My Dogs As Cats

I dreamt last night that Boo and Scout were cats. Scout was a gray/brown tabby and Boo was black with a white. When I told Jim about my dream, he said, "Did they act like cats?" They did. At one point in my dream, I looked from my bed to the bathroom and I had put is shelves above my vanity and up on the highest shelf where a stack of sweaters were Scout had made his bed. They also fought like cats...but really that's kind of how they play as dogs. Anyway...it was funny. 

Yesterday I took Scout for a walk. I thought the rain had oved out. I was wrong. We got SOAKED! It was actually kind of funny and really very lovely. I thought about turning back but who freakin' cares about a little rain? While we walked in the rain, a guy biked by and said, "Not the best idea, huh?" I said, "Little rain never hurt anyone!" 

In school news, nothing exciting there. We're down to about 20 days (give or take) and it can't come soon enough. I've mapped out the novel we're reading in LA and I should be able to get it all read. 

Weekend plans: None as of now. We talked about take out tonight but I might just make some burrito bowls. I think I have concoction for it in the freezer and I prefer my own cooking most of the time to a restaurant. Of course I prefer their margaritas but I can even make one of those myself. We'll see. 

Starting a new addition to my morning drink. Normally when I get up in the morning, I chug down a water with vital proteins and fiber mixed in. I've recently discovered the benefits of moringa and started that this morning. The benefits of it are: 

• Protects and nourishes skin and hair
• Joint pain
• Protects the liver (that's a big one one for me...you know since I like a cocktail or two)
• Preventing and treating cancer
• Helping with stomach ailments (though this hasn't been an issue in the last year or so)
• Healthy bones
• Treats asthma
• Improves eye health 
• And a lot more

I'll let you know if I see a difference. Oh, and I'll have to switch up how I drink it. It doesn't really dissolve in cold water. I'll try it with tea. 

And that's about all I've got. I'm showing movies in Government and science today and reading to the kids in LA. 

Happy Friday! Stay healthy...happy weekend! It's going to be a nice one! Later! 

Computer Woes Over

Having my computer taken back to factory settings has completely fixed it! Thank God! It was so slow and annoying and now it's fast as ever. My tech guy said it's something you should do every 2 years or so because computers just naturally slow down as they age and you add shit to it. I don't use my computer much. Mainly to post here, pay bills and check email. I don't watch movies or anything like that and certainly don't play games on it. Jim NEVER uses it. I don't think the chance of a virus is high since I never open anything or click on links from sites unknown...I just think it was a natural slowdown thing. 

Jim worked late yesterday and didn't get home until around 7:30. I only saw him in the morning when we got up and then as he walked in the door last night and I was headed upstairs...I gave him a little peck and said, "G'night...dinner's in the micro" (I had fixed him a plate). 

Speaking of dinner...tonight is shrimp pasta with peas and a salad. It's a Jim fave...I like it a lot too and bonus, it's  WW meal. 

When I got home yesterday, I saw that I had a window to beat the rain and walk the dogs. I usually wait until after I exercise to walk them because my feet wear out quickly and if I walk first and then do the elliptical, my feet KILL. Well, I had to give my boys precedence and man on man did I suffer! I had set the time for 36 minutes and only made it 35. I had to turn it off and give my poor piggies a rest. Not to mention it was hot as hell and muggy so I was soaked! Hopefully today will be better! 

I watched the first episode of Handmaid's and it didn't disappoint! This has always been a VERY dark series but yowza! It just gets darker and darker. 

Well, that's all I've got. Lots of rain here today and cooler weather which is fine with me. The rain should move out around 4:00 just in time for the weekend! Woot! Can't wait for Friday. 

Stay safe, healthy, and hopeful! Later!

Middle Parts

So the tech guy here at school finished getting my computer back to its factory settings and I got the computer back yesterday. However, with the wipe out, I had to update it. I started the updates yesterday when I got home from school. When I went to bed, it was still updating. When I got up this morning, I had to restart it and from the time I did that at about 5:15 until I left, it had only reached 18%. This isn't abnormal and the computer will go through a few restarts and hopefully by the time I get home today, it will be ready for me to use it. Fingers crossed. 

Update on annoying student whose mom wants her to return to face-to-face (with 22 days left): I emailed my admin and didn't hear anything after that. UNTIL...I was walking down the hall during my planning period (last bell of the day) and ran into him. As he approached me he just started shaking his head. When we were within speaking distance he said, "Really? She wants to come back now?!" I said, "Well, she's got almost all Fs and I guess mom thinks she'll get her grades up to passing before summer break?" My admin said, "She's going to have to sit in her Algebra class and put her phone away...I'll be sure to tell mom that!" I told him "whatever" just let me know what happens. Most likely what will happen is she'll suddenly appear in my room 1st period and I'll know she's back. Highly unlikely that she'll be able to bring her 29% Algebra grade up to passing considering she's missing 14 past assignments and will still need to keep up with current work. 

Yesterday after school was lovely! I got home and got in the shower with the pups. They are clean as little baby whistles! And so proud! Scout, when he's freshly bathed, gets so fluffy and then as his hair settles down (it really is pretty long) he gets this middle part down his back. He reminds me of Steve Perry, the singer for Journey. It's funny. 

Anyway - after we finished our beauty regimen I went for a bike ride. I didn't plan on going for too terribly long (I thought I'd struggle since it was so windy and it's hard to ride against the wind) but I ended up riding just over 10 miles. It was awesome. From there I took my sweet Scoutie for a walk and by the time I finished all that up, it was 5:30 and time to make dinner. A perfect evening because I was so busy I never had time to be tempted with a cocktail. 

