Kitchen Semi-Redo

Well, its really all dependent on Jim's shoulder.  If he's out of work for a long period, who knows when we'll get to the tiling. (Due to money and ability, or rather disability.) Regardless, we went out yesterday and picked a backsplash and flooring.  I had thought about doing the floor in cork but I found a really pretty tile for the kitchen.  I think it may be the same tile that I have in my bathroom...I must really like it. Additionally we'll repaint the walls and cabinets (same color) and get new hardware for the cabinets.  I'd like to get a new fridge too...it would make sense to do that right before tiling so we could just switch out the fridge in the garage (throw the one in there away...it's an energy sucker), tile and then install said new fridge.  I want one with French doors (shown below)...we'll just have to see.

In Jim shoulder news, who knows.  He'll get an appointment today with the doc and we'll see.  He has a LOT of pain and can barely life it...I'm a bit worried and have been up since 2:30 thinking about that.  UGH!  I don't feel tired yet (slept about 5 hours prior) but I'm sure by the end of the day (when I'm sitting in the dentists chair) I'll be ready for a nap.

And that's about all.  Not a great day for Cincinnati yesterday with the Bengals and Reds losses but we'll get 'em next time. 

K - best motor.  Gotta do my Monday work.  Should be a good short week since I have a professional development conference on Friday...if central office got me registered that is...I haven't heard anything.  Better check on that today...k - later!

No Smooth Sailing

I sure wish things in life were a bit more predictable and that there were no rough roads. But alas, I don't live in a dream world and life continues to deal out zingers.  The latest has to do with Jim and his shoulder.  As we all know - Jim is a bit of a drama queen.  Normally he makes a huge deal over the smallest things...it certainly gets old.  The most recent injury for Jim is a bit different.  A couple weeks ago, Jim came home from work bitching about his right shoulder.  He had been painting ceilings and was forced to carry large 5 gallon paint buckets (the wheelie at work was missing) and ta-da...shoulder messed up.  The difference with this incident is he didn't really bitch too much.  He just kept popping ibuprofen and tried to rest it as much as possible. I knew something was up when I noticed he was trying to keep the amount of pain he was in away from me.

Well, it wasn't getting any better and so, he told work about it yesterday and made the plan to file a worker's compensation claim.  Just as he was getting to the doctor yesterday - he got a call from one of the owners asking him to come talk to him first.  Jim went over and they guy basically asked Jim NOT to file because one more claim would mean the company would get booted off the worker's comp insurance.  Um...I'm thinking this is highly illegal for them to do.  After much discussion and some ass kicking from Charlie - Jim will be filing and seeing a doc - most likely Monday. 

I don't know what all this means in terms of Jim getting paid, what his injury is or what the recovery time will be but keep your fingers crossed that it isn't something major.  I'm thinking it has something to do with his rotator cuff, however but that's just based on the pain he has and the limitations he's having with movement.  This is pretty major for him, however, and not something he can live through and ignore since it is basically how he makes his living. 

Ugh - why can't life just be full of rainbows and fluffy bunnies!? 

Okay so, I've got a TON of stuff to do today.  I need to grocery shop, walk Sami, clean the house, finish laundry and mow the lawn - both front and back.  Jim's helping out the neighbors today so he'll be busy with that.  I'm going to try and get most of my stuff done before noon so I can relax the rest of the day.  We'll see how that works out.

K - I'm out...gotta head out with my Sami!  Later!

Liars

So yesterday - I went to school and to first period and confronted Dawson about his English paper and the "confusion" he was having.  I basically said to him, "You knew exactly what paper you were supposed to be writing.  Why didn't you explain it to your mother!?"  After many, "Well"s and, "You see"s he finally said, "My mom scares me a little bit!" (She is a tough a gruff woman but grow some balls!) I told him that by him doing that and acting the fool, he throws me and his English teacher under the bus and makes us look like we're just letting him slip through the cracks. 

And of course I forgot to call his mother yesterday.  So when I got home, I emailed her and apologized, said that Dawson and I had talked and that he "confessed" to his supposed confusion. I also said that we were well under way with his paper and that he had a really solid start and rough draft.  I told her I'd explain more this morning.  Apparently, there will need to be some damage control too because when I checked my email yesterday afternoon, I also had a message from the English teacher who had a call from the mother and sounds like things didn't go well.  UGH!  I wish this mother would just let go a little and cut the apron strings.  She's doing her son no good!

In other news I'm so happy it's Friday!  Ready, ready, ready for the weekend.  It should be nice and relaxing too with no real plans.  I do plan on going to Lowe's Saturday to price out tile for a backsplash in my kitchen.  I also want to get new hardware for the cabinets.  Jim will be painting the neighbor's daughter's bedroom so I'll be on my own much of the time. 

And that's about all I've got.  Best head up and out some I'm at my desk if my cuckoo parent calls (Dawson's mom...that cuckoo...not my real parents...although they are cuckoos too...I understand why you would all get confused there...hee hee.)  Later!

Why Oh Why?

