I'm Such An Asshole!

I came home from my walk with Sami yesterday and Jim was over talking to the new neighbors so I went over to chat. I remembered Sami barking at a cat that was walking around their gardens the other morning so I said, "You have a cat, right?"  Turns out, the night before last, they had to put him down.  ARG!  I made the pregnant lady next door cry!  What the heck!?  And then of course I started crying...it was ridiculous.  Turns out their sweet cat was only 5 years old...he had been acting funny...Cari got home from work and took him right to the vet.  He was filled with cancer.  Sad...I know how they feel. 

In school news - I feel like I'm actually on my game.  I've mostly got all the materials/binders ready for all my kids (and not my kids) for working on their IEP goals in their study halls.  It takes time because you have to test reading levels (for those with reading goals), print out comprehensions based on that.  For those with organization goals, I had to create spreadsheets to track grades (I'm actually making everyone do that because they should all be responsible for knowing what their grades are).  I have one student who has a functional math goal (for budgeting etc.) so yesterday I finally managed to create some spreadsheets on that using excel.  My students with math goals will have to wait as the program we'll be using is not up and running and we haven't been trained on it yet.  However, Horshack will be working on time and money if I can get access to the app I found for him on Chrome.  So much tedious work.  But I feel ahead of the game in comparison to last year.  Ooh, and I've started writing my first IEP...it isn't until the 23rd but there you go. 

Okay well...TGIF!  I'll be showing a video today in Government:This is America Charlie Brown or something like that. Hell, who cares, as long as Snoopy is in it. Loves me some Snoopy!  LA - we'll continue reading SLOB (Secret Life of Bees).  K - best motor...later!

And We're Back

I did try to post yesterday but had no Internet.  Seems the whole country, those Time Warner customers, were out.  And I had so much to say!  And of course now, I've forgotten it all!  Poor you!

So here's a funny:  Did I mention about month ago about walking Sami and passing this man walking his dog and thinking about 5 seconds later that he looked like an old friend from high school?  I'm friends with him on FB and messaged him asking, "Hey, I know this is a weird question but do you by chance..."?  Well, I never heard from him...until yesterday.  He messaged me back (seems he doesn't get on FB much) to say that indeed, it was him.  They had moved in the day before to a street about a 1/2 mile away, on one of my walking routes.  How funny is that?  I hadn't seen him since my wedding.  Small world. 

I walked Sami yesterday and can you believe she went the whole 2 miles?  In 88 degree heat?!  I kept waiting for her to stop and want to turn around but she never did.  I won't do that again as I think I allowed her to overdo it.  She seemed fine and never struggled or seemed over-heated but it's too much in this nasty weather.  Bad mommy! 

Jim and the job situation: He's still looking and filling out apps and gathering info.  He went to the union yesterday and got a lot of questions answered so that's good.  I'm trying to keep him motivated and pumped...not sure how long that will last.  Fingers crossed please...I need my boy working.

School is good.  I'm still getting to know my new kids and figuring out how they work (in the classroom...their pace etc.).  There's one girl who...really it's so sad...has some sort of degenerative cognitive issues...nothing that the doctors have ever been able to diagnose but just looking at her, you can tell there's something wrong. She's a senior, on Lisa's caseload and according to Lisa, she has slipped significantly since her freshmen and sophomore years.  Her mother is a doctor and is very supportive and helpful with homework, but she's also very busy and isn't able to help her all the time.  Her father, I believe, who is home more doesn't know how to help and apparently gets a bit frustrated. This girl has the attention span of about 5 seconds and I'm not exaggerating. This is quite a problem when reading aloud in my LA class.  Sometimes I read from a chapter for nearly the whole period and she probably only hears/gets 1/8 of it.  And then she's supposed to answer questions?  She works at a snail's pace and no matter that I've told them to keep their answers short and simple (less is more) she continues to insist on writing in complete (irrelevant) sentences.  UGH!  Hoping it gets better as she gets used to me (my first time having her in class).

And lets see...oh, Jim and I will be going to C-bus on Saturday.  We'll come home early Sunday.  Just a quick trip to hang with Maggie and Charlie...oh, and Eva.  A nice day at the pool and then home again.  My neighbor is going to help with Sami.  I'll walk her in the morning...wear her out and then we'll leave.  My neighbor's son loves Sami and so I'm sure they'll come over several times to love on her.

That's all I've got.  Guess I'll head up and then out.  Happy...ooh, it's Thursday.  One more day and then a 3-day weekend...woot!  Later!