Tonight I'll probably make either an instant pot meal (apricot chicken) or a shrimp and pea pasta. Just depends how I feel when I get home. It's going to get stormy here around lunch time so grilling won't be an option. I'm hoping I have a window to walk the dog but we'll see. 

And that's all I've got. I managed to get this typed and ready to post before my actual work day starts! Woot! Happy Wednesday! Ooh, and season 4 of Handmaid's Tale starts today!!! So excited for my elliptical. I'm going to have to read up on what happened in the season finale last year. K - stay safe and masked...inside at least. Later! 

Sometimes It Is Too Late

What a great book this would be!

So I have this student on my caseload - a freshman - who is a pill. She's a little shit but pretends to be all sweet and kind. Originally she was in person but was quarantined about 17 times (pretty sure many of those days out were bogus) and then once the 2nd semester started and her grades in Algebra started slipping she and her mother decided she'd go online. Part of the problem here was she's, like I mentioned, a bit of an asshole and was totally rude and insubordinate to her Algebra teacher (refusing to do work in class and on her phone CONSTANTLY even after she'd been specifically told to put it away). Since going online, she's more and more just not shown up for her classes via Zoom (almost never showing for Algebra) and her grades have slipped steadily to the point where she now has 5 out of 6 Fs. I send grades on Mondays to parents and will list the assignments missing if any. When I sent her grades yesterday I basically said, "There are too many assignments to list them all here...check PB for specifics." I mean week after week she just keeps doing less and less. 

Well, yesterday after mom got my email (where I said 24 days until the end of the year) and once again saw the reality of her daughter failing for 4th quarter I got this email: 

I think [daughter's name] needs to come back to school face to face. Is that an option?
Today, she was out because we had to drive to Indiana due to my mom being in the hospital. We didn’t get home until 2 something today.

Thank you and please advise.

I don't know how many times I have to tell this woman that this isn't my decision and she needs to contact the administrator. Not to mention I advised her NOT to move her daughter online in January. She didn't listen to me then, why is she asking me now? How about a little follow through? While you were in the car on your way to Indy, how much work was done? There are always excuses with this family and I'm so over it.

  

I'll get to school today and reply something along the lines of, "this isn't something I can decide...it has to go through Mr. M. I've attached him to this email." Annoying.

Yesterday after school was quite lovely. I came home, did dinner prep then mowed the lawn. While I was doing that, Jim got home which meant after mowing, we walked the dogs. I then hopped on my bike and took a really nice bike ride around the neighborhood. Dinner was flank steak with potatoes on the grill and roasted broccoli. I'm loving this weather. Tonight's dinner will be crab cakes, tom/mozz salad and corn on the cob. It'll be in the 80s today so I'll take another bike ride after school. Oh, and I'll be giving the boys a shower too. They are filthy and it's time! 

And that's all I've got. Time to get a move on. Happy Tuesday! Stay healthy! Later!

Wow - 24!

Twenty-four days left with kids! I do have a work day on the 28th but I don't count that. This time can't go fast enough. I just have to figure out how I'm going to stretch out my science and history lessons until the end and how I'm going to finish the book I'm reading with my LA classes. Oh well. I'm not going to stress about it. 

Weekend recap: It was a lovely, long (though it went too fast) weekend. Friday Jim and I went to Bonefish for an early dinner and then he dropped me off at Lisa D's house in Hyde Park to have cocktails and hang with some of my ladies in the city. It had been over a year since we'd all seen each other in person and it was lovely. I made sure to keep my imbibing to a minimum and was home (thank you Jim for being my designated driver) by 10:15. 

Saturday we went to the new place down on the trail in Miamiville called Trailyard. It's going to be a great spot and we had a good meal but they are still working out some kinks (they've only been opened since last Monday) and are way understaffed. It'll be a great place to relax after a long ride on the trail. (It's located right where I get on the trail to ride! They even have a hitching post for horses.) 

Saturday night I just did grilled cheese and soup (colcannon that was in the freezer) then Doug and Lauren came over and we played lots of cards. Yesterday we did our normal Shooters lunch and then came home, hung out with neighbors; Jim played some cornhole; I took a nice little bike ride. Dinner was bratts and metts with corn on the cob and broccoli salad. Yummy!

This week should be easy. The weather these next two days is going to be lovely so I plan on bike riding, mowing the lawn and grilling out. YAY! 

And that's about all I've got. I have lots to do at school so will wrap this up. I also have to take in my computer to have our computer guy take a look and hopefully remedy whatever is causing it to run slowly. Happy Monday! Stay safe...later!

Computer Woes

My computer is acting like such a dick lately! It takes forever to start up and signing on can take eons. Once online, it often freezes up or throws up some error about loading. I'm guessing there's a virus happening so I'll email my computer dude at school to see if he can take a look at it on Monday. It usually takes him a little while to get it all figured out so I'll have to haul my school computer back and forth every day. Ugh! Oh well, at least I have a school computer and you'll still get to read my posts. 

The Reds just made it on the Today show. Well, a fool of a fan made it on as he tried to catch a homerun ball hit into the stands. One headline apparently said "Fan loses his nachos, shoes and dignity". Ha! And he didn't even get the ball. I'd probably do the same. 

So yeah, I took the day off today...a sick day. You know for my doctor's appointment? It is a much needed day for me. I'm just so over school right now...it's taking everything I have to try and plan lessons. Would it be so wrong to just show movies for the rest of the year? With this day, I think I can get through another couple weeks. Especially once the weather turns warm again next week. Of course then we have the cicadas to look forward to! Ugh! (Sorry...I keep diving back into the negative Nancy mentality.)

