I do apologize to any one who checked here more than once to see what's going on with the Benders in Chevak. That knee surgery really threw me for a loop. I thought I was in bad shape before the surgery! For a couple of days afterward I was okay. but when we finally arrived in Chevak and of course me being two days late for the opening of school, I worked entirely too hard, walked entirely too much and that resulted in a great deal of pain. I really set myself back on the healing - and that is just what the Dr told me not to do. Tom had to take me to school on the 4-wheeler and then pick me up. Even so - there were a few nights when all I did when I got home was lie on the couch, with the ICE MAN wrapped around my knee, full of Advil - which worked better than the prescription, and be miserable. I got so far behind at school with those beginning of the year activities that I just got really frustrated. I will say that this past week has been the first week that I have really been able to NOT think about my knee. I am able to pretty much walk anywhere without any pain and I am trying to go down steps using both knees. I just feel a little off kilter. Tom is so patient, so helpful, and so caring. I really don't deserve him.

We finished off the lettuce, carrots and potatoes. I have several apples left of which I eat one a day. We're going to have to do a vegetable order from Fred Meyers.

It is really nice being one of the "old timers" this year. I think only seven teachers have been here more than one year. Of course we had that huge turnover last year.

Our friend and neighbor, Carmen, has moved to Barrow, Alaska to teach and we really miss her - so does Roxie.

Tom and I are watching all of the Foyle's War series. Tom likes them cause he likes anything English. I like them cause they put me to sleep. I can count on about 45 minutes into the program to be fast asleep.

I like knowing all the kids this year - great to remember their names. Our high school boys just flew off for their first cross county running competition - so it was exciting to see them off.

I am going to do better about posting!

I have not taken even one photo since we returned!