No Rest for the Weary

After an arduous start to the school year (while also launching my son in a new school), you would think I would have taken the weekend off. Alas, that is just not my nature, I'm afraid. In Friday's meetings, I learned a lot of new information about my pickles, so I spent that afternoon and evening brainstorming to revamp my lesson plans to better serve them. I was delighted by facebook "team building" with my new colleagues that punctuated my work with laughter and shared jokes. I swear, this is the most cool group of teachers with whom I have ever taught. Really cool, down-to-earth, funny people. I'm so grateful

Saturday was met with domestic chores... vacuuming, bathroom scrubbing before I took my son shopping for more school clothes and good (albeit matronly and not-very-cute shoes) for my aching feet. I don't think I  sat down one time during the first two weeks of school. Well, okay, once. When I was so frustrated with a class that instead of saying, "I cannot believe I'm actually begging you to let me teach." Instead, I bit my tongue and simply sat down. The class went immediately silent. They had yet to ever see me sit. After about three minutes of silent contemplation, patience (and prayer), I got back up and jumped back into instruction. So, ya... ugly, good-support shoes are going to be a saving grace for me in the upcoming weeks. And to think... I'm such a diva, I used to actually teach in high heels "back in the day". sigh. These days, I can barely wear my cute flats.

Today, I shopped for groceries (after planning the week's meals) and for more school supplies. I ran endless loads of laundry and organized my domestic world as best as I could to make this working mom gig run more smoothly for next week.

In between, I stole a few restorative moments. My son and I had lunch at a restaurant before shopping. And he was so nice all day (of course he was... he was getting new clothes!). My husband and I spent Saturday evening together at the pond, tiki torches and candles cast a lovely glow and I finally relaxed. Today, I watched "Louder Than A Bomb" for inspiration before I stole a forty minute nap after I got a pedicure. Again... my poor feet.

And now... that Sunday dinner has been served, dishes washed, my lunch for tomorrow packed, my car loaded with all of the supplies for my classroom, I can sit back and contemplate.

I heard a funny quote last week: "Teaching is a nine-month-long sprint". Indeed. It also happens to be the only career that completely contains my brain. And for that, I am grateful.

Sprinting in my ugly shoes is exactly what I am delighted to do.