TUI?!?

For those who have been missing me, I do apologize. I have tried and tried to write this week, but when I would sit down, all that would come to mind is ooooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwww. My back has chosen this wonderfully convenient time of year to give me trouble again. So between the Lortab and the Flexeril... I have been a little too punch drunk oops indisposed to write.

Now, while I might see being under the influence of narcotic pain killers as a slight handicap, I was quite amazed that the docs did not. On Tuesday, I went to the emergency room as the back pain was getting to be a bit much. They immediately began checking me for stones. That was negative, but they did discover that I have pretty bad back issues, and referred me to an ortho. They discharged me with the lovely drugs referenced above and these instructions:

• Don't drive - limit activity;
• Don't make any important life decisions;
• But don't worry, you should be fine to teach!

Ok. Maybe I am just not getting it. I can't drive or do anything that might put my three kids at risk... but I am ok to work with and supervise the hundred or so kids I see in a day -- and its alright? Um, no. Needless to say I stayed home the next day. And today, I am making it on Aleve.

It's disheartening to know what people really think about the teaching profession. If you were a parent of one of my students, would you want to know I was up in the classroom stoked and smoked and bandying about with tools (I teach a very hands-on curriculum)? Really? And is my job so easy that anyone could do it, even under the influence? How novel... I wonder... if I had come in, would a doctor's note have taken care of the lawsuit, if something had happened?

So there is the tale of my latest saga. As the school year winds to a wild close, I am sure you will all be glad to know that while I may feel like I am being driven to it at times, I don't engage in TUI... even if a medical professional gives me permission. ;)