They're Back!

Well I made it through my first week of school. It didn't go too badly either. Just a few minor bumps on the road to another year at Allison. I don't think I have many good stories yet of kids doing nice things. I do have a group of sisters in kindergarten to look forward to. I'm pumped about them. They are really cute. Other than some kids that were absolutely horrible my week wasn't too bad. My room is still looking awesome. Oh and I'm still so organzied and ahead on my lessons! I'm really proud of that fact. Plus, it is seeming to be less stressful because my lessons are done and I'm not rushing around in the morning working on them. I'm looking forward to working with some of my students again this year. Oh and it appears that I'm going to be in on the ballroom dancing again. I loved this opportunity last year, but my students did not. I am not sure what I'm going to do with it this year. Oh well, I guess at least I know what I'm getting myself into this year.

I still have the brace on my ankle and unfortunately it looks like it will still be when I go to the doctor on Wednesday. I am thinking that he will tell me I need and MRI to take a look at other things going on with my foot. I spent so much time telling all my students about it that I'm so sick of explaining it. I told them all about it when I was wearing the boot and then I had to tell them all again when it went to just the brace. I'm sure they will all keep asking about it as well. It is also amazing to me that they are all still asking about Blaine and where he is. I thought for sure that they would have forgotten it by now. They are funny when asking me about it.

Blaine is doing well this week too. He said that it is usually much hotter than the weather says on the internet. He said that it seems to just be getting hotter and hotter. When I talked to him today he seemed really busy still too. Crazy to think that we still have 6 more months until he comes back. It seems like forever.

Well I guess that's all for now. I'm trying to figure out what kind of ice cream to make for our freeze off this weekend so if you have any thoughts let me know. I'm looking for a winning recipe to get the trophy. I'll post about what the doctor tells me on Wednesday probably. Unless I find out nothing. Have a great week everyone! And a great weekend if I'm not back before then and we don't talk! Be safe!

P.S. I love you and I'm dying for you to be here and give me a hug again! Be safe.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I chuckled when writing the title for this post. Amy has been joyfully walking around singing that song for awhile now. If you haven't already seen the Staples commercial this year then you are missing out. Each year around back to school time there is a commercial put out by Staples about schools starting back up. Amy just gets a kick out of Mom and I having to get up early again and that we have to go back to work.

I for one am ready to go back to school. I am in desperate need of some distractions and something to do with my time now. I will soon be filling my blog with stories from school again. I'm sure that this year will be one to remember. There has been a huge turnaround of staff and admin in our school this year. And on Tuesdays I do not teach any music classes! Who knows what I'm going to be doing with my time then, but I will soon find out. Tomorrow is the teacher's first day and then the students start on Tuesday. My room is in the same place as last year and I'm excited about it. Things have been moved around a bit for me and I've improved some things from last year. I'm making a huge goal of staying more organized this year too! I'll keep you posted on how that goes.

Last weekend my girlfriends and I headed to Indy for a night on the town at Howl At The Moon. It's a piano bar in downtown and if you've never been there I highly recommend it! The piano players are simply amazing and the whole staff puts on a super show the whole night. A big THANK YOU goes out to my aunt for letting us crash at her house that night. It was so nice to get to go back to a house instead of a hotel. We were able to hang out, eat some snacks, and sleep as late as we'd like. It worked out great for everyone and we had a total blast. Check out my picasa page for pictures! http://picasaweb.google.com/gellert.k

I'm still wearing the boot around on my foot for a few more days and then I'm going to be back in the brace for a week until I go back to the doctor again. This foot thing is really getting quite old and the worst part is that it is looking like I am going to need surgery as soon as possible on my right foot. All I can say is beware of the curbs in Norwood!

Blaine is doing well and is finally settling in at the BIAP. Sounds like he will actually be staying there for awhile now. Last week they headed back to Rusty for a day for the memorial for the 2 soldiers that were killed. I am pretty sure that was a really tough day for the entire unit. He has been working so hard lately and has been having less and less time for himself. I know he has been enjoying some of the Olympics though.

