It's Friday ... thank goodness!

Coming off nine weeks of summer vacation and returning to a full time work schedule can be quite difficult. Waa, waa, get over it!  Yes, I know.  I wouldn't have much sympathy for me either.  The truth is, I work really hard when I do work.  Most teachers do.  We're not in it for the money (good thing).  We don't do it for the summer vacation.  We do it because we enjoy being with children and find it very rewarding to teach.  It's that simple.  

After two decades in the classroom (crap, I am getting old!), I work harder now than ever before.  Today I graded a mandatory set of math tests that had 50 problems each, recorded the data with the district office, met with my grade level partner to analyze the results, and then graded a separate math test that was supposed to diagnose the students' current math level.  I did all of this during my lunch break and after the kids had gone home.  This of course doesn't even begin to describe what I did during the rest of the day.

I know you're wondering what this has to do with dressage, endurance, or even equine health.  I have a point. Really, I do.  What I wanted to say was that even after a week of loooong days and temperatures in the 100 degree range, I still went to the barn each afternoon.  I rode Monday and Tuesday.  I took a lesson on Wednesday.  I checked both horses on Thursday and discovered that Sydney had whacked his hind legs in his stall and had some surface scratches to go along with his puffy leg.  I am writing this on Thursday evening, but my plan is to head to the barn on Friday after work to recheck Sydney's leg and give Speedy some treats.

Even with all of these barn visits and a lesson, I still managed to cook dinner and spend time with hubby.  And to top off an already long and hectic week, I also have a show on Sunday.  

I will say this: I am sleeping really well!