2/28 ~ Keep on keeping on

Another night of coughing and coughing.  Another day of no voice.

I used a sick day and dozed on the sofa with the pups and watched Netflix documentaries.

Maybe tonight will be the night I don't see every hour.  On a positive note, I have gotten some extra reading time.

2/27 ~ Seize the moment

It was silly sock day at our school in honor of Dr. Seuss.  I'm not clear on how that honors him, but who am I to question?  Besides, it was great fun picking out and wearing some crazy socks.  We even went to the drugstore in this attire.

On a different note, I've apparently been smoted by a our supreme being.  I have completely lost my voice.  Gone.  My husband is thrilled.  And Julia is whispering.

It is way quieter in my house tonight.

2/26 ~ Flowers only bloom when they are ready. Just like people do.

Sometimes, I have to pause to appreciate how tough so many of my students are.  I work in a school with a high rate of poverty and some of our students have such struggles to overcome just to live.  And then they come to school and we have to sell them on the idea of learning to read and do math.

Educators are the best salesmen I've ever known.

2/25 ~ Only 10 months until Christmas!

Spring just makes me happy!

2/24 ~ She's back!

Clementine is feeling better now.  And we can make this assumption due to the increase in the number of things being chewed up.  She got the cover and spine of Julia's Ever After book on Monday.

Crazy dog!

2/23 ~ Crowd around

Just hanging out on a rainy Sunday.  Even the dogs got on board with the napping plan.

2/22 ~ Oh Boy

Was I happy to get to come home to this boy!  I love how he relaxes in his chair with the remote and his laptop.

Best husband in the world.

2/21 ~ Notice

As a part of the walking tour, I noticed the plaque embedded in the sidewalk.  I had the three girls in my group stop for just a moment.  This particular square was named for Benjamin Franklin and is directly across the street from the First African Baptist Church where we heard stories from a lady whom I could have listened to all day.

When one student asked if the 1917 Steinway piano really worked, she asked the students who knew how to play the piano.  One student put his hand up, then quickly pulled it back down -- but not before our tour guide had noticed.

Tour guide: "Come on up here, boy, and let's show them what this piano sounds like."

Boy (shakes head no while smiling)

Tour guide: "How old are you?"

Boy: "I'm ten."

Tour guide: "And I'm 64.  Now get up here and play."

The boy shyly approached the piano and sat down.  He focused on the keys and the placement of his fingers before playing the most beautiful hymn.  The other students sat in amazement and the adults/chaperones were blinking back tears.  It was one of those moments that will help define some of the magic of this trip.

I did get to take pictures and the boy's parents will get the prints soon.

2/20 ~ Escape

The 5th graders loved Savannah (and so did I)!  At Fort Jackson, they could not escape the loud BOOM of the canon exploding.

2/19 ~ Take two pills and call me in the morning...

I've been packing and making lists.  The man will be in charge of the girl and the pups for the next two days as I will be with our fifth graders in Savannah, Georgia!

Clementine's and Julia's medicines have been laid out for Thursday and Friday. They will be fine.  I leave very early tomorrow morning and I'll be back Friday evening.

The three students who are in my group have been convinced that I am the loudest snorer in the world.  When I reminded them to bring ear plugs, they laughed nervously.  This is going to be fun!

2/18 ~ In the front yard

Spring is definitely springing in south Georgia.  I almost feel guilty for saying so after all the texts of misery from my boys who live in New York and Connecticut.  Perhaps I shall box some fallen petals to airmail to them in the snow.

2/17 ~ From Where I Stand

I seem to be a day behind in posting pictures lately.  I seem to just be a day behind.  Period.

Yesterday, I got to take some pictures of babies.  Two of my teachers have babies who just turned one and we met to take one year old pictures.  It was so much fun playing with babies!  Trying to coax smiles, get looks towards the camera, positioning them on a few props... well, it was a blast!  With three babies (one set of twins), I only took almost 600 pictures.  I could have taken more.  :)

Clementine is still one sick puppy.  In fact, we are going back to the vet for another shot of something.  The nights have been rough with her coughing and struggling to breathe.  And trying to get her to eat and/or drink has been a challenge.  I'm hoping today will be the turn around day in her feeling better.    She is just so pitiful.

2/16 ~ Healing Rays of Sunshine

While Clementine may be home, she is still one very sick puppy.  Living in the south, we've been fortunate enough to get warm afternoons despite the chilly mornings and evenings.  Clementine decided to take a break from convalescing on the sofa and found a spot of sun.

When Mili joined her, I knew I had to capture the moment.  Mili is still very jealous of Clementine but seems to realize that she is ailing at the moment.  Well, at least in that particular moment in the sun.  When we get out the dog ice cream (yes, we are those people) because that is the only way we can get Clemmie to drink liquids, Mili became insane with her barking jealousy.

