One day closer to Friday

Each day of the week that goes by brings me one day closer to the weekend. I live for the weekend.

Today I got home from work at a decent time and decided to hit the trails with Rian for a little mountain bike ride. I haven't ridden my mountain bike since early July, and I'm sure rusty on the trails. The trails we rode are laden with lots of roots and rocks. It's hard to stay upright on parts of the trail. Sure enough, I got bucked from my steed with force. I hit the ground HARD. Ouch. I hurt my foot, and have a giant bruise on my butt. The trails beat me up. It was fun, but painful. The pictures are from my ride. My bike likes to be in a lot of pictures. It gets neglected a lot, so when I stopped to take a picture or two, it demanded to be front and center. Can't say I blame it- it's a pretty bike. Towards the end of the ride, I stopped at a picnic table to rest for a minute. The weather was just perfect today and I was enjoying soaking up the sun and warmth for a bit.

Every day on the planet is a good day. I just keep reminding myself of that. :)

Another day in paradise

This week went by fast- like the speed of light. I don't know where it all went. Last thing I remember I was having dinner on Thursday night. Next thing I know it's Wednesday evening and I'm just now catching up. So much to tell (well, not really, but I feel better about my existence when I think things happen).

This entry is really about Tuesday. The day started off really clear. The first picture is of the Oklahoma River that I cross each morning. The sun is always peeking over the horizon (and blinding me something fierce) as I cross the bridge. I find it to be a sight I look forward to seeing. Work was... well, it was work. After work I had to kill some time before our triathlon club meeting, so I went to a local park near downtown to work on some school work and enjoy the outside. I sat on a bench and worked for a half hour. When I was done, I got up and walked around the park taking pictures. There was a teeny little waterfall that made the most beautiful noise, and a bridge that was just so strong against the fragility of the park. Then, I ambitiously went for a short run/walk. It was a beautiful afternoon. I reveled in the sunshine and really enjoyed the cool afternoon. I did some yoga on the grass and then headed to the meeting. The last picture is of the new highway retaining walls that they put along the highway heading downtown. They are quite pretty. Buffalo and birds (don't ask what kind). I love seeing the walls in the afternoon as I drive home (I take a different way to and from work to avoid the same scenery for my long drives).

It was a peaceful day. I've been trying to have more of those lately. I've been doing yoga, because I'm experiencing a ridiculous amount of stress at work. I will have to struggle through each day to make it to June. I hate to feel that way, because there are some good kids- but the trouble ones make it miserable for all of us. It's like nothing I've experienced before. You'd think that with all the years I've taught I'd be able to set the tone well. I've tried for 10 weeks and will try for another 26 weeks. I just hope my good kids will get the education that they deserve despite it all.

Hopefully it won't be so long until I write again. Ta ta.

Get me alcohol- STAT!

Today was a day from hell. One too many irritating situations at school, and dealing with the world's most frustrating children. I'm supposed to love them all, but I don't. In fact, I find it hard to even communicate with some of them. Yes, I can dislike a child. If you spent one day in my room, you'd understand that it's not all that hard. It's already been a long year, and it's going to get a lot longer.

We went out to dinner and I ordered a really yummy enchilada dinner with a really yummy mudslide- heavy on the alcohol (see picture). Apparently they left the alcohol out. It didn't do the trick. I'm still on edge.

On the way home we drove by the lake on the way to get gas. There was the most beautiful sunset. I had to take a picture even tho it doesn't do the beauty justice.

THEN, we got to the gas station. Would you believe gas was $2.09????? WHAAAAAAAAT???? I almost passed out in sheer disbelief. I know it won't last long, but it sure was nice filling the car up for less than $35 dollars. Yippeee skippy!!!! I'm livin' large.

Going to go read now to escape from my life. I keep wanting to leave this place and move somewhere nicer and get a job doing something outdoorsy. I'd love to have my own campground somewhere. What a dream!!!!!

It's October: bring on the spooky fog

Ooooo spooky fog. I love spooky October fog... booooooooo

Today was a good day. Had a good day of learning with the kids, had a good drive to and from work, and I'm enjoying the last day of nice fall weather for a while. Tomorrow it's supposed to be really cold and rainy. December cold (that's what the forecaster said this morning: "look out for December-like weather). Yike-a-moondies! I think he's just trying to frighten me because it's October.

