Not Quite There Yet

Spring Break was helpful.

I had been running behind on all things life to the point that the mere uttering of phrases like, “did you remember to,” or “if you have time could you,” or, God forbid, “I neeeeeed you to….” could cause an instantaneous panic attack.

But I digress.

Over Spring Break I graded EVERYTHING. And inputted the grades.

Yeah Baby.

I prepped the three classes I teach for 4th quarter. First two weeks in detail, mapped out the rest.

Fucking righteous.

I caught up on the paper trail of accountability and data analysis that lets the school/state/ whatevers know what I am doing in my classroom. In triplicate.

In your face.

I also carved out an inch of space for me time. A hike. An afternoon with a friend. A book and some gratuitous television watching.

I wish it had been two weeks, but I was ready.

So, last week Monday, I set my alarm at 3 AM, did my morning rituals (not blogging anymore, but nice stuff nonetheless), and got ready for work.

A little bit of make-up.

Check.

Bus money in my pocket?

Check.

Lunch and water in the backpack?

Check and double check.

I was READY.

BRING IT!

At 5:45 AM I walked down to the bus stop, climbed on in, deposited my $2.50, took my transfer from the driver and proceeded to talk story with him a bit as I am the first stop of his route.

He seemed a bit different, but I figured he was picking up on my “Don’t I have my Shit together” vibe.

As the bus moved its way through the dark and then the dawn, I noticed that most people boarding had an extra smile for me. Odd.

Yet, maybe it was a sign that when one is ready to take on the world, the world notices one.

I smiled back.

Before I knew it, I was at my transfer point.

Two kids from the school where I work were also there, as usual. Sweet, yet mischievous boys. I always enjoyed waiting for the next bus with them. The ride up together. The small talk with the young ones.

As I walked over they both stared at me.

And smiled.

Ah, Spring Break had done me well. No more panic attacks or frenzied last minute lesson plans. This was the beginning of the me I used to be before I switched schools.

“Ah…. Ms Psuedo????”

“Yes?”

One of the boys was pointing at his forehead, but looking at me with furrowed brows.

“You have a curler in your hair…”

Ah, well.

There’s always Summer.

My kids show me this stuff...

Just for fun...


Because sometimes life just gets toooooooooooo serious.

Want more?

Lists are cool, sometimes...

Beach Barrettes
All hand made by my daughter from shells we have collected over the years.

My to do list for Spring Break:

• Grade, grade, grade, input 3rd quarter grades.
• Prep 3 classes for 4th quarter.
• Do the fucking taxes.
• Sit outside for a sunset cocktail most evenings.
• Hike to someplace that reminds me why I am lucky to live in Hawaii.
• Get together with friends.
• Read at least one book that has nothing to do with work.
• Get back to blogging.
• Advertise my daughter's Etsy Store.

I have two more days left on break and this post knocks two of the items off of my list.

The only thing left is the fucking taxes.

Miss you all. I'd say I see a light at the end of a dark tunnel, but don't want to jinx anything.

Hello Again....

OK. What the fuck was THAT?

Truly, I had no intention of staying away from the blog and the blog world for this long...

However. What the fuck was that?

I'd ponder it out here in virtual space, but it is mostly unblogg-a-licious...

Maybe someday. See, it's not really my unbloggable. Well, mostly not mine. There is some mine, as in work related stuff that I am not comfortable putting out here.

And maybe that's the thing. Most of my life that is worth writing about is, for now, unbloggable.

That being said, some totally bloggable events have rocked my world. As in blog friends and blog relationships.

This post is for Tera at Olive Hue Designs. She ran a contest, I am guessing around Christmas because it was before I took my unanticipated leave of all things Internet.

And I won.

And I was a horrid. Because I was so away from the Internet that it took me awhile before I realized I won and even longer to get back to her... some time after that to show my appreciation for winning such an amazing prize.

Tera is an amazing artist. I love her stuff and have been coveting something from her Etsy store for a long time. For my prize I was allowed to pick out something.

I love so many of her pieces, but I knew what it would be. The first time she posted it, I felt like she had snuck into our backyard.
And seen our swing....

This is the amazing artwork that Tera sent me. It is called Polka Dots and Moonbeams.

It is so me.


It's on my dresser for now, soon to be hung on the wall above the dresser.

I love it.

Thank-you Tera.

Please visit Tera's blog or Tera's Etsy store.

XOXO

Pseudo

Of Egrets and New Years

The other day I was driving to work and an egret nearly flew into the right side of my car, veered, passed me, and began a straight path of flight right above my hood and ahead of it by only a few feet. It was like it was leading me somewhere. Or it happened to just be traveling straight down the street I take to work. It did not fly up above the cars, but was literally in front of my car flapping along in traffic.

Odd.

Then, two days later, nearly the same thing. Only this time the bird flew alongside my car for an entire block.

Odd times two.

A week later I was walking BC around the block and as we rounded a corner, an egret was perched on top of a chain link fence we were passing. It had a lizard in its mouth. As I passed him by, I swear he looked at me. Then swallowed the lizard.

Two days later at the park an egret flew down and landed right smack dab in my path. With a lizard in its mouth. Which it proceeded to swallow while I watched, amazed.

I have no idea what it all means.

But my friend Movie started a new blog, of synchronicity and distraction.

And I know she’d like this odd little story.

Happy new blog Movie (do we still call you Movie or is it Sync now?).

Happy New Year Everyone.

2010 was not my favorite. Same with 2009. Still, they had their moments and even the tough stuff has led me here.

But I am ready for a break on the tough stuff.

I’m hoping 2011 will be the start of that better place for all of us.

xoxo

Living Vicariously....

The Daughter who is spending the holidays as a nanny will be taking us once again to Whistler, Canada.



The tip about dog sledding in the last post was a bit fun, yes?

Today's travel adventures straight from her email home:

The fire alarm went off. Miss Drama Queen 9 year old started crying and saying we were going to die. Fire trucks came. Sleeping people evacuated into the snow. Pajamas and fur coats. My goodness. Turns out there wasn't a fire. There was a flood? I don't know what happened. But definitely exciting.

The parents took the kids to school so I hung out in the room with the toddler and admired the absolutely beautiful day we had. I kind of wanted to go to the top of the mountain but she isn't allowed to since it turns out she has an ear infection, so she can't go up until Friday. We hung out in the lobby by the fire borrowing their books and walked around looking for dogs. We both napped for 3 hours and woke up about 5 minutes before everyone got home.

My girl will be home in five days. I am very excited. Being left with the boys is exhausting.

Got travel? Holiday stories? Link on up!

Post Christmas Tidbits

That's BC checking out his Christmas present from his BFF Banjo. Banjo's a cool Jack Russel Terrier.


And here's the latest from our girl nannying her way through Whistler, Canada.

HAPPY BOXING DAY!!

So, I've learned Boxing Day is essentially Canada's version of Black Friday. However, I stayed here with the kids so the parents could go shopping. They came home around noon and we went... DOG SLEDDING!! It was really cool but it wasn't as awesome as you'd expect. The trail smells really strongly of dog poop. And the dogs throw the snow into your face when they're running... through dog poop.

But it was still a really awesome experience.

I miss her a lot, but when she gets home I will miss these daily updates enormously.