I Swear Bubba's Afraid Of The Dark

I think that might be part of the reason Bubs won't go outside in the morning.  (Aside from being lazy and stubborn.) Lately, I've had to coerce him in the morning into heading out to do his business.  This morning, I decided to just let him go out at his own pace.  I opened the door - with the screen door shut (it's rather warm here) and waited.  Sure enough, he approached the door so I go up and opened the screen and he ever so slowly, headed out. About 45 seconds later I heard the loud thumping that are Bubba's paws when running...he was coming inside whether I opened the screen or not (luckily I managed to get it open). He acted like some giant monster or another dog was chasing him.  So funny. (Well, not really if he is scared).  He's silly.

How about a sweet pic of a girl wearing the tutu that her Aunt Muwee got her!?  Maggie said she woke up and pulled it on (by herself) over her PJs.  Hee hee...that's exactly what I was hoping for when I bought it!  That thing is going to get some good use out of it! 

And now - what is wrong with this pic!? Hmm...that's a BAD puppy brother! 

So tonight is going to quite possibly be a doozie in regard to the weather.  We are expecting storms just as trick-or-treaters are headed out.  They're saying the biggest issues may be damaging winds.  That is the worst thing Muir could hear.  Definitely going to have to have me a couple of cocktails!  We'll head over to the neighbors around 5:30.  I'm making a hash brown casserole (my go-to side)...neighbors are providing hamburgers and hot dogs.  I hope the kids get to go out for a bit...this is the second year in a row with rain. 

Remind Me Not To Watch Les Mis!

I love having HBO (I've fallen asleep just about every night to Harry Potter) but I need to remember that painting and watching Les Mis does not mix well.  By the end, (of painting and the movie) I was bawling into my paint covered hands and wondering why I wasn't changing the channel.  Don't get me wrong, I love the movie but it is a definite tear-jerker.

In kitchen news - I managed to get a section of bottom cabinets painted yesterday and will continue with another section after school today.  The dogs have been very good staying out of my way but the trick is to keep them away from the wet paint.  Needless to say, I have little barricades set up willy nilly throughout.  I will be happy when this is complete.  And by the way - I don't know what I'm going to do with the pups when we do the floor. You basically have to go through the kitchen to get anywhere in my house.  I may just have to keep them penned in the family room.  Hmm...I'll have to think about that. 

Oh, and I picked and bought my cabinet pulls (at left).  I originally found some that I really liked and they would have cost me under $100 but alas, I was looking at the wrong size.  In the end, I spent just about $150 and I'm happy with them.  I just hope there aren't any snafus when they come because 3 1/2 inch are HARD to find!  Of course they are.

And that's all I've got.  Best motor. Early release day!  YAY!  Later!

Now That's Saying Something

So...coyotes.  I've never seen one around here but the neighbors say they have and I've heard some disturbing noises/attacks at night behind our house.  They've become a huge problem in the suburbs everywhere.  I worry about the pups going out even with our fenced yard (some parts still need replacement) and I call them in pretty quickly when it's dark out. Jim says that he thinks coyotes are the one thing he could shoot...and that is definitely saying something.  I mean the fellow cried one time while driving when a bird flew into the front grill of our car. He's very sensitive (I won't say he's a pussy...that would be mean! Love him!)

Anyway - the reason I write this is that a friend on FB posted about her granddog going missing 5 weeks ago.  Last night, her daughter got a call that she had been found.  She had been attacked by a coyote, taken to a vet, operated on and the microchip scan reunited her with her family.  Just scares me.  I wish we could just GET all those mangy little effers!  I know that's mean but what is the point of such mean animals!?

In school news - I have to boogie here pretty quickly as I have a 7:30 IEP and I haven't made copies.  No biggie though...I should be done by 8:00. (Kim - will you watch my 1st period?)

Had a horrible dream last night about a shooter at our school. I saw him running around in the building and he had this face paint on...it was truly frightening. I woke up with adrenalin pumping through me and couldn't get back to sleep.  UGH!

K - I'm out...gotta get my "school" on.  Later!

Productive

Jim and I were very productive this weekend.  Saturday I did my normal stuff but I also managed to bathe Bubba which is no small feat.  Lifting him into the bathtub, although it doesn't take any time, is a back-breaker. Blow drying him takes about an hour with him moving around, shaking and nibbling on his paws.  For some reason this time he didn't want me to blow dry his butt.  Usually he doesn't care.  In the end though I was able to get him mostly dry and Saturday was nice so he was able to go in and out without freezing his tookus off.

Sunday, yesterday was quite productive.  After cleaning I decided that with nothing else to do and the Bengals not on until 4:00, I should get a head start on the kitchen.  So, after going out and purchasing the tile, I set to work painting the upper cabinets.  I cranked those out and they look shiny and terrific.  I thought about doing the bottom cabinets as well but I wouldn't have been able to cook and I was getting sloppy and tired.  I'll try and get a little here and there done this week on the bottom ones so that by Friday, all that will be needed to do is paint the walls and ceiling (Jim's job).  This means that by Saturday, we'll be ready for tiling and Sunday grouting. 

Other than painting, yesterday I made some bread...chocolate chip pumpkin bread.  It makes two loaves so one will go to my secret pal and I cut several pieces for my girls at work and left just a tad for Jimmy and me.  It's quite dense and filling and we don't need to be eating more than a piece or two.  I also made a delicious potato soup for dinner.  It wasn't as thick as I would have liked it but it was delicious.  I'll make it again sometime and thicken it up.

