It's Been One Week....

Did any of you sing the title of this post? If so, I should shoot you.

Survive first week back to work.-Check
Have my cell phone stolen.-Check
Have an administrative observation on a Friday with 6th Graders.-Check
Not clean one bit of my house all week.-Double Check

My first day back to work was, well, strange. It was strange to be back in the building and see all the usual faces and routines. I changed. Nothing else did. It made me very nervous and I am still not sure why.  Between that odd feeling and worrying about Mom, I was a nervous sweaty mess all day.

Tuesday was a tiny bit better....that is until my cell phone disappeared at the end of the day. Not worth any more of my time to discuss...it's gone. Already have a replacement. Mom could call my house phone. All is well.

By the time Wednesday rolled around I was beginning to get myself together. My classroom was clean and organized. I got the kids back on track. Let' take a step back....to the cleaning my classroom part. HOLY MR. STRANGE SUBSTITUTE TEACHER BATMAN.

I expected the usual mess. My desk messy with papers, desks moved around, and bookshelves a mess. Fine. There was MORE. Of all the weird things that were in my room and all the funny stories the kids told me (apparently he had 5 different kinds of fart smells), the NatGeo mess was the best.

There was a pile of National Geographics on my desk. Disheveled, no sign of a nice neat stack. There was also a twin pile of the same magazine on the floor right behind and to the right of my desk chair. I asked the kids, "Did he read through EVERY copy of my National Geographics?"

Reply...."DON'T GET ME STARTED ON THE MAGAZINES, TARASICK!!!!"

Mr. Strange Man would sit and read the entire day. He went through all of my Time and National Geographics. He would pick them up in a heap from the shelf, throw them on my desk and read each page of each magazine.  Then when finished, tossed them in the air behind him, which eventually created the floor pile.

Yep, really. Really happened.
Substitute teachers are just plain weird. There, I said it.
I am kicking myself for not taking pictures.

I did survive the week, however. I am feeling better. Mom did well this week. Lynn was around quite a bit and I went after school several days. I am doing well making sure that I take care of me too. I know I have to focus on school. I guess it would be great if I could keep my job. I was observed in the middle of the day during a class of 6th graders today. We were a little silly, but very productive and I am pleased and expect a positive evaluation.

I mean, I am after all, ME. Giggle.


Here's to my first week back and to Mom doing well. CHEERS.