Sometimes too much stress equals no stress

When the list of things to worry about gets overwhelming, they cancel each other out.

After a phone call last Friday I found out that tomorrow is just a consult- not the actual surgery.  Having already made all the plans for missing school and taking care of cousin and aunt, this news was most distressing.  An email to my doctor reassured me that the surgery can be scheduled quickly after the consult with the surgeon (she says they are flexible that way) so I'm hoping things roll according to some sort of manageable plan.

Although they likely won't because greathusbandbob's latest scan revealed a spot on his lungs as larger than before- not horrible but worthy of a biopsy.  In the last month he has lost two acquaintances to lung cancer so yet another opportunity to panic.  He is scheduled for this on Wednesday so it seems fate intervened when the surgery date was wrong but I was still off from school.

Aunt is still in rehab with major complaints of the food and minimal complaints of our "only weekly" visits.  Except she thinks we haven't been there in four weeks because she has lost complete track of time in general.  It seems that extended stays in hospitals and UTI infections will do that.

I walked my non-music teacher (she is a former pre-k teacher) sub through the routines this morning. She looked more than a little overwhelmed- especially with her two young children begging to teach her how to play the instruments.

I tried to feel guilty about having days off when I am not surgically impaired but that hat didn't fit either.  Women take weeks off to have a baby all the time.  Having never done that, I have enough days and the pile of stress is high enough to warrant some days off. I'm calling it a sabbatical.

Except if the WV senate passes its omnibus education bill turning everything into charter schools we will likely have another work stoppage, so there's that.  The politicians are seeking revenge on the teachers for our power move last year. It's quite ugly.  The big threat this time is no pay if there is a work stoppage (an actual strike). Which, I guess is better than the threat Oklahoma state legislatures made which is to revoke the license of any teacher who participates in a work stoppage.

At some point, there's just too much to worry about and no use in doing so anyway. Woman cannot live on xanax alone.  So there is coloring.

and waiting to do.

I always thought I was too young

I always thought I was too young to have a good teacher crowd.  Turns out I had to wait for the millennials to show up to fit in.

The gang had a "we'll miss you for a month" dinner for me this evening which included an amazing gift bag.  A banana for the dog, bananas with faces for me, snacks in case I get hungry and the highlights.  A swear n search word search, an Eat a bag of dicks obscene coloring book, a banana toy for the dog.  Also  a package of Bob Ross bandaids.  Also an adorable ceramic dog mug, some peppermint tea and some snacks in case I get hungry- microwave mac and cheese, microwave popcorn and some graham cracker goldfish. Also some bananas with faces drawn on them.  They know me so well.

After we answered three trivia questions correctly we found the perfect plan for the summer when we never gather. Trivia night in the summertime.  Show up when we can and connections maintained.  I have never worked with more thoughtful people.

Time not completely wasted.

What with the freezing cold and the sub zero temperatures, I remained housebound for most of the weekend.  While I would have normally gone visiting at the hospital, aunt had to have an additional surgical procedure to clear up an afore unnoticed wound on her arse.

Knowing she would be completely out of it, I opted to stay home and visit when she would know I was there.  After the medical staff discovered it- (indeed there was an infection) I asked her if she had noticed it before.  She said- yeah- it may have pinched a little.  Hopefully she will find herself back to normal in a day or two.

On Friday, cousin bought herself a steak because her regular schedule of activities was disrupted by MLK day.  Knowing that she often microwaves whatever meat she cooks, I asked her if she had ever tried to use the oven.  She said "I tried it once but it made a terrible mess that I had to clean up."

I waited.  I pondered.  Do I or don't I?  Finally I asked what did you put it on to cook it?  Answer:  I just put it on the grill of the oven.  Glad I asked.  I offered the suggestion of a cookie sheet with some aluminum foil on it.  She said "you always give me such good tips when we are together."  Note to self- always ask.

While I am not making fun of her- she's mentally impaired.  But her way of knowing and looking at things always surprises me and sometimes it just does make me laugh.

The time at home was put to good use.  I've written about a week's worth of high school sub plans for when I am gone.  I have a mental arrangement of the several weeks to follow.  After hearing wise advice from those who have gone before, I'm going to plan for four weeks out and if its more hopefully by then I'll at least be able to write sub plans after 4 weeks.