It's Hot

I look forward to a break in this heat.  I thought that Thursday would bring cooler weather but looking at the forecast, I see that's changed.  Gee...I can't believe the weather people got it wrong. I've definitely been spoiled this summer.  I can't wait for "open window" weather!  I'm sick of all my clothes too...I need some cooler weather so I can wear more sweaters.  And Sami hasn't gotten a full walk in days!  She'll get one, at the earliest, Saturday.  By the time I get home from work to walk her it's 90 degrees and she stops walking after about a 1/2 mile.  Poor girl in her black fur coat.

Jim's already gone for the day.  He has to meet his friend Dan at 6:00.  Tomorrow won't be like this as he will be doing applications.  He ended up getting home at 1:00 yesterday because of a snafu with the job he was on.  I was all like, "See...you can't rely on these jobs."  Actually, I only said that in my head.  He was in a good mood yesterday and I didn't want to ruin that.

School:  Nothing exciting. Still getting a feel for the kids and my schedule. Oh, one thing to bitch about: I came in yesterday and a fuse had blown.  My refrigerator was on it so everything in my fridge had to get tossed. Thus, no lunch.  Had to go to McDonald's of all places (I NEVER eat at McD's).  I tried to stay healthy (minus the small fries that were calling my name) and got a chicken wrap...it was quite delicious.  Had lots of veggies (lettuce, cucumber, tomato) and a vinaigrette that was quite scrumptious.  I kind of wish it had sucked so I won't be tempted again.  Oh well, you can't win everything.  Anyway, we'll have to do some switching around of electronics in our room because the ginormous laptop cart seems to be drawing too much energy from the rest of the crap in our room and tripping the circuit.  Stupid school.  They need to amp up the juice capabilities. 

Okay well, I guess that's all I've got.  Best mosey so I can get to work and do some work before work.  Happy Tuesday!  Later!

Up & At 'Em

I'm a bit tired this morning...didn't get a ton of sleep.  Couldn't sleep.  (Maybe it was the bucket of ice that I doused myself with right before bed.)  Actually, I've started worrying (again) about Jim and his whole job shituation. I think Jim's concern is rubbing off on me and it left me tossing and turning from about midnight until 2:00. You see, for the next two days, he committed to work with his friend Dan who installs lockers etc.  He'll pay him comparably to what he was making and that's great.  Jim came to me yesterday, however, to say that he could work for him for the whole week but I put this kibosh. I think his focus should be filling out applications for the union paint companies and getting all his (my) questions answered about the union (he's still very unclear how everything works) sooner rather tan later. My point in doing this is:  Get what needs to get rolling stared because if it takes up to a month for a job to surface, that month starts TODAY...not next week.  Additionally, Jim tends to put things off and put things off and this time next week when he would be filling out applications on his timeline, he'd say, "Well, I have another weeks worth of work I could do to bring in money NOW!"  We're okay on money right now (lots of belt tightening from here on out) so I want him to do what needs to be done so the waiting game can start.  I think he's very frustrated with me but more than that I think he's scared. I wish I could take that away from him but he tends not to listen to me.  I think getting his questions answered and doing everything he can on his part to find a job will settle some of that fear but it still lingers in him and I worry about that too.  I can only support him and try and keep him focused...all while trying NOT to put undo pressure on him.  It's a tricky tightrope.

In school news - I start reading Secret Life of Bees to the kids today.  YAY.  I hope they like it. They always have in the past. 

Nothing else really going on.  Sad that Sami will be alone for so long today but it is what it is...she'll be okay.

Alright...best mosey...probably have shit to do from my absence on Friday...although my sub cancelled so who knows what was actually done.  K - I'm out...later!

Feeling Annoyed

Why is it that some people need to be told several times that something they do is inconsiderate and just plain rude!?  You must know I'm talking about Jim! 

So last evening, Jim went and had a beer with our former neighbor.  He originally told me he was going to go over around 6:30 but I said, "Um...that's dinner time. How about before or after?"  So he ended up going around 4:00 because Matt had gotten home early.  Jim and I didn't discuss much prior to him leaving because he was being an asshole. Anyway, he got home just before 6:00 as I was just about to get up to make dinner. I asked him to go over to our other neighbors real quick to see if Christy could let Sami out in the afternoon Friday since we would be heading out so early and Diane won't get here until later. So he goes and I make dinner.  6:15 rolls around and Jim's not back.  6:20, I text Jim and say, "Dinner's almost ready...come home." Nothing. 6:30 and still no Jim.  I walk outside and look around to see if he's out and about...nothing.  I call, "Jim!? Jim?"...nothing.  So I go in and finish dinner.  6:45 still no Jim, plates are served so I sit down and eat.  Jim walks in around 6:50 and says, "Really?  What the heck?" Me: "Um, it's nearly 7:00." Jim: "It is?  Sorry." I say nothing, just simply eat and that's that. 

