A New Favorite!!!

So Maggie told me last week about the Pumpkin Spice Thomas' English Muffins (and bagels) and of course I went looking for them immediately and of COURSE Kroger didn't have them (or were out).  So yesterday I checked again and YAHOO!  YIPPEE! They were there.  I bought two packages of each and plan on buying more.  I had me a muffin this morning and it was like eating cake for breakfast! It makes me so happy.  See, lately, I've not been as crazy for pumpkin flavored things.  Well, let me clarify, I just don't enjoy the pumpkin creamer anymore but I never liked the Starbuck's pumpkin flavor lattes. Anyway - I loves me some pumpkin muffins, bagels (although I haven't tried those yet but if the muffins were good...) and Oreos!  Loves me some fall!

In school news - the crazy testing/schedule starts today.  We got our assignments and kid assignments for tomorrow as well.  I'm a bit confused because there were certain kids I had excused from taking these tests but they are on the list.  Not sure if I'm stupid or the administration but I'm going to assume it ISN'T me.  We'll see. 

What else...oh...we're getting a ton of rain over the next several days and AWESOME!  The skylight in the kitchen is leaking.  I sent Jim up on the roof yesterday to caulk around the seams but he didn't do it right.  In fact, it seems to be leaking worse now.  Good job Jim!  I told him to caulk inside as well but he didn't listen.  Dumb ass!

Watched Walking Dead last night.  It made me so happy!  No one of significance died (although that's sure to change) and it started out with a major BANG.  Literally.  I look forward to a good season although watching gives me palpitations!  Truly - it's the best show!

And that's about all I've got.  I dreamt last night of quilts and quilting.  I need to figure out what I'm making next and get on it.  I'll gather up my scraps and see what I've got. 

K - well, I think I'll go...later!

Jolly Holiday!

Woke up singing Mary Poppin's Jolly Holiday.  Weird.  Maybe because it's Columbus Day?  Weird.

Yesterday...ugh.  Those dern Bengals...I mean granted it isn't a loss but dammit! By the time the game was over, I was so done with football...didn't want to see another play by any team.  Next week - we'll get those Colts!

My potato soup last night was DEEEELICIOUS!  I've got it posted to my Pinterest under "Soups and Stews" if you're interested.  It was a Pioneer Woman recipe...I don't think I've had a recipe of hers that isn't yummy.

My latest creation.  This is Maggie's quilt.  It was originally supposed to be a king-sized quilt but as you can see, it didn't end up that way.  Oh well.  I'm a newbie and still learning.  The key lesson with this quilt was NOT to do a design with such small pieces and so many cuts.  I was actually pretty happy with how it turned out. I need to decide on my next quilt.  I think I'll do something with greens as I have some of that left over.  We'll see.

It's raining.  Stink.  Rain for the next few days I believe.

School is going to be nuts for the next two weeks as we have block scheduling for testing Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I hate all the testing that we (schools) do.  Most of my kids have been exempt from having to take these but it still effs them all up.

I have two IEPs today at 11 and 11:30...sisters so I'll bang those out.  I won't have any more IEPs until December, I believe.  Well, that's IF the one due in November is taken off.  I'm still waiting for the request from the parent to revoke consent.  Fingers crossed.

Okay well, that's all I've got.  Best mosey.  Happy Monday...later!

Before Party Turns To An Engagement Party

Last night was a good time...low key.  We went to a "Before" remodeling party at Bev's boyfriend's house in Kentucky, which SURPRISE, turned into an engagement party. Most of you don't know my friend Beverly - I her know through Terri.  A little background: She's been dating Mark for about a year now.  Prior to him, she had been really serious about a guy she met on a dating site. They had been together a couple years and were supposed to get married (they were even trying to have a baby) when she found out he was seeing several other women on the side. Ridiculous!  Anyway - a handful of months after all that happened, Mark, a man Bev had known for 12 years asked her out.  Bing bang boom, yada yada yada, he decides to remodel his house and throw a "Before" party to supposedly show friends his house prior to a major remodel.  He had this party planned for about 2 months.  Little did anyone know that he had really planned on it being an engagement party.  He asked Bev to marry him last weekend - good thing she said yes - and they announced it last night.  It was really cute because Bev couldn't stop crying (which of course made me teary).  Notice the pumpkins behind her, they say "She said yes". Prior to the announcement, they were turned around facing the other way. It's funny too because when we were at Terri's for a pre-party drink, I had asked Terri if Bev and Mark were really serious. Terri, by the way, knew they were engaged so her answer was, "Uh, yeah!"

Sunday plans:  I want to do a bit of a clean before the game.  I'll make a nice big breakfast (fried bread) and walk Sami and then do some cleaning.  Dinner tonight is a nice potato soup with salad. I have a bunch of potatoes and a leek from Green Bean I need to use so I thought...mmm...soup.  And I bought an immersion blender yesterday (Maggie bought one a couple weeks ago and since I'm a copycat...), can't wait to use it.

Walking Dead starts tonight...can't wait.  I'm so nervous.  I swear if they kill off Daryl, I'll quit watching! 

Okay well, I'm starving...time to fry up some bread.  Later!  Who Dey!!!

Stupid Weather

Man oh man do I need to get out and mow the backyard!  With the rain we got, however, I'm afraid it may be too soggy.  ARG!  I may have to put on my boots and just do it anyway.  Sami is sick of having to high step it out there to pee.

So plans today: Sami will get her walk in a minute, I'll grocery shop and hopefully mow the lawn.  Jim will be painting today (a neighbor is having him do one of her rooms).  Later tonight Jim and I will head to Terri's for a drink prior to going to a party at another friend's boyfriend's house. 

Tomorrow is all about soup and the Bengals.  I'm making potato soup.  YUM!!!

And that's about all I've got.  Nothing too exciting.  I'm looking forward to next weekend and seeing everyone for pumpkin carving at Trippy's!  I'm hoping Maggie and Charlie will come down on Friday and we can go to Silver Spring House for dinner.

Okay, well Sami is giving me the stink eye (she didn't get her walk yesterday as it was raining).  Best mosey or I'll end up with canine canines in my jugular!  Later!

And It Continues

I don't know what it is about me lately that screams: ANNOY ME!!!  I'm pretty sure in the past I gave off a vibe of LEAVE ME THE F&%K ALONE!!!  For some reason, however, Erving is just not picking up what I'm putting down!  He continually seeks me out to get approval on quizzes and tests he's modifying. Granted I blew him shit for NOT doing this right before (for not doing it at all) but at this point we're done...figure it out.  You're an adult.  I've given you examples...shared files with you...spelled it out for you.  I don't want you stopping in my class anymore to disrupt my teaching or my lunch.  I don't want 3 phone calls - in a row - and then an email saying the same thing you just said on the phone.  Does my face scream welcome!?  Because I've worked really hard at looking unapproachable!  (Really I haven't worked hard...I just have that face...it's how I look.) ARG!  If we could play a drinking game at work where you drink every time Erving calls me, emails me or shows up unannounced (scaring the shit out of me, almost popping out from around corners), I'd be drunk as shit! 

You know...maybe I'm really stupid here.  Maybe this is all a calculated lesson that Erving is teaching me. The lesson being: If you tell me I'm doing something wrong, I'll be on you like white on rice so that you'll never chafe my ass again.  Well, Erving!  Lesson learned. 

In other news - it's raining.  I mean, we needed rain but I need to mow my lawn!!!  My backyard is going to be soaked.  UGH!  I'll have to do it regardless tomorrow!  Or Sunday morning.

Speaking of tomorrow...excited for a party Jim and I are going to.  A friend's boyfriend is going to remodel his house and they are throwing a "before renovation" party.  I wonder if we'll be drawing on walls or kicking holes in the wall.  Hmm...

Oh, my dinner last night (Pork chops sautéed with apples and onions; roasted butternut squash with parmesan):  Jim said when eating, "This is fall on a plate." It wasn't bad.  The pork chops had a lot of flavor as did the butternut squash but the squash was a little mushy for my taste. 

K - well I best mosey and finish getting ready.  I'm so happy it's Friday and Jim is too.  He's about worn out from having to get up at 4:15 in the morning.  I told him earlier, "This time tomorrow we'll be asleep!" 

