Exercise of Gardening?

I'm not sure if I can barely walk because of the new exercise routine I did Saturday or the gardening I did yesterday. I'm betting it's a combination of both. Regardless, I can barely walk without making noises. Rolling over in bed last night while sleeping was a struggle. Oh well.

So yeah, yesterday, Jim and I (well, I told him this was what we were doing) headed out to Lowes to get out flowers and plants. I really didn't plan on doing it this early but I have tentative plans to go Columbus on the weekend of the 12th and the weekend following that is PIB. So, I figured I'd get what I could, plant what I could this weekend and finish it up next and voila! Done. I got all my hanging plants (ferns, geraniums and one for the mailbox), flats (petunias for out back and shade things for the front porch) and a couple new pots. I planted all the boxes on the back deck, got my front planters done (not sure if they'll work) and got two pots for the back deck step done. I'll finish up random pots over the next week but I need dirt. The only thing we didn't buy? The hibiscus trees I put out on my deck. They haven't come out yet at Kroger but when they do, I'll purchase. Kroger consistently has the best price so there you go.

The weekend was good. We ended up going out to dinner on Saturday with Doug and Lauren to Tano's in downtown Loveland. From there we went to Graeter's and then Cappys. It was fun...we were home by 9:30...nice early night. Of course when we got home, our cable was still out from the morning storms! Ridiculous! When we woke up on Sunday everything was back on so thankfully I could watch Harry Potter all day yesterday.

It's Jim's last week off. Wow! Time flies. He's doing well. No longer using his cane. Of course his left hip is giving him fits now but that was sort of expected. I wonder how much is a result of the meds he's on. Speaking of which, he's still doing well with the meds. He'll get random low-grade fevers here and there but nothing like he originally had. He has his follow up appointment with his hip doctor tomorrow and I'm anticipating he'll get released to work.

Jim's got lots of jobs to do today. Lots of phone calls including calling to make an appointment for me to get a screening at the eye institute to see if I would qualify for Lasik surgery. Depending on cost etc., I'm seriously considering. I'm so sick of contacts and glasses and not being able to see and having crappy glasses that need replacement but a ton of contacts that I don't want to toss because I know my prescription has changed. Ugh. We'll see.

And that's about all I've got. The week should be pretty normal. Although I do have my final IEP on Friday as well as an amendment to do for a student going to the career center. YAY! K - happy Monday. Later!

Jim's Got Jobs

Jim finished his list of "jobs" that I made earlier this week so I made him a new one. His most important task is to purchase champagne! I'm down to one bottle! How the eff did that happen!? He'll also fill our new gas can so I can mow the lawn after school. I'm hoping it's drier than it was yesterday. I'm hoping it doesn't rain before tonight.

So this weekend should be another relaxing one. Jim will go to town tonight to spend the evening with his brother who's in town from San Fran. He's going to an art show where a friend of Fritz's is showing. I'd go but I'd be a total bum. Jim's well versed in my inability to do much on a Friday night though so he's not annoyed. This means that I'll get to hang on my own tonight, take a bath and indulge in some Harry Potter. Exactly what I'd do if he were her.

Jim and I went to dinner last night at Paxton's. It was okay. I'm still partial to Shooters. But...it's nice to try other things sometimes.

Oh! Happy Hairball Awareness Day to everyone! Who knew?! I wonder if cats know. Maybe this is a really big day in their kitty cat world. Huh? If I see any cats today I'll ask.

I'm taking an online class to be considered HQT (highly qualified) in science so I can teach it next year and it starts on Monday. I sure hope this isn't a big old pain in my ass! I hope I can breeze through it. I may be in some deep doo doo. What if I bomb it?! I'll need dueling computers so I can take the class on one and then find all the answers for the assignments on the other. Ugh...what have I gotten myself into? Of course this wasn't really my decision. Well, I'm a relatively smart girl...I can make it.

I had a student tell me yesterday that his grandparent were 50. That freaked me out because I was all like, "WHAT!? 50!? That's only 4 years from my age! I couldn't be a grandparent!" He said, "Well my mom was like 24 when she had me!" I said, "Well how old are you now? 15?" Him: "Yes." Me: "Well, that would mean your mom is now 39 and your grandparents would have been 11 when they had her! Maybe they're 60?" Him: "Yeah...that's sounds right." Stupid kids giving me a heart attack!

K - well, time to get a move on. Happy Friday! Woot! Later!

Productive

After going to Costco yesterday, I came home and found that Jim had gotten all the flower beds raked out and mostly cleaned up. He had about 5 piles he needed help with - he couldn't empty the cans so needed me to do it. I took over while he dug out the fire table that Maggie and Charlie gave us (he bought a piece of sheet metal to cover the holes so we could use it without incident). Afterward, I changed sheets (with new fluffy pillows from Costco), Jim fertilized and I was finally able to sit down around 5:00. Phew. I would have loved to mow the lawn but we don't have gas for the mower (getting a new 5-gallon gas can delivered today as ours was all busted up like a chiffarobe). I'll try to do that when I get home today. Hopefully we won't get too much rain.

What else? Oh, I came home yesterday and Jim was all pissy. When I asked him why, he got even pissier and said (snottily) "You know, I even made a point today when you got home, NOT to be in a bad mood and act pissy!" Uh, Jim? You just proved my point. If you think that consciously having to tell yourself not to be pissy, you're being pissy. And I've known you WAY too long! When you aren't acting like YOU! When you're being and asshole! It's obvious! And you suck at covering it up. Thankfully, the kick in the pants I gave him knocked him out of his bad mood and he was back on track. In reality, later he told me he was all worried that I was going to be mad at him that he didn't finish the list I had given him. I explained that as long as he's working on the list, I'm good. And doo doo brain? The list was for the WEEK! I didn't expect it to all be done in one day. And maroon? You've finished most everything on the list. Jeez! All is well now.

I think Jim is getting a little stir crazy. I think it's killing him that he can't do what he would like to do this spring. I think that having to rely on others to do the fertilizing (yard and circle) annoys him. Oh well. Tough. You'll be back to your old self soon.

K - I best get a move on. Happy Thursday! And by the way - It's going to be a Harry Potter weekend!!! (Or as Diane said, "Henry Potter"...she better watch it...I may have to punch her if she gets it wrong again.)

