Monday, Feb. 4

Up at 6:30 this morning to get ready for water aerobics. It was cool, with a threat of rain, for the walk to the gym, but the water in the pool was warm.

About a dozen of us showed up, more than have been there in a long time. But our leader wasn't there. She must really be ill, though no one seems to know about her condition. The lady who led us last Friday did so again today. We did some of our usual exercises, and then she distributed water noodles for resistance exercises. At this point a couple of ladies left, because they are unable to do these. But I like them, because they provide a good workout.

Back home, I warmed up with a couple of cups of coffee, while Hubbie accompanied Mother to our house. Then I finally got ready for the day. By now, it was 11:30, and time to fix lunch...Ramen noodle soup for Mother, and leftover lasagna for Hubbie and me.

After lunch, I reviewed the evaluation test to be administered to my ESL student this afternoon. I met the student at the usual time, 2:30. The first thing she told me was that her husband is terribly sick with the flu. Neither he nor she has had the flu shot.

Before we began the evaluation, I showed her the Disney characters map of the U.S., which amused her, as I knew it would. We spent a little while studying the map, and she transferred the names of the states to a blank map in her workbook. She is very fond of geography and history, so this exercise was entertaining for her.

The evaluation is fairly comprehensive, so it took all of the class time to finish it. It's meant to identify weaknesses that need addressing before moving on to the next level. We found that we need to spend more time on present perfect tense, statements in the passive voice, short answers to questions using would/wouldn't, do/don't, had/hadn't, etc., and adjective clauses with "that."

Back home, Hubbie had heated leftover beef stroganoff, along with a dish of spinach, for our supper. Mother was ready to go home shortly after we'd eaten, because she had a headache. I gave her a couple of Tylenol for it, and a couple of more to take home and take before bedtime.

Later, Hubbie and I watched the remaining episodes of "Cranford," (DVD borrowed from the library). We followed that with the 1057 Disney film, "Johnny Tremain," also from the library. A boy becomes a patriot and fights for freedom in the Revolutionary War.