I mean, this has happened before and Jim knows how annoying I find it (I mean, wouldn't anyone?). It's the inconsideration that drives me crazy.  He knew I was getting dinner together.  We had discussed having dinner around 6:30.  To lose complete lack of time and awareness of other people, it's just so rude. 

So - today will be a long day at work.  I could come home after school since Open House doesn't start until 6 something but since Jim will be here to take care of Sami, I can stay at work and hopefully get a shitload done.  I've already packed for PIB so all I'll need to do when I get home tonight is shower and get some sleep.  We plan on being on the road by 5:00 LATEST...hopefully we'll catch the 9:00 ferry...we'll see.

Okay - well, better mosey. It's my Friday...YAY!  Later!

Well Rested

I finally slept through the night last night...well, until about 2 minutes before my alarm went off and for some reason, Sami got up and stood on top of me.  Weird.  Sweet.  Anyway, after taking a much needed bath last night (I was so sweaty and nasty after sweating my ass off at school because the air in our building yesterday didn't work in certain parts), I took two Tylenol PM and was zonked by about 8:30.  I can't tell you how relieved I am to have slept. 

Regarding PIB: It's now back on.  Why?  Well, Jimmy joined the painters union yesterday.  I've been telling him to do this for a long time but for some reason, he had these preconceived notions about what it would mean and how it worked.  He should be back to work pretty quickly. He was given a sheet of companies to call yesterday, highlighted and with checkmarks next to those currently needing painters. He'll be making nearly double what he was making as well...with benefits, a pension, and protection. His hours will basically be the same hours as me too: 7:00 - 3:30. Cross your fingers (again)...I'm really hoping this is something that Jim will be on board with and excited about. I'm sure there will be times where he works for an outfit he might not necessarily like but it won't be forever. My mind is certainly relieved but I'm still a bit hesitant to celebrate and I will be until he actually has WORK.  Jim seems happy and felt the guys he talked to at the union were sincere and honest about the union and positive that he would have work quickly.  Sigh...

School news:  It was really such a positive day yesterday.  It was nice to be out at the buses in the morning with D2 there to greet the kids.  HH just never did that.  His M.O. was to stand in the hallways chatting it up with one of his "people" or stand there fiddling with his Blackberry.  Additionally, D2 went around with a "welcome wagon" to all the classrooms.  On it, he had a Kuerig, cookies, breakfast bars, energy drinks, water, and more for the kids and teachers.  I have high hopes that this type of friendly and open attitude will continue.  Fingers crossed.

In regard to my classes, they all went well.  I think I'll really like all my classes and it seems that there aren't any kids who will be a pain in my ass...at least in those classes I teach.  I do have a little punk in one of my study halls (little freshman who has already spent time in jail) but I made it clear that I've got his number and I'm not a moron. 

Okay well, I best motor.  So happy to have PIB to look forward to again (thank you so much Diane for still being there to watch Sami and I'm sorry I was so wishy washy about this).  It will be nice to be up there this weekend...especially since I'll be at school Thursday from about 7 AM to 8 PM...Open House. 

K - I'm out.  Later!

Is There Such Thing As A Smooth Road?!

Certainly for Jim and I there are more bumps than I know what to do with. 

Jim came home...oh, around 3:30 today. I was walking down the street with Sami.  When he stopped, I said cheerfully, "Hey!  What are you doing home so early?"  Jim: "They've eliminated my position.  I got let go."  Awesome.  So, Jim's out of work.  Super!  I feel so bad for him and I'm trying not to make him feel bad...I'm trying not to cry but it's hard.  He's got a couple possibilities and he's made a couple phone calls, put a reply in for a job that didn't sound horrible on Craig's list.  Regardless, money will be tight so Put-In-Bay is out for this weekend.  I mean, I know it isn't majorly costly to go but it would cost about $100 just in gas; the ferry round trip; Diane to stay with my girl and I refuse to go and have Maggie and Charlie pay for everything.  On a plus, Aunt Muir texted me to say that the weekend of October 17th is free so maybe by then...who knows. 

