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It doesn't let up.

A double meaning, today's title. Or applies to two different things. First and most obvious, is the sadness over today's date. Mitch Albom had a great article in Sunday's paper about this impending 5th anniversary, "Remembering the Day before the Day." And last night on CBS was Jules and Gedeon Naudet's accidental documentary on 9/11, with extra interviews with firefighter survivors at the end. I like it a lot - it's my second time watching. Had my good cry for the month, although I'm sure there's more in store tonight. It is not hard for me to remember the thoughts and emotions of that day - probably because I was alone without Doug at the time, as he was driving home from Tennessee that day. I came home from school (after a couple drinks at the Box with coworkers) and sat in front of the tv all afternoon, evening, and night - Doug didn't come home until 11:30pm or so. I remember every large moment that day, almost hour-by-hour. And I especially grieve for the wives and kids who lost their husbands.

But onward. The busy-ness doesn't let up around here either. Second week of school, things are pretty much under control paperwork wise, but time is being eaten up. I have a student teacher, plus parent night is Wednesday night, plus Roman's swim practice starts this week, and my second week of grad class. All of these are going fine - Joe is eager to learn and do, we're skipping swim practice Wedn. because of parent night, I am no longer nervous about parent nights (well... not so much, anyway), and the demands of grad class are not as much as in the past. Of course, I have to miss 2 days because of conferences/DC.

Through all this, Doug is the most wonderful man. He intervenes with laundry and finishes it or folds it; he cooks dinner if I ask (or seem overwhelmed, as today); he does the grocery shopping; he mows the lawn; he puts Roman to bed... all so I can get my work done and then have an hour or two of time with him. In return, I'm simply doing more work at school so I CAN spend an hour or two with Doug rather than work until bedtime.

My kids this year appear great. They don't want to think too hard, but I can get them to do that. They are well-behaved, follow directions as long as I'm precise, and quiet down immediately when I ask. Without me even training them! Now, the work of getting their brains to go where I want them to...

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