The Adventures of Grover and Tylene: Tylene takes BACK her computer

My dear friends,

I must say that, when you live and travel with a little blue muppet that you give up certain comforts; the available to be invisible when traveling (everybody feels the need to stop and stare when he wants his picture taken) constant complaints about the travel conditions provided (I think stuffed in my purse is the best place for Grover...he won't get lost that way) and of course the freedom to write one's own blog entries. Little blue fingers sure have a lot to say!

In all seriousness, though, I wanted to take a moment or two to say thank you for the many prayers that have been sent my way. It's been a very stressful Spring, to say the least. I am thankful to have the support of great family and friends, both at home and here in Kuwait.

Recovery is on its way. I am finding many things to do to keep me busy (and quiet) now that I'm not at work. Okay, maybe "not at work" is a bit of a stretch, especially because between planning for my sub, report cards, running records and such, I will spend a good 20 hours at work this week.

My voice s about 2 octaves higher than it was last week, which means it's just about back to normal. It doesn't, however, last for very long. I usually get about a hour of "good talk" before I start to squeak and squawk. I can't complain...it's oodles better than it was. I am hoping, that when I return in the fall, I will be almost back to "full voice", minus the singing, of course. That little pearl will be a ways off yet. Hopefully next Spring I will, once again, be able to sing.

It might be a bad sign that my students were more happy to see me on Sunday when I went into the classroom, than I was to see them. Perhaps it is the fact that my darling 10 year olds have managed to go through four subs in 9 days. Or maybe it's the colossal mess I found when I went into work on the weekend. That'll teach me for being so darned responsible...sick leave apparently means "Don't go to school, it will must make you sicker!"

When not at school, or working working on school related things at home, I have been enjoying time with Henry and Ella. There are times that a half hour will pass by and all I have done is watch the two of them. As I write, dear Henry is curled up in the arm chair having a snooze. A fairly ordinary sight, but when I got Ella, she came with a huge stuffed puppy with floppy ears and big paws. Henry is all nestled, snuggling close with Ella's puppy. He is far too darling when he is sleeping. If only he was a little more personable when he's awake.

And Ella..well, the dear girl is probably sleeping on top of the shelf in the bathroom. Either that or she's propped her little head on MY pillow...something she does regardless of whether I'm actually using the pillow or not. It is entirely possible that my dear kitties have a little too much freedom. In recent weeks, Ella has taken to taking the potpourri from my decorative jars. She then chases it around the apartment as though she is a fierce wild cat. When the "victim of the moment" ends up under the couch, she'll hop up onto the table to get herself another piece. It would appear that as she got to the bottom of the far, the piece were less desirable. As a result, she'd spill the remnants on the table and bat them onto the floor.

After cleaning up her mess a dozen or so times, I finally decided I could part with the potpourri. I was quite amused when, after a little nap, she hopped up onto the table to find her "toys" only to realize the jar was empty. She scooped at the air, looked at me, scooped some more and then decided to bite Henry's ear. Such a lady, she is.

I've also been knitting...actually, I've been "finishing" a piece, only to realize I forgot the part that said "continue until you reach 17.5 inches. As such, I ended up ripping out about 40 rows. Was not happy. Oh well, I'd made an error or two...this allows me time to fix it, right!

I've also started back to tutoring this week. I will make a little money before I come home. Not working has put a hamper on my frivolous spending habits. No quick weekend get-away to Dubai before I go home (not that I was planning on it, but it would be nice to have things like extended sick leave or short term disability...oh the joys of my job.)

And I suppose that's the week in review. I'm sure Grover would be quick to say that his blog was much more entertaining than mine, and that might be the case. However, the reality is that I am the animate object here, as such, I get the last word. So there. That'll teach the little fuzzy blue guy. (I need serious help!)

Only 17 more sleeps, I believe, until I come home! Whoot whoot. Oooh, only 16...the 17th sleep will be ON THE PLANE. Oh the excitement never ends. I am really looking forward to coming home. 10 months is too long!!! Word on the street is that I'd best bring my woolies. We've been having temps in the high 40s. I believe we even hit 50 in the last few days. A drop of 20 - 30 degrees is going to feel a wee bit like winter.

Until next time, sending much love...

Tylene (and Grover)