I don't know why shit like this always seems to happen. And I know that Jim and I are so much luckier than many and I know it's the nature of the beast considering the field that Jim works in but WHAT THE FUCK!?  Could Jim just find a job where the people didn't treat him like dirt and they were respectful and he just liked it a little bit...just a little! And it probably didn't help - karmically - that I kept saying what an asshole Jim's boss was. Maybe it's my fault.  UGH!  Fucking Karma!

Okay - I'm going to stop feeling sorry for this whole shituation and choose a better attitude...Jim's going to need it. 

Well, at least Sami won't have to be alone all day now.  Maybe Sami did this...somehow sabotaged Jim's job?  I wouldn't put it past her.

Major Headway!

Yesterday, I worked for about 5 hours on school stuff.  I got so much done...schedules are all checked and fixed on my master schedule. This allowed me to send ALL my IEPs to teachers.  I was also able to start getting my paperwork ready for my study halls.  I'm hoping that I won't be completely bogged down today and I can really motor through everything else I have to do. 

One thing that will be interesting over the next couple weeks is seeing who in our building continues to show up late.  Our contract says we're to be there at 7:00...I'm there usually between 6:30 and 6:45. Some people (many people) wander in as late as 7:20...it always amazes me...school starts at 7:25.  Well, D2 (new principal) has stressed several times the need for people to be ON TIME!  He sent his weekly "edict" out last night and that was again mentioned.  I think there are going to be some people (BFC) who may start immediately on his bad side.

In other news - Sami is NOT ready for losing her mommy's company.  This morning, she almost didn't come down for her crusts (off my toast).  This is a ritual we have and she almost missed it! And then when she did come down, she stood next to me yawning. I love her.  She's so cute.  She just went down to the family room to lay on her pillow...she's exhausted!

Jim and I didn't get to ride yesterday.  Well, we rode 5 miles (I know...woo hoo).  We rode 2 1/2 miles and then Jim got a flat so we had to turn around.  He had to stop every 1/2 mile or so to pump up his tire and then he ended up walking the last 1/2 mile because his valve popped off.  No big deal though.  We were talking later and both of us said we were kind of glad not to have done our original ride...his butt hurt and I was more winded than usual.  Everything happens for a reason.  We might try and ride tonight when Jim gets home, before dinner.

Still don't know if Jimmy will be going to PIB with me on Friday...his boss is an asshole. 

Okay well, I guess I better get a move on...lots to do.  Happy Monday! 

First Day Back

Yesterday's first day back was good.  I certainly think that it will be an interesting year.  I did find it quite interesting to watch and listen to those teachers and others who seem "lost" without our former principal. There seemed to be an overabundance of overly loud laughing (from FW) during the new principal's meeting yesterday...kind of annoying.  I believe she's trying to butter him up (and down) so as to be in his back pocket.  I recognized quite quickly that D2 (new principal's nickname) isn't stupid and will certainly recognize bullshit.  We'll see, however.  Regardless of all that, I feel hopeful that it will be a good year.  All I need to really worry about is me and I just need to focus on my job and doing it well.

Monday should be BUSY!  I'll need to be quite focused in order to get everything done that needs to get done.  I'm not too worried about lesson plans because I'll just be trying to get to know those that are new on my caseload (though I think there are only 4 or 5).  Making sure schedules are correct will be most important and I'll try to get some of that taken care of tomorrow.  I also need to get organized for my traveling (going to, I think two other rooms during my day - not too bad) so that I'll have what I need in those rooms.  IEP distribution shouldn't take too much time but it's tedious.  I'll contact new parents, get my folders for kids ready and then MAYBE I'll work on lesson plans. 

Maggie, Charlie and Eva made it up to PIB.  They had to wait in line for the ferry about 2 hours...crazy.  I'm hoping they are both relaxed now and enjoying themselves.  I look forward to being there next weekend.  I had hoped to possibly leave after school on Thursday but that won't be happening now since our (stupid) open house is that night.  Bullshit!  Oh well, can't complain too much...I'll just leave EXTRA early on Friday.  I still don't know if Jim will be going because his boss is an asshole and keeps stringing him along.  People like this guy are just sad sacks who get their rocks off, it seems, treating others like shit.  Maybe it makes him feel like a bigger man but in reality it just makes him look like an dick; pathetic and a loser.

So today:  I'll walk Sami in a bit.  Jim and I will go on a bike ride (if he ever wakes up) and then I'll clean and Jim will mow the back yard.  We'll head to West Chester to see Mom and have dinner with her. 