Attack!

Poor Jimmy! I had just left yesterday for a bike ride. Jim had just left to walk Sami. I was pedaling up the road and saw the neighbors up the street on the corner had their daughter visiting and had brought her shepherd. So both the shepherd and their dog, Noah was out. I almost turned around to tell Jim the shepherd was out because he wasn't on a leash and isn't on the electric fence like Noah. Sure wish I had because apparently when Jim approached the house, the shepherd immediately went after Sami and Noah, seeing this, broke the electric fence and attacked her as well. Jim managed to punch the shit out of the dogs and get Sami in his arms. Thankfully Jim didn't get knocked down and didn't injure his hip and Sami's okay. Assholes! I mean there are dogs all over the place and you have a German shepherd who obviously has issues!? Needless to say, Jim cussed up a storm and made it clear that this shit better not happen again. Assholes!

I can't STAND people who just let their dog off leash without a care to people or animals walking by. I mean, I don't care if your dog is nice to you and sweet normally...if they show any type of aggression or even domination over another dog, YOU. DON'T. LET. THEM. OFF. LEASH! If they bite someone or another animal?! You are liable! The law says, even if the dog is on your property and even if you have a fence and someone gets bitten, you are liable! (Unless it's a trespasser or someone instigating the aggression from the animal.) My point is, don't just do NOTHING! At least use a leash!  And on another note, my dog's an asshole and she would have torn those mother effers up if she'd been given the chance but would that be her fault because your dog was off leash!? Quit being assholes people! And be responsible owners!

K - I'm done ranting. And really Sami is okay.

Headed to Costco after school today...just to get the basics.

Jim's got jobs to do and better get his ass moving today. I've told him that with two weeks left until he returns to work, he needs to step it up and start building his stamina. I pissed him off but I don't care. I don't suffer lazy asses well. And there isn't a reason he can't do the things on my list over the next few days! I mean, he's walking half the time without his cane and not having any issues. We'll see how far he gets today. And I'm telling you, if he doesn't get some shit done today, you will hear my wrath when I get home.

Okay well, that's all I've got. Gotta wear pink today in memory of one of our preschool teachers that just passed away. Long battle with cancer. I have about 2 total pink items in my closet...ugh. Just reminds me that I need to go shopping!

Happy Wednesday! Later!

Grilling

Can I just say that I'm so happy we're back to grilling season? Not that I DON'T grill in the winter (especially when the winter is as mild as it was this past season) but I definitely don't grill much. Additionally, with each season (well, really just the cold vs warm seasons) I have a certain set of recipes that I use. For instance, fall/winter is soups and stews; slow cooker recipes and warm-you-up/cozy concoctions. Spring/Summer is all about grilling and salads. And I get SO freaking sick by the end of the season of the same old same old! I'm just so happy to be back to pork tenderloin on the grill (last night) and bratts and metts (tonight). Easy meals that I don't have to think about too much which is really helpful since it's so beautiful out these days and I want to get on my bike or mow the lawn or hang with my neighbors. Of course by the fall, I'm jonesin' for beef stroganoff and chili.

I had some crazy dreams last night. I don't remember much except that I did dream of PIB and the day bed. We need a new cushion for it as well as a new cushion cover and Jim keeps talking about it and so I was bound to dream of it. We need to take measurements to get something that fits properly. I think it'd be easier too, just to buy a zip on cover rather than me try to make one (and eff it up). Anyway, I also dreamt that I was on ER (you know the medical drama show). I've been watching it because they just started airing reruns on POP TV. I dreamt I was Sherry Stringfield's character and Anthony Edwards character and I were hooking up. It was funny. We were gettin' all busy in one of the ER rooms...on a gurney. Hee hee. I might be crazy.

School: Had my 2nd to last IEP yesterday and all went well. No big whoop and I was in and out in 30 minutes. YAY! I look forward to 5/5 when I have my FINAL IEP of the year. I will have additional paperwork to complete for my 2 seniors that are taking their diplomas but I can just meet with the kids. YAY! 

Okay - well, that's all I've got. I think I'll take a nice bike ride after school today. I did the Simply Fit board yesterday and I need to give my feet a break. Happy Tuesday! Later!

Exactly What I Was Looking For!

The weekend was mellow, relaxing and full of NOTHING! No plans, no hassles, no constraints. And it was perfect. Jim and I had a delicious dinner on Friday (home cooked) we played some cards with the neighbors and were in bed early. Saturday we basically laid around all day preparing for a gluttonous dinner at Eddie Merlots. Yum! Sunday - more lounging, Reds game-watching and reading. We did manage to get to Shooters for a couple beers but beyond that we didn't venture out.

This week - I'm upping Jim's jobs. I'm sending him to Home Depot for some sheet metal to reinforce our fire table. The PT told him he could do yard work as long as he didn't overdo it. I'm hoping he'll be able to rake out the flower beds. I'll most likely have to pick up the waste but that's okay. I'd also like to see Jim do some straightening in the garage because things in there have gotten a little out of hand. We'll see how he does with all that and possibly add to it. He's only got two more weeks being off work so I need to take advantage of him while I can.

Work shouldn't be too big a deal this week. I do have an IEP today at 11:00. It's for the girl who was just suspended (she comes back today) so since I've talked to the mother and met with her a ton lately, I'm hoping we can crank this meeting out in record time.

I'm reading a really good book right now. It's a YA book (young adult) that I'm thinking about doing with the kids. It's called Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan and part of its story line involves pre-WW2 Germany. I may have a bunch of book ordering to do at the end of this year for my LA class.

And that's all I've got. Time to get a move on and get this Monday started. Happy Monday...later!

Beautiful Bulldog Day!!!

What a great celebration...said Bussie! Too bad he doesn't get to celebrate his day with his family as they are in Chicago! Oh well...I'm sure they'll be thinking of him and his friend and neighbor Becky will surely be loving on him.

I had every intention of cooking a delicious dinner last night but after mowing the front yard, I got a text from my neighbor to have a beer. And then time got away from me so as Jim likes to say, "Pizza it is!" I'll make my Firehouse Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta tonight instead. I normally don't like to cook on a Friday but I'll have Jim do some of the grunt work so it should be painless.

So happy today is Friday! I will read a chapter in each of my LA classes and my history students will be taking a test (that I'm sure only 3 or 4 kids will study for) so it should be an easy day.

