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A bit of a sour day yesterday, but it was OK.

At first, I planned to just stay home, but after a bit of a guilt trip from Mom, I drove out to Bloomingdale.
I had to pick up Sara at the ER. David took her there because she was having gastro issues. I guess she had gallbladder problems before, but this time, most likely, it was gas.
I had to renew my driver's license; I went to the Belvidere office, but was closed. In the 'burbs, we could not find the Wheaton office, so up to Schaumburg- an hour, but I got it done.
Lunch and shopping. Home around 7pm.
Mom said I was moody, and conversation was slow, but it was an OK visit.
Wine at Garrett's with David; brought dinner home.

Overall, it was OK.

Next year, I need to be somewhere else.

Sunday, I went to work for a few hours. Lunch with Cheryl, which is always an on-and-off thing- she gets on my nerves, but is a good person to vent to. Then off to the JHS: two weeks of copies, updated my main bulletin board, wrote the newsletter, and cleaned up a bit. I do not plan to go back until school resumes.

All last week, I worked on school work. I think I have five weeks of plans done (Feb 13?), although did not finish unit 3- which I wanted to do. But, I gave myself the week to focus on school work; this week is for house work/ projects.

Christmas Day:
Lunch at Mom's- Adam, Martina, Nancy, and Bob. Her place is small, and then add the animals, and it was not such an inviting day. She really needs to clean out that house, which makes me reflect on my own list of unfinished and unappealing home.

I think next year we will be traveling. I mentioned it at Mom's- no one needs more 'stuff,' so why not 'experience' something. A cruise was the first idea, but I do not know. If Candi is still around, David and I will not go. It needs to be somewhere closer, driveable. Sadly, I believe Candi is not even fit for any sort of travel anymore.

David and I decided no gifts this year, instead we are going to work on the house. We will see how it takes for us to start.

Went to Denise's afterwards, which was OK.

Only one more 'holiday' and then it is over. Again, the less I think about it, the less it all affects me- although I am a bit in a sour mood.

So, it is the end of the year, lots of reflection, leaning towards the reinvention stage. But honestly, I am tired of the cycle. Still, I will probably go through it again- as it is what I do.

Body- mind-family-financial- etc.... you know the drill.

Accomplishment of goals I set for this past year?
I have a savings account (small).
And that is pretty much it.

For this year?
Let the list begin. haha

Christmas Eve Day

More snow.
Shoveled a couple of hours yesterday and I will have to do the same today.
Tomorrow is supposed to be clear.
I need to get out there before the freeze sets in. Yes, another one.

At least it will be a bit of a break from school work. I finished grading and now working on plans. Almost finished with the semester, then I begin next semester material. I hope to get units 3 and 4 done over the weekend. Culturally, three is about Puerto Rico and four is about Spain. Of course, I am more excited about the latter. I am going to build on my previous lesson teaching reorganization and see if I can come up with a better system.

By Sunday, I plan to be finished with work stuff, so next week I can concentrate on other things. I have a list of projects and things to do that need to be attended to. It will be busy. Hopefully, it will not snow so much.

Otherwise, tomorrow morning at Mom's, then David's family in the late afternoon.
I have things to wrap today. I think I have enough tape; using paper from the basement. I did not buy any new wrap this year.

Calls today to various people: Deirdre, Aunt Michelle, Nancy Olson, Ann, the Munros. A few way-past due, but it was OK.

You know, the holiday is not all that bad if I do not think about it too much.

Bitter Cold

Below freezing past couple of days.....

Today, the same; wind chills in the -10s,20s. Nearly painful to go out; hence my excuse for not running out today.

It is so cold, the snow is like sand.

I have plenty to do inside, although I am not doing much of that either. Grading to finish; posting grades; schedules together.

Defiance?
These inner-wars are always so self-defeating.

Plenty to do- so just do it.

It is a bad turn. I feel it.

Weekend One

A few things accomplished yesterday, but not as much as I wanted; lazy. Still, the day was OK.

After a nap, it took me nearly two hours to shovel. The official snow total for Rockford was just over seven inches, but I think it was more. The paths for Candi and Eva slowly expand each snow. We are supposed to receive more snow this afternoon- a few inches.

I need to run errands before it starts, but again, a bit lazy and a late start today.