Nothing else new to write about. Today was one of those boring days of my life. But hey- any day is a good day here on this big blue planet.

Did you think I was abducted?

I haven't posted in a few days. That's either good because we went to Palo Duro and had a great weekend, or because Rian was sick and threw up all weekend. Judging from my furrowed brow- you can bet it's the latter. Twas not a fun few days in the Brown house. Rian was sick and subsequently Tanya was sick. I tried my best to not get sick. I even treated Rian like he had cooties. I Lysol'ed after every move he made and antibacterial wiped everything he touched. I still got it. Thankfully I didn't get it as bad, but STILL. That'll teach me to disenfect everything in the house. I suppose some germs can't be killed...

On a happier note, I got an ipod shuffle this weekend. You might be thinking "Welcome to this century, grandma." I've had MP3 players for a while, just not a handy dandy teeny tiny little clip on ipod. I have a 1st generation shuffle, but it's just not the same. I like my new toy. I couldn't find it for a day and was wondering where I'd misplaced it. Turns out Cookie had taken it and was jamming to my tunes (see picture where I caught her). Silly dog. OK, that's probably a little pathetic that I set my dog up like that. When you're sick, you'll find anything to entertain yourself. And yes, putting earphones on my deaf (yeah, she's deaf) and elderly dog is entertainment when you're sick.

The other picture has a somewhat funny story (funny being a relative term). We are always suspicious that stray neighborhood cats are getting into our courtyard because we often find things that are very felinesque. Today when I got home from work I saw the culprit hanging out on the pergola in the courtyard. Sneaky little kitty. It's a really good spot for catching birds, tho, as there are lots that hang out in that area. As long as she keeps the raccoons out, she can stay (we had a couple raccoons build a den in our courtyard last year). Just take your dead birds with you, little one...

The virus is coming, the virus is coming!

Paul Revere may have shouted this in 1773, but it's doubtful. Therefore, I shouted it in the streets for him this afternoon. The virus is of the stomach variety. The carrier is Rian. Yikes! He was sick all afternoon. I hope it wasn't from food poisoning at IHOP this morning, but I guess we'll never know. We woke up late, had a late breakfast, ran some errands, then promptly came home for a much needed nap. Errands are tiring, and days off are wonderful things (I'm on Fall Break from school and he took the weekend off as well). After he woke from his nap he was feeling iffy. And then all H E double hockey sticks broke loose. Poor thing. And I'm really not the lovey mothering type. I just don't have much of a "I'm going to take care of you" bone in me. I try, but I'm not good at it (good thing I don't have kids- I'd be awarded the worst mother EVER trophy). I just come along behind with Lysol spray and Clorox wipes and wash my hands eleventy billion times in hopes that I won't catch it and become as miserable as he is.

We're supposed to travel to Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas panhandle tomorrow for a trail race on Saturday. I don't think that's going to happen now (imagine my very frowny face right now). I hope he'll feel better, but it's doubtful. I just hope he gets to feeling better very soon. Being sick is just about the worst thing ever, especially when you're married to the worst wife nurse in the world...

Someone's knocking at the door, somebody's ringing a bell...

Paul McCartney would tell you to open the door and let them in. I would advise you shut the door, lock it- heck- seal that puppy permanently until Spring if you must.

This is how my joke goes every year this time:

"Knock knock."

"Who's there?"

"It's winter. Everybody down on the floor and nobody gets hurt... I mean it."

Ok- so not the best or funniest joke, but every year that dar gum season sneaks up on me and catches me off guard. Today was brrrrr cold. The first picture is what it really looked like outside. The second picture is how it really felt outside. Ok, not that cold, but you just know how I am when the temperature drops below 70.

I sat in front of the space heater for, oh I don't know, 7 hours today. Seems like it anyway.

Today was a good day. I had conferences in the morning (well, I didn't have any conferences, but I had to go into school anyway), and I played all afternoon. Got my allergy shot, did some shopping at the Thrift Store, etc... A good day. Today I actually stopped and looked around me. I drove through neighborhoods that I don't normally drive through. I looked at houses and their yards. I noticed the flowers, the trees, the essence of the community. It was so nice. The top picture is from my neighborhood. I never noticed the tree canopy that hangs over the street, and all the pretty leaves around. Sometimes I have to be reminded to stop and smell the roses, so to speak (sometimes literally).

A cold, restful night will begin soon. I'll probably sleep well.