This week at work shouldn't be too bad.  I have an IEP on Tuesday but I sent a draft home and got an email back that all looked fine and the meeting should be nice and short.  I'll take Friday off to work on the kitchen and beyond that...I got nothing. 

Well, I best head up and out.  Got my normal Monday stuff to do which can be a tad hectic so...I'm out...later!

Reindeer and Pumpkins

Lets start this day out right.  Now if this doesn't make you excited for Christmas there's something wrong with you!  That is the cutest reindeer I've ever seen and I love her sweet smile.  Maggie said from across Home Depot she spied the Christmas trees and went cuckoo.  I predict Maggie is going to wear out her Rudolph and Frosty DVDs this year.  A girl after my own heart. 

So yesterday Jim and I went to Trip and Susan's to carve pumpkins and eat chili.  Unbelievably, I didn't take any pics of our pumpkins.  I carved two (I finished up Max's because he was busy playing with J.J.), Jim did one, Madison did one but Trip's broke (cause he's a fool) and Cullen never finished his.  JBird did a face on his pumpkin...it was cute.  I'll have to tell Susan to take pics when they're all lit up and send it to me.

Oh, and Dad and Cullen brought Laila and she had a great time with Molly and hanging with the family. She was very lively. I was worried on how she'd do without Brutus but I think she may reveling in all the attention she's getting.  Considering where she came from (a puppy mill), this is probably the first time she's ever had such attention.  She's a sweetie...she'll be fine.

Today:  Jim will go next door and finish painting (he's painting the oldest girls bedroom).  I'll clean, walk Sami and then go to Home Depot to buy the back splash for the kitchen.  My plans there are to paint next weekend and possibly do the back splash.  Not sure if that will be possible but if Jim and I both call in sick on Friday, we could crank it out.  Then the following weekend we could get the floor started.  I'm so anxious to get this started and complete...my kitchen floor is driving me batty. 

K - well, that's all I've got.  Bengals at 4:25ish...Who Dey!  They play on Thursday as well...yet another reason to call in sick Friday!  K - I'm out...time to make the doughnuts.  Later.

Crazy Neighbors

And by that I mean at school. 

So its been a while since I've mentioned the annoyance that is BFC.  She's the bitchy cow that now lives next door at work. Have I mentioned that she likes to write emails that go on and on and on and on and she sends them to gobs and gobs of people that have nothing to do with anything written in them?  She creates problems because I guess she thinks it keeps her significant but in reality it only makes her a target for the loony bin. 

Well, recently one of the aides has been sick and it was discovered Wednesday that she would be out at least another 2 weeks.  AND!!!  Subs for aides are hard to come by (doesn't pay as much as regular subs and the same subs aren't on the aide list...stupid). This means that for the aide that's out, she only has coverage on certain days. No problem, however, because the marvelous other aides have all stepped up to cover where needed.  Bing, bang, boom, solved.  But of course BFC needs to send an email out to the WHOLE department and the VP about how exhausted she is trying to cover and she doesn't know if she's coming or going and BOO HOO (all bullshit by the way).  Oh and her emails are miles long with shit highlighted everywhere.  Ridiculous. 

So yesterday - I sent this to some of my ladies:

Dear colleagues, friends, ladies, lights of my life,

I know there’s nothing you can do to help me but I’d like to take this time to vent about a couple things that have been weighing on my mind and which have exhausted me and left me reeling as to how to fix it and my life for that matter…things that I’ve decided to share with you so that you can be all up in my business and things that you don’t care about…things that you should care about because it’s all about me.

-          I’m not getting enough sleep because my shoulder hurts and I believe if one of you were at my house in the evenings to help me to roll over and cushion my shoulder, I would feel much better.

-          I’m fat and certain PEOPLE (I don’t want to name names and call people out because that wouldn’t be right but it starts with a K and ends with an M) have been bringing certain foods that aren’t on my diet.  Please refrain from doing this ANYMORE because it is disruptive to everything I do in life!!!

-          Certain adults who come into my classes don’t know how to whisper and it interrupts my class when I’m trying to show educational things such as Little House on the Prairie!  I’ve found a class that you can take that will TEACH you how to whisper but unfortunately we don’t have subs to cover for you so you’re SOL!

 I’m sure that later in the day I will have something else to moan and groan about so please check your email every minute of the day. 

 Thanks and as always – be ever vigilant about ME!

 

Hee hee.  Diane forwarded that to FW as well and she called me and said how offended she was that I hadn't included her in the "friends, lights of my life" etc.  Apparently not only did she get the same email we had all gotten on Thursday from BFC but she also got 5 others.  UGH.  OH! and then BFC went on Facebook yesterday and posted on her page the huge need for aides we have at our school.  She then went on to say how we were probably hiring 1-2 more aides next year and 1-3 English teachers.  She has a lot of gall. 

 

Okay so YAY it's Friday.  Can't wait for the weekend.  We're carving pumpkins on Saturday and I can't wait to see JBird! 

K - I'm out...need gas...later!

R.I.P. Brutus

Puppy

My parents dog and Cullen's puppy brother Brutus passed away in his sleep yesterday, right next to his Cullen's bed.  He fought a battle with cancer for a couple years and I guess his body was just tired of fighting. He was only 7.  There's nothing quite so heartbreaking as when a pup passes away. Some people get it and other don't.  They become such a part of your every day lives and when their gone they leave a puppy-sized hole in your soul.

