Challenged to catch up

Last week got a little crazy, but the camera was still working. Here's a quick recap.

1.30.11: the calm before the storm. The weather people tell us we'll have a high of 0 on Tuesday

1.29.11: Costco on a Saturday? yep, it's official...I'm insane

1.28.11: TGIF...and a warm one at that!

1.27.11: Beef (and Bok Choy): it's what's cooking!

1.26.11: Feeling blue? Moosey saves the day. Thanks Thing One for sharing him

1.25.11: My new mantra? It's only hair, it's only hair. After years of having boys with buzz cuts, this longer-shaggy look is taking some time to adjust to (but he loves it)

Providing comfort

As a nurse, I've sat with countless families in those initial moments after a loved one has passed away. As cliche as it sounds, it is something that just comes with the territory. I'd worked for 3 years on a medical-surgical unit, where many of my patients were dealing with end of life issues (military medicine didn't have an established hospice program, my unit was the closest thing they had). I know how to comfort the grieving.

Today, I found myself again sitting with a family as they processed the news that they had lost a loved one.

The difference? This family was my "work family". And the loss, was that of Mr. K. He is the teacher that collapsed last November while teaching math. His health since then had been up and down. His passing yesterday was sudden in that recent reports had been filled with how well he was doing. Honestly, as a nurse, I had a sense this day would come and in many ways, was surprised it didn't happen sooner than yesterday.

What took me by surprise today, was watching my administrators step in and create a plan. They brought in extra counselors. They brought in extra subs to cover for the teachers in the math department if they found they just couldn't get back in there and teach. We had an early morning "core crisis" meeting, followed by an all staff meeting. We met with the students that were there when he first collapsed. We had a special announcement to the entire student body. Counselors called the homes of the students who had Mr. K but were absent today. The list could go on and on.

The nurse in me was sort of thinking "Yeah, and so?". Not meaning to sound cold and insensitive, but hey, death happens.

And then it dawned on me...wait a minute...I am now a school nurse. Death doesn't happen that often in a school. It shouldn't happen. Teaching and learning: that is what should be happening every day. Not mourning losses. And yet when tragedy does strike a school, at least the school I am fortunate enough to work at, comes together, creates a plan and gets the job done.

What a wonderful thing it was to watch another profession provide comfort to those who are grieving. Yes, a bit different than the way nurses provide it. But, effective just the same.

Farewell Mr. K. Your work family will miss you dearly.

Waiting

for his mama to finish up at work...

Finished

Only one question remains: do you think "we'll" get an A?

*while the journaling isn't very clear, Thing Two created a catapult and studied what impact the launch angle had on how far the launched item went. As tempting as it was to follow in the footsteps of his hero, Bart Simpson, Thing Two launched nickels instead of cats.

He had fun.

Me? Not so much..

Growing Boys

These days, we're looking at this lasting a week...tops!

Five

Busy day in HIGH school. This is the form I fill out when the kids...well, you know...appear neurologically compromised.

Apparently, happy hour started a little early for some of the kids (luckily not all 5 kids were under the influence....)

Aside from that, it's been a rather tame week at work. Ready for the weekend!

Family Time

A little xbox time for the guys...

If Only...

the desk would stay like this. Between finals last week (thus shortened day for students AND they had better be on death's door to leave class), a non-student contact day yesterday and today was just all around "productive"...my desk is looking pretty remarkable these days. Ah...if only it would stay this way...a girl can dream, right?

Ooo...and notice my Christmas present in the corner. The Things got me the new tote from LL Bean: and it's in the school colors no less!!!

Homework

Thing Two continues to plug along on his science fair project.

colorized

Today was a holiday for the Things and I. Thing 2 spent his morning in the dentist's chair. I spent my afternoon in "Jane's" chair getting the gray addressed. Guess who is happier this evening?

Purple Mountain majesties

Above the fruited plain!

Some mornings, you can't help but break out in song...

So long side car

Trouble with the Russian mistress (again). Not sure what will be the final solution, but today I helped Hubby perform some garage amputation where we removed the tub from the tug (translation: took off the side car).

On call

Prayers for stable networks and successful changes for the next 2 weeks sure would be appreciated.....because it is MY guy on call!

Book Fair

No matter how old you get, Elmo can still bring out the smiles...

