a blended life

Bad week. Really bad week. I used to read this book to my students to teach about making inferences. The only words are "good news" and "bad news" and you have to look at the pictures to understand what's going on. I need my life to be this book right now--where I only have to say either 'good news' or 'bad news' and no other words are necessary. I've had to kind of shut down emotionally this week to be able to take it all in, and I think I've turned into what counselors sometimes call "newspaper reporter mode". I can rattle off events, give basic facts and categorize them as "good news" or "bad news".  Good news: Leah got into a program called Future Educators of America, which means once a week she goes into another classroom and helps grade tests, read with kids, be an aide, etc. She's SO excited and driven to keep her grades up so she can stay in the program. I think she's mostly ...

Something needs to be said about how I have FINALLY!!!! reconnected with one of my very best friends growing up. Sarah! *insert dancing hearts and leaping unicorns* Thank you, Facebook! I have several of you close, hooked at the heart, friends for life and she is one that I lost touch with for over a decade. It's been a huge relief and a major bright spot in my week, especially during a week that was otherwise quite gloomy and soul-searchy. We checked out the public library. I don't know how other big city library systems work, but here there are a million branches to the public library. That means that each branch is quite small, quite understocked and quite outdated. Didn't stop these turkeys from having a good time and getting glares from the librarian. I didn't care. Have fun, ladies. Hang upside down in a library and giggle loudly.  I'm an ocean person. I can't help myself. This shot is beautiful, also keep in mind the stifling humidity and heat ...