Why on EARTH would we do this?????

On yet another day on my way into the building, another monday, another hour earlier than many, kids in tow, howling, "For the love of god, if he likes to eat the waffle frozen let him have it!" a tiny phrase was uttered.

     Henry, our substitue custodian was there to unlock the door. I asked him how he was and he said, "Livin' the dream Mrs. Hamilton, Livin' the dream."      

     I wasn't until later that night that Henry's comment started to resonate in the back of my mind. Like one of those bad 70's flashback, Henry's head floating in circles above me, taunting...."living the dream".  Surely Henry's dream isn't to be a substitute custodian, despite his beloved status at our school. Then again, why not? He's a skate bum, works hard, plays hard, has great skater hair and a lift kit on his truck. He's 23 of course he's living the dream! Doing what he wants when he wants in order to live the life he wants. 

     A new head joined the 70's flashback, mine... what about me? I want to live the dream! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE being a teacher, it's a calling and I am brilliant at it. I adore it, I adore my students and they each know it. ("Sorry I made you crazy today Mrs. Hamilton, but you know I love you. Yes, Dylan, I know, Ditto. We will try again tomorrow!")

     But over the years, I have felt like more and more goes into my students leaving less and less for my own kids. And the effects had become so obvious, my oldest slipping further and further behind, my youngest rarely having ever seen me without my laptop open and papers around my recliner at night. It was becoming harder and harder to ignore that my students were getting the best part of me.  So, Henry, what is the dream we are living?

     What would living the dream look like? It wasn't a mansion in Cali, not even a beach hut in Mexico. It was exactly what we spend a few weeks a year doing. Camping with our kids! Turns out we are pretty easy to please and when it came down to it, we really could be living the dream. So why not? If you could live your dream, wouldn't you?

Earthquake Putty, Who knew????

April 4th    
 Today our Quake Putty came in the mail. You know, that stuff that you put on the bottom of glass things to keep them in place. In an RV you use it to hold decorative things on the shelves. And it hit me, this is it! The countdown has begun! That little pack of putty, that has absolutely no use in a "sticks and bricks" house in Colorado was the wake-up call.  28 days to find the 5th wheel and move out to the in-laws ranch. 28 days to pack, sort and sell, 28 days AHHHHH!
     This is the BEST time to make this decision. I am all lined up with a job I love, the option to purchase this house we know well, living on the park we adore. And this is THE season for the park. Friends and neighbors have come out of the woodwork, the park is filling with rollerbladers, hockey players and kids on bikes. It's a gorgeous time in Castle Rock. And yet, not one of us shows a bit of reluctance at the coming journey. Quite the opposite, we are all happily chucking out useless tokens, packing away the important ones and checking and re-checking the lists of things we'll want to take with us. Someone asked where we are going.... Hmmmm, I don't know, we haven't had time to plan that part, one step at a time!!! But make 'em quick!
     Big Red, the new truck, is in the driveway, two RV dealers have our offers and we are awaiting the final word, resume's are in, and I am on day four of not sleeping due to an overactive brain! Only so much you can do from the pillow, so... back to work!