Five days.

That's how long H has been away so far and we are getting along just fine. Of course, there are still almost three weeks until he is home, so we'll see if my cheery attitude lasts! D is doing better, although her teeth are a bit sore now since she just had her braces adjusted (and bands added to the back molars) on Thursday. I have stopped giving her any ibuprofen, because it was making me nervous that she had been taking it so much. She seems fine, though- it's so hard to know with her because she tends to be very dramatic about being sick or injured. I have to just kind of watch her when she's not thinking about it and see how she does- like on Thursday, I kept her home from a field trip and she had her sling off and was using her left arm to do some sewing projects. And this morning, she ate some shredded wheat (I offered to make oatmeal), so clearly her teeth aren't that sore. She did wake up during the night, but instead of giving her meds, I just let her sleep in my bed (I knew that would comfort her). I just hope she doesn't decide to do that every night!

H had a rough first couple of days back in Very Distant Country. The steripen he bought to take with him is not working properly, so he got sick. They had car problems and are trying to sort out transportation now. Hopefully things will go more smoothly, but I still worry about him. I found a great calling deal that's even cheaper than the Skype-type program H usually uses- plus it's like a calling card, so you just use your phone instead of the computer and headset. It looks like I am able to call for about 3 cents a minute- which is CHEAP!

Work-wise, things are not starting out in a promising way. I have some obligations that are keeping me working (proposal, summer intern), but I haven't done anything else. To be fair, H just left Monday and my student just arrived, so we don't really get started until next week. That proposal that I am helping with is due Tuesday, so after that, I can focus on what the student will be doing and what I should be doing myself. I did manage to clean out and organize my office at work- I want to do the same here at home, but so far that hasn't happened. I feel like my days are very chopped up with having to drive D to and from school (and walk in with her so she doesn't have to carry her backpack). Taking her to the bus stop and just watching for her to get home was much easier! They have another field trip on Tuesday, so I have to go with her or keep her home again. Some friends were going to go do something nice for a friend that morning, so I can't go- unless I keep her home again and just take her with me. Ugh. Why do they cram in so many field trips at the end of the year like this? I'm just glad she is almost done- I do not care for her teacher at all this year and won't be sad to leave her behind.*

*She has been mean to D when her braces hurt and when dealing with her arm in a sling- nice, huh?