A week of cleaning and I have a garden back

Another year abroad has started.  We came back a week ago and am just getting time to write.  Flew in on Saturday and was at work bright and early Monday morning where someone had decided to use my Library as a depository of all things homeless.  I still haven't cleared everything out.  In fact school hasn't exactly started out on the best note.  I arrived 3 days late, (missed all of the workshop days), and was called to the principals office.  My excuse was that I messed up dates and my "Oh well" attitude didn't go over well.  This, by the way, is the first time I'd met him as he is our brand-spanking new Head Master.  I'm good at this first impression thing.  Oops.  Then, at the end of last year I agreed to take over as SAT Coordinator as the last guy was leaving.  I've been invigilating so know how it works and I thought the extra money would come in handy and that it wouldn't be that much of a big deal.  I just got the dates for this year's exams and I'll be in London for the first exam and Istanbul for the second!  F***!  So called the gal who invigilates with me and she'll cover, Bless her, but REALLY.  I should never have agreed to do it... I can't be trusted with people's futures!!!

The daughter flew back to London yesterday and has just moved into an apartment she will share with two friends.  She's very excited.  Parting was much less dramatic then last year as I am now used to her coming and going, (plus I just booked a flight for the first weekend in October-see above!).  

MIL is well though losing a bit of "clarity", shall we say.  GP says she going nuts but she's just getting old.  We should all be so lucky to be independent and in our own homes at 85.

Last bit of news is that I'm on a diet which makes me very grumpy.  GP had the B'Jesus scared out of him by our new doctor back in June who convinced him he'd soon be on death's door if he didn't drop 30 pounds and get his cholesterol and blood pressure down.  He started dieting and exercising the next day and has lost 15 pounds and has the other two down to healthy levels.  So now I've joined him to lose the other 15.  This is not altruistic.  I can't get in any of my pants.  I'm in Italy.  On a diet.  This stinks.

xxoo me