{ still love the reality tv }

This boy astonishes me. I hope he goes all the way, and if he doesn't, I'm sure he'll be famous anyways.

And he's such a nice kid besides that!!

For any of you who missed David Archuleta on American Idol this week ...

{ a thought }

"If you go to your grave
 without painting
 your masterpiece,
    it will not
    get painted.
     No one else
     can paint it.
        Only you.”

          —Gordon MacKenzie,
           Orbiting the Giant Hairball

{ finally an update }

So finally, here I am! I am not dead as many of you speculated. I am simply emotionally drained (but am feeling better after this relaxing holiday Monday, to be sure!). I seem permanently committed with every ounce of my being to either my job or my dog. Derek has been working twelve hour nursing shifts to finish off the last of his school program (this will end in just over one week--hurray!).

Work is ever crazy, as usual. Fights are abounding at K-School this time of year. I've been involved in the relocation of a refugee boy, calling social services for a girl who's being abused, writing a scholarly article for publication in a city-wide newsletter, and participating in a variety of other professional development sessions. Aside from that, I'm trying to boost my kids' reading levels as much as possible, seeing my favorite student off to Lebanon (he left this morning for a two month getaway), and attempting to maintain some semblance of sanity along the way.

I have to say, though, that these above-zero temperatures have made life all the more pleasant lately. I don't know how much more of the minus fifty weather my mental state could have endured (not to mention my car!).

This weekend has been pleasant and productive. I bought a yoga mat and beginner's video (although I still have yet to try it out!). I cleaned and did laundry. I cooked and went out for a belated Valentine's dinner with Derek. I've finally gotten around to updating my ipod and unloading my camera. I uploaded a pile of stock photographs that I've been meaning to get around to processing and tagging.

The photo posted to this entry was taken on September 30 and has just come off my camera today. It was taken of our lovely friend Jenn, then barely pregnant, now ready to pop. On that gorgeous autumn day, we went walking with friends' dogs. Someday soon we'll go walking there with our dog and see blossoms instead of seeding grasses.

This weekend has been a lovely combination of relearning how to breathe, taking slow sips, and receiving many puppy kisses. I am looking forward to life on the other side of Derek's schooling; approximately a week from now, it will be the first time in my adult (married) life when neither Derek nor I has been a full-time student. We are looking forward to a spring and a summer vacation this year, as well as a sort of shopping spree to replace many worn out and tired items. We will both be working professionals--finally!--and I can't wait!

See you on the flip side of it all, if I don't post before then!