Annoying Co-worker

And I'm not talking about any of my ladies.  Although recently, FW is falling under this category with the many meetings she mentions every time we get together as a department.  As though she's SO important and is in the know about EVerything.  Well let me tell you, after yesterday and her interpretation (MISinterpretation) of special ed law and procedure , I'm going to call BULLSHIT on her expertise.  But I digress: The annoying coworker is the new sped teacher.  Have I named him?  I can't remember...let's call him...Erving. So, Erving is the most annoying dude I've ever met.  I don't know what his deal is but he is constantly doing shit that grates my nerves.  He won't leave me alone and seems to constantly be searching for approval.  I don't know why that would need to come from me, maybe I'm just the person of the moment but I want to jump under my desk and hide every time he walk into my room. 

Yesterday, in our department meeting, we got a stack of new papers that we have to either fill out or give to parents.  Every time FW went over a new form, he'd go, "YES!" or "AWESOME!!!" So weird.  Oh, and he's got wonky eyes...you know the kind...you're talking to a person and suddenly one of their eyes wanders off in a different direction from the other eye and suddenly you don't know which eye to look at so you're constantly going from one eyeball to the other. Erving was speaking yesterday in our meeting and his eyes were doing this and I look over at my fellow colleague sitting next to me, we'll call him Robin (young male for you ladies trying to figure this out), and he turns to me, with crossed eyes and starts talking gobbly-gook.  At which, I busted out laughing.  I cannot sit next to him anymore in meetings...he's such a play baby and he gets me in trouble.  So does Lisa.  I need to sit away from those two from now on.  Bad colleagues!

Lets see...what else?  Nothing exciting.  I'm making new recipes tonight...Jim's choice.  Pork chops with sautéed apples and onions and roasted butternut squash with parmesan.  I've never done butternut squash before so lets hope I don't eff it up. 

I've got an IEP this morning. Originally it was set at 8:00 but we have an 8:20 fire drill so I've asked the parent to come in at 8:30 instead.  I'm hoping this works out otherwise I'll be starting and stopping my meeting in the middle...pain in my ass.

Okay - I'm out...happy Thursday...one more day!  Later!

Wow...I Feel Like I Overslept

So Jim's alarm blared this morning at 4:15 and he immediately got out of bed to get ready.  In the past two days, I lay in bed for a few minutes and around 4:30, I get up to take his bandage off and start my day {slowly}. This morning, 4:50 rolled around and my alarm went off scaring the shit out of me.  I fell asleep and it felt like two minutes went by.  I rushed downstairs calling Jim's name, thinking he fell asleep on the couch or something.  He did not.  He had just let me sleep and had done everything he could before jumping in the shower (coffee, breakfast, lunch etc.).  I think we've found our new routine, which couldn't have come at a better time as those extra 35 minutes are necessary for Muwee!  I was ready to go to bed at 6:30 last night. I didn't but I did head up at 7:00 to read and relax. 

By the way, I'm reading a great book...Defending Jacob (can't remember the author...look it up).  I'm also listening to a great book: Following Atticus by Tom Ryan (nonfiction about a man and his dog...so good and hilarious!  Mom, the guy who reads it is from New England and his accent reminds me so much of Aunt Anne. At one point he even said my name - well, he said John Muir - and it sounded so much like when she says my name with her New Hampshire accent).

I believe the rain in the tristate is over until Friday.  YAY!  We needed it but I need to mow my lawn.  Hopefully I'll be able to get to that this weekend. 

And that's all I've got.  I'm feeling well-rested and ready for my Early Release Wednesday.  Happy Humpday!  Later!

Things Making Me Happy

I read on the Huffington Post this morning that J.K. Rowling (I'm not going to explain who this is because if you don't know you're A) STUPID and B) living under a rock) is teasing Twitter followers about her next project.  She's alluded to writing a new novel and dropped words like "wand" and "lumos".  Additionally, she's writing a screenplay for a new movie that takes place in NYC 70 prior to HP called "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them" (2016). My heart can't take the waiting!  By the way, I miss Harry Potter...when are we going to have a Harry Potter Weekend!?!?!

In other news making me happy...I'm kind of liking staying in bed while Jim has to get up at 4:15!  It will be even better when I don't have to get up 15 minutes later (and a half hour before my alarm) to change his bandage. 

Speaking of Jim:  He had a really good day yesterday. YAY! He said the guy he works with (and it's just one guy for now...also named Jim) is nice, no nonsense and easy to work with. He said the day flew by.  He's currently working on a new office building in Florence. Not sure how long he'll be there.

School news:  Some interesting information shared at the union meeting yesterday but more interesting than that was what I heard prior to the meeting.  A fellow union rep said that there's rumor a certain teacher (new to the union but not the school) is going to run for union president.  Ugh!  I'm getting a little pressure to run as well and I'm a bit scared by all of that. I feel so green and bone-headed.  I know I would have a TON of support but it's a huge commitment.  Lots of thinking on this end in regard to that.

Let's see...oh, I have an IEP meeting at 8:00 AM.  Shouldn't be a big deal.  I emailed another parent yesterday about scheduling an IEP.  This is a parent who wants his kid OFF an IEP and so when I mentioned that in my email, he responded with "Yes, I want him off...call me."  Fine with me.  The only sucky thing about this is this is an easy kid and a nice kid and you kind of hate to lose those.  BUT!  We have way too many kids who shouldn't be on IEPs so...it's necessary.

Okay well, I could type here for another 20 minutes since I'm way ahead of schedule (THANKS JIM!) but I'll spare you my boring flim flam.  Happy Tuesday.  Later!

Early Morning, Long Day

Well I've been up since just before 4:00.  Not so much up as awake.  I did the actually "getting up" at around 4:30.  Jim was out of bed by then (he got up around 3:45...he couldn't sleep anymore) and had eaten so it was time for his shower, which meant I needed to take off his dressing. No big deal.  The problem with all this was I didn't get to sleep until around 10 last night and I tossed and turned.  See, we got Jim a new alarm clock for his side of the bed and I was worried it wouldn't go off.  I kept waking up to look at the time. Didn't matter though since Jimmy was up long before the alarm went off.  Oh well. 

Speaking of Jim, he's out the door.  He has to be down in Florence at 6:00.  Yowza.  The good thing about this is A) easy traffic and B) off by 2:30.  Sami's a bit confused about what's going on.  I think she thinks we're headed up to the Bay...without her. She seems down and out.  Well, she has had the company of her daddy most days for the last 7 weeks.  She'll get used to this new schedule.  I don't know that I will and I can't wait for Jimmy's wound to heal so I don't have to pack it at 4:30!  Damn I'm a good wifey! (Toot toot)

It will be a long day for me as I have a 4:00 union meeting today. I'm hoping it won't last too long but who knows. 

How about a sweet pic of a girl cozy in her bed!  I believe her daddy took this and allowed the flash to go off in her face.  Bad Daddy!  (She's so cutes!)

School news:  I have two IEPs this week.  One tomorrow and one Thursday.  They are both written so shouldn't be too much of a pain. 

It's "dress down" week.  Some fundraising thingy for the science department.  I don't always take advantage of this but I'm sick of all my "work clothes" right now. 

Bengals...bummer.  I didn't have high hopes (I know...that's not very supportive but our record in NE is not good).  I watched the first 3 drives or so and turned it off after the missed field goal. I hate NE.

Well, I best get myself ready.  Happy Monday.  Later!

Good Times

Sorry I didn't post yesterday...I could have but slept late (late night Friday) and may have still been just a little drunk when I awoke...oops. 

So Friday was so much fun.  The ladies (Terri, Bev, Lisa, Heather, Meera and Cheri) and I went to happy hour at the Precinct and then across the street to Tostada's for dinner and a bit of Karaoke.  I had NO plans to get up and sing!  But then I kept drinking and alas, liquid courage kicked in.  Granted, I didn't sing on my own but I did get up as back up to Lisa for Joan Jett's "I Love Rock and Roll".  Then, some kid - I'm assuming he was in college as he was drinking - came up to our table and roped all the ladies into singing with him.  The funniest part (or most insulting, depending how you look at it): No one knew what his name was and so every time they announced the next performer, we would look at each other and say, "Is that him?  Do we go up!?"  And then they announce, "C.J. and the Cougars are up next singing Meatloaf's 'Paradise by the dashboard light'" and I knew.  I'm pretty sure I yelled out, "That little bastard!"  Oh, and that song for karaoke?!  Ridiculously hard.  I'm not sure we were even able to finish the song.  And by that point, I was well in my cups...it wasn't pretty. 

