Umm…  Well…  It’s been nine days since I blogged.  I kept meaning to but life got in the way.  You know how it is.  Schools get announced as Level Four.  Husband goes out of town.  You celebrate your birthday for three days straight.  Dinner plans happen three or four nights in a row.  Family comes into town.  Internet doesn’t work at current location.  You know, the usual.  But, now that I’m here, I  am sure I’ll be back regularly and you can all breathe a sigh of relief.

There’s a lot to catch you up on, but, in all honesty, the thought of even attempting to relive the past nine days of my life gives me a headache almost as intense as the last nine days.  Yeah.  It’s been rough.  Except for my birthday weekend.  That was fabulous, mostly due to my loving husband making sure it lived up to all of my expectations.  So, in an attempt to get you up to date and get me back in the saddle, I’m just going to keep it brief.

1.  Zhining took me out for my birthday.  A very Thai birthday.  Zhining was very upset that the Thai restaurant did not have cake.  We substituted with mango crepes (which were, incidentally, delicious).

2.  Justin got me a Nook for my birthday.  I.  Love.  It.  Just finished my last “real” book (The Help, which is definitely worth a read even if you have seen the movie).  I fought going digital with books for a long time, but I’m not in any hurry to go back.

3.  I went to a baby shower for two of my students (one baby – I have Mom and Dad in class).  They are two of my favorite kids, so I went.  Even though I was totally unprepared for what awaited me.  Just so you know, not everyone does a baby shower during the late morning or afternoon.  It was a real party that went all night long.  As the only white person, I lasted right about two hours.  I really need to learn Spanish…

4.  Justin started my birthday celebration at 11:45 the night before.  When I got back from the baby shower, he had baked a cake.  We both had pieces right then and there and rang in my birthday in style.  Then, Sunday morning, he got up with Robbie, fixed breakfast, AND cleaned up.  We went to the park for some family time.  I got to get a massage.  Justin and I went on a date for coffee – mostly because we were not sure about Rob’s chances for survival if we stayed in the house with him another second.  Then Micah and Allie came over for pizza and Uno.  Perfect.

5.  My house is falling apart.  Seriously.  Remember the tile I so proudly mentioned fixing?  Nope.  Didn’t dry right.  And the tile around the faucet in the bathtub?  Yeah – that came loose, too.  Oh, and my dishwasher was leaking.  Which turned into my sink leaking out the unattached dishwasher hose and creating a disaster in my kitchen.  Thank God for Kevin, fixer of all things broken.  At least I hope.  He stops by tomorrow to see how bad it is…

6.  My family came in town for Thanksgiving.  We are in Sturbridge, and I’m just so glad to be away from reality for three more glorious days.  It’s nice not to be in charge anymore.

Feel exhausted?  ‘Cause I can fill you in on all the work stuff, too.  But, I guess that’s for another blog…