Okay, I really HAVE adjusted to the fact that Janet retired and left me to my own devices at school. I know she is still a huge part of my life but of course, there was a bit of sadness today knowing that the school year was starting and she was at home chuckling and snickering at the fact that she didn't have to go into work!
Last night, we had a conversation before bedtime and I had an idea that I got from Alex and Kimi when he went to New Zealand recently. Kimi made a "Kimi puppet" and put her head on a stick and send it to NZ with him! She is in pictures with him and others on that trip. So I thought.."Wouldn't that be funny to put Janet on a stick and take her to school with me? Then she would still be there with me and it would be (okay, so NOT the same, but freaking funny nonetheless!)" So.....I asked her for a school picture, then realized that I couldn't wait for her to get one to me. It had to be TODAY, the first day of school, that Stick Janet joined me. I found a picture of several of us at Janet's daughter-in-law's bridal shower, printed it, took it to school, cut it out, laminated it and taped her to a stick. Presto! Janet was suddenly WITH me, and I couldn't help but laugh my head off as soon as she was "born".
I had Jeanett take a couple of photos of me in our classroom, then she suggested that I take her with me to the staff room as I was making copies, and to our staff meeting! Well.......it just grew from there. Stick Janet posed for pictures with co-workers.....made copies......went to our staff meeting......and so on. Tomorrow, Stick Janet will go out to yard duty with me and model to the children how to go down the slide, play nicely in the tanbark, go through the cafeteria line, and any other opportune moments I can think of. Of course, I will document Stick Janet's journey throughout the year!
I couldn't wait to come home and post them on FB and tag Real Janet. I knew it was coming.....she called me and we laughed so HARD I know tears were coming out of both our eyes! She was touched to be included.....but I have to be honest. Creating Stick Janet helped me cope with the fact that things will never be the same. Our classroom, as I have moved back in, is not the same without Real Janet. I am forced to be content with Stick Janet, and although she can't talk back to me, I swear she rolled her eyes at me at one point during our staff meeting.
Either that, or I am seriously going nuts.
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