Unhinged

Sitting on my front porch, I'm looking at the trees desperately trying to bud out so their leaves will grow and prosper, or is it me...am I desperate for them to show up? I'm beginning to think I'm coming unhinged. Desperate is probably not the right word, frustrated is. I'm frustrated that spring is so late this year, I mean, really, almost mid-May and awaiting the leaves on the trees? Living in Minnesota Twins Territory isn't so hot either, Mauer is no where to be seen, Morneau shows up and that is about it. . . .what's going on?
Years ago, a therapist told me that I was arrogant, I knew what was right for my parents and brother...well sister, turns out I was right, tragically right. But ever since, I've worked on burying my thoughts as to not be arrogant. Sometime it works, sometimes it doesn't. Today, it didn't. I'm on a committee at the high school, which struggles with making decisions. Now I know that Minnesotans work hard to discuss things completely and not to hurt anyone's feelings, but oh my Lord, we think we have a plan, and then we don't. Things are not brought out on the table, people sit quietly and nod heads in agreement. But what is actually happening is the fine art of passive aggressive behavior.
So today the Jersey Girl came out. I called it as I saw it, I said what I meant and meant what I said...and perhaps became unhinged. . .perhaps became arrogant...but I gotta tell ya...it felt good.

Mind and Body

An article in last Sunday's Star Tribune was quite candid. According to the article, health care costs are simply out of sight because we want to live too long. Instead of meeting our maker in our late 60's and early 70's, we want to hit the longevity jackpot and stay around, well, forever, but at least 90 will do. I do agree somewhat with the article's author, but I don't want to be the first on my block to give up the life prolonging drugs or surgeries or other medical miracles that will come my way in the not too distant future.
The next day at school, I shared with my fellow teachers in the EBD Suite 1202, what I read. We quickly moved the conversation what would worse, the body or the mind going first. As we talked, I got up to get a cup of coffee, mindful of the PAIN my legs, back and feet as I moved slowly to the coffee pot. At that moment, my vote was the body. As the day progressed and my body stopped screaming at me, I forgot about our conversation. After the students went home, the second part of the day began...paperwork, lots and lots of paperwork. There are lesson plans, grading papers, IEPs, Evaluation Reports, progress reports.
I finished an IEP and sent it off to the printer in the teacher's workroom. In the workroom are the bathrooms and a kitchen, along with mailboxes, and lunchtables. I gave the printer a few minutes and walked down to the workroom. I walked in and oooooo, the woman's bathroom was open. Better do my business while its free. All done, I walk back to Suite 1202, get to my desk..ugh, forgot the IEP. I walk down the hallway, hang a left and walk in the door directly facing the kitchen and printer off to the side. Ooooooooo, there on the kitchen counter was fresh bread and butter for the taking. I zip over and slather up a piece of bread and walk back to Suite 1202...I get to my desk and realize, no IEP. Standing with my fists on the desk and my head down, my fellow teacher asks what's wrong. I said, "I change my vote, I'll take the aches and pains..give me my mind."