Our friends, Lynn & Emily, flew out today. They are now in Provincetown on their own little get-away. Sounds gorgeous there! I think Hubby & I should plan a trip sometime there, too.
I forgot to say in Monday's posting that they took us upon our arrival to a delicious Italian restaurant. I forget the name already (unlike my Hubby's memory...see below), but it had an outdoor cafe. Wrought iron. Trees with leaves yellow with the coming winter. Burly "old world" Italian servers. Seems no matter what it is that Em & Lynn pick...travel, food, or entertainment... it's always interesting and/or delicious!
While they are away, we were given the gift of staying in their home while we pet-sit their two greyhounds, Spacely & a little foster guy, Cooper. He's named Cooper after the mini-cooper because he's such a small guy for a male greyhound. These two boys are sweethearts! We're partial to greys anyhow, but I've always gone goo-goo for the girl greys. That is, until I stayed with Spacely this past summer. At the time Power, Em & Lynn's other boy grey, was here. I was shocked & stunned to find he had to be put to sleep about a week after I returned home. He had cancer & one he was not going to have an easy time with. So the girls had to make the difficult decision of letting our Power "go on" while he was still in a better state. I miss seeing Power here. I've stopped myself numerous times from calling Cooper Power's name. Em thought she could never love another dog again like Power, but Cooper has helped her to see that she can, just differently. However, they've decided to continue Cooper as a foster & he will be going to his new home next week. He has a higher prey drive, normal for some greyhounds due to racing training, & the girls don't feel comfortable with that in their condo situation. I'm not sure how they & Spacely will feel when the time comes for Cooper to go to his new home. It may help that he's going to a new home that isn't too far down the road.
Tuesday: 4 a.m.CT- Em & Lynn get up & take the boys out for a walk, and then head to the airport. The little guys let us sleep in. When Hubby & I finally get up, we walk them again, and then head toward downtown. Along the way we stop at a great little restaurant called Meli's. Highly recommended if you're up this way. Very chic. Very delicious! Then we hiked down to Union Station. The architecture reminds me of Grand Central Station. We took some great photos, and if I get the chance, I'll post some upon our return.
From there we went a short jaunt over to the Sears Tower. I really wanted Hubby to see it. They show a very informative movie about how the tower came about & how it was built. Then you go up 103 floors to the skydeck. It has a 360 degree view of Chicago & all of the surrounding area, up to fifty miles away on a clear day. This was important to me as a visual learner. I was able to base everything we did & everywhere Em & I went this summer strictly on what I'd seen from so high up. And I'm sure my Hubby was glad I'd already been there before him. There is a lot of information to read, and I'm one of those folks who can spend all day in one part of a museum, reading every tidbit & detail of what is on display. Drives Hubby nuts sometimes! ha! What is so funny about it is that I won't remember all the details, even with all the careful reading I do. But my Hubby has one of those "sponge" minds...ya know...one of those people who can skim something & it becomes a part of his permanent knowledge base of experiences. He's the guy you can find at the party giving all the interesting facts about something, and everyone will be on pins & needles listening because he's so good at playing it back.
We left there & started our trek back "home", stopping along the way to get some more camera shots of archways, doorways, grills and columns. By this time it was time to walk the boys & feed them. After feeding them, we walked over to the Jewel Osco for some staple items. We decided to eat dinner in & bought one of their $10 baked chicken meals. We had to keep an eye on everything we purchased because we had to haul everything back while walking. We did very well considering we had only 5 bags to carry. It was nice to sit back, relax, watch some "House" on TV, do some reading & ...did I say relax???
I told my Hubby today. I'm so glad he is eleven years older than me. Actually I told him I'm so glad he's an "old" man. It's nice to go on vacation & have some "downtime". I don't like to rush so much over a vacation that you get back home more tired than you left.
Tomorrow: A Chi-town Wednesday
~sher
p.s...Almost forgot today's plug: Obama--because we can't take another McBush!:-)
Showing posts with label Emily Rutledge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emily Rutledge. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Flying in...
Everything went like clockwork on Monday! YEAAA!!! I used some comp time I had coming to me so that I could leave right on time as my students were leaving. My hubby picked me up outside of school. For ONCE I actually had all of my suitcase packed & ready for him at home so that all he had to do was pick me up. And for ONCE I was on time! I was so proud of myself!
So we shot right over to the airport. We flew out at 3:50 pm ET, which come to find out is an excellent time to fly. There were "no lines-no waiting". I even had time to hit the potty (quite necessary for a teacher's bladder at this time of day), & time for each of us to grab a Starbucks & some extra magazines. Not too long of a wait to get on board. We were almost afraid...or I should say IIII was almost afraid we wouldn't get a seat together, but we did.
