Hello all! As the subject line suggests, I'm in the midst of a 4 day weekend, and I hardly know what to do with myself! Got most of my chores done yesterday, so I'm ready to play...
This week was not as sleep deprived as the last. I DID take on a project that kept me late at work most days (who me, take on extra projects? never!). I'd pitched at "Back to School" week, with news-you-can-use stories about getting ready to get your kids back in school. That turned into a "Back to School" two weeks...so I had extra planning, phone calls, and in some cases field producing to do. So far, they're going well...getting on the air and playing in multiple shows...so at least I'm meeting my goals.
Speaking of back to school: Mercutio is ready! We got his placement 10 days ago...our 4th choice out of 4. Went to the central office and put in a transfer request, and Jeff cut through some of the red tape in the magnate office and got an application in there. The crazy thing is, they won't even tell us if the transfer's been approved or denied for 15 days...that means AFTER school starts. So, to find out what we were getting ourselves (our son) into, we met with the principal at the school he'd been assigned to. She was very nice, and helped answer many of the questions we had. Turns out, we kind of got assigned to a magnate school, without applying. Byck Elementary is a Waldorf-style school. Most of the teachers are certified Waldorf specialists...and people actually choose to go there because of that. It seems a little hippy-dippy, touchy-feely (even for me), but the weekly evaluations the teacher's do make me feel better about Mercutio's needs being met. I'm most worried about him getting bored, because when that happens you don't know what he'll do: check out, cause trouble, vibrate in place...your pick. Byck's got a lot of things going for it, though, and I'm trying to look beyond the low test scores (the principal explained why and what-for about those). On the upside, it's a very diverse school, both racially, ethnically (they have a special ESL program, with children who've immigrated from Asia and Africa) and socioeconomically; it has what's called an Advanced Program, where if Merc is pacing ahead of his classmates in any subject a special teacher comes in to work with him; and the Waldorf ideals have the kids learn through movement and art, with the boy loves.
He's a little nervous about starting at a new school. Jeff and I have talked to him about how many times we did it as kids, and how he'll make friends, etc. I think he's most nervous about riding the bus. We've talked about that too, so hopefully the fears won't get too big. Our bus stop is about 2 blocks away from the house, and we've walked the route, and driven by it several times to make it familiar. We got the last of his uniforms and school supplies this weekend...and boy did he need new shoes! He's been wearing flip flops all summer (or going barefoot) and when he had to put on his tennis shoes I'm surprised he didn't cry out! The new ones are flashy, and after running up and down the aisles at Target, he's given them the "I can run fast in them" seal of approval. Buying a belt for a skinny-mini is interesting, though...
We're still trying to get our bearings as to places to become "regulars" in Louisville. Sure, we're regulars at Krispy Kreme (duh), and I stop at Cafe Beignet every Saturday (duh x2), but we haven't found a butcher yet, or a grocery store that can satisfy all our foodie requests. Kroger is good for regular stuff, but finding some of the Asian or Mediterranean ingredients, or even some of the things good ole Mario Batali has in my new favorite cookbook "Malto Italiano". I highly recommend it, and I'm considering doing a Julie/Julia-like challenge of myself to cook everything in the book. Yummo. I am going to do a little research since I have time this loooong weekend, hunting down a good market...
The reason I'm home for 4 days: we're launching a Sunrise Weekend starting next weekend...and until staffing issues are all shaken out, I'm producing it. Wish me luck, because I have nothing on the books yet. Haven't gotten all the information I need to put together a template. Hope that's in by Wednesday...or I might have to truly wing it (not good for a producer in TV news, believe me).
We're planning a trip to Holiday World Monday. Should be fun, and I've promised that I'd ride several swirly-gig-type rides...hope I don't lose my lunch!
That's all that's going on in our world right now. Not much, when you think about it...but too much when you just don't want to go outside into the humid-smelly-hot world.