Why do I seem to have the most scatter-brained student on my caseload?!  Drives me crazy!  And his mother is a pill.  I like her but she does WAY too much for this kid who is a JUNIOR and needs to step it up! Or increase his medication dosage! 

So here's the background - Dawson (not his real name) has been assigned a paper for English.  The teacher was awesome enough to also put together a modified assignment for some of our kids.  I asked Dawson on the day after it was assigned, "Hey here's a modified version that I think you may fair better with...how about it?"  Nope...he refused.  I even asked, "You're sure?!"  Yup, he wants to do the other assignment.  So, we worked on his paper together for a WEEK!  We worked on the thesis, I had him searching information on the topic (proposed federal gun laws) and so on.  Last night I get an email from his mother basically saying that the thesis she saw in his google file didn't match up with the modified one and Dawson was confused and couldn't seem to explain.  UGH!  I know I emailed the teacher that he was choosing to write the original paper and I was pretty sure I emailed the parent (I can't be sure until I get to school) but regardless...is this kid a total effing moron?!  Why can't he remember/explain to his mother the shituation? So NOW I have to call this woman...who knows why.  She emailed back and said she thought this whole issue was in need of a conversation.  Not sure what the point of that is...he's already got the paper started...we're going to be outlining it today...it really isn't any harder than the modified one...F&%K!  So sick of scatter-brained kids who can't seem to hold a thought together longer than it takes to take a piss! 

K - I'm done being frustrated (until I see Dawson this morning and lay into his ass for being flighty!)

K - now I'm done being frustrated.


Now how about a little Eva to make it all better!  She went to the zoo again yesterday.  Can you say jealous!?  How cute is the sweater her Nana got her!?  Loves her.  Day three of school today for her...hoping for a pic!

K - I better head to school.  Gotta check my sent emails to see if I sent that message to Dawson's mother.  RRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

No Time

I need to get my ass to school in a hurry so that I can get my shit together for my meetings today.  My first meeting at 7:30 is with Linguini's parents (my cuckoo autistic junior) to talk about his need for assistance in communication.  Dude doesn't know how to deal with his anxieties nor his stress and will basically just mumble to himself or make comments about hurting himself.  He certainly needs help and I think the route should probably a therapist rather than a speech pathologist. 

My second meeting is my first IEP meeting and shouldn't be too bad but it includes her ETR (three-year reevaluation) as well so will take a little longer.  I'm hoping that she doesn't have too many questions from me because I can get through an IEP in about 15 minutes...bing bang boom...done!

My student whose mother passed away is becoming a HUGE problem.  Not so much a behavior, really but he won't do anything.  He is completely stagnant and apathetic.  I think he suffers from some major depression.  And maybe it stems from his mother's illness but it didn't happen when she passed...he's been this way since the day I met him. He just doesn't' give a flying eff and I don't know how to motivate him.  I emailed the admin and guidance yesterday about it (it's probably the 5th email I've sent and probably the 10th from his teachers collectively) and they don't even respond.  At this point I'm at a loss as to what to do. UGH!

Okay well, I best motor.  Happy Hump DAY!!!

Look What I Woke Up To!

This morning, when I got up and checked my emails, look what Charlie and Maggie had sent me!  What a nice way to start a day!  I love when she says, "my Muwee". And I am hers and I'm pretty sure she knows it!  She sounded a bit like Forrest Gump when she said, "My Muwee" didn't she.  Love her.

 

In other news, um...I'm freezing.  Well, my toes are freezing.

 

In some other news, the cuckoo bird girl (the cutter?  the loony toon?) she was taken out of our school and put in the alternative school.  Not sure that's the perfect place for her issues but at least she will be away from a large group of people and hopefully the drama will ease (doubtful).

 

Reds won! Yippee!  Yahoo!!! 

 

Pirates won...boo, hiss!

 

And that's about all I've got going on.  K - later!

 

 

Another Day...Another Dollar



My oh my, what a great day to be a Cincinnati fan yesterday!  First the Bengals win (I was on the edge of my seat and poor Zeke - yes Zeke - in his box on the armoir was wishing I would take him upstairs or quit yelling...miss that little boy.) and then the Reds.  Much needed wins by both teams - YAY!!!

This week:

• I have my 6 month dental check-up on Tuesday after school.  Hate the dentist but love MY dentist so I can handle it.
• I have my first IEP meeting of the year Wednesday.  Shouldn't be that bad.  It's for a freshman who you would think was fairly capable (her social abilities fool you into thinking she's got a lot more going "up there" but in fact she is pretty low).
• Stink bugs are back but since last Thursday, after I vacuumed up about 106, they've not reappeared.  The rain caused them to vamoose but I'm sure they'll make an encore appearance (over and over again). Hate them.  They STINK!
• Gotta get back on my running routine.  Last week was hard because the heat...Sami didn't always want to walk and then I lost gumption.  I only ran I think 2 times. I'll shoot for 3 or 4 this week but certainly walk everyday.  Unfortunately the heat will amp up again as the week goes on so Sami may be a dud.

