Back to Class

Spring semester started on Monday and I'm loving my classes. I was offered a job working as a TA for one of my professors, but he was unaware of the university's requirement for students to carry 12 credits in order to work on campus. I'm taking 5, so I'm not eligible. I was excited for the experience I would have gained, but I guess rules are rules. In spite of the disappointment, I'm grateful to be back on a regular schedule. It helps to have something to focus on during the day.

The hardest times for me are at night and on the weekends. That's when Paul's absence is made abundantly clear. I've been doing better about sticking to a reasonable bedtime--no more staying up until one or two in the morning. Okay, maybe once in a while I'll stay up that late, but it sure makes it hard to get up early!

On Monday I begin training for a half marathon. The university has some coaches who offer a free group training program. I figure if I tell you all that's what I intend to do I'll have to stick with it, if only to save face! The race is the Teton Dam Marathon/Half marathon in June. That gives me seven weeks to work up to thirteen miles. I'm about one-third the way there. Wish me luck!

Parker is staying extremely busy with school and work. I rarely see him before nine o'clock at night. He went to the doctor the other day to have his ankle checked. He hurt it on the last day of snowboarding, but neglected to mention it to his mom, until a week or so later. He pulled some ligaments and is wearing a brace for support. Hayden is getting accustomed to his braces. He announced yesterday that his mouth had toughened up enough that he no longer needs to use wax. Cameron and Jacob have been working on some sort of Frankenstein-type bicycle. They're cannibalizing parts from several bikes to build a new creation. I'll let you know how it turns out.




Tyler, Brandi and Chloe are doing well. Chloe is sleeping well, growing well and getting cuter by the day.


See, she's even cute when she's napping!

Oh, are any of you interested in adopting a couple of cottontail rabbits and a marmot? The rabbits were chasing each other around the wheels of my car today. The marmot is huge and lives in the backyard. They're free to a good home. All you have to do is catch them. Preferably before the garden starts growing.




I looked at headstones today, another one of those things I never thought I'd be doing at this point in my life. It was strange to hear myself telling the saleswoman I needed to pick one for my husband. It just sounded wrong.