8/18/11

Alive and kicking - but a bit knackered!

Thank you for your comments and messages, yes I am still out here in the wilds of Okieland and the whole clan is fine and dandy. But school started back on Monday and this year has been especially crazy as we prepared to restart after the summer holidays.

I now have a new Principal and boss, who I like very much, but the change has mean't I have had more responsibility for getting the school and its systems ready, as it's all new to her at the moment.

I am now starting my fourth year as a small town Elementary School Secretary and I still love my job, even on the stressful days, which have been many recently. But the new boss is a very upbeat and positive lady and this combined with her appreciativeness of my work, is making it all bearable.

After three years it appears I have earned the moniker of 'Miss' Sarah all over the local area! Even when I meet people who know what I do but may not have children in the school, that's what they call me. I find it all very amusing and kinda nice too, as I really feel I have been accepted by the community here.

It was great to welcome all the students back on Monday and I am now reaching the point where I remember them as babies in Pre-K and now they're in third grade, time flies for sure with children.

These first few days are always entertaining as we welcome in the new tiny four-year old Pre-K students and then have the challenge of teaching them the cafeteria routines. It can be entertaining at times watching them try to respond to commands, walk, balance a loaded food tray and avoid being flattened by oblivious fifth graders. But they get better each day and at lunchtime today as they lined up, many of them were feeling confident enough to wave to me as they waited - so adorable and it makes all the hard work so worthwhile.

So just tomorrow to go and then a restful weekend and hopefully a slightly more settled week as we all get back into our routines. For me this will also include being a better Blog Mom :-)

Hope you are all well and have enjoyed your summer, tell me what you've been up to please?

14 comments:

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Hi Sarah,
So glad to hear from you, I was worried you had shriveled up in the heat of summer :)
Nice to know you are back in school, and looking forward to reading about the school children's
comings and goings...
~Jo

George said...

I'm glad to hear that the school year has gotten off to a good -- but busy -- start. 'Miss Sarah' has a nice small town ring to it.

Kay said...

Welcome back to school, Sarah! Your 4th year? Wow! That's amazing! I remember when you applied for this job. Too wonderful! I know you are loved by everyone.

Mary (Bookfan) said...

So nice to see your blog post show up in my reader this morning, Sarah. Life gets busy for everyone and I'm glad it's all good for you.
One of my kids is getting married in a few weeks. Also, my son and wife made me a grandma last month. So life has been busy for me too - all good :)
Take care and blog when you can.

Daryl said...

For a true recap of my summer you must come by and look at the photos ... but to sum it up .. we're having a hot but fun summer here in the Big Apple. So glad to see you back!

Expat mum said...

Hey stranger. Sounds like everything is good. We're not back yet for another couple of weeks - but we take the Queenager to college next week. Sob! Talk about time flying.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back to the blog world, Sarah. As for me, I flew in a helicopter over the volcano and kissed and frolicked with the dolphins on the Big Island in July. These are things you must include in your itinerary should you ever visit Hawaii. Cheers!

trump said...

Greetings from the Amish settlement of Lebanon,Pa. Have a very nice weekend everyone. Richard from Amish Stories.

Stella Jones said...

Welcome back Sarah. Ah I remember it well and miss it too - returning to school after the holidays. Don't you go back early over there!!
Well here we finally got the rain we were waiting for (yes I'm writing from England) and we've had plenty since! so eventually I got out in the garden. That and looking after my little grandson for two days a week just about say sit! Feel free to visit when you get time.

Rusty said...

Sounds good there. Summer around the 'retreat' has been hot and humid - but I thnk we have had a normal rainfall. My blogging is way off but we are getting ready to move away from the suburbs - and into the part of the country where the deer, bear, and other critters roam wild. Hopefully things will return to a new 'normal' before the winter arrives. ATB!

Pat said...

The kids in our local school district just had their first week back at school this week, too. I remember those first weeks of school- all the things I had to tell the kids about my rules and policies (high school math classes) and I'd get a sore throat after the first week from all the talking I'd been doing. But now I'm retired and my sons are all grown up and married.

I've helped in my friends' kindergarten classes the last 8 years and it is like herding cats the first few weeks!

Pat said...

Sounds like a hectic but productive first week of school. It's nice to get back into a routine.

As for the VanderBeeks-- family reunion, high school reunion, potlucks and BBQs with friends, the Oregon coast for 10 days, my hubby's big band (Glenn Miller style) concerts in the park and in an auditorium, visiting our sons in SoCal, playing with grandsons, helping my vegetables grow. Whew, we were busy and had fun! Hope you did, too. Oh, and I had an MRI which showed I have seriously deteriorated discs in my low back.

TMI, I know.

Robin said...

Woo Hoo! Glad you're back!

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