School News:

• I'm hoping that the "comes in threes" rule is not going to apply to the teachers at my school.  First Lisa's hand and then on Friday one of our English teachers was taken to the hospital with a bowel obstruction and underwent surgery.  She's doing okay from what we're told...lets hope she's the end of the illnesses.

K - well, I best head up and out.  Need to figure out what I'm doing today and get my Monday parent emails under way.  Later!

Lifetime Achievement

So last night Good Sam honored my dad for his years of dedication in medicine.  It was a very lovely evening and so nice to hear other people talk of their experiences with my dad. As a child, you just never really get to see what your parent is like at work, a place they spend the majority of their time.  To hear about all the people they touched is kind of a unique and rare thing.  I had always wondered what kind of "bed side manner" my dad had and to hear that he knew all his patients and called them all by their first names, that he would sit with them and explain their issues in a language they could understand is quite heartening.  I think everyone should get to experience an evening like this:  The ability to hear about the life you never knew of your parent...it puts a lot of things in perspective. 

So plans today: I'll go get Jim up here in a minute and we'll head to Raeburn for breakfast.  After that - we'll head home and gear up for the Bengals game...WHO DEY.

I'm loving the weather right now (perfect timing for the Autumnal Equinox at 4:44 this afternoon!) and so and making my first batch of chili tonight...can't wait! 

And that's about it.  Best motor cause I need to shower, crack a whip under Jimmy's ass, get to the store and get to Raeburn.  Happy Sunday...later!

Electrical Mishaps!

Today was quite a scary day at work.  As you can see from the picture at left - we had a bit of an electrical problem at school today and unfortunately Lisa's hand paid the price.

So here's what happened: She was in first bell and about to start her PowerPoint with the kids.  She went over to turn off the lights and sparks flew about a foot and a half, causing electrical burns on her left hand.  She knew right away it was pretty bad and so they took her away in an ambulance to the hospital. Once I heard, I hightailed it out of there to be with her until her husband, John could get there.  The doctor in the ER took x-rays (negative) and ordered Lisa to see a burn specialist.  She got some pain meds and off she went.  She'll definitely be out today and probably Monday...who knows from there.  I think we are both glad that no kids were hurt in all this especially since our new autistic kid is slightly obsessed with turning the lights on and off. That little "tradition" is now out the window. 

Oh, and get this, so while at the hospital, I called to give an update.  Of course no one answers so I left a message with the secretary.  Then I emailed the three admins to let them know so they could pass it along to the other teachers.  Did they do this?  Nope.  All that HH did was email everyone a picture of the light switch and ask that other teachers report and put in a work order for anything "funny".  I then took it upon myself to give the staff an update.  One teacher responded, "why didn't they tell us this in the original email?"  You got me.  Maybe because they're assholes?  Well, at least one.  Lisa should sue!

K - I'm out...gotta get to school early (find something to turn the lights on with since I won't be touching that switch) and then get ready for my day.  Later!

They Say It Will Rain...

...but I don't know if I believe them.  We sure could use some, I'll tell you that. They're saying some possible thunderstorms - I'll believe it when I see it.

I have some bad news:  I am not the Powerball winner.  Someone in South Carolina won...piss it!

Jim's being weird.  He's so vague and hard to talk to when it comes to things like his job.  He hates his job - the people there are ridiculously unprofessional and rude and so on.  He has been trying to get a different job but of course it's hard going.  Well, there's a place in Fairfield that called him but he's not sure about it and when I ask him questions he can't seem to understand that I'm not inside his brain to hear all the jumbled thoughts and riddle them out.  He says "I don't know" a lot and when I ask what he means, he answers with "I don't know".  Then he gets pissed because I'm not understanding what the F&*K he's talking about.  It's VERY frustrating for me and also for Jim but if he would just USE HIS WORDS!!!  He may get a thought/idea across so that someone could understand. He's a pain in my ass.

K - well, now after all that I'm running later.  Best motor.  Can't wait for the weekend. Later!

Boring Is Good

"I sure miss my Muwee!"

My life is pretty boring right now...nothing going on (not complaining although it makes for some snoozer posts)...so how about a sweet girl who got to go to the zoo yesterday.  Wish I had been there.  Maggie said she knows animal names (well, of course the normal ones) but yesterday she said to Maggie, "No gibbons".  I was surprised that she actually knew the gibbons but on the other hand, they are normally so loud and obnoxious, they scare the poop out of her so it makes sense.  Anyway - I love her and can't wait to see her this weekend!

In school news - my freshman autistic boy came in from lunch yesterday and said, "I've always wanted to be a chicken."  Uh...what?  He talks under his breath a lot...talks to himself.  Normally I'll let him go for a bit and then say, "What was that?" and he'll answer, "Oh, nothing." He's pretty funny. He also likes to look at himself in the full-length mirror we have and make faces.  It's pretty hysterical. 