Okay - that's all I've got.  I'd best head up and get Sami ready.  Later!

Things I Hate!

(I know, I know...a negative title.  I should keep a positive attitude but whatever...I have to go back to work!  Stink!)

1. Waking up at 4:30 when I don't have to be up until 5:15!
2. The first day back to work
3. Leaving my baby girl after a summer together!
4. Seeing the sadness in my baby girl's eyes because she knows I'm headed back to work
5. When my butter falls off my knife, just as I'm carrying the knife to the toast and it lands on the stovetop!
6. Gnats!
7. When Eva says that she hates that I have to work and won't be up at the Bay with them today!
8. While I appreciate the lunch that the high school is normally served on opening day, I hate where it is (where the ATP is held).  The parking sucks, standing in line for food sucks (40 deep).  Not sure if that's what's going on today but I'm crossing my fingers for a different venue.
9. I hate that I'm not headed to PIB with Maggie and Charlie (though Charlie probably isn't too upset at that)
10. I can't take my nice morning rides anymore (except for Saturdays and Sundays)

I'm sure there are many more things that I hate but I'll have to save those for another day.  Lets end on a good note!

Things I love:

1. Feeding Sami some of my toast in the morning - she just stares at me sweet as can be and when I give her a piece, she chews it as quickly as she can so she can gobble up the next piece.
2. I love that I finished the quilt I've been working on for 3 years!  I'll take a pic later...it's so big I'll need Jim to hold it for me.
3. I love this weather!  So cool and lovely!

Okay I guess I need to finish up here and head to work...BOO HOO! Thank God it's Fibay, however, so that I can cry my tears into my wine tonight!

Safe travels to the Egberts today!  Text/call when you get there (although I'm sure I'll hear from Maggie before then).  Later!

4:30! Really!?

I didn't roll out of bed until about 5:00 but still, I was awake at 4:30 and I call bullshit on that!  Granted, I have a meeting today but not until 10:00.  And yes, I plan on walking Sami here in a bit before going but 4:30!?  Makes me so mad.

My meeting is the union building rep meeting.  Should be interesting as we are headed into a negotiation year and there will certainly be some drama due to changes.  I should be out of there by noon and I plan on making a QUICK stop at school...check out the room, possibly get some scheduling issues taken care of...that probably won't happen but we'll try.

You know what makes me mad?  The fact that I have emailed the guidance secretary and the counselor for a specific kid three times about fixing a schedule and guess what?  Hasn't been taken care of.  I'm not quite sure what kind of shit is going on, but that's just RUDE!  And have I gotten a response even?  Nope!  I mean, I know the guidance department is busy with schedules right now, but the other counselor who's had to make changes managed to take care of business, no problem.  And I know it takes about 3 minutes to deal with this so what's the freakin' problem?  So aggravating. I try and make their job a little easier so that these people don't have to deal with parents and/or first day schedule changes. ARG!

Mom comes up from TN today.  Anne is taking Madison down to Clemson and my Mom is coming up to stay with Max.  She'll be here until Sunday or Monday.  Hoping for a dinner or two together.  Safe travels mom!

Why is it still so damn dark out?  I can't walk Sami in this!  I'd probably stumble upon a skunk or raccoon and get either sprayed or bitten and then I'd get rabies! 

Okay well, I guess that's all I've got.  Best mosey.  Later!

Easier Said Than Done



So sad about Robin Williams.  I can't imagine the debilitating feeling and place that depression puts a person.  Can I say, I hate the people who say, "If you're sad, call someone"?  If it were that "easy" suicide wouldn't be so prevalent in our society.  It's a deeper thing than that and what needs to be done is a better system of help for those who suffer.  Better therapy, more accessible treatments, better meds. 

Regardless though - I have long and funny memories of Robin Williams.  When VCRs first came out, my Dad, of course, got one and along with it came stacks of tapes on hand.  One of those was his Live and Uncensored performance.  I watched this countless times.  I remember one time we had it on during the Christmas holiday when my Grandmother happened to come in to watch.  After about 10 or 15 minutes of watching, she casually said, "He sure does like that fuck word a lot."  Hee hee.  And the best part was she didn't leave and she didn't seem offended...just an observation. 

I think of all the movies he was in that I've seen and seem to ALWAYS watch when they happen to cross my path on TV: Jumanji, Awakenings, Patch Adams, Mrs. Doubtfire, Dead Poets Society, Birdcage (Jim and I were just watching that the other day), and my ALL TIME FAVORITE: The World According to Garp.  I've probably seen that movie 17 times and it's one of those movies I wish I owned.

