It has been close to 6 weeks since I’ve had a spare moment to spend blogging. I’ve missed it like crazy. I have all sorts of things to share. Those things of course have now slipped my mind. Instead, I thought I might just update you with short snippets of what has been going down here in J-town as the teens call Joliet.
On work: Oh. My. Damn. I have no idea where to start with this one. Due to holidays, teacher in-service, and storm damage to our building, it has been about a month, maybe more, since I’ve worked a 5 day work week. I know to many that would be a huge blessing, and there are perks of course, but really the thought that always runs through my mind is that more time was taken from me and yet I am still held accountable for my students’ test scores come May. Sigh. Some of the more interesting/exciting/terrifying events that have happened recently include a lock-down because of a supposed gunman in the woods behind my classroom and a power outage that required me to dance around like a circus clown for three and a half hours entertaining junior high special ed boys. Again, *sigh*. What else can I do. Now the gunman thing was never proved nor found, however it did make local news because the SWAT team had been deployed to our building for hours and we had to delay dismissal, cancel our sports for the evening, and take extra precautions. It started out in a calm manner, so I didn’t panic. But it did get increasingly more tense throughout the afternoon and by the time I had a minute to reflect about it on the drive home I was very scared about what could have been. I am trying not to dwell on it and instead becoming more prepared for future incidents. Same for the power outage. I will now, for as long as I teach, have a flashlight or 5 in my classroom. I can only imagine what tomorrow will hold.
On life: My roommate is gone a lot, which leaves me an empty home to sit and veg in. Always nice. We have been dealing with a very stressful, time consuming flea issue. Not nice. I am hoping that tonight’s predicted snow flurries will freeze the little buggers left outside and that our obsessive daily cleaning inside keeps them out of our house forever.
Other than that, all is well. I am trying Proactive. I have told a few people that I’m doing it so I can look like Jessica Simpson. Hehehe. I have no idea where it has come from, but my previously clear skin is currently playing host to EIGHT nice sized red, swollen, pimples. I swear working with the junior high kids is turning me into one!! So far I don’t love Proactive, but I don’t hate it either. I am on week two and it said three to six weeks for results. I’ll keep you posted.
I started back at the gym this week. YAY! Feeling better already and wondering if maybe the fact that I haven’t been consistently going is what’s effected my face so? Mmmm. The body is such a strange thing.
My babies are doing ok. The flea thing has been hard on me and them, because it has caused sores on them and I can’t explain what all is happening. I am glad it is ending.
Abby celebrated her 4th birthday on September 16th. I usually get them a new collar for their birthday. This is Abby’s new bling bling puppy necklace. I love it and I love it on her! It wasn’t as cheap as the ones I usually get (save the lecture, Mike already rolled his eyes and reemed me plenty for all of you), so this will have to last her a few (5 or so) years, but I don’t really care. I like it, humph.
Ricky is officially 20 pounds now. 20.1 to be exact. They spent a lot of time at PetCo and the vet in the last few weeks and one day someone got curious and slapped his fat ass up on a scale. What to do, what to do. Too bad there’s no kitty treamill!
On weather: Snow in October? That’s the plan for tonight. We’ll see what it looks like when I wake up…..assuming I don’t freeze. I am currently wearing a long-sleeved shirt, sweatshirt, thick fuzzy socks, and pajama pants under a blanket with my legs crossed and heat producing laptop on my lap and still can’t feel my nose or finger tips. Fall was far too quick in these parts 
On relationships: I am still dating Mike. He is fabulous and I smile just thinking about how cozy I feel with him. We went to a wedding this weekend and we have a second one to attend on Saturday. We are pretty serious, and I am enjoying thinking about my future with him 
On relaxing: Lots of fun things going on, but not a whole lot of actual down time where my brain doesn’t have to function. Tonight, I had to mentally schedule TV & computer time. HA! Some of the fun things I’ve done lately include a trip to the Stadium Club at the old Comisky park (now Cellular One Field) for brunch and then amazing seats for the White Sox game. A few dinners with various groups of friends &/or Mike’s family. A nephew’s (Mike’s) hockey game. A work couples get together (because oddly, there are enough couples from our work to do this). A trip to MI. A wedding. Lots of football games on Sundays at the local dive with friends. And some movies on the couch with Mike.
I haven’t been blogging. I haven’t been taking any pictures. And until this week I hadn’t been going to the gym. I have added the gym back to my life. And I am working on finding specific time in my week for blogging and pictures. Check back soon to see if I’ve met my goal of making more time!! And please fill me in on what’s been happening in your neck of the woods