And that's about all I've got.  I found a sweater yesterday to wear with my black skirt for Saturday...I'm not thrilled about it...mainly because I can't stand how fat I am but what are you going to do?!  Well, I guess I could lose weight but what I really need is some liposuction.  Just around the middle...get rid of that little (big) paunch I have.

Okay well I've got nothing else exciting for you so I'll close here.  Happy hump day...later!

Critters & Teeth

So there I am - eating breakfast a couple of minutes ago...minding my own business.  And then, out of the corner of my eye, I see movement at the sliding glass door (which is closed).  I think, "Oh shit - I left Sami out again!" And then I realized that, no, she's on my left eating.  And then I think, "Too small for Bubba," and then aloud I say, "OH SHIT!  IT'S A POSSUM!!!" A baby opossum.  I immediately went to the slider door and started knocking and yelling, "BEAT IT POSSUM!"  And off it waddled, without a care in the world it seemed to me...it didn't even RUN!  What the heck!  Possum's are yucky and ugly and I don't want them on my DECK!  Especially after Jim left it open all night the other night. Shit - that could be a baby possum looking for it's momma possum that got trapped somewhere in this house.  UGH!

And look who lost his first tooth!!!  Loves me some J.J...can't wait to see him on Saturday!  I sure hope the tooth fairy was good to him. 

And that's about all I've got.  I still can't believe there was a possum out there on the deck...right up at the door!  Jim's out there now trying to riddle it all out.  He's a dumb ass...he does realize that the possum was in its natural habitat, right?

K - best mosey...later!

It Rained!!!

What do you know?!  It rained...I didn't even know that was a possibility last night.  I feel like it hasn't rained in weeks.  And, Jim left the slider open in the kitchen all night long.  He's in trouble.  Hopefully no little critters came in to hunker down. 

Yesterday was a very relaxing day.  We went to the mall to get a new cable remote - that took all of about 13 seconds.  We also stopped at Target...I needed some shampoo/conditioner and cotton balls.  Guess what?  There wasn't a cotton ball to be found in the damn store.  I mean, how annoying?!  Who sucks so badly as a manager that he/she can't direct people to restock shelves?  UGH!  Anyway - after that we had lunch at Skyline (deeeelicious), came home, I did some laundry, Jim worked a bit in the garage, we played some corn hole and hung out with the neighbors for a bit until it was time for dinner.  Not much else happened.

I'll be a busy girl at school this week - ironing out my first IEP for the year.  That isn't until the 25th but I don't want to leave it for the last minute.

I'm looking forward to this weekend and my dad's lifetime achievement thingy...not sure what to wear.  I may have to do some shopping this week.  Look forward to seeing everyone. 

And that's about all I've got.  Best head up and then out.  Later!

This Is My Kind Of Weather

I love this weather.  I love walking in this weather. I love sleeping in this weather. I love waking up in this weather.  I don't even care that I woke up way too early for a Saturday.  I was just excited to get my cozy socks on, a sweatshirt and cuddle up in a blanket in my recliner to peruse the Internet.  Yesterday, when I got home it was cool enough for me to walk Sami with shorts and a sweatshirt on. There was a nice breeze, the sky was full of fluffy clouds with peeks of blue sky and sun...heaven.  All I could think of as I walked was, "This is BEST time of year!" So excited!  Ooh, not to mention pumpkin beer is back!  Had a couple of those last night.  YUMMY!

Last night was nice.  Earlier this week, a neighbor a couple doors up asked Jim and I over for dinner.  We went over around 6:30 and hung out, talked, ate homemade pizza (it was delicious!), talked some more, ate apple pie and were home by about 9:30.  I was exhausted and went to bed around then...Love Actually was on and I fell asleep to that. 

Today I don't have many plans.  I need to do my usual: Walk Sami, grocery shop and clean.  Our remote for the downstairs TV sucks and I'd like to head to the Time Warner store to get a new one.  I hate that it's all the way over in Tri-County. Hate the mall. Other than that, I've got nothing. 

Sorry about that...I had to smack Jim for a second...he asked if we could turn on the heat.  What a dope! 

K - I best mosey...get my day started.  Happy Saturday!  Later!

Sweet Big Girl!

I LOVE this picture of Eva.  It makes me smile every time I see it.  I love her little owl lunch bag and her little piggy tails and her shoes.  Man oh man do I miss her! How am I going to wait until next weekend to see her!?

I hate to follow such sweetness with sad news but...I have a student on my caseload - he's a sophomore - although he failed several classes last year because of one reason or another.  (Let's call him Al.)  Al is very smart but sabotages himself because of a skewed mind and circumstances.  See, his mother has been battling cancer for years.  They actually didn't think she'd make it through the summer but she did.  Al started the school year very gung ho saying he was going to try and work and not fall behind.  Well, within 2 weeks those thoughts were down the drain, he was sleeping in every class, failing 5/7 classes and I was getting at least an email a day from his teachers.  I knew his mother had entered the hospital last week for the second time since school started and I had alerted the administration, school-based therapist and guidance counselor about what was going on but I didn't get much of a response. Well, yesterday I received an email from guidance that his mother was in hospice, she has very little time left (I knew something was up since Al wasn't in school yesterday and that's pretty unusual) and Al's future was very unclear.  Seriously - she's been sick for years and they don't have a clue what is going to happen with Al.  His father - who is reportedly abusive - lives in Nevada and Al says he wants to go there but who knows what will happen.  Just sad.