I guess that's all I have for everyone now. Take care of yourselves and maybe I'll have some good stories about school early this week. I'm sure something funny will happen when the kids see my boot. Have a great week! Please keep both of us in your prayers! We are going through a very stressful time for the two of us as a couple.

P.S. I love you! I miss you!! I can't wait till you are home with me! (Only 188 days)

Song of the moment

I have always been one to believe that music can be found to fit any emotion, or situation in life. The song for me that fits this moment in time is in my playlist at the side. It's called Shine Your Light by Robbie Robertson. I highly recommend it. If you have high speed internet check it out sometime.

Two fallen heroes

I began this post to share with you about things going on in Blaine's deployment. I guess now comes the hard part where I have to share sad news with all of you. Some of you if not most of you have already heard through the news and word of mouth that 2 men in Blaine's unit were killed Monday. According to the press release by the FRG, Sergeant Gary Henry and Spc. Jonathan Menke died of wounds suffered when debris from an improvised explosive device (IED) detonation on an overpass fell onto their vehicle. A third soldier, Spc. John Blickenstaff was injured in the same vehicle. He was cared for in the field and due to the great care he recieved he survived and is doing well. When I talked to Blaine today he said that Blickenstaff was awarded the purple heart while in the hospital in Germany. These men were not assigned to Blaine's platoon, however their unit is very close and small enough that everyone knows everyone else. I know that Blaine has taken this to heart and that the rest of the unit has as well. They will all spend some time together this week and have a memorial for the soldiers before they return to the states. Blaine seems to be dealing with this alright. I know that we will all worry for him and the other soldiers in the 38th. They have truly lost 2 family members and 2 families will be missing them here as well. The following links will lead you to articles about the soldiers.

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/LOCAL/808070441/-1/ARCHIVE

http://madisoncourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=178&SubsectionID=961&ArticleID=45564&TM=59065.82

We all knew that these things were a possibility and I know that we all prayed that it was something we wouldn't have to deal with. I know that this will make things more difficult for awhile but I truly believe that best thing for use to do right now is be sure to keep everyone in our thoughts and prayers. Especially the families of the fallen soldiers. If you have any questions about things that happened I'm going to ask you to send them to me and not Blaine. I know that he would be more likely to know the answer more in depth but there are a lot of things that he can't tell you and I think that right now he may not want to talk about the situtation. When we have briefly discussed it I know that he feels it is too soon to talk about. But I think that is to be expected. Not to mention he has so much going on for himself with his new location and trying to keep everything in order with his platoon and making sure his own soldiers are doing alright.

On a lighter note I will be updating my picasa pictures tonight as well. http://picasaweb.google.com/gellert.k
I never added pictures from the 4th of July so they will be up. Also pictures from our trip to the Bodies exhibit and of Jessica Doll and Nick Weilers wedding. If you are reading this before 8:30am on Friday do me a favor and say a quick prayer for me today. I'm taking a graduate exam on Friday at 8:30 in order to be admitted to Xavier for grad school. Other than that I'm looking forward to a night out on the town with my girlfriends on Saturday night. Oh and I got my hair cut short again! It's great.

I guess I will end by asking you all to say a prayer for the families and friends of Sgt. Henry and Spc. Menke. Please say a prayer for the soldiers too. Oh and for Blaine and the other members of the 38th MP Co. Thats a lot of requests, but I really feel that it is important.

P.S. I love you Blaine....and I'm so proud of you...only 198 days till we are together again.

Long time again...yep I know

Hope everyone is doing alright this week. It has been a long time since I posted. Sorry for the delay...I'm just not feeling like doing it right now. Anyways not really much good stuff to report on my end of life here. Just getting ready for school and to take the MAT on Friday.

Blaine is at a new place in Iraq again. He moved since the last time that I posted about a new address and I really have it now. So I guess we'll see how long he stays at this place. If you want the address just let me know and I can get it to you. LOL I say that everytime and nobody ever does....guess I just feel the need to offer. Anyways hope you all have a good weekend. Till later....