Every Monday is the same. There isn’t much point writing about it.

The alarm goes off at 5:30, I moan and doze through the first song that is being played. I force myself to get out from under the covers, go to the kitchen, start the coffee, feed the cat, go to the computer and fire that up, and turn on the television to watch the news and weather.

I read my e-mail, hoping that Michael will have written (not since last Tuesday), then hit the shower.

I try to be speedy, but that doesn’t often happen. Then it’s coffee, makeup, hair, dress, more coffee (to go), turn off the computer and television and am out the door by seven.

By 7:30 I’m in my office.

It never changes. Unless I stop at Dunkin’ Donuts for coffee. That just means a five minute stop.

Once I get to the office I spend an hour making sure that my paperwork is finished and notifying teachers if my schedule has changed because of testing . (It almost always has). Then I check to be sure that all the papers and lessons I’ve planned for the kids are run off. By that time I have to start going to classes.

It doesn’t change. It’s tedious and repetitive.

About the only thing that might change is the kid I’m testing, the parent I’m meeting or the times of the tests and meetings.

There is just about no variety and no room for change.

I don’t know what it is that I want for change, but I do know that I need something.

I’m frazzled and depressed and bored.

Isn’t that an inviting combination?

How bad is it? Here’s and example:

Today I was on my way back to my office at about three when I saw a mother that I can’t stand going into the office. She’s a pain and often out of control, so I ducked into a classroom and hid for ten minutes. I just knew I didn’t have the energy to face this woman.

It’s only a short reprieve. I’m willing to bet she’ll be back tomorrow.

The thing about this woman that is the most irritating is the fact that she seems to think that the rules about checking into the office and asking them to call our office to see if I’m available applies to everyone but her. We have very specific rules about non-school personnel not being allowed to just wander in the building. Sadly, in this day and age it’s all for security.

The thing is, you have to make an appointment to see any professional, like a doctor or a lawyer, why shouldn’t teachers be given the same respect? For some reason we are public property.

I think I just need a vacation. I’m tired and I’m feeling worn out. We do have a week off starting the 20th, and it can’t come soon enough. Of course I don’t know how I’m going to get all the testing and reports done that need to be finished by then.

I brought some stuff home to work on tonight, but I don’t know how much I’ll accomplish. I want to see the Mary Tyler Moore movie that’s on tonight. I used to love that show, so I’m looking forward to that movie.

The good news is that tomorrow night is my last adult ed class. This has been a tough group, so I can’t say that I’m sorry to see it end.

The bad news is that I have to decide for sure if I’m going to return to the chorus. I think it’s likely that I will, but I don’t think that my level of commitment will be what it once was.

That is strictly for my own protection.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll go back and be as happy as a clam.