Very Little to Report

And that is a good thing. :)

This weekend we stayed home and did very little. Actually, we got a head start on the weekend with the Veterans' Day holiday on Thursday.

Thursday I decided to be a good girl and go to work. I typed up an evaluation, and while I felt bummed by working, I did feel good about getting that first one written. One down, twelve to go (and then I have to repeat the process all over again before I go out on leave...ack!)

After working on Thursday for a bit (I swear that nothing is better than a quiet school), I took Em out for frozen yogurt. This of course led to her being a sticky mess and needing a bath. At home, I actually got some scrap-booking done. I haven't done that in ages, so I was a bit rusty. (Though I notice I do a neater job now that I'm not having my customary glass of white wine while scrap-booking. Hee hee.)

Thursday evening was book club at my friend Janet's. We hung outside around her fire pit and chatted about Fastfood Nation. I will admit that I didn't read the whole thing, but it was fun to hang out with friends. Next month is my turn to host, so that should be interesting.

Justin had the day off on Friday (not cool Elk Grove Unified, not cool.) At first I was super jealous that he got to take Em to preschool and hang out with her, but it turned out to be kind of a rough day for the two of them. I think eventually it worked out, and they had a nice day at the park afterwards. Lately, it has just become very apparent that being four is tough. Poor Em.

Yesterday was the definition of relaxed. We headed to the store for provisions, but that was basically it for the day. Justin made a tasty pork loin for dinner and I made a sugar-free pumpkin pie. I was able to get some reading and scrap-booking in, not to mention several episodes of Weeds.

Today I got up early to check my blood sugar and work on teacher evaluations. I am going to try to finish one up before I head out for lunch with some friends. While I feel a little guilty for going out today, I do think it's important that I maintain my social ties. My new job can be really lonely, and I feel the need to stock up on girl time before the baby is born.

Okay, okay, blogging break done. Time to get back to work.

Ah, Blessed Quiet!

I don't like to be alone and I don't like to be quiet. Actually, it goes beyond dislike: my husband, family, and pretty much anyone who's spent more than five minutes with me would argue that it's physically impossible for me to be quiet. In fact, my mom used to call me media girl because I'd be at home alone with the t.v. on, the radio on, and I'd be on the phone. (Quiet must die!)

Well, this weekend my quiet side roused itself out of dormancy and presented itself quiet politely. All I want is blissful, wonderful quiet.

This weekend would have pushed any extrovert to the edge. It all started on Saturday. Em and I had had two quiet girl days, and we got up on Saturday morning and after a cleaning blitz, headed to the store. When we got back, camping gear was all over the place and the washer and showers were going full blast. Justin and Jerome were back.

I whipped up two fruit cobblers as the boys de-grunged from camping. Then, we hear a knock on the door: my sister and brother-in-law are here, with my adorable niece in tow. (I like them just fine, but she's the main attraction.)

After a somewhat successful napping session (Em yes, Izzy no), we all pile into two cars and head for the Sac Zoo's Ice Cream Safari, which is an INSANE idea. It's waaaaay too hot and there are a ton of dazed people wandering sugar-high and dehydrated around the zoo. Not good. And I am putting everyone on notice: IT IS NOT OKAY TO LET YOUR CHILD CUT IN LINE. THIS IS NOT CUTE. AND IF YOU DO IT IN FRONT OF ME, I WILL SHARE MY FEELINGS.

We head home for a BBQ and much needed dip in the inflated pool. That's an image, by the way--five adults fighting for room in a kiddie pool. The girls thought it was hilarious.

Saturday evening turned out to be a blast. We ate, hung out, and talked about our college dating pasts. Yikes.

Sunday was bonkers. We made breakfast for our guests, plus a couple friends from Sac. I doubled the pancake batter, which is so not necessary, so I basically spent all morning flipping pancakes, with both a frenchman and a Canadian hovering over me. Notice: IF SOMEONE IS MAKING YOU FOOD, IT IS NOT OKAY TO TELL HER HOW TO DO IT. NOT OKAY. NOT EVER.

