Back to Reality

Summer vacation ended last week and now it's time for me to get back to this blog as well.  I have plenty going on at school to write about and Sarge being home should leave plenty of inspiration for posts as well.   We are re-learning our lives together and while it's mostly fun there have been, and I'm sure there will be more, bumps in the road.

Since there is a new school year starting I figure this is as good a time as any to start writing again.  Here's what's coming soon to this blog near you!

 
I have almost 400 students....when will I ever learn their names?
I haven't bought new shoes since June, it's time to change that!
I am joining my friends Stacy and Heather as a yearbook adviser...hopefully we'll still be standing at the end of the school year.  
We are working towards a house, complicated at this point but more info to come.
 ...and who knows what else life will bring our way!

Happy New School Year!

When Johnny Comes Marching Home

So...haven't written in a while because Sarge is home!!  We are running around to see family, friends and trying to catch up with each other, too.  We have many exciting and happy events to look forward to and I'm glad to have my buddy back to share things with.  So, things are good and I'm happy that this last year is over!

 I'm sure I'll have more to write as we wind down the summer and real life starts up again!

Nerd Humor

There is nothing like waking up the 2nd day of vacation with a cold!!!  UGH!

Anyway, it does mean that I can lay around with a little less guilt than usual watching the 2nd season of Big Bang Theory.  It's my newest obsession...this show is hysterical!!  Sheldon is so clueless that I can't help but laugh out loud.

And in case you couldn't tell, I have ZERO inspiration for today's post.  Back to tea, soup and nerd humor!

New Addition

The new addition will look something like this

After a ton of research (mostly Sarge) and some tears (all me) I bought a car this morning!  Sarge and I will be the proud owners of a blue Subaru Forester sometime in the next week.  Yay!

I would like to add that this is the last time I want to buy a car ever.  From now on if we need a new car he needs to do everything because I HATE this process.  I feel good today but have had doubts at every step along the way.  The pressure, the anxiety and the fear that I will hate whatever I buy a month after I get home all make me crazier that usual.

I did really like the salesman I worked with which helped.  He was former Navy so he was good at relating to my current situation.  Genius on the part of the dealership!

Anyway, I'm excited and nervous and relieved that it's all over with.  Happy summer vacation!

Running from Car Shopping

Happy summer vacation!!

I am sitting here getting ready to go for a run while I finish my morning coffee.  I want to start off my summer on the right foot and I have been letting the workouts slide lately.  Parties, celebrations and oppressive heat have all given me good "excuses" for avoiding taking care of me.  3 miles is my goal...here's hoping!

Later today I am doing some car shopping, which I have discovered I hate more than anything.  Sarge and I need a 2nd car for when he gets home and I am HATING having to do this.  I know I should be exited about it and feel fortunate that we have saved enough to afford a new car for the first time in my life but I just want to avoid it.  I have serious stress over spending a ton of money on a car and am afraid I'll get it home and regret my purchase for some reason or another.  Gas mileage, size, visibility, potential for growth...AAARRRGGHHH!!!!  It all makes my head spin.

Hmmm...this is interesting.  Going running to procrastinate other things I don't want to do?

Heat Wave

It was over 95 here in NY today and I spent my morning finding as many air conditioned spaces as possible.  It made me wonder what people did before AC...because today was tough.  The hallways and classrooms were miserable as were the kids who came to school.  I predict that we'll have fewer kids tomorrow, because who wouldn't choose to stay home when it's supposed to be over 100??  It was nice that we gave the kids who were there ice pops that were left from an celebration earlier this month.  Our district was changing moving up and graduation ceremony times and locations to help keep everyone comfortable.  No one wants to be passing out in the hot sun in those polyester hats and robes!

Tomorrow, more heat, last day with kids and some new car shopping...just have to find something comfortable to wear for all of that!

Almost there...

This was the start of my Friday afternoon.  A beautiful Stoli O and soda.  It's summer in a class.  Light, refreshing and it definitely signals that I'm outside of a school building!  I have my cousin Jessica for starting me on these when I visited her in Florida a few years back, they are my go-to cocktail.

Only 5 days left and I can't wait to be done.  Between teaching, internship, deployment, blah, blah, blah, I want vacation to arrive!

