Au Pair and a new school year

I suppose I've had a lot I could have blogged about lately, but we have been busy enough, and things have been mundane enough that blogging hasn't been top priority. First, the move went really well. I've never unpacked quite so quickly before. The kids took right to the new house, probably because their belonging were all waiting for them. The next month was spent finding an Au Pair who could start at the beginning of the school year, and who met all of Gerd's criteria. My criteria included not killing our kids and couldn't be horrible to live with. He had a few more standards. Fortunately our Au Pair, Debbi, is great. Much better than I was as an Au Pair. It is a little odd having a teenager in the house. On days off, I wonder if she's alive down there. She doesn't surface until at least 11:00. I'm awfully glad we were able to create a basement apartment for her, because if we wanted to be quiet while she slept in, it pretty much wouldn't happen. I'm working evenings this year, which is okay I guess. I like my students and I love my school, but I'm really tired by the time I get home. It does give me all of my mornings free for kid activities or appointments, or whatever I want, which is really nice. It's probably a perfect schedule for a mother with toddler boys. I think I'd still rather work in the morning. Although my job is currently secure, I'm pretty far down the list of seniority, so I think it will be a while before I could work my way into a morning position. That's fine for now. When the kids are in grade school I may look into public school teaching again, or a total career change, but I have no great need for a different position right now. The one sad thing about our move has been my garden. Or lack thereof. I'm about to buy a few raised beds so I can plant my garlic for next year, and maybe a little late spinach, chard and radishes. I've done a little canning this year, a few pickles, and some peaches, but no tomatoes yet. I might get around to canning some apples, although we will have to see how it goes. My dream of having bees is delayed right now as I await tests to see if I'm allergic to bee stings. Really hope not. And that's that. Not much more on the horizon really. Maybe a trip to New Mexico in November. Going to Germany for Christmas this year. Yep, that's about it.