Oh, listen to this: So our school is busting at its seems. We did an addition of our building about 10 years ago but they were stupid and upon the completion, we already had teachers who had to "float". Meaning they didn't have a room. We have about 4 teachers right now who do not have a room (not to mention the number of teachers - special ed especially - who share rooms). Next year won't be any better either because we're adding a science teacher to our staff. Additionally they are begin f&%king stupid again and rehabbing our media center (the library) and NOT putting in any classrooms.  So anyway, one of our older teachers at school - an English teacher - is being kicked out of her room and has been told by the principal that he'll "try to find her a room". WHAT!? She's pretty close to retirement (pretty sure they're trying to push her out) and I'm not sure why newer, greener teachers aren't being given the boot or told they'll have to float. So disrespectful. We'll see what happens but this certainly makes me feel differently about an administrator that I've in the past respected.

Okay well, time to get a move on...get this day started so it can end. Happy Friday! Here's to a weekend that creeps by! Later!

9 Hours!

Of sleep, that is. With a couple of wake-ups here and there. I was exhausted and I didn't really realize it. I went up last night to read and at just before 8:00 I woke up with my Kindle nearly falling out of my hand to the floor. I did wake up one time because of Sami. No scare, thankfully. She was lying next to her metal water bowl in the bedroom and dreaming so her nails were lightly plinking against the bowl. Of course I had to get up and check on her though and when I bent down and pet her to get her out of her dream she didn't even wake up. My girl is a HEAVY sleeper.

The family room redo is complete. I came home yesterday, mowed the back lawn (it was shin high...oops) and then came in to finish putting together the TV stand. It looks great and clutter-free. My neighbor came over to see and she mentioned out much bigger our family room looks now. She's right. I think it's because the furniture is a lot lighter then what we had. I now just need to buy a new coffee table (I need something taller than what I currently have and square). I'll start perusing this weekend.

Can I just tell you that I'm excited for Saturday being rainy and a washout? I really just want a day of laying around (on my new furniture).

Jim's doing well. Normal temp for the last day or so. He had a PT appointment yesterday that kicked his ass. He's going out today to get some running shoes...not for running...please...but he doesn't own a pair and needs some for his PT. Plus he should have a pair anyway. He's so picky about shoes though I'll be surprised if he finds something. I directed him to go to DSW so hopefully they'll have something.

And that's all I've got. Time to get a move on. Storms coming tonight...yuck! Not supposed to be severe, however.

Happy Thursday! So excited for the weekend. Later!

Busy Day, Rough Night!

First - I love our new furniture! Once delivered I realized that my mind's eye is bigger than my family room actually is and I was forced to reconfigure the layout. If you know anything about my family room, I was forced to move the two recliners and put the love seat and ottoman there (I had to come to grips that the love seat is actually a love seat and not an oversized chair). I then moved one recliner to the spot where the former oversized chair was and then other recliner went into the living room where the red leather chair had been. It takes some getting used to but it's a good setup and makes the room seem much larger. 

On Monday evening I got an email that the delivery of the TV stand was moved up to Tuesday. Perfect. So I was listening intently all day for the UPS truck. Around 2:30 I heard him! WOOT! So I run outside and he drives around the circle, skipping my house! WHAT?! Just as he is about to drive completely away, he sees me and stops. He yells out, "I'm supposed to have a box for you but I can't find it! If I do, I'll be back." I looked around to see where the candid camera was! So around 5:30 he finally returned. Which meant I never ate dinner (corn flakes it is) and instead spent my evening putting the TV stand together. By 8:00, I had to stop because I was tired, hungry and getting blisters on my hands. I only have the door to attach (you can see it leaning against the wall) and then I'll put everything in it's proper place. 

My rough night: UGH! Around 2:00 I heard Sami coughing...she does this sometimes and I nearly rolled over, ignored it and went back to sleep. I didn't however, and got up to check on her. I found her in the guest bedroom, choking/hanging herself. See, Sami likes to "molest" furniture. She'll run her body around the perimeter of the guest bed with her body underneath the overhanging comforter. Apparently, she got her head caught between buttons of the comforter cover and then turned so it was twisted into a tiny opening that she couldn't get out of. When I found her she was pulling as hard as she could and choking herself. I got her loose easily thankfully but we were both freaked out. Then! When I got up this morning to get ready, I couldn't wake her up. I was petting her then shaking her then calling her name, then freaking out...again! When I tearfully told Jimmy what was going on, she popped up. She's in big trouble for giving her momma two heart attacks in one night.

Jim's doing better, by the way. The doctor basically said that Jim's body needs to get acclimated to the medicine and once it does, the fever should go away. They did, however, slightly reduce one of his meds again. His fever has been fluctuating between normal and 100 but he's feeling good. YAY!

Okay well, after all that I think I'm ready to go back to work and deal with pain in the ass kids. Happy Wednesday. Later!

Forced Day Off

So due to a number of issues I was forced to take a day off today. I really didn't want to have to do this as I have a very tight schedule for finishing the novel in LA before the end of the year but it just couldn't be helped.

The first issue is that The furniture is scheduled to be delivered between 9 and 11 today. The only way to change that (even just the time) was to pay a fee. Add to that, Jim has a scheduled doctor's appointment at 9:30 today. He tried to change that but the first appointment available was May 9th. Additionally, Jim spiked another fever yesterday (101) and so we didn't want him to miss meeting with the doc. Fortunately, his fever is now gone but he didn't take his evening pills last night. I'm hoping this was just a fluke. It's very frustrating, however, because just when we think things are going well and we've got the dosage right, bam! Fever. So, with all that, the only thing I could do was to take the day off. I switched a couple things at work so I won't mess up my reading schedule. I just have to keep telling myself: 29 more days! I can do this!!!

Oh, and I got an update email yesterday as well to say my new TV console will be delivered TODAY by end of day! I'm hoping it comes relatively early so I can get it up and in place and enjoy it this evening. YAY!

So all this means that today as I work from home (I have two IEPs to tweak for upcoming meetings) I will also be moving furniture and then getting the armoir cleaned out in preparation for the new TV stand to be put in. SO EXCITED!!!