My plans today: I've finished eating and I'll go do a nice restorative yoga here in a bit. I'll then walk the dogs, get on the elliptical and clean the house. After that, my day is free. Jim should get off early and we plan on going out to eat early tonight (5ish) before he drops me off at a friend's house for a girls cocktail get together in Hyde Park. I don't plan on being there late tonight and already told Jim to be ready to pick me up no later than 10:00 (that's late enough for me!). I prefer NOT to just keep drinking and ruin my Saturday with a hangover. 

Oh, and I also need to write a letter of recommendation for Doug and Lauren's daughter, Naomi for the junior national honor society. I did this for their oldest daughter too. Shouldn't take too long. 

Weekend plans: Nothing really. Although when Lauren and Na came over yesterday to ask about the letter, Lauren mentioned that they don't have much going on this weekend which is unusual considering they have 5 kids who all play spring sports and Lauren coaches two of the teams. So I'm sure we'll get together with D&L to throw some cards at some point. 

And that's about all I have. My yoga mat is calling me. Happy Friday!!! YAY! Stay safe, masked and steadfast. Later!

Can I Get An AMEN!?

Last night Jim and I were watching Jeopardy (Anderson Cooper is really good but we all knew he would be, right?) and one of the categories was something like "Books in the Bible". Screw this, I thought, UGH! And then the contestants started calling on it and I was all, "RUTH!" (Correct) Then the next answer and I replied, "Genesis!" (Right again) and then, the third answer to which I said, "Job!" (BAM!) And then they went to commercial and Jim said, "What the fuck, Muir!?" And I said, "I know...who knew I was so fluent in the bible!?" And Jim said, "Hallelujah!" It was pretty funny! I mean, I really am a heathen! 

I have my last full IEP meeting today! (I do have an amendment IEP meeting on May 4th but that doesn't count). So excited! However, of course when I sent out the reminder yesterday I got THREE declines to it - two from required members of the "team". All of them took a personal day today and didn't think to check their calendar when they put it in to ensure they didn't have anything on their calendar already. Annoying. Oh well, what're you going to do?  Shouldn't be a big deal for the meeting, although the student is a total slug who is a junior and basically has 5 out of 7 Fs. He's a perfectly lovely kid - respectful and personable - but just does nothing. 

Dinner last night - lemon pepper chicken pasta - was REALLY yummy! Simple, light and very quick.  A definite meal I'll go back to again and again. (Posted on my Chicken and Pasta boards on Pinterest if you're interested.) 

Dinner tonight if you're interested is burgers (ground beef for Jimmy, turkey for me) with tomato/mozzarella salad, and fries (carrot for me, potato for Jimmy). 

Today is my Friday and I'm so happy. I didn't sleep great last night, which anymore is unusual (since I started taking magnesium at bedtime). I woke up at 1:00 and laid there for what seemed like forever. Ugh! Hate that. But as I said, no school for Muir tomorrow so this time tomorrow, I'll hopefully still be snoozing. Which means, by the way, I'll be later than usual posting so no grief from you, Maggie!

And that's about all I've got. Still freaking freezing here. In fact, it's flurrying out there right now but we're in for a major warm up next week! 80s!!! I can't wait. Of course this means the cicadas are just around the corner but I guess you have to take the good with the bad. 

K - I'm out. Happy Thursday! Stay health, warm and masked. Later!

Bittersweet

I was walking Scout yesterday and listening to a live feed from MSNBC, waiting for the verdict. When it finally came, I was so nervous and my heart was pounding and I was afraid for our country. And then the verdict came...guilty, guilty, guilty and tears, not of joy because how can anyone be happy about any of this, but of relief and hope that maybe things would start to change. I'm white and can't even imagine the pain and weight that comes with walking or driving the streets in America and being afraid because of who I am. I hope, with everything in my being that this is the first baby step in our quest to be a better group of people. 

I started watching The Nevers last night on HBO Max. Good! I love the actress in it - Laura Donnelly - she was/is in Outlander and is so talented. I look forward to another good series to keep me entertained on the elliptical. 

Speaking of which, I'm nearing the end of the 7 seasons of West Wing and I've absolutely enjoyed watching it but it definitely lost it's mojo after Aaron Sorkin and Tommy Schlamme left the series. The story lines just didn't have the POW as they did in the first 4 seasons. It's still good but just not the same. 

Yesterday was a good day at school. The 8 kids I had for testing (2 didn't show up) all finished by 11:00 so I was able to spend the rest of my day in my room, peacefully working. 

Dinner last night, by the way, Marry Me Chicken was DEEEELICOUS! It's pinned on my Chicken board if you're interested. Tonight will be the lemon pepper chicken pasta and a salad. 

We got about 2 inches of snow here at my house overnight but only on grass and whatnot. It didn't stick to the road...they're just wet. 

I realized I need to take a personal day before the end of the year. I have 2 in my bank and can only roll over 1 for next year (you're allowed to bank 4 and we get 3 per year) so...I'll have to figure out when to take it. Maybe I'll do it soon and head to PIB with Jimmy and the dogs. That would be fun. I'll have to look at the calendar. 

Okay - time to get a move on. Happy Wednesday (tomorrow is my Friday! WOOT!) Stay safe...later!

2nd And Last

Today is day 2 of state testing. I'm anticipating a shit show. I have 10 kids scheduled in my room but am not worried about the kids with me. It's all the other sped kids who have been told one room but are actually in another. On one hand, I feel bad for the guidance secretary whose lap this was all dumped on but on the other, she's a bit of a dumb ass. Lisa told her several times of the mistakes she'd made in room numbers and just never fixed them. So we're going to have kids all over the building in the wrong rooms which means their tests won't start when it should. Again, I'm not worried about testing in my room but we'll see how it goes. 

Originally I was going to take a bike ride yesterday but opted out of it because it was so windy. Instead, I just did my usual elliptical and started the new HBO series, Mare of Easttown with Kate Winslet. Good. I'll keep watching it. I really like her. I also want to try out The Nevers on HBO and may start that today. We'll see. 

