Well, I made it back to work. We started last week, and I must say that if I must go back (and since I'm not independently wealthy, I must), I'm grateful to work with so many great colleagues and kids. My school loops, so I have the same students this year as 6th graders that I had last year as 5th graders. They are awesome! And once I got back in the groove, it was fine. Of course the whole getting up early and living by the work schedule thing is killing me after sleeping in and being able to use the bathroom whenever I needed to, but it all works out.

H has been around now and then. The transition from summer vacation to work is always difficult for him, and it is worse this year because our district has changed starting times across the board. Elementary school teachers like me start their contract day at 7:40 instead of last year's 8:20 and end at 2:50 vs. 3:50, and middle school teachers like H start at 9:00 instead of 7:20 and end at 3:55 instead of 3:00. H is pretty unhappy about his whole routine shifting so dramatically, and he's back in the "I hate my job and school" mode. I just A and V and rub his head. \:\)

Found out today that H is goind to visit his aunt in San Franciso next weekend--I've gleaned from emails that she published a couple of books of poetry recently, and he may be going for a reading or something, but I'm not sure. Wish I were invited as well, but I have plans that weekend anyway, so there. ;\) You know what icon would work great here? One giving a big juicy raspberry!

I am still going out with friends and getting back on the GAL horse. Working definitely keeps me busy, but I'm not going to use that as an excuse to stop doing the things that make me happy. I felt at loose ends in mid-August--anticipating the school year, I think. Starting tomorrow, I'm taking a new class at the gym called BodyFlow--a cobo of yoga, tai chi, and pilates. Can't wait! I've been walking regularly with FF who got married in WI. Still have pleanty of feng shui house projects to finish (painting, decluttering) as well as ones that I've handed over to the pros: the chimney will be rebuilt this week, and a new roof just went on the shop in the back of the house. I'm going to try putting new shingles on one small gable end that the roofer repapered for me. Luckily, another FF's H is going to show me how that works. Thank goodness for handy friends!

H was here last night when I got home from dinner and a movie with friends. We chatted and snuggled and ML, and before he left, I told him I wished he would stay. He said he was getting up early to hunt, and I said, "You could get up early and leave from here. I love you, and I want you home." He was hugging me at the time, and he just buried his face in my neck for a moment and said nothing. Then he sat up and said, "I'm going. I hope you sleep well." So I seized an opportune moment...and the result was not unexpected, just not what I wanted. \:\( Oh well.

I miss him, but life rages on, does it not?

Be well, my friends.

amd