OH!!! And Jim got a call yesterday from the furniture store to say that the ottoman we ordered has a "gash" in it. WHAT!? So they're going to deliver it but a new one has been ordered. And yes, it will take another 3 months before we get that! BULLSHIT! That should have a rush on it so we don't have to wait so long. Asshats!

K - best get some breakfast going. Jim needs to get in the shower for his appointment. Happy Tuesday. Later!

A Sushi Easter

Well I had all my plans set for a ham, au gratin potato, asparagus and under the sea salad Easter dinner but alas, things don't always go as you plan. Yesterday we started the day hanging with the neighbors and playing cards out front and around 12:30, we decided that the "thing" to do would be to go eat sushi. So we did. Leaving around 1:00 (not eating until 2:00) that sort of ruined our dinner appetites so there you go. I'll do the dinner I had planned instead tonight. Jim will be able to get the ham in the oven and I'll come home to exercise and then get started on the potatoes. And then we'll be eating leftovers for the next week. It was worth it though...we had a nice and relaxing day and managed - with the neighbors help - to get the couch to the curb for pick up.

Speaking of couches, I'm so excited!!! I got the email for the furniture delivery and they're scheduled to be here tomorrow between 9-11. Of course that interferes with Jim's doctor's appointment so he'll first try to make the furniture delivery a little later and if he can't do that, he'll move his doctor's appointment.

Speaking of Jim, all is well with his meds so far. Since the first initial fever and lowering the dose a little more, he's not had a fever so that's good. He's feeling good too. His hip hasn't been an issue and he says he's getting close to being able to maneuver the stairs normally (currently he has to go up and down one at a time). Progress. It's been just over 3 weeks and this is the time when the PT said we'd see a remarkable difference in his mobility. So happy for him.

We went to see Beauty and the Beast on Saturday and it was amazing. And of course, me being the cry baby I am, the minute the first words of the first song started, I started weeping. I don't know why...it just makes me so happy. Add Hermione into the mix and well, I'm a bit of a blubbering fool.

School is just about on my nerves and I'm crazy ready for it to be over. Maybe I say this every year but I've never been this DONE before. I mean, I'm not sure how I'm even going to make it to the next day off I have (when we go to PIB in about a month). I might have to take a mental health day before then. Most likely a Wednesday because I'm so packed with the book we're reading in LA I can't afford to lose a day of reading (I won't have a sub read).

Okay - well, I'd best get a move on. Happy Monday...here's hoping the week flies by. Later!

New Furniture

So yesterday, knowing that our new furniture would be in soon, I spent the first hour or so at work (during test time) perusing new TV stands. See, what we've been using (since getting a wall-mounted TV) is the bottom part of our armoir. Which means it's a huge piece of furniture and the depth of it is way too large. I knew I wanted something with lots of storage and I contemplated having something made (Trip and Susan did that and I love their piece) but that would take too long. So, I found and purchased the pic shown. I really like and (hopefully I will in person as well) and BONUS, it will be in Wednesday and the furniture gets delivered Tuesday. That will give me time to clean out the inside of the current storage unit too. Woot! And as a reminder, I put a pic of the furniture we bought again as well. I can't wait for it to come!

In other news -  TESTING IS OVER!!! Yay! I can't tell you how happy I am that I don't have to sit for nearly 4 hours looking at the same group of mugs. There have been a lot of complaints about this testing schedule so I'm sure next year things will change. Again. There's never going to be a perfect solution (unless we get rid of state testing altogether) and of course there's always those complainers who always have something to say but it's got to be better than what we've been dealing with this year.

Oh, I got an email from one of the administrators yesterday telling me that one of my kids has been the "subject of disciplinary action" and we need to do a manifestation determination. Today. Um, what?! And a manifestation determination is just something you have to do with a special ed student who is going to be out of school for a significant amount of time to determine if their action is due to their disability or not. Apparently while at school this dumb ass girl posted a threat toward another student on Instagram. Stupid f&%ing asshat! I don't think that her disability (ADHD and her goal on her IEP is an organization one) has anything to do with her being a drama-queen-led dumb f&%k. I mean, just Tuesday when I had her in class she was talking about her ex-boyfriend and told another student that he should like him and be nice to him. I told her she was acting like a fool and on the edge of being a bully. I also told her that considering he is her EX-boyfriend why does she care about him so much...still!? This girl has had countless issues with other students so it doesn't surprise me this happened. But of course NOW I have to rush to get to work and put together the stupid paperwork for a meeting at 10AM. UGH!

And so I best get going. Hoping to still go to Beauty and the Beast tonight. K - happy Thursday. Later!

Not Sure I'm Gonna Make It

This week has been the LONGEST week in history! And the fact that it's even a short week makes it twenty times worse. I kept thinking yesterday was Wednesday. And then kept getting disappointed and bummed out when I realized it was only Tuesday...UGH! It's really all to do with this testing. I can't stand it. There's GOT to be a better way! And these poor kids that have to sit in a class where they aren't testing for nearly 4 hours!? Really!? I think every year they try something new and every year it's so painful. And well, the real solution would be to get rid of all this testing. These poor kids.

Speaking of testing - I had one student who took both parts of his ELA test yesterday in about 45 minutes. Less than that, really...I'm stretching that a bit. The tests are supposed to take about 90-110 minutes each. That's why we give the kids 4 hours to complete it. And he was done in 45 minutes!? I had even given my "do your best, this reflects what you know, this is for graduation" speech. (Granted my kids don't know much and as a sped student it WON'T keep them from graduating but I can't tell them to race through it and then get some sleep in!)

Speaking of sleep, one of my other students (who finished the test in about an hour) proceeded to sleep and then snore. Twice I had to go over and wake him up because he was distracting those still taking the tests.

Okay - I'm done bitching. I had another dream last night that I moved and I didn't want to move and the place where I moved had someone else's shit in it and I had to then move all that stuff. UGH!

Speaking of moving - our new furniture should be delivered next week sometime. We were told it should be in by end of week this week so that makes me happy. Of course I'm now thinking my furniture isn't going to fit well in my family room but what are you going to do? And now I need to get a new entertainment console to free up some space in my space. Oh the problems!

Okay - time to finish getting ready. SO HAPPY that today is the last day of testing! YAY! Happy Wednesday! Later!

He Did It!!!