The meeting at school yesterday was interesting, informative and I thought pretty worthwhile.  Glad to see something isn't a waste of time.  It was nice to hear that for the most part, our district is doing really well in terms of special ed. 

And that's all I've got.  I'm glad it's Friday.  Dinner tonight with the neighbors.  That's it.  Later!

First Day Of School

Who can believe this sweet girl is old enough to head off to "school" today!?

I can't believe how much she's grown! Such a big girl.  I better get a picture of her today from Maggie.  Granted she's only going every Thursday for a couple hours but who can believe it?!  She's so sweet!

K - I don't have much else to mention.  Oh, Richard is still in the hospital.  They wanted him to get a stress test but he didn't want to do it until he talked to his doctors...smart man since his doctors did NOT want this.  Stupid people.  They'll be doing a heart cath or something like today.  Say your prayers and keep him in your thoughts.

I have a meeting this afternoon at central office with the other sped teachers, 7-12...an afternoon without kids will be nice.  Other than that...nothing.

Oh, here's something weird: the last two nights I've dreamt of the Zobays (my godparents).  Their whole family was in my dreams as well.  Weird. 

K - that's all I've got.  Best motor.  Later!

A Little Cheap Trick...A Little Smoothie...

I woke up with "Dream Police" running through my head. So weird. 

Is there anything better than a delicious smoothie in the morning?  So yummy.  This one has strawberries, pineapple, banana, blueberries, a bit o' milk and some protein powder.  See, I don't usually make my breakfast sandwich on Wednesdays because I eat so early on early release schedule days.  So here I sit with my smoothie and a couple pieces of multigrain toast.  Breakfast makes me happy sometimes. 

Wood news:  I managed to stack the pile that was partially in the driveway.  We have three giant stacks now.  There still one more pile in the yard but Jim needs to lay out an area for stacking before that can be taken care of.  I think we'll have to put off cutting down the tree next to the driveway.  We just don't have the room for the wood and I don't want it to go to waste.  I think next spring/summer, we can get that taken care of.  Cross your fingers that it doesn't come crashing down (on Jim's car). 

Speaking of Jim's car...he STILL hasn't gotten his back from the dealership.  I don't know what the eff is the problem.  I'll have to make sure he calls them today. 

BTW - please keep your thoughts and prayers on my step-father Richard - he went into the hospital yesterday with shortness of breath.  He's having a lot of tests run but he may have to have bypass to remedy the issues he's been having.

And that's about all I've got.  Best head to school. Going to Costco today after school...nothing else exciting. Later!

This Weather Can Go Away Now!

It's supposed to get up to 93 degrees today and that's a little too warm for me. Especially after splitting and stacking all that wood - I'm ready for cooler weather and fires in my fireplace.  The stacking is not complete yet, by the little old way. I came home yesterday and stacked a bit but the stack is too tall to add to it...I'm afraid it will tumble with more added.  So, Jim will clear another place for the rest of the wood this morning and when I get home today - I'll try and get more done.  Could Jim have done this last night?  Yes.  Did he? No. Why?  Because he's a puss!  He said, "My arms hurt."  Me: "My whole body hurts but I still managed to get out there today!"  I didn't really bitch at him...I get that he's sore...I am too.  I'd rather he NOT strain himself because that would open a whole new door of complaining.  Hee hee.

Don't you hate it when your armpit itches but you're wearing a tank and when you scratch, you get deodorant on your hand!?  UGH!  Stupid armpit!

So FW (department head) is acting weird.  She's all attentive and overly-pleasing.  There were a couple of things yesterday that I had asked her about and she was all up my ass making sure I knew it had gotten done.  I don't think she was really making sure I knew it had been taken care of but she kept calling and showing up in my room to let me know that status of things.  It was weird.  I know...I'm probably being paranoid but it's just strange...usually she'd just shoot a quick email like, "taken care of" or "done".  Makes me nervous.

Other school news - crazy cutter girl was a no-show in LA yesterday.  She was apparently in the office in trouble with another girl.  Something to do with a knife I think.  I know the one girl got suspended...don't know about crazy cutter.  She a kook.  Oh, and then the VP in charge of these girls (because they're freshmen), sends an email to me, Lisa and our school psyche saying: "I need to speak to you about a couple of students. I have a mess on my hands with two young ladies and we’re going to need to consolidate our brains. See me or call me when you get a chance."  Don't know what he thinks the school psyche is going to do...he just does our evaluations for sped. He's - VP - a complete bonehead. 

K - well I best mosey...gotta finish getting ready.  I'm a little slow today because I took Tylenol PM last night and the effects still haven't quite worn off.  Slept like a baby though.  K - later! 