And finally I entertained myself (and possibly found another way to communicate information to high school students) using an app called Doodly- it's an app for a laptop not a tablet and it creates those groovy cool white board drawings you see people use.  You can record your voice over the animated slides and the final product is an mp4 file that can be edited with additional sound.

Full disclosure- the text I used came from another teachers video on youtube.  I didn't feel like writing all of the information.  Actually- it's not the exact text- I mostly just borrowed the organization of the ideas and wrote my own text.  I haven't finished it but I saved it and posted it so far just to see what it would look like.  I think it will crack you up.




There is a two hour delay tomorrow- I'll spend my extra time writing lesson plans so I don't feel so guilty when I want to spend all of my time exploring the possibilities of this fun little tool.

One final note- there has been a slight uptick in comments lately and I just want to acknowledge and say thanks.  I miss the days when blogging was all the rage and we would banter back and forth but it's nice to know everyone's still out there.  Now to go read 101 cookbooks blog and find some white pants.

It's an AVALANCHE!

Did I say avalanche?  I meant rain with maybe a flash freeze that will be over with by Tuesday morning.  We are just a little northwest of Morgantown. We are always in the armpit of the storm.  We'll have to live all of the excitement vicariously.

Here's a riddle for you.  Potato + soy milk + vegetable stock + butter + broccoli + cheddar cheese + flour + sour cream +garlic +pepper = POTATO SOUP!  I sort of half followed Betty Crocker's internet recipe (I didn't want to make as much- I wanted it a little thicker-) and it worked.  I can officially tweak recipes.

I spent all of the morning writing a week's worth of music appreciation lesson plans.  The gang at school says I'm looking at more like 4-6 weeks of recovery. So I'm going to write for that so there is no worry.  No date has been set yet.  I don't mind.  The longer they wait, the closer to summer vacation my return will be.

Aunt is in hospital again. Her heart is in afib.  She's on blood thinners to prevent stroke and they are working to get her back into sine.  Look at me and my fancy medical words.  I wish I didn't know them.  The only reason I do is because greathusbandbob (20 years younger than aunt) suffers from the same malady.  They were able to shock his heart back into sine. Watching anyone struggle to breathe and keep calm is horrible.  Every now and then I realize that I may have to relive this same experience with greathusbandbob.  I just hope it's much further down the road.

Sunday night update

Yes to snow-

This morning’s activities

It’s still lightly falling fingers crossed for a delay.

I took a few moments to imagine shoveling this walk in my dotage-

The house on the right was the gutted one we could not buy.  This one is currently an Oxford House for sober living.  Greathusbandbob helped to set it up.  The owner claims she is looking to sell it.  If I could come home to this I would never even have to retire.  I told him I’d give up my yarn stash.  It has the giant sliding wooden doors that separate the foyer and the parlor (that’s what you have to call it as far as I’m concerned.)

Finally the latest thing on the dog Facebook pages is to show before and after photos. Before is the regular dog.  After is after you say “what a good dog.”  Liza fails this game. She’s humble... or humiliated one or the other.

Good News-Bad News- Good News

Good News- I realized that I could take cousin shopping after school on Friday nights and that would give me a whole free Saturday.  I think I was oblivious to making that change because I was so devoted to "keeping things the way they were" as she transitioned to the 'burg.  After 3+ years, I now will have Saturdays free and easy again.  

And it's not like I thought of it independent of circumstances.  There is supposed to be snow today and we didn't want to worry about driving.  So today's Saturday snow day has become permanent snow day Saturday.  And to think I used to take Saturday's for granted.  Next thing you know we'll go shopping on Wednesday and I'll have Friday nights free instead.

While in the car I told her about the polyp removal.  She had the same procedure done several years ago. I told her how clever I thought I was waiting until it was all over to tell her.  I asked her  what she would have done if I had told her beforehand expecting her to say she would worry.  She answered "I would have panicked."

Bad News- sort of- She'll have another chance to panic in the near future because while I was with her, the dr.'s office phoned and talked to greathusbandbob. There are abnormal pre-cancer cells and a hysterectomy is in the works.  Don't know when, don't know which parts (though I'm guessing all of them.)

