Me, spilling out all my thoughts, inner and outer, on just about anything! Lots of poetry, short stories from past experiences, anecdotes about teaching elementary school, music, relationships....garage sale type thing...Something For Everyone!

Monday, September 03, 2007

Back To Fall Routine





On Tues. after our Labour Day Long Weekend, (one last kick at summer!) most people who are involved in any aspect of school, return after a two month break. For 26 years, I went in for the last week in August to prepare the room and work for the kids I taught in Gr. 3.

This is just the second year I won't be doing that and it only feels a little weird.


I've decided not to go back but to stay on extended full-time medical leave. My health still needs my full-time attention. I hope to branch out and increase my physical activity for optimum heart health and strive to keep my blood sugar levels better than they have been. This Friday, I also have to get a tube put in one ear in which I have had little hearing since March! It has driven me absolutely crazy feeling like it's full of water for that long!


I plan to maintain my membership in two choirs and volunteer to help in a Gr. 3 classroom again. This doesn't sound like much to healthy robust people with normal energy levels, but it's enough for me. I have a lot on the rest of my plate.


I realise now, that I can not handle teaching school and all that goes with it and this is good. I don't lament not going back but actually feel relief. There is a group of retired teachers that I will join tomorrow for the annual first day of school, "To Hell With The Bell!" coffee. We shall toast the years we taught and those who still do, and look forward to new adventures and undertakings for 2007-2008 school year.

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26 Comments:

Blogger Diana said...

I'm sorry you aren't able to continue teaching. You must be an amazing teacher and amazing teachers are very hard to come by in this world, but if it is not to be, I'm glad you are able to move past it and do what you can.

Here's to gains in your health, starting with that damned ear effusion. (See, young at heart and ear drum.)

Monday, September 03, 2007

 
Blogger Gattina said...

I think you took the good decision. Health first and teaching is not an easy job either.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
Blogger Barbara said...

You always have the chance to volunteer at your old school. I'm sure they would welcome you any time!

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

Diana: Thanks, Diana. I'm more or less resigned to my new schedule of life anyway. It's a little slow-paced for me at times, but then, at other times it's just right. I'm counting the hours until Fri., at 1:45 p.m. when I get the tubes in my ers!

Gattina: Yes, and you're right, teaching has never been easy for me. You put 150% into it.

Barbara: Yep and I've already set it up with the same Gr. 3 teacher as last year.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm glad you feel it as a relief - thats the right spirit!

It's kind of strange you celebrate the Labors Day at this time of the year? In Norway and mostly in the rest of the world, we do it at the first of May you know.

You also seams to start school a bit later than we do. Here the school started two and a half week ago.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
Blogger goatman said...

I just knew that you were a teacher.

The void I was envisioning was the common end of us all entering nothingness. Your comment about separate voids was interesting. Just as we each see a different truth maybe we each enter a different void.
That is my first poem and the flowing-thought giddy note-taking process in coming up with the words is quite a remarkable experience, I like it! Thanks for your help.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
Blogger twilite said...

Hi moi! Labor day in this part of the region (South East Asia) falls on May 1st; China October 1st (I think).

Just curious...are you going through menopause? Our body acts up when the hormones are upset as were our teen years! Pardon my presumption moi.

Fancy I was blocked entering your comments box yesterday and so was just now. Had to allow popups! or to unblock that! Just can't fathom this blog animal!!!

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
Blogger Michele said...

Sounds like you are making a well-thought-out decision! Good luck to you in your new endeavors, am hoping you'll be feeling even better soon.

xoxoxox

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
Blogger GEWELS said...

Health first, as always.
To Hell with the Bell coffee sounds like a perfect way to spend the first day of school.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
Blogger Jocelyn said...

Your attitude is so healthy and spot on. Teaching young kids--I can't think of anything more taxing, mentally, emotionally, and physically. You absolutely are right to put yourself first.

I do hope that tube helps on Friday. Wow. What you've been living with!

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
Blogger Lynette said...

M.O.I. I have to say that it sounds to me like you are doing a very wise thing...taking a break so your body can heal and that's very important. I'm sending hugs and wishes for you to get better and feel great soon! Our first day of school here was today.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

 
Blogger mystic rose said...

To hell with the bell.. sounds so cute! :))
And beleive me, that seems like a lot to do, in terms of energy levls.. the two chooirs and the helping with gr.3 and the other things youare doing socially, it still seems a lot to me, and Im not as old as you.

Yea, taking care of your health is important, it makes all the difference between being relatively healthy and suffering with troubles as we age.