Yesterday - Jim and I just hung out.  His car was in the shop for a brake job and we went to pick it up around noon after having lunch at Skyline but other than that, we puttered around the house. (It wasn't supposed to be ready until around 4:00 so BONUS!!!)  I did some quilting on my machine (hopefully I'll finish that up today), enjoyed some beef stroganoff for dinner and caught up on my shows (Project Runway and Top Chef).

Today should be another day of relaxation.  The Bengals don't play until 8:30 tonight which means I probably won't get to watch much of it.  Reason:  Jim's new job starts tomorrow and he has to be there at 6:00 AM.  CHICK-A-WHAT!?  Now you may be saying to yourself, "Muir, you don't have to be up just because Jim's up!"  But you'd be wrong because Jim has to have me take off his dressing and repack it after he showers.  Oh well...positive thoughts...A) Jim has a job!!!  B) Jim doesn't have cancer and C) This too will pass.

In Eva news - Maggie and Charlie dismantled her crib yesterday and rearranged her room.  She's been out of her crib for a while but she wasn't ready for her "little bed" to go away.  I love the sweet pick of her bed all cozy and the new painting the hung in her room...looks just like Bussie!  And finally Eva's new owl costume.  Third year of her being an owl.  I see a theme/obsession here.

Okay well, it's mimosa time.  I best mosey and think about what to make for breakfast and then get Sami walked.  Happy Sunday Funday!  Later!

Stink Bugs, Spiders & Snakes

Ew!!!  I hate all three but thankfully I only had to deal with ONE of those critters yesterday and Jim had to deal with all three.  Me, I was preoccupied yesterday with stink bugs and flicking them off my screens in nearly every window of my house.  For the most part, they were NOT inside (knock on wood).  The few that got in were at the sliding glass door in the kitchen...and they met their demise quickly.  As for spiders and snakes, well, Jim has only himself to blame for encountering those motha's. 

So for the past couple days, Jim has been building a ginormous log holder. I'm not talking a small cradle to put of couple days worth of wood in but holders that run along the side fence in the back yard near the garage side door...20-30 feet long. Where did he get all the wood to build such a monstrosity?  He went dumpster diving. That sounds much "hoboier" than it is. See, there's a house up the street that is rebuilding a deck and they had this dumpster with completely fine and treated wood in it so Jim took it upon himself to snag some pieces...quite industrious of him.  Anyway, part of the job he undertook involved moving the stacked wood that was already there in order to build a complete holder.  Within that stack he apparently encountered two spiders that he said were nearly the size of his palm.  Now I know Jim likes to exaggerate but if the spiders were even half that size {shiver} well, I'd be running in circles shrieking with my hands flapping up and down.  Add a snake in the mix?!  Even if it was a baby one...uh, NO!  And let me tell you, Jim does NOT like snakes.  This does not make me look forward to the wood splitting we have planned in the next couple weeks.  UGH!

So today should be a nice, easy day.  The afternoon will be spent at central office being trained on a new math program we'll be using.  Hopefully this training will go better than previous training that was a waste of my time. 

Tonight is a girls night out.  We'll head to the Precinct bar for cocktails and then somewhere near there for a bite. Jim and I are going to head to Clifton around 4:30 to drop his car off for a brake job he's getting Saturday and then he'll drop me off for my evening and pick me up later.  He offered and I'm not going to turn down. 

Okay well, I need to change Jimmy and head to school.  HAPPY FRIDAY!!! YAY!!!  Looking forward to a relaxing, cool weekend and football!  Later!

Job News, Headaches & Girls Night Out

Fingers crossed that everything works out for Jim with this job possibility.  It's with a company called Flannery Painting.  It's a union company so that's good (good money too).  Jim went down yesterday, took a skills test and the owner/president told him he'd like him to start asap.  Just have to wait two days for the drug test to come back and then hopefully he'll start.  I wonder about the Percocet he was on but he ha a prescription for that and isn't taking it anymore so he should be good.  Unless there's something I don't know about...eeeeee (JK).

So last night - with all the job stuff coming up, Jim had to do make some purchases:  New work boots and painter pants.  Add to that I had a dentist appointment, I decided we'd go out to dinner.  We ended up at Desha's and then had a treat at Orange Leaf.  Desha's didn't thrill. One of the reasons we went there was because they had fried chicken on their menu...Jim's a sucker for fried chicken.  When it came?  Basically chicken fingers.  Three tiny little things.  Ridiculous.  Oh well...live and learn.

My monthly girls night out with Terri et al is tomorrow.  I was on the fence about going due to my budget but I decided to give myself a little treat.  Plus they decided NOT to head downtown which means I can find my way. We'll head to the Precinct for happy hour ($5 glasses of wine) and then go somewhere else for a bite.  Jim offered to drive me...I'll think about that...I may take him up on it since it may be raining.  I doubt I'll be out late, just drinks and dinner so why not be safe with a designated driver? 

Oh, just remembered a weird dream. I was having to cut someone's hair at a solon and I didn't know how to cut hair. I have a version of this dream a lot (I used to work at a haircutting place) but its been a while.  The client in my dream had LONG hair and wanted me to cut it into a "shag".  Funny.  I usually wake up before I have to take the first snip and I did that last night as well.  Thank God...I wouldn't want to screw someone's hair up.

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

Sick Of Talking About It

As I'm sure you're sick of hearing about Jim and his infamous wound, I apologize now for rambling on about it again.  However, he did go to the doc yesterday and of course the "three-week" healing estimate was about 5 weeks short.  The nurse yesterday told Jim that it would be a two month thing most likely.  This doesn't surprise me but it does piss me off because where did that three-week thing come from?!  I didn't make it up. Normally I'd be tempted/forced to believe this was Jim's mistake but after hearing other things the nurse said yesterday (a different nurse from two weeks ago) I'm guessing it was the incompetent nurse from two weeks ago who misinformed my husband. She also packed his wound wrong.  I didn't like the way she packed it and ended up packing it my way (which was the right way) most of the time but I did pack it the way she did for Jim's appointment yesterday...and Jim was told WRONG!!! ARG!  So annoying.

Anyway - the really sucky thing about this whole thing is I had plans to go to Maggie's at some point this month - maybe the 24th - but now, I can't because Jim can't change his own dressing.  I may be able to go for a day at least...we'll see.  Just sucks. But again...Jimmy is cancer free and if we're forced to deal with a little inconvenience, I'm okay with that.  Don't know that Eva will be but I'll tell her it's all Dimmy's fault...she'll probably figure that anyway!

Oh, and the doc said the wound looks good...as good as that axe-looking wound can look. Jim goes back in two weeks.

Costco - it was a seasonal position. Bummer.  Oh well. Fingers crossed something comes along soon.

Lets see...in school news...UGH!  I think I mentioned I'm doing a project with my kids?  All they have to do is take one of the 1st 10 amendments (the Bill of Rights) and make a small poster illustrating and explaining it.  Nothing big...a few words (of which I told them what they could say), the year and some pictures.  We even gave the some examples using the 13th and 18th amendments (thank you Diane).  What I forgot, however, was that the majority of my kids are "everything-challenged".  How, as a 15/16 year old do you NOT know how to search for a picture and then copy and paste it on a document to print?!  And you know I do this every time: Somehow, I forget that these kids (a few of them, not all) are so STUPID sometimes!  ARG! And then I get 15 minutes into the project and Diane is shooting daggers at me with her eyes and I'm kicking myself for my own stupidity.  Oh well...what's a person to do?  We'll have one more day of this and then I'll make a note never to do this again.

Okay - that's all I've got.  I have a 2:50 dentist appointment today...fingers crossed for no cavities.  Later!

Big Day For Jimmy

Jimmy has an appointment with the doc today and an interview.  I'll be interested in what the doctor says.  Jim asked me today if it looked any different; if it was drying out.  Answer: No.  But its hard for me because I look at it every day, twice a day.  It doesn't seem to be getting any "fuller" - meaning the wound looks as deep as it did. And, it looks as open and "juicy" (sorry) as it did a week ago.  I don't know.