Here's something truly embarrassing to admit. I've flown before, but not very often. I can probably count on one hand how many times I've flown anywhere, and most of those times have been since my hubby & I married. This time for me was a bit unnerving, and I don't know why. I can only speculate that it's because I was tired. I'd been up until 2a.m. to make sure my lesson plans were "perfect" while I was gone. I am one of those teachers who has to type out each day & leave specifics. I've just had so many subs over the years who just don't "get" or follow the plans that teachers leave. So I feel like I have to spell it all out. Fortunately... & possibly wisely...I've learned to type a basic framework or template that I copy & use over & over again. But this week in particular has been so busy & stressful. In fact, the day after we return from Chicago, the state & the county are coming in to visit our classrooms. Supposedly two teams of 3-4 people will be coming in to observe us at 15 minutes each visit. So yeah...nervewracking. I've told myself...PROMISED myself...that I wouldn't let it bother me. I'm ticked enough that our schools are held accountable for the results of ONE test, which we don't even do to our students. Could you imagine grading a STUDENT on ONE test & telling the parents whether or not they pass or fail based upon that one test alone? Even with FCAT, there are possible exceptions for the students, but none that I see for the schools. So when you work for a "focus" school (read that as an "F" school), the one test pass or fail is what you get.
So possibly my flight jitters were due to all of the above. I flew up here to Chicago to visit our same friends back in June, and the same thing happened. I teared up. I mean, I got so emotional on these two flights that I feel downright silly. This time I actually had a tear streaming down my face & felt like blubbering like a baby. But I didn't. Having the Love of my Life there actually helped. I realized a bit later I was gripping him rather tightly. I just couldn't help it. I wonder if anyone else acts so silly... Some turbulance didn't help.
Finally, though, we landed safely. It was fun & felt adventurous to find our way on our own from Midway on the Loop to our friends' home in the Clinton area of Chicago. It was just beginning to get dark. Outside the window was a stunning full moon. Creeping through the Loop system was a bit romantic & a bit gothic. The shadows & lights made typical buildings look like staged sets.
We arrived at the Clinton stop & found our way down the wheelchair ramp to the street level. As we looked around, we found our friends staring back at us diagonally across the street corner. It was wonderful seeing them again! Emily is my artist friend. You will find a link for her work in my fav sites. Her partner, Lynn, is a pharmacist, for lack of a better descriptive term. I say that because I know she works or has worked as a regional director for her company & I'm not so sure what all her job entails, except a lot of smarts. Em & Lynn are both champions of animals. We met through BAGA (Bay Area Greyhound Adoption) in Tampa. They have & foster greyhounds, as we do. I also appreciate them for being more laidback like Hubby & I are. While they enjoy friends & the arts, they're more easygoing & fun to hang out with. I don't feel like I have to run around all the time when I'm with them. They know how to enjoy good company & a good glass of wine now & then. Lynn makes a mean glass of sangria coupled with champagne. My fav! And so sweet of them to have that on hand for our stay. I keep telling them they've spoiled us. They even had a gift card ready ahead of time for us so I could enjoy my Starbucks while here & while at every street corner! ha! I've lost count on how many are in Chicago, but I now know of about 4 within a couple of blocks of E & L's place. Two are in the works.
Tomorrow: First day of Chicago
~sher
So we shot right over to the airport. We flew out at 3:50 pm ET, which come to find out is an excellent time to fly. There were "no lines-no waiting". I even had time to hit the potty (quite necessary for a teacher's bladder at this time of day), & time for each of us to grab a Starbucks & some extra magazines. Not too long of a wait to get on board. We were almost afraid...or I should say IIII was almost afraid we wouldn't get a seat together, but we did.
Here's something truly embarrassing to admit. I've flown before, but not very often. I can probably count on one hand how many times I've flown anywhere, and most of those times have been since my hubby & I married. This time for me was a bit unnerving, and I don't know why. I can only speculate that it's because I was tired. I'd been up until 2a.m. to make sure my lesson plans were "perfect" while I was gone. I am one of those teachers who has to type out each day & leave specifics. I've just had so many subs over the years who just don't "get" or follow the plans that teachers leave. So I feel like I have to spell it all out. Fortunately... & possibly wisely...I've learned to type a basic framework or template that I copy & use over & over again. But this week in particular has been so busy & stressful. In fact, the day after we return from Chicago, the state & the county are coming in to visit our classrooms. Supposedly two teams of 3-4 people will be coming in to observe us at 15 minutes each visit. So yeah...nervewracking. I've told myself...PROMISED myself...that I wouldn't let it bother me. I'm ticked enough that our schools are held accountable for the results of ONE test, which we don't even do to our students. Could you imagine grading a STUDENT on ONE test & telling the parents whether or not they pass or fail based upon that one test alone? Even with FCAT, there are possible exceptions for the students, but none that I see for the schools. So when you work for a "focus" school (read that as an "F" school), the one test pass or fail is what you get.