I replied to your comment in my post, but wanted to leave it here as well, since it will be convenient for you to read. I always love your questions about my posts, moi, since every single one of them so far has made me explain myself and think a little deeper. thank you for that. :)

this particular piece is not romantic. passionate perhaps but not really. It is about the search of a seeker of truth.. the 'yearning' to know the truth being awakened , and the realisation of the spirit that happens and the pull of the mundane and again the turning back to the truth.
I have seperated the seeker and the awareness of seeking - that higher consciousness which ofcourse eventually binds one to the truth.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

 
Blogger Dan said...

Take care of yourself now so that you can do plenty of things later. :)

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

Renny: You must end school earlier in June whereas we go right to the hot bitter end!

Goatman: HA! My inner teacher shows eh?!!
Congrats on your first poem and I'm glad you found it gratifying! It's neat how we all have jst a little different perspective on the same words. You're quite welcome for the "help", although I only think of it as sharing my ideas.

Twilite: Yes, I am in my Big M years and yes, the hormone conflict always makes my other health problems a little worse....like diabetes,heart, thyroid ...on and on...! Stress really is magnified, making other problems worse and there is a lot of stress in teaching...not good!

Rapunzel: Thanks...yeah, me too! Wish I could run for exercise but bad foot and back wouldn't like it!

Gewells: I love that coffee group! neat to hear them talk of all their trips planned and pure joy of retirement.

Jocelyn: Thanks. It is an exhausting career and I can hardly believe I ever did all the it entails. Counting the hours till the tube gets put in..sure hope it works.

Lynette: Thanks so much. I'm resigned to my routine now and totally accept it and the simpler days I have now. I thought all schools in the US started earlier?

Mystic: Most normal healthy people do more than I do ith all the time but I ust don't seem to get a lot done and I don't have kids. You do, am I right?

Thanks for your explanation. I never quite get what other people really mean by their words. Glad you don't mind the questions. I always wonder if other people get it or do they not think much about it and just comment "Nice poem" "Magical" "beautiful words" etc.and just not bother to ask?

Dan:

Lynette:

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I applaud your attitude Ruth. Good for you for recognizing and holding on to the positive. I really hope the ear problem is improved after the tube is inserted.
I Love the "to hell with the bell" coffee idea. :-)

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

 
Blogger Akelamalu said...

Sounds to me like you've done more than your 'bit' over the years!

Thanks for dropping by my blog and taking the time to comment. :)

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

Dan: Thanks...I'm trying!

Coll: Thanks. I do try not to cut off good ties and positive things. I do miss it but know that's not my reality anymore.
I love that coffee name too and they're such upbeat happenin'people!


akelamalu: Yes, after teaching 26 years, I have impacted many kids and contributed my share to be sure! Thanks and you're welcome.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

 
Blogger gary rith said...

Well, you seem pretty busy to me, 2 choirs?

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good thinking. If you space it out it will feel like fun. Take it easy!

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Good Lord; THAT long feeling like your ear is full of water? How are you not insane? :-)

I hope you had fun at your 'Hell with the Bell' coffee.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

Gr: Yes, I love to sing..but I don't have kids or work so I do have a lot of time when I'm not doing the health stuff...I just don't get a great deal of great things accomplished. Pretty simple life actually.

Colleen:Thanks, Colleen. I know you know all about pacing yourself so you can enjoy and not feel it's taxing.

Nancy: Yeah, I rest my case! Tomorrow, I shall hear better! The coffee meeting was fun..teachers can be a hoot.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

 
Blogger urban-urchin said...

My mother and aunt were both elementary school teachers. My aunt retired about five years ago (my mother when I was small). My cousin has asked her to come be a principal at the high school he's the head of (he's a priest and it's a private Catholic High School) and she's just too tired.

Here my new friend is what you were looking for:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Apple

Friday, September 07, 2007

 
Blogger carmilevy said...

That must have been one heck of a difficult decision, and I admire your strength for making the right one. My wife's a teacher, too, and I know how deep those roots run. It's a calling, not a job. As such, it never really leaves you.

I hope your tube surgery went well today. From one Ontarian to another, be well.

Popped over from Michele's today. Good to e-see someone who so gets the important things in life.

Friday, September 07, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

urban-urchin: You do get tired teaching..even if you are young!

Thanks for the link. I had no idea. I thought it was something to do with Johnny Appleseed!

Carmi: No it's with you for life...even the teacher dreams you get in August about the class from hell!

Thank you so much for your careful attention to your comment! My tube deal is over..it really hurt! All I can say and I hope it solves the problem, but it is a lot better already.

Friday, September 07, 2007

 
Blogger GrizzBabe said...

Enjoy your retirement! Here's hoping your mind, body and spirit will be better for it.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

 
Blogger Mother of Invention said...

Grizz: Thanks very much. I hope everything aligns nicely too.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

 

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