Since Jim's surgery (minus the first night home) he hasn't been able to sleep all night long in the bed. He gets restless for one reason or another and ends up either in the guest bedroom or on the couch. Well, last night he managed to stay in bed all night. He's still there! YAY!

Jim's fever is still on...but staying at about 100 degrees or slightly lower. We heard back from the doctor's office but no real direction yet. However, I'm not freaked out because I know what to expect for the most part. Jim's' monitoring his fever and symptoms and making sure to drink a lot of water so that he stays hydrated.

Jim's PT appointment got cancelled yesterday so he'll go Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week. He tried to do his exercises yesterday but only got through half. He's walking really well though and no longer using his walker.

I have a recurring dream that I'm late for school and realize around 8:30 that I never called to tell anyone I'm running late. I had that dream last night and called Lisa who was watching my class during testing. I told her I'd be there momentarily but then in my dream I just never showed up. Oops. Thank God I have a "work wife" who's got my dream back (and my real back too).

I didn't manage to bike yesterday after school but I did do my elliptical. It was just so warm out and the buses were in full force and it was really windy and my bike gears need adjustment. That will be Jim's job today.

Day 6 of testing today is my 6th period LA class. Thankfully I won't have the spaz from that class in there (he'll test separately due to his hyperactive nature) but I will have some very talky girls. Hopefully having them early in the morning they won't be an issue.

And that's all I've got. Aw...it's National Pet Day! K - happy Tuesday! Later!

Golf, Beautiful Weather & Fever Update

So Jim's still got a slight fever but it's pretty much stayed under 100 since yesterday morning. I have a message into his doctor but I took it upon myself to have him reduce by a 1/2 mg with the med he takes once a day. That's what she would have done so I'm confident it was the right thing to do. He's feeling okay with the exception of having the chills every now and then. He's drinking a lot of water and keeping up with Tylenol plus his appetite is good. I'm hoping this goes away quickly and things even out. I just don't want to see the weigh loss like he had the first time and the uncontrollable shivering.

The weather this weekend was unbelievable. I enjoyed two bike rides and even laid in the sun for about an hour yesterday. I just needed a little me time and so took my ear buds and soaked up some vitamin D. It was delicious and gave my heart and mind a little boost. Not to mention a little color on this pale body. UGH! The weather should be gorgeous again today so I'm planning another bike ride after school. I just love riding my bike and clearing my mind...it's really very relaxing (my butt disagrees).

I normally am not a golf watcher with the exception of the Masters. I usually tune in to the final round on Sunday and did so yesterday as well. It was an amazing game and I was so happy Sergio won - finally! His first majors!

This week is a short one since we have Friday off and we still have testing through Wednesday. Today's 4 hour testing time is during my planning period so I'll be sitting at my desk for the most part getting some shit DONE! Unless I'm needed somewhere else. Lisa will be cooking with her class so if she needs help I'm available.

Jim's got his first PT appointment with the place up the street. It will also be his first time driving since his surgery. I'm sure he'll do fine...plus the place is literally a mile away.

And that's all I've got. Time to get ready and out the door. I'm excited to have Friday off. As of now, our Thursday night plans are to go see Beauty and the Beast. Fingers crossed nothing messes that up. And bonus it was Jimmy's idea.

K - happy Monday! Later! Oh and HEY! It's National Siblings Day!!!

Here We Go Again

Not even 3 days back on meds and Jim has a fever again. UGH! I've emailed the doc to see what her advice is. Most likely she'll have him reduce his dosage again. Thankfully when she ordered these newest prescriptions, she did so with small dosages that can be easily reduced (for example, Jim is currently on 1.5 mg of mekinist but the pills in .5 mg so he take three of them; this is easily reduced to 1.0 mg.). Fingers crossed that we are able to get him to a dosage that doesn't cause a fever. If we don't, I'm not sure what that will mean. Possibly a different therapy for treatment. UGH!

I took a lovely bike ride yesterday (8.43 miles) but it was tough on my buttocks - even with my padded shorts. However, the padded shorts did help with the aftereffects of my biking (I could at least walk). My feet suffered the most yesterday because it was about 40 degrees and my feet sure felt that. I'll put a bike ride in here this morning but I'm not sure I'll go as far. We'll see how I feel when I get out there.

Got a new pair of shoes yesterday - Fila's from Zulily...I LOVE THEM! They are so comfy (thank you memory foam) and pretty.

It's going to be a beautiful day today and I hope Jim can get out there and enjoy some of it...we'll see. I hate that he feels crappy again. He just can't catch a break. Here's hoping!

Okay - time to get my ride on. And can I just say I loves me some Dylan Dreyer! I'm so glad she's back on the Today show! She and Willie are my faves!

K - I'm out...later!

Short & Sweet

Last night's Senior Night of Service was short and sweet, just like I like it! We ended up having 4 kids present and Lisa and I were out of there by 6:45. I was sitting on my couch drinking a glass of red wine by 7:15! Nice!

Jim is back on his meds. They finally came yesterday and he started taking them last night. Fingers crossed that things go well. I'll be keeping a close eye on his temperature.

Today is day 4 of testing. I'm actually not in my room today - I have to monitor students in the Media Center. Thankfully it should be an easy day with only a couple classes testing. YAY! Not sure why they need 4 monitors in the MC for this but whatever...I can't complain considering I'm getting a lot done during this down time.

This weekend should be nice and relaxed. It'll get warmer again as well. I'm hoping for a couple of bike rides and a couple of drinks with my neighbors!

Lets see...what else. I've got nothing. I think I'll just finish getting ready and get this Friday started so this Friday at work can END! Later!

Long Night #4

Tonight will be the final long day/night at work and ends with the Senior Community Service Presentations. I could go home since "dinner" doesn't start until 4:45 but it's pointless especially since Jim's home. Presentations will start at around 6 or 6:15 and since we have only 6 kids scheduled in our room, I highly doubt we will be there longer than 7:00 (or maybe we'll be out by 6:30 depending on who actually shows).

Speaking of Jim, he's been using his cane more and more and doing really well. I had him take Sami for a little jaunt yesterday...he made it about 5 or 6 houses up the street. Progress. Today he'll have his final at home PT appointment (most likely). Which means he needs to get to driving soon so he can take himself to the place up the road.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Becky!!! Hope you have a great day!!! Can't wait to hang next Saturday (right?)!

