Missing This

This week I have been thinking about how all you Alpiners are back to the books. We don't start until September 2 and I have been very busy with meetings and making all the preparations necessary to start with a new group. Although I am excited to start again and have a routine, I really have been struggling knowing I won't be teaching at the Pony anymore. I miss the kids, the community, the teachers, the staff, and feeling like I knew what I was doing. I know it will just take time to get into the swing of things here, but it doesn't make the transition any easier. It's hard to start over! I feel like a brand new teacher all over again. I feel bad because it makes Jeff feel bad when he realizes how sad I am. I know it will just take time, but it definitely won't be the same as Pony. The thing I miss the most is having all my old students come visit. It kills me to know I will probably never see my little ones again! So if you see my old students around the halls, please give them a hug for me and tell them I miss their little faces more than anything!!!

The Friend I Wish I Didn't Have...

Doesn't the title of my post sound so rude? Well, let me explain. Every morning bright and early I have made a lot of friends. I don't know any of their names, but I enjoy seeing them everyday. I'll mention a few of my favorites:

*Grandma 1 and Grandma 2. They are a pair of ladies that walk together and always have something to say like, "Looking Good", "Better run with your mouth closed or you'll get a mouthful of bugs," or just the 2 thumbs up. They are hilarious and I laugh eveytime I see them.

*Grandpa and his dog Chelsea. He walks with a walking stick and has this cute little dog he calls Chelsea. He always sits on the benches and overlooks the river. He likes to wave to me every morning and I think he is just the sweetest old man. I think his wife probably passed away. (I make up stories for all of my friends).

*Muscle Man. He amuses me because he is this big guy and he walks the two puniest looking dogs you'll ever see. I always wonder why he walks instead of runs.

*Tennessee man. He always rides his bike and he is always wearing a shirt with something or another about Tennessee. He is one of my all time favorite friends because he always gets a HUGE grin on his face and says, "Well, hello again!" really loud. He's a hoot.

*Old Man and Old Bike. Also another very cute old man. He rides a really old bike every morning and whenever the sprinklers are on, he says, "looks like you're going to get a shower!" So cute.

There are many more, but those are some of my very favorite. Now let me tell you about some of my other friends.

*Bunnies and prairie dogs....very numerous. Funny because they wait to last second to run away.

*Horses. I don't like the presents they leave behind, but it's kind of fun to see them on the trail.

*Deer. These are my favorite and I see them at least 4 times a week and by see I don't mean at a distance. They are right next to me and I am always amazed. I usually see between 4-15/day when I see them. They are also not scared of humans and the babies are so stinking cute I want to keep one for a pet.

Now for the friend I could live without. This morning when I was running I was stopped by Grandma #1 and Grandma #2 before I crossed the street. Thankfully they were there because just before I was about to cross this is what I they pointed out to me:

Had it not been for Grandmas #1 and #2 I would have gone to my science meeting very stinky and I don't think it would have been great way to make a first impression! Thanks for looking out for Grandma 1 and 2!!!

Happiness

Last weekend Jeff and I made a quick trip out to his parent's house because Jeff's older sister was visiting from Cedar City with her four kids. While there, we went to the shoe store they built in that Daybreak area called DSW. In the back of the store there is a whole section of shoes on clearance from 30%-80% off and it is not like ordinary clearence shoe sections. It's organized and it isn't just the ugly stuff. Anywho, so as I was looking in size 6 I saw this pair of Saucony running shoes. I have been needing to running shoes, but have been putting it off until I found something I really liked that wouldn't cause me too much pain. Anyway, long story short, the shoes were only $35!! (That is a steal of deal if you have ever been in the market for a good pair of running shoes). I always buy Saucony and these ones seemed okay. I figured I couldn't go wrong for $35 even if they only lasted a couple of months. Well, let me just tell you. These shoes are a little piece of heaven. They have the best cushioning of any of the shoes I have had lately and they are a lot lighter. I feel like every step I take makes me bounce. And for only $35...but let me tell you, 5 miles of pain free running really is priceless.

As another note, on July 31 Jeff and I celebrated 4 happy years of marriage! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by. We didn't do anything special this year (well, actually, we usually don't), but I always watch our wedding video (thanks Amy and Brian!) and remember the day. I'm hoping next year for 5 years we do something special.

Other than that, we have been up to pretty much the same old thing. We are speaking in church on Sunday (isn't that a great birthday present???). My classroom is now ready for children to come, but mentally I really don't feel prepared. Meetings start on the 22nd and the kids come on Sept. 2. I'm not as excited as I usually am for the new year. I met the new principal and he seems to be nice. I heard I was given all the naughty kids and emotially disturbed kids so even though I only have 18, it will be a challenge. I'm sure I will end up loving them all like I always do!