Teri Parris Ford's Blog

Working Spring Break

There is just too much to do to take the week off plus, I'm not going anywhere or have much to do at home other than any work I create for myself. I did decide to paint a wall and redo my fireplace. I also hoping to clean out my garage once it warms up late in the week. To kick off spring break, we got over a foot of snow! It was very pretty but I had to shovel early in order to get to work. I ended up having to pick up my editor in chief as well because her mom could not get her car out of their driveway. It made me so glad I had a big truck. I've been trying to decide what car to buy next and have considered a smaller something but not after yesterday. When I have somewhere to get, I want to be able to get there. Between Wisconsin and Minnesota, I want to be prepared for lots of snow anytime. After spending all Saturday at work, Monika and went out for a show. Now that Monika works at the Overture, we have been going to lots of shows. We went to Chicago on Sunday (see photo).

I kicked off my Spring Break Monday going into work and finishing off moving out of the old studio. I've been kind of emotional about this move, but I have to admit the new studio is amazing. Here are lots of photos of the whole build up. I feel like I got a lot of organizing done today. I helped some with the computers being set up and made sure everything was working so when I come in on Monday after spring break there are no surprises. 

I heard from Jessi this week, who is on her way to the Mediterranean. I wish I could fly to meet her out there!! She is on a small ship so suffering from sea sickness for the first time ever. She is not having as much fun as she did on her last deployment, but I do hope this one is shorter. Hopefully once they get across the Atlantic the pace will pick up. I do miss her!

Still Sick

This respiratory illness that has gripped me is still hanging on with a lot sneezing and coughing. I have used my neti-pot religiously and am constantly using cold meds to keep me working. I have moments of feeling better and then I'm back to being miserable occasionally. I think the big department move has lots of dust and stress in the air. We are packing all of our supplies onto wooden carts but still teaching students. It's chaotic but it's a group effort and constantly in flux; meaning dates move, plans change and nothings for sure. In someways it's better that way. We are just winging it. But the stress is taking its toll. 

It's not just work, though. I have surgery scheduled for the summer, and I won't lie, I'm anxious. Jim is way too busy between his job and his army duties and his stress has a way of adding to my stress. Erika was surplussed at Memorial, which means she is looking for a teaching position for next year which makes me so sad but it does make it easier to retire next year if she's not there. She'll probably end up at a middle school as there are plenty of job postings at that level. It'll be good for her to have various teaching experiences, but that doesn't make it easy. 

Sick again

I went years without using a sick day for being sick and this school year I've been sick three times. On Tuesday, we spent the day working moving stuff around, kicking up dust and I came into work on Wednesday feeling sinus stuffiness and muscles aching but from what I thought was moving repercussions. By Thursday I knew it was actually a cold. I took a Covid test Thursday morning before coming into work and it was negative. Luckily on Friday, I had parent-teacher conferences at home via zoom. I started feeling better and thought I'd be able to enjoy the weekend. Saturday, after getting dressed to go out on errands, I felt so horrible, I ended up back in bed by late afternoon. I took another Covid test this morning-- negative, but I'm now wondering if I should take tomorrow off. There is so much to do this week, being sick complicates it a bit, but it certainly makes me step back and take things easier. 

Heating Up

It is starting to feel like spring. There are still bits of snow here and there, so it's not too warm but relatively warm. Anything over 32 degrees feels balmy these days. I am eager for some warmth, so much so I am tempted to go tanning but I'm trying not to spend money. Spring Break is 3 weeks away but I'm not going anywhere warm. I had hoped to visit Jessi in Virginia but she got called up to go to the middle east at the last minute. Well, tanning is cheaper than going to a beach. We'll see.

Things are heating up at work with moving day being the week before spring break. There's just so much to do but I keep chipping away little by little, hoping it's enough. The yearbook is heating up as well. I included my photo here that is going on the yearbook staff page. Working on the yearbook is my favorite part of my job but it can be the most stressful as well. Deadlines are right before spring break, along with grades and the moving. The next few weeks are just going to be crazy.

On a more personal note, I met with my doctor and a specialist last week and it's looking like I will be having surgery over the summer-- a hysterectomy. I also signed up for summer school this summer since my retirement counts the 3 highest years income. This summer may end up being more interesting than I want it to be. As long as the pool is involved, it will be okay.