Well, I hope he's happy now and in NO pain...the rest of us will just have to muddle through without his sweet, hilarious, wickedly funny, energetic personality.

My Last Free Monday

I'm doing my best NOT to cry and stay in bed all day with the hope that tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow won't come.  I remember last year at this time, I was typing/thinking that summer really lasted a long time; it crept along. This year, I don't know why, but it FLEW!  I'm so sad.  I'm certainly not ready and I wish so badly that I just had 2 more weeks.  Not that I think we start too early - I much prefer starting when we do so that we're out by June 1st...I just don't want to start AT ALL.

I'll quit bitching now. 

So today, I'll do my normal Monday stuff (for the last time until next summer): Menu-making, grocery shopping.  Can I tell you how excited I am to return to weather that is more conducive to soups and stews?  There's only so many recipes that fit well with this hot weather and I'm sick of trying to figure out a way to change up my chicken marinade (or pork or fish).  Can't wait for chili weather!

Yesterday's bike ride was so nice.  We went just about 15.5 miles (my longest so far) and other than my ass KILLING ME by the end, it was terrific.  I really love biking on the trail and look forward to seeing it when the leaves start changing.  Oh, and as I seem to see some wildlife on all of my rides, yesterday was a sweet rabbit.  Although, he was almost a mushed rabbit because he thought it would be funny to hop across my path right as I rode by. BAD RABBIT!  After getting home, I then cut the front yard and thought I would die.  I'm telling you, every stitch of clothing I was wearing was soaked.  But at least it got done! 

Let's see...what else do I have going on?  Nothing.  Rain is moving out until this afternoon so I'll do my Sami walk and then eat breakfast before my grocery shop.  I want to get the front of the house sprayed (with bug killer) before the rain starts.  We have daddy long leggers and these other spiders all over the place and I'm just SICK of it. Plus, I'm hoping this will also be a preventative measure for the stink bugs that are sure to descend on us soon.  Stupid freakin' stink bugs!

Okay well, that's all I've got.  I think I'll get a move on.  Happy Monday...later!

Take Two

Jim replaced the bad tube on my bike and so in a bit, we'll head out.  He wants to ride to Lebanon but looking at that mileage, it's 10 miles each way.  I'm not sure I can make that.  Now, if we stop and have breakfast at the Breakfast Club, maybe...I'm just not sure I'm a "qualified" enough biker to handle 20 miles.  Quite the quandary. 

Went to Anne's yesterday for Madison's goodbye/birthday party. She's going to have such a great time at college. I just hope she remembers that this really is the time of her life and doesn't suffer too much with homesickness...I really don't think she's prepared for how much she's going to miss her mother.  I know Anne is going to struggle and she's somewhat prepared but I still think they're both going to struggle at first.  On the plus side, they will get to see each other every month except February so that's a bonus.

Lets see...I really have nothing more.  I think I'll head out now - a bit early - to walk Sami.  She didn't get her full 2 miles yesterday and deserves it.  Happy Sunday. Later!

Plans Foiled

Jimmy and I were all set to head to the trail for a nice ride to Lebanon this morning.  Unfortunately, when Jim went to check my tires and fill them, the valve popped out.  Kind of lucky it did because my tire could have blown while I was riding.  He's headed to Montgomery Cyclery to get new tubes and we'll try again tomorrow.  So - I rode my recumbent bike this morning and walked Sami. 

So I ordered the Starz channels on Time Warner today.  Why? Because Outlander (the book series that I've been reading for years) has become a series.  They had the premier available to preview, which I did, and liked it SO MUCH that I knew I had to watch the rest.  Bonus too:  Time Warner had the channels available with a $50 rebate!  Woot.  Most likely I'll cancel after the season ends but until then, I'll enjoy.  Can't wait for the series to continue! 

Plans today: Not sure. We have Madison's going away/birthday party at 4:30.  Jimmy didn't have to go in to work today (YAY!!!).  He's been working his ass off for the last week...7 days straight and about 10 hours most every day.  Good money but a tired husband.  His paycheck this week was fat and I'll be pricing carpet here soon. 

What else?  Nada.  Guess I better mosey.  Happy Saturday...later!

A Week From Today

Not to be a Debbie Downer...a Negative Nancy...but a week from today will be my LAST day of summer break.  It makes me so sad.  I think this day is worse for me than the day before.  And normally I've been to school by now to check things out or get my room together but I have no plans for that.  I do have a union meeting next Wednesday and maybe I'll pop in then but who knows.  I don't want to but maybe it would be easier on first day.  WAH! 