Dinner tonight: I'm either going to do a dish called Marry Me Chicken (with sundried tomatoes) or I'm going to make a lemon pepper chicken pasta. 

What else? My back has been giving me fits lately. Yesterday the upper part of my back was hurting - not sore but an ache that was nagging - and today it's my lower back. It's weird. I didn't pull it or do anything different in my workout so I'm not sure what's going on. Guess ibuprofen will be my friend for a couple days. 

And that's about all I've got. Nothing exciting here. Except the snow we're supposed to get tonight. Stupid snow! They say it won't stick to the roads but there's a "chance" overpasses could be slippery depending on the amount of snow we get. That annoys me! Fingers crossed. 

Okay - time to get a move on. Happy Tuesday! Stay safe, masked and warm tonight. Later!

Stupid Computer

It's taken me the last half hour just to get my computer to boot up which means that I'm short on time for this post. Sorry. Stupid freakin' computer!

It was a good weekend...pretty uneventful. Friday we played some cards. Saturday we were out and about looking at pavers for a backyard fire pit project. We found what we want...just need to get it all purchased and figured out. Saturday we just hung out and watched Top Chef. Sunday we did our normal Shooters outing as well as a Target stop. We needed to buy a new set of Skip-Bo cards because A) the ones we had were getting old and B) the boys found our deck and although they didn't do any damage to the cards, minus one, it was time. We also got the game Rummikub - a gin rummy type game but with tiles...Kristyn and I used to play it as kids - but we haven't gotten a chance to play it yet. Dinner last night was a beef and sugar snap pea stir fry. 

This week should be fairly easy though our second testing day is tomorrow (ugh) and I have an IEP on Thursday. However, I'm taking Friday off so that will make things a little easier. We're supposed to get snow overnight on Tuesday which is stupid. Nothing will stick because the pavement is too warm but it's freaking April! WTF Mother Nature!? 

Dinner tonight is going to be pork chops. Originally I was going to do a parm encrusted dish but with the weather as nice as it's going to be, I might just grill. We'll see. Might take a bike ride if it's warm enough after school. That'll be nice! 

And that's about all I've got. 29 more days until the kids last day! I can't believe that! Crazy. I have a feeling I'm not going to get through my novel at school but I'm going to try. Ugh! 

K - happy Monday! Stay safe! Later!

Forgot To Mention

I realize there are a couple things I didn't remember to mention here on my blog...just little tidbits I meant to comment on. 

1. Mom posted on FB a few days ago about really liking Aaron Rodgers as guest host on Jeopardy. I meant to comment and say how much I agree. I didn't think I would to tell the truth. I had recently been a bit down on Aaron...just stupid rumors you hear about celebrities that probably aren't true (why do I fall for that shit) but then I watched him on Jeopardy and was quite impressed at his ease. He seems so comfortable in the role (yet not asleep at the wheel either). If he decides to retire from the NFL, maybe he could take over the spot permanently. 
2. My neighbors gave me a dozen eggs from their chickens last week and I meant to comment on them. Now, when she gave them to me, I asked if you could tell a difference and she said: Not so much with fried or scrambled but she could really tell with hard-boiled (much more creamy she said). So, last weekend I used them for our Saturday and Sunday breakfasts and I scrambled them. One thing I did notice about them was they were a LOT fluffier than regular eggs. Additionally, the whites were completely clear...not cloudy at all (not sure if that's because grocery store eggs are refrigerated and these don't need to be). The rest of the eggs, I hard-boiled and my neighbor is spot on! So creamy and delicious! They peel so easily as well. I told Jim we should get some chickens (joking) and Jim said, "We'll never see the dogs again if we do that." True story. 

Those are really the only two things I forgot to mention. However, here are a couple updates on other things going on here in the Hanke household: 

• No news on the colonoscopy. They're supposed to call Jim to do a consult on the phone before scheduling. Hasn't happened yet and not sure why. Good thing he's not in pain anymore.
• My dinner a la Maggie - Egg Roll Bowl - was delicious!!! Jim really liked it too! 
• Jim cleaned up the side yard yesterday and really did a good job. It's now ready for a fire pit I want to put in (where we can't grow grass) and it's ready to be seeded (where I can grow grass). We may start working on that this weekend. We have a big gift card from Menard's and I thought the money would be well spent buying pavers for the fire pit area. We'll see. 

No other plans this weekend except I need to mow the front yard at some point. I've mowed the back yard twice but the front hadn't really needed it until now. The rain should hold off on Saturday so that's part of my plan. Who knows what else. 

Okay well, time to get this day started so it can end! So happy it's Friday! So happy I'm another week closer to the end of the year. Happy Friday...have a great weekend! Stay safe and masked (don't listen to that dick Jim Jordan or Ted Cruz). Later!

Brood X

As you all know, I'm dreading this summer in a way because of the impending cicada invasion. The news stations are starting to cover it a lot more as well which is only heightening my anxiety. What really annoys me, however, are the websites that say things like, "BILLIONS of Brood X Ready to Emerge!" And then the next page says, "TRILLIONS of Cicadas an Inch from the Surface!" Is it billions or trillions people!? But then I think, billions...trillions...once you hit the billions level, would you really be able to tell the difference between that and trillions? I doubt it and that's why I'm out of here for the first 1/2 of the summer! UGH! 

I'm hoping that they won't be as bad as I think they're going to be but I think I'm just kidding myself. Fuck! After a shit 2020 and a pretty shit 2021 so far, of course the 17 year cicadas are coming out in a couple weeks! Bullshit!

