It's like this...

I took a long one today, in between working on some Spanish curriculum stuff and working in appointments for interpreting jobs that I got phone calls for.... I think I just needed to sleep today. It felt good. I've been running running running for so long now and I'm tired. Physically and to be certain, emotionally. A lot of my students are signing up for a second round of Spanish classes with me and so I'm looking forward to creating that curriculum. They're a great group of kids and a bright spot in my mornings. Last night Ally had a thing with the young women's group at church. She's been working on a project about how to make people feel better about themselves and her display there was beautiful. When we drove home later, she was chatting and chatting and chatting. She is an amazing young lady---at twelve she has a poise and a serenity that I love. She has always been a loving and caring and peaceful soul in our lives. Ash has seen I've been sad...

Yesterday was my sister's birthday. We were born 11 months apart and for two weeks we will be the same age. No, I won't tell you just what that age is . My father and I took her to an old favorite Mexican place for lunch (Thanks Dad!) and so I told the waiter that it was her birthday and could they please embarrass her a little? And so they did. They put a gigantic sombrero on her head and sang a lovely song to her, then gave her fried ice cream with sweet tortillas covered in whipped cream and chocolate sauce. See how happy she is?

Just when you think your heart could not possibly hurt any more than it already does.... Just when you think you can't take it anymore.... Just when you think you've reached an acceptable level of anguish.... There are deeper depths to plumb and further to fall. I thought I'd cried it out enough, that I was now strong and ready to fight. I was right about one thing---I am going to the mattresses and will fight with everything I have but this is still able to wring more tears from my already swollen eyes. But I will fight. My family needs your prayers.

go to church today. I'd cooked all kinds of beans during the night in a slow cooker with onions, garlic, tomato, etc. The house smelled wonderful when I got up and then I browned some meat to add to the mix and stirred it all together with some brown sugar, more onions and mollases. Then of course I had to try it to make sure it was all right. I know better. I don't eat in the morning. My system just doesn't take it well. Yes, I'm old. So I wasn't feeling great and had a huge desire to crawl back under the covers. I didn't. I'm glad I didn't. It was one of those days where it seemed all the talks and the lessons were meant for me to hear. I came away spiritually fed and that's a good thing. Ally is in her Beehive presidency (Young women's organization class) and she had a meeting after church so we went home and I gathered half the beans I'd made to take over to my sister for their dinner. She's so frustrated with her slow healing and...

I had Interpreter Training today. Yes, it's Saturday. Cuz you know, I don't work enough during the week or anything. I was prepared to dislike it and be bored. I was delighted to find that it was interesting and held my attention and even (gasp) fun . I enjoyed it! Except for the part where my husband packed my lunch but didn't actually put it in the lunch box so when everyone else had lunch delivered I sat there drooling with my stomach growling, but other than that, it was great. While I was there, hubby took the girls swimming at the nearby pool and then we met up later at my sister's house where my niece and her three kids were visiting. SO FUN! I haven't seen the children in a few months and it's amazing how they grow---especially the youngest. Here he is, the little darlin' While were there I realized that OOPS, it's Jessica's birthday. She's my sister's third child and turned 15 today. In all the visiting and noise and confusio...

I woke up around three a.m with the worst migraine in the universe. Well, my universe at any rate. The sound of my own breathing caused me great pain. I would have stopped breathing had that been an option. Ok, you there reading this and thinking that I really should have stopped my breathing, thanks. I appreciate the sentiment. This one lasted the rest of the night and far in to the day. I was unable to attend my friend's funeral but around six this evening I was feeling human enough to meet up with four friends from high school. We ate at The Macaroni Grill (yum!) and then spent nearly four hours laughing and crying and reminiscing about the past and talking about where we've been and what we've done since then. It was such fun. I'm so glad we could do it. But..there are no pictures. I was having too much fun to and completely forgot to snap some. So here's to you, Robyn, Elise and Christie. The friends of my youth. We're older but we can still b...

I taught my new class of K through 4th graders this morning. Sweet group. Rushed to get Ally from school to get her to the doc because she's been having horrible ear pain. Rushed so quickly that when I reached for my purse to pay the doc, I realized I'd left my purse back in my classroom. Ugh. Had to have hubby, wonderfully patient and kind hubby, retrieve it for me. Then we met up after I dropped Ally back at school. Oh wait, the doc appt. This was....disturbing. After much cleaning, then application of an analgesic in her ear and a warm water washing, tons of ick came sliding out. Then there was more digging in her ear and the "Oh my" exclamation from the pediatrician. Seems there is something in her ear that she can't get to and remove. She's given us ear drops, antibiotics and (dang I'm tired) something else I can't remember. We go back in a week. If it hasn't come out of it's own accord...we may be looking at surgery. Anyways....