After our trip to Washington, we got home and then it was time to get reorganized. John had work to do and I just needed to catch up on things.
September 23rd was my first day as a Rolling Reader again. Originally I started back in 2001. Funny...I am back at the same school where I started in 01'. (some of the same teachers are still there, but looks like all new office staff. When I originally did Rolling Readers, I was still working. At that time I had a set schedule every week, so I was able to commit to going to visit a class once a week at a specific time. I read at that school for a couple different classes for about 4 years. As my job demands changed...I wasn't able (wasn't willing?) to commit to once a week. I did keep reading though, to a friend's class at another school. I read to her classes each year for about 3 years.So like my regular job, I was kind of on again off again over a span of many years.
I like having a once a week commitment again, though this class is very LIVELY!!!! I have a Kindergarten group. I get there at 12:30pm...and they have just come back from recess at that time. It takes them a few minutes to settle down. They're a little tired, hot, thirsty, need to go to the bathroom etc.hahah As the teacher told me a week or two ago...what they really need at that time is a "rest" period or a nap. Instead I read for about a half an hour and then they have to do Math. (not sure how that goes!) So...I just try my best to find a few short, fun books to keep them entertained for a few minutes so the teacher can have a short break. I'm still trying to figure out if the teacher is weary because of the class behavior...or if the class behaves like they do because they can sense her weariness.....haven't figured it out yet. I will say there is a wonderful volunteer who is there every day!! I don't know how the teacher would manage without her.
The first week as I entered the classroom...the teacher said "Well, Good Luck!" yikes hahha. They actually did well...much to my surprise...and hers and the volunteer, etc. I was feeling pretty proud of myself...like a wild kid whisperer or something...hahaha That lasted ONE week. Second time there they were all over the place...a little reality check for me- one good week doesn't mean I'm that good...hahahah I've been there 5 times so far...and some days are better than others. I love it and maybe they do too. They seem excited when I get there, so that's progress. I am also reading to a couple of other classes, every other week or so. One 1st grade group and another 2nd grade group. Fun to read to them because I can do a little more with them, Both teacher friends of mine have good classes this year which makes a huge difference. I have enjoyed picking out my old favorite books again and sharing some older titles with the classes. So far so good and I am doing exactly what I love to do.
In early October, Brenna decided to get an Annual Pass for Disney.
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| Art of Animation Resort |
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| We got to ride the brand new Skyliner! from our hotel to the park!!! |
We went over for a night/day. I think I wore her out trekking all over EPCOT, Animal Kingdom
and Magic Kingdom all in one day. Brenna is a whiz with the Disney App...as soon as we used one Fast Pass, she was looking for another one for us.
We were able to make the most of our time and got on some great rides. The new Avatar ride in AK was a LOT of fun.
We were able to get into to our favorite restaurant too.
We ran into some friend's while we were there.
Took a break to meet the new baby and say Hello then we were off to the Magic Kingdom. Other than the fact that it was still pretty HOT!!!!!!!! and we were melting...we had fun! We were both worn out the next day hahahah but it was worth it.
The following Saturday Brenna and I again, went to a Breast Cancer awareness Fundraiser our friend Gayle was hosting. Gayle found out last December that she had brest Cancer. It was a shock to her and all of her friends. She was lucky. It was Stage 1 and "easier" than many to remove. No Chemo needed...but it has still been an ordeal! She was raising money for a local organization that helps women with necessities when they are going through cancer treatment; because not everyone has family and friends to help them through it.
We had assorted appts here and there to plan around
October 20th was a friend's birthday. She and some other friends were going to see a Tom Petty Tribute band (his birthday too apparently). Last minute plan turned out to be a fun time. Band was not bad...played all the favorites and everyone seemed happy to be there. The "dinner" portion of the deal wasn't great...but it was fine. Pizza, garlic Knots and wings...hahaha I wasn't expecting gourmet...so what the heck. It was okay.
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| Happy Birthday to Gayle( and Tom Petty) |
The following night was BUNCO night. I have been playing with the same group for 20+ years. Once a month we get together. Some people have moved on, others have left and come back and some have been playing all along. It's one of the few things I have been a part of for all these years. At one point when I was applying for other jobs a couple of years ago...there was one that seemed pretty good...but it required whoever got the job to work every Monday until 8pm.( From the job description, I knew it involved some Mondays, but did not realize it meant every Monday. )I don't know if they were even interested in me...but I thought about it and decided I was only going to be working for a few more years...and I was going to make sure whatever I did was going to be something I really wanted to be doing. I called and told them to take my name out of the running. I just wasn't willing to give up my one activity I have enjoyed all these years. *This month...it's at my house again 😀
Halloween Brenna and I had planned to go back to Disney. Neither one of us gets many Trick-or Treaters at our houses, and I personally hate that!!!
Hate sitting waiting for the kids who don't come! We get a handful...but a lot of people on my street don't participate...so I don't blame the kids for skipping us...but I really enjoy seeing the kids, the costumes, the fun. So if the kids weren't coming to us...we figured we'd go be kids for a day ourselves. haha Unfortunately her dog Haze, got sick and she was concerned about him, He's old...15! so each ailment makes her/us nervous. We did decide if the dog was feeling better,,,she would go with me to LongDoggers where they were having a Halloween Costume contest.
She and I dressed up and went and had fun for a couple of hours.
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| Ghost of Mardi Gras Past-your bad decisions will come back to haunt you |
And we did have fun...it was perfect. When I got home it was early, so kids were still out Trick-or-Treating. We actually had about 20-25 kids and parents stop by. Might be a record. I gave away almost all my candy and had fun seeing all the cute costumes. Everyone who DID come by had cute/clever costumes. So the night was a success.
The next day...that I had hoped earlier in the year that I might have a Dia de Los Muertos party...(didn't) I did have my Book Club. It's been several months since we last met so it was nice to get back together with that group. The woman who started it used to volunteer at the Library. We worked at the circulation desk a number of times and I always enjoyed her company. I was thrilled when she invited me to join her book club...because for years I wanted to be in one...but it had never worked out.I like that I end up reading books I might not have otherwise read and meeting a whole new group of friends.
Saturday the 2nd we got together to watch the Gator/GA gam. Our team lost the game...but we sure had fun!
This week I'm breaking out all my favorite food and Thanksgiving books and reading to all three of my classes. John is getting ready to play in an Over 60 Baseball Tournament.
The rest of November I have BUNCO here, then we will be off visiting family and/or having family come visit us...so it's going to be a fun frantic couple of weeks, but I'm ready!
