I feel like I'm living in the land of Oz. Things don't seem real to me today. I got up with a weird feeling, like something just isn't right, and I haven't been able to shake it all day. Then this feeling of utter lonliness swept over me and it has begun to settle around me, too. I wonder if this is one of the things that Deacon Mike was referring to.

Another odd thing happened regarding Sam. I didn't really know him while we were in high school. We became reacquainted at the first inservice this year. I'm not sure I understand what's going on with him. I'm also not sure I want to discuss the weird thing that happened today. All I can say is that I really miss Q.

Mrs. Burns is pretty pissed off at me for not helping with buses yesterday. I figured she would be. She totally walked off after the second bell load got on the buses without saying a word to me. In the attempt to get all children out of the building due to weather alerts I had stayed in my room to see my own students to their buses. I'd asked about bus duty on the other side of the school only to be told that the grade level chairs would be out there helping with buses. I was assured that I was in the right place. But perhaps I asked the wrong person. Twice when I've been out the sub has not reported to do my bus duty and neither has any of the assistants. If I were Mrs. Burns I'd be a litte more than pissed, I'd be fuming.

I just talked to my bff, Thelma, about all that happened today. Her take on things was the same as mine. It's about obstacles being thrown in our paths. But it's also about our buttons being pushed. I think my weaknesses are known and more obstacles will appear. Thelma just warned me about letting people manipulate me with their opinions or, as she put it, "Be careful what you let people pour into your life." In other words, "take what you like and leave the rest."