Jim's interview - did I mention this previously - is with Costco.  Who knows what will happen with that.  We'll see.  It would probably be a part-time opening that would lead to full-time.  But I'm jumping the gun here...interview doesn't mean job.  We'll just have to be a little patient, huh?

Funny student comments:  So Horshack (my autistic sophomore)...he's so funny.  The other day I was reprimanding one of the OTHER autistic students in my LA class (lets call him HM - for hot mess).  He had come into my room and basically threw down all his books, leaving them in a pile with papers and books strewn all over the place.  I said to him, "HM!  What the heck.  Clean this mess up...this isn't your house or your bedroom!" And Horshack speaks up from across the room, "You don't have to live like an animal!" 

Then, the other day, Horshack was babbling to himself as he does (I try to stop this every chance I get...I mean, it just doesn't look normal when a kid walks down the hallways saying "CHICKEN" or "CORRECT!" out loud for everyone to hear).  Anyway he was babbling and I said, "What's that Horshack?" And he says, "Oh nothing" (his usual response). Me: "What did you say?"  Horshack: "Oh nothing I was just singing 'Afternoon Delight'".  Oh, of course you were.

And on that note, I best mosey.  It should be an easy day today.  Doing a mini-project in Government on the Bill of Rights.  Hoping it helps the kids learn the first 10 amendments. 

K - happy Tuesday.  Later!

5 O'Clock Came Way Too Soon

Crazy dreams last night.  I kept waking up and going right back into them.  Not good dreams either.  UGH!  With all that though, my alarm went off way too early this morning.  I think all that dashing around the kitchen yesterday wore me out.

Speaking of which, I know I posted this on Facebook and so everyone who reads this has seen it but I'm pretty proud of myself 1) for getting it all done in about 3 hours and 2) not giving up and throwing in the towel after the first two dishes.  The first dish I made was the lasagna roll-ups and those were actually very easy. The biggest pain in the ass was the eggplant Parmesan but that had so many "do and wait" parts to it (draining the eggplant, baking the eggplant) that I was able to get a lot done while I waited.  Now I just have to hope that it all tastes delicious.  Not sure when I'll try one but once cooler weather comes, I'll put something in that pile on my menu.

Oh, and bonus from yesterday - Jim defrosted and helped me clean out our deep freezer so now everything is organized and awesome and in its place.

Lets see...what else...oh, I had to break down and buy a new pair of walking shoes yesterday.  I've been in love with my Asics but all the pairs at DSW yesterday were $114 or $129 or $154.  Um...this little lady is on a budget thank you very much. I was in a quandary as to what to do because I'd had Saucony's before and they hurt my feet.  I'd tried Ryka's on before but the backs at the Achilles were always too low.  BUT!  I saw a pair that looked different so I tried them on and VOILA!  They felt awesome and were cute too.  They feel like you're walking on pillows.  And bonus!  They were just under $70!  Woot! 

In school news - nothing special this week I don't think.  Friday I have a 1/2 day (afternoon) professional thingy.  We're going to be trained on a math program for the kids.  Hopefully it won't be a waste of time. I also have a dentists appointment on Wednesday...right after school.  Oh, and there's a 5 minute meeting this morning which means...

...I better motor and get Jim all changed.  Happy Monday...later.

More Freezer Cooking

Yesterday was so nice. Nothing to do but so busy regardless.  I got up, drank coffee then dressed and got Sami walked.  It was time to hit the trail after that and get my bike ride on.  It was REALLY crowded on the trail and can I just say that people are annoying?!  One dumb ass runner was running in the MIDDLE of the "road".  When I went to pass him and I said, "on your left" he didn't even move over.  I felt like sticking my elbows out and grazing him.  I mean, I was on my bike, he was running and would never have caught me...maybe if I see him today. Oh, and then there was a woman walking her schnauzer and she just let him weave back and forth from one side of the trail to the other.  I saw her doing this knowing she was oblivious to me pedaling closer so I cleared my throat really loudly and scared the crap out of her.  What does she think?  She's the only one on the trail!?  Annoying!  Anyway - I went only 9 miles yesterday as it had been nearly 3 weeks since I'd been on a bike.  My ass was killing me by the time I got back.  It was nice ass hurt though.

After my ride, I headed to the grocery where I did a MAJOR shop in preparation for my freezer cooking.  When I got back, Jim was finishing up cleaning upstairs.  We showered, ate lunch and then headed to Shooter's.  We hadn't been in weeks...maybe months.  Couple beers later and we headed home.

For freezer cooking, yesterday I made calzones, boiled chicken (for today), and made roast beef/ham and cheese sandwiches...those just pop out of the freezer and get popped (typed pooped first) into an oven for a nice and delicious hot ham/beef/cheese sandwich.  Yummy.  Today I'll do sour cream noodle bake, chicken pot pie, lasagna, eggplant parmesan and a chicken/penne sundried tomato dish.  Jim helped me yesterday in the kitchen and was a great sous chef.  I need to take advantage of him more.  (In the bedroom and out...hee hee).

After my cooking frenzy yesterday, I went out to join some of the neighbors at the picnic table...just talking and having a beer.  Michelle - the neighbor who lives just down the hill, had a trampoline that she wanted out of her yard and Christy wanted it so about 6 of us went and hauled it up.  I had to test it out, of course.  I haven't jumped on a trampoline in probably 30 years...or more.  Kenny wanted me to do a flip.  I did not do one.  You know I would have broken my neck if I had. 

Okay well that's all I've got.  I'm going to head up to dress and go out to the trail for a ride.  I want to try and beat the crowds this morning.  Hopefully I won't run into any angry deer this early in the AM.  Happy Sunday!  Later!

This, That & The Other

Can I get a Woot! It's Friday!  So happy! 

So get this!  This sucks!  I was talking to another teacher yesterday before heading home and he was saying how frazzled he was because he had been sick of late.  I asked him what was wrong and he said he has psoriasis and it was causing him fits.  Apparently where it used to only affect his scalp, armpits etc., now it was on his hands and fingertips.  He had to call in sick Tuesday because his fingers were bleeding.  Seriously, his thumb should have gotten stitches the crack was so deep.  So I asked what the plan was for dealing with it and he tells me that he has to take a pill every day for the rest of his life.  Me: "Oh, man!  That sucks."  Him: "Oh, and I can't drink anymore." Me: "NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" 

I just want to take this time to thank the baby Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit for not giving me psoriasis! Or anything else that makes it so that I can't drink.  I guess someone up there is watching out for me! 

Lets see...what else to I have?  Hmm...oh, watched Survivor.  LOVED it!  That show is so good.  In all the seasons I've watched, there's only been one season that I felt to be a dud.  That's pretty good.

MAGGIE!!!  Did you see that HBO confirmed the casting of Vince Vaughn and Colin Ferrell for season 2 of True Detective?!  That will be good!  I hope they don't make old Vince look as bad as Matthew! 

Okay well my day today at school should be easy.  Kids took a chapter test yesterday in Government so I'll be giving them a break and we'll continue watching 12 Angry Men.  LA - we'll complete chapter 10 in Secret Life of Bees.  Man, we're nearly finished with the book - should be done by the end of the quarter!  Which means I need to figure out what I'm doing next for LA.  Maybe I'll do Shakespeare early...that will take us through the end of the semester.  Macbeth this year. Fun!

K - I'm out.  Jim's bandages are changed and he's back sleeping - the lazy ass! Just kidding.  Happy Friday!  Later!

High Hopes

So I was watching TV yesterday evening (I know...weird!) - specifically Pioneer Woman and she was doing a bunch of freezer meals and I thought, "HEY!  I have a relatively free weekend this weekend...why not do the same!?"  I figure the Bengals have a bye week this Sunday so I'll have time then. I plan on doing a couple of small pans of lasagna, chicken pot pie, beef stew and sour cream noodle bake. I'll do a little research today at lunch to see if there's anything else that sounds worth my time.

Other than that, I also want to do a thorough clean of the house this weekend and Jim can help, finally (more on that in a minute). I also plan on taking a bike ride both Saturday AND Sunday. The only REAL plans this weekend?  Our former neighbors, Brandi and Matt invited us for pizza Friday.  Haven't hung out with them since about June...look forward to it.

