Blog Humbug

So, it would appear that I've gotten pretty bad at this blogging thing. Once the newness and the excitement wore off, I'm finding I don't have as much to say as most would have thought. I'm hoping that it simply indicates that I'm in a funk and have been for some time.

General Updates:

School - BUSY! We just wrapped up our first marking period (we run on trimesters). My Lab classes are unusual this year. I feel as though I've got a little too much on my plate between the lab and my regular English classes. At the same time, I find that I want to put the time and energy into my regular English classes and ease out of my leadership role in the lab. Trying to do that however, will cause additional stress. I've started discussing some of the options with my department head. So far, he's been very kind, receptive and understanding. He's also been very impressed with some of the ideas I'm bringing to the English department, so who knows... maybe things will work out. As far as English goes, I'm gearing up for one of my favorite short stories this year and taking a new spin with my unit. If you're not familiar with Roald Dahl's "Lamb to the Slaughter" PLEASE acquaint yourself with this fabulous short story. (http://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lamb.html) To get my kids involved, I have the Major Crime Squad from the Connecticut State Police coming in to do a presentation. I'm actually really looking forward to the outcomes. Hopefully, if all goes well, it will give me something to write about!

Hospital - still working. Picking up as much time as I can these days. I'll actually be working all next week from 4-8. It makes for a long day, but I'm hoping to meet some big financial goals in the coming year, and the extra cash can't hurt.

Home - as usual, in need of attention. I'm looking forward to having vacation so I can spend some time cleaning, sorting, throwing away etc. I've actually been thinking about moving so I'd force myself to do this. Hopefully, it won't come to such extreme measures.

Family - My brother Bob and his wife Rashel had a little girl at the end of October, making me an "Auntie" for the first time. I'm so excited for them. My mom, Sarah and I went to see them in November. It didn't take long for us to be wrapped around those tiny little fingers. She's beautiful and a perfect little bundle of joy. I'm looking forward to having a niece to spoil. Thanksgiving brought more good news on the family front. Sarah and Daryl are expecting a baby as well. She's due the first week of July and I cannot wait! Happy as I am about the arrival of Rowan (Bob and Rashel's daughter) their distance will make my quest at becoming "THE WORLD'S GREATEST AUNTIE" somewhat challenging. Since Sarah and Daryl are much closer it makes my aspirations that much more achievable. As much joy as this brings, I find that it is often clouded with sadness as I think of Jeremy. He never got the chance to compete for the title of "World's Greatest Uncle." He would have been a fantastic uncle at that. It saddens me to know that he now would be an uncle twice and never got a chance to meet his niece and/or niece/nephew. It still seems odd that our family is going on. That we're having these experiences that he's not physically a part of. It seems more than bearable to think of all the events that will happen, the weddings, the births, the milestones that he will miss. On some level it seems like a betrayal to enjoy these experiences without him.

Christmas is coming. I'm still not in the mood for it to arrive. I've been working myself up to get into the holiday spirit. It's just not happening. No matter how much I listen to Christmas music or watch the holiday movies... It doesn't matter that my Christmas tree is up and decorated, my Christmas shopping half done.... This year, it doesn't seem right. I don't think it can. I wonder if it ever will.