I have finished my portfolio for my National Boards certification renewal. It must be postmarked by tomorrow, which is exactly what the postmark will say since I just now completed the insane process of assembling and labeling the sucker. I won't find out until October (!!) if I got renewed or if I have to redo some aspect of the portfolio, but it turns out that I'm quite proud of it. Huh. Who knew? I wanted to share with you all since you've been so supportive of me (and teaching in general). Thanks.

My resume is in serious need of an objective eye and a rewrite. I've lost the ability to determine what's necessary and what's just dreck.

If you are brave enough to take a look, shoot me an email at my profile addy. I'm willing to compensate you for your pain.

Today is my DH's 40th birthday (I robbed the cradle). The only thing he wants is to find Sassafras. Please repost the following link, which has a video he made last night while I slept, to FB, Twitter, whatever social media you use. It doesn't matter where you are, since we don't know where she it. You never know who might be the key to finding her again. Thanks. [link]

So, I'm trying to get rid of a lot of stuff, including cds/books/dvds. Those of you who've sold stuff online, do you have a site to recommend? Half.com, secondspin, something else? I'm not interested in swap.com because the goal is overall purging. I'm sure I'll end up donating/giving stuff away, but I can use all the cash I can get to make this move.

Ta, duckies.

So over the past few days my MiL has been going steadily downhill. She is at home and comfortable, there isn't much more we can do than that. If you can spare some ~ma, please send it her way. Thanks.

My MiL passed away in the wee hours of the morning. She had seen most of her family members throughout the day before, and I think she was at peace.

Cody, the kids, and I are doing OK. Both of our kids had big days planned, so we let the kids have their days and told them tonight. That was hard. But they are resilient creatures.

Thanks for all your kind thoughts these past few days, and for your support through all the years of her illness.

Hi, all! Our old friend Amy Parker's not around the board these days, but she wanted me to share with you all this important bit of information: her son Ken's now a university graduate as of this weekend!

(I'm fairly sure this involved some sort of Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome or something, as Ken's CLEARLY still about 12, but my disbelief in the passage of time aside, congrats to Ken!)

My wonderful, amazing Grandma appears to be, at long last, succumbing to the peaceful siren call of, well, you know. Death. She's had many close calls before, so no assumptions till the fat lady sings, but my mom seems to think that this is the end and will be coordinating with hospice care today to work out the best, um, transition situation.

Although she's 94 years old, and has been in full time nursing care since September, and has led a full, rich life full of friendship, love, and laughter, this really blows for her family who love her more than pretty much anyone else in the world ever.

So any vibes for a peaceful passing for Grandma and gentle grieving for all of us would be most appreciated, if you can spare them.

I'm recovering, but Aidan passed out on the playground today and was incoherent when he awoke. He's on his way to the emergency room and we'll know more whenever they get around to seeing him. More ~ma is requested, please.

Aidan's fine. They think he just had low blood sugar and needed a snack.