school all over again.

So that's the big news. I'm also going off my anti-depressant and feeling pretty fantastic. We found a great little creperie in Lancaster, PA last weekend and indulged. It was amazing. We were in Nashville for Spring Break and enjoyed family time, wedding planning and beautiful weather. Now Pennsylvania is just starting into spring and it will last a lot longer here than it does down south, one of the other highlights of PA, I guess. Also, I cut my hair. It had gotten down past my shoulders and I got it cut just around my chin with a lot of layers. I love it. Every time I cut my hair I wonder why I ever let it grow out. So I think I'll keep it short this time (I say this every time).

Angela=Tired

This past weekend was Junior Presentation. We are Junior sponsors. This made for much exhaustion. The weekend included Friday night vespers put on by the Juniors, most of the church service put on by the Juniors and a nice meal, auctioning gift baskets, skit selection, song and banner presentation and marching on Saturday night. Michael and I were mostly involved with the skits and song stuff. What added to our nightmare was that last Wednesday three boys who were in six skits between them were suspended. So we had to find people to fill in, sometimes that person filling in was Michael. I mostly did backstage stuff, pulling the curtain, telling people when to go on and off stage, getting props on and off stage, fixing costumes. That stuff. During the meal I also helped get food back and forth. It was ultra stressful. Pratices every night last week. But it all came off really well. One of the girls' deans told me that it was the best one she'd been to since she's been here (11 years). And we've never done this before! So we felt pretty ecstatic. I hurt all over and am still exhausted, but I feel like now I can do anything.

Michael played a bully in a nerds vs. bullies dance off skit, which was the favorite of many people. He danced to Soldier Boy. If we get a video, I'll post it. It was pretty hilarious.

So that's taken up our lives for the last couple of weeks. And two weeks from today begins spring break. I could use it a little sooner, but I'll take what I can get. We'll be in Nashville, hopefully interviewing and applying for more jobs. No serious bites yet, but we're still praying and hoping. How does one know how to make such a huge decision? I feel like maybe this just won't happen for us. Maybe we're supposed to stay here forever. But that makes me sad, so I'm still trying to keep hope alive.

Mishaps

Sunday I yelled at my students. (Yes, we were in school on Sunday.) Today I yelled at them again. It would be so nice, if when I say "Please be quiet." they paid attention. Usually, the noise gets slightly less deafening for about ten seconds. December might be the worst month to be a teacher. Check back in May for a final verdict. Sometimes I just want to punch them in the face. And simultaneously cry. I think the problem is that the weekend before last I was on supervision and this weekend we had our student worker Christmas party at our house and then Sunday school, then taking some kids into town on Sunday night... I haven't had much of a break from them lately. And I'm starting to hate them. Well, not all of them. In fact the vast majority of them I like very much. But there are about ten who I could easily do without. Christmas break begins tomorrow. I'm past ready for this one.

Negligent blogger returns to cyberspace

I know. It's been awhile. I have the semi-excuse of the broken keyboard, but truth be told, I have a work computer and Michael's computer if I really wanted to blog. Also, I can't find my camera cord, so I can't post pictures. Which is irritating me. I know it's been missing for at least two months... but where could I have put it? I've turned the house upside down, but no luck. In any case, life here continues in it's usual busy, generally good way. It all feels more routine this year, and yet I'm busier than ever with Junior class sponsorship (ugh) and Business Math. We're starting to look for jobs in Nashville for after this school year. I'm anxious to move home, and unsure that God will allow me to do that.

Some other things that have happened lately: We went to Louisville and Nashville for Thanksgiving break. I helped Michael's mom do some wedding planning, (she's getting married at the end of March), and I was with my sister when she found "the dress", (she's getting married at the end of May).

We went and bought a Christmas tree at the tree farm down the road. I decorated it and am feeling especially jolly this week. I love Christmas ever so much. Strange, for a girl who hates winter so much. Maybe it's because Christmas makes winter seem more bearable.

I've been off birth-control for a few months now and feel like maybe my depression/anxiety/sluggishness is lifting. What if that were one of the big contributing factors all along and I never knew it? I've been on birth control since shortly before I started college because of the ovarian cysts... which is right around the time I started having serious problems. I'm trying not to think about those seven years of struggles, and yet hope that it could be true, so that it would maybe ease the struggle. And no, I'm not pregnant. But yes, someone asked me again last weekend at church. That was pure joy.

This year for Christmas, my family is going to Gatlinburg. This will be the first Christmas without Grandma, and my aunt and mom were finding it a little too difficult to try to do normal Christmas without her. We're very glad to have something to look forward to this year (Christa's wedding) instead of more death, like last year.

And lastly, for this post, I'm reading The Shack right now and I would like to recommend it to all of you. I'm finding it very mind-opening and hopeful. I'll try to be a better blog friend.

Neglectful me

I have been mostly absent from the blogosphere lately. Sorry about that. I just spent most of my afternoon at work catching up on everything that's going on in everyone else's lives. I think part of the neglectfulness is the new school year and added responsibilities. I'm busy with Business Math and trying to think of new ways to explain problems that seem all too simple to me. Mostly I say, "Here's how you do it. Here's your assignment. Now do it." Then go around the classroom and answer questions. How there are questions, I don't really know. But some of the kids really love the class. I think it's because they've finally found a math class that they're good at. It builds their self-esteem. That's fun to watch. In English class today one of my students told me I looked pretty. That pretty much made my day. If a student even recognizes me as a human being it's pretty much a good thing. A human being who looks nice: even better.

We didn't have a long Labor Day weekend. Actually we had almost no weekend at all. We were on supervision Friday night and Sabbath, then had class meetings and elections Saturday night (that was as fun as jumping into a barrel of barracuda), then Sunday School, and right on into the regular school week. So I've been tired this week. Tomorrow we're going to a church two hours away to make an offering appeal for the school. So Saturday evening we're hoping to watch a movie. (What a novelty!) And Sunday I'm going to try to make it to the Farmer's Market to buy some produce. Those are my only plans.

This afternoon we're going into Reading. Michael's going to give plasma while I shop. On my list: Season 4 of The Office and bobby pins. Then we're going to Olive Garden for the never-ending pasta bowl. Can't have too much pasta, right?

Also, it's been freakishly hot and the school doesn't have central air, so I've been roasting in my office. Bleh.

Here I am today, after three weeks of school. That's the hardest part, and I survived!

This might be TMI

I spent part of Monday morning throwing up. For no apparent reason. No flu, no food in my belly (I mostly threw up the apple juice that I drank when I woke up). That, combined with another odd symptom or two, which I will not list here because they are too private, had me convinced for a couple of hours that I would soon be in for mommyhood. I counted back to when I went off my birth control shot. Only about a month. And now I'm on the patch. Surely I'm not that fertile, right? After consulting some internet chat rooms about the effects of going off the Depo shot and then consulting my home pregnancy test, I am not pregnant. But that was a scary couple of hours. Thank goodness for the internet to ease my fears. Apparently the effects of going off Depo can be pretty strong, although I had no such symptoms last time I went off. Then again, I was on it much longer this time.

Anyway, Tuesday was fun. Students and staff members assume that if I'm sick or have a doctor's appointment that I'm pregnant. And they feel free to ask me. I was glad that I could laugh it off. At least for now.

School is still going well. I feel much more energized and happy and just in my comfort zone than I did last year. It almost makes me wish that we weren't wanting to leave, if it just gets better every year. I'm busier, with the extra class and supervision, but I also feel more connected to the students and more fulfilled. So all around goodness. I do miss my husband, but I guess I'll see him at the end of May. And maybe it will be a little better after the Democratic National Convention is over.