In regard to Jimmy:  He's doing well.  His back is the same.  Not sure how long this will take to heal but looking at it?  Seems it should be more than three weeks.  He's doing more, however. He mowed the lawn the other day.  He also went and stained part of a deck yesterday and will complete it today.  He slept well last night and his pain isn't much.  He said he really doesn't feel his back which is good because it looks like it would kill! Like someone (not me) took an axe to him. Oh, and he has a job interview on Tuesday.  He put in an application at Costco and they have a job fair thing and a woman called asking him to come in.  They hire most of their employees as part-timers first but who knows.  I've heard they are a really good company to work for.  We'll see.  I'll take anything I just want him to be content. 

My IEP meeting went swimmingly yesterday.  The parent called and cancelled.  We conferenced on the phone.  Easy peasy Japaneasy.  Those are my favorite meetings.  I don't have another IEP until October 7.  I have 4 in October...one of them is already written.  Two will be easy and the last one is a new kid for me so I'll have to fix all the dumb shit things written in the last IEP. 

Okay well - Jim is all "packed" and back in bed.  Sami has had her crusts of toast, I'm finishing up my delicious smoothie (ooh, it's Green Bean Delivery day!!!) so I best mosey back upstairs to complete this masterpiece.  Happy Thursday (YAY!!! TOMORROW'S FRIDAY!).  Later!

Beware Of The Post!!!

Just giving you a warning - below is a picture of the gaping hole on Jim's back.  If you get squeamish or disgusted by disgusting things, do not scroll down.  And I get to be the lucky one that gets to change the dressing...TWICE A DAY! 

All bandaged up

So if you don't want to scroll down, I'll just give you a little description. Background:  Jim went to his two week checkup yesterday with the doctor.  They removed the stitches but for some reason - and apparently this sometimes happens - the area under the surface of the skin where they removed his melanoma to get clean margins - did not heal properly.  It just takes time I guess.  So what we're left with is an opening, oval shaped, about 2 inches wide at it's widest part looking into muscle fibers...about an inch to an inch and a half deep.  Seriously...if you've ever looked at pictures of a person with just muscles showing, all fibrous and whatnot...that's what it looks like. It's quite interesting actually. Jim was worried for me because two times a day, I have to do a wet/dry packing.  (Gauze soaked in saline which gets packed into the wound topped with dry gauze.) Fortunately though, when I did it for the first time last night after dinner, I was quite surprised that I wasn't grossed out.  In fact in my opinion, it's better than when he had his drain and sutures and it was all oozy.  Speaking of which, this wound has very little ooze.  Very little blood on the dressings when I change them and the gauze on top is dry.  I showed the pictures to Jim (he can't see his back obviously) and he was flabbergasted.  It's amazing to me he's not in any real pain.  The human body really is quite amazing. 

Okay well, I best post this stuff and mosey.  I have an IEP at 9:00...no biggie.  Bonus, it's Wednesday which means shortened periods and independent seat work for my LA classes.  Happy HUMPDAY!  Later!

OMG!!!  Eva is such a drama queen!  I love to watch her sway to the music.  Love her closed eyes! Nothing like a Lady and the Tramp song to get your "sway" on!  (BTW, Maggie - I thought you said you were sending me two videos?)


In school news - my first IEP of the year is this morning, 7:30.  No biggie...my senior autistic student, Linguini.  I've got the IEP written and I sent a draft to the parent so there won't be much to say.  I am annoyed, however, with FW.  She's been quite the ass-kissing slacker of late.  I think with all her brown-nosing of the new sped coordinator and new principal, she hasn't been able to focus on her real job.  She loves to mention all the dozens of meetings she has to go to (as though that makes her important) but I'm not sure anything she's meeting about is worthwhile...just a waste of time. I asked her about a month ago to send me information that she and the new sped coordinator were gathering about programs available to sped students who don't take their diploma after their senior year.  Apparently she sent me an email and I was supposed to call the sped coordinator to discuss.  The problem with this was, her email was basically spam, having nothing to do with my request and gave no explanation as to why I was getting it.  Do you know how many worthless pieces of email trash I get about this meeting or that meeting or this program or that program?  Oh, whoops, she never told me to call the sped coordinator.  So, two days before my meeting, I'm trying to get this information and the sped coordinator is TRES busy and though she said she'd call or come by to talk, she hasn't.  Guess I'll just tell the parent that FW is slacking and I'll gather the information and get it to her later.  ANNOYING!

Jim goes to the doctor today.  I look forward to hearing how that goes.  I'm sure he'll get his stitches out but based on the looks of the incision, I wonder if he'll have something done to it to make up for the weird gap.  We'll see.  I'm about sick of this whole thing!  I need my boy to cut the grass and get off his ass.  Although, that being said, he did vacuum and clean a bit yesterday so that's good.  Not Jim's fault he can't do much, I know.  I don't blame him.

And that's about all I've got.  Oh, except I finished Maggie's scarf.  This is it just before I completed...you get the idea.  I still need to bind the ends together but that will only take about 10 minutes. 

K - I'm out.  Best mosey to school and get everything set up for my meeting.  Later!

Post Oktoberfest Post

This weekend was a bit busy as Maggie and Charlie were in town and there was a lot of driving back and forth between home and Raeburn.

First - Saturday - Jim and I headed down to Raeburn in the morning so that I could go to Oktoberfest with Maggie, Charlie and Eva (Jim went back home as he wasn't quite up to a crowd that large). We headed downtown around 11:00 and stayed for a couple hours. It was PACKED and I can't imagine having been there later than we were considering the crowds pouring in as we were headed home.

After getting back to Raeburn, Maggie put Eva down and she and I hung out on the deck for a bit until Jimmy got there around 3:30.  We then just sat around, had some cocktails, talked and eventually got pizza.  Jim and I came home, our neighbor was having a fire in her fire pit so we went for a short while and then it was bed. 

Yesterday we got up and headed to Raeburn for breakfast.  From there, home and football.  Yesterday was a nice lazy day.  I managed to finish one scarf and have about a half hour to finish Maggie's. Woot!  I also sandwiched Maggie's quilt and will hopefully sew that this weekend. 

In Jim news: Friday, I had to leave work early because Jim's drain was giving him fits.  We went down to UC around 11:30 and eventually he had the drain removed. It wasn't working right, sucking air. This was such a relief for Jimmy and he was finally able to sleep...the first real sleep since Tuesday.  His incision is still sort of bleeding but it's really just sort of an oozing and Dad said it's normal considering how vascular this tissue is.  Whatever, I wish it would stop.  He goes in tomorrow and I look forward to hearing what the doc says.

Okay well, I best mosey.  I have a lot to do today.  Two IEPs this week...need to get the second one tweaked and printed.  K - Happy Monday!  WHO DEY!  Later!

Friday!

Happy Anniversary to Jimmy and Me! Fifteen years ago today, Jim stole my tissues during a major allergy attack and I was forced to give him my phone number to get them back.  It's a wonder I ever went out with him!  And considering the snotty mess I was on the day we met, it's a wonder he wanted to go out with me.  Ah...the power of a draft beer buzz! 

Speaking of Jimmy...I know I'm sick of his damn drain...I can't imagine how over it he is.  When I got home yesterday, Jim was in the shower.  After he got out, I put a new bandage on and saw that the redness had once again reduced (though there is still some there) and the drainage had slowed way down.  The consistency and color has changed and I'm not sure what that means.  It's very very red now and Jim said this morning it's a bit thicker.  (Sorry for the gross details).  I may have him call the doc, just to see that's normal.  Hope they don't feel bugged but that's what they are there for and I don't want Jim to get a further infection.  I'll check it again here before I go. 

He didn't sleep as well last night and I came downstairs to find him trying to sleep in his chair.  Poor guy. 

In other news - it's FRIDAY!  I have a lot to do today because I need to get my first two IEPs complete.  They are Tuesday and Wednesday next week.  I think I'm mostly done but just need to make sure.

In student news:  One of my kids - Linguini (I've spoken of him before...senior, autistic, cries a lot) - took his driver's test Wednesday.  Failed.  Ran a stop sign!  HOLY SHIT!  I've said for a while that guy shouldn't be on the road.  Don't know what some parents are thinking.