 

Oh My Aching Neck & Back & Hands & Head

Actually, I don't feel all that terrible.  My neck and back are a bit sore but nothing a little naproxen won't cure.  I wasn't singing the same tune last night.  After completing the final bit of wood (really, we ran out of time and had to leave a few pieces for next time) I stood up and nearly fell down.  It was like my whole body had cramped up into a crouched position and was stuck.  I am definitely no young chicken anymore. Eventually I walked it off but I was so tired and spent last night.

Jim and I started to stack the wood yesterday but after about five loads, I ran out of gumption and I just couldn't bend over anymore.  We'll finish stacking tonight I hope. It's nice to have it all chopped and ready for winter...I don't think it will be burnable until at least January but we have plenty of wood from last year to get us through I think. I plan on being toasty this season, that's for sure.

In school news - today starts my first full week of the year.  Bummer.  I sure hope it goes quickly...I'm already jonsin' for the weekend. That does not bode well for me. My LA classes are now well into our novel and the kids are enjoying it.  (Touching Spirit Bear - about a troubled teen).  US History - we had our first test and everyone passed it.  Granted two kids barely passed but I'll take that.

And that's about it. Best head to school...Mondays are always extra busy with emails home and such.  Later!

Gearing Up For Winter

So earlier this week, I had Jim call the tree guy (Ray).  There were a couple trees in the front yard I wanted taken down.  One because it was leaning toward the house and the other because it was starting to hollow out at the bottom - a sure sign that it was dying/dead.  We got a really good quote - both to take the brush away and leave the wood or to leave brush and wood for us to deal with.  I thought Jim wanted to save the moolah and just deal with all the brush ourselves so that's what we decided on.

Fast forward to yesterday morning.  It just so happened that the guy our tree guy uses for his bucket truck was on our street doing another job.  SO!  He came and took the trees in our yard down (as well as two trees of our neighbors). Thank God we were home when this happened because after they laid the trees down and Jim and I saw all the brush, we knew that it would be way too much for us to deal with, especially since we had planned on getting the splitter today.  So, we changed our minds and bing, bang, boom, the tree dudes brought their giant wood chipper over and cleaned up for us.

As for the splitting the wood - Jim asked our neighbor to use his truck (which has a hitch) and he got the splitter last night.  I hope to start splitting by 9:00...we only have the opportunity to use it until 3:30 since the rental place closes at 4:00 but I think we can bang it out.  It's less wood than we've had in the past.  We'll split - Jim can take the splitter back and then we'll stack.  I'm sure I'll be sore as hell tomorrow.  Oh, and we have another tree that leans across the driveway and is dead that we'll get taken down in a few weeks (notice the one leaning toward Jim's car...that's a rental btw - he still hasn't gotten his car back...that's the car).  This means renting the splitter again but it'll be worth it for winter.  This should keep us in firewood for the next couple years...I hope. I'll take a pic once it's all stacked.  Today is going to be a busy and tiring day. 


Well, I'd best get crackin'...breakfast, walk Sami and then we'll crank up the splitter.  Later!

Is It A Cold Or Allergies?

I can't decide...it feels like a cold but has been lingering for the past few days - getting no worse or better, which makes me think it's allergies.  Who knows.  I don't feel bad, it's just annoying.

How about a cute girl to start this morning off right?  This is Eva watching Robin Hood...she loved it by the way!  Ooo-da-lolly! 

Here's a funny:  The other day, Eva was asking to watch "Jerry" (Tom and Jerry).  Maggie said to her, "Are you Jerry?"  And Eva said, "No!  I a punk-a-roo!"  That's what Maggie calls Eva all the time.  So cute.  She said it again on the phone last night.  "I a punk-a-roo!"  I told Maggie that for Halloween, she should have Eva be a pumpkin with a kangaroo tail and a pouch.  How cute would that be?!

Plans today: I'll get up here in a minute to make breakfast.  I'm up extra early today because Sami wouldn't let me sleep - the little stinker.  She kept plopping down right next to me and leaning her head back and grunting.  She's a devil!  Anyway - after breakfast, I'll walk Sami, run, make my menu and grocery shop.  Jim is taking Bubba to the vet.  He needs to have his thyroid checked.  Jim and I are going to have an early dinner at Eddie Merlots tonight in the lounge.  We have a buy one get one coupon and we haven't been there in a long while.  We've been so good about saving money...I think we deserve it. 

It's a Harry Potter weekend by the way - in case you're sitting around wondering what to do. 

Yesterday was a good day at work.  My little loony - Daffy - managed to make it to my LA class.  She a kook.  Other than that - it was an easy and fun day with the kids.  Next week will be my first FULL week at school.  UGH!

Okay well, that's all I've got.  I need to go pop my pills (have a bit of a headache) and make my breakfast sandwich.  Happy Saturday. Later!

Hassles

I hate hassles.  You know, shit added to your already heavy load that you can't avoid and you have to take care of.  UGH! 