Storms: Thankfully we had very little weather action here yesterday. Nothing even started until around 6:30 or so and even then it was a little rain, a couple rumbles of thunder and a few flashes of lightning. Thank you Jesus!

I managed to get a bike ride in after school yesterday. I was hoping to go about 5 1/2 miles but ended up going about 6 1/4. Not bad. It was a rough ride too because I was constantly riding against the wind and the wind was STRONG yesterday. I cannot WAIT to get back on the trail soon. I was thinking about going on Sunday but truthfully I hate going to the bike trail during the weekend because it's so crowded and people are stupid. I'll probably just have to wait until school lets out in about 6 weeks or so! Woot!

Testing at school is going fine. Yesterday was incredibly boring but I did manage to get some stuff done and help a student get a really good start on a paper. We also watched Secret Life of Pets which is HILARIOUS!

Okay well, that's about all I've got. Time to finish getting ready. I'm going to listen to a new podcast that Maggie turned me on to on the way to work today - S Town. It better be good Maggie!

K - happy Thursday - Later!

One Down Six To Go

Today will be the longest day of testing because each of the classes scheduled for today are my sped study halls. I mean, what am I going to have the kids do for nearly 4 hours today? I'm hoping some of them just don't show up but I'm sure that won't happen. And it's so early in the quarter that no one is completely behind where they need to do make up work. So...that means I'll be either showing movies, babysitting sleeping teenagers or trying to keep a group of hoodlums quiet so I can work. No complaints though really - except for my complaints about state testing. I mean, how often does a teacher just have 4 hours to sit and get shit done!? 

In other news it's ramping up to be a stormy evening. I see a Valium in my future. UGH! Fingers crossed. 

In Jim news - he's fine but not himself. I feel like he's been a bit off these last few days. I don't know if it's just sitting at home with nothing to do while slightly immobile or what but it has me a bit concerned. I've told him to try and do a little something every day (beyond his exercises). He said he didn't sleep all day yesterday but then when I got home, he was sitting in a chair and continued to sit there until dinner. I mean dude! I haven't seen you all day and I get home and you take a nap!? Annoying. I'm trying to be sensitive to whatever is going, believe me. Last night when he came to bed I asked (again) if something was up and he said (again) nothing. But then he changed his answer (maybe just to shut me up) that "maybe he was worried about starting his cancer meds again". I'm a little worried about another fever too but at least we know what to look for and I'm just keeping fingers crossed that the lower dose will do the trick. I mean, he has cancer! There's going to be a lot of uncomfortable stuff in his future and we just have to roll with it. I guess that's easy for me to say, huh? 

It's when I write things down like this that I get clarity and realize that I need to be a bit more understanding to what Jim's going through. He isn't like me either. I don't like to sit around and I usually try to find things to keep me busy and I try NOT to put things off. Jim on the other hand needs "jobs" and pep talks and reassurances that WE GOT THIS!!! Never thought I'd become a cheerleader! 

Speaking of "jobs" - Jim's job today is to put our meal together in the crock pot. We're having pork chops with a creamy mushroom sauce. Everything is pretty much done - he just has to mix it all up and turn on the crock pot but hey, it's a start. 

Okay - time to get a move on. Happy Wednesday! Might head to Costco after work - we need necessities! K - I'm out...later!

Let The Testing Begin

State testing SUCKS! There's no two ways about it. And this crazy schedule we'll be on through next Wednesday is going to test every amount of patience I have. Each day, from 7:25-11:10, I will have ONE group of kids in front of my face. Now, of these next 7 days, I'll only have three days where I'll be testing the kids (today, Thursday and next week sometime) but those other days? I'll have a group of kids with me that will have nothing to do because it's their study hall. And I can't tell them not to come to school but I did tell them to feel free to bring a pillow and blanket if the feel the need. Nearly 4 hours in a study hall! UGH! Now, granted, I will get some SHIT DONE! But I'm not sure it's worth it. Sometimes when I have too much time on my hands I go a little bat-shit crazy. Well, here's hoping for an easy 7 days at work!

You know what else is crazy!? Snow in April! Preface that with possible severe storms and Muir is NOT going to be a happy girl starting tomorrow! I mean, I was all set to make my bike rides a near daily thing and now! I have to put that on hold. What the f&%k is Mother Nature thinking?! But no, there's no such thing as climate change!

In Jim news, he still had ants in his pants last night starting around 2:30 but he only flipped and flopped for about a 1/2 hour before moving to the guest bedroom. Thank God! I didn't want to have to yell at him. Part of the problem is the pain in his leg he's been having as his muscle moves back into normal position (they said this is often a worse pain than the incision or new hip) but I think another part of the problem is that he is sleeping too much during the day and then not tired enough to sleep through the night. I'll have a little talk with him about this.

PT came yesterday and said Jim's doing well enough now to move on to more advanced exercises! YAY! She'll be back again today and then Thursday and then they'll most likely "release" him for outpatient PT (a place just up the street). That's good news.

And that's all I've got. Time to get a move on. I need to ensure every thing's in place at school to begin testing. Should be interesting to see how quickly these kids take a test that should take them about 2 hours. I'm guessing some will be done in about 30. UGH! K - later, happy Tuesday!

Ants In His Pants

I've been awake since just about 3:30 because Jim couldn't stop moving. UGH! Around 4:15 I said, "What's the problem!?" He just apologized and tried to stop, I guess, but he didn't really manage. Until, of course, right before my alarm was set to go off and what do I hear? Him snoring. Awesome! He and I will have a little talk today when I get home. If he needs to flip and flop all around while I'm trying to sleep before I have to WORK! He can go in the guest bedroom! Right!?

All in all, I rate this spring break as a 6. And all those points go to the success of Jim's surgery and how well he's going. The lack of 4 points (for a perfect 10) is due to the fact that I didn't go anywhere, didn't get to see Eva over my break, and was, in fact, at the beck and call of my husband. Not to say that he was in any way a pain in the ass (with one tiny exception...more to come). He was actually a great patient: Not very demanding, only asking me to do things he absolutely couldn't do himself, and always grateful. I don't dread his next hip replacement as a result. I am, however, glad this week is over but NOT that I'm headed back to work.