Last Full Day

As the school year is coming to a close I know that it means that deployment should be over soon, too.  This is coming with a host of emotions.  I'm excited, obviously, but also a little nervous.  It will be an interesting adjustment as we get used to living together again.  Is he going to like the little changes I've made around the house?  Are we going to get on each others nerves and bicker constantly?  What are we going to do next?

We were married for 3 months when he left.  A year later we have talked often and in some ways gotten to know each other better.  We have worked on the friendship parts of our marriage because so much of the rest has been on the back burner.  I can't wait to have my best friend home again!  I want those lazy weekend mornings, lunches out and home cooked dinners together.
 

Testing, Testing

Last night I got my test results for my School Building Leader exam and I passed!  Yay!  I can now be certified as both a building level and district level administrator.  Now I just have to wait for the right job to come along...

Today is field testing day in our school.  There is a lot of controversy about these tests and I've heard rumors that many students will be kept out of school or will refuse to take the test.  It will be interesting to see how this all falls out.

I can understand how the parents are frustrated with the state exams and I know the kids are too, especially after all the mistakes that were publicized this spring.  The teachers are stressed, the kids are a little fried at this time of year and none of us want to take this time.  But tests are a part of education, whether we like it or not.  I'm over 30 and still taking standardized tests for school...there's a little part of me that wants to say "get used to it" no matter how much we hate it.

Long Distance Book Club

I read a lot.  There are very few things that make me as happy as curling up with a book I can get lost in. It is definitely as escape from reality.  I read a wide variety of book and this year I've read YA novels, historical fiction, romance novels, fantasy and have read a few books with Sarge.  These have been the biggest stretch and the one I'm reading now is the first non-fiction book of the year.

Our mini book club started with the Game of Thrones series and we've worked to continue it.  We don't often have the same taste in books but it's been fun.  I talked Sarge into reading the Hunger Games books and I've read a zombie book that he recommended.  (Nightmares have prompted me to say that I won't read another until he's home for me to wake up in the middle of the night as needed!)  I am currently reading American Sniper: The Autobiography of the Most Lethal Sniper in U.S. Military History by Chris Kyle.  I never would have picked it out myself but I am enjoying.  I think I like that Chris has included small writings from his wife's perspective.  I like to think that the parts about reconnecting post-deployment are helping but I won't know that until it's actually happening.

What books would you recommend we read next?

Friday!!

Happy June!

TGIF!

One month closer to homecoming, only 3 weeks left of the school year and since I have done almost nothing in the last 2 weeks for workouts it's time to find a new gym and get motivated again. 

I have 2 rehearsals and a concert this weekend, is that a good excuse to skip cleaning?

Happy National Donut Day!  Just saw an article that informed me that DD didn't invent this holiday, but that it celebrates a group of women Salvation Army volunteers who handed out donuts to soldiers during WWI to improve morale.  Now I am far more tempted to participate...

15 Down!

My school week began with me trying on a skirt that I ordered a year ago that was too small. I missed the window of return and so ended up keeping it and was finally able to wear it yesterday!!! Slowly but steadily I've lost about 15 pounds over the last 6 months and it feels good to have tangible changes.  I'm not at my final goal yet but it's now in sight instead of feeling like an overwhelming task.  Yay!

Watchfires

Last night I went out to the local watchfire for Memorial Day.  It's a very poignant and emotional memorial tribute to local fallen soldiers.  There is a ceremony that begins at 11:30 with the local police and fire departments providing an honor guard where the names of fallen soldiers from the Vietnam and Iraq wars are read.  It ends with Taps and a lighting of a HUGE bonfire.  The watchfire serves as a beacon for soldiers to find their way home, literally and figuratively.

I got to see some of Sarges buddies from work who are also veterans.  It was good to connect with those guys and hear how they are thinking of him and us.  Offers to help out and one offer of a wife to talk to before Sarge returns were very sweet and much appreciated.  These guys probably don't talk all that often but they are always there for each other.  It's a friendship and comraderie on a level I will never truly understand but am thankful for.

Army wife wear for a rainy night

Watchfire and Memorial

Our veterans

Beach Weekend

I was lucky to spend this past weekend with 3 of my girls down at the beach.  It was 2 days of sun and sand and plenty of doing nothing.  We had Mango-ritas, fresh seafood, Kohr Brothers and Bethany BBQ on Saturday and Sunday  We ended our trip with a morning at the outlets, lunch at the Dogfish Head brewpub and then a long, traffic-y drive home last night.  Lots of laughs, great story telling and a good chance to get to know things about each other that we don't talk about at school, happy hours or wine nights.

