I looked out my window and what did I see?

Snow flakes falling...
It's been years since I've taught cradle roll, but I do remember the songs.

I think it's time to give thanks in all circumstances.

I had our maintenance guy turn down the heat in the library last week because the temperature was rising to 28 or 29 in the heat of the day. I think we could likely see our breath in there this morning. I'm wearing corduroy and long sleeves, but I keep a sweater in the library which I think may be worn today.

Cheap Puzzle

I was at the dollar store the other day. (Seems strange to call it that when a large proportion of what they sell is more than a dollar now.) Anyway, I saw they had a collection of 500 piece puzzles. I really like 500 piece puzzles. They're challenging enough that you can't do them at one sitting, but easy enough that they don't take over your table for weeks and weeks.

Having said that, I don't like these 500 piece puzzles. They're cheaply enough done that there are many pieces in the same puzzle that have been cut with the same die stamp - which means that it's possible to put it together wrong and have all the pieces fit correctly. Occasionally, even the pieces that do fit together correctly have to be pushed on to get them to fit. Rose and I have been working on it for a couple of days and have everything done except for the sky - just under 60 pieces. This is the frustration part of any puzzle - but especially when the pieces don't necessarily fit together right at the best of times. It may be time to abandon it and put it back in the box.

Courage

Courage isn't doing the big showy stuff. Sometimes it's just doing what needs to be done, even when it's difficult.

Communication is difficult for me - that is, two-way communication. I love to blog; but frankly, that's just putting my feelings out in the open. However, talking on the phone, that's hard for me. Always has been. Even checking my phone messages is hard. (This may be why my mailbox is always full, if you're trying to get hold of me.) It was a really big step for me to buy a cell phone - and I generally "forget" to carry it most of the time.

However, tough stuff has to be done sometimes. I'm replying today to an e-mail from Lloyd that he sent back in late January. It took me until just a few weeks ago to even read it. Then I had to get up the emotional strength to reply to it. However, all procrastination has to come to an end. Here I go. One baby step at a time.

Wired Again

Last Saturday Rose and I discovered we had no internet. However, it wasn't until Thursday that we discovered we also had no telephone. It's entirely likely that they went out at the same time but we hadn't tried to phone out before that and so hadn't noticed. The repair man finally came and fixed things last night.

Rose went through more withdrawal than I did. She finally went downstairs and got the code for the girls' internet so she could use their laptop. I was really missing my scrabble games, but not much else.

We didn't, however, get any phonecalls in the evenings this week. I didn't think anything of it, but it was undoubtedly due to the lack of phone service.

It's good to be back online again, however.

Rush, rush

I felt all week that I've been rushing from one thing to the next. Tuesday is always a busy day - I start with piano lessons across town at 7:15 am. I end with The Party sometime after 8 pm. I've started a daily writing activity with my English class that has to get marked everyday (that's how I spent my last half hour). I have covered a couple of extra classes, and have a test to make up yet before this afternoon (maybe at noon?). It's been good to be back at school, but I'm looking forward to the weekend.

New Glasses

My new glasses have arrived. The second pair is ready, apparently, but I have no time to go get them today. Maybe tomorrow.

I think they look good. They're very comfortable. I'm still adjusting to the different strength of the bifocals, but it's not too bad. I find it interesting at work - some people have noticed immediately. Some people look at me - what's new? And some people have no clue.

Ouch!

I woke up this morning with the feeling that someone had driven a spike through my right eye into my head. So I've taken two extra-strength ibuprofin and I'm hoping that it'll subside so that I can do my work. It's been a half hour, so things should have kicked in, and I'm still pretty miserable.

And the latest news....

Is that I have been recommended to be accepted to the University of Alberta's Teacher Librarian Distance Learning program! (That's not quite the same as officially accepted - the website still says decision pending; but it's pretty close.)

I've talked to a person at U of A and I can take a summer session course from July 6 through August 11, which also sounds very interesting. So I'm hopefully setting things in order to do that as well.

I'm excited, and apprehensive, and all of that.

Sunday afternoon

It's Sunday afternoon. Rose is doing the Biblical thing - and like Eutychus she's sleeping. I had a short nap and have been practicing the piano a little bit and need to go on to lesson planning and marking.

Rose had a tough first week here. She started with a sore throat on Sunday night and by Tuesday was quite sick. It was primarily a cold, but it was a major one. She was feverish part of the time, and definitely not up to doing anything. So all of our plans, like to go to Eyebrow and visit and to go the spa in Moose Jaw had to be put on hold. Maybe another time. Thankfully, although I do have a cold, it's not a major one and I am not feeling sick at all.

By yesterday Rose was well enough that we were able to run errands together. We now both have cell phones. She has bus tickets and bus routes and timetables so that she can find her way around Regina.

We had an incredible wind storm in Regina on Friday. Wind gusts up to 100 kmh; they closed the SGI building downtown because of fears of structural problems caused by the wind; trucks were blown off the highway and several highways were closed. It was a good day to stay home. It's cooler today; was below freezing this morning, but it's much better than it was Friday.

So Rose's goal next week is to job hunt and to find out what are her best options for classes next fall at Western. If anyone knows of places that are hiring, please let her know.

Changes

Rose flew down to Regina on Good Friday. I've got her mostly settled in now, and job hunting. She's wanting to go to Western in the fall. We both have come down with sore throats though.

We drove up to Saskatoon Saturday for Easter. Celebrated Easter out at Al and Nancy's with just over 20 other people. A very small crowd, but good to visit with everyone. It was a great, relaxing visit.

Yesterday was spent running errands. (I'm planning on doing that a lot this week while I'm off school.) I've found the cheapest place to purchase my glasses, and need to go back today to get them fitted. Had a repair man in to see a microwave in one of Dad and Ruth's suites, and then Ruth and I went and purchased a replacement. We need more groceries seeing that there's twice as many people eating here now, so Rose and I got groceries last night.

Ruth and I went walking this morning. It's warm enough and dry enough out that we've been able to walk outdoors again, instead of in the field house. It's actually very beautiful in the mornings. We really enjoy our walks. Part of the morning routine is saying, "I set out my camera and forgot it again!" though.

My eyes are dim, I cannot see

I just had my eyes checked this afternoon. I've been having trouble seeing my music when playing the piano. Then I priced out glasses there. I do have bifocals but need a different prescription there too.

To put this in perspective, I had laser surgery about 10 years ago. I went five years without glasses and am now back wearing glasses again, but with a much smaller prescription. It was definitely worth it getting the laser surgery.

However, with the frames I picked out and the lenses they recommended, it would be just under $1000 for those glasses. I think I'll look into other options. Maybe have a pair of glasses just for playing the piano instead of bifocals. Currently I always take off my glasses to read anyway. Anyway, I'm going to explore all of my options before I drop a whole bunch of money.