Dinner tonight is going to be Egg Roll bowls. It's a recipe Maggie makes a lot (pinned under Pork) which I've never made but she always touts. It better be good! 

What else? My foot is feeling pretty good. I think I nipped the plantar wart on my foot in the bud! I haven't had any pain lately {knock on wood} so that's good. 

In other news...I don't have any other news. Sorry...things are pretty boring here. Nothing new with Jim. Well, his urine culture came back negative so that's good. Other than that...nada. Still waiting for his colonoscopy to be scheduled. 

K - well, guess I'll mosey and go hug on the boys before heading out to work. So glad this week is almost done! Stay safe and masked. Later!

It Was Always There

Lately, lets say the last month or so, when I've made breakfast in the morning, Jim hasn't joined me at the table. I'll finish making breakfast and lay his sandwich at his spot and say, "Whenever you're ready..." And then I proceed to eat mine while he lays on the couch and watches TV and drinks his coffee. (This doesn't bother me, btw, in case you thought it did. He bothers me less when he's not sitting right next to me...HAHA.) Anyway, today, he came up about midway through my meal, sat down and said, "I decided to join you...I missed your sarcasm." And I said, "It's been here all the time...never went away."

Update on Jimmy: He didn't go to work yesterday and sat around all day (do I sound annoyed?) waiting for the phone call to schedule his colonoscopy, which never came. It's fine though...he seems to be feeling better today. He plans/planned on going to work but of course his boss doesn't have anywhere to send him. Of course he doesn't. So annoying. 

So yesterday completely SUCKED! The kids I was watching - three of them - took FOREVER to finish their tests. I kept having to go nudge a couple of them who wanted to stare off into space and/or sleep. Nope! The two girls who obviously have anxiety issues worked on their tests from 7:15 until 1:15...it was ridiculous.  What sucks most is that these scores probably won't even count. Well, I don't know that but I wouldn't be surprised after this whacked out year of Covid and school disruption. We'll see. 

When I got home yesterday I was extra annoyed with Jim. Here's why: First of all, when I was texting with him throughout the day, I asked him how he was feeling...he said fine. I told him that I would be going to the store after school and expected him to offer to go for me. He didn't. Rude. So when I talked to him later, I asked him to go for me, which he readily did. I get home and do some dinner prep, set the table, grab my clean laundry to put away (noticing as I do that Jim has two giant baskets of clean laundry as well which had sat in the laundry room for 2 days) and head upstairs. What do I see? Jim lying in bed. UGH! I put my laundry away, get on the elliptical, walk the dog and mow the backyard. While I was mowing, I got a text from my neighbor asking, "You on the wagon this week or off?" Me: Definitely OFF! I'll be over in a bit! Never has a drink been needed more! 

Okay well, I need to have a better attitude, obviously, so on that note...I'm out. Happy Wednesday (leftovers tonight, btw) stay healthy and masked. (Two new cases at the high school this week.) Later!

Gut Issues

As I mentioned yesterday, Jim's been having issues with his gut. Specifically, his lower left side is causing him pain. Not to be graphic but it isn't diarrhea...it's pain. He called in sick yesterday, which he NEVER does and went down to the doc to get blood work done. That came back mostly normal so the doc ordered up a colonoscopy. Not sure when that will happen but it's been 5 years and there's a history in his family and he had a few precancerous polyps last time so it's time. 

Some of the tests did show slight abnormalities. He's got a slightly elevated enzyme that is connected with the pancreas so that's a concern in case it's a sign of pancreatitis. However, it's usually concerning if it's 5 to 10 times the normal level and it's only slightly elevated. There's still a urine culture being analyzed but his urine study was negative so it's probably NOT a urinary tract infection. His glucose is 128 (100 is the top of the normal level) which isn't terrible but...who knows. 

Jim doesn't plan on going to work today again. I'm trying hard to be sympathetic but it's hard because he seems fine. He's still eating though his appetite isn't great. It's just hard to look at him doing his normal, every day things and he doesn't act like he's in pain. However, I need to remind myself that he's got cancer and who knows how and when his body is going to betray him and start acting wonky. I just need to NOT get annoyed with him and realize that he needs to listen to how he's feeling and not be influenced by my rolling eyes. (BTW - I'm not rolling my eyes where he can see it and I really am trying to keep my uninformed opinions to myself.) As long as Jim is aware and not overly aware and not being a drama queen, I can handle it. I'll keep you in the know. 

Testing today. I have a group of 7 kids most of whom will just be taking the English 10 test but a couple also have the Biology to take. They'll be done by 11:00 and then kids can leave. I'll be stuck in my room for that time, which is fine because it gives me lots of time to get the rest of my year planned and my final IEP written. 

And that's about all I've got. Dinner tonight might be a stir fry or fried rice (I have leftover rice I need to use) and maybe a salad. That'll be good for Jim's gut. 

K - happy Tuesday. I'm out. Stay safe...be empathetic (Muir) and keep those masks up! Later!

Mondays Are Ruff On My Boys

Mondays are always tough on my boys after the weekend. Literally they come down in the morning with me go out, Boo comes in and eats while Scout heads straight back upstairs to sit on his daddy until he finally gets out of bed and then Boo and Scout both hunker down in their pillows to sleep off the weekend. I mean, talk about lazy! And of course this drives me nuts because Scout doesn't eat! Arg! 

Jim's not feeling great. His gut is giving him fits. He doesn't have the runs or anything (sorry) but he's got some pain in a spot. I think he's going to stay home today and call the doctor to see if they have any suggestions or in case they want to see him. He's shown to have diverticula in the past when he's gotten scans and had a colonoscopy but it's never, in the past been infected (thus diverticulitis) but it's something that they've been keeping an eye on. Probably a good idea to get things checked out. 