Oh, and the tiny exception of Jim being a pain in the ass: Last night he came to bed and climbed in while I was reading. I noticed after a couple of minutes that he was bouncing around and making a lot of fuss. So I asked him what was up and he said he was just trying to get his socks off. This is a tough job in and of itself but it's compounded by the fact that he has to wear compression socks and they are near impossible for him to remove on his own. So I said, "Give me a minute and I'll help you out." Of course he couldn't wait and proceeded to continue bouncing around in bed and disrupting me trying to finish a simple paragraph. So I hopped up and took off his damn socks! None to happy, I might add that he couldn't give me a freaking minute when I was ready! I guess since he was ready I needed to HOP TO! He apologized and all was well.

Opening Day!!! Of course I'm not going to the game but it is Dress Down day at school so I have my Reds gear on including my cute baseball earrings, courtesy Becky!

It's going to be a tough couple of weeks at school. Tomorrow starts two weeks of testing...I HATE TESTING! It effs the schedule all up and confuses the kids (and adults). Additionally, Thursday is our final late night at school - Senior Community Service Night. And, of course I have 3 seniors who I know haven't done their project nor their 1 page essay that is required. Guess what I'll be cramming to get done over the next three days!? Woke up thinking about that this morning. One more reason I hate having seniors on my caseload.

Okay - better get a move on. Happy Monday. Here's to 8 weeks until Summer Vacation! Oh, great - it just started pouring rain. K - later!

Another Busy Day

We needed a revolving door yesterday for all the visitors we had in to see Jim. First was the nurse who said all is well with Jim. Then came Jim's physical therapist who had to lay into Jim for "pivoting" when turning while walking (could cause a dislocation of his new hip). Then came his OT. Basically she came to consult with Jim and talk about things he can do to assist in showering and dressing. She has "discharged" him and so that's one less person we have to deal with. The PT and nurse will continue through next week as "in home" and after being discharged he can start "out patient" PT. YAY! I can't WAIT for Jim to A) be able to walk without a walker and B) be able to drive! So exciting!

Today will be a pretty easy day. We'll head to West Chester hospital for Jim's EKG (make sure all is well with his heart prior to starting back on his cancer meds) and then go to lunch. I promised Jim a visit to Flip Daddy's...I'm sure he's very antsy just sitting around the house with not much to do.

Last night I made "Traditional Baked Ziti" from Home Chef. It was DELICIOUS. I will certainly make that again on my own. Interestingly, it's a veggie meal but I didn't realize that at first because the delivery this week sent me an extra pound of ground pork. So, instead of a veggie ziti, I added the pork. It was amazing!

I can't believe it's the Friday of my Spring Break and that I have to go back to school on Monday. And I can't believe I haven't done shit for work. I had grandiose plans of finishing the novel I'm set to start when we get back to school but alas, I made a quilt instead. I'm pretty proud of that, however. I mean a whole quilt in 4 days! That's gotta be a record. I'll take a pic and post when I'm done (which should be today).

My padded bike shorts came yesterday and I'm psyched! These damn things better work cause my crotch can't take much more abuse! I'm hoping to test them out soon but since it's going to rain all day I'll have to put that on hold. I may go power riding on Sunday so maybe I'll give them a try then. BTW - the pic at left is obviously inside out...I won't look like a baboon. However, I may look like I've got a set of balls with how bulky these shorts are. Well worth it though.

Okay - time to get some cereal and a shower. Happy Friday!

Moving Along

Day by day Jim's doing better. Yesterday he went down the stairs without my assistance. And the only assistance I give him is to take his walker up and downstairs. He also slept slightly on his right side last night. He said he's a bit tender as a result but it's manageable. He's weaning himself off his meds as well (he only took his pain killer twice yesterday).  My goal for him is that by his next oncology appointment he's walking without his walker and driving (April 11th). Otherwise, I'll have to take the day off.

So today we don't need to go anywhere but Jim has a nurse coming around noon and then a PT and OT appointment. A packed day. I wanted to go to Walmart to get batting but we'll see if I have time to do that. Tomorrow we need to go to get Jim's EKG. And from there we should be good for the week. I would like to get on the bike again today but I may have to fore go that until my padded bike shorts arrive. I went yesterday on a 7 1/2 mile ride and my ass was PISSED! Yowza. It only hurt for about an hour after but man oh man how do dedicated bikers take that every day!? I ordered two pairs of padded shorts and I look forward to my crotch being saved that pain.

I finished sewing the top of my jeans quilt and found some backing for it that I already had so I'll try to baste (layer) that today. I also went through all the fabric I have and organized it (threw away a lot of scraps) and picked out my next quilt which I will do for J.J. His will be a block quilt with jeans squares and puppy fabric. I think that'll be cute. We'll see.

And that's about all I've got. I'm going to go make a breakfast casserole using the leftover french fries we have from Red Robin. Yummy. Oh, and Jim and I had a delicious dinner last night from Home Chef - Thai pork lettuce wraps. Really good! Tonight we'll do a baked ziti with spinach and cremini mushrooms and garlic bread.

K - happy Thursday! Later!

My Apologies!

Yesterday started early - at 6:30 - so that Jim and I could make his oncology appointment so I apologize that I never posted. Beyond that he had PT come to the house as well as his nurse. In terms of his hip, he's doing well but he is sore and his incision "burns". Getting in and out of the car several times yesterday wore him out but he's still being a trooper and feeling better than he did pre-surgery. Thankfully today will be an easy "no-plan" day and Jim can just hang and do his physical therapy exercises.

In regard to Jim's oncology appointment, the doc has ordered up his drugs again at a lower dosage and he'll start those once they are delivered (within a week). She looked at his PET scan and was happy about the fact that the nodules had either shrunk slightly or stayed about the same size. She said considering he wasn't on his meds before for very long, that's good. Jim also got his blood drawn (all results looked good) and will get an EKG Friday.

While Jim was entertaining caregivers yesterday, I was finishing up the quilt at left (for my next door neighbor, Cari's little baby, Claire). Cute if I do say so myself. I also cut all the pieces and sewed most of another quilt that I'm making out of old jeans. It's pretty cool...I'm doing an hombre effect and will post once it's all sewn.

Last night I went out to dinner with my neighbor Lauren and former neighbor Christy. We went to Asian Paradise and it was AMAZING! We all got sushi and I'm ready to go back today! I can't wait to take Jim...he's going to love it. I did bring some back for him, however, and he inhaled it.