K - my computer's about to restart so I need to wrap this up.  Happy Friday.  Later!

Short & Sweet

I don't have time for a long post because I need to get Jimmy all settled before leaving.  No biggie - just need to change his bandage.  His fever broke over night...he's down to 98.5!  Woot!  We had a bit of a worry yesterday because a stupid nurse told him when he got his drain put in that if he notices pus to call.  Well, there was pus in the drain when I checked after getting home yesterday and so of course we both were worried.  After waiting for a call back from the doc for an hour and a half, I called my dad who told me that this was exactly what the drain was for.  In fact, with the pus finally coming out, his fever would most likely break.  Dad was right!  Don't tell him - don't want it to go to his head!  (Hee hee...he reads this guess the cat's out of the bag.)

Now we just have to wait for his wound to stop draining.  Once that happens he can have it removed.  Fingers crossed.  I'm just hoping he won't have to have it going down to Oktoberfest.

Here's the quilt Maggie got to go with Eva's quilt.  She was concerned it was too orange but I say a little girl needs color in her room.  I love it and it brings out the other colors in the quilt.

Got my new knitting needles and started a scarf last night...I'll be knitting myself one after all my other "orders" have been filled.

Okay - best mosey.  TGIAF!  (Thank God It's Almost Friday).  Happy Thursday!  Later!

Things Don't Come Easy

So Jim's got an infection.  UGH!  I think I mentioned yesterday that he had a restless night Monday into Tuesday.  Well, apparently he woke up with a fever and so called the doc, they had him come in and bing, bang, boom - dude's all infected!  They had to put a drain in his back and he's all hopped up on antibiotics.  They also marked the sides and told him if the redness spreads beyond that, to get himself lickity split to the emergency room.  Yikes!  Nothing is ever easy for Jimmy. 

Last night was okay.  He thought he'd have to sleep sitting up in the over-sized chair in the family room but I fixed the spare bed up for him - lots of pillows etc. so he would be comfortable.  He ended up sleeping on his stomach and only woke up to take his meds.  Poor guy.  I just keep saying to him, "This time next week - hopefully this will all be over.  Drain out, stitches possibly out, pain better."  Fingers crossed.

Oh, and he can't drink either.  Which means, if he's up to it, he has to drive on Saturday for Oktoberfest.  That isn't terrible...for me.  I had actually planned on driving because he had been through so much lately but someone had other plans. 

In school news - nothing.  I've done well in getting two of my IEPs mostly complete and will hopefully get more done today since it's Wednesday, which means independent seat work for my LA classes. 

Okay - well, that's all I've got.  Headed to Costco after school today.  Oh, and Michael's to get needles and yarn.  Exciting, huh?  K - happy HUMPDAY!  Later!

A Load Off

I can't tell you how happy I was to get Jim's text yesterday that his margins were clear and there were no issues with his lymph nodes.  I don't think I realized how much it was weighing on me...and I KNOW it was 10 times that for Jim.  When I got home, he had a shot of "little beers" waiting so that we could toast his good news.  But of course, he slept horribly last night. He kept moaning in his sleep and tossing and turning.  He was in considerable pain and discomfort last night.  I don't think he took a pain pill, which was a mistake. 

So now that this drama is past us, Jim can focus on getting a job.  Not that he hasn't been working at that.  He puts in apps as often as he can find something (as per unemployment rules). And once this week is up, he's clear to actually go BACK to work.  He'll get his sutures out next Tuesday.  Oh, and the nurse said that the drainage from his incision is totally normal. 

So looking forward to this weekend.  Maggie, Charlie and Eva are coming down to celebrate Oktoberfest.  I'm sure Jim's getting his steins all washed and polished for us.  And by the way - Jim and I met at Oktoberfest, 15 years ago Friday.  Can you believe it!?  FIFTEEN YEARS!!!  Crazy.  Anyway - the weather should be good for the weekend and its been a LONG time since Maggie and Charlie have been down so that will be nice.  (Maggie, did you call Trippy to see if they would be able to do anything?)

And other than that, I've got nothing.  Oh, except Sunday when I was rooting around in one of my closets I found a roll of queen-sized batting so I'll be able to finish Maggie's quilt - maybe this weekend.  In addition, I ordered the yarn for Maggie's chunky infinity scarf she wants me to knit (shown left...cool, huh?).  Hopefully it will turn out looking as good as that one and should only take about a day to knit.  I may have to make one for myself. 

K - well I best get a move on...time got away from me.  Later! 

Cozy Girl

So you may or may not know that Eva is now sleeping in her big girl bed.  Maggie was waiting until the weather got a little cooler before she put on her owl duvet.  Well, yesterday was the day.  She's so snuggly.  Maggie also plans on getting a quilt to put at the end of the bed - a sort of pumpkin color that is in the owl pattern of the duvet.  Nothing wrong with a little color in a little girl's room!  Every time I go to Maggie's, Eva now asks me to sleep with her.  I may have to take her up on that considering how cozy that looks. 

Can I get a Who Dey for the Bengals!?  I'm very proud of them.  They really looked good yesterday!  The fact that Andy Dalton has had no interceptions is awesome.  Hope the team continues their success.  I would like fewer injuries, please!  

Sorry for not posting this weekend.  When I was going to on Saturday, my computer had to update and restart which is causing problems and the computer was down for about an hour (I need to remedy that).  Not much to say anyway except the neighbor ladies and I had a great time out Friday.  I drank WAY too much but really did feel fine on Saturday.  I think the ladies were surprised to see I wasn't hung over...that probably isn't something to be proud of...my high tolerance.  Oh well...what's a girl to do?  Stop drinking!?  I don't think so!  Hee hee.

In Jim news:  Today is one week since surgery and the lab results should be in.  I'm not sure if they will call or what.  I may ask Jim to just call the office to see what the timeline is.  In regard to his recovery - his armpit is giving him a touch of pain but his back really isn't.  I do want him to call about his back, however, because it has a bit of fluid leaking out.  It is definitely healing but I just want to make sure that there isn't an issue.  The fluid isn't yellow or discolored and there isn't swelling or redness but I'm sure the doc/nurse will guide him on what is normal.  Regarding Jim's mindset - I need him to get out of this house more often or at least do more around the house.  I worry that his stagnant situation will bring on a bit of melancholy.  He tends to sleep way too much when given too much down time and I believe that brings on a case of the blues.  Of course he isn't supposed to do any "work" for the next week but he can certainly vacuum, right?  And of course he's still perusing the want ads etc.  I just need my boy working and DOING stuff rather than moping around the house.  (But, I'll try to be patient.)

In school news - nothing major.  I'll be finishing up some IEPs for next week...my first of the year.  So far I have 3 scheduled but have phone calls and emails in to schedule 3 more.  Can I tell you how much I hate when people don't respond to emails or phone calls.  JEEZ!  Be a parent please!

There's some sort of weird animal making noises outside currently.  May be an owl but I'm not opening the door to find out.  Maybe it's my stomach...no...that's not it! 

Okay well, I'd best mosey.  I'm thinking about coming home, walking Sami and then heading out for a bike ride today.  We'll see what the day brings. K - best mosey...Monday's always a busy day.  Later!

A Little (or a lot) of EVA!!!

I'm so forgetful!  Yesterday I had all these pics and videos to share of Eva and then...what happens?  I forget.  How can I forget my girl!?  These are the negatives about working and summer being over: My mind is too preoccupied (with work) to stay on top of my commitment to everything being about Eva!  I'm a bad aunt! 

Anyway - here are a few things to share!

Got to go to the zoo after
her first day at school!
(Not driving school!)

Waiting for her first gymnastics
class to start!

 

And that's all we need for this fine Friday, huh?  There's nothing else of consequence going on anyway.  Happy Friday!  Later

News

Lots of interesting news in the world today...Pistorius verdict coming; new witnesses in the Ferguson shooting saying "his hands were up" (white witnesses, by the way), ISIS; 9/11 anniversary (can't believe it's been 13 years yet it seems like decades ago in a way).  Liv Tyler is pregnant. 