With Laila



How did he manage this?!  Such a goof!

Brutus was such a goof.  He had a tongue much too large for his mouth and for a dog so tall and lanky he thought he was a lap dog until the day he passed.  He drooled a LOT and often left nice little smudgie slobber marks in odd places - your butt, boob, lap, arm, wherever he may have walked by and swiped you. His one tooth seemed to always oddly jut out of his mouth and the tip of his tongue was in a permanent state of leather. 

One of the saddest parts of Brutus's passing is Laila.  I wonder how she will take him being gone.  I wish you could sit a dog down and explain life because you know she's going to walk around wondering for a long time to come.  She'll definitely need some extra hugging.

And with that I'll close.  Hugs to Dad, Becky and Cullen. 



These two are now frolicking around
in heaven!

Cullen and his puppy brother

Leaving The "Cooking" Up To Jim

Today I'm making a beef stew in the crock pot.  Now anyone who has done beef stew in the crock knows that you still are "required" to brown the meat.  I thought about NOT making this during the week but what's the point of a crock pot if you don't cook stuff while you're at work?  So - I prepared Jim.  I cut all the meat, cut the onions, cut the potatoes (they are soaking in water so as not to turn brown), prepared all the spices and the juice to go in.  I gave him explicit directions on EXACTLY what he needs to do as well.  Surprisingly he seemed to listen to it all and even said everything back to me.  We'll see how many phone calls I get this morning. 

Oh, Jim's hilarious:  He just came down for breakfast and said, "All that stuff you wanted me to do this morning?  I don't feel like it."  Oh, I guess you don't feel like eating tonight either and here, give me that breakfast sandwich I just made you too.  Devil!

It's raining.  And chilly.  Perfect day for beef stew.

In shoulder news, it's feeling a bit better.  I've tried to do less with it this last day and a half (even writing left-handed on the board yesterday...it hurts to lift it like that) and I've been popping the naproxen.  Sleeping is a bit difficult when I need to turn over but nothing I can't handle.  Lets hope this is just a little glitch.

Okay - well, that's about all I've got.  Need to do a few more things for Jim's prep and then it's off to work I go.  Happy humpday!  Later!

Me And Google Are Not Simpatico!

So I do all my email via Google...Gmail etc.  And my homepage is set on igoogle which is going to go away in 10 days.  Which means my homepage will be all boring and have none of my setup pages on it.  I'm trying to configure using the new shit but it just doesn't make any sense to me and I DON'T LIKE IT!  It is NOT user friendly and I poop on you Google!  This is a girl who doesn't like change!  ARG! 

In other news it's cold!  39 degrees or so says my phone and weather.com.  Pants and a sweater for this girl.

In shoulder news - mine is killing me.  I don't know what I did to tweak my rotator cuff but it hasn't hurt like this since I had to get an MRI and found out it was partially torn.  I'm trying to lay off it and not move it as much but weird things and movements hurt it.  I'm fine raising it in some positions but in others I'm not.  It hurt like hell to wash and brush my hair today so I'm thinking about growing dreadlocks.  Or I could have Jim do my hair.  Hee hee...he'd love that. Anyway - I've popped an extra naproxen this morning and I'm hoping to just keep my are glued to my side today...except that I have to use my arm to write on the board.  UGH! 

How about a hearty HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Diane!?!?!  She never reads this but I'll say it anyway.  I got her a hilarious card yesterday.  It has a cow and a donkey on the front, standing on their hind legs and when you open it, it reads "Thought you might like some teats and ass for your birthday!"  I laughed like an idiot in Kroger when I saw that.  Teats and ass...that's funny! 

K - well, I guess I best head up and out.  I need to get crack-a-lackin' on my IEP progress reports.  Yuck!  K - happy Tuesday...later!

Wishing I Were Somewhere Else

It was much rougher than it looks here

I wish I were still at PIB...laying in bed...hearing the waves crash...hate that it will be another 7 months before I see my fave place again but alas I'm not a millionaire and can't just jet up there to my own place whenever I feel like it.  Not that I'm complaining at all...I know how lucky I am in the first place to have what I have.  Sigh...

In dinner news - I made a magnificent soup last night:  Pasta Fagioli.  It was AMAZING!  (BTW - mine was much thicker than the picture here looks.) I'm totally into soups lately...not that I've made anything besides chili but I've been perusing them on Pinterest and have quite a cache with which to test this fall and winter. Maggie made this one last week and promised it would be good...it was!  Can't wait for lunch today.  It made a HUGE pot so I froze half of it.  I think my next soup may be next Sunday and I'm thinking potato.  I accidentally bought a bag of potatoes when I already had a bag of potatoes so I need to make lots of potatoes in the next couple weeks (this after Maggie and I were talking about the fact that we don't make potatoes much in our dinners). Anyway - not sure which potato soup recipe I'll make but there's a Pioneer Woman one that looks yummy.  We'll see.

In Bengal news: WHO DEY!!!  (Sorry Lisa).  Jim and I listened to the first quarter in the car on the way home, stopped at Kroger  and made it home to watch the second half.  Talk about nail biter!  I'm a bit sick of the last minute wins...why can't we win by a landslide one of these Sundays?  A win is a win though, no matter how it comes. 

K - well I've got a TON to do since I wasn't at school Friday and grades are due.  Later...happy Monday!

