Taking some deep breaths

Today was 8th grade promotion day. I read names. I didn’t mess up any. And then I went home.

I packed a nicer set of clothes, but forgot the nicer shoes. I considered going to the mall to grab some new sandals (it would be helpful to own a pair of nice sandals), but we celebrated our administrative assistant retiring right after school, so there wasn’t much time and I hated to lose my parking spot. Weirdly, a friend had a pair of flats she was getting rid of (in a big bag of clothes given to her by her MIL) and they were exactly my size. Talk about serendipity. I was so happy.

The retirement party for our administrative assistant was really touching. She’s been working in the district for close to 30 years, and has been our school’s administrative assistant for almost all of them. We are truly losing the heart of our school and I can’t imagine how we’ll survive next year. They played some fun videos of flash mobs and other fun stuff we used to do, and showed a ton of pictures. She was not just our administrative assistant, she was everyone’s friend and she went on trips and celebrated with the staff constantly. I’m really sad to see her go, but was also really heartened by the send off. It reminded me that I really do love where I work, and that I could do more to be a part of the community.

Speaking of community, the dates for the dojo’s advanced retreat were announced and we all rushed to make reservations. It will be in early September, near Portland, Oregon and I’m really excited to go. That is another community that I am very grateful to be a part of, and I’m so happy that I can make it to this retreat, even though I don’t love the timing (as far as the school year goes).

Oh, and speaking of new plans in the next couple months, my sister announced she’s visiting in August for almost two weeks, and we thought it would be fun to go somewhere together for a few days (all of us, my family and our parents). She wants to float in a river and my family can get behind that so we need to figure out our plans ASAP. I’m excited she’s coming in August when I have a little more time; her January visits are always so hectic.

But back to real life, this week….

Yearbook distribution went well. Kids cannot receive yearbooks until all textbooks and other materials are returned to the library, so we haven’t distributed all of them. But! we’re really close.

Tomorrow I have three 35 minute classes, and then our staff party. I have a lot of work to do in my room tomorrow, but I think I can get it done. If not, I have until 1pm on Friday, and then we’re supposed to walk out of our classrooms and not return until the first professional development day in August. That might actually be kind of hard for me, but I’m trying to embrace it.

They are putting new heating/cooling systems in our spaces, and if the cooling system actually works, it will be worth moving all the furniture from one corner of my room on Friday. Fingers crossed that this an actual solution, not just some grand but useless gesture. Virtue signaling to teachers and parents is something our district does very well, and I wouldn’t put it past them to spend a bunch of money on a renovation that doesn’t actually solve the problem.

My doctor got back to me. She acknowledged my symptoms, and confirmed they were not, in and of themselves, of concern. She did list symptoms that should concern me, but I don’t have any of those. She also recommended an antioxidant, which I got. I will admit that one of symptoms bothers me most on a cosmetic level (my. eyes. are. so. puffy. all. the. time) though I was concerned that if left untreated the underlying issues would become more serious (if those other symptoms occur, that’s the case). It sounds like it probably won’t, as long as I eventually respond to my thyroid medicine again, which may finally be happening. I get my labs done again next week so I guess we’ll have more information then.

The 11yo has not loved his camp this week. It’s been challenging. We’ve worked through some hard feelings. Next week he has no camp. We’re hoping he can spend the night with his grandparents (ILs) in the first few days, then Thursday is Juneteenth and the husband is taking him to a Giants game. Friday, the 15yo’s two hour a day camp is off, so we three may go to Great America. I’m hoping it will be a good mix of activities and downtime for both me and the 11yo (the 15yo is loving her two hours of metal jewelry making, which she has for three weeks total).

I will say, I haven’t been to the dojo much to train and I’m missing it. I’m also getting BORED with my workouts at home. Thank goodness Peloton has so many different options that I like, so one day I can do a proper bike boot camp, but another I can do an Intervals and Arms ride (you stay on the bike with light weights), and later I can follow a Lanebreak ride with a strength class. I’ve also been on the elliptical twice this week (which you can thank for this post, and the last one!). Friday I’m hoping to run on my way home from work and Saturday I’ll be training at the dojo. Hopefully those two days will help me get out of my workout rut, because it’s been HARD to get my ass moving.

I have been sleeping a little better though. I guess it’s in the third week of an effective dose that I start feeling better. I should keep that in mind in the future, when lowering my dose doesn’t work again, or I’m having a flare.

The 15yo has REALLY been wanting to hang out, and of course I want to indulge her because I know one day I’ll be persona non grata and begging to take her to In-n-Out. We’re about to finish the third season of Ted Lasso and we need a new show. Any suggestions? She really loved Silo and Severance, so if you know of anything in that vein let me know! (I was thinking maybe Westworld, because I loved that, but also it’s not on MAX? Which honestly I need to cancel anyway because that shit is WAY too expensive).

My time on the elliptical is almost up, so I need to sign off. If it was not apparent from this post, I am feeling better than I was on Monday. The end really is in sight. Next week should provide some respite, even if it doesn’t provide the rest I ultimately need. (I almost forgot to mention that I finished the summer fun book! That was weighing on me, but it was easy to finish and I got a discount code that made it affordable to order, so it should be coming this weekend. Woot!). I have been doing so hard for so long that it will probably take a while for a more moderate pace to feel normal again. Honestly I’m hoping the ride some of this productivity wave into next week to get my closet organized and our bedroom area cleaned up. I think that could be doable without making me crazy. We shall see…