In school news - I'm in training this morning for the new IEP program we'll be using.  It starts at 8:00 so I didn't have to get up this morning until 6:00.  Felt like 5:00 though. That will take until 10:30 and then I'll head back to school to finish up my day.  I hate that I've been out of my 2 LA classes so much lately but alas, there's no help for it. 

Other school news: So several of my students (on my caseload) get speech services.  Each of these students have a study hall but for some reason, our two speech teachers want to pull these 4 kids from my LA class on Fridays.  I'm not really happy about this and will discuss with them because it isn't like I do nothing on Fridays.  We have quiz this Friday and normally I'd be reading from our novel.  These are kids who definitely don't do well when they miss class and have to make up work on their own.  Hoping these teachers will be flexible and pull them from study hall.

Jim's bandage on his back came off.  I asked him about it yesterday and then looked at it.  I was worried based on what the bandage looked like (bloody and big).  In fact, the incision looked really good - nice and straight and clean.  No oozing and no blood.  It doesn't pain him either.  His armpit pains him a bit though. 

Friday night the ladies in our neighborhood are headed out for drinks and dinner.  Jim offered to drive us all...7 of us, I think.  Should be fun. 

Had a rumble or two of thunder last night.  Nothing severe and nothing major.  The only reason I woke up is I heard the rain and was worried it would blow into the windows (it didn't).  It is currently raining a bit here but nothing of significance.  It's supposed to clear up and be nice today (mid-70s).

And that's about all I've got. I'm happy it's almost Friday and there's nothing much going on this weekend.  Later!

You'd Think I'd Have More To Talk About

Considering I've been dormant for the past three days, you'd think I'd be full of updates and news.  Alas, you'd be wrong.  And by the way - I didn't post yesterday because my computer is, once again, being an asshole.  I actually didn't expect to be blogging today but when I turned on my computer, thinking: "maybe"...what do you know?  The damn thing actually booted up.  Seems every time this motha tries to update, it gets thrown into some sort of funk and just keeps "working", "restarting" and throwing me a bunch of bullshit.  I'm sure I'll be dragging it into school soon to have our computer guy look at it.

So, Jim.  He's doing well.  Doesn't have a lot of pain.  Showered yesterday without issue though he kept dropping the soap.  This normally wouldn't be a problem but he was trying to avoid direct water on his back.  It is still bandaged up - looks gnarly under there though...the bandage is all bloody - but doesn't pain him, which surprises me.  His armpit is sore and he's doing all he can to avoid using that arm for now.  And of course it is his right arm and he's right-handed.  Oh well...he's muddling through.  His next appointment with the doc is two weeks from yesterday...to remove the sutures.  He will, I assume, hear before then about the results of the biopsy.  The doc did say upon removal, they looked normal (do they not if they are cancerous?  I don't know) but of course labs will tell.

Did I need to take yesterday off?  For Jim, no but for me, yes.  I was mentally and physically exhausted after Monday. I just needed to decompress.  I managed to walk Sami (a nice long one, in the fog) and then went on a nice 12 mile ride.  I saw about 8 or 9 deer on my ride (none of them mean mugged me either...they must be from a better, classier part of town than my neighborhood) and it was exhilarating.  I went over to my former neighbors house around 1:30 and got a tour of her house and we had a beer and talked. Her house is gorgeous by the way.  I'm jealous of her bathtub and the pot filler at her stove. Oh and maybe the basement too. Other than that, I'm content with what I have...happy for her but content with my comfy, cozy home.  You know I wonder all the time: If I had a bank full of cash, would I stay here in my house?  I love my house and I know I'd certainly improve upon it if I had fistfuls of money but would I move?  I just don't know.  There's so much I'd be giving up but who knows...home is where the heart is, for sure.

Okay well, my day should be jam-packed.  I have lots to grade and do today due to my absences. It's shortened periods and I can't do my usual Wednesday plans in LA (independent seat work) because I won't be in the classroom tomorrow morning (training from 8-10:30)...ugh!  I best mosey.  Happy HumpDAY!  Later!

Dreams

Had a lot of dreams about hospitals last night...trying to get Jim to his appointment.  And I kept catching him chewing gum (which he isn't allowed to do before surgery) and yelling at him to, "SPIT IT OUT!" And then I woke up this morning at 6:18 and the first thing that went through my mind was, "This time tomorrow, I'll be up and at the hospital already".  Can't wait for this next week to be over...just want the waiting game to be over so we know where we're headed next.

Can I get a WHO DEY!?  I'm very excited for football this year.  In the past, I've been a bit bummed because the start of football season really screams the end of summer but this year I'm ready.  Maybe it's the sinking of the Reds or maybe it's the weather...either way I look forward to the game...and beer...and a first win!

Dinner tonight will either be a hit or miss.  I'm doing something new:  Bang Bang Shrimp tacos (copycat recipe from Bonefish) with Asian coleslaw.  I'm hoping it's yummy.  Loves me some Bang bang shrimp!

I'm very sneezy lately.  Seems I get this a couple times of year - usually at this exact time of the year. Knock on wood, however, I'm not nearly as bad as I usual. I'm not going through boxes of tissues, leaving my nose a crusty mess and I'm not sneezing every five seconds.

Jimmy's still asleep...he went out last night and didn't get home until 2AM. Lazy ass. 

And that's about all I've got today.  Jim and I will be up and out EARLY tomorrow so I won't post (until possibly later).  We have to be at the hospital by 5:15; his procedure is at 7:30 - they say it takes about 60 minutes so I'm hoping to be home by noon but who knows.  I'll be sure to text with news...if there is any.  K - Later!

Wouldn't You Know

Woke up with a stuffy head and slight sore throat.  Don't know what that's about.  Hoping it's just a fluke.  Maybe a mimosa will help!  I mean, come on...don't mimosas help everything!?

Today's plans:  Jim and I plan to just hang out together all weekend.  My house needs to be cleaned badly so that will happen.  I'll head to the grocery as well.  I will also do a bit of cooking today.  I went to Costco Wednesday and stocked up on meat (2 bags of chicken, 2 bags of cod, a bag of shrimp, pork tenderloin, short ribs, pork chops, ground beef) and did most of my marinating then but I'll do a bit more today (chicken sliders from Pioneer Woman...Maggie made these last weekend and they were YUMMY!) and then make my chicken burritos to freeze.  This will make the job of cooking so much a little easier on me.  I'm pretty excited about some of the marinades I found on Pinterest and the I was able to use so many of my fresh herbs.  Should make for some good eats!

Other than that, I think Jim and I will just drink some beers, play some games, maybe take a bike ride at some point this weekend and generally enjoy ourselves.

Dreamt of Bubba last night.  Miss that boy.  He looked good and was running around at Raeburn in the snow.  Bubba sure did love snow.

The heat we've been wallowing in these past couple of weeks is breaking.  Can't wait for open windows.  However, I think the stinkbugs are converging again.  I'll have Jimmy spray the house and hope that helps.  Probably won't but it will help with the other bugs that have been crawling all over the front porch. 

Okay well, best go make my menu and get Sami walked.  Happy Saturday.  Ooh, Outlander is on tonight!  YAY!  Later!

Lonely In Bed

It was so lonely in my bed last night because for some unknown reason, Sami slept on the floor. I mean, I had Jim all night but he snores and he doesn't cuddle up to my side and kick me when he dreams like Sami.  I missed that. I kept waking up, trying to coax her but she wouldn't budge.  Granted she did sleep in view of me but it just wasn't the same. I wonder if she maybe hurt herself jumping down yesterday.  But then, she came up 10 minutes before the alarm went off.  (She likes to drape herself across my middle when the alarm sounds.  We have a quick cuddle and then head downstairs for coffee and treats.) I don't know.  Maybe she's mad at me.  She started in bed last night. Maybe I kicked her!  Oh, nope...I know what it is!  Jim.  'Nough said.

Sad about Joan Rivers.  I actually kept waiting for this all week.  I kind of had a feeling (as many others did as well) that something went horrifically wrong during her throat procedure.  Heaven must be busting at the seems with Joan and Robin both there.  RIP.

School news:  TGIF!  This week went so slow considering it was only 4-days long!  I'm glad to be off Monday and Tuesday but not really.  I'd rather be at work considering the reason I'm calling off. 