How is this possible?

It seems like just yesterday, I sent the youngest Thing off to kindergarten. Tonight we attended "Taste of T"...an open house event for incoming 6th graders.

Class of 2018...it'll be here before I know it!
(ps: trust me, I took a picture...but I've removed it. Internet safety an all that jazz)

the show must go on

Never mind how cold it is (5deg), trash hauling must still happen.

Late Night

The second Monday of every month I have to attend a mandatory Department of Nursing meeting. It means instead of getting home at 3:30, I don't get home until close to 6pm (I know, woe is me...). Tonight, I walked in from the cold, just in time to assist with the removal of the pizza from the oven. Thanks Hubby for snapping today's picture of the day (and for starting dinner).

W.W.M.D?

Forecast today: cold, and snowing. 4-8 inches predicted. which for the non-locals, that translates to: we have no idea, but don't get your hopes up for a snow day.

Laundry is caught up (the Things are becoming masters of the Machine..wash machine that is).

Lunch is in the fridge (Tony Roma ribs on an awesome sale at Safeway this week).

Which just leaves us with one question: What Would Martha Do?

She'd hibernate in her craft shack.....and play! And here is the proof that she's taking her own advice.

Exhibit A

In the argument that the younger Thing could use a new pair of shoes...we present Exhibit A

TGIF

Remember when...Friday night meant Happy Hour at the O'Club?

Not anymore...now it's off to Target with the Things (younger Thing was being camera shy)

Detained

This sweet Thing apparently can't manage his time and get to class on time after lunch. He earned his 4th tardy for the semester. That bought him his first ever detention.
Judging from the grin...I'm not too confident that the lesson has been learned?

Look Ma...

Not sure about the cavity status, but we were told right after I snapped this photo that a root canal is in this Thing's immediate future. When he crashed his bike this summer, he hit the tooth. First round of xrays were good. Six month check up? The tooth is dead.

Introducing

The little one.

She joins the family of cameras as my "grab and go" gal. I still love my Nikon D50, SLR but for awhile have been itching to get something purse sized. The Nikon takes great pictures but is rather big to carry around on a regular basis.

Now the important question: What should we name her?

Baby Mama Drama

The office phone rings this morning. It's a very worried hubby. Seems his 7 month pregnant wife fell this morning and refused to go get checked out. She insisted she come to school. Not quite awake, I'm struggling to recall which teacher in the building is pregnant. Last one I knew about delivered last month.

And then, the light bulb went off.
Wife=Student. Pregnant student (and not one I knew about...but hey, it's a big school with 2400 students. Not every kid loves visiting the clinic, though some days it seems that way)
So, I retrieved the student from class. She confirmed the story and said "But I'm fine".
I smiled and told her "too late for that...you told your husband, he is worried, he has already called your OB and they want to see you. Welcome to the world of over-protective spouse".

I'm rather torn with this sort of drama.
At 18, it isn't the path I'd have chosen for myself nor is it the path I hope my kids find themselves on. On the other hand, this young lady is a senior, pulling straight As in honor classes and she has just one week to go until she graduates. She'll have the baby later this spring, with her diploma in her hand. And most importantly? She's got someone out there worried enough to call and check on her well being. Her road will not be easy...but with the right supports in place, maybe this young family has a chance at success. I can only hope and pray...

On your mark

Get Set...GO!

2 weeks off...0530 came too darn early this morning! Yes, I brought work home to work on during break. No, I didn't even touch it. And the helmet? Um, I think that belongs to a Thing.

Goodbye...

Goodbye...until next year...Christmas magic is all packed up

New Year=New Project

Resolutions come in all shapes and sizes. Some folks resolve to eat healthier. Other resolve to exerice more, tackle clutter or restore order to family finances. All of these are great ideas and worth taking on as a personal challenge.

Me? I'm resolving to take a photo a day.

Yep, I'm joining the Project 365 craze that has been popular for the past couple of years.

I'm curious to see where my camera will lead me...and shucks you never know, I might decide to eat right, exercise more and live a healthier life along the way.

But for now, I'm just promising to take a picture a day and share it...sometimes with text, sometimes just all by itself.

P1: Thing One and Thing Two braving the cold to play in the first measurable snow fall of the Winter Season