Rainy Saturday At The Bay!

Yesterday Jim and I timed our drive perfectly.  We left at 5:00 AM and made it to the ferry by 8:30.  We could have probably made that ferry but I had to pee (couldn't wait) and we wanted to be on the same ferry with Maggie and Charlie (they were just 20 minutes behind us).  We were on the island at 10 and went and had breakfast at Pasquale's.  From there we hung out, took a gulf cart ride, took a nap and found the perfect piece of property to buy...on East shore.  Only couple hundred thousand but it's got a lake view on a private lane.  Should only cost a couple more hundred thou to build. 

We started our day today at Frosty's with mimosas and bloody Mary's.  We've made our chili and it's simmering on the stove and we're now about to head back to Frosty's for another mimosa...just didn't get my fill at breakfast.  It's quite dreary here but perfect for hanging out and watching football and cuddling up with a punk-a-roo. 

After breakfast (now updating again at 3:30) Eva is currently asleep and we're all trying to watch football.  Jim and Charlie went downtown eat while Maggie and I stayed home to put Eva down and finish off the meatloaf.  Jim went to the hardware store and got himself a t-shirt and me a sweatshirt (it's got the longitude/latitude of PIB).  We're now watching Ohio State) and we're waiting for Auburn to come on.  Jim and Charlie are currently snoring away and Bussie is being a bit of a jerk (he keeps trying to bite my feet and I keep having to kick him in the head...not really but, well, he needs a knock to the skull...kind of).  Oh wait, he's now snoring away as well.  It sure is loud in here and I'm not talking about football.

Tonight is just going to be chili and hanging out.  Maybe Maggie and I will drink some wine...I don't know...we'll have to see if we feel like it (HA!).  We'll hopefully be off tomorrow by 9 or 10...we'll see.

And that's it.  Sad that we won't be here again for about 7 months.  It never seems that long but I sure do love this place and can't wait until next year.  K - later.

Happy Birthday TRIP!!!

He doesn't read this but what are you going to do?  I'll text and call him as well.  I sent him a card that was really funny. It said something like:  Thanks for being a great big brother and testing me throughout my life...{open} like trying to bend my fingers back until they touch the back of my hand.  He totally used to do that to me (us) when we were younger.  Makes me think...we used to just beat the SHIT out of each other, the four of us.  Ah...good times!

In other news...I'm gearing up for my last visit to Put-In-Bay.  Yesterday I did my grocery shop and made the meatloaf I'll be making.  Tonight I'll be making some birthday brownies, cleaning and packing.  We plan on being on the road by 5AM...we need to get to the ferry by 9:30 because the next ferry after that isn't until 10:30.  Can't wait to be there and the weather looks to be pretty decent...maybe some rain Saturday night.

My three IEPs went well yesterday...I think I was done with all three in 30 minutes.  So nice to get a nice chunk of them done all at once.  School today should be no biggie and then my weekend starts!  YAY!!!

K - well, I need to go get Jimmy up because he needs to crack-a-lack...I want him to vacuum and do a few things around here before he leaves for work.  K - later.  Probably won't post until Saturday.  I think I will take my computer with me this weekend.  Later!

Happy Birthday Maggie!!!

FORTY-FIVE!!!  Wow!  And you still look 35 to me!  Hope your day is super-terrific.  Can't wait to celebrate up at THE BAY this weekend!!!

In other news - it's raining.  We need it and it will be bringing with it a cool front.  Next weekend?  Not this weekend but next weekend?  The high, the HIGH, is supposed to be 46 with a low of 32!  That's freezing...literally.  I think it may be time for a fire!  And!  That's the day we're going to Trip and Susan's to carve pumpkins!  Brrr...the should get a fire pit to keep us all warm and to keep us from slicing our hands while carving pumpkins. 

School should be interesting today.  See, it's "senior skip day".  Seniors get a day to college visit (I'm sure about 10 kids will actually do this).  The reason is that juniors (and sophomores?  I can't remember) will be taking the PSAT from 7:25 until about 11:00.  Freshmen will be doing some future planning stuff on the computer along with a class meeting.  I've pulled 4 of our freshmen to do other stuff since they will get NOTHING out of being with the general population.  We'll fill out some transition surveys for IEPs (which will take about 20 minutes) and then we'll probably watch Little House.  I asked Horshack if he wanted to do this and he said, "Yes I would!"  When I asked him if he was up for working on tying his shoe he said, "I'd be honored!"  Hee hee.  I should bring one of Jim's giant, stinky shoes to teach him.  He'll want to get the shoe out of his face quickly and maybe that will motivate him to learn quickly!  What do you think? Yeah - I don't think that will work either.

Well, that's about all I've got.  I'll be heading to the grocery after work to get supplies for PIB.  Maggie already got the most important thing:  Pumpkin vodka!  Can't wait to try.  I still have whipped cream vodka and will bring that...we can mix them and it will taste like a pumpkin pie!  YUM!

K - I'm out...Happy birthday again to Maggie!  Talk at you later! Later!

A Treat

It's very rare that Jim and I go out much less on a school night but last night we did. See, I had a union meeting at 4:00 which lasted until about 5:00.  I knew I wouldn't get home until way past the time to get a nice home cooked meal made so we planned to go Mexican...it'd been a long while since we ate at El Picante. Not to mention we needed to restock our giant straws (the ones you get when you order a frozen drink). And let me tell you - it was so nice to go out, hang with my honey, eat a fajita or two, suck down a margarita (only one) and still be home by 7:00.  I love to cook and I'm glad I've been so good in NOT getting take-out and going out (to save moolah) but every now and again it's nice to treat yourself.  And the bill was under $30 - tip and drinks included.

