First Day of School

It's  the first day of school here.  Dennis and I took the boys to school this morning.  It's the first time in their young lives that I got to take them on the first morning.  Usually, I am at my school greeting my students!  I thought I would miss going to school this morning but I didn't.  Makes me want to retire and just stay home!

I go to the plastic surgeon this Thursday to see what he thinks about my leg.  I suspect he will send me home without having to have another surgery.  It looks fine to me.  This is week 7 and the leg is getting better.  I have 1-3 more weeks non-weight bearing.  In the meantime, I am enjoying being home.

July 16th to September 8th

53 days that I have not been on the Internet other than to look and pin at Pinterest!  Funny how life can get in the way and stop you in your tracks.  That's how my life has been these past 53 days.

The boys loved camp and are looking forward to going back next year.  Matter of fact, I think they have it figured out how to spend the next 15 years or so at this camp every summer.  First, as a camper, then - as a Junior counselor, and finally as an adult counselor.  Want to know which two boys are mine?  The two that are NOT smiling!  Silly boys!!  The camp sent this picture to us - wasn't that nice?!

After camp and loads of dirty clothes from camp, it was time to get ready for school which meant school supplies.  A couple of hundred dollars later, they were set to do to school.  They each got new bookbags (after all they just couldn't carry their elementary school backbags - didn't I know that?)  New bookbags meant having their names embroidered on the bags.  Then the usual supplies - notebooks, folders, paper, pencils, pens, graph paper, memory sticks, dividers, note cards, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, tape, glue, lunch bags, etc..... 

After that - new clothes (which I by-passed and opted to just buy new tennis shoes.)  I am not going to order new jeans until cooler weather for I am sure D will grow another few inches before then.

 

This was made on the first day of school as I was racing out the door to go to my school!

 

Please do notice the bright colors of their shoes. 

 I just realized they put on shirts to match - good boys!!

 

In the meantime, I had a vicious back attack the last day of July!  Down on the floor crying with pain in the wee hours of the morning.  I knew this pain well - it was my sciatica (something I have put up with endured off and on for the past 25 years).  I crawled hobbled to the chiropractor and even he could not give me relief after a few treatments.  Then, my leg was numb from my hip to mid-calf. Hmm, that a new one for me. I went to my medical doctor (who asked me if I had been to the chiropractor to get help.)   Yes, I have.  She gave me muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory pills, and pain pills.  My chiropractor ordered an MRI (which my medical doctor wanted as well.)  Long story short - I was sent to a Neurosurgeon because my back has a herniated disc, bulging discs, narrowing, and arthritis.  I was managing pretty well until my medical doctor just kept saying, "Your back is HORRIBLE, just HORRIBLE!" 

 

I might add I had to wait 2 weeks to get in to see the surgeon.  By this time, I had been in pain for a month but as suddenly as it came, it was gone.  (I attribute this to prayer and continuing with my chiropractor and medicines).  My surgeon (who was the nicest person) decided I did not have to have surgery at this time.  I suspect it will have to be done sooner or later but I am opting for later!  So, that was all of August.  My back still hurts here and there, but at least it is manageable.

 

 

I do have to say that these two (Oscar and Ozzie) kept me company and gave me lots of kitty kisses and purring during this time.  Their new favorite place is in the laundry room on top of the washer and dryer.  They are sweet babies!  (Nikolai took this picture, I thought he did a wonderful job!)

And finally, Dennis became a 4th degree knight.  I think he should wear a tux more often!  (Notice he, too, is not smiling!  What is it with my family?!) 

Wonder if I should always address him as Sir Knight....

 

Days 3 and 4 of Thanksgiving

Day 3 - a good education.  Nikolai was recently inducted into the school's Jr. Beta Club.  This was at the reception.  I am thankful that both boys are smart and have really good teachers.  

Day 4 - Pets!  Welcome Maxi to our home.  She is a sheltie and is six months old.  Maxi is an early Christmas gift to the boys.  They are having such good time with her and learning responsibility at the same time.  They are completely responsible for taking her outside, feeding her, etc...  (Of course, Mama has to remind them!)  There is nothing like the love of an animal to make every thing OK in the world!  Although we have had her now 3 days, we have yet to her her bark.  (That's a good thing!)

October - already?!?!!

 

I feel like I have been gone forever and I guess in some ways I have.  The last picture (and thing) I remember is taking this picture of the boys on their first day of school.  They picked out their clothes themselves - I'm not taking responsibility for that!  LOL!!  I can't believe they are in the 5th grade.  I wish I could keep them little for just a little longer.  Deniska's shirt is wet, not stained.  I think he gets more water on his clothes than on him!  You will notice he is wearing glasses.  They are just needed for close up work even though his eyes are 20/20.  The doctor thought it might help with his headaches (which he gets every Monday!)  We have also been going to the chiropractor for treatments as well.  Surely between the 2, the headaches will lessen.  Poor little thing is pitiful when he gets a headache.

Speaking of headaches, my year is not going too well.  Too much to do, too little time.  Constant demands.  No support.  It's frustrating.  But, I don't want to talk about that.  I want to tell you about my new toy - a Kindle.

