Crazy Dreams and Chickadees

I had quite the doozy of a dream last night. It frightened me a little and I know I dreamt it because of the new book I'm reading but it makes me not want to go back to work - afraid of any "new" kids that enroll (you know some crazy family moves into the district during the 4th quarter every year and they always have a special ed kid that ends up in my class!!!)

Anyway, my dream: I got this new kid in my class - his name was Walter Barkley but everyone called him Dean - weird that I remember that much detail. Well, this kid was crazy hyper and could NOT stay in his seat for longer than 10 seconds. I remember at one point that I had moved him to a seat closest to the board so that I could keep an eye on him while I taught the kids how to outline. It didn't help. At one point I looked over to check on him and he was gone. When I asked the kids where he was they said he walked through the back hallway that connects our room with the one next door. He then came waltzing back through the main door and I yelled, "Dean!!! Get back in your seat!" So he did but again, a minute later, he was gone. It was right before the bell was going to ring for end of day. He returned a few seconds later carrying this sweet little white fluffy dog. I said to him shocked, "Dean! Where did you get that dog and who's is it?" He answered that it was his dog and he had kept it in his locker all day. I was stunned but then the bell rang and he was gone. So then this colleague of mine walked in - she's a Health teacher - and asked me how things had gone with Dean. I was kind of confused why she was so interested but I said, "Fine. Why?" She answered, "Doesn't it freak you out to have him in your class?" Me: "Why would I be freaked out?" Her: "Don't you know where he came from and what he did?" Me: "Obviously not. What?" Well, apparently, he had just been released from juvvy jail for the rape and murder of some woman. And wouldn't you know that right then, Dean walked back into my room? I jumped 10 feet in the air when he walked in and I think I must've done that in my sleep too because that's when I woke up.

You can now see why I dread new students so late in the year. I mean, come on! What kind of parent moves their kids with 1 quarter left in the year? That's right! Parents who generally suck and are running from bill collectors or have just been evicted or who are shacking up with their latest boyfriend/girlfriend.

So in other news, I'm headed out to Hobby Lobby here in a bit. I'm looking for a gift to get for Anne for her birthday (which is Saturday for all who may need reminding). I'm hoping to find something that will work in her new house. We'll see what's out there. Other than that, I'm hanging out and knitting today. And reading. I read 200 pages in my new book yesterday! I love it! Get it! It's so good! And the author lives in Dayton and keeps mentioning the Reds and restaurants that I know. It's kind of funny.

Also, I have a couple chickadees who have holed up in my two birdhouses out front - the outhouse and the barn. They must be nesting. I saw a momma and her hubby flying in and out. It's really sweet. I love chickadees! I keep looking out at the one hanging over the back deck and I keep thinking there must be a bird in there because it keeps swinging but I've finally realized it's just the wind. Maybe I'll get another sweet little wren this summer.

Okay - I better go shower. Later.