TGIF

It's been a week. This was my first week back to school and I have to say, I'm really tired. The first few weeks back to school are normally very tiring. I know I am very fortunate to be able to stay home during the summer. I get to "sleep in" until 7:00 perhaps. So it's been more difficult getting up with the 5:30 am alarm. I was still wearing my brace this week, so walking around school and being up on my feet more wore me out. It's also emotionally tiring at first. I have new students who read below grade level. My job is to get them reading AT grade level. And I get to choose how. Since I didn't have these students in the past, I'm not totally familiar with their abilities and learning styles. So I try one reading program and I'm already not happy with it. Plan B next week. I don't want to waste any time. I really don't have that luxury. These students are two or more grade levels below where they are supposed to be according to No Child Left Behind, and they are expected to take TAKS on grade level in the spring. Yeah, right. Oh, that's a whole other blog topic...

So Monday was my first day back, and as I came home after school, driving into my cul-de-sac, I see that my 21-year old live oak tree has split in half and is lying on the neighbor's driveway. I was sick. We planted that tree when we built the house. It was absolutely beautiful. Huge. Towering. It shaded most of the front yard. Now it's gone. Bob, and two great neighbors, Steve and Bob, got their chain saws out Tuesday night and went to town on it. Bob is a Carrollton firefighter and his boss heats his home entirely with wood. So my 21-year old tree was going to a good home. Bob and Steve came over again on Wednesday and cut some more. Meanwhile, our tree guy, Greg, who is very reasonable, came by Thursday and took the rest of the tree down. It's taking him two days to haul everything off. It was that big. Bob's wife Melissa asked me if we'll replant. I hesitated at first. I really don't expect to be in this house 20 more years. I don't think I'll ever see a tree in the front as tall as that one. Did it really matter? But then I thought, I'd like to replant two in its place. It's kind of my gift to the next homeowners.

So, it's been a week. But it's Friday. I'm not wearing my big leg brace anymore. And Pam and John are flying in this evening for the weekend. We'll celebrate her birthday that was a week or so ago. Steve called yesterday from Portland and they are really enjoying the city and their new home. Becca called from Italy last weekend, and she's having fun riding vespas around Florence with Albanian soccer players. Yes, all seems good for today. Happy Friday!