Strange Morning

Well, today has been an interesting morning for me, as you can probably tell by the early blogging. I wasn't feeling well last night, so I got to bed at a decent hour. I awoke at 4:30 this morning feeling a little sick (with a possible fever) and very thirsty. I got my morning glass of ice water, took some Tylenol and tried to get back to bed. After 15 mins. or so I realized that wasn't going to happen. The chain of events that followed led to the most relaxing morning I've had while teaching. I had three hours to get ready, have some breakfast, a nice cup of coffee, do some reading, and watch the today show. I also finished my lesson plans that I was hoping to get done this morning during my morning plan time.
I may not be feeling so great by the end of the day, especially because I won't get home till 7:00 pm due to potentially stressful and possibly long discussions during parent teacher conferences at the High School, and a possible sinus infection and fever, but I feel great about how my day has started. For once, I'll make it to our staff devotions on time without running in at the last moment, frazzled. Maybe I should attempt another early morning sometime soon.

Have a Great Day!

Chicago and Back

Well Christmas Break has come and gone. I told another teacher today that I was experiencing the "Post Holiday Blues" and I think a lot of student's would join in on an "amen!" I did get two days off this week because of a blizzard in North Dakota, which shut down Amtrak trains between Whitefish and Fargo. I ended up stuck in Chicago on Sat. and Sunday, finally leaving on Monday.
I was a little irritated to be stuck but made the best of it, by exploring Chicago and even getting lost in Chinatown at 9:00 pm. On Saturday Amtrak paid for my hotel and gave me money for food and transportation. I went to my hotel, rested, and then attempted to not get lost in downtown Chicago. I originally wanted to go to the ESPN Zone. I took a bus to downtown, walked to the address, and then discovered it's closed. AAHH!! With Ben's help, I ended up farther north at Dave & Busters! I had some supper and spent some money on games. I had a blast! I even got 350 points on Skeeball!!
On Sunday I learned I was stuck at least for another day. I typed up plans for my substitute, booked a new hotel room (***'s for $35.00's plus tax :-), and left by the checkout time. My new hotel was on the Magnificent Mile. I walked around for a few hours, did some shopping, and finally ended up at Giordano's for some stuffed pizza!
To end my stranded in Chicago days, I went to a Dueling Piano Bar. It was so much fun!!!
Had a great night's sleep then called Amtrak's Julie, and discovered the train was leaving on schedule.
I got back to Lustre on Tuesday, and very tried from the lack of sleep on the train.
I'm glad to be back in some ways, because it means I'm closer to seeing family and friends again.
Here's some pictures, but the quality is bad because my phone's resolution was set low.

These wreaths were all over town.