When we got home we watched The Walking Dead.  Man oh man that show just makes me so TENSE!!!  I'm always waiting for some nasty ass walker to attack or a crazy non-walker to go loony toons.  Last night didn't disappoint, that's for sure.  We also watched a bit of the Talking Dead afterwards and it sounds like the shit is going to hit the fan in the next episode.  I don't know if my heart can take it.

In union news at school...not much is going on there.  We did discuss the election and the fact that a woman who has notoriously been against teachers and in fact has sued my district several times is running for a seat on our board.  So crazy.  Her main focus is always not spending money (not paying teachers fairly) and saving the district cash.  Not sure how all her lawsuits help us there.  Can't imagine that this ISN'T a conflict of interest.  Let's up she doesn't' get on the board.  We have three seats up, however, and 4 people running so...ugh!

Okay well, that's all I've got.  Spaghetti squash with turkey meatballs for din din tonight...yummy!  Only three more days in my work week.  YIPPEE!!!  K - later!

Bengals Win

It wasn't pretty...well it was pretty until they blew their 14 point lead but winners can't be choosers I guess.  I must say, I cannot STAND Boomer Esiason.  He speaks about the Bengals like they weren't his bread and butter for 8 years.  He says he tries to be objective but to me that he thinks that means to rip into the team every chance he gets...and those "chances" are contrived at best.  He needs to keep his scratchy-throated ass away from commentating any more Bengals games. 

Anyway - sorry to mar a happy win with hate - WHO DEY!!!

Went across the way to hang with the neighbors.  Their son Brian who is about 22 or 23 is back for a week or so from the air force.  He hasn't been home since training started in Texas last March.  He'll now be stationed in Dover, Delaware where he is part of the C-5 crew. He helps to fly the HUGE plane that is loading the helicopter in the pic shown.  I would NOT want to be in charge of flying that thing. 

Anyway - we went across the way and ate, drank and talked.  I made a new appetizer - Jalapeno Popper Dip (almost called it pooper)...it was a HIT!  And so easy.  It's on my Pinterest board "Appetizers" if you're interested.  I also made broccoli salad and that was a hit too. 

Home by 7:30...bed by 8:00...watched some TV...started to watch Walking Dead but knew I'd not last so went to sleep. 

I won't be home until around 5:00 tonight because  I have a 4:00 union meeting.  I'll just stay at school and get some work done (feel free to call me there Maggie...11061).  Considering all that, I'll not cook tonight and Jim and I will celebrate Columbus day (he was Italian) with a bit of Mexican food.  Ole!

Okay...best head up and out...suck down my smoothie.  Later...Happy Monday...hope this week goes fast...taking Friday off...cough cough...to get some much needed rest up north...hee hee.  Later!

HBO & Bubba Woes

So we'll start with Bubba.  I don't know what's up with him.  For the last week or so, I've wondered if something was wrong.  He just seems to be moving slower...nothing more than that really.  He's still his happy self...eating normally...walking with Jim in the morning normally.  It's just a feeling I get from him. And before I go any further here - let me explain a bit about my sweet Bubs.  He is a camel.  He can hold his pee and poop forever.  And this isn't always a good thing - obviously - since that can't be good for you but it's how he's always been.  He can wait to poop all day and then go four or five times.  He'll hold his pee and finally go out and pee for a solid 60 seconds...and then still walk around and squirt here and there like most boy dogs do.  So last night - before coming to bed, Jim made sure Bubba went out and did his business.  He came in, we all went to bed and then around 1:00 AM, Bubba started whining at the back door.  Jim got up and let him out.  3:00 AM - Bubba starts up again.  Jim gets up and lets him out. At this point, I said to Jim, "Something is wrong."  5:00 AM same thing.  This time I got up.  He went out and did his business and then after being inside for about 10 minutes, he whined to go back out.  I let him out and he laid on the deck then started squatting like he had to go but nothing came out (sorry for the details). He must have a belly ache or something.  I'll keep my eye on him today in case we need to get him to the vet.  He starts back today on his anti-biotics so maybe that will help (he does a week on a week off). 

 

In cable news: So for the last two years I was in a contract with Time Warner...price lock and all that...no special channels or anything. This is about to expire and I got a letter in the mail telling me that it would automatically renew unless I called by 10/24.  Additionally, Maggie told me that she called Time Warner on Friday to try and lower their bill (telling the rep they were looking to go to something else...dish, fioptics, etc.). In the end, Maggie got  HBO, Showtime, plus she has DVR and two (at least, I think) high def boxes for lower than they were paying previously.  I talked to a guy, telling him I wanted to opt out of the price lock (and the two year contract) and if I didn't get my bill lowered, I was going elsewhere.  He worked with me and in the end I was able to get HBO free for a year, got a second DVR box and lowered my bill by $20.  YAY! 

 

And how about a sweet girl in a pumpkin patch!  Loves her.

K - well, today is going to be a relatively relaxing day.  Bengals and not much else.  I may go out early to shop for a certain someones b-day.  At 4:30 (by the time the Bengals have won their game) we'll head across the way to our neighbors who are cooking out.  Their son has been away training for the marines or something.  I need to make a side dish...I was thinking of just doing broccoli salad.  It's good and refreshing and I know someone else is doing mac and cheese so...hope that's okay.

