tie red

What a week! I am dead. I had a good week but I am busier than I ever thought I could be this early into the year!

Cute Kindergarten moment: Yesterday, I assessed the kids in their "writing", which looks like pictures right now of course. I gave them a three page booklet and asked them to write a story about someone who is important to them. I wandered around the room, taking dictation to add words to their stories. Most kids had written about mom or dad; some had written about a friend or a cousin. I stopped at Madeline's desk and she had filled all three pages with the same person. I said, "Tell me your story!" She said, "Well, that's you." My heart melted. Who says I don't get paid enough?! That's worth more than money.

I am really enjoying my kids. It's an incredible amount of work, but it's truly the way a school should be. Things aren't perfect, but they are leaps and BOUNDS better than the years I worked in inner city schools. I hate that I'm only 20 minutes north of the South End and in such a different, far better world, but that's the reality of public education. It's not fair.

We're going to Maura and Dan's wedding tomorrow and Josh freaked out when I reminded him of it. We went tonight to the Rack to get him a new shirt and tie and he said, "You owe me one, honey. You gave me absolutely no notice to get clothes for this thing." Um, excuse me? You were with me when I opened the invitation, which has since been posted on the fridge that you open every day. He continued to remind me of how he was getting clothes on such sort notice as though this would somehow justify why he could take up all of my time helping him find things when I actually need to find something for myself. *eyeroll* Thank god I'm good at ignoring him when he ridiculousness comes out of his mouth. We did find him a sharp shirt, a $170 tie for $30 and cufflinks. What a score with that tie, yeah? And omg, ARE YOU KIDDING ME on that original price???? Who would ever pay that for a tie? Seriously.

I'm going to hit Macy's in the morning for something and if I don't find anything I have my Hawaii Luau dress as backup. Josh doesn't think it's wedding appropriate, but I think I'm too exhausted and poor to agree with him. We'll see what I come across tomorrow. Nothing like the last minute!

Mother's Day Hike

My cousin Melanie is officially a Diplomat with the Foreign Service. I am really proud of her! What a cool job.

I went on a good hike today with the girls. We did Annette Lake, finally, but we're going to have to go back in August because we couldn't locate the lake*. Jane came instead of Vicky, and it was nice to talk with her. She is so much less exuberant than most of my friends, but she has feel-good qualities about her that shine through when you spend time with her one on one. I was totally unprepared for this hike. It was in the South Cascades, and I know it's realistic to expect snow in the mountains in May, but I was obviously having a brain fart when I got dressed this morning. In fact, I almost walked out of the house in shorts and my Chaco's. HA! Instead, luckily, I opted for jeans and my hiking boots, but that was only because I thought the terrain could have a lot of low ground coverage and I didn't want allergy issues. I should have worn synthetic pants and waterproof boots. There was so much snow, *we lost the trail over and over again and were forced to brave frozen snow drifts that left us stuck time and again with snow up to our thighs. It was hilarious and annoying and wet. But I loved being out there, with Lulu running wild and just being with the girls. It was good. Until...I fell. My left knee went down right onto a root curled up from under the ground. And as soon as I hit it, I knew. I knew I would be hurting something awful and indeed I am. I can't bend my leg without feeling excruciating pain. My knee cap is swollen round like a ball and it's just no bueno. I don't know how I'll manage tomorrow, but I will. Somehow.

I just ordered a new bag for myself. My pink timbuk2 bag has held up really well for the past 4 years, but the exterior has suffered some staining and I have really wanted to get a billboard bag. I ordered this one which is made from an actual billboard. I wanted an eco-friendly bag that was fun and had all the features of my timbuk2. Fingers crossed, this fits the bill for what I want. I hate having to return things.