twice in a row

Two days in a row, a new record!

Rutgers, all done and turned in once again. Today the absent minded professor emailed that she again misplaced my second assignment, so off it went for the third time. Classes are officially done Wednesday and she is still grading the second assignment, the third still hasn't been touched. One more semester. I.Love.Rutgers.

I really love the kids at school, they are so cute and excited this week. Even with the background most come from there is that anticipation of Christmas and gifts galore. I hope that they are not disappointed.

This year we have secret pals again, we've done it before and it was so much fun, then it fell apart for a few years. We give a gift a month, more if we want and there is a minimum of $25 per gift, lots of us go overboard but there is always someone who goes to the dollar store, I've been very lucky with great pals and I try to be a good giver. too. My secret pal gave me a selection of Calvin Klein perfumes. I love perfume and she/he really knows my tastes. My secret pal knows who I am, she guessed the first month, but in a way its still fun because she appreciates everything she receives. For Christmas she got a travel bag, a date book, journal, and a new pen that the astronauts use. Don't know why anyone on Earth needs a pen that writes in microgravity, but it seemed to be a cool idea at the time. My pal is the union rep for security so I thought she could use a nice bag, like this one, but in cream (and of course on sale) for carrying around paperwork and stuff.

Tomorrow should be a great day, in the morning there is a holiday concert which I'll take preK and 3rd grade to see, then in the afternoon for the second show, I'll take 7th and 5th grade. A 7th grader is singing a solo, he has the voice of a professional, too bad he is so out of control in the classroom, if he gets his act together, music could be his salvation. One of my Library Assistants is playing an elf and she is so excited, at the end of the show, Santa, played by the principal, comes out escorted by all the elves. I imagine the noise from the little ones will be deafening.

Tonight, Alan went to Melissa's work party, yesterday Melissa went shopping with him to pick out what he would wear and also to get his hair cut. When I got home he was running around after his shower, trying to act as if he was too cool for this but of course he fooled only himself.

A few years ago, he was invited to a party with her and on the invitation it said 'casual elegance' , my smarty pants kid wore a shirt from work with his name on it so in his words 'no one would have to guess who he was' Turns out the party was in a mansion where her aunt lives, had valet parking, and servers who were in tuxedos wearing gloves serving the food. Alan was impressed with the house, the people, the food, and the presentation, it was the first time he had ever been to a home where people paid professionals to decorate for a party. Alan had a great time, felt like he fit in fine, and as it turns out, was loved by her family. Her uncle even gave him a tour of the whole house from attic to basement. We met them at graduation along with Melissa's parents, they were all very personable and they seemed to really like our Alan. Go figure. I guess when you are comfortable in your own skin it shows, both Alan and her family fit that description. He's been spending lots of time at her home, and her here, she is a sweetie and keeps Alan grounded, most of the time.

At last

Time, where does it go? It's now Sunday evening and all is well.
Its been a short month time wise since I posted.

Now to catch up...
Eric is in his new home, the outpouring of well wishes from those who know him and Maia was phenomenal to say the least, food baskets, cards, gifts, expertise, and time from their friends. Today he stopped over, looked like the walking dead, UPS is in its busiest time of year and he's working until past 10 every night, then went to the company party, boy does he look it!

Alan and Melissa did some of my shopping today, it was so nice since I wanted a gift from Bordentown and also needed a few things in Flemington. We split the distance. Its so nice to have help.

Two weeks ago, Alan bought a new (to him) truck, he's been feeling guilty using his work truck after hours even though the boss said go ahead and use it. Anyway, Dave took him over to the dealer to pick it up and saw a sign outside of the Toyota dealer advertising a hybrid sale, long story short, we stopped in and I drove out with a Prius. a big difference from the Volvo but fun in a different way, especially going to the gas station!

Last week there was an ad in the paper for puppies, we replaced Florence, our lovely Saint Bernard who passed away in June '06 with Rosie (or Roselita) a little white chihuahua, she's 4 months old, weighs in at 4.2 lbs and the vet said she may hit 5 but probably will stay near this size. She's a definite lap dog, Vickie and Rosie are starting to play and chase each other around, they share food and it looks like it will be a good fit. Dolly could care less, as long as she is getting fed we could bring in a thousand new dogs and Dolly would be fine with it.

Rutgers, oh Rutgers, two more classes and it will be done, this semester had one useful class in library magagement, and one that was a waste of money and time, Field Experience, that would be like making a teacher with two years expereince go back and student teach. I wish they had another class for those who were already working as librarians, more than half the class fit that description so it would be a viable option for Rutgers to allow a little lee-way.
I am looking forward to Children's Lit to Movies and will take cataloging as the last two classes, then it will be all over. I really made some great friends in the program and despite of myself and the Rutgers road blocks, have learned both useful and nonesensical things. Once again, I learned how not to treat students, one of the best lessons from undergrad, the first masters' and this one.

On knitting... found a great baby sweater pattern that goes pretty fast, picked up some pretty lime green yarn today for my cousin, Darcy's first baby due sometime between Dec 9 and 19 so hopefully it will be done before the baby goes to kindergarten. She didn't want to know boy or girl which limits the yarn choices, I'll try to remember to get a picture before sending it off to the little one in California.

Time to go and get the holiday cards written so they can be mailed tomorrow, too.