Weekend, where are you?  Snow days, where are you?  Spring Break, where are you?  Summer, where are you?  Come on, I need a break, and it's only Tuesday! 

This has already been the longest week ever.  I am swamped.  I mean drowning, in paperwork. Covered.  I had five IEPs scheduled for this week.  I wrote three of them last night, one two weeks ago, one more to go.  Meetings held so far this week...one no show; two today; one tomorrow; one Thursday.  Then, ready to schedule five more!  I'm ready to get these done and behind me.  Approximately fifteen more to go, give or take. depending on new move ins or move aways, between now and the end of the school year.  My three year reevaluations are almost out of the way, then, I will be able to concentrate on just having my IEP meetings.

Whatever possessed me to pursue a career where I do tons of paperwork, beyond that of a regular teacher?  I don't mind the lesson plans, grading papers, recording grades, etc., in fact, I actually love writing my lesson plans!  I know, I'm weird, right?  It's the multitude of special education paperwork that overwhelms me on a daily basis.  I just wanted to help kiddos that are struggling.  Twenty-six years ago, there were no ten to twenty page IEPs, parent rights, parent surveys, review of existing data, MEEGs, and on and on and on.  I am just ready to get all of this done, so I can just enjoy TEACHING, of all things, for the rest of the semester. 

Oh, wait....

There's that thing called achievement testing.  Just shoot me.  No really, just shoot me.  That will take approximately three months, grand total.  Here's hoping I get ALL of my IEPs done before that all begins! 

Hey, weekend, I'll see you this Friday! 

Empty, lost, lonely, and broken. 

Those are the only words I can think of to describe my feelings the day after my Dad's funeral.  We laid him to rest yesterday. 

My Dad passed away on Saturday, January 5th, at 4:00 a.m.  The last four days are just a blur.  So many arrangements, plans, decisions, and people to talk to, in such a short time.

My Daddy worked as a lineman for PSO, and other companies all over the United States, as a journeyman lineman. He also had his private pilot license and passed on his love of flying and airplanes to his only daughter, even though I never got my license, I always wanted to. He was an avid fisherman and hunter, often traveling to Canada or Colorado to pursue that love. He loved Alaska, Canada, and of course, America, always flying his American flag proudly lit up in his front yard.

He loved nature, growing beautiful gardens, spending time with his family and friends, but, most of all, helping people, with nothing expected in return. He loved to tease and tell jokes. He loved to laugh. He fell off an electrical pole once, broke both arms, punctured his spleen, and survived. He loved adventure, history, and was the smartest man I've ever known.

He could tell wonderful stories of his many adventures and amaze me with each and every one. He loved spinning yarns with his long-time buddies at the Bliss Restaurant, here in our little town of Nowata, every morning for years, until he became ill. He knew everyone. Everyone knew him. Everyone loves and respects him. He was a good man.

I remember a vacation he and I took many, many years ago. He showed me the Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Juarez, Mexico, and took me to Riudoso Downs in
Arizona, and Disneyland. What a crazy, fun adventure! My Daddy has done more for me and my children than I ever deserved.

I will miss him horribly, but, at the same time, I'm happy that he now has a brand new, wonderful, healthy, eternal life in Heaven, with our Lord and Saviour. My sweet, sweet Daddy, I love you SO very much, and can't wait to see you at the HOUSE!!