My first excited question to drknitnightjustine was- "how many days off?"  I've got my priorities.  At least two weeks of no work and rest. Yippeeeeeeeeee.  I know I should be more worried, upset, concerned or something but I'm just not feeling it.  No cancer, no more periods, at least 2 weeks off and another visit to anesthesia land.  Every now and then I'm a little freaked out about it but funny things keep jumping in my head.  (I'm the poster child for coping using humor.)

Case in point- greathusbandbob and I will have matching belly scars.  Now that the social committee has new and fresh members, I might even get a card.

There is a teacher who switched from pre-K to subbing to take care of young kids.  Before she was pre-k she subbed for me often.  Preliminary conversations suggests that she is willing to do so again.  I can talk to her comfortably about planning and not feel so stressed to be hyper-vigilant about it.

And back to Good News- there is snow in the forecast- the longer it takes to get here- the better the chance of another day off on Monday. Weather is calling for 4-6" in the city of the school- less here in the 'burg.  A perfect storm if it produces.

And finally, facebook to me should be a happy place.  I am a member of two dog groups and sometimes I can't resist saving dog pictures that make me happy.  Today I made a collage of them with my Saturday snow day.

I’m not always nice.

Every twenty years or so you get that one nightmare class.  Ours is in 5th grade.  Once they leave I should be safe until I retire.  I have a countdown of the number of times I will see them for the rest of the year (18).

We had a 2 hr delay this morning which means an altered schedule.  When creating this schedule, custom has dictated that an effort is made to ensure the teacher sees the same classes- just for a shorter period of time.  (Insert toxic statement that’s how I always did it...here.)

The principal, not giving a rat’s ass towards custom (or it would seem consistency) has put together delay schedules in the same way a small child might approach a 500 piece jigsaw puzzle.  One difference being that she’s the boss.  So if she says “that’s what the picture is supposed to look like” then that’s really the end of discussion.

As a result, I find myself teaching an extra class that I wouldn’t normally have on any given delay or early dismissal day.  It has been this 5th grade in the past.  Sometimes it’s kindergarten.  Today I missed seeing my favorite 4th grade class.

Before the day began. The art/library teacher, apparently just now noticing the inequity of it all, came to me and said “I think there’s a mistake in the schedule.  I’m not supposed to have these kids (the horriblest 5th grade class), I think you are. I’ve already had them twice this week and I don’t have any plans for them. I’ll trade two for one.” (No doubt ensuring that she would see a different unplanned for class.)

Keep in mind that she’s seen them twice because she opted to split her job and become art teacher/librarian to avoid traveling to another school.  She’s also been a teacher for 15+ years and should be able to throw together a last minute lesson plan (especially with an extra hour at the start of the day)  She has also been whiny and selfishly petty toward me on more than one occasion.

Also of note- the principal was gone for the day and could not give final judgement.  And my guess is that she wouldn’t have brought it to the ppal’s attention if she had been there.

She essentially forced me to either a) feel crappy all day because I allowed myself to be taken advantage of or b) feel crappy all day because I was an inflexible schedule follower. Given that I was going to feel crappy either way, I went for the option that did not require me to face that class.

I think it was the fact that she tried to coerce me into taking them that pushed my decision.  The excuse of no plans for them was a lame tactic.  I believe I might have been more amenable if she had just honestly asked.  “Hey, I’ve had a rough week, can you help me out?”

Because really I would have done that for any other teacher in the building. It would not have been difficult. And they would have asked in a way to make things o.k. Person to person.  Not- “I’ll get one over on her.”

So I did feel crappy all day for being “that person.”  I had to tell and retell the story to several colleagues to make sure I wasn’t the horriblest person.  And here I am retelling it again. To the blog confessional.  But by telling it here I feel like I’ve made more sense of the situation..  And I feel much better about that.  I continue to be the easy going flexible colleague that won’t get manipulated into being taken advantage of.

A morning at the hospital.

Up at 4:15. 3 hours of sleep. Greathusbandbob fell asleep at 8:00 pm and was wide awake.  When he is anxious/anticipating he likes conversation. Which is fine when it’s his procedure.  I’ll go along with the Bob and Becky show.  I went along with it on the drive there.  Once in the waiting room I said “hey you should work on your crossword puzzle.”  He did.