So I have an autistic kid - he's a junior - I think I mentioned him...looks like the guy from Ratatouille?  Linguini?  Anyway - he's a bit of a head case (any more, aren't all teenagers cuckoo birds, no matter their education/medical diagnosis!?).  He says shit he doesn't mean and does stupid shit - mostly because he doesn't know how to effectively communicate.  Well, a couple years ago, he had said some things to his speech therapist at school...things about wanting a girlfriend or...boyfriend.  And he kept saying things like that - to the point that the speech person - at the IEP meeting (before it actually started) brought it up to the parents...mainly because it was a situation that needed attention and she isn't a psychologist.  WELL!  Apparently the parents couldn't get over this.  They seemed to think that the speech person was calling their son out as gay (God forbid!  And by the way - she wasn't - she was just concerned that he was having a hard time dealing with things and needed someone to talk to in order to help him sort out his feelings. She even said she didn't think he understood the things he was saying.  And by the way again - BIG F%&KING DEAL!) So that was a couple years ago (none of us knew that the parents had had issue with this).  Well, last year at the beginning of the school year, the parents contacted me and said that speech was just too much of a stress for Linguini and they wanted to discontinue services.  Guess what?  They want services again.  Guess why.  Because their son still can't effectively communicate.  Guess why.  He has autism! Oh, and they don't want the speech person who is employed at the high school.  Guess what.  She's the only speech person the high school has.

What does all this mean?  Well, having received an email from the parents for a request to meet to talk about his communication needs - I now have to set up a meeting and deal with this.  Why are parents so stupid?  If they had just talked to me...talked to the speech person - we wouldn't be going through this.  Now we have to meet, talk about the issues, talk about the year without servies, if testing is needed...la la la and this isn't even the annual review for the IEP, which is due in November.  Which means I'll have to meet with them AGAIN!  Oh, and by the way - the mother?  She's a speech therapist.  Deals with preschool but HELLO! Are you not very good at your job?!  These parents are SUCH bury-their-heads-in-the-sand kinds of people.  They seem to think their son is going to suddenly and miraculously be better one of these days.  UGH!  Get it together people...your kid has AUTISM!

In other news - I watched a little preview thing about the new Survivor coming on (Blood v. Water).  It is going to be SO good.  I can't wait.

Okay well, I best mosey.  Gotta get to school and try and get some work done.  Later!

I Be Illin'

Well I was illin' last night (a Run DMC song, by the way) but I'm feeling much better now.  My stomach started feeling bad at work.  Came home - felt better; walked Sami, did my thing on the treadmill and then my neighbor (two doors down) came over and asked if I could watch her kids for 45 minutes while she went to parent/teacher conferences.  I said yes...had to be there at 5:15.  Got there - all was fine...sat outside while the kids played. Jim came home and my stomach started up again. But I managed to keep it together.  My neighbor got home at about 6:30 (45 minutes my ass)...I went inside and started dinner...which I knew I wasn't going to be able to eat. In the end I managed to get a couple bites of rice down, a few green beans and some toast.  I felt better around 7:00 and slept through the night no problem.  The only thing wrong with me now is I'm hungry.  Hopefully this won't return.

In student news, I've been dealing with a loony tune!  I mean a real cuckoo bird!  Let's call her Daffy.  She is in my LA class and in the maybe 10 days of class we've had so far, she's probably made it to 5.  She's an apparent cutter, burner and all-around self-mutilator...oh and she tells anyone she meets.  Can you say "attention seeker"?  How many cutters have you met?  That's because they don't introduce themselves as cutters...they keep it hidden.  This girl is trying every which way to get booted from our school and sent to the behavioral school.  Yesterday she claimed that two boys from my LA class were harassing her and following her - proven not true apparently.  Weird.  Not sure what to do about this girl...she's not on my caseload but YOWZA!  Oh, and yes, she has therapists...two...lot of good they're doing.

In school news: Things are fine.  I can't seem to find the time to get my first IEP started.  I'm continually trying to answer emails, modify material etc., etc.  This Google Drive/Apps thing is getting to me too.  We'll be going all Google next year and to email in January.  I'm not properly trained yet and can't seem to figure anything out.  It doesn't help that I have my email at school another email with one name connected to school, another one that we will be going to in January - oh, and my gmail...can't keep anything straight and it's trying me crazy. 

And that's about all I've got.  I need to get to school and maybe start my IEP that's set for the end of this month...and email about 10 other parents to set up meetings.  UGH!  K - I'm out...later!

WHAT'S THAT NOISE?!

Normally I would hear that several times a day when in the company of Eva.  Even when she knows what the noise is.  This morning, however, I am the one asking that question.  There is some animal in the backyard, beyond the fence, making the most amazing racket.  I can't decide if it's an owl, hawk, cat, fox or person.  (Pretty sure it's not a person).  Every few seconds, it screeches. And I'm not sure if it's at another animal or because it's hurt.  Sami is curious but she isn't so curious that she's all fired up to find the culprit.  Smart girl.  I'm not letting her out until it lightens up a bit and/or that thing stops.  So crazy.  I'm used to hearing owls but they're always the "hoo hoo" kind - not the screeching kind.  Can't imagine what this is.

