Living The Good Life

I know, I know...it's been like crickets chirping at the Richert Ranch lately.  I kept meaning to post, but life just kept getting in the way.  School has kept both Dave and I so busy.  We just wrapped up week three (even though it feels like week twenty) and we are both exhausted.  Dave is not only teaching p.e. to nursery through 7th grade, but coaching boys volleyball.  He has the team's first tournament tomorrow and is frantically trying to learn all of the volleyball rules of play as we speak.  They are a bit different in Ecuador, for instance you are allowed to kick the ball here.  It seems to be just one more way the South American culture has seeped into organized life.  Don't feel like diving for the ball?  No problem, just kick it over the net instead!  Brilliant. I, on the other hand, have been kept busy by the demands and antics of middle school children.  They keep me running, as well as highly entertained.  Here's just a couple of my laugh-out-loud moments

It's official, summer is over. Tomorrow morning I will be standing at the front gates of the school, once again greeting bewildered and terrified middle school students. I've been working on my classroom all week long, preparing for the onslaught of pandemonium and laughter that 12 and 13 year olds tend to bring with them wherever they go. Right now, my room is beautiful. Organized, clean, orderly. Bulletin Boards have been decorated, desks have been arranged, copies for the week have been made, papers have been filed. I always start out the year this way, so many plans and so much hope. But it is never too long before my room, along with my mind, surrenders to the chaos. Because I am teaching the same group of students I had last year, I know that a pool will begin on the first day to how long they will be able to see the top of my desk. Last year, the longest period was three hours. *Sigh* It's hard to say goodbye to summer days, but say goodbye I must. Goodbye hours of

The featured artist of the week is one  Ryan Adams , not to be confused with Bryan Adams.  He's a recent discovery here at the Richert Ranch (I know, it's like we live in a third world country or something....oh, wait.)   He's got that whole rebel rock star with a country twist thing going for him.  My favorite tunes right now are  Two, New York New York , and his rendition of  Wonderwall.   Enjoy!

I've mentioned before that I might be a bit addicted to the "widgets" of the blogsphere, but my new favorite has to be the playlist .  First off, let me apologize to all who get annoyed when websites spontaneously start singing to you.  Don't judge me--I can't help but be swept away with this sparkly little blog gem.  I've decided to compromise with you, I won't put my playlist on automatic play if you agree to hit play just once during the week.  Deal?  Good. Now, on to the new "Living the Good Life" feature, the Artist of the Week.  What else are blogs for if not to share absolutely every detail about your life and interests?  That fact,  along with the surprise of getting a few emails and comments about the artists featured the last couple of weeks, has inspired me to attempt a weekly post explaining the music featured on LTGL (thanks for the inspiration BSucio, and by inspiration I mean blatantly stealing your idea of actually writing a post