I remember the first push of the bed to the operating room and that was it. Then I woke up, waved at a few people in the hallway and asked what time it was.  Dr removed a thumbnail sized polyp. 

Drugs have been taken. The confusion of drugs made me believe for a second that the removal of the polyp relieved my lower back pain.  After talking to drknitnighjustine I realized it’s likely the pain med intended for the internal pain that relieved the lower back pain.  The temporary freedom from that makes it clear to me why people love drugs.  I’ll miss feeling good when it’s time to stop taking them.

That being said, I’m not in pain, I’m no longer bleeding like a stuck pig, and I have two days off. That feels pretty good.

I like odd years.

So maybe this will be a good one.

A quick scan of the blog suggests that 2018 was the year of cooking. There was also some knitting.

This July we return to th house in NC where I was when I decided to do more healthy things.  It’s actually been a year and a half since that started and the recent plateau was discouraging and caused some slippage.  30 lbs down is still good.  After the procedure on the 7th I will return to my 3 Zumbas a week conscientious self.

It’s not really a resolution but a recommitment.  I can feel the world weighing me down more lately and maybe the things I’ve been calling self care are really just excuses not to do the things that help the most.

So look forward to more food posts.  My fingers were itching for a crochet hook this week so that may be in the works.  I have the Kafe Fasset yarn and the Atlantic us pattern in mind.  Hopefully I will share brilliant inspiration from the music appreciation class.  And if all else fails, greathusbandbob and I can start working on our stand up comedy routine. Maybe I can convince him to do an open mic night. ha!

Patience is what I have

Lunch with the aunt. Last week (actually for two weeks) the conversation was about fruitcakes.  Particularly Collins St. fruitcakes in Texas.

Lunch companion Barbara talked of getting them every year.  As a sort of joke/gesture, I sent one to her last week. I consulted with aunt and she said “make it from both of us.” Apparently they didn’t put the requested “from Becky and Sippy.” Barbara thanked the aunt for the fruitcake.  Aunt yelled to her “I DIDN’T GET YOU A BRIEFCASE!”  When she loses her hearing, she does it in a big way. Also she has no memory of me telling her I was going to do it.

After lunch we gathered at Barbara’s door to have a fruitcake party. And while greathusbandbob suggested it, I’m pretty sure he didn’t think it was going to happen and certainly not right away. Trapped in a little room with 4 ladies over 87 (aunt was the youngest one) oozing over fruitcake. And no one really hearing a thing anyone was saying.

I took this opportunity to go to aunts room and set up her  new tv remote (lost since she’s been there) so that she can see the bottom of her screen.  Much to my surprise not only did I get the remote to work, I changed the wide zoom to normal zoom and would not have to try to figure it out under pressure.

Upon returning from the fruitcake party I showed her the change and at first she was pleased, repeatedly asking “how did you do that?”  She finally heard my answer after asking the 4th time “I got a new remote.”  She didn’t hear it earlier because she was still asking the question.

After watching for a few minutes (checking to make sure she could see the scores) she said “it didn’t work. I still can’t see the numbers. (As if she could see them even if they were there-she says she can’t identify the food on her plate.) So I go back into settings and because the remote is new (and greathusbandbob is usually the boss of all remotes) the picture disappears.  While I am trying to manage the buttons and collect the necessary order of operations in my head, greathusbandbob is to my right saying “try channel 2,” aunt is to my left saying “slow down, what does that say on the bottom?” She can’t read a 60 pt font right in front of her so I don’t even know how she knew they were words. Breathe in, breathe out. Fuckity fuck.

I got the tv talking to the cable box again and moved in close to try to adjust the picture saying “talk amongst yourselves.” No success but kind of like the story where the Rabbi tells the guy complaining about the noise in his house to bring the barnyard animals in the house, when they are finally gone, the house seems quiet— When there was finally a picture, she minded less about the words on the bottom.

In other take a breath moments, greathusbandbob and I became the couple where one tells the story and the other corrects.  He maintains no details so when he makes shit up I just give a little under the breath correction.  I can’t believe it’s come to this.  Usually I leave him alone but he was missing the heart of the story. 

Him: Becky and I were married 

Me: we were dating, it was our first date.

You get the idea.

