On my mind...

1. Lots of thoughts of God, and how wonderful it is that he loves me just as I am yet pulls me to become the best 'me' possible.
2. Worrying about Kyla.
3. Can't get excited about eating anything (or cooking it, either) after a weekend of total food indulgence at the retreat.
4. Feeling sluggish after days with out working out.
5. Excited about reading the last book in the "Series of Unfortunate Events" book series. I hope things turn out well for those sweet Baudelaires.
6. Wanting to reach out more and build a community of friends.
7. Glad the Saints are playing well.
8. Anticipating (with pleasure)sleeping in my own bed tonight.
9. Grateful for such a generous and kind friend as Danette.
10. Loving the beautiful, sunny skies we've been having.

Weekend Away

Everyone needs a "break" from everyday life now and then. So, this weekend I am going to a Christian Women's Retreat with my wonderful friend Danette, who I've known since Kindergarten. I don't have to cook any meals, answer any questions about when phones will be replaced or guitar picks will be purchased. I won't have to worry about doing my hair, or laundry or dishes. I won't have to listen to football games blaring in the other room. I get to take some time to rejuvenate and renew my relationship with God (and hopefully make some new friends while I'm at it.) And hopefully, I'll be able to sleep on the hard old bunks in the freezing cold in a sleeping bag. Cuz, there are two things I need every day: 3 good meals, and a good night's sleep!

Hope your weekend is lovely!

It's football season

Yep, it's football season again, so every Thursday night, Saturday (all day), Sunday (all day) and Monday night this is what I am looking at. No chance of doing any fun family activities (unless they involve watching football). For the next 18 or so weeks, I am officially a football widow. Mark was sure happy when the Broncos came from behind for that last minute victory, though.

Lovely Friday

It's lovely Friday again. It was a super busy week. On Thursday night we had Back to School Night. That's where all the parents come and listen to me talk about the program and just how Kindergarten works in general. Today we had our Teddy Bear picnic at school, and it went really well. One of the boys in my class is lobbying to have another teddy bear picnic. I think he must've had fun. I am starting to settle back in to the teaching routine (as is my class), and I think things are OK. The girl is handling her restriction with more maturity than we've seen in the past, and she has expressed an interest in playing the piano and the drums. The boy hasn't crashed my car or gotten a ticket or anything yet and is teaching himself to play guitar on a borrowed guitar. He is generally pretty talkative and pleasant to be around. The best part, though, is that I am going to go to bed super early and read until I fall asleep with my face in the book and sleep in super late then go for a walk with my sweet sister (who I haven't seen enough of lately). Lovely, lovely Friday.

One day at a time...

The way I deal with all difficult situations: prayers, taking it one day at a time, finding pleasure in small, everyday occurences and relying on friends and family to help me through. My life is blessed. I just need to remember to focus on the good parts. Thanks for all of the support.
Love, Love, Love you!
Nancy

Bad, bad weekend

This weekend has been like, completely crazy. The weather has been beyond gorgeous. I had a great visit with my family on Sunday... complete with bbq and heritage books and fresh veggies. I had a perfect dinner with some of M's family on Saturday... complete with brownies and catching up and fruity margaritas.
But the hours between 10 pm on Saturday and 5 am on Sunday were like out of a nightmare. The girl had lied about where she was going, and when we called to check up on her she turned her phone off. The first 5 or so hours consisted of sending her text messages, driving around town waking perfectly innocent people up trying to get any possible information about her whereabouts, tears, and despair. The last 2 hours we filed a missing persons report, then waited until the sheriff brought her home.
Yesterday morning, I truly felt more despondent than I have in years. The whole state of my body was messed up. I was just angry, and sad, and worried, and pessimistic about the future. The only time I can remember feeling this way was during the first month or so after we found out the girl had cancer. I am praying and wishing and hoping that the next 4 months (while she's on restriction) and then the next 3 1/2 years after that (while she's in high school under our roof) will not be as filled with obstacles and problems and traumas as I am anticipating. I truly don't know if I will survive it.

Today

Today I slept in until 9:00.
Today I made pancakes for breakfast.
Today I played Bejeweled Blitz for an hour in the morning and got my 125 K medal.
Today I watched tennis and college football with Mark because I like his company, not the sports.
Today I held my shaking puppy in my lap while the vacuum cleaner roared around us.
Today I invited some family members over for dinner.
Today I will go grocery shopping because we are out of milk and tp.
Today I watched my poor girl hobble around the house because her feet are swollen from wearing 4 inch pumps for 16 hours.
Today I found out my camera won't be her for another 20 days.
Today I feel my battery recharging and getting me ready for another challenging and worthwhile week with my new class.

5 days down....

175 to go.

I know, it seems a little early to be counting the days until summer. I just had a rough kind of week. I really love my class. I have so many sweet, funny, smart, engaged students. Just as a group they tend to be very LOUD. They love to talk. And, they all tend to talk while I'm talking or, while they are playing, in extremely loud voices. Herm the Worm and I (and my freezing signal, the rainstick) have been getting quite a workout. Herm even told me not to feel too bad because he had a headache at the end of each day, too.

So I am having a super mellow night with no noise around. Would love to have a cocktail to go with my quiet evening, but I have to pick my girl up from her first high school football game at 10:00.