Just a few pictures of my flowers that I took this morning. As I came by the side of the house the peonies looked glorious and I couldn’t help but smile. I ran in, got the camera and took a few shots of them and the roses. I can’t believe how stunning that rose bush is this year!
. . . of this 2011/2012 school year, that is.
This last couple of weeks has gone by really, really slowly. Today was our last day with the kids. We won’t see them again until Friday when they come in for half a day to pick up their report cards and attend one last assembly.
We have to switch classrooms — again — seems like Special Ed is the most transient group in the school system. We just moved into our new digs last year and we had come to really like and appreciate our space. Next year will be our third time moving. It’s enough to make me want to cry. Hopefully, this latest move will be our last. Our kids need and deserve continuity. Ah well, here’s to hoping.
I have mixed feelings about what to expect for next year. We are going from having 5 full time aides and one part timer to only 3 full time aides (possibly only 2). The needs are the same, perhaps even greater in some respects, but we’re really going to have to spread ourselves out in order to meet the demands. It’s going to be a challenge, that’s for sure. Good thing I work in a challenging environment.
I finally managed to get into my perennial bed in the front yard. It’s a mess. The ferns have gone on a riot and tried to take over the lily beds. Well, I went at them with a pitchfork and yanked most of them out. I will be giving a bunch to a friend of Tim’s who wants them for around her fish pond. Better place for them, I think.
It has been a very rainy June so far, which is okay, because we desperately need the moisture, but it is starting to get a bit tedious. As I’ve stated earlier I don’t have much time right now because work is winding up and I am very busy with union business, so, when I have a few hours I like to get outside and get mucking around in the dirt. It’s tough to do that when everything is soggy and you’re essentially mucking around in mud.
I have plans to spend the rest of my day outside getting the perennial bed cleaned up and deciding where to transplant some things that desperately need it.
When I first looked at it yesterday I wanted to throw my hands up in defeat, but, instead, I just picked a place to start and before I knew it things weren’t looking too bad. I have to be so careful around the lilies, it’s tough not to disturb them when I’m viciously yanking ferns out by their hairy roots.
In digging up one particularly large bunch of ferns I dug up a huge ant’s nest. Holy crow did they go on the defense! Every time I plunged my fork into the ground I had dozens of them jumping on to my arms. Fortunately they’re easy to brush off and I attacked them back with great zeal. (I have I said how much I hate ants, before?)
Hate is really too strong a word — I don’t hate them, I just hate them being in my garden, on my deck, in my house. . .
Anyway, today, I’ll go back out there and disturb them some more and hopefully they’ll pack up and move on. I have tried everything else to get rid of them. Nothing works. Permanently. Ants are like that. Pests.
Well, much as I’d love to sit here and write for hours, I can’t. I need to go eat my oatmeal — because I was very bad last night and ate pizza after ten o’clock! I suffered all night. And then I was feeling guilty because I’ve actually being doing okay with the Biggest Loser challenge at work. I’m losing steadily (not a lot, but a little each week) and I’m actually quite proud of myself. So, why I went and sabotaged myself with pizza (that wasn’t even all that good) I can’t figure.
Lesson learned, I suppose.
This is just a quick post to say I’m still alive and well. It’s just that It’s nearing the end of the school year and that means it is particularly busy.
Even as an education assistant this means there is a lot of extra work. The teachers have it harder, believe me, but we EA’s work our butts off, too, during this time.
Last night, I attended our Grade 9’s Farewell fling. Most of the time these kids make me want to scream because of the way they act, but last night they were wonderful. They looked so gorgeous dressed up, pretending to be adults. They’re on their way, that’s for sure, but they still have a way to go.
Though our school has toned down the farewell thing for grade 9’s I still can’t quite wrap my head around how much money parents (some) spend on this. At least the dresses are not in the $500 – $800 range. But they are still pricey. A few of the girls were dressed a tad too scantily, but they conducted themselves appropriately. All in all, I’d have to say it was a huge, beautiful success.
I wish them well as they head into exams and contemplate the years of high school ahead of them. Oh, the Comp is going to be such a different world! Many of them have such an awakening coming to them, it’s going to be tough at first. But if last night’s glimpse at their potential holds true, they’ll do just fine.
In between school stuff and CUPE stuff I’ve been trying to work out in the yard. So far, I’ve only managed a couple of hours a week, but I’m hoping to get more time in this weekend. I’m currently clearing my rock paths of all the poppies and dandelions. Armed with a paint scraper (great for shearing them off at ground level) and a bottle of undiluted vinegar (kills weeds without all the toxic side effects) I am determined that once again I will be able to clearly see the paths I so painstakingly laid two years ago.
I have big gardening plans this year. I want to grow as many vegetables in pots that I can. This was inspired by one of Soul Dipper’s Occupy Blogosphere posts from a while back. It has become so important to all of us to try to eat as much self-produced food as we can. Not only because of the fear of unknown contaminants and genetic modifications, but simply because it is better for us in all ways.
Growing even a tiny bit of the food you feed yourself and your family provides a sense of pride and accomplishment. It teaches responsibility and the need for diligence. It’s good for the soul — gets you back to the earth, so to speak, even if it is potting soil. It adds beauty to your surroundings and provides a sense of holistic balance. And, it saves you a few dollars. Which, these days, is mightily important.
Anyway, folks, I just wanted to come in for a quick touchdown, say hi, and then vamoose for a little while again. Until the holidays are here my posts will be very sporadic. I do try to sneak in for a peek at many of your blogs just to see what you’re up to. I comment when I think I have the time.
Take care; I hope you’re enjoying your summer (or winter).
All That Matters 