First The New Thing Is Shiny.

Then, after you play with it for a while...not so much. The novelty wears off. That which was interesting and worth your attention, becomes all stale. Maybe even a little stinky.

The second week of school is always tougher than the first. You've already worn your new shoes and had a chance to see who got new haircuts. And, if you're lucky, one or two of the new cuts are way worse than the one you got. The focus is no longer on getting reacquainted and finding your locker. Now there is "real" work in class, not just those fun "getting to know you" activities. There is even homework. This isn't something all new and exciting. This is just a "routine."

The bloom? She is off the rose. And there are many metaphorical miles to go until the Thanksgiving break. There's a long weekend for Columbus Day and Halloween can sometimes provide an interesting diversion. But that's about it.

If Ms. Sheep is sitting at the big desk by the chalkboard having these types of thoughts, can you just imagine what the poor kids are thinking? It seems a little early in the school year to be crossing days off the calendar. I don't want to be setting a bad example or anything. But, the realization that the next summer vacation is very, very, very far away is a harsh one.

It is probably not all that surprising, given that I have only just figured out that I have to work every day like a "real" grown up, to hear that I had a little difficulty getting up and out of the house this morning. I am sure that I was just the very image of the Modern Professional Woman to anyone who happened to catch a glimpse of me fleeing my home this morning, jacket half on, glasses askew and a bagel clamped between my teeth. But, I made it to school on time and with half a travel mug of coffee in my system so I can honestly say that I won the game this morning.

There is a little excitement involved in seeing how I'll fare in this Getting To Work Like A Responsible Adult Tournament. (some prefer to call it The Running Of The Sheep) But, it doesn't really distract me from the fact that summer fun is well and truly over. At least not for very long...

I'm thinking that it may be time to revisit the knitting that has been so vexing me of late. Not that stupid, hard project that I have to keep ripping back. (I told you I couldn't knit lace...). But, maybe that nice, simple, boring scarf could come out of retirement. Sure, it's not all that exciting. But I'm knitting it out of my own handspun yarn and that has to count for something. Spinning yarn from scratch is hard and I get some credit for that on the scorecard, right?

Yes. I know I said it was a boring project. But, boring projects can move along pretty quickly. And that rather appeals to me right now. The school year doesn't seem to have that same "sprightly" quality.

It. Is. Sloooooooooow...

SA