Later on he shared the story about getting aunt a cheaper lifty chair- the jack in the box version.  Crank it and up she pops. When she goes, nobody knows.  She looked at me and asked “how many times have you heard that one” and I said I’m not sure but I was the one who told it to begin with.

This evening, after the Browns lost, he went upstairs and got a list of Netflix shows he wrote down.  This likely came from a Facebook/huffington post type list called “what to watch.”

The first one he pulled up was mystery science theater 3000.  If you’re not familiar, it shows old B movies with generally funny commentary from three robot silhouettes presumably at the front of the theater.  I have been watching this show for YEARS.  I remember trying to get him to sit still for an episode when we were first married.  Turns out he still doesn’t like it which is fine.

The real kicker was Unbreakable Kimmy Schmitt.  This is another one we’d watched the first episode of and he refused to consider it.  This evening he watched all of episode 1 and said “that one might be a keeper.”  I never even told him.  It would have been like telling him there was no meat in the lasagne he ate tonight. Because really, 

All’s well that ends well.

The days are dwindling

Soon it will be time to return to school with nary a snow day in sight.

The weekly cousin trip had another moment of progress- We're going to lunch with her friends on her birthday.  Usually there is a phone call or two to figure out what time we are going.  Today she informed me she told everyone to meet at noon and that we would go to the grocery store after lunch. She made a decision with confidence. What the what!

I had a list of things (not chores) to play with while on break and I really just ended up reading and coloring a lot- they must be my go-to activities- there was some knitting.  Stephen King's The Outsiders  reminded me of his early works.  He can write a suspenseful chapter. There was some token gruesome violence but it didn't drive the story.  In it he (and others who review this one on Goodreads) refers to a suspense writer named Harlan Coben so I picked up Fool Me Once.  How fun it is to have something to read that you actually try to stay awake for.

It was make some lasagne night tonight.

I threw it together without a recipe-and it was fine.  All these years I thought lasagne was so complicate.  i may forgo the oven-ready noodles next time.  There is a certain gumminess to them.  The sauce is a marinara with boca ground beef and broccoli.

No clever closing comments- just a sigh for time flying.

Break day 4

Took the cousin shopping as per usual on Saturday.  It is inevitable that when we go out to eat, she gets food on her.  I often do to but I wipe it off and move on.  She frets and asks if it will come out and worries that she is going to be scolded (or as she refers to it- bawled out.) This week she spilled a little something, looked down, and said “it never fails...” with almost a smile on her face.  I consider this to be one of the greatest accomplishments of the past year.  Relaxed enough to laugh at herself.

Sunday was the weekly aunt visit sans greathusbandbob. The latest version of the cold going around still had him down.  Come to find he is not required for constant conversation. She takes his place though it’s often the same stories/complaints over and over.  I was scolded/bawled out for being more relaxed this time and not other times.  I told her I’m sure it had something to do with the fact that I was starting a week off.  She didn’t believe me.

Monday was house cleaning day and it was a great success.  I actually texted this picture to the woman who comes to clean our house.

This dresser and stand are usually piled high with clothes.  I made things fit in drawers. I never do that.  It’s hereditary.  As soon  as the last load is out of the dryer tomorrow I will have no chores hanging over my head. None. 

I’ve been coloring and saving pictures of internet dogs in the evenings.

The sad news is that whilst doing laundry this accidentally went into the washer and is ruined. It’s times like these I refer to the concept of impermanence to manage my disappointment.

Today was the traditional breakfast and presents for the cousin it her house.  Microwave pancakes and bacon simplified everything.  I did manage to use the rest of the box of oranges I bought and used the juicer to make fresh orange juice.  Come to find if you soak the parts of that in soapy water for an hour there is no real cleanup involved.

Cousin got two calendars because I forgot I had already purchased and wrapped one.  I’m officially in the “I forgot what I bought” mom’s club.

While I don’t want to wish my break away, I’m looking forward to watching Jeopardy on Thursday.  My summer visiting favorite internet friend kmkat is a contestant.

And finally they couldn’t do the uterine lining biopsy.  Apparently my cervix has the required marine haircut and is high and tight.  They couldn’t get through. So on January 7, I go to one day surgery for a D&C. Prior to making that call I mostly just closed my eyes and thanked my lucky stars I wasn’t at the dentist.  Also when I asked her if I had to miss work she said- the procedure day and one day- you can probably stretch it into two if you wanted.. Yippee.  Almost as good as a snow day.  Tomorrow I’ll write lesson plans for the sub and who knows what else because everything on the list is done!

