Yes, I'm Still Alive--Although Even I Was Wondering

Today was a work from hell day. I had to be prison guard tough and not crack a smile because my room was a mess and I had to get my kids back on track.

I went home very ill on Thursday afternoon and was in bed all day Friday. O.K. I was actually out of bed at 6:00 a.m. on Friday to take over 100 pounds of salt and 20 pounds of baking soda, 80 plastic baggies and 500 rubber gloves. Not to mention one set of lesson plans for a sub that didn't bother to follow any of what I'd typed late into the night between bouts of nausea. SIGH!

Luckily, my health has returned although my recent sunny personality has not. I hate having to act like a Nazi and not crack a smile. It's so incredibly draining. However, I can't let the kids make up their own rules and trash the room while I'm gone either. Tomorrow will definitely be better. There were glimmers of wonder in the last few weeks. Here's a quick rundown:

1. We're mummifying chickens! It's so strange and so much fun!!! I get to actually connect it to all the subjects I'm teaching. Like the good old days before NCLB. Don't know what NCLB is? Ask a public school teacher but wear a Kevlar vest and duck...quickly...after asking.

2. Dated a guy named Brian for a while. He still calls but I don't know. I doubt it will last more than a few more times because I've recently noticed others around me that are also interested. I've been offered sex more times than I can count lately AND I'VE SAID NO! Also, there's someone who I've known for...wow, I don't even know how long? Two or three years?....who's shown interest and I'm feeling interested back. I can't continue to see Brian if I'm going to go out playing the field. I'm sorry that just cracks me up. I've never had options before, now I'm overwhelmed with them. Somewhat heady, somewhat frightening.

3. We also did an archaeological dig. When I say we I am talking about my sixth grade class and Christyn Simpkins' sixth grade class. We like to team teach. We don't have to we just like to. We didn't get pictures of the dig but we did get pics...are still taking them of the chicken mummies. I'll post some soon. (I hope.)

4. I've barely been able to read blogs let alone post comments and I'm sorry for neglecting this one. (Especially sorry for Wendy, whose poems I love, because everything Wendy puts down makes me think or smile or even hurt...sometimes all three.) Quite a bit is happening out there to so many people. Of course some of the changes are harrowing like the destruction brought about by Hurricane Katrina and other changes while not so disastrous are still acutely felt by those around me. I thank (for lack of a better term) God for those that are surviving and will pull through and I ask for forgiveness and/or support for those who have (in comparison to Katrina's victims) minor travails to overcome.

5. I closed one show, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and started rehearsals for another. I'm the lead character, Gillian Holroyd, in Bell, Book and Candle for Kiley's Dinner Theatre. One of my best friends in the whole world, Shawn Carrington, is debuting as a director on this production. It's been fun so far....hope that continues. ;-)

6. I saw The Full Monty with friends at Sierra Repertory Theatre in Sonora. I laughed so uproariously that I was still coughing the next day. A lovely byproduct of a good sense of humor.

7. I've sung karaoke at a birthday party and in public. For those of you who don't know I think that singing in public is like being naked without the fun. Think about it...you'll get it.

8. I had an ATM card stolen. Well, they couldn't find it after running a tab in a bar. There was an actual bar brawl....life has gotten interesting on the weekends....and a few cards magically disappeared. Luckily one of the bartenders had the same bank and the card was canceled before any charges were even tried. Then I lived on twenty dollars for an entire week because my new checks aren't here yet either. I finally got my new card on the same day that the bartenders at Bogey's found my old one. Eh, c'est la vie. (Shanda check my spelling on that please.)

9. I made the Curves board last month as the fifth top "looser" of the month. This month I made the board as the top third "looser." I won a mug. More importantly I'm feeling good about how my body is getting stronger and healthier....this weekend aside.

10. I had some truly honest and in depth conversations with quite a few people this weekend. It was nice that I didn't hold anything back and they all appreciated it. No sugar coating, no trying to assuage someone else's feelings. If I was angry I showed it. If I wanted an exchange of rationality it happened. It was all very refreshing to not censor myself. I didn't realize until just now how often I do that.

11. Tomorrow there's a rally because we're still working without a contract. I was voted a union rep for this year (second year in a row.) It's a write-in at our site because no one willingly volunteers. {I'm on the committees for Leadership and Action Team at my site too. Thank God I don't have to participate in BTSA anymore! I was running out of dates to have meetings on as it was.} I hope that we get a contract soon. The latest figure that will be taken out of my monthly check to cover health insurance is being estimated around $225.00. I already use up practically every penny and I don't have dependents...yet...so it is hard to imagine how those with dependents are going to make ends meet. I also have the cheapest plan provided to us. I don't need special medications or to see specialists of any kind. The mind boggles at how insurance can rise 433% in one year. Kind of like gas prices...daily.

Well, I've got to go get ready for rehearsal. I hope that everyone reading this is well and life is treating you as kindly as a puppy would. You know all loving, sticky affection in a bundle of warm fur. I don't know why but it feels like a puppy hugging week. That kind of unconditional love and acceptance is needed more often, don't you think?