Wrapping Up Winter Vacation

I have this impending sense of doom, kind of like when Wendy has to walk the plank in Peter Pan... (I made myself think of a Disney reference so I didn't get too scared or overwhelmed!)

If you don't understand the above-referenced {sarcastic} copyright comment, just be thankful. Our BloggyWorld shuddered for a day or two, but we're back to feeling good again!

I don't WANT to go back to school tomorrow (Tuesday).  I know some of my BlogBuddies went back today.  In their honor, I set my alarm for 4:55, made coffee and tried to plan this week's math lessons.  I admit, it was easier for me than for you because I was still in my pajamas and I was blog peeking every 20 minutes--unless YOU wore pajamas to school and were looking at blogs at school when you were supposed to be doing... something else.

 And if you do not return until next week (you may be cute and little, but we still know who you are!), I considered being jealous.  But I know that furlough days and school day shifting and budget cuts are all out of our control, and we are all left at the mercy of "The Schedulers."  So, I am only jealous that I have to wear school clothes tomorrow and you get to stay in pajamas.  Oh, and that YOU can have a bathroom break whenever you need one! 

I swear I have never been so addicted to pajamas as I have been during this Winter Break!


I have still have one last Linky to complete (well, I'm sure I have several, but this is the only one I can accomplish or the sixth graders will have to spend the WHOLE day tomorrow doing word searches, writing about their vacation,  and reading "just a few minutes more.")  So here's my contribution to CFC's Winter Vacation Linky.  Don't forget to click on the link to read some more tales of winter joy!

My school finished on December 16th, which was actually too early for me.  I like the idea of "the holidays" early in the vacation followed by a loooong vacation filled with little-to-do days.  Oh well, I filled up my time quite nicely (more on that in a minute).  On December 17th, I started my Christmas shopping.  On December 17th, I also finished my Christmas shopping (minus a few extras purchased at a store nearby.  Oh how I love that Amazon one-click button.  (If only they had Christmas elves that wrapped-for free!)

That left me with several days filled with important stuff: I blogged, ate goodies, blogged, stayed in pajamas, watched movies, blogged, read magazines, and, in between, I found a little time for more blogging.

The holidays were spent with a group of family and extended family merry-makers.  How weird is it that my favorite gifts were mudflaps, white board markers, and a gift certificate to the local teacher supply store.  Do I have TEACHER written all over me?  (Oh my! Do I have MUDDY written all over me?  I hope not!)

 

Then it was off to Washington to visit my nieces.  That trip included the plane ride that almost sent me "over the edge" after fearing for my life, but eventually I arrived.  Nothing like spending time with two great kids to make the world seem right.

Such great kids.  Smart, funny, insightful, fun-to-be-around. They shared their treats, they gave me WONDERFUL presents, they played games with me, they tried to teach me to use the video game system (I failed at Mario Cart and almost dislocated my shoulder playing imaginary ping pong), they graded papers with me, and they talked about school with me.

How can you not ADORE a family that gives you your own (labeled!) room?

Here's what was extra cool:  They learned about blogging.  They quickly recognized that a new follower was a good thing, usually praised with "Yay!"  And a new comment was super fun, celebrated with "You got a comment! Let's read it."  Not having kids or pets or much family, they completely have my HEART and their parents are pretty great too!

Eventually, I found myself at the airport once again (This time the plane had an oil leak, but that story we'll save for another day (with another "fortified" orange juice)).

When I returned home, I recalled that I had left all of my school stuff piled in the bedroom.  That's right: 17 boxes and a few bags.  The contents had been mixed together in an effort to have the living room quickly de-cluttered (Go figure!)  So there are Starbucks cards mixed in with ungraded papers, graded papers mixed in with PD readings, tardy slips mixed in with Christmas cards, and I'm a little afraid I lost a cupcake in there somewhere because I don't remember where I last saw it...  I am pretty sure I am CFC Jodi's worst nightmare. In fact, if I submitted a photo the "Clutter Clean-Up" project, they would consider a response of "rejected due to enormity of the  task."  Just kidding, I know that Jodi has room in her heart for everyone.  I just wish I had more room in my garage!

Click on the link to join in on a GREAT project

So, that's a summary of my vacation.  It will likely be remembered as "The Vacation I Filled with Blogging," or "Blog Friends Are Real Friends," or "Pajamas, Mochas, and a Blog."

Needless to say, I feel blessed to be warm and comfortable and happy.  And while I'm not exactly thrilled to go back to work, I am fortunate to have a job that I love (or just to have a job when many in my community do not.)  I will remember to count my blessings in 2012, and delight in all that is so GOOD in my life.  And, thanks, BloggyFriends, for spending my vacation with me.  I had a great time!