Winter break

Otherwise known as how many pictures can I take of my dog in 10 days.

Actually it may not just be me.  This is Corbi. Dog of favorite school counselor.  Now we’ll have something to answer when someone inevitably asks “did you do anything fun over Christmas break?”

December’s gathering.

The counselor holding the coloring book that says “I color to hide the pain.”

1

My prison Mike Christmas tree ornament-turned rear view mirror decor.

The contents of the teapot.

Upon the receipt of the contents.

Me and my gift.

I like the people I work with.

Signs of the Season

Singing - my 13 member choir was to sing at the senior center today. It is this big.

Except it’s only as big as the left half of it.  The right half is where I get my hair cut.

We went there because there was no way this group could hold their own in front of a gym sized audience.  The center is about 2 miles from the school.  We made this plan in October. I gave my principal a note like this once we knew we were going.

It was to remind her to order a bus (which only she can do and which has to be done at least 2 weeks before the event.). She forgets stuff.  I figured a picture might help.  We laughed.  She (presumably) ordered the bus.  Fast forward to the week after Thanksgiving break. Did we get a bus to the senior center?  Yes, it’s all taken care of.   I removed myself from the equation having done due diligence.

Today there was no bus.  Transportation guy said “it was deleted from the system.” I have my doubts. She forgets stuff. She made phone calls and got permission to drive the kids herself.  Three trips (20 minutes) later we were assembled and singing. Well, sort of singing.  I played a recording of children singing carols and they sang along.  I’m pretty sure the eldercrowd was more interested in the flashing light necklaces we wore.  Which we gave to them as we left because how could we not. I was a little bit afraid of a knock down drag out because there were more elders than necklaces but they worked it out.

Of note is that when the principal informed me there was no bus, I experienced no rise in heart rate or blood pressure. Yet another sign of being old and wizened 

Presents - Olivia (in choir) left this wrapped with a tag that said it was handmade by her.  I think it must have been done on a slim piece of wood.  At first I thought it smelled like nail polish remover but I realized it was glue/paint I was smelling. There really is nothing better than a handmade holy crap this took some time present from a kid.

Decorations - My most favorite decoration on the way to and from work is this one.

I know it’s hard to see but apparently Mary, Joseph and Jesus were originally guarded by a pink troll with a candy cane.  Coming in at a close second is the house that has the huge inflatable sexy reindeer lounging on the grass on one side and the hunter snowman (with camp vest, rifle and orange cap) inflatable on the other side.  That one goes by too fast for me to even get a bad picture of it. But here are some from the internet.

   

Come to find this sells for $77 at the box store but you can’t put a price on style.

Celebrating -Tomorrow night is the gag gift gala at the new restaurant that gets a one and a half star review on Yelp.  I may eat before I go - just in case.  Or maybe at least drink.  I was on the fence about going to the last three. But, there was so much laughing at the last one that I am looking forward to it.  Plus there will be gag gifts. And gag gifts revealed.  This is the first time in 30+years that I have even remotely looked forward to a faculty gathering.

And today brings

Thoughtful treats from thoughtful people.

First- the admin who finally removed the post sent these with her daughter today.  What’s not to love- a dog, snowflakes and warm feet.

At the end of the day the first grade parent volunteer asked me to stay for a minute or two extra. (I taught her kids way back when) when all first grades returned, she gave me this delightful embroidered banner to hang in my room.

It’s the phrase we live by when getting instruments.  It makes me feel like I need a few more.  One that says “no biggie” and another that says “what the what?”

The high school kids take finals the rest of the week. The h.s. music teacher will give mine because it’s an extended class period.

My tiny tuneless elementary choir will sing at the senior center on Wednesday.  I can only hope that the seniors are mostly deaf.  Plenty of buckets, no tunes.  I spent $50 on blinking light necklaces to hopefully distract from what will no doubt be a dumpster fire.

It’s all fun and games...

Then it’s hilarious.

