Sunday, October 7, 2018

Two Months Later

Wow! Two months can fly by.

This is the last week of the first nine weeks of this school year. This year's classes have been fun. My numbers in Forensics went from 6 for the last three year to 20 this year. English II numbers are down, and everything else has remained about the same. I have been experimenting with quite a few new things this year in every class: Book Clubs in English, Bell Ringers in Forensics and Drama, and a different style of grading in Stagecraft.

We held auditions for HS Musical in the first full week of school. Rehearsals have taken up 2-3 evenings a week. So far, this show is full of energetic dancing, simple sets, and really tough music. The students know the songs from the movie of their childhood, but singing pop music is much more difficult than they think. They would prefer it to be easy, and it isn't. We have exactly one month until opening night, so we have plenty of time to pull it together. It will be a great show.

On top of the usual hubbub that starts a school year, the Mr. had his hip replaced almost two weeks ago. He was in the hospital for four days, and I spent quite a bit of that time readying the house for his six weeks to three months of rehabilitation: bed rail, handheld shower, chairs that allow him to stand up without leaning forward, and handrails for the bathroom. Since his legs and torso can't break a 90 degree angle, he needed equipment that allowed him to pick things up off the floor, pull on socks and slacks, and put on shoes. We even bought a small lift that allows him to bypass the front steps. (He isn't supposed to be climbing stairs.) He won't be driving for six weeks and is feeling fairly housebound and ready to get back to work and his routine. Right now, the most challenging part is getting him into and out of the car. Most car seats (and getting in and out for that matter) are made so that your body does break that 90 degree angle. Your knees are higher than your hips. It has been challenging. 

I think it is safe to say that I have had a crazy start to the school year.

The bad:
I have to cook.
The Mr. has to eat my cooking.
No one makes me coffee. (I make his.)
The Mr. is bored to death.
I give up my plan period to make him lunch and check on him.
I don't have the work time before and after school that I used to have.
I'm behind on grading. (Surprise!)
The Mr. would tell you that the compression hose are too painful for words.
We haven't been to a single U town football game yet. 

The good:
The show is coming together quickly.
The football team is winning. (First time in quite awhile.)
We see the grandkids quite a bit since they come to check up on Poppy.
L sent us quite a few frozen meals which have helped with the cooking.
Friends have sent a few meals, too.
K has checked in on her dad twice a day since I have been back to school and has also been a big help with getting him into and out of the car.
We've had phone calls from quite a few friends and family.
Little Big Brother drops in often for a visit, and that has helped with the boredom factor.

Let's hope that the next nine weeks go as fast as this one has, and then the Mr. will be back on his feet, the play will be over, and we'll be enjoying the holidays.

And then, things will seem back to normal on Easy Street.

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