The Homestretch

Hi, Amanda.

It was nice to catch up with you yesterday; thanks for writing and filling me in. Sounds like you had a nice, albeit loud and busy weekend with JB and her girls. Then, oh how nice of S to take the kids to the bike park so you could get some down time. Precious.

I do believe this will be my last bit of down time for days. It's 6:24 and I've decided that if I get to school 15 minutes late, well no big deal as I don't have a first period class or study hall. In fact, I'm displaced into the department office for the first two hours, so I'm going to honor myself this morning and do what feels right (especially after the last two days). And what feels right is this second, calm cup of coffee and a little writing before I head back to those fluorescent lights that seem so often to do me in. First let me back a couple of days.

Monday was delightful. I had my Sunday on Monday--phone call with D, bacon and eggs for breakfast, mimosas and a matinee. I watched a Netflix (The Visitor--great)I've had for months (no exaggeration) and generally took it easy. So Tuesday I was good to go, ready to put in an A effort at school before coming home and putting one in here too.

I put on a (cute, coordinated) jogging suit to get in comfy-but-motivated mode and went to school. While my kids took their exams I plowed through a stack of lab reports and then I made the mistake of checking my email and reading the most insulting email EVER from my principal about dress code. Seriously. I will forward it to you so that you get the full effect. For now, suffice it to say he's not keen on how teachers relax the dress code during exam periods, a past practice he inherited when he came on board. I guess the well-dressed little man in the front office can't imagine that there are those of us who can garner respect and set an appropriate tone during exams in casual attire. What I wanted to say was, if--in January--I am relying on my outfit to set the tone, then something is seriously wrong. It's not the first day for God's sake, it's midterm exams. ARGH.

Needless to say, my blood pressure went up and I had trouble concentrating, started clock watching until I could leave and go straight to the gym to blow off some steam. Then I came home and did laundry and by 8 was so exhausted I really couldn't take it. I went to bed around 9, and woke up yesterday at the beginning of a strobe episode.

I went to school with my migraine, gave my exam, and made it until 11:30...at which point I came home, napped for about an hour and a half, and started over. I did cleaning projects, as I mentioned in an email, resting in between, taking my time since I had a little extra time. It made a difference not to be home at 3 and head out to the gym and hem and haw until 5 before getting started. I started at 2 and called it a day around 8 or so. I still have a few things to do, since I was in slow motion but have this afternoon to finish cleaning my bedroom and the upstairs bathroom. J doesn't get here until after 7. And even if I don't get things upstairs as perfect as I'd like, at least her bedroom--aka my living room--is nice and clean.

So cup #2 is done, I've caught up with you, and I guess I'm ready to get ready. And I suppose I should make a phone call to school to let them know I'll be late. Last minute groceries and cleaning after school and then let the party (weekend) begin.

Friday: I work tomorrow and leave J to her own devices, then after school and a late lunch we'll head up to the hall with my sister and get beer on ice and some details ironed out. Friday night the gang will get together at one of our local places so folks can see Jill.

Saturday: will be crazy busy and, I hope, in the end a blast. We are having 4 o'clock mass and the party follows.

Sunday: the day-after party. Mom is having everyone over for leftovers. In the evening we may try to hook up with a couple other friends.

Monday: I am taking off from school. If the weather cooperates J and I are going to Boston. J and W will get to meet. If the weather doesn't cooperate, we will take it as our cue to hibernate and hang out.

Tuesday: Jill gets the morning to pack and regroup. I'll go in for half day, then leave to bring her to the airport.

Wednesday: I'll be counting down to the weekend to do NOTHING.

So, that's probably way more information than you need, but I needed this time to avoid getting started with the homestretch. So thanks.

Hope all is well with you....

Love you,
Barb