So Maggie and Eva will be here later this morning.  Eva told Maggie she planned on bringing LOTS of stuff!  When asked what kind of stuff, she just answered LOTS!  I like stuff! Maybe I'll have to keep some of that stuff! Not sure what exactly we'll do besides go to lunch at Shooters and dinner at Silver Spring House (not sure how I feel about THAT). Maybe Eva can play a bit outside while Maggie and I watch...with a beer?  I told Maggie to have Eva bring her bike and maybe the kids will be out and about for her to play with. 

Got Maggie's quilt all pieced together. Not sure when I'll get to the basting.  I also need to finish my own quilt that I started about 3 years ago.  The problem with that is it was started as a hand quilted project and I'd like to finish it with machine quilting.  It will probably look weird but I may just say - eff it. 

Okay well, I best get a move on...I slept a little late and need to do some things before M&E arrive.  Happy Thursday...later!

Pots & Pans!!!

Got my new set of Emeril cookware yesterday!!!  Love!!!  I knew it was out for delivery but by 5:00 it still wasn't here so I figured I wouldn't get the joy of cooking with it. However, around 6:00, Sami started barking and I knew - YIPPEE!!! - they had arrived.  I unpacked (and packed up some things I'll donate), washed and admired.  Very sturdy, slippery and cooked my beef last night like a dream.  (That sounds dirty!  Sorry!)

Plans today: I'll continue working on the quilt I'm doing for Maggie.  It is nearly all pieced together so after that, I'll just need to baste and then quilt.  I need to get some batting for it...may do that next week.  I will also need to clean if Maggie ends up coming down tomorrow.  That's still up in the air.  Originally she was coming down to spend the day with her friend Lynne but Lynne's granddaughter is in the hospital (finally on the mend) and that got nixed.  Not sure if Maggie will come down Thursday or what.

I never did my school work stuff - PSAT testing - so maybe I should get that complete.  Maybe if I put it off long enough it will go away.  Not likely.

There's a meeting next week (Wednesday) for union reps.  I thought about NOT going but considering the changes with our district and the fact that it's a negotiation year I don't think it's a good idea to skip.

Ooh, started a really good book yesterday:  The Witch's Daughter.  I've heard of this book and had it for a while but only just now started reading...already recommend. 

And that's about all I've got.  Best get a move on and walk my girl.  Happy hump day!  later!

$115 Million - Really!

I'm sorry but Andy Dalton has NOT shown the talent in the last year (at least) to justify such a hefty paycheck.  I like the guy, don't get me wrong, and I certainly want to be proven wrong but he just hasn't performed like that amount of money indicates.  Why 6-years?  Just another Mike Brown bad decision. I can't imagine that Cincinnati fans will be happy about this.

Today:  There are some things for school that I need to get done.  They've decided that 10th and 11th graders will take the PSAT this year (awesome!) which means that all those on my caseload will need to be registered for accommodations.  That should be a huge pain in my ass.  I mean really? My autistic student who can't tell time, can't tie his shoe and will certainly need individual testing...he needs to take the PSAT!?  BULL{cough}SHIT!  Sometimes education is so stupid.  Do you know how much money a district must have to dole out to have this test administered?  Schools have become so test happy it is so disruptive and NOT a reflection for so many (not just sped kids). UGH!

I will walk Sami here in a bit and then eat breakfast and then mow the back yard.  Not in the mood to mow but it's gotten a little out of hand and with Jim working like a maniac lately, I'm the Hanke landscaper.  Good exercise, however.  I probably won't mow the front...not really needed yet.  I need to spray the yard with bug killer but Jim will have to do that.

Okay - well, I'd best get a move on. Happy Tuesday.  Later!

A Lost Viewer

So I was sitting there watching channel 9, WCPO, this morning and realized, "Where's my weatherman friend, Larry Hanley?!"  So I looked it up and can you believe that they didn't renew his contract after 15 years of service and he's gone!?  I am so pissed. He was THE reason I watched channel 9.  A hometown boy as well. Needless to say, I'm out...I will no longer watch channel 9 and I emailed the director to let him know.  Not that he'll care but I would imagine that a LOT of viewers opted out on the news of Larry's dismissal. 

