I've Done Everything in the World Today Except Grade.

I got a good workout in this morning. (I'm into Queer as Folk again, so I am watching it from the beginning. I do an episode whilst on the elliptical and am almost through Season 1. I love it.)

I biked to campus, renewed one library book, returned another, then met the Fry family for lunch at Viejo.

I biked home, put the dishwasher on and made the kitchen (floors and all!) sparkle.

I biked to Hy-Vee (with my reusable tote in tow, because I am so, so, so white) and bought cornbread mix, pineapple, and asparagus.

I biked home, changed lightbulbs all over the house, wiped down the bathroom, ironed my white skirt for work tomorrow, painted my toenails, and thought about vacuuming.

I have dinner all planned out: barbecue chicken, pineapple, and asparagus on the grill; cornbread in the oven. Oh yes I did.

I cannot think of much else to tackle today, so maybe I should grade? I've got a stack of 5,000 word business reports to go through. GD it. But, honestly, it's not so bad. I have 16 more to grade before Monday. And that's my only grading for the week. Quit complainin'.

I had super mucho plans for yardwork this weekend, but it's supposed to rain? Seriously, I have got to mow.

Since I've been blogging just now, I haven't been able to grade. That's a win-win.

My last class of the week meets in one hour. My lesson plans and handouts are all prepped and ready to go for next week, my D2L and course blogs are updated, and I'm caught up on my grading.

My car is 409'd and vacuumed. My bags are packed.

I am leaving all work-related things tucked away snug in my office until Monday.

I am headed to NoDak this weekend, specifically Fargo, more specifically, West Fargo for my new niece's baptism. My grandma, Flo, and great-aunt, Bernie, are coming up with my parents, and we'll all have blast playing Yahtzee and Catchphrase and playing around in the pool.

I need a vacation. Somewhere a tish more exotic than North Dakota, if there even is such a place. B needs one, too. Arizona is lovely ...

One of my students brought up those old make-up/accessories carriers, Caboodles, today, and the whole class went nuts (believe you me, Caboodles were actually germane to our discussion. I'm such a wacky and hip teacher!).

I am beginning to like my Tuesday classes again. Though they have drained my soul most of the semester, we've had a couple good runs. Perhaps it's because our days are numbered. And that's fine.

Tonight, I get to stay with BFFs in SuFu, then I hit the road tomorrow.

Audi 5000!

Things are a'growin'

Peonies, daffodils, mint, chives, bleeding hearts, tulips, hens and chicks.

Things I actually planted last year? They are coming back! It's beautiful.

I wonder if this is how my dad felt when the first of the winter wheat sprouted. Or when the sunflowers came up. Or when the oats poked through the soil.

Things I Use Too Much Of:
Shampoo
Toothpaste
B's patience
The word "absolutely"
Gas
Whiskey

Things I am Tired Of:
The wind
Grading
The alarm
The misuse of the word "farmer"
Lazy students who refuse to think
Wearing socks

Things That I Have To Do:
Clean the garage
Vacuum the bedroom
Get "Single Ladies" out of my gd brain
Grade
Wrinkle Release all my clothes
Lay in the sun with a good book next to a pool before I lose my effin' mind

Good night.

It's a bright Wednesday evening, a Netflix awaits us, Bridge is making pizza dough, and I am crushing my grading.


Holla.

At.

Your.

Boy.

The last month of the semester always bring a whirlwind of grading; also, my mind is a whirlwind as I try to devise ways to not grade:

can I just have them write some ideas on some post-its? can those post-its just then be tossed to the wind?
can we just discuss the prompt? can they just nod or accidentally make eye contact with me so I can give them credit for doing the assignment?
can I ...

Oh, gotta go decorate the pizza! Turkey pepperoni and lotsa different kinds of olives. The meal is complete with Sam Adams Summer Ale and a mixed Spring salad. Totes yums.

This is Stupid.

I have this blog, and I am writer.

Ignoring it is stupid.

Easter weekend was lovely. My bro, Michael, and sister-in-law, Kelly, came for a visit, and I learned this:

Hot saki at Chae's is good and strong.
I rock at shuffleboard.
Michael and Kelly are my fave people.

In other news ... the semester is winding down. I feel like I can say that now without jumping the gun too much. A look at my calendar confirms this winding down. It is April. I don't have to teach in May. Yes, I love teaching, and yes most of my students make me happy and proud, and yes I have a big office and administrative help and support. Yes. This is indeed fantastic and I am grateful, lucky, blessed. I also work my ass off and will welcome the summer break with huge, open, ever-lovin' arms.

I had the weirdest dream last night, but it's only interesting to me, so I will not bore you. Perhaps it's too late for me to not be boring you. Ouch.

It's a rainy Spring day here, the first one in awhile, and my perennials will love it, especially my hostas. This downpour will green everything up and wash away the last, dusty, clingy remnants of winter.

I have my gf back. Not that she was ever physically away, but her comps are done (and she passed with high-flying colors, because she is just that awesome), her exams are done, and her student teaching is winding down as well. Her grad forms are turned in, and I finally have my gf back. It's been real nice and such.

Anywho, that is all. For now. Be back soon. I would proclaim intents on blogging every day, but you know me and my proclamations.

Audi 5000.