So possibly my flight jitters were due to all of the above. I flew up here to Chicago to visit our same friends back in June, and the same thing happened. I teared up. I mean, I got so emotional on these two flights that I feel downright silly. This time I actually had a tear streaming down my face & felt like blubbering like a baby. But I didn't. Having the Love of my Life there actually helped. I realized a bit later I was gripping him rather tightly. I just couldn't help it. I wonder if anyone else acts so silly... Some turbulance didn't help.
Finally, though, we landed safely. It was fun & felt adventurous to find our way on our own from Midway on the Loop to our friends' home in the Clinton area of Chicago. It was just beginning to get dark. Outside the window was a stunning full moon. Creeping through the Loop system was a bit romantic & a bit gothic. The shadows & lights made typical buildings look like staged sets.
We arrived at the Clinton stop & found our way down the wheelchair ramp to the street level. As we looked around, we found our friends staring back at us diagonally across the street corner. It was wonderful seeing them again! Emily is my artist friend. You will find a link for her work in my fav sites. Her partner, Lynn, is a pharmacist, for lack of a better descriptive term. I say that because I know she works or has worked as a regional director for her company & I'm not so sure what all her job entails, except a lot of smarts. Em & Lynn are both champions of animals. We met through BAGA (Bay Area Greyhound Adoption) in Tampa. They have & foster greyhounds, as we do. I also appreciate them for being more laidback like Hubby & I are. While they enjoy friends & the arts, they're more easygoing & fun to hang out with. I don't feel like I have to run around all the time when I'm with them. They know how to enjoy good company & a good glass of wine now & then. Lynn makes a mean glass of sangria coupled with champagne. My fav! And so sweet of them to have that on hand for our stay. I keep telling them they've spoiled us. They even had a gift card ready ahead of time for us so I could enjoy my Starbucks while here & while at every street corner! ha! I've lost count on how many are in Chicago, but I now know of about 4 within a couple of blocks of E & L's place. Two are in the works.
Tomorrow: First day of Chicago
~sher
Friday, October 10, 2008
Chi-CA-go...Chi-CA-go...
We're off to Chicago this coming week! I'm so excited! I visited friends there this summer. Now we're going there on some business for the same friends & are planning on making good use of the time for pleasure, as well. Two of our good greyhound friends, Emily & Lynn (see Emily Rutledge, artist, in my fav sites to the right), live in Chicago. They are going on a trip & have asked us to look after their greyhounds while they're gone. They have graciously allowed us the use of their downtown condo during that time while we're there. I can't wait to see them again. They're such "greyt" folks! I also can't wait to show Keith some of the things Em & Lynn showed me while there last, as well as explore some other interesting sites we both HAVEN'T seen yet.
I think we really need this trip. It's so cool how things are just all working together for it. I miss having Emily & Lynn around since they moved to Chicago, and Keith & I haven't had a lot of downtime together. There has been so much going on, both at work & at home, not all of it good. Our school was rated an "F" this past year, through what I feel was no fault of the faculty. It's my first year with them, but I really think they have their act together, and it's a shame that the entire school is going through county & state inspections because of ONE test.
We don't grade STUDENTS that way...so why in the hell do we grade SCHOOLS that way?? Wonders never cease! Whatever happened to "practice what you preach"??
Gotta run....
Tired...been staying up late since the debates this past week.
Oh yeah...almost forgot to say:
GO, OBAMA!!!! Wooohoooo!
G'nite...
sher
I think we really need this trip. It's so cool how things are just all working together for it. I miss having Emily & Lynn around since they moved to Chicago, and Keith & I haven't had a lot of downtime together. There has been so much going on, both at work & at home, not all of it good. Our school was rated an "F" this past year, through what I feel was no fault of the faculty. It's my first year with them, but I really think they have their act together, and it's a shame that the entire school is going through county & state inspections because of ONE test.
We don't grade STUDENTS that way...so why in the hell do we grade SCHOOLS that way?? Wonders never cease! Whatever happened to "practice what you preach"??
Gotta run....
Tired...been staying up late since the debates this past week.
Oh yeah...almost forgot to say:
GO, OBAMA!!!! Wooohoooo!
G'nite...
sher
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