After a few days of recycling, dusting off the piano's keyboard, organizing stickers, hiding my stacks of papers, and general tidying, the music studio is officially ready for this fall's students.
Back to school!
September is always such a big shift back into a routine. I love my job, but it still feels strange having to say "I'm working..." all the time. Regardless, I'm excited to see my students and to hear about how their summers have gone.
And my favourite thing about back to school is new clothes. Even though I'm not attending classes, I couldn't resist getting one new thing while out shopping with Elize the other day. A dress with polka dots!
It has ruffles. Something about a buttoned up front that looks like a cheesy 70s tuxedo gets me every time.
The new dress becomes Pashley very well.
And we're back to the grind. Taking Dougal out for his run (he's in the bottom of the picture) before a day full of students and music.
I'm curious, what's "the grind" like for non self-employed home-based business people?
14 comments:
For me, the "grind" usually includes a bike ride through morning fog dripping from redwood trees, then arriving bleary eyed at the office until I stumble into the coffee machine.
Yokota - That sounds beautiful, and also highly accurate:) During the summer the first order of business in the morning was:
1. Change Dexter's diaper.
2. Turn on espresso machine
3. Feed Dexter breakfast.
4. MAKE LATTE
5. Play on computer until Dexter notices I'm not paying attention to him.
I like your grind. My grind is school drop off etc. Today after being a bike slump- I bikes 7.96 miles. was faboulous. To 2nd grade- to coffee and pharmacy- to school again- to pharmacy to return wrong epipen- to drug store for cheese cloth for hubby's jam making- to home. To ( walk) bus stop- to home and lunch- to farmers market for meat share- home again.
Lovely images.
love the polka dots!~!
unfortunately for me, the daily "grind" is a bit more strenuous. September is one of our busiest months in the Navy, as we're deep in training the new batch of senior enlisted leaders. days are long...!
we start with PT (pushups, situps, running, that sort of thing) at 0530, and with a 10 mile commute I really need to be pedaling by 0445 at the latest. some days I have to fly for training, some days it's all desk work. i usually manage to be leaving the hangar this time of the year by 7pm.
i still ride, though. bleary-eyed and tired, i still ride. That 45-50 min in the morning and again at night is my sanctuary. it's my time to breathe, to relax. people don't get it -- they think i'm masochistic, or that I'm trying to "prove something" but riding even when my schedule sucks. but i ride because i NEED it to stay sane! :)
Oh, Sarah...
...from one educator to another...I *LOVE* this post.
I, too, have bought a new dress for the upcoming school year...haa haa!...and expect to wear it just like you did: wit cute stockings and flats!
I think we teachies need little bits and pieces of *fun* here and there come september when we start to realize our beautiful, beautiful SuMMeR is over, and the grindy grind is back in full swing.
I'm only subbing now, but hopefully - by some miracle - I'll be offered my own classroom by next year.
[...and hopefully that classroom is biking-distance away!! :) A girl can dream, can't she??]
Happy 2010-2011 School Year KICK-OFF!
I'm a history professor so the grind for me is learning how to ride my bike in my pencil skirts again, after a summer of wearing shorts and working at home. I love back-to-school season, though, and I definitely make an excuse to buy new school clothes each September!
Love the polka dots.
i love your polka dot dress!!! the sheer-ness is so nice :)
i'm self-employed and don't have kids - i can't help but feel a twinge of jealously when the back to school anticipation starts for everyone.
have a great fall!!
there is no "back to the grind" since I don't get the summer off. I'm not a teacher and thus - have to work all year round. I do get 4 weeks vacation a year ... but that's it.
Last time I managed to take 2 weeks off and go scuba diving in the Cayman islands - when I got back it was brutal especially since it was back to Ottawa and -35 weather!
Mornings are good. Wake up at 6;30 - pick-up packed bags and lunches from the night before and go to the gym. Bike there is I can.
Workout (cardio), shower, head up to coffee shop, go to work (same building as gym).
Lunch - workout (weights), then eat and back to work.
Finish at 5:30 - bike home, dinner ... chill ... enjoy my evening.
i live/work by several schools (grade schools, high schools, and universities). start of the school year apparently means finding the perfect time to leave after the school buses have dropped off all the grade school kids and before the university students bike commute to class. apparently they are both unpredictable. i am looking forward to not having to change clothes as the weather gets cooler.
Mama - So many trips! Good for you for not just giving up and driving everywhere. Heart.
Hayley - OMG. That's a crazy schedule! Did I ever leave a comment on your blog where you posted a photo of your bike room? Man, Dexter could EAT off that floor.
I know what you mean about the ride. Today it was spattering rain and generally unpleasant, but still... seeing the little drops of rain collect on my helmet's visor? Strangely soothing.
Ann Marie - The pencil skirts are so challenging. My knees always knock together when I'm peadaling... but pencil skirts are the bomb.
happyd - I love being self-employed. My own boss!
Sonja - Having the summer off is definitely the highlight of my work schedule, but there's something to be said about not working until 9 pm during the week nights and then working on Saturdays too. Sigh.
Ridonkulus - School busses are the worst. I can't stand getting caught in a leap frog game with those guys.
Now as a school administrator I work in the summer (miss that aspect of my teaching days), but the school year DOES bring a new grind with three kiddos. After a much slower pace with less have-to's in the summer, we suddenly have a frantic pace HAVING TO get to many places (school, music lessons, soccer, etc.) ON TIME. Breakfast, clothes, brushed teeth, shoes, lunch boxes, bike helmets, pant, pant, pant...
not related to your post (although it was lovely to read), but what size is your brooks saddle? i'm updating my bicycle and i'm not sure what size saddle to purchase based on the photos online. thanks so much. ep
sara - PANT indeed!
erin - The website says "Antique brown Brooks B66s"
It's the Brooks that just came with.
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