Today, the plan is to run my errands and to clean the house and then to grade the second quarter exams and update grades on the computer. Not much, but I feel the weight.

I have to make chili first.

Otherwise, OK.

Second Snow Day- Winter Break Begins

Snow day number two; the last day before break.

Really, it could not have come a day sooner as I was hitting my limit with student behavior and lack of effort.

I anticipated this on Wednesday, as the forecast was for ice/snow at nearly a foot. It was supposed to begin yesterday at three, then moved to five, then moved to nine. I skipped the Department holiday party due to the forecast. (Honestly, I really did not want to go anyway.) Light snow just about 11 last night, and then hit while I was sleeping.

Not all that bad; a lot of snow, not ice.
Right now, just past nine, and it should be over soon. No totals yet, as we are still getting bit of snow, but probably a foot of snow on the driveway.

I submitted the 2010 Costa Rica trip. Now, it is just waiting for HS Principal approval and then it will go to the board.

Agenda?
I was up at the usual time.
Getting my weekly things done: calendar, bills, etc.
Depending on the weather, maybe shopping- this is the weekend before Christmas. I would rather do it today than tomorrow.
I will have to shovel, of course.

Winter Break TTD list.
Preparations for post-break (review and semester exams) and January displays.

Otherwise, my thoughts are still in-process. Two weeks off. I do not want to waste them.

Holiday blues on and off.
Memory....

No school tomorrow?

Bizarre weather.
Snow melting in 40+ degree temperature today, only to have quick-freeze rain overnight with temperatures in the teens tomorrow and negative wind-chills.
Too dangerous to drive.
I have my fingers crossed that the district 'powers-that-be' will be smart about it.

Otherwise, still in the blah mood.
Not good; not bad. Somewhat indifferent, I guess, but anxious.

Final week before break- it is going to be loony.

Ups and Downs

Mix of many things....

Not sure about the holidays this year. Mood is really crazy; holiday blues slips in then goes away. At least the shopping is done- just waiting for packages now.

Work this past week a bit nuts. Students not where they are supposed to be; behavior is not so well. Plus, the calendar keeps changing and email notices that students will be gone on this day or that day for whatever reason. Next week is supposed to be our second-quarter exams. I am not quite sure of the days anymore; I may have to split up the exams to non-sequential days. If we have a snow day on Monday (warm and rainy on Sunday followed by overnight quick freeze), it will be even more crazy.

Birthday is creeping up. Mental issues with age also affecting mood.

So, not good and not bad, but not really in between either. More of a swing.

First Snow Day

I anticipated the day off.

Icy rain overnight and 1-3 inches of snow today.
Not all that much snow thus far (on and off), but it is icy.

I do not like to drive when it is icy; nerve racking.
Better safe than sorry.
Last Monday, I arrived around 7:40 (called at 6:30 to say I was going to be late) as it was slippery. I need to weigh-down the car in the back. I have to remember to do this.

Ironic warm up later in the week- near 40.

Sunday

Weird to not have a busy-busy Sunday.
Up since 6:30 and been lazy: Finished Christmas shopping list; work emails; prepared lunch for week.
I still have to clean, and I skipped the gym today and yesterday. But pretty much everything else is done.

David and I went to Five Forks last night on a whim. Nice, but it is always an expensive venture.

Holiday shopping will be expensive this year- a lot of spa certificates, as I have zero ideas.

Maybe I will take a nap.

Pre-holiday

First week of December finished- actually, it went quite quick. I was fearing that it would be a long drag. And, for the most part, the week went OK, although student issues on Wednesday and Thursday (behavior).

Went to the gym every morning. A definite difference in mood.

Finished all of my lesson plans last weekend (which all went according to plan- better than 'more or less') so this weekend is pretty much for personal time.

Last night, I finished my school work (grading, seating chart for week) and started laundry.

Today, after going to the gym, I will run errands and clean the house.

After that, Christmas shopping- at least the selections.
I've gone through all of the catalogs- meager selections. I have no ideas for Mom or Dad.
I really do not want to go to the mall, but I might have to.

Christmas spirit?.... not really around.
Memories of holidays past. It is just not the same anymore.
It is not the commercialism, but it could be a part of the dull of the senses. Rather, it is just not the same.
Now, it is all just a hassle; very little joy.
Perhaps resentment.

Nevertheless, the holiday will come and go. Hope the pain is not too bad this year.