Another Begining

Awwwww, Journiers! I see you've come by to check in with me... well, I'm doing just fine, thanks for asking. Of course, tomorrow is a big day, as you know! There's just about 10 useful minutes left in today before I crawl into bed and begin the rapid descent into tomorrow... Anxious? Well, yes, I must admit I am. There are a lot of things happening, after all, what with Emma going to Kindergarten and me starting up another year teaching all in the same day. Emma, by the way, has her clothes all laid out (even her shoes!), and her backpack all filled with first day things, sitting patiently by her bedroom door so that she can apparently dive right into her outfit and grab her bag in one sweeping movement on her way out the door. Mary is a little sad, wanting to be a part of the excitement somehow, and go with Emma. This will be the first time Emma is not in the classroom with her and she has some trepidation about that, too. We have tried everything we know how to make her Tuesday a special day, but it cannot compare. As for me, Internet, I have my copies made (for all week!), my lesson plans laid, and all things that need to be set up ready for tomorrow - as far as I can tell. See, this is the first year I will not have 3 or even 4 different classes to plan for. Think of that for a minute - my first year of teaching I had 4 different classes every day. That would be (EVERY DAY); 4 separate syllabi, 4 separate sets of notes, 4 separate group activities, 4 separate tests, 4... well, you get the idea. This first trimester of this year I have ONE class. That's it, Journiers, just one, all day long! I can't help but feel I've forgotten to do SOMETHING. Lunch? Did I not pack my lunch? Oh, yes, I've got sandwiches for the next 3 weeks made and frozen, waiting for me to pluck them out of the freezer every morning. Oh, maybe I haven't read the text... no, it's Biology. I've got that down just fine. Um, well, I can't seem to put my finger on it..... my first day outfit? Yeah, that's settled. Gas in the car? Of course Hubby already saw to that. Something to drink at school? Oh, yeah, I took a flat of water bottles in last week and filled my little fridge. I guess that only leaves a good night's sleep, which I am sure will be elusive. Maybe that is what I've forgotten- a little relaxation. It's hard to get that right now, returning back to work after 2 1/2 months, to new faces and names and a daughter in school. It seems, Journiers, that the one thing I need to be well prepared for tomorrow is the one thing I won't have. Now I understand why I feel like I've forgotten something!

Well, I should be off to chase that good night's sleep. Here ends my morning tea in the dining room, admiring the rose garden just outside the window, watching runners and dog walkers and mothers out and about much earlier than me. Here ends the snuggle naps with Emma, the rocking chair love with Mary, the fabulous long phone conversations with Lochmoor Mom, the trips to the Zoo and the pajama days that Emma always asks for. Here ends, my friends, time to think about things like laundry, seasonal decorations, and scrapbooking. Here ends my summer, Internet, and with it begins another 10 months of running and working and driving and teaching and tutoring and correcting and sports games and mothering and cooking and planning and doing everything except relaxing. Hats off to those who do this year round, as I can barely manage September through June. So, here we go again! Let the adventure begin!