Gustav

My prayers go out to all of those who are along the Gulf Coast and are affected by Gustav over the next few days, weeks, months, or years. I pray for the best outcome possible.

Blah...

That's how I have been feeling since Thursday. I have either caught a cold or am having allergies. Either way, I have been stuffy, sneezy, and sounding a little bit like a man when I talk. Bandit is having allergy problems which makes him an itchy mess. He is taking Benadryl twice a day (half a tablet) and I have been taking them at night. They make me sleepy, so I don't take them during the day. During the day I take Sudafed non-drowsy stuff. I don't like him on the medicine because he just seems like he is in a fog. He just stares at you and isn't as spunky as usual. Now, it's not like before he didn't stare at you, but now it just seems so blank and sad. He caught on to the fact that I would hide the pill in a little bit of cheese, so he finally would eat all the cheese and spit out the pill. Now, I put the pill in a little dab of peanut butter and he gobbles it down without another thought. On Friday night, between the two of us, I had to have woken up about 10 times. It was not a good night. Now last night, after 2 Benadryls I was out and slept soundly.

I am very much enjoying this 3 day weekend, and could easily get used to it if my school district would like to go to a 4 day work week. I know that would mean longer hours, but an extra day off on the weekend would be nice. And maybe I wouldn't feel so rushed during the school day. Right now I feel as though I am not getting through everything I need to and that there is too much to teach each day. I have talked to the other teachers and know that I am not the only one who is feeling like this. They are all feeling like they are running out of time during the day. Maybe it will get better as the year goes on and we are in more of a routine. Who knows?

I went on a little shopping spree yesterday. I know that sounds exciting, but let's review what I bought. I went to Walmart to get the medicine for Bandit. Then I went to Office Depot to get a file box for some books at school. Then I went to Hobby Lobby to get some boxes to hold some papers at school (I did get some scrapbooking paper that was 5 for $1). Then the best part of my trip was going to Borders! I had some gift cards left over from last year, so I thought I would use them. I got 3 books and donated a book to a reading programs for only $17! The guy ringing me up also told me about the Educators discount card. I signed up for it and now get 20% any books that I could use in my classroom. I didn't buy anything for my classroom, but the guy gave me 20% off of two of them that he said I could use in there (he was an education major, so he was rather creative with how I could use them). The two that I got 20% off were Organize Your Life by Ronni Eisenberg and The Power of Kindness by Piero Ferrucci. I have read the first chapter of Organize Your Life and I am loving it! The first step is a week long process of evaluating where your time goes and how you could simplify things to give yourself more time in your days. I have not started The Power of Kindness yet, but am looking forward to it. The last book that I bought, but did not get 20% off is Women who Worry too Much by Holly Hazlett-Stevens. I thought this might help me relax and not worry too much. It is pretty deep and you really have to be paying attention while you read this book, but so far it is making sense and I am enjoying it. I guess I was in a self-help kind of mood when I went to Border's.

Well, my to-do list is pretty long for this week and I have only crossed off 2 things. I am hoping to get at least one more thing crossed off before I go to bed, so I think I am going to head that way. Oh yeah! Before I forget... I signed Bandit up for his next class at Petco. It's the clicker class that I previously talked about. It starts September 25th and I am looking forward to it! I will definitely keep you updated!

Have a good Labor Day Weekend!!