I will admit to a slight amount of laziness.  But in my defense, there is a reason spirituals have been around for over 200 years.  While the program stays the same (apparently to the chagrin of some parental audience members) the kids learn a new song every year.  One that they will have and love well beyond Christmas.  Repeating a program is a bit of a lazy way out, but every year afterwards, 8-10 people make a point of coming up and saying how glad they are that I was “brave enough to keep god in the program.”

Until yesterday when a parent (who may or may not have had CPS visit them in the past) called me out on it on a parents school Facebook page.  What happened to Christmas songs like Rudolph and the 12 days of Christmas?  Why all these bible story songs you hear in church?  Why weren’t there decorations. It’s the same thing very year. It was better last year when she did Christmas songs*.  The kids looked like they just weren’t into it.  You could tell the kids were having so much fun. School X has a really good program. Etc. etc etc.

* I did change it up to the Rudolphy  program last year at the request of a kid. So saying it’s the same every year but last year was better is hilarious.

I spent last night and this morning trying to get past it, composing passive aggressive responses and generally accepting that while it could get boring for parents, it’s really great for their kids.  But maybe it’s only boring for parents who don’t really look at their kids while they’re singing.

Finally I had some insight.  I’m fairly certain none of them knew I was a member of the group.  So I “liked” the post, näively pretending that it was a polite request for a greater variety of song selection.  I crack me the hell up.  It made it easier for me and it was the least confrontational while still making my presence known.

There were words of support (mostly former students now parents) and finally the page administrator deleted the post saying it was an informational page not a complaint page.  Complaints should go to the proper individuals. I wish I had screen shot the comments.

The dog still loves me and agrees to be on my lap for a little bit nightly.

Why I get a guy.

This is how the cords for the sound system go.  Maybe I don’t have to get a guy next year.  Except it so much easier.

An adventure at long last.

To the Clayton House, my Victorian dream. No inside pictures allowed but Mrs. Frick’s bedroom has appeared to me in my sleep.

Then to dinner with spinach ricotta ravioli in a tomato cream sauce.  You know it’s good Italian food when the flavors are subtle and don’t hit you like a Mac truck.

Then to the Phipps botanical garden with light display.

All with the best people to have fun with.

In other news, biopsy on the 20th.  Gag gift party that night.  The office teapot has been improved with a usb drive containing pertinent teapot clips and an actual $400 iPod that’s useless and aged out.

Also I may have gone adventuring early and accidentally eaten ice cream at Sarris’ and bought jelly beans.  It happens.

Further more

In line with being either at the top or at the bottom, the state of West Virginia just became #1 in mourning what would have been a blip on the radar if his contemporary weren't such an ass.

The state of West Virginia closed all state offices, West Virginia University and all public schools as a day mourning for George H.W. Bush.

At the end of the day we heard about the National Day and that there would be no mail delivered.  We also heard about state offices being closed.  I jokingly asked "if it's all state employees, will they close the schools as well?"  And indeed they did.  At 4:30 in the afternoon.  Older facebook friends noted that they didn't even close the schools for Kennedy's funeral so what the damn what?

I don't really mind.  There is a bit of an inconvenience in that it's been over a month since I've seen my choir which meets on Wednesday.  Last week it was a snow day, the week before it was Thanksgiving and the week before that was an early dismissal.  Next week is the program- fortunately I had already planned on NOT having them sing there.  They are just awful.  But, we are going to the senior center to perform the following week on - Wednesday of course.

I was going to try and make it a sing along so that the audience would help them but I don't know how well that will go over.  Instead I took the advice of my principal, downloaded some carols, make a booklet with the words and they will just sing with recorded music.  My 28 year old self is having a heart attack.  My 53 year old self is laughing and laughing.

Also the high school is planning several holiday activities meaning shortened classes so it appears as though I will be able to make medieval times last until Christmas and save Leonardo da Vinci for January.

In other news, I'm waiting to hear what's next my body.  They finally decided to have a look at the crazy heavy cycles I have been occasionally getting in the last three years.  Seems like there are some cysts blocking what would be the normal release of the lining.  In my mind it's a little irrelevant as they are suggesting that everything mostly over and done with anyway.  I hear back from them at the end of the week.  The trans-vaginal ultra sound (yes its as bad as it sounds) lady asked if they planned to biopsy anything.  I was like what the what?  At least it was a little hint as to what might come.