The Party Bus #SOLC

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Two Writing Teachers
(beep beep!)

When I started working at my current school, I wasn't sure how many people would share my westward commute.  Once I got to know my co-workers, I discovered one drove past my house to get to school.  Then another co-worker and I realized we live just down the road from each other.

This year, the three of us decided to carpool once per week, and The Party Bus was born.

There are a few Party Bus rules:

1. What is said in The Party Bus stays in The Party Bus.
2. If you're driving, you choose where we stop for coffee.
3. No one keeps track of who drove or bought coffee.  
4. We try to leave at 6:45 a.m., but there is no penalty for lateness.
5. No apologizing.

The Party Bus has been a safe place for us to vent, strategize and just laugh.  The ride goes so much faster when you're discussing how to improve your classroom management, inspire a co-worker, or win an argument with a pre-schooler.

I highly recommend carpooling with a co-worker, or two, to help manage your teacher stress and feel supported in this rewarding (yet exhausting) job.

Hop on The Party Bus!  (Beep beep!)

Image from Clipart Panda

Slow Saturdays #SOL16 19/31

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Two Writing Teachers

Saturdays start when I wake up and decide to venture into the kitchen for breakfast.  I make a coffee and froth the milk so it's fluffy and scramble some eggs.

I open the blinds and read Friday & Saturday's newspapers as I listen to the birds chirping.

As I sip my coffee slowly, I take note of all the fun things to do in the paper, wondering what I should put on the calendar.  (We should get tickets for Aladdin the musical!  I must tell Allison about the Family Pet Expo!)

Laundry is started, sports scores are noted, and Twitter is checked.  Today I ran some errands and cleaned out my car.

Jeff likes to get lunch out on Saturday, and then we'll take a drive somewhere.  Today's adventure took us to the outlet mall (purses!!!) and then a side trip into Geneva.

Snack time!  I enjoyed a decadent mocha and a few bites of apple pie at the All Chocolate Kitchen.  We won't need dinner until much, much later tonight.

Now that the girls are grown and managing their own calendars, I relish my slow Saturdays!

Front seat driver SOLC #15

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Two Writing Teachers

Today Little Sister/Student Driver, Allison, wanted to drive the 2.4 miles to my husband's office.  Big Sister/Licensed for 18 Months, Lindsey, made a face.  "I'm not getting in the car with her," stated Lindsey, as she got in the passenger seat.

"She was a willing and quiet passenger as you learned to drive," I told Lindsey as I handed Allison the keys to the car and slid into the backseat.

"Humpf," sighed Lindsey.

"Let's go!" I sang.

Allison adjusted her seat, the side mirrors and the rearview mirror.  Lindsey had to make a comment for each adjustment.

"Can't we just go?  The mirror is fine!  Start the car already!"

Allison kept quiet. She didn't turn enough for Lindsey's liking as she backed out of the driveway.

"Move it back.  Let's go.  Ugh.   You stopped too fast."

I kept quiet in the back, sipping my coffee.

"Do I turn left?" Allison asked.

"Are you kidding?" Lindsey asked.

"Head to Dad's office.  Remember where to go?" I asked.

At mile one, I slid the window open to try and get some warm-ish air in the car.

"See?  Your driving is making Mom carsick!" Lindsey exclaimed.

"I'm fine!" I sang from the back.  "The car smells musty.  I'm trying to get fresh air."

"Humpf," replied Lindsey.

As we pulled in the parking lot after our 4-minute ride, Lindsey launched out of the car before Allison had it in park.

"Did I really drive that badly?" asked Allison.

"Nope," I answered.  "But now you're prepared for your driving test.  The DMV employees aren't nearly as surly as your sister today!"