Pneumonia in dogs is no laughing matter.  We've struggled to get her to eat and drink.

2/15 ~ Running gear

This morning I ran my first half marathon in a year.  I finished in about the same time as last year, so I was pleased.

After the run, I zipped by the vet to get Clementine.  She is still not back to her old self but she is SO much better.  What a relief!

2/14 ~ Love Day

It was a gorgeous day today and much of the afternoon was spent with the back door open to let in the fresh air.

As for the day of love, we really didn't do anything special.  Our days are always full of love and happiness so no need to celebrate on one particular day.

The man had to work tonight and the puppy got very sick and seemed to be struggling to breathe.  When the man got home, we took her to the vet on call (I had already talked to the doctor several times throughout evening).  It looks like Clementine has pneumonia.

We had to leave her with the vet after giving her many hugs and kisses.  Hopefully, she will get to come home tomorrow.

2/13 ~ Conversation

Julia went through all her Valentines from her party today.  Then she decided that she needed to discuss each one.

"Do you know Caleb R?  Not Caleb S?  Caleb S. can be really silly.  Sometimes the teacher says, 'Do you know me?' to him.  I say that sometimes, too.  Do you know me?  Hahahaha.  It is funny when she says that.  Well, Caleb R. gave out Valentines that have yellow things on them.  Can you guess?  Can you?  Oh, come on.  It is some characters from a movie... Minions!  We all liked the Minions.  And Allie had Minion Valentine cards, too.  But I got a different Minion card from her.  And do you know Kelsey?  She got the same Minion card from Caleb R. AND Allie.  Hahahaha!  Isn't that crazy?..."

In real life, the conversation was longer.  And the crazy part was that she didn't get any conversation hearts in her Valentine bag.  None.  Zip.  She didn't even know what they were.

That will be rectified tomorrow morning.

2/12 ~ Love

Each of Julia's classmates will get a little love (and a pencil) tomorrow.  The Valentine's Day party is tomorrow and the girl is beyond excited!

2/11 ~ Heating blanket

Clementine and Mili kept me warm today as I dozed on the sofa.  After a feverish night, I went to the doctor this morning.  I don't have the flu (yay!) but I likely have a stomach bug and the beginnings of a sinus infection.

Medicine
Sleep
Repeat

I was finally able to eat something this evening so I'm already on the mend.

2/10 ~ In the woods

Took the girl to dance and then went for a run around the buildings and into the woods.  It was delightfully warm with a cool evening breeze.

Typical for winter in south Georgia, we had the heat on in the morning and the AC on in the afternoon.  

I'm not complaining.

2/9 ~ I Heart U

Just playing around whilst talking about various Valentine's Day ideas with Julia.  She is ready to spread the love.

2/8 ~ Bird chirping weather

From my desk, I could see several birds competing with each other for time in the feeder.  Their happiness was infectious.

The afternoon temperatures have been delightful. It makes me feel like chirping, too.

2/7 ~ Demure

Julia has been so excited about the father-daughter dance which was tonight.  She was beautiful and so excited about dressing up.

"This is almost like Halloween but better," she proclaimed.

And she had a fantastic time at the dance running around with her friends.

2/6 - Giraffe shadow

Clementine casts an awesome shadow, don't you think?

2/5 ~ Spring is in the air

At least it was on Wednesday (on Thursday, it turned cold and rainy, again).  While I was taking pictures of the lovely Japanese Magnolia blooms, I was receiving texts from my boys about all the snow they've gotten.

2/4 ~ Heartwarming

Most of our friends have really bonded with Julia -- but Linda is special.  Linda has been very ill this past year and now has to be on oxygen all the time.  The first time Julia met Linda, I was concerned that she would be afraid of her because of the oxygen.  That didn't bother her one bit.  When we visit, Julia just follows her around and talks non-stop with her.

When I told her that we were going to visit, she cheered and said, "Yay!  I love Linda!"  I reminded her that Mike (Linda's husband) would be there, too, Julia responded with. "That's good.  I like Mike, too."

That girl is such a love!

2/3 ~ Soft

That puppy.... all 42 pounds of her.  We have such a soft spot for her.

She got sick today and had to go to the vet.  Two shots, two types of medicines and no food until tomorrow -- she will be just fine.  Apparently, eating random non-edible things really can make you sick.

Silly dog.

2/2 ~ Fickle

There is a saying where I live that if you don't like the weather in the winter, just hang around a few minutes because it will change.  And change it does.  Once again, we've switched from heat to air conditioning.

2/1 ~ “Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.” ~ Mary Oliver

Wouldn't it be cool if there were no more hurts in the world?  If everyone could appreciate the differences in each other?  Or would we take happiness for granted?

Feeling rather Lennon-y tonight, I suppose.

Much of the appreciation I have found in life has come as a result of hurts and losses.