Staff Retreat

Our staff took a couple days off of school to attend a retreat in a nearby resort. This lovely sunrise greeted me in the morning.

We've been having warmer than normal temperatures this week. I'm enjoying each day, knowing that winter is just around the bend.

On the weekend, I had family over for a BBQ. It was almost nice enough to eat outside. (but not quite.) This weather can't last, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Will We or Won't We

I've been thinking more about Europe, or the sun room, and it's a tough call. You see, I'm afraid of flying and don't like to be away from home for too long. I like the idea of traveling but worry about actually going. It would be a fun adventure, I know, but I'm a bit of a wimp. My friends and family are talking me into going, telling me that all I need is a glass of wine (or maybe the whole bottle), and flying won't be so bad. I'd really like to visit my husband's family in Germany. At night, I think, no, there is no way that I can go, and in the morning, I feel brave, and think, yes, I want to go. I like the idea of planning the trip, and get excited, thinking of all the places to go. But the reality of actually going is a bit scary. How funny, my daughter traveled to Australia for six months with two girlfriends when she was only 20. This is a personal challenge for me. Building a sun room would be so much easier.

Europe?? or All Season Room and Deck??

So, I've come across some unexpected money and now must decide what to do. My choice is to go to Europe or add an all-season sun room and deck onto the back of our house.
The pros for the sun room and deck are
- we will enjoy it for as long as we live in our house
- the back landing won't get wet when we come in from using the hot tub
- we could enjoy the sunshine in our long, cold winters
- it would give us a little more space in our very small home

The pros for the European vacation are
- we are healthy enough to travel
- it may be our only opportunity to visit my husband's German uncle (who is not that well)
- we could visit Herman!
- it would be exciting

What do you think?

Procrastination

We picked up some fast food for supper. Nothing like a nice chili burger and fries for supper to warm up the insides on a cool, wet fall day. Now I'm ready for a relaxing soak in the hot tub with a steamy cup of coffee. After all that unwinding and relaxing, it's time to get down to the business of some serious marking.

Seems like I keep dragging the same pile of marking home each day, just adding to the ever growing pile. Yes, I admit, I've been a little delinquent in the marking department. By the time I get home, I have other obligations and before you know it, the evening is done, and I'm too pooped to mark.

Parents want their children to bring home homework, which of course, needs to be marked. I can hardly keep up with the day-to-day work. I enjoy my days at school, but really would like my evenings free.

I guess you can't have it all.

Don't I know You?

Now, Sharon has inspired me to tell a story about my little great-nephew, who just started grade one. At Sunday School, a little girl pointed to a picture of Jesus and told him, "That's Jesus". My little nephew nodded, and said, "Ahh, I thought He looked familiar."

Ain't Life Grand

Life is good. I celebrated my birthday last week. My hubby surprised me at work with a dozen red roses. Later he prepared supper for the family while I had a little predinner nap. Our son came over and we had dinner and cake together. My husband gave me a little netbook computer that is very small and light for transporting. I can use it at work, and bring it along when we travel.

My children gave me a blouse and earrings. I love it when my daughter chooses clothing for me. Unfortunately, the blouse didn't fit and I couldn't get the same one in my size. So I ended up picking a different, but similar style blouse.

Friday night we went out for dinner with my son's girlfriend's family. Then we went to the symphony. They played music from Cirque De Solei, and there were six performers doing acrobatic acts while the symphony played. It was mesmerizing!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

Well, actually time flies, even when you're not having fun, but you are super busy. So far, my school year is going grrrreat. I love my kids and teaching is fun, again. While it is lots of work to start at a new school and a new grade, it is well worth it.

I carpool with my husband, which is good AND bad. Good, because we love to spend time together (stuck in traffic, grrrr), and bad because he starts work at 7am. Not a fan of early mornings! So, I pack up my lunch and school bag, get my clothes laid out, and make sure I am ready to fly out the door by 6:35 at the latest. I have a hair blower and curling iron at work, in case I have to leave with wet hair. It's a small price to pay though. My kids can use our second car and we save money on gas. And my sweet husband always makes sure I grab my coffee mug in the morning.