Speaking of Eva - look who went shopping in her closet yesterday.  It's a little early for a winter hat.  Wonder wear her mitten is that she's taken to wearing around the house too.  You have to admit - that girl's got style!

Holy shizz - just read that Ariel Castro committed suicide.  Can't believe he wasn't watched better. UGH!  Well, he's rotting in hell now, that's for sure!

In sleeping news - I slept fitfully last night.  Had weird dreams of being lost and not being able to backtrack and find my way.  Walking through mud on a high railroad trellis. Weird.  Wonder what that means.

Nothing much to say beyond what I've said...oh, the noise stopped.  Of course as I type that, Sami ran to the window by the fireplace to huff and puff.  "Still not going out there little girl if you're acting like that!  The squirrels aren't up yet!"

K - best motor.  Later!

Hilarious

A friend posted this on her FB page...cracked me up.  Those Russians (okay - just Putin) may be crazy but they make a mean commercial for tampons!  Makes you think twice about swimming in the ocean during your time of the month, that's for sure!

In other news - the weather has finally broken.  It feels so delicious outside...today's high shouldn't reach 80.  Loving that.

In school news: It's picture day.  I hate picture day.  The only thing that makes picture day okay is that I smile my biggest Muir smile and make the yearbook a little brighter.  It's also our first after school meeting.  I hate when these meetings are after school but hopefully it won't take too long.  Screws up my whole after school routine. 

And that's about all I've got.  I'm starting a novel in LA today.  Hopefully the kids like it.  I haven't felt like we've gotten into the swing for my LA class so hopefully this will do it. 

K - well, breakfast is just about ready...better go wake Jim and feed him.  Later!

Makeup Mishaps

So Maggie sent me the photos shown.  Don't worry - Eva doesn't have a black eye.  Nope, she got into Maggie's mascara.  Looks like someone needs a little lesson on subtlety.  But hell, at least she put it on in the right area - not all over her face.  Man oh man do I love that girl.  Had so much fun cuddling with her and swimming...it's going to be hard to wait to see her until the 20th when they come down for Dad's award thingy.  I'll definitely be jonsin' by then.

Anyway - I am well rested though still a bit sniffly today. I love being at Maggie and Charlie's but I sure do love my bed.  I just wish I had a pool in my backyard to stanch the sniffles like I managed to do yesterday morning.  So nice and refreshing to get up in the morning, jump in the pool and then eat breakfast.  I keep saying this but not following through:  I need to win the lottery.

So Happy Labor Day! Plans today:  So far today I've eaten breakfast (just cereal because the Hanke pantry was empty), walked Sami, ran on the treadmill, went to Target (needed a new Sonicare brush; I also got some cute clearance sleepwear and a sports bra - I know you are all happy and excited to hear that), went Krogering and now I'm drinking my lunch (a smoothie - not beer) and making a batch of vanilla ice cream.  It had been a while since I made any and we were out of our Weight Watchers desserts so I thought I'd save some money make my dessert...not as "low cal and low fat" but I won't overindulge. I also bought some strawberries and pecans to top the ice cream with...added with a little Hershey's syrup and YUMMY!

K - well, I better go check on my ice cream...later!  Happy Labor Day to all...hope everyone is relaxing.

It Must Be Labor Day Weekend...

...because my allergies have gone haywire again.  It seems that since I was 18, I've always had a tough Labor Day weekend in regard to my poor nose.  So far it isn't too bad.  My nose is very tickly right now and slightly sniffily but I can handle that.  I'm hoping I don't start sneezing uncontrollably so that I can barely see through my closed and watery eyes. 

So currently I'm sitting in Maggie's den, next to Jimmy - it's nearly 8AM and I'm waiting for everyone else to wake up.  Jim and I didn't sleep great last night...no offense Maggie but that mattress in my bedroom is hard as a rock.  I didn't do too badly but Jim tossed and turned and so that kept me from getting great sleep.  It's okay though because today will be very relaxed and I'm sure Jim will get to nap.

Yesterday ended up being very nice here in Columbus. We had plenty of sunshine at Maggie's although we could hear lots of rumbles of thunder in the distance.  It was storming somewhere in Columbus, that's for sure. We eventually got rain around 7:30 or so but it wasn't major.  Seems Cincinnati had some good storms...I hope Sami and Bubba managed alright by themselves (our neighbors were letting my babies in and out and keeping their eyes on them).  I miss them.  Anyway - yesterday was just a nice day...we hung out in the pool all day...got plenty of sun and swimming in.  Maggie and Charlie's friends Megan and Mark came over.  We had dinner and that's about all.

Today should be easy breezy once we get home, that is.  I'll probably do my shop at some point...maybe I'll wait until tomorrow morning...I don't know...I hate the grocery on Sundays.  Other than that - Jim and I have no plans.  It's going to be pretty nasty weather wise at home - 90s, muggy, pop-up thunderstorms.

K - I need to go pour more coffee for myself.  Get ready and head home.  K - later!