Oh, I have this student who is being a big jerk.  We have a rule about no headphones at all anywhere in the building - for safety reasons.  The student mentioned has been pushing it big time.  I ask him nearly every day to take them out.  Finally yesterday I told him to stop wearing them, ever, la la la.  He finally got the hint but then got pissed.  Started talking about wanting out of my class and how does that happen.  I told him to talk to his parents because it's an IEP decision.  I then emailed his parents to let them know about the situation.  The mother emailed back saying she was sorry for his jerkiness but maybe we should talk about taking him off the IEP.  The father emailed back saying this type of immature behavior is the exact reason he should be on the IEP.  Okay, there isn't a "jerk" category that qualifies you for special ed services.  If there were, most of the teenagers in my building would be getting IEPs (and their parents too!).  So frustrating trying to school parents on what an IEP really means.  Gotta figure out how to handle that.  These are actually very nice parents and very supportive of me so it won't be that big a deal.  This is just a kid who really gets no services, shouldn't be on an IEP and is a senior, ready to be out of high school.  Ugh!

K - best mosey.  YAY FRIDAY!  Later!

Some Things You Don't Want To Hear

So I haven't shared many "student comments" this year so I thought today would be a good day. 

Horshack is one of my autistic kids...sometimes he doesn't have a filter.  Example?  The other day, he stood up quickly from his desk and came "racing" over to my desk:  "Mrs. Hanke can I go use the restroom...I feel something coming out?!"  Me: "REALLY!?  JEEZ!  I don't need to know that Horshack...just GO!"  Later he did the same thing to Lisa.  She ended up having a little talk with him. 

Ike (another autistic student) came over to my desk yesterday, just before LA started and asked to go to the nurse.  Now, when a student asks to go, we have to fill out this little slip of paper - a pass - which has a list of ailments.  We are supposed to check the ailment the student is suffering from.  So I say, "What's wrong?" And Ike mumbles something, "...hurts."  Me: "I'm sorry what?"  Ike: "My thing hurts," as he points and pokes at his "thing".  He continues, "I want to see if that's normal." Me (thinking): Uh, no, not normal...need a drink!  I was telling this story later to a couple people and Mark (another sped teacher) said, "I just hope he wasn't sticking his thing somewhere...in someone." Me: "Pretty sure it was self-inflicted."

If I could request, my friend, colleague and roommate at school: Lisa, I'd like you to add to your list of lessons in Transition class - "Things You Keep To Yourself".  Other lessons she'll hopefully be tackling this year: How Not To Dress Like A Slut (especially when you certainly don't have the body). How Often You Should Shower (BOYS!)  How To NOT Pick Your Nose.  Understanding That You Are Not Invisible And When You Pick Your Nose, Ass, Face Etc., People Can See You. 

I'm sure there will be more to add to that list but for now, I'll just leave that in your brain.

K - well, Jim's out already (working with his friend Dan today and hopefully tomorrow)...I best mosey on upstairs to finish my "toilette".  It's almost Friday!  YAY!  Later!

Jimmy Update

So Jim was able to get in with the oncologist yesterday (they had a cancellation at the last minute...lucky).  He goes into surgery on Monday.  This will include them cutting deeper where his mole was and then doing what's called a sentinel lymph node biopsy.  They inject a dye around his mole to find which lymph it drains into.  This will tell them the lymph nodes that could be affected and then they will remove those to see if they are cancerous.  If they aren't, we are in the clear.  If they are, well, we'll go from there.  It will take a week for results...ugh! Jim will be out of work for two weeks after the surgery, due mainly from the line of work he does.  He'll have fairly strict restrictions during the first week, 5-pound weight limit etc.  They say that most people can resume normal activities the next day. I'll definitely take Monday off (we have to be at UC at 5:30 in the morning) and will have plans, just in case, for Tuesday. I'm hating this waiting game but before the cancellation, they were looking at not getting Jim in until the 25th.  That seems so ridiculous to me.  So in a sense, we're lucky.  Fingers crossed and prayers please...Jimmy could use a break.

In school news, it's picture day which I thought about NOT doing but I've decided NOT to be a dud and just bite the bullet.  Who cares, right?  I mean, I'll just do my normal giant Muir smile to lighten up the yearbook and the wall where they hang our pictures for all to see. 

After school I'll go to Costco to stock up on my meats.  This weekend I'll do a lot of prep work for freezing so that the next several weeks won't be such a bear on me having to cook every freaking day...not to complain...I love to cook but I can't tell you what a nice thing it is just to say on a whim, "I don't feel like cooking...pizza it is!"  No worries though...things could be worse...I could be out of a job too. 

Okay well, if I'm going to have my picture taken, I should probably pretty it up a little more than usual. 

Ooh, and by the way, the fog this morning is CRAZY thick. I hate driving in fog, mainly because is disorients me.  Slow and steady.  K - I'm out.  Ooh, it's already humpday!  YAY!  Later!

Some Sleep

I did manage to get some sleep last night.  I still woke up at 10, midnight, and 3 but I went back to sleep fairly easily...I think.  I woke up before my alarm went off as well but I do that a lot.  I have a headache but that will go away in a bit I'm sure (my daily dose of naproxen just needs to kick in).  My mood is better and I'm sure work (though I don't want to go) will be a distraction.  And hey, it's a short week so I should cease my complaining and focus on that.

Lets see...what else...um...I've got nothing.  Jim's brother is in town.  I think he said he was going to hang with him today or tonight so I may be on my own for dinner.  I wouldn't mind that...good reason not to cook and to eat some of the many leftovers in my fridge.  We'll see.

Tomorrow is supposedly picture day at work.  Not really caring about that...may skip it altogether.  Not in the picture/smiling mood.  They can use my picture from last year! 

Okay well, I'm going to go head up to finish getting ready.  Happy Tuesday!  Later!

Things Just Aren't Going My Way!

Along with everything else going on - more on that in a minute - my computer has been acting like an asshole.  There was some sort of update yesterday that left me unable to sign on from the locked screen.  It would start to load and then go to a blank screen.  Considering how stupid I am when it comes to computers - it took me a while to get it working again and who knows if I've fixed it or only made things worse.  I did some sort of "refreshing" which left it with the settings, apps and programs that came with the computer.  Which means, I lost the Microsoft programs that I had installed so those are updating right now. I'm afraid to log off or restart or shut down for fear that it will resort to its asshole settings.  And it's running rather slowly.  ARG!  Annoying. 

So Jim's issues:  To recap or tell (for those who don't know) - Jim had a mole on his back that was giving him fits a couple months ago.  He called his dermatologist and made an appointment to get it checked out.  Took two months, by the way, for him to get in.  Last Wednesday, he went in.  The doc removed it and sent it off to the lab.  Friday the doc called to say that it is melanoma (don't ask me why the doctor felt it necessary to call on a Friday night before a three-day weekend when nothing could be done, leaving us worried and in limbo for a solid 72 hours).  She is unsure what stage (0-4) but if she had to guess, she'd say 2 or 3.  She's sent the results to another doctor, an oncologist, and we're hoping that by Tuesday or Wednesday, Jim will get to talk to him and figure the next step.  Most likely he'll go see the doctor who will do surgery to check the depth of the mole and most likely see if it has spread to his lymph nodes.  From there, who knows.

It's so weird...Jim feels fine I'm just praying this is in the early stages and I'm trying to stay positive and keep from thinking the worst since we just don't know ANYTHING yet.  I don't want to drive myself crazy going to places I don't need to go but it's so hard. I can't seem to keep myself from waking up during the night and perseverating on it.  I seem to have two thoughts running through my head at all times lately:  Jim doesn't have a job and Jim's got cancer.  UGH! 

And to top if all off, I'm in a shitty mood.  I'm just irritable and grumpy.  My computer is running slowly, there's some sort of thumping going on either in the basement or out under the deck of the Florida room and I don't want to be the one to check on it and Jim is out running errands.  I'm sick of cooking - I want pizza but with no income coming in from Jim, we're on a tight budget that doesn't include carry out.  Oh, and I don't want to work tomorrow - although that might be a needed distraction.

Sorry to be such a negative Nancy but could some-fucking-one just throw me a bone here.  ARG!  I know all that "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" shit but I think I'd be happy to just have nothing happen to me and remain weak. 

K - I'm done bitching and moaning.  I'll try to be a bit more positive next time.  Later!