Alright - well, I'm out...later!

A Normal Saturday

Someone likes to play dress up.  Maggie needs to get a bucket full of fun dress up clothes for Eva to have fun with.  Maybe add a couple pairs of pants in there...or a skirt...a tutu...girl never has pants on.  Love her.

So today should be nice and relaxed.  I'll walk Sami here in a bit then do my grocery shop.  The house definitely needs a clean and the lawn needs to be mowed.  Just a normal weekend here in the Hanke household.  This time next week, however, we'll be in PIB!!!  YAY!!!

In dinner news - my teriyaki chicken sandwiches were unbelievable last night.  The caramelized onions were amazing!!!  Not to toot my own horn but dayum...deeeelcious.

In Richard news:  I got a text last night that he went back into the hospital for an irregular heartbeat.  They say it isn't abnormal that this would happen...I'm just hoping that he isn't pushing himself too hard and doing too much.  I'm sure he's stir crazy but a little boredom is the price he may have to pay for a few weeks if it means he'll heal faster.  My advice:  Take it easy...don't push...let time heal and give your body a break so it can catch up to what it has been through.  Please!

And that's all I've got.  I'll go make breakfast now and then start my day.  Later!

IEP #2

I have my second IEP meeting this morning.  Shouldn't be too big a deal since A) this kid shouldn't be on an IEP as he is very high functioning and gets no services and B) I sent a draft home last week and unless the parents have no questions, we'll go over the goal, sign and done.  I say 20 minutes tops. 

In Horshack news (he's so funny): Apparently in 5th period yesterday they were naming different radio stations in the area and someone called out WEBN.  Horshack said, "How do you spell that?" (He wasn't kidding) And so someone said again, "WEBN." And Horshack said, "Yes...I know...but how do you spell that?" Oh, and another story: He came up to me in 6th period while I was helping another student and said, "Mrs. Hanke!  My shoe is untied." And I said, "Well look at that.  It is." And he just stuck his foot out and so I realized, "Horshack?  Would you like me to tie that for you?"  Horshack: "Yes I would." Me: "Do you know how to tie your shoe?" Horshack: "No...I don't." Guess I have something else to teach him during study hall. 

In dinner news: Last night I made a new recipe - Baby bella turkey meatloafs (it was a recipe that came in a coupon book from Kroger).  These were little turkey meatloaves made in a muffin tin. They were delicious and I think I'll do my meatloaf this way from now on.  What a great way to A) portion out your meal and not eat too much and B) freeze (although last night I didn't freeze any).

I'm excited about dinner tonight too (I think too much about my meals.) I've got chicken marinating in a teriyaki/honey sauce and I'll grill them tonight and serve them on ciabatta's with caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms.  Yummy!

Hey - I haven't done this in a while: Today's holidays/celebrations:
National Coming Out Day!
World Egg Day (I made Jim an egg)
Southern Food Heritage Day

And that's all I've got today.  Better head up and out so I can prepare for my IEP.  Later and TGIFF!!!

Not Much To Say

Things are same-old-same-old at work with the exception of Diane not being there.  Can't tell you how much I miss her and hate it when she's absent...just isn't the same with a sub.  Not that I fault her or want her to feel guilty...she needs to be with her mom but she is missed by the adults and kids.

Bubba's acting weird this morning. He's alert and eating but he's walking really slowly like a turtle. It's probably arthritis but I don't like when he moves slowly.

Lets see...made one of my fave meals last night: Chicken with Sun-dried tomato, basil cream sauce.  I can't tell you how delectable this dish is and so easy.  It's plate lickable.

And that's all I've got.  Sometimes it's good to be boring but it sure makes for a boring post. 

K - best motor.  I need to get these three IEPs I have next Wednesday complete...I've been procrastinating for way too long.  Later!

Little Things That Make Life Little Better

First place goes to this little cutes!  When I get little gifts like this in the middle of my day, I don't mind so much when Maggie rubs it in my face that she's at PIB and I'm not.

Second place goes to my bed.  It's been so chilly at night lately that I decided it was time to change from my light, nearly featherless comforter to my think cozy one.  I was so excited about it that I went up to lay in bed at 7:15 last night.  I did try to read but started falling asleep so I turned on the TV instead.  I found The Big Chill had just started and watched about a half hour of that before falling asleep.  Man that comforter just sucks you in and refuses to spit you out.  So cozy.

Speaking of sleep, my third place goes to sleeping the night through without waking up.  Usually I wake up once in the night and usually I can get back to sleep easily.  Every now and then though, I fall asleep and don't wake up again until my alarm goes off and it is so heavenly. 

Fourth place goes to school. Sometimes school can be so humdrum and monotonous...either that or there's so much going on that I can't keep up.  Every now and again, however, something exciting happens.  Nothing major but something exciting.  So several of my kids are REALLY bad at money.  I mean they can say, "This is a penny", "This is a nickel", "This is a dime" etc. but they can't say what the worth of the coins are.  They have a hard time counting by fives, tens, etc. So I went online and found a presentation thingy (very interactive) to work on this skill during my 7th period study hall.  We started yesterday and the kids did so well. I felt like we really made a start yesterday.  Even Horshack made some progress (he's my ninth grade autistic kid...I finally found a name for him after he raised his hand a week or so ago and started going, "Oooh, oooh, oooh,"...Horshack it is).  It took a few tries for him not to say that two nickels equaled 55 cents but eventually he got it.

