After wanting to rip my tax return to shreds, I decided to file for an extension (at the suggestion of someone far smarter than I) and will deal with it next week sometime. I know people who prepare tax returns probably want nothing to do with them after April 15, but I also know there must be someone out there that still works on them.

Saw the preview of "Evita" tonight. I couldn't remember who had done the music, but guessed (based on the music) it was Andrew Lloyd Weber. There were so many musical phrases (not words--the music only) that were so reminiscent of Jesus Christ Superstar. Since it was a preview there will still be some changes to the costumes and maybe the set--and the cast will get a lot stronger after performing for a week or so. This is not one of my favorite musicals by any means, but at least its not dreadful.

The not-so-new cat doesn't wake me at 3:30 a.m. anymore. It was really getting old--especially when I knew I was going to be subbing and having to get up early that morning. One morning I just decided to ignore her protesting pouncing all over me and her walking all over the dresser and everything else in the bedroom. I didn't say anything to her, didn't even acknowledge that she was doing anything. It seems to have worked-- now she waits until around 7:00 or later. I can do 7 a.m. easily. 3;30 a.m.--not so much.

I subbed in the same first grade classroom two days in the last week. It was very fun-- and since I am just the sub I don't have any of the crap that happens out of the classroom hanging over me all day. It is actually kind of like teaching used to be years and years ago-- no online literacy posting each month, no weekly progress monitoring, no meeting after meeting after school--just pure and simple teaching. Very enjoyable.

After not feeling very good for quite awhile, and going into a downward spiral of failing health, my nieces took their mom (my sister) to the emergency room on Tuesday. She was released this afternoon--and hopefully will feel much better in the coming weeks. She had a severe kidney infection which was [this] close to becoming a case of sepsis (blood poisoning). Looks like this may also result in her stopping smoking--yay. Sometimes good things come packaged in ugly wrapping.