Teri Parris Ford's Blog

57 and no big deal

I turned 57 on Friday. It was great day spent with students, lunch with Erika, a quick Costco trip for cake and lots of treats at the end of the day. My colleagues helped me eat cake after school. I came home to an empty house, built a fire and watched some tv. Jim got home super early Saturday and we spent the day together enjoying the Fall weather with coffee, a long walk and lunch out. It's been a fabulous weekend!

I certainly don't feel 57. I recall my mom explaining how she never felt as old as she was, I think it gets harder the older I get to deal with how my body is starting to fail me. I am afraid of falling because I fall more often. I go slow and hang on for balance to keep myself from falling. I think I'm being obnoxious sometimes, but I saw my fall many times and she was obnoxiously careful so I realize, you can't be careful enough. I see subs at school in their 70's still going strong and I certainly hope I can make past my parents (who died way too young in their mid 70's). I'm shooting for 90's, so I still have a lot of life in me to live!

Weekend Project

I went up to Rochester for the weekend to help Jim with the house. He was gone the whole month of August and then got back just before school started and did not have time to work on the yard. I was eager to visit after spending the first two weekends of September at home recuperating and relaxing. While Jim worked on the lawns (weeding and mowing) I tackled the mailbox area. Last fall I planted daffodils which did not bloom. Instead the area was overgrown with weeds and some plant with thick roots that would not pull. Jim had decided he wanted brick. I still wanted daffodils but since I cannot keep the area up, I gave in to the red bricks. I was unable to get it all straight since the roots were too thick. I will need to re-do it all next summer with a saw. We'd like to replace the mailbox in the future as well. Anyway, it looks way better but boy, was I exhausted afterward!

Jim took me out for a very nice dinner and I must say the yard looked so nice. It was a fun Saturday working on the house together. I suppose the whole idea of working on the house together is still kind of new and still feels fun. We ended the evening on the patio watching the stars. On Sunday we went out to breakfast. We buy one meal, he gets an omelette and I get all the sides. It's perfect. We spent a little more time on the yard; I applied weeder and watered, while he finished up a few problem areas. It was a great weekend together in Minnesota.

I finally got COVID

I'll be honest, I got too cocky. I really thought after over 2 years, I was immune. I stopped wearing masks and fearlessly entering crowded spaces. Well, I have no idea at what point I got it but I started getting a sore throat a couple of days ago which I thought was from talking more and I had a deep tissue massage on Wednesday so when I felt body achs on Thursday, I assumed it was from my massage. But by Friday after school, the onset of head congestion, cough and fever was overwelming. I took an at home test and it was positive. The worst part for me is the sore throat-- so painful, especially with the cough.

My schedule this semester is great. The best part of my day is sharing a class with Erika during 4th hour.  I love my classes. I hate that I will miss much of next week due to having COVID but my impression from the first day is that my classes a very easy going. Of course I only had one day with my kids. I will spend my Labor Day weekend, coughing and prepping sub instruction. I had planned to travel to Rochester for the weekend but will stay home and rest instead.

The only other thing to report is that Monika finally got her car back from the shop with a new catalytic converter. She has a road trip planned. Jessi got a return date for home (mid October)- finally. We are all excited to visit her for Thanksgiving.