I didn't decide what to do for my new year challenge. I didn't really decide anything. I still have a cold that has sort of held on and made my whole day tired and slower than usual. So 2019 started with a lack of motivation and energy. I did a lot less than I wanted … Continue reading January 1: 2019? Okay.
back to school
December 2: new beginnings
Tomorrow is the first day of the new trimester. It's kind of weird because I'm getting only two new classes; my middle school classes stay the same. I'll get new Composition students tomorrow, though, which is exciting and anxiety-provoking at the same time. I wish I had a little more time before the new trimester … Continue reading December 2: new beginnings
November 11: another weekend over
Sad. Sunday night blues are kicking my butt. I don't want to go to sleep because I don't want to get up tomorrow. I just want another day to relax. This is the first fall I've been able to enjoy my weekends in 15 years. Coaching debate took over half of every weekend, which left … Continue reading November 11: another weekend over
October 5: Whirlwind Year
This morning, a memory jumped up on Facebook: a year ago, I posted publicly that I had accepted a job at Roseville and would be leaving Forest Lake that month. It was the hardest decision I have made in my career. At that time, I believed it was the right choice and this year has … Continue reading October 5: Whirlwind Year
September 30: back to the real world
I have been sleepy all day, which makes sense after the long weekend of trying to stay warm in layers of clothes. If anyone doubts Minnesota's strong sweater game, they should have seen the crowd at Boats and Bluegrass. We are a great bunch of well-sweatered people. The music was good, but the best part … Continue reading September 30: back to the real world
September 6: Will I survive the next 3 months?
Magic 8 Ball says... DOUBTFUL. The last two days have been so busy. I've kept it together, but I'm afraid I'm going to burn out and shut down sooner or later. Background: I'm teaching two classes at the middle school, then running out and driving across to the high school, taking about 20-30 minutes to … Continue reading September 6: Will I survive the next 3 months?
September 4: IT BEGINS
Today was my first day as a middle school teacher. It was Anders's first day of 8th grade. It was Annika's first day in E2 - 4th grade. It was both an easy and hard day all at once: a full day with very little sleep, but it was planned and there wasn't a lot … Continue reading September 4: IT BEGINS
September 3: Labor Day; or, the end of summer
Tomorrow we all go back to school. Both of my kids and I are anxious-excited. I never sleep well the night before school starts, so I don't have high hopes for a relaxing night. The only person who saw it as just another night was Dak, who just kind of went about his evening, playing … Continue reading September 3: Labor Day; or, the end of summer
September 2: Farmers Market and Naps
Today was what a summer day was supposed to feel like: I slept in for a while, got up and went to the farmers market in the rain, took a long afternoon nap, and had a delicious, fresh dinner with family. We played some trivia tonight and went to bed at a relatively reasonable hour. … Continue reading September 2: Farmers Market and Naps
August 31: “I have a question”
Annika always starts her questions with this. She started doing this sometime earlier this year, although I can't really pinpoint when. I think she regularly interrupts people, so if she starts with "I have a question" then she can ask the question when she knows the person is listening. She interrupts me when I'm reading … Continue reading August 31: “I have a question”
Adventures in Distraction 