G'Day!

What a surprise! We are going to Australia this summer!

D has a conference there in August, and we are going to go early. We are sandwiching this trip between my sister-in-law's wedding and going out to help my mom after her knee surgery. I will be living out of a suitcase this summer, no doubt about it. Between going to help mom twice, having a week-long summer course at a nearby university (I will live in the dorms while I learn about air quality, woo hoo!), my brother's graduation and the wedding, I will hardly be around.

On the other hand, Australia! Woooo! We will probably spend the whole time in the Cairns/Port Douglas area since D's tickets are paid in and out of Cairns. It's on the Great Barrier Reef. It will probably be pretty crowded with tourists, but still: it's Australia. And his ticket is free.

Sick again!

Bleh. I've only been sick a few times this year, but each time it has completely knocked me flat. Last Sunday my allergies were horrible, despite an antihistamine and a decongestant I was still blowing my nose every few minutes. Then the infection spread to my throat and chest. Tuesday I went to school but I really shouldn't have...by last hour I was so exhausted I could barely stand up, let alone police my kids. I was also losing my voice, not a great prospect for a teacher.

Wednesday and Thursday I called a sub, since I could not even think of going in. By Friday I was feeling somewhat better but I still went to the doctor to make sure it wasn't strep. The rapid culture said no strep. The doctor said it was probably a virus, but if I didn't get better in 24 hours I should fill the antibiotic prescription.

I'm still feeling yucky, but the cough is mostly gone and a decongestant should take care of my sinuses for now. Luckily there are only 3 more weeks until summer vacation...not that anyone's counting.

Back-to-back

Spelling champions, back-to-back! Again my team won the fundraising bee for a local charity. I had two new members to help me study, and we had a really good time. There was also a nice article about us (mostly me) in the local paper. Winning words: viridescent and kakistocracy (government by the worst possible people).

I have to say that the best part, though, was getting the word dilapidated. It was that very word that knocked me out of the oral rounds in the State Bee in 8th grade. Payback is so sweet.

There are only 19 days left for the kids. I'm glad...I'm really tired, I think I'm coming down with something, and I am so ready for a break. Luckily not much time is left.

I hope that all is well for my readers (few though they may be). This time of year always seems to be one of the busiest. I'm actually looking forward to just going home and watching TV tonight after a very busy weekend. D is leaving town Friday morning and is gone for 10 days, so I'll be on my own for a while.