I know all of this isn't much but I tell you, I'm so sick of going on Facebook and whatnot and seeing all these negative posts from people.  Seriously - more than half the Facebook comments I read are people bitching about one thing or another.  It's exhausting and I can't imagine it isn't exhausting being those people.  And I get for some it's a realm where they can vent but go out into the woods and scream, or scream into a pillow...the rest of the world is trying to enjoy life and you're bringing us all down!  (Of course this doesn't apply to any of the people who read this...you are all fine).

K - I know I just contradicted myself by throwing a bitch in there but you know...I had to explain.  K - I'm out.  Headed to Target after work...it's early release and Data Day so no meetings...YAY!  Later!

Chilly Willy

My GOD it's chilly this morning.  Not really complaining because this is my kind of weather but yowza are my tootsies cold! Maybe flip flops aren't the way to go.  Well, it is going to get in the 60s today so eff it.

In Richard news:  I haven't heard yet if he was released from the hospital...and Mom hasn't posted yet which tells me he did because when he was in the hospital - she was up by now and at least posting on FB.  I'll check her blog throughout the morning. Hoping all is well there though.

Some thoughts and prayers to Diane (one of our aides at school and my pups second mommy).  Her mother had her gall bladder removed yesterday which doesn't seem like a biggie but she's also losing blood from somewhere and while at the hospital, she fell and suffered a compound fracture of her ankle. Poor Diane!  She's had a LOT of family health issues of late.  Hoping all is well, we miss you at work D but take as much time as you need...your mother needs you more!

Maggie called me yesterday while I was driving home from work (as she always does) and said, "Where are you?"  I said, "In my car driving home." She said, "Guess where I am?"  Me: "You are a bitch and NOT nice!" She's in PIB and I don't find it very sisterly that she rubs it in my face when I can't be there.  Then again, that kind of sounds VERY sisterly.

So at school, some of the aides and sped teachers are doing a secret Halloween pal thingy and I got my first gift yesterday.  I got this cute little jelly jar with a straw in the lid and a Mike's hard strawberry lemonade thingy.  I'm pretty sure I know who my pal is but that's okay.  The woman I have hasn't been in school since last Thursday so I got her info sheet and it was blank.  I went to the dollar store anyway and got her some cute little things.  I'll give my first gift today (a cute sippy Halloween cup full of chocolate eyeballs etc.).  Hope she likes it and isn't allergic to peanut butter. 

And that's about all I've got.  Need to go find me a sweater to put on over my shirt and head off to work.  Ooh, made some really delicious pork chops last night...WW with only 7 points.  And I only ate half (so I could bring the other half for lunch). They seemed overly simple but they were delicious and Jimmy loved them.

K - later!

I'll Be Happy When This Week Is Over

Reason: My juniors have been working on an English paper for what seems like 4 weeks and I'm sick, sick, sick of it.  Most of them can't write their way out of a paper bag which means guess who is having to check and recheck and assist in rewriting nearly everything?  That'd be me. 

In other news - look who loves her hats! (Sorry about the brightness).

In Richard news - Mom posted on FB this morning that Richard may go home today.  I'm sure he's ready...I just hope that it isn't too soon since he has very limited use of his arms and transferring in and out of bed, chair etc., may be tough. 

Jim's sitting next to me eating his breakfast and saying pointless, stupid stuff.  He just said, "Here's a thought..." and then proceeded to tell me about the movie Rear Window (Alfred Hitchcock) and how the whole movie is filmed in that one room (with the exception of when Jimmy Stewart falls out of his window). The point of this little recitation of his?  Not sure.  And, um, I wonder if he remembers that I've see the movie countless times - many of which he was present for.  I think he must have a quota he has to hit everyday of random thoughts and he tries to get at least one in before I head to work.  Goof.

Okay so this week at work shouldn't be too much of anything.  I have an IEP on Friday. It's already written though so no biggie.  And that's it.  I best head up and out.  Safe driving to Maggie, Eva, Cullen and Bussie who are headed to the Bay today.  Later!

Quick Trip...And We're Home

The best part of this video is at the end...just a little something from Eva to her Grandpap to keep his spirits up.

I have to say - we had a good time yesterday but one day with my sweets just isn't enough.  I hated to leave today especially since it was yucky and raining and I hate driving in rain like that.

So what did we do yesterday?  Well, Jim and I arrived in Columbus by 9 AM with 2 dozen Holtman's donuts in tow.  We ate a few donuts, drank a mimosa or two and then Maggie and I headed out to Yankee Candle, Old Navy and we were going to go to Carter's but Eva wasn't feeling it.  So, we headed home, dosed Eva up with some Motrin and then headed to Average Joe's where Jim and Charlie already were for the cornhole tournament.  After lunch, Maggie and I headed home, put Eva down and watched a couple of shows on DVR. Jim and Charlie got home around 5:30 (Jim drank a bit too much but he wasn't obnoxious), they both napped, and then we ate around 7:00.  Eva went down around 8:30 and the rest of us followed by 9:30 I think. 

