317. Bedtime

After I took a couple of pictures of the girl, she wanted to take a picture of me. She tells me she likes my smile.  I love hers, too.

I adore our bedtime routine of reading and cuddling.  Tonight, we finished reading Matilda.  I loved that book when I first read it in 4th grade and I loved that my boys loved it when I read it to them when they were young -- but nothing could prepare me for the emotions I felt when I read this book to the girl I met at school who now lives in my house.

When Miss Honey was telling the story of her life with her cruel aunt (Miss Trunchbull), she gasped and nodded in understanding.  Miss Honey's story was fiction and the similarities of her life with Julia's were gut wrenching.  She clapped at the end when Matilda got to live with Miss Honey.  We both do love a happy ending.

I called Julia my Matilda.  As she hugged me close, she said, "I love you, Miss Honey."

Now You
52 of You - Gather
45/52

Gathered in her room.
With her bed stuff.
Before reading and snuggling.

316. 6088

After school, Julia and I went to the shelter to see Clementine.  It almost made me cry to see her in the big cage in the stray room.

I paid the fee to have her held for us if no one comes to claim her.  The shelter will call me on Thursday (as in the day after tomorrow).  In the meantime, the vet will see her on Wednesday and we can get a report on her skin issues and if she is contagious.

The lady at the shelter heard us talking to Clementine who was licking and jumping about.  When she handed me the receipt, I noticed that beside her shelter name of "6088" she had written Clemintine.

315. Gather

Home from work and school for just a moment before dashing out the door again (and before it gets dark).  The man took the girl to dance.  I met a friend for a run.

Later, when I was tucking Julia into bed, I told her I loved her to the moon and back.  Her response?  "I love you to the Equator AND the Prime Meridian and back."

Now You
52 of You - Gather
45/52

P.S. I dyed my hair light brown just for the heck of it.  Only one student and one teacher noticed at school.  Perhaps it was already getting darker than I wanted to admit.

314. Clementine

Last night, the man and I realized that we had nothing on the agenda for Sunday.  Let that sink in for a moment.  An actual day of rest with no expectations at all.

We were positively giddy.

The morning started off well.  Pajamas.  CBS Sunday Morning.  Coffee.  Breakfast.  Reading.

Then I decided to go for a run.

About a half mile into the run, I was suddenly knocked to the ground by an excited puppy.  Not realizing the dog was behind me, it totally caught me off guard and I screamed.  The dog jumped on me and started licking me and jumping around in utter happiness.

I got up and started to run again.  Apparently that was code for continue jumping and being excited.  The dog followed me for over 2 miles finally ending back at my house.

There may or may not have been some bonding going on during that time.

Her ribs are showing.  There is an injury on her right shoulder.  She is somewhat mangy and is covered in a rash under her legs and on her abdomen.

Mili hates her and she snaps at her and her playful ways.  We aren't sure what we are going to do with her.  The last thing we need is another dog.

We've been calling her Clementine.

313. Fall festival fun

One of Julia's best friends moved to another school this past summer -- and they've missed each other!  Today, she got to spend the day at her friend's school's fall festival.  It was a fantastic day!

Julia: "I've really missed you!"

Friend: "I've missed you, too.  How do you like 3rd grade?"

Julia:  "It's ok except for all the homework and tests.  And I don't have you to remind me to sit down."

Awww...  I love this friend of hers.

312. Gone to the dogs

This dog, Darlin, lives on the farm behind my school.  Every now and then she escapes and comes to the school to hang out.  She is such a sweet and happy dog that I would love to keep at the school but we always call her owner to come get her.

311. Faculty Family Night

We grilled hot dogs and sausages while the kids ran around and played.  Then we gathered on our blankets and chairs to watch Despicable Me on the giant blow up screen.

I love working with such fantastic people!

Julia said, "I wish we could do this every Friday."  When I reminded her that it was Thursday, she revised her statement to mean Thursday.