Too Tired for a Title

Obviously, I haven't written for a while. Shortly after my last post, I got my knee brace off. I can now drive and walk somewhat normally. I don't have much of a "compromised gait," as they say at physical therapy. I still attend my PT twice a week, and I've officially made my goal of 100% range of motion. This means that I can bend my knee 180 degrees while lying on my stomach. That doesn't mean the pain or swelling is completely gone, but almost. I can't quite walk up and down stairs without a death grip on the railing, but I suspect in a couple of weeks I'll be able to.

Other than PT, I've still been taking it easy. I wish I had something more exciting to tell you other than that I've become addicted to Big Brother (no reality show is too trashy for me) and have been reading like a maniac. I figure that reading balances out the brain cells I've lost watching stupid reality TV. I also entered a local poetry contest, which I do not expect to win. But, it was a big step for me just to submit something.

In addition, I've been doing a little prep for the new school year, but not much, because I may have seen the last of my teaching days. I accepted a position as the school's testing coordinator for next year, but I thought I'd be teaching two classes. I've been told to plan on not teaching now, as they want me to work that position full time. I have mixed feelings, as I love working with teenagers and sharing my passion for reading, writing, history, politics, etc., but the job has been downright stressful the past couple of years. I truly can't be the teacher I want to be (and know I can be) with 40+ kids in a classroom. At one point I had 200 students, and if each one turned in just two assignments per week, I spent all my free time trying to catch up on grading. And, don't get me started on trying to grade that many essays. Even if I staggered the assignments for each class, I still had hours and hours of grading that I couldn't keep up with. So, I will not miss that aspect of my job. And, I now get a real office with an outside phone line! This is a real treat at my school, and you can bet I will appreciate it. I also get the chance to work around and with more adults, which can be a blessing and a curse depending on which adults I'm working with. Luckily, I adore the co-worker with the office next to mine, as he is smart, funny, and helpful. A blessing!

On the stepmom front, things are fairly quiet. Stepson is starting a new school in a couple of weeks, as his parents didn't like the last one he attended. This school has a great reputation, so we're hopeful. I am not looking forward, however, to the back-to-school picnic. Whoever designs these events obviously does not have a blended family (I hate that term but haven't found a better one). It's awkward, to say the least, to be there as a stepmom and with my stepson's mom there. She's not evil--not at all--but it's still weird for all of us. And, it's my last weekend of summer vacation--why do they have to ruin that by scheduling a school activity? Plus, add in all of my social anxiety about stupid small talk with other parents and I'm apt to have a wonderful time. I abhor small talk with people I will probably never see again, and I just don't delight in all the baseless compliments that people throw around about each others' kids. I'm not conditioned that way, and my ego doesn't need to know how cute or smart my stepson is because he's not my kid. I'm not saying this in a mean way--just a matter of fact one. But, I will go and smile and be cordial, because that's what I do to support my husband and stepson (as if my stepson even cares that I'm there). At least there will probably be some good people watching, and you never know, some of them could end up in my next blog!