Yesterday (Tuesday), my colleagues and I were awaiting the bell at the end of our lunch period at 11:30 when the lights blinked off. And stayed off. Then the bell rang. Since the 7th and 8th graders were all in the windowless cafeteria, we realized we would be needed in that direction. Directives came over the PA for students to sit down...remain where they were...but they didn't. I got my door open and opened the blinds for maximum light...then took in the students that were "loose". (My room is at a hall intersection, so the light from my windows helped to light the hall a tiny bit.) Students in the hall were told to sit down where they were, etc., until we could get control of the situation. The halls were dark. The only lights were the exit signs. Little by little, students were released to return to their classrooms. Bathroom treks were supervised because we have automatic flush toilets that weren't flushing without power...and there are no windows in there. And so it went. Along about 12:30, my students noticed that the buses were gathering outside. There had been no announcement, but we had no choice but to dismiss. One assistant administrator used his locker key to unlock lockers in the darkest hall (since it was too black to see the combination dials). At 1:00, we dismissed for the day. I was thankful for the time off. I had things to do! (A couple of teachers told me that the power came back on 15 minutes later.)
When I got home, I considered a nap...but then considered that there were too many things to do in order to continue the packing for Florida. In the kids' absence, I was able to take out the wrapped packages and get them stashed in a big suitcase. Did a load of dishes and a couple loads of laundry. Etc. By this time, the mist that had been coming down was beginning to freeze on everything. It was getting slick out. Meg got home a full 30 minutes later than usual. (She had to scrape her car...and the Bursar's. Apparently the Bursar didn't have a scraper in her vehicle!) We had our supper...and so it went.
This morning, I was up getting Robin's lunch ready when I got the call that my school district was under a two-hour delay, due to icy road conditions. A few minutes later, we got an automated call from Plainfield indicating that they, too, were under a delay. With an extra two hours before school arrival time, I was able to slow down and take the morning as it came. Meg called Grandma Judy to say that the children would be later than usual and breakfasted. The kids could sleep in a little. Meg could leave for work a little earlier than normal in order to compensate for road conditions. I got everyone up and fed and delivered in plenty of time. All went well. I love it when a plan comes together!
Oh...and here's an adventure, too. When I was at my sister's over Thanksgiving, I managed to leave my Clinique (expensive) make-up base behind. I only use Clinique because Cover Girl discontinued my favorite foundation years ago, and I spent months and mucho $$ trying to find something I liked as well. I did have an old jar of foundation here with barely enough in it to cover my face for a week or two...but unfortunately, Clinique can only be purchased in the expensive department stores, the nearest of which is in Greenwood. I haven't had the time or energy to drive there just for make-up! I discovered a Clinique website from which I could order the stuff and hope that it would get here. Guess what? I ordered it on Saturday, and it was here yesterday. Yes! I'll never have to drive to find it again! I love the Internet!
Back to Florida preparations. It is getting to be Crunch Time!
No comments:
Post a Comment