Weekend Update

I know, it's not really the weekend yet, but it is for me. I've used the odd vacation day here and there throughout the summer to get some weekends off for triathlons and other events (including another to come), so I can't take a full break right now. Generally I try to get some time off in May, August, and December, though, so this four-day weekend I'm taking is my big vacation until the holidays. No trips or anything special planned, but I'm hoping to get the house cleaned before hosting some friends over Labor Day weekend. Also rest some and maybe get back to working out a bit.

The ankle is not normal yet, but it's much better. At first it was hugely swollen. Then elevating it at night started paying off. It would be much improved in the morning, only to blow back up during the course of each day. The more swollen it was the more it hurt, and my only thought each evening was to get off it. I've gradually gotten to the point that now it's only slightly swollen at night and basically looks normal each morning. It still hurts to touch and can be tender, but walking feels normal and I don't think about it most of the time any more. I was able to wear a shoe for an hour to mow the lawn on Monday and am ready to try a longer period this weekend. That will determine whether I can bike or not, otherwise it will be walking the dogs in sandles and/or swimming. Either way I've got to get active again before I gain any more weight.

I was planning on competing in the Jackson County Triathlon this Sunday, but that's out. We'll have to wait and see about the Midwest Meltdown on september 10. After that the local triathlon season is about over.

Besides the "vacation" and ankle, I have another update I don't think I've shared with anyone yet. Camera-Gal and Hadrian aren't the only new students. Tonight I had the orientation for my MASL (Master of School Leadership) program at Baker's KC-area campus. I started off intending to be a high school English teacher and ended up as a library media specialist. After doing that for four years I wanted a change and ended up in my current public library position. That was four years ago. I knew my teacher certification was scheduled to run out on my birthday last November, but thought I had a 5-year certificate. I had both taught and taken classes during the previous 5 years, and either would have been enough to recertify me. When I went to do the paperwork, though, I realized I only had a 3-year certificate. I hadn't taken classes or worked in a school during the 3 years, so it ran out. Now it's going to be much tougher to get back. The only way now is with a number of education hours. Instead of just taking random classes, I decided it would make more sense to take something toward a degree. If I was going to get a degree, I might as well get one that opens up more job options. There's probably no way I'll be able to get the hours of Directed Field Experience in a school unless I'm working in one, so who knows if I'll finish it, but I'll be attending class one night a week for at least the next few semesters.