It is what it is

Awesome surprise!   After snowing all day yesterday and a wretched drive home, we were looking at over 6 inches for our first snowfall while the leaves are still on the ground and not picked up yet, so they are in piles in the streets.  Anyway, we were notified that school was cancelled for the day due to the mess, cold temps and snow not removed because it snowed all night.  (Don't ask how the notification came.....archaic.....) I went back to bed and got a couple extra hours.   Washed all the indoor windows, cleaned all my crystal/china/chothki/cabinets, polished all the silver and copper in my house, did some catchup school work, haircut, baked 4 doz cookies for staff days, made chicken noodle soup for Wed (late night with bell practice), dinner and other odds and ends.   Can I honestly say I do more when home on a snow day?   Oh ya!   BTW tomorrow but really enjoyed the fun surprise day off!   Looks like an early long winter......it is what ...

So am I so spoiled that the curtains I washed and put up over 2 weeks ago, in my classroom, hanging on to a 10 foot ladder, were ripped off today, thrown into a pile, to put up shades....on the DAY we come back to school????? The "guy" told me he didn't put them back because they were all dirty!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so angry that i said, "they were washed and put up two weeks ago, I spent 45 minutes on a very tall ladder" and he said "are they fire retardant?" I stopped my mouth from the reply what was in my head and walked away....the only thing retardant was him! Really, you had all summer to do this!!!!! I know I should be grateful I have a job and after 20 years I am, but why can't others do THEIR job? We had no internet and were told we had to complete an on-line piece today by 3:00. The floors in the hallway and stairs were filthy and sticky and we had "Open House" for 7th graders at 2:00. There was a dirty mop head hang...

Glorious days on the east coast.  So much to see and do as always.  Managed my first solo trip from Somerville to Copley square on the T including a transfer.  I have loved, loved, loved being in the city since Brian and Andrew moved here 6 years ago.  This trip is no exception.  I love walking to the market and getting dinner supplies.  I love walking through the old (over 100 years) neighborhood and seeing the Victorian houses.  The neighbors, the porches, the restaurants, walking to the wine store, the SEAFOOD!!! Tonight we are planning an outdoor seafood picnic and tomorrow, hopefully to the seashore we go.  Sunday, I have to fly home and BTW on Monday.  It is what it is and I need to be able to pay my airfare so I can keep visiting. Chicago is next!

One of my resolutions for 2017 was to write my blog at least once a month.  Well, I totally missed November and today is the last day of December.   Maybe next year!   It is officially winter and we have had quite a bit of snow already.  1 1/2 snow days before winter break and record breaking cold temperatures.  I am losing plants in the greenhouse and it is cold all the time in the house.  Negative temps at night and on the Lucy walks.  Wind chills are wicked.  Just ask Amanda and Bryce about out trip on 12-27 to Greenfield Village Holiday Nights about the brutal temperatures!!!  First time I have worn long underwear under jeans since Michigan Tech's Winter Carnival in 2004.   Christmas is behind us, all the preparation and anticipation are over.  This week was fun with everyone coming and going.  A very hectic couple of days with cooking, wrapping, entertaining Hannah, wagon rides (before the snow and zero temps), chas...

After a beautiful yesterday, it is now FALL! Rain, dark and ugh!!! Had something removed on my back today at the dermatologist. 4 stitches, still numb. Can't wait for that to wear off. Was kind of a depressing day. My students won't stop talking and nothing works because there are no consequences for their behavior. I can please and thank-you them to death. They don't care. They don't care about citizenship if they are already getting grades that aren't As and Bs. They just don't care. It is what it is and some days it sucks.

After a very busy week at school, Friday the 13th was a relief pitcher.  We did block scheduling for testing this week and several teachers were out.  We cannot get substitutes on the "contracted company" we are forced to use.  So, many of us have to sub on our prep periods.  Not fun to work in someone else classes, especially last minute with no plans.  In 9 days, I worked 6 preps.  So, many things don't get done.  Today, I finally did NOT have to sub and ran around like a crazy person trying to catch up.  All the planning, digging things out from stored materials, xeroxing, meetings, etc.  Well, first thing I do is some xeroxing for next week's "after" testing activities and the machine does NOT work!!!!! To top that, there is a bird in the staff room.....yes, a bird!!!  There are no screens on our windows......don't ask! Yesterday, at lunch, a maintenance man decided to unclog the janitor's sink in a closet next to our staff room. ...

Was a very slow Tiger's game. Left before they won. So many events downtown it was hard getting in but easy leaving early. Too bad it is such a miserable trip going downtown and too bad you have to park so far away from where you feel safe. Sore throat and my chest hurts. First weeks of school are hard enough without becoming sick. I don't get a little achoo cold, I get bronchitis. It is what it is. Two very good weeks down and a fun night with Otto's work group at Comerica Park.