Rituals and preparation

When I was young we did not know who our teacher would be until the first day of school. We would arrive at school, be shuffled into the cafeteria and then called to line up at which point a teacher would stand and take us to a class room. I am not sure how things work in other places but in my district my experiences as a child are totally foreign. Instead there is an almost ritualistic gathering that occurs at each school build after 4pm the Friday before Labor day. The masses pour into school lots and herd around the front doors to view the lists that have been posted. Crowds then stand while some discuss this one or that one.

We of course take part in the ritual. We do not take part in the after gossip. I have friends who send letter requesting certain teachers while they will openly express their dislike for others. Over my 41 years of life I have come to realize that you can not please all of the people all of the time nor can you please some people ever. Although I am very open to seeking others opinions sometimes, I find it very annoying when people offer their negative opinions in front of my children. Learning how to deal with different personalities is an important part of learning and growing.

The rest of the weekend was spent with all of us getting ready for school, wrapping up the summer and easing into the fall routine. Saturday we had a 3 game soccer tournament which took up 8 hours of our day. Sunday was shopping followed by what may possibly be the last swim in the pool for the season for Frank and the girls. Today a family road trip which ended in pouring rain and bumper to bumper traffic, they can’t all be winners I guess.

I also have been preparing to return to work. Friday I had a required physical and TB shot, all completed with normal results :-). Tomorrow I will be fingerprinted and then will report to Human Resources to turn in my rather thick pile of new hire paperwork. I have also studied my handbook, which I am sure I will do at least 10 more time before Friday. Busy week ahead! I hope we are all ready.

Shock to the system

It is about 8am in the morning and I sit alone. My husband is off to work and my girls are still in bed. In two short weeks school will be back in session and two little girls I know are going to have one huge surprise. The summer has been very busy with camps and fun and even our first soccer scrimmage game last night. It has also seen many late nights and later and later mornings.

We have not yet received bus passes for the year. Being in such a large district we rotate every few years between “late” and “early” schools. The difference is only about 30-60 minutes in pick up and drop off. Last year the bus picked up at 8:30. From everything I have seen it will be the same this year. Before the bus we of course get dressed and ready, consume some breakfast and practice music. This week I have set a time for bed to start the process of getting them ready. I should go wake them up for the same reason but honestly I am enjoying the silence.

This is a big year! Both girls on the same bus heading to the same school. Madison is so excited to start first grade and Megan admitted the other day she is looking forward to the start of the year. I guess to make that first day as smooth as possible I should go wake them up.

This could get ugly :-).

First day of school, bras and need for the weekend

The long-awaited, heavily anticipated day finally arrived, the first day of school! Thankfully, both girls had a great day. We had some struggles last year with Meg’s teacher so she was worried heading in but came home thrilled.

Madison was ready to go at 7am this morning although the bus was not until 9am. She loved that she got 30 minutes alone with us between her bus and Megan’s. She was so great, bus came she looked at me waved and said “bye Mom” and up the steps she went. I knew she would be like that so I made her give me a big hug before we went down for the bus. She waved happily from the window as the bus pulled away, then I was alone. Walking home I might have shed a little tear but part was sad that my babies were growing up but the other was just how proud I am of who they are becoming!

Since I had to go to the bus stop this morning I got up and took a shower, my first full shower in two weeks which felt wonderful! I got dressed including a bra. I put on an old sport bra which is pretty close to the right size. I am still so swollen on the sides it is hard to tell what size I really am. Due to the incisions under my arms and the bruising I still have from the lipo, I can only express my feelings on wearing the bra as down right painful. And since I have to be a fully functioning member of society I must remain narcotic free during the day.

Frank stopped at VIctoria Secrets yesterday on his way home as a surprise. I have not been able to shop there in years due to size. I still have the steri strips so I will save my new fancy bra for a few days. I cleaned out my drawer yesterday and in doing so realized I was a 40 DDD prior to surgery. No wonder I had such back issues! I know that each day will be a little better.

I need to get my stamina back up. I am wiped out! Bus stops, laundry and some other things around the house, dinner and soccer practice should not do me in like this. The highlight of my day was getting home taking a vicodine and getting my bra off…ahh the little things in life!