The weekend was fine. Oh, expect the fact that our oven crapped out. We woke up Sunday morning to it shut down and dead. The light inside it works but the electric panel is shot. It's about 17 years old so really at the end of it's life. I'm not too terribly upset about it because I want a new oven but getting it was a bit of a pain in the ass yesterday. Of course no one has anything in stock so I'll have to wait until early May to get anything. It's okay though because A) it's getting warm out and grilling season and B) I have a toaster oven to do any oven cooking I may need to do. I also decided that while we're getting a new oven, we might as well get a new cooktop so that's coming too. Excited with the exception that I'm $3000 poorer. Oh well.

Other than that, Jim and I didn't really do anything this weekend. We kept talking about going to hibachi but then just never really wanted to so I cooked all weekend and we played cards and just hung out. 

School this week will be a little wonky as Tuesday starts state testing (this Tuesday and next). Shouldn't be too big a deal. I have a classroom of accommodation kids, 8 of them, but I've done this several times in past years so not concerned. The state decided to drop the US history test this year so kids will only have to take English 10, Biology, Algebra, Geometry and Government (if they're taking those classes). Who knows what the state will say about the test scores and if they'll even count. 

Okay well, that's all I've got. Better go try and rouse Scoutie to see if he'll eat. Happy Monday! Later!

Not So Bad

I have a conundrum: I'm on my last chapter for both science and Government and there's too much time until the end of year to stretch them out. What to do? For history, I think I've decided to do some Geography lessons to wrap up the year (kids don't know shit about Geography) but what should I do about science? Currently I'm working through a chapter on the sun and earth. I might be able to work through an outer space chapter as well but maybe it would be better just to give the kids a long term project on the planets. Truthfully I'm so spent that I just don't know that I have it in me to plan a long term project. Ugh! 

Last night wasn't too terribly bad. We had two groups of 5 that were supposed to come in to present (one group at 5:15 and the other at 6:45). In the end, we had 4 kids show for the first session and one for the second. I was done by 7:00. So I left. I polled a couple other teachers and they were leaving too so I said, f&%k it! I did manage to get a lot done yesterday so that's good. All in all, it wasn't so bad.

Today I have my stupid scholarship IEP meeting. This is an IEP that means basically nothing. It's for a kid I've never met and who doesn't go to Kings. Because she's on an IEP (although I don't think she really qualifies) she's eligible for one of the scholarships available to sped students. She thus is basically home schooled. In these cases there still has to be an annual review and IEP written "just in case" she were to come back to the district. So fucking stupid. Such a waste of time. I hate that I have to take time away from my class to deal with this but what're you going to do? 

No plans for the weekend. Jim has his 2nd shot today which means he'll be home by about 1:00. He told me this morning he wanted to meet me after school at Shooters but I had to shoot him down. I didn't get my true exercise on yesterday and don't want to miss another workout today. Especially since there's a good chance that the dogs won't get their walk with the rain coming in around the time I would normally walk them. Sorry Jim...you'll be fine. I told him he could go by himself but of course he said, "It's no fun without you!" I mean, what is!? 

And that's all I've got. Big day ahead. (Not really.) Happy Friday! Stay safe - fingers crossed Jim doesn't have any symptoms with his 2nd shot! Later!

A Long Night

It's going to be a LONNNNG day for me as I have to be at school from 4:30 - 8:00 and it's not worth going home. It will be especially lengthy since I, a) got up at 4:00 to exercise and b) was awoken by two whining, barking dogs at midnight who wanted to go out and bark at the trees. Then, c) once I got them in, I never seemed to get back to sleep properly. I know I slept because I was dreaming all night but it felt like I kept waking up. Not to mention that just before I had to get up, Jim started his foot moving antics. Have I mentioned this? Jim does this foot shuffling thing throughout the night which is SO fucking annoying. It shifts the covers and wakes me up then keeps me up. ARG! He doesn't know he's doing it but I still want to sit up and scream at him. Usually it only happens when he's on his back so if I get him to roll over, we're good but WTF!? 

So yeah, I got up and did the elliptical and am so happy I did. I almost feel like I should do that more often. Especially on a Friday when all I want to do when I get home is sit on my ass and drink a beer. We'll see if I make this a new 2 or 3 day-a-week routine. 

There are monkeys on the loose in Cincinnati, specifically in Price Hill. Apparently there are 5, privately owned monkeys that escaped from their home. I guess they've been seen in a nearby (to their home) cemetery swinging from trees. I'm pretty sure it's illegal to own monkeys in the city. But maybe not. Doesn't seem like a good idea though. And how did 5 escape!? And are those ALL the monkeys that the owner has or are there more? I have so many questions and the story on the news doesn't have much. I'm hoping they follow up with this story. 

Well, that's all I really have. Guess I should get a move on. Happy Thursday. Hopefully today goes quickly. I just have to remember that this time tomorrow, it will be Friday and I'll be headed into the weekend. Stay safe (Jim gets his 2nd does tomorrow!) and distanced...it's still out there people. Later!

37!

And just like that, because I can't count, I'm down a week, in one day, of days left in school! Woot! I was sitting in my room between bells and one of my colleagues, who comes in pretty much every break to reheat the same cup of coffee all day, said to me, "37! We can do it!" And I said, "Wait a minute! 37? I counted 43 today." She is a math teacher so I took her word for it since I'm sure she can count better than me. And she was right! WOOT!

School yesterday was fine. I anticipate a lot of "fine" days in my future. Nothing major happened. Nothing great. Nothing bad. Just fine. Just a countdown to the end at this point. Does it sound like I'm burnt out? Like I've lost my joy? I am burnt out which sucks considering I just came back from break but this is par for the course at this time of year. Have I lost my joy? Well, I will tell you that when I'm sitting here typing this with a day ahead of me, there's not a lot of joy in me. However, when I'm with my kids and working and talking with them and trying to teach them, it's a different story. I love my kids. It's why I do what I do. (Certainly not for the money or the majority of people I work with.) They certainly keep me going. So there is that. 