Jim and I are now home, loving on our babes and ready for the Bengals game.  Not sure what to expect there, trying to keep a positive attitude but alas, it is New England and Andy Dalton just doesn't have what it takes...sad but true.  I just don't think he's better than a mediocre quarterback.  But I'll still cheer for my team and hope they have a good showing. 

K - best close here and love on my girl and boy.  Sami's a little mad that she isn't getting her walk today...it is SO raining.  Later!

Updates

So, Richard's surgery went well.  He was in and out in 4 1/2 hours - right on time as the doc had said it would take 4-5 hours.  He has had his breathing tube removed, is in some pain but the nurses have told my mom he's handling it. They weren't able to get the nodule...I think it was too far from the incision. Keep your thoughts and prayers coming...his next several days are going to be doozies.

Today I have a conference at the Oasis on Sensory Processing Disorders in children (autism issues for the most part).  The Oasis is less than a mile from home so YAY!!!  I get to come home for lunch and everything.  Bubba and Sami will be happy.  Lets just hope I get a seat since the stupes at school are assholes and didn't register me.  I have a check so hopefully all will go well.  If not, I guess I'll just come home and hang.  I'll get a seat though, I'm sure.

Tomorrow - Jim and I go to Columbus.  Jim and Charlie are in a cornhole tournament.  Maggie and I will probably just hang out and maybe go shopping?  I don't know if we'll go to the tournament or not.  Who knows and who cares...all I know is I'll get to see my sweet girl.  I've been jonsin'! 

And that's all I've got. Oh, and Bubba and I are in a fight.  He wouldn't go down this morning.  Of course he was happy to take the carrot I gave him but when I went to coax him outside, he ran to lay in the corner by the piano.  ARG!  He didn't get a biscuit and I was forced to give him the stink eye.  Debil dog!  (I love him!)

Okay - that's all I've got.  Later and I'll probably talk at you all on Sunday. Ta!

Thoughts & Prayers

Today, Richard (my stepfather) goes into hospital for a double bypass and an aortic valve replacement.  Additionally, they found a nodule on his lung that they are hoping to be able to remove (they aren't sure what it is and if they can't get to it, they'll have to wait 3 months and try again...ugh!) They think he'll be in hospital for 5-7 days but the rehab is going to be about 2-3 months. Please keep your thoughts and prayers with my mom and Richard today and for the next several weeks as they power through this life obstacle. (And lets hope this is the last obstacle they have for a long while as it has been a freaking shitty year for them.)

In other news, got paid today. Checked my pay stubby thing and I was docked a half day for the professional day we had a couple weeks ago.  Normally I wouldn't notice something like this but when I was on the website for putting in absences the other day I noticed that day had been marked "sick leave" instead of "professional day".  I told the secretary about it and she said she'd fix it .  Well she fixed it on the site but didn't tell central office about it.  Glad I checked...if you want something done right, I guess you should do it yourself.

In Jim shoulder news, he's doing much better.  We're hoping that he will be approved for his shots and PT by Monday.  He's doing very little bitching about it and I think a little rest was just what the doc ordered.

And that's all I've got.  I need to head out quickly because I need to go to Kroger and the post office this morning and I'm sure I have lots of papers on my desk to grade.  (Although we had an impromptu drug search yesterday at school apparently - I was absent - and so many of my kids may not have completed their work with shortened bells).  K - I'm out...later!

Shoulders, Sleep & Stupid Teachers

Shoulders: A Jim update (you know...like "Title: A Novel).  So Jim went round and round yesterday between workers comp, the doctor's office and his place of work.  Mostly it was because the doc's office would say, "We need this info" so Jim would have to call his company get the info, call back the docs would then say, "Oh, we need this too".  In the end, he was able to get a 3:10 appointment yesterday to get his shoulder checked out.  The result: His rotator cuff is NOT torn.  The doc said it's "angry" and needs cortisone and physical therapy.  However, he may work as long as he doesn't lift his arm above shoulder height.  Don't know how that will work as a painter but he's going to try.  The major rub here is he has to wait for the cortisone and PT until approved by workers comp.  He's going to try to expedite the process by making some phone calls. Don't know if that will help but I don't think it can hurt. 

Sleep:  Slept like a baby rock last night.  I went down (hee hee) around 8:30 and woke at 4:11 but that was because my arm was outside the covers and was ice cold from the fan blowing on it.  I huddled under my covers and fell asleep again until my alarm went off.

Stupid teachers: So my idiot male colleague manages to eff the rest of us because you KNOW he can't communicate with his parents.  One of our kids - Ike - is autistic, shy, quirky, and pretty dyslexic.  As the days have gone by, however, he's become more and more comfortable in our room and is coming out of his shell.  He will always ask for help when he can't read something.  His nearly illegible handwriting has improved and I'm finding he's got great listening comprehension.  On his last two tests for US history he's got an 88% average.  So last week, Dumb ass sped teacher sends out an email to remind us to read tests to this kid because it's on his IEP.  (Gee, thanks).  Then this morning we get an email from the mother of Ike saying she wants to meet AGAIN! (met at the beginning of the year) to make sure things are being followed on his IEP.  Have I mentioned that this mother is MAJORLY overprotective?  She's a bit of a freak but I also know that DA Sped (Dumb ass sped teacher) hasn't kept in good communication with Ike's mother and NOW we have to meet?!  I call bullshit.  I'm going to bombard Ike's mom this morning with reading info and test averages to show her he's FINE by me. 

K - I'm out...must get to work and start some IEP work (I have three on the 16th).  K - Later!