I love reading from it and I didn't know if I would or not.  I still like holding a book but this is so nice when we are traveling or I am waiting on the boys for some reason.  As you can see, it needs to be recharged.  More importantly, Deniska loves to read using it.  That's the real reason I bought one.  Anything to get those little boys reading!! 

This is the biggest reason I have not been posting.  My brand new computer keeps crashing.  I took it in for the 2nd time about 3 weeks ago.  Dennis told them to keep it until it was fixed.  So, I am using my laptop.  I prefer sitting at my desk but this laptop will do.  The boys are playing soccer and hopefully I can take a picture of them before the season is over.  They are playing 3 nights a week.  That pretty well takes all the energy out of all of us!  I think we have 2 more weeks of soccer and then life can slow down again.  That's a good thing!

Back to School

It's back to school for me tomorrow morning.  The first day for students is next Thursday.  This summer has gone too fast!  I made this cute pencil vase yesterday out of pencils and these flower pens today.  Since I teach mostly teen age boys, I won't have to worry about them taking my pens!

I FINALLY found my classroom keys today after looking for them 2 days.  They were still in my end of year folder.  *sigh*  Seems like I remember thinking that would be a good place to leave them.  However, in my searching, I found my pedometer!  I thought I had lost it a couple of years ago at school.  But no, it was in the kitchen in my pencil jar!  Go figure....

Nikolai update

 

Nikolai missed his first day of school since he has been going to school today.  His fever yesterday was around 104, today it has been more 100 or 99.  The doctor called to tell me that the culture did not indicate strep throat and that it was just a virus.  He surely has been sick for "just a virus"!!  He said his throat still hurt a little bit.  She said I should stop the amoxicillin.  I have not decided if we will go to school tomorrow or not.  We might just both stay home one more day.  I do not want him to give anyone else this virus.  I do admit he has been so sweet today.  He had pizza for breakfast and lunch.  And, has munched on the brownies I made for him this morning.  I am glad his appetite is back that I have let him eat anything he wants.  

I made Deniska sleep on the couch last night.  He thought that was a great adventure!  He couldn't understand why Nikolai was not going to school this morning!  So what if he was running a temperature, coughing, had a sore throat, and blowing his nose.  Is that any reason not to go to school?!!  Oh, to be 10 again!! 

Santa

Well, this is my only decoration that I have out for Christmas. The only reason he is out is because I brought him home from the Dollar Tree and sat him on the shelf back in October. He may be the only decorations we have this year....

The boys and I go back to school tomorrow. We all need the structure and will be glad to go back. I think the boys are really looking forward to going back. They both asked me yesterday and today when it would be school day.

Happy days

10 days left of school for the boys and 12 for me!

Now, if I could only find the time to do all that has to be done before school ends. I have already started on files for next year and trying to tie up some loose ends this year. I think tomorrow I will have the kids to start packing up my room. That way, we can just concentrate on exam reviews and exams the last two weeks. It's just a really busy time of year for us all!

Back to Life

Today the boys returned to school after Christmas break. I will return next Tuesday to school. The house is too quiet without them here. This morning was chaotic since we have not been to school for 2 weeks - even though I had told the boys to get ready for today. Folders had to be found, reading had to be done, lunches had to be packed, teeth had to be brushed, hair needed to be comb, breakfast had to be fixed and eaten, whew! Tomorrow should be much easier since we will be back in the routine. Did I mention the house is way too quiet? I miss them when they are not here with me!

Today Larry and I will go the insurance company to stop the house insurance in Mama's name and put it in mine. Then on to the bank to close out the bank account. Yesterday started in Probate Court, then to the funeral home getting death certificates and filing insurance claims, then to BiLo to have a fruit basket made for the staff at the nursing home. We came home for lunch. After lunch we delivered the fruit basket to the nursing home and one last good-bye to all the folks who cared for Mama. Then we went to Edward Jones to take care of shared investments and having those changed to individual investments. I am so glad Larry is here to help me with those. Our Edward Jones broker is so nice and very patient with all my questions. Then back to the funeral home to sign papers. Finally home after a full day of running around. Yesterday was busy but very productive! Today we start on the next set of things to do. I wrote thank you notes last night to the folks who had delivered food and flowers.

First day of school

Ah - the first day of school as my two little angels get ready to head out the door. Well, actually, I was ready to head out the door since I leave much earlier than they do. They were so excited to go to their new school. They both like their new teachers and I am happy for them. It's the first time Deniska is excited about going to school. This new school is so sweet and loving to all the students - so many hugs given by all the teachers.

My own first few weeks of school have been wonderful! A new principal who is perfect (knock on wood) and a smooth transition for us all. I am having trouble in getting the boys to my school after school is over. The shuttle bus that was promised is nonexistant. For now, I am leaving school every day an hour early to pick them up. I don't mind leaving early but it is cutting my accommplishing things down. Seems I am very productive from 2:30 - 4:00 PM. I hope this gets resolved and soon.

Today we got bunk beds for the boys. They were so excited to get the beds and then afraid to sleep in the top bunk. I guess we will have to separate the beds until they get used to the idea.