Reality Check-Occasional Teaching is Occasional

       Yesterday was the first day of school!  I was so excited because it was also the first day that I could be called in as an Occasional Teacher.  The probability of teaching on the first day of the new school year is pretty low, but I thought, "I am going to be prepared." 
       I went to bed early, with my teaching clothes ready, Jeep filled with gas, lunch in the fridge, and teaching supplies beside the door.  Not a good idea!  I woke up at 2 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep, anxious about what the day might bring.  After reading for a couple of hours and falling asleep on the chair in the living room, I made my way back to bed. 
       I woke up at 6:45 a.m., an hour after the occasional teaching calls begin, and finally accepted the fact that no teacher misses the first day of school unless there are dire circumstances.  I don't wish that on anyone.  I rolled over for an extra half hour of sound sleep.

       Instead of occasional teaching, this is what I was able to accomplish on the first day of school:

• Phoned Mom and wish her a happy birthday
• Took a long walk down the road and visited with cottage neighbours spending their final days at the lake
• Organized rooms for the upcoming family reunion (this weekend!)
• Read the Ottawa Citizen, cover to cover
• Almost finished reading Daughters-in-Law, borrowed from my brother last weekend
• Completed half of the e-training for the Board of Education
• Helped my husband do the lake testing and rock collecting
• Signed up for a First Aid Instructor update in Ottawa
• Enjoyed a glass of wine while preparing dinner

       I am going to get this right.  Instead of expecting to be called in to teach and being disappointed, I will celebrate when I do get a call.  I am going to take advantage of the fine fall weather and maybe start thinking about Christmas!

In the meantime,

Bee Rich