Appreciating happiness through suffering...

I once was told that you cannot appreciate true happiness unless you suffer. Thank God for that perspective because if yesterday wasn't and indicator of suffering...I don't know what is. Nothing drastic happened-just ONE THING AFTER another! Argument with husband, long day at school w/ no plan time and a couple of behavior problems, tutor after school, come home and fix dinner,find that my dog has decided to lay on my newly planted mums-I can't stand that dog, catch up on laundry and WASH MY NEW RAZR cell phone. That's it. I washed it! I had it in my skirt pocket because I used it as a watch at recess duty and I did one of the things I detest the most when my children do it...left it in my pocket. When I went to put the clothes in the dryer-there it was at the bottom of the washer-an innocent victim. Deep breaths and counting. I blow dryed the inside and the battery and managed to get the screen to come up with a nicely bubbled resolution. I could call people but they couldn't hear me! NICE! Do I have insurance? Yes. Do I have time to mess with it? No! Is it the end of the world? No-but it sure makes for a BAD BAD BAD BAD day. The no good, terrible, horrible, whatever that Alexander book is kind of day. I used to read it to my first graders and it came to mind. Stacey-enlighten me? Finished argument w/ husband. Got something resolved. Today I go into school w/ approximatley two hours sleep knowing that I have a LONG day ahead of me. I had to be cheer coach at my daughter's game tonight. No rest for the weary. And guess what I found when I walked into my classroom this morning? A basket of peppermints that sit on my desk in my Halloween basket FULL OF ANTS! YAY! What a morning. Sigh. Deep breaths. Count to ten. I warn my 5th graders who think my RAZR phone is SO COOL that I washed it and I was not in a good mood. One of them has me eat my own words..."I thought what went on at home we didn't bring to school!" This was said jokingly and I joked back.."That rule applies to YOU-not to me!" HA!!However, the day did get better. My mom-bless her heart-picked my girls up after school and mopped all my floors-PEACE OF MIND! I love love love a clean house that I didn't have to clean. My mom knows my heart!:) I had a good time at the game and my phone is working somewhat normal. Life is back on track. I feel it. I think I will sleep well tonight knowing I have a sub tomorrow. Classroom observation for eMints at another school. Oh...my grad assignment is due on Monday-is it done? No! I get to spend the weekend at the mall with 6 thirteen year old girls. Don't envy me! True happiness is around the corner! I just know it!