a peppermiracle

Yesterday, a peppermint hot chocolate saved my (and my students') life.  Sound dramatic?  Well, that's my job.  I am pregnant, after all...

But I woke up with a stuffy, runny nose and felt like my head was huge.  I was exhausted, and I'm ashamed to admit, very cranky.  I dropped Nate off at work and decided to stop at Starbucks on the way to school.  On a whim, I ordered a peppermint hot chocolate, and after one sip, I couldn't stop beaming. It made my entire morning, and I went through the rest of the day with a song in my heart.

So I decided to try my experiment again today, and I had a peppermint shake for lunch.  Again, beaming.  Hopefully my little light will shine all the way through the rest of my day teaching adverb clauses.  Peppermint is my spark! 

My lil' guy

Well, as we speak, Milo is apparently doing log rolls across my tummy.  My stomach is shaking like there's an alien creature inside fighting to get out.  At times like this, I watch in wonder, and at the same time hope that he stops before I frighten any of my poor students. 

Yesterday afternoon, one of my students came in shaking her head at me and saying, "OH, Ms. Jackson.  I am so sorry."  I couldn't figure out what was going on until she said it.  "They made me watch a childbirth video in health class today.  OH, Ms. Jackson..."  I appreciate her sympathy, but somehow it's somewhat disturbing to have your students picturing you actually giving birth, you know what I mean?

Anyway, Happy Hump Day.  Hope it's a merry one for you.

COUNTDOWN

In one week from today, I will be celebrating the last day of school before Thanksgiving break.

But as of today, I am grouchy and pissy, because that last day of school before Thanksgiving break is still a loooooong week away.  And I am a hot, tired mess today, ready to watch a movie for my class - thank goodness, because my fake enthusiasm for adjective clauses is waning every day.  Hooray for the hero's journey!

All that said, I am in full nesting mode at this point.  Could that be why I'm so offended to be at school?  Because, as we speak, I could be finishing laundry, scrubbing down walls, painting the bathroom, organizing the closet...  I've been in a frenzy the last few days, and Milo's room is getting much closer to being ready for him!  Not to mention all the tiny little clothes and socks and washcloths I've been laundering...  5 weeks and counting, and Dr. A is already guessing Milo is 5 1/2 to 6 pounds this very second.  Oh my word!  Nate is pretty excited about having a chunky baby, and I'm just concerned that he fit into some really adorable newborn outfits that we got.  As long as he can wear them, I'm good to go.  I can't wait!

Learning a lesson

Do you ever forget that all things happen for a reason?  I know I do.  Because today I was contemplating several of my students, all precious in their own ways, but each irritating to me in a certain way.  And I was complaining to myself (and anyone around me) that they drive me nuts and I wish they weren't in my class. 

Oops.  Bad idea.  Because then I remembered that I spend every morning praying over my classroom before my kids ever arrive. And I remembered how I spent the summer praying that the right students would be in my classes.  And I realized that if a student is in my class, it's for a reason.  So instead of wishing that kid would go away, I should be figuring out why he needs to stay. 

Oh to be wiser.  It takes me so long to figure things out.  At least God is patient, though.

It's official...

Well, I saw the epidural needle last night.
Odds are, I'm going to go without.  Because somehow natural childbirth seems so much kinder than ever having a huge, thick needle with a hook on the end shoved anywhere near my spine.

Anyone know any good breathing techniques?

The dogging stroller

Most of you know how badly I want a jogging stroller, so I can get right back to training for a marathon after I have Milo.  Besides, I need to instill a healthy love of running in our little guy!  So I've been searching for the perfect stroller, and today I decided to check eBay. 

Imagine my surprise when a number of the jogging strollers were not intended for carrying babies, but for carrying dogs.  Is it just me, or could a dog just run alongside you rather than being carried in a stroller?  And could a dog not stay at home alone while you went for a solo jog?  And honestly, does a dog stroller not look just like a glorified wagon?

Case and point:

This to me seems like a waste of money.  If you're walking with your dog, why not just put a leash on him and make him walk himself?

Texas Country Reporter

Explain to me why no one told me that the Texas Country Reporter was in Lufkin on Friday.  Even more importantly, why didn't anyone tell me that he was at the high school on Friday, interviewing people for a segment on football?  And seriously, why didn't anyone tell him that his soothing voice helped me through a summer full of morning sickness, or invite him to my baby shower?

Oh, I found his vehicle, all right.  It was parked at the football game Friday night, and I spent more of the game looking for him than watching the action.  I never did find him.  But I got this great photo.

Someday I hope to lure him back to Lufkin.  I'll do whatever it takes.  Grow a world food garden.  Open an antique shop specializing in 1950's hotel decor.  Start an ice cream parlor with flavors like "funnel cake," or "granola sandwich."  But he's coming. He's just bound to...