We had a nice breakfast, and eventually everyone left, including Jerome. Normally, this is something that would leave me feeling sad. Not this time. Don't get me wrong; I will miss Jerome terribly. But I was very happy to be back with my small family.

We read quietly, watched Lord of the Rings, and had pizza. I was in bed by 10:30. It was lovely.

Is it Friday yet?!?

Seriously this has felt like the looooooongest week! I am not quite sure exactly what is making it so painful, but I think of a couple possible culprits.

Firstly, this is the second week of the second term of summer school. I have taught summer school six times and I'm used to the pattern. The first couple weeks are fun, or at least fun-ish. I get to try things I don't do during the normal school year. I get to focus on 30 students instead of 150 and I get to stay organized, a major accomplishment for me, a known single-tasker.

However, by this time in the summer school schedule, the newness has worn off. I know the kids too well and I am ready to spend some quiet time at home. It's especially bad now that I have a daughter. She's cute and I want to be with her, not with teenagers who keep whining about the air conditioning.

Secondly, I had dental work done on Monday and am still not feeling "normal." My mouth still aches and the tylenol with codiene is giving me funky dreams. In fact, my husband claims I slept walked the other night, made a sandwich, got a glass of water, and dumped it all over the bed. I remember none of this.

Thirdly, I have plans to hang out with girl friends this week and the anticipation is killing me. Yes, I am an 8 year old. I hate waiting. For anything.

I have seriously considered taking off work tomorrow, but coming up with six hours of lesson plans is daunting. I don't want a day off that bad. Besides, we need the money.

Finally, this upcoming week is very appealing to me. We get to stay home (yay!). The air seems like it will be good and it shouldn't be too hot...hopefully. Also, our dear friend, Jerome, is visiting from France and I can't wait to see him. He was my husband's best man and I swear the two of them were brothers separated at birth. He is very excited to see Em because he hasn't seen her since last fall.

It should be a good weekend...if it'll ever get here...

Where did the weekend go?

All in all, we had a very nice weekend.

My school had a minimum day on Friday, so my husband and I took advantage of it and got our taxes done. Afterwards, we pick up Em and went out to Thai food. She LOVES Pad Thai, but she doesn't know quite how much she can fit in her mouth. Thank goodness we were the only ones in the restaurant because she did have a yucky, regurgitation episode. Ick.

Saturday my husband spent the morning cleaning up as I half-heartedly exercised. Em actually joined in with my Pilates. Very cute. Later, we headed to Concord to see my mom. We went to the park with my sister and her husband and played a little softball (rather badly). That night my mom made chili and we had a nice evening together.

Today we went to Coco's to celebrate my grandma's birthday. While the food was underwhelming, it was nice to see everyone. My mom gave me an early birthday present: running shoes. (I know that may not seem like a present to some people, but I really appreciate it.)

We headed home this afternoon. I got in another run. Em has a little cold, but it doesn't seem too bad.

On to Monday...

Winter Break is So Over

It became abundantly clear to me that my vacation was over on Friday. I drove down to the Bay Area to visit with friends, which was an awful idea given the nasty storm we had. The visit was lovely, but the almost three hour drive back to Elk Grove was not.

Upon arriving home, I found my husband sick with the flu and our apartment suffering severe water damage from the storm. The maintenance crew ripped up the carpet in my daughter's bedroom and left, leaving lovely rusting nails exposed. After a day of getting no response from the management, I left a terse (but polite) message that clearly stated the words "health department." Lickety-split, we were temporarily moved into another apartment for a couple days.

Now we are back in our apartment, and the damage is repaired. I'm cringing for the next storm, which is due soon. Hopefully, everything inside will remain dry.

The first day back to school went okay, but I was so pooped at the end of the day that I didn't even try to get organized for tomorrow. I just headed straight to my daughter's daycare. A mother of two girls at the daycare gave my daughter play-do for Christmas, and my daycare provider SWEARS that Em doesn't eat it. I'll have to see that to believe it.