What else? Dinner tonight (Maggie will love this) Garlicy pork chops with a mushroom sauce. MMM!!! (Maggie hates mushrooms...just one of the many things wrong with her! HA!) 

Oh, I forgot this from yesterday: HAPPY {belated} BIRTHDAY BECKY! I hope you had a great day! I loved the orchid Cullen sent you...so pretty. I can't wait to get together and celebrate! Soon! 

I didn't take a bike ride yesterday and instead remounted my elliptical for a long "ride". I was worried about my foot as I hadn't done a solid 45 minute workout in about a week. However, you'll be relieved to know my foot did well. No pain and bonus, no pain afterward for my walk with Scout. I'll try again today I think since rain will be moving in and I'm not sure I'll be able to get  a ride in. We'll see. 

I've really got nothing else. I need to get a move on...I guess. Happy Wednesday. Stay vigilant and safe and get your shot if you haven't already (Jim gets his 2nd on Friday!). Later!

43!

I think that's how many days of school we have left. It doesn't sound like a long time but when you look through April and May to the end, without a planned day off, it seems like a long run. I'm not sure that will be something I can manage. We'll see. 

In the meantime, I'm just hoping I can get through this week. I think I have everything posted on Classroom for today (fingers crossed) but I'll check when I get to school. My classes are wrapping things up over the next few weeks, finishing up our last couple chapters in history and science and starting our final book of the year (Kindred). There will be several interruptions over the next couple weeks (end of course tests) but no big deal. 

Oh, and Thursday is Senior Service Night. I'm not so sure this is something that we should be doing this year but they're doing it anyway with a few tweaks. Lisa and I have a handful of kids in our room (two sessions) and unfortunately we have to be there from 4:30 - 8:00. I'm hoping some of our kids don't show...I'm guessing that will happen. Who knows. We've gotten so lucky this year with being able to do parent/teacher conferences from home that I really shouldn't bitch but I probably will anyway because 8:00 is past my bedtime. 

I finally got back on the trail yesterday and took a lovely ride. My normal ride is just under 13 miles and though I was a little slow going, I managed it just under an hour (with a quick stop halfway through). I think today will be lovely enough again to take another ride but we'll see. I may do the elliptical instead and give my butt a break. 

Jim and I did look at a bike for me and I really liked it but we didn't get it because it was the first bike I saw. I'm sure it will be gone by the time I finally decide to make the purchase because bike shops can't keep their inventory up. Everyone is buying a bike. I could get an e-bike...plenty of those, but what's the point? Plus, they're in the thousands of dollars. 

Okay well that's all I've got. Time to get going so I can figure out what needs doing at school. Happy Tuesday! Let's keep our fingers crossed for a quick week. Later! Stay safe and vigilant...we're not out of this yet! 

RIP Richard Lee Blosser

In my life, I’ve been lucky enough to have 4 parents. This may not be something that the children of divorce generally say but I can because having them in my life has only made things sweeter and more full of love. When I was 13, both my parents remarried, and just like that, 4 parents. And of course it wasn’t always easy (I mean, I’m sure I was always a joy however, my siblings are a handful!) but the lessons and experiences and love that we’ve shared have far outweighed any difficulty.

On Saturday, April 3rd at 12:22 PM, I lost one of my parents, Richard Lee Blosser. My mom lost her husband of 38 years; my stepbrothers lost their father; my nieces and nephews lost their Grandpap, and the world lost a really, really good man.

These last 6 months have not been the end that anyone could envision. It hasn’t been easy. It wasn’t a peaceful time for Richard nor my mother and for that I’m extra sad. However, Richard had a full and lovely life with so much love and joy and adventure and I would so much rather reflect on that than wallow in his struggles at the end.

I sent a message to my siblings and asked for their thoughts and memories of Richard. Here are just a few:

• Muirsie - this is what he always called me and what I still hear when I think of him. That deep and raspy voice, even now it’s in my head and it makes me smile...and maybe cry a little today.
• Grasshoppers - Richard made the BEST grasshoppers in the world! Sure to make you tipsy (or maybe send you over the edge), sure to keep you cool in a scalding hot tub on a freezing late December night staring at the Tennessee stars; sure to make your morning constitutional colorful (if you know what I mean!).
• Music, music, music! Richard LOVED music. Everything from the Bee Gees to Willie Nelson to Miles Davis to Bob Seeger. And he didn’t just love listening to music. He loved to sing...constantly and much to the embarrassment of his children...real songs, made up songs...didn’t matter what...didn’t matter where...didn’t matter how many times you asked/told him to SHUT IT! That only made him sing louder! And then belly laugh at your mortification.
• 
  Speaking of music, Susan remembers him singing “Sunshine on my shoulders”. I hope he’s singing this right now!
• Speaking of more music, Trip reminded me of the yearly phone calls we all got on our birthday with Mom and Richard each on an extension singing “Happy Birthday”...I think this was the first year I didn’t get one of those in 37 years!
• Speaking of even more music, Maggie remembers them visiting her in New England and driving to Boston Commons with Richard singing every song he could think of with “Maggie” in it...making up a few too.
• I had the joy of going to Merlefest with Mom and Richard...some time in the 90s and enjoying so much new music. Richard was like having your own personal jukebox...that held every song...and sometimes wouldn’t turn off!
• My mom is a great cook but there are certain things that were left to Richard. As Anne reminded me, his banana bread was the best! He made a mean meatloaf and his eggnog was dangerously delicious!
• Richard was one of the smartest people I knew. Watching Jeopardy with him was awe-inspiring! Witnessing he and Mom completing a crossword puzzle together was amazing. Mom would hold the puzzle and read off some random, ridiculously impossible clue like, “An 11-letter word for amazing...blank, blank, blank, n, i, blank blank, blank, i, e, blank blank?” And Richard would blurt out, “MAGNIFICENT!” It was truly magnificent!
• Speaking of games, Madison remembers hilariously playing Uno with Richard and the struggle there because he couldn’t tell green from blue.
• Richard taught Max how to shoot a BB gun and together they would shoot at cans, during, I’m sure, one of the annual summer weeks when Mom and Richard got Max to themselves. (This was also a ritual that started with Madison).
• I could probably go on and on...for pages and pages but I’ll leave off with this last and most precious memory I have of Richard and Mom. I was in a tough spot in my life and Mom and Richard were headed on a camping trip to the Finger Lakes of NY and on to Bar Harbor, Maine...a two week trip. They came to Cincy and spirited me off with them. Together we camped, and drank and laughed and had a rip-roaring time. We toured a ridiculous number of wineries in NY (I think we only made it through 11 of the 21 before we stumbled back to our campground), we visited Cadillac Mountain in Acadia, we ate lobster together and talked and talked and talked...and sang. It was glorious and I cherish that time.
  