In other news - the crib quilt that I started a couple weeks ago?  I quilted the WHOLE thing yesterday on my machine.  And I did it by noon.  It was amazing!  Today I'll sew the borders and then wash it and VOILA...DONE!  I used this project to practice my machine quilting and it really looks pretty good. From here, I'll complete Maggie's quilt and then work on the quilt that Aunt Kathleen sent me (forever ago).  The issue with that quilt is it was originally done with ties and so I'll have to remove those and re-baste and then quilt...but with my machine, it shouldn't take too long and should be pretty easy.  Maybe by Christmas I can get it back to her?  The crib quilt I made, I believe, will go to my new neighbor who is pregnant with a boy.  That's not a weird "welcome" gift is it?  I mean, I know she likes wine and normally I might bring over a nice bottle but again, she's pregnant.  Cookies instead? 

So Jim's off to work already.  He had to be in at 7:00 this morning.  He's hoping things slow down by Wednesday.  So far, he's got about 20 hours of overtime...woot.  I'll be pricing carpet as soon as I can.  Not sure if he'll be late tonight but for his sake, I hope not. He's exhausted.

Okay well, I best get a move on.  I plan on walking Sami and then going to the trail to take a little bike ride.  I won't do the 12 miles today, probably just 9 but that's pretty good.  K - best mosey. Later!

Quilts, New Neighbors & School Stuff

As you can see, I completed Eva's duvet yesterday.  You can see that the top is folded over to show the flannel purple back side.  I'm pretty happy with it.  I asked Jim, "What you think?  Does it look stupid?"  Jim: "No!  It's smart!  It has owls on it!"  Always helpful Jim, thanks!  I had a couple snafus yesterday because the backing, a full-sized sheet, was way smaller than my top piece. I ended up just folding the top over and sewing from there. It matches the measurements that Maggie gave me for her quilt so that's good.  Sewing the snaps was a pain in the ass too.  I'm now onto the baby blanket/quilt I pieced together a couple weeks ago.  Bonus too that the new neighbor is having a boy.  I may give that to her as a "house warming thingy".

Speaking of the neighbors, I got to talk to them for a good while last night.  Turns out he's a fire fighter and she's a nurse. She's due January 1st and loves to drink wine.  I felt bad for glug, glug, glugging right in her face (not really).  They both seem very nice and will hopefully be a good fit.  They had friends over who brought their kids and they had no problem playing and fitting in with the kids in the neighborhood.  These friends are actually looking for a home as well and are thinking/looking at the dirtsters house as a possible buy.  Who knows...would be nice...we need a good family to take that house. 

School stuff:  Got an email from the new sped coordinator for my school.  Nothing major there but they are switching our IEP writing program.  UGH!  Not that it will be that bad but it's always a pain in the ass to have to learn a new system.  I mean, I'm still trying to figure out Google.

Plans today:  Jim is off to work again here in a bit.  He worked for about 12 hours yesterday.  He doesn't know how long he'll have to work today...poor guy.  I told him to pick any meal he wanted for tonight.  I knew he's choose steak...which he did, so we'll have the ribeyes with blue cheese onion sauce.  YUMMY.  Crack potatoes and probably green beans...or brussel sprouts.  I will walk Sami here in a bit, go to the store (need steaks and blue cheese) and then start on my quilt.  This will be my first adventure with machine quilting so wish me luck. 

K - well that's all I've got.  Best mosey.  Happy Sunday!  Later!

A Saturday Alone

Jim just left for work and will be there all day (bummer for Jimmy but bonus for the bank account).  So what are my plans for the day?  Well, I think with the rain coming, I'll work on my sewing - Eva's duvet, mainly.  Maggie picked out a deep, eggplant purple and I washed it yesterday so I'll trim and then sew.  Hopefully I won't eff it up.  After that, all I need to do is attach the snaps.  When Maggie and Eva come on Thursday, I can present it to them.  I hope it doesn't suck. 

I may also do some cleaning.  Woot.

Had a great time in Columbus.  Eva was cute, as usual and I hated to leave.  Thankfully, I'll see her next week.  However, our time together, these impromptu jaunts north are numbered.  Can you believe I have to report back to school, in two weeks (minus a day)?!  So bummed!  This summer really flew by. 

Sami is walked and tuckered.  We got to see two dogs today.  And a bunny.  Oh, and I saw a kitty but thankfully Sami didn't.  She acts like a rabid Tasmanian devil when she spots a cat...I think if she ever caught one she'd either A) tear it to bits or B) get torn to bits.  Hopefully we'll never find out. 

K - well, I'm out...a little Today show and then cleaning.  Later!