I have been so missing in action lately! I had wonderful intentions to blog over Spring Break. I cleaned out almost every closet on the second floor of our house, cleaned out most of the new baby’s room to prepare for her arrival, cleaned out the garage, AND held a garage sale. Now, keep in mind my mom and hubby where here to help too!

 I created a SUPER cute synonyms and antonyms craft (which I will be posting SOON, promise) and was about to sit down to write a post about it when I got the call that I rained on my parade. Literally!

Apparently sometime between the Wednesday and Saturday of Spring Break a pipe in the water fountain in the floor above my room burst. We have no way of know exactly how long the water leaked, but we are pretty sure it was for a while. The only reason it got caught was because a neighbor was walking her dog near the school noticed water pouring out from under the exit doors, right by my classroom. She contacted her neighbor, who happened to work at the school!

Evidently, our school is not exactly even because the water from the fountain did not enter the classrooms next to the fountain, but rather those that were to the right diagonally. The water seeped down the walls and flooded my classroom and the the classroom next to me. Apparently it was about 2 inches under water.

Some things were tossed on Sunday before I even went into work so I am not sure exactly what all of my stuff is missing or damaged.

 However, it could have been MUCH, MUCH worse. When I created a list of all of my damaged personal property is was only about 3/4 of a sheet of notebook paper. Almost ALL my personal books were saved! 

Monday our administrator graciously gave us a sub all day to go through all the damage. The students were moved to another classroom and two of the fantastic paras at our school jumped in and subbed on the fly. When we entered all the water had been drained/ dried out and it was time for damage control!

Most of the water drained down this wall.  That is my fabulous partner in crime!! I lost a few pieces of furniture (shelves) and both of my large rugs.
Here is the aftermath.  We had to go through all of the materials and separate those that were water damaged or not.
It was a bit daunting.  For the first hour we went around in circles because we had no idea where even to start!  Water also got into the back storage room.  I have no idea what was lost in there.  I can’t even remember all the stuff I HAD in there!
I am very lucky my district took the issue very seriously  With me being almost 8 months pregnant they (and my fabulous principal) were very  concerned with mold growth.  The carpet was treated with green chemicals (is that an oxymoron?) and the bulletin boards where the water came in were removed.  Holes were drilled into the cement block walls and this drying machine was plugged in.
Isn’t it crazy?  I has run for several days and it is LOUD!   
The students were relocated and we taught in a temporary room from Tuesday until to Thursday.  It was SO HARD to teach without all my “stuff,” but the kids were fantastic.  They could have been awful with all the changes in routine, but really rose to the occasion.  On Friday we were given subs again and were able to put the room back together   But the crazy machine has to stay over the weekend to keep drying out the walls.  It should be removed Monday morning before students arrive. 
My awesome partner suggested that we relocate my work space since it was directly where the water flooded in, just in case there was some mold growth.,  She put me on the other side of the room and took the moldy side herself.  Is she sweet (and crazy!!)??!?!!  The bulletin boards are down and I have no idea if they will be replaced by the end of the year.  Suits me if they aren’t!
 Here is the new arrangement.  
A couple shots from the door: 
Back meeting area with our relocated classroom library (far right corner of the picture) without the big abc carpet:
My work space:

And that concludes the tour!
It also seems like a good place for my last little bit of news.  The flood was actually a blessing in disguise.  I have decided to take next year off and enjoy a leave of absence   I am due in June and did all the math: working with two small children (under 3) in daycare was just not worth it.  My husband may disagree!  I feel that this year off will be exactly what my family and I need.  It is time to step back and just be a mommy for a bit.  The flood got rid of some of my larger items that I didn’t have room to store and I hope to be reimbursed for them.
I am not totally leaving teaching.  I still intend to blog, but the posts may be farther apart.   I will MOST definitely be creating materials to sell on Teachers Pay Teachers- this is how I will contribute financially at home!  I have created a small running list of items to complete and will also be taking custom requests.  I am hoping I can balance all this with a 2  1/2 year old and infant, but think I can manage!
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