Keep on, keepin' on...

Tired is a new understatement for me. I've hit a wall in the last two weeks. I'm losing the ability to be my usual perky self. I've become almost flat...I'm not sure if that makes sense? I'm not happy or sad, I just am. I love my job, I love being a teacher...but it's taking over my life. I'm becoming a workaholic and have got to set some boundaries. I am losing the ability to be me. I made a good go of it for many weeks. It's just hard burning the candle at both ends, as they say. 

I did, however make it though the first grading period, with my students loving school and actually doing quite well. They are becoming inspired readers and writers. I love how they constantly want to share about their writing and talk about the books they are reading. They are actually inspiring me to read more and write more. Yes, it's a true challenge to teach both in-person (40 kids) and virtual (20 kids), ELA, 3 times each day. It's non-stop for sure, but it's working. 

This "bunch" of mine...have been real rock stars. They have been learning from home together for nine weeks now. They take care of each other, help each other and even better, they help me! They energize my soul and understand and actually even empathize with how tired I am. They are all always home now. Bailey and Savannah are both working and tutoring. They hang out with friends and are having as normal of a time in college as you can have at home. 

Bailey decided to make his room more "dorm" like. We took a trip to Ikea and he added a futon to hang out with friends, a new rug, and a mini fridge and microwave for the midnight munchies! I'd love to show you stylish pictures of a staged room...but lets be real. He's a college student! I actually think it's in pretty good shape, all things considered! Little laundry on the floor, right in front of the hamper, of course! (WHY?!?) A basket of clean laundry (could be worse!). No dirty dishes though!

His birthday is coming up...October 24. He turns 21 and I can't even believe it. 

My reading room continues to be my little sanctuary...even if half the time I'm at my desk working on Schoology (our Learning Management System), grading papers or planning lessons. But my favorite time is Saturday mornings, when everyone else is still sleeping and I can read with my morning coffee. 

 My fall touches, thanks to the Target Bullseye Spot, makes my room even more charming and cozy.  

I leave EARLY for work now that I'm at the new school, but I enjoy my morning routine. I was seeing beautiful sunrises for a while, but with it being mid-October, it's dark now when I leave. 

Some mornings, I can still see the moon out my classroom window, as the sun begins to rise. 

I set a new goal for this next grading period...to find my balance again. When I find that balance, hopefully my spark and bubbly energy will return. 

Until then...I'll keep on, keepin' on.