I am ready for deployment to be over.  This weekend was a much needed escape but when I sat down last night it all hit me.  Reading the posts on Facebook, seeing all the media coverage and being here alone was just too much.  I miss Sarge, I want our life together at home again and I want this to be over.  I am thankful he is safe so far and know that the end is in sight and maybe that's why I'm so easily upset these days but I can't help it.

Today, back to school in an un-airconditioned building when it's supposed to be 90 out.  Yuck.

Completed Concerts!

I have been teaching for 11.5 years and finished up my performances for the most recent last night.  Happy, exhausted and thankful that my kids pulled it off and for the other teachers and musicians who came to play for us.  4 groups in 2 nights....totally wiped me out.

I am really looking forward to the long weekend, I need the time to recover and gear up for the last month of school.  I always think it will be breeze and it never truly is.  Moving up ceremonies, proctoring for finals and a building without air conditioning, all are challenging and put the kids to the test and their teachers.  Goal: stay positive and have fun with the kids as much as I can for the next few weeks while still teaching some music!

10K Recap

My run turned out a little better than I anticipated though I'm always disappointed that I'm not faster than I am.  Sunday's 10K was pretty good though I'd come up with long list of "reasons" it wasn't before I got to the finish line!  The photo below was from the end of mile 2 and in going through the selection of race photos have realized I am NOT cute when running.  The mile 5 photo (at the same spot) was just unfortunate in many ways!

I started out a little too fast for me and ran the first mile with my friend Niamh in under 10 minutes.  I slowed down at that point and averaged out just over 10:40 which was my goal.  I only wanted to puke once, after picking up a gatorade at mile 3 instead of a water.  Blech!  I really do not like that stuff.  So, 10K in 1:06 and the goal for the next one is to be closer to 10 minute mile average.  Next planned run is a 5K so I'll be focusing on speed the next few weeks.

Concert Music Choices

It's concert week!

This means I have concerts for the next two nights and then I get to breath a little bit.  I have a couple of groups who are completely ready and at least one that I'm still nervous about.

I really like the music I've picked for this semester and that doesn't always happen.  There have definitely been performances where I felt that I NEVER wanted to hear the songs again, I seem to have done a better job of that this year.  Middle school music is tough to choose.  The kids want to sing mostly pop and I want them to sing very little of it.  It's always a struggle to find a balance between keeping them motivated and choosing quality pieces with the musical elements that I want to teach.  8th graders are the most difficult and have the least issue with sharing their view on what they do (and do NOT) want to sing.  They don't always understand that chorus is a class with objectives and learning goals...many think it's a "free period."  Drives me crazy. 

 I've promised the kids a couple of Karaoke days post-concert to sing all the music they would choose if they could and I think that this will be an appropriate post-concert celebration for them...one I go through the lyrics for all of the songs they've suggested!

Graduation Day

The graduate!

 It's official, I have graduated!  (Again)

I now hold a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Leadership and NEVER have to go to school again...unless I lose my mind and decided to do something more.  We shall see...right now I just can't wait to begin the next stage of life when Sarge gets home.

A beautiful day for a graduation ceremony

Thanks to the wonders of technology Sarge got to watch the ceremony streamed online in Afghanistan and send me some very cute emails and photos.  I am a very lucky wife!

Sooo busy!

This is one of the most challenging weeks of my school year...it's concert prep!  It makes me stressed and cranky, poor Sarge took the brunt of it the other day.  It's complicated this year by a field trip for each of my 3 grade levels, NYSSMA prep for many students and a busy weekend ahead.   (I could rant about NYSSMA for days but will refrain for your sakes.)   Graduation for me  Friday then my 10K Sunday morning and a birthday party that afternoon.  Saturday is clean my house day...it's a disaster here. 

I just want to quit all of it at this point...but that's just not an option.  I can make it, next Thursday I'll be a whole new woman!  So, if I continue to be non-posting until then, I am returning I just don't have any inspiration that would be appropriate.  All good things ahead, just too many in one week!

Happy Mother's Day!

To my mom, my mother-in-law, Granny and all moms, happy Mother's Day!