So after a thoughtful meal and a sentimental book reading, I've found myself engaged. I'm simplifying details- like snuck salmon and carefully chosen cranberries. I'm also simplifying background, like secret meetings and book covers. I'm also ALSO simplifying setting, like flowers and candles. 

Matt is wonderful and sentimental and perfect. But that, too, is an oversimplified statement.

Living in Neverland

Let me tell you about my roommates. They left hours ago and now they're back with bags upon bags of groceries. They went dumpster diving for the food that the store threw away because today was its "sell by" date. They're washing some things and dividing the spoils. It's not cute... But it's also not bad. The food is all good! They could've bought it at the store today. I told them I felt like I was Wendy and they were the Lost Boys. I love them so much. Living with my girl friends is such a privilege.

I'm grumpy. I'm ready for break.

I'm grading a huge pile of papers. Not because I'm a procrastinator... because my students are procrastinators. I didn't make an effort to check on writing assignments. A lot of students did them as they went... some did not. So I'm knee deep in grading like 9 different curriculums. Crazy.

I'm grumpy. I'm ready for break.

Bright sides: I'm in a cleanish house. Candles are burning. Grading's done. I'm eating a cookie.

I think I love where I work. I've felt anxious a lot, which affects how I feel in the classroom, but I know I often do well there. I like the communication and adaptation and quickness required. I feel exhausted, though.

Family Night went well today. We did fried chicken and played games. Anne and Matt came.

Here's one of my students on a hanger at Walmart.

Color Me Rad

For the Special Olympics. Also, for fun.

Pokagon

"What beats that? Baby... monkeys... in diapers? ... Yeah. They do."

Matt is a planner. He planned that we'd spend Labor Day together and he planned not to tell me what we were doing. Just for the fun of it, I think.

We did donuts and coffee... and reading and driving... and State-Park-walking and picniking... and people-watching and photo-taking... and Texas-Roadhousing... and Parks-and-Rec-ing... a lot of things.

I discovered that I love woodpeckers. They're awesome. They have red heads and speckled gray bodies. They also smash their faces into wood to eat. How crazy is that?

I've also discovered that Matt used to be the white version of Russell from UP. Which is... a relief. Because who else would I rather explore the woods with??