Over the next few months while Mom settles things and packs things up it’s going to be tough and sometimes might seem overwhelming. I hope, however, that the 38+ years of memories will help soften the blow along with the love that will always be there along with Richard by her side. And until we all meet again, Godspeed Richard. I hope you’re singing your heart out up there with all those loved ones who have been waiting for you.

It's Friday...Which Means Nothing!

Well, it does mean something to Jim. Oh, and I've been making sure to get up each day at 5:30 so there's that too! Additionally, it's my last hurrah before going back to school on Tuesday for the last stretch of the year. So...YAY! It's FRIDAY!!! 

My day yesterday was somewhat productive. I managed to get all my exercising done and my grocery/Costco shopping completed before noon. Which meant I had the rest of the day to lay around and be a bum. 

Opening day? Well, let's just say that I'm glad I didn't go down. I would have been so cold and so mad! That was a shit show! The final score was 11-6 and to say Castillo had a rocky start is an understatement! We'll see.

Plans today: I'm going to do some cleaning after my regular morning workout. I'll make Cincinnati Chicken Chili for dinner. Originally I was thinking we'd go out tonight but I'd rather just stay home and cook. Other than that...nothing. 

Richard news: Nothing much to share. He had a bit of a restless day yesterday and the hospital staff is trying to make him more comfortable. In good news, Anne and mom got Mom's taxes done. I know that was a stress for mom so I'm happy she has that relief. 

Ooh, Top Chef started back up last night. I haven't watched it yet but add that to my plans for today! So excited. 

And that's about all I've got. Time to go get some yoga on. Oh, and on foot news, things are okay. I feel like I'm not walking normally but it's not been as big an issue as it had been. Until I take off my shoes that is. When I'm just walking barefoot or in stocking feet, the plantar wart causes a twinge to shoot up my toes causing a bit of pain. I think the treatment is working but we'll see. 

K - now it's time to head up to the mat. Happy Good Friday! Don't forget that I will be posting Monday but it won't be my normal in-school time since I don't have school. In other words, Maggie, don't blow me any shit! Stay safe...later!

Opening Day

Originally I was going to go to the game today with Terri but I just wasn't feeling it. I ended up texting her and opting out for a number of reasons. Part of that is it's going to be freakin' freezing today and breezy. I just don't want to sit in the cold (at least it won't be raining). I know...I'm a puss but whatever. I'm also just not in the mood. So there. I'll watch on TV in the comfort of my own home, with a fire blazing in the fireplace while noshing on tomato soup and grilled cheese. 

Jim, Doug, Lauren and I all met for lunch yesterday at Little Miami. It was yummy. I got my usual Gonzo salad with chicken. Jim got his usual Milford pizza (it's a meat lovers pizza basically) and we all had a couple beers to wash it down. I always get my favorite Earth Cookie (a brown ale) but I also go their dark lager called "Y'all be easy". I think after brown ales, I like dark lagers best. They are so yummy. In fact, another local brewery around here - Sonder - has one out now that is finger-lickin-good called Nocturnal. In fact, I need to put that on my list for the grocery today. 

Speaking of which, yes, I'll be headed to the grocery today to get my Easter dinner makings. I'll just do my usual, ham steaks with au gratin potatoes and asparagus. For dessert, I'm just going to make a Better Than Sex cake (WW) and call it a day. Nothing fancy and nothing major. I'll also make a quick trip to Costco. Might as well get that done today before my break is over and before the weekend hits. I just need a few staples there (paper towels, eggs, fiber, shampoo etc.). 

Other than that, I'll do some yoga here in a minute, get on the elliptical and take the boys for a nice long walk. My foot is feeling pretty good...we'll see how this treatment I'm doing goes. It can take up to 12 weeks to work, start to finish, but my wart (I hate that word) isn't very bad so hopefully it won't take too long. 

Richard was moved to a comfort room yesterday which is essentially hospice care. BTW - I didn't realize he was at UT (University of Tennessee) hospital. He's always been at their local Blount Co. hospital so I just assumed. Anyway - he was awake a bit in the last 24 hours and talking though Mom said he wasn't making a lot of sense. I'm sure she'll go in again today to see him. I'll keep you all updated here about things. Continued prayers please for my mom and R. 

And that's about all I've got. Again, grilled cheese and tomato soup for dinner. Go Reds! Stay safe and ever vigilant! Later!