Deficit spending

We still don't have the actual money we are supposed to in our library account at school, but we're going to make an order using deficit spending and see if that works. That's something to pray about because we don't have much control over it ourselves.

No Prep

I waited until 9th period to take my prep, but Mr. Beck was pulled to cover the testing center, so I missed my prep today. It made for a busy day, but I made time to pray here and there.

Free lunch

We had 2 two-hour delays the last 2 days. Yesterday, some parents even provided lunch with leftovers today. It's been great.

Sarah won

Sarah finally won a writing contest. She usually enters the same contests as Claire, and if either one wins, it has always been Claire. Sarah never admitted that she was jealous before, but she was really excited to get the letter in the mail today.

Snow

It started snowing 6th period today. It wasn't when I went out for lunch and was when I came back. That made the buses late and my trip home slow, but I got there safely eventually. I had trouble getting up some of the little hills around the school, so I stopped at Our lady of Joy until I saw a salt/plow truck. Then I struck out again and it was much easier, but still slow - just in case.

When Jess told me she was going to die if she had to stay in school any longer, I told everyone does, but probably not today.

Zubik Center

I took the girls downtown yesterday because Pirate Fest was going on. We were going to park across the river, but parking is free on Saturdays during December, so we parked there, which was also close to the Holly Trolley line, so we caught that to look at the gingerbread houses. On the way to the Trolley, we saw Catholic Charities open with things for kids to do starting at 11 (everything else started at 12). So we went in and dressed up in Nativity clothes, made crafts, had cookies and hot chocolate. It was great. Pirate Fest was great too until Sarah twisted her ankle on a bouncy obstacle course, so I didn't get to register for as much as I intended - like the pierogi eating contest. We got home in time to go to mass at 4 and order Pizza Hut with the $20 dinner box for $10 dollar online coupon that we use monthly.

Names

Today, I was reminded how important it is to use names. I try to use names with students, but a lot of teachers use names with each other too. That's something I have to work on.

Son

My friend's 17 year old son passed away. It seemed sudden, but I don't have a lot of details, not that any detail would make much difference. I am glad they are asking for prayer because that means they are open to the grace God must want to comfort them with.

Bleeding

Bleeding is a catchier title than "Giving Blood" is, but that's what I did this evening. It went well. The best part is usually the end when you get to eat snacks. The end was still the best part, but more so because of my conversation than the snacks. A dad and his first grade son were there because the dad was giving blood. The son may have been a little nervous when his dad had to go into the room for the questionnaire, so the boy decided to talk to me, not the other guy a little older than me sitting by himself, and not the couple sitting together at a fourth table. It started with him explaining to me how to play rock, paper, scissors, shoot. I'm not sure if we were playing best of seven, but he beat me 4-1. Then, he decided he should know my name, so I told him, "I'm Dr. Stevens. What's your name?"

"My name's Lucky, but my class calls me Tarif."

"Oh, yeah? Well, I'll call you Lucky then."

Then we played "I spy with my little eye" and then my time was up. I looked up the name of Tarif when I got home to check its spelling, but also found out it means "bold, determined, and tenacious," which I definitely saw in him.

Disney

We just got back from Disney. It was nice, but HH is nicer. It gave me unique opportunities to pray, but not as many opportunities to serve like HH.