day 21: frustration at its finest

a.) McK and R are, at this very moment, having a good ole' argument. No voices are raised. No yelling. Just a lot of verbal jabs. The topic for this spat? The music in their cd player....which is in their shared bedroom. Which is supposed to be quiet music to put them to sleep. McK chose the cd of Disney Princess Lullabies, the same cd that I played in all three girls' nurseries to lull them to sleep each night. Haven't listened to that one for a loooooong time. Quite honestly, it makes me sentimental (and sad). R thinks it's baby music. So she reads a book aloud. Which makes McK mad, cause she can't hear her music. Then R hollers for me, because her book is falling apart. Then McK wants the light off. R wants it on. R turns on her Leapster, which pleases her because it drowns out the music. Which irritates McK. Oh my word.

b.) There is a stack of literature tests in my school bag just begging to be graded. X's to be marked, A +'s to be given, stickers to be placed at the top. One class set is done, one more to go. Why did grading papers seem so cool before I became a teacher? Why do I want to toss and turn in bed in hopes of falling asleep instead of grade those tests? Why do I procrastinate so much?

c.) It's April 5th. Yes, I've known that all day, since I wrote it on the board in my classroom this morning. But I didn't really realize it. Today is my grandpa's 82nd birthday, and I didn't call him. Now it's too late. Yes, I sent his present (a poem the girls and I wrote for him) in the mail on time, but I should've remembered to call. For how many more birthdays will he be around for me to be able to wish him a happy day? World's best granddaughter.

d.) At 1:15 this afternoon, my phone vibrated. Text from Aaron. While I was using a video to teach my 7th graders poetry terms and having them take notes. What I would've given to be able to call him at that very moment instead of lecture about onomatopoeias and alliteration and assonance (a term that you know is bound to get some snickers from those middle school students).

e.) The list technically doesn't stop there, but it will for tonight. The rest are my own to deal with.