Blog

Today was a good day at school. Second grade is really a good age. They are old enough to not be babies, but young enough to not have very much of the attitude you get in older grades. My class is the lowest leveled class of the three at our school, and it is a struggle for my students, many of them with some learning disability to improve. My heart is really in the ELL, English Language Learner class.

I finished my taxes! Yes! I will be getting a good refund which will allow me to buy a new computer, and then I can log on at home. I have been using my computer at work, or my mom's, or the library since July, so it will be nice to be able to 'google' something on the spur of the moment at home. I went to Jazzercise this morning and it really helped me feel good today. This has been the best I have felt in months. I know I'm not supposed to wear myself out, but the exercise helps me feel better physically and emotionally.

Well I goofed on yesterday's blog and put January 15 instead of February 15. I'm not sure how to change it. Oh, well. My daughter was at a church retreat today and my boys were at their dad's, so I put in one of my Columbo DVD's that I hadn't watched and sorted and filed paper and got ready to do my taxes. It's nice to have that ready. Hopefully I will get a decent refund, even though I already know that my medical bills aren't enough for 2007 to deduct. I also received my bill from The Methodist Hospital in Houston today so I know that next year I will be able to deduct medical bills.

Today I had an incredible experience going to the funeral for the the former worship leader of our church. The church was packed and they had overflow seating in the gym with a video feed. The choir loft was supposed to have 100 chairs, and there were still 10-15 extra people. It was the longest funeral I have ever been to at two hours, but it was an incredible experience that didn't seem long at all. We sang three choir songs and four worship songs. The worship team was his two sons, one daughter, and one daughter-in-law.

The kids were wild today at school. Valentine's Day is one of the days we have parties and a local advertizing firm has adopted all three second grade classes. They provided cupcakes, candy, and juice and had several employees in each class playing games and serving the refreshments. My daughter went out to eat with her dad. They went to her favorite place, Red Lobster. They are very much alike and are having to work on their relationship. The boys and I picked up two take and bake pizzas from a new place in town and rented 'Spiderman 3'.

Last evening was the first time in my life that I received news that two friends of mine had died within an hour of each other. One was our church worship leader/choir director who only retired a few months ago and the other was my chiropractor who I have known for 20 years and was like a big brother to me. Both deaths were totally unexpected. And this afternoon I found out that both funerals will be Friday at 2 P.M.

Today I am finally caught up on my blog. Since I had no internet access until yesterday, I wanted to post what I had written over the last nine days.

Today I went back to work. Even though I had left a voicemail for my principal, she didn't get it, and so no one knew yet about my diagnosis. I quickly set down and composed an email to send out to all the staff, because every time I have to tell someone it feels worse. I really haven't felt like crying yet, but I feel like I will if I have to tell someone else today face-to-face.

I did my best to rest like I was told all weekend. But with three kids, that isn't always possible. Friday I did take the boys to Target to spend the last of their birthday and Christmas money. Because their birthdays are one week and two weeks before Christmas, I ration out the cash and gift cards since they get so much at once. And it was the last day of their time off from school because of their tonsillectomies, so they had cabin fever. My best friend, who lives in Stillwater, called and we talked for over an hour.

There was a huge difference between the way I feel today and the way I felt yesterday and Tuesday. My equilibrium seems off, kind of like being on a ship that is listing, but I'm not really dizzy. Sometimes when I move quickly or stand up there is a dull throbbing but I wouldn't even consider it pain. It seems like the blood patch has worked, but I will be sure and take it easy through the weekend like I was instructed at the hospital.