And that's about all I've got. I'm going to bike this morning and go to Cari's at some point and then finish up my quilt. I may even go get backing and batting for it since I'm on such a roll.

Happy Wednesday - Later!

New Hips & Vacation

Jim, however, is totally pleased!

Seems like it's been a week since I've posted but it's only been since Thursday. And it's been a whirlwind.

To sum up, Jim and I were up and out by 5:00 AM on Friday headed down to Christ Hospital. I have to tell you that the Joint and Spine Center is amazing. I don't know how new it is but it is a top notch facility. Even the waiting room is spacious and comfortable. Anyway - we got there and were taken back to Jim's pre-op room almost immediately. He was given an IV, a blocker and then we just waited for the doc to mark his hip. This happened at about 8:15 and he was taken out about 5 minutes later. The surgery itself (from wheeling him back to knocking him out to closing and wheeling him back out of the OR) was about 1 hour. I was paged (as I was in the waiting room) and got to speak with the doc for about 30 seconds - he told me everything went perfectly and I could see Jim in about an hour and a half. I waited, did some work and sure enough, in an hour and a half, I was given Jim's room number - 501 - and so headed upstairs to Jim's room. He wasn't there yet but was wheeled in about 5 minutes later. BTW - he had an amazing view of the city.

Once Jim was in his room and settled - given morphine, hooked up to a leg compressor machine and sitting up in a position he was comfortable in - we just hung out. He dozed here and there and when he was finally feeling a bit better he ordered food. I only stayed at the hospital until about 2:00. He insisted I leave as he planned to sleep and enjoy the meds and Sami needed attention.

Saturday I got up, did my thing and headed back to the hospital at around 10. Jim had a 9:30 OT appointment (aced it) and then a 10:45 PT appointment. That went really well (she had to tell him to slow down) and she discharged him immediately. I made sure Jim showered there since the shower was so easy to get into and we were out of there and on the highway by 12:15. When I got him settled at home, I went to Kroger to do a bit of shopping and filled his meds. I don't know if it was my paranoia or what but I swear the pharmacy tech was giving me all kinds of weird looks. I'm they get a lot of people filling narcotic prescriptions all the time that aren't legit. Anyway - when I got home, I expected Jim to be sacked out in his chair but he was hanging out in the garage with the neighbors.

I won't bore you with the rest of everything else - PT came yesterday and the nurse (they'll come over the next two weeks here to the house) - but Jim's doing really well. He's using the pain killers but not the full dose and he's using the Valium (muscle relaxer) sparingly. What I will tell you is that Jim is a new man. Truly. He's had a couple of weepy moments (including one when I was at Kroger and he was with the neighbors) realizing that the pain he's had and the misery he's been living with is over. I knew that Jim was living with a lot of pain but until it was gone I didn't know the suffering he was dealing with. I can't wait for him to start living normally again and I can't wait for hip #2 to get done (he's calling today to schedule). It's an amazing thing when your life has been handed back to you.

So the rest of the week will be mostly hanging out here and Jim doing his exercises. We do have an oncology appointment tomorrow morning. He'll most likely be put back on his cancer meds and hopefully all will go well with that. I'm hoping the lower dosage will serve him well. Oh, and we got the results of his PET scan from last week. Of his nodules - there were 2 that had reduced slightly in size and the other two had increased only slightly (by about .1). Getting back on the meds will hopefully get those effers to shrink even more.

Okay - time to get a move on. I slept late because Jim was snoring and keeping me up for about 3 hours last night. Happy Monday. Later!

Rough Night

This is actually a great visual depiction of how it feels!

Man oh man I had a rough couple of hours last night. Not to be too graphic but I had such massive cramps that I ended up throwing up! Well, dry heaving really as I had nothing in my stomach. Thankfully I had taken some naproxen about 45 minutes prior to this happening so A) I didn't throw those up and B) they finally took effect and I was able to sleep for another hour before my alarm went off. I've NEVER had cramps quite like that. Yowza. COME ON MENOPAUSE!!!

As I was lying awake, in pain, I heard car doors slamming around 4:00 AM. When I got up I saw that it was my neighbor's (Cari) mother-in-law. This was strange to me because I know that A) Cari is on maternity leave and B) Jordan (her husband) is on a 1/2 shift today and doesn't leave for work until 6:00. Cari was scheduled for a c-section this Friday but it looks like baby Claire had other ideas. She came over yesterday to deliver Jim a care package for his post-surgery recovery and all was well - though she looked ready to pop - so something obviously happened overnight. I'll text her in a little while just to make sure everything is okay.

Today is my last day before break! WOOT! And it's Jim's last day for about 6 weeks. WOOT! AND!!! Tonight we're going to see Beauty and the Beast. YAHOO!!! And I won't have to gaze upon and smell these damn kids for about 9 days! HOT DOG!!!

Oh, in quilting news, I'm almost done with Cari's baby blanket. It's so cute. I basted it yesterday but have a little I need to add to it and then I'll quilt it and BAM! Done! I'll take a pic and post when it's complete. I'll give it to Cari once they get home with the baby.

And that's all I've got. Time to get going. Happy Thursday! Later!

Almost Forgot!

I got so caught up in watching Al Franken question Gorsuch I almost forgot to post! Whoopsie daisies!

I had a dream that I was going back to graduate school in Boston and I told my dad, expecting him to pay and he wouldn't! WTF!? I mean, I'm 46 years old! How am I to be expected to PAY for my own self at the tender age of 46!? The other funny thing was that he actually didn't say he wouldn't pay. He said he would match what I paid or pay half. I'm so glad I'm not that much of an asshole. Someone who feels so deserved of things. UGH!

Jim asked me a moment ago if I was excited. I said about what. He said - about tomorrow. And I said - what, Thursday? And he said, yeah, the third day (a Friends joke). I said, yeah, sure (thumbs up). And then about 5 minutes later I realized - THURSDAY! Beauty and the Beast!!! Of course I'm excited.

You know what I'm NOT excited about!? Not having my designated driver for 6 weeks! Hee hee...just kidding. No big deal. I'm actually not sure how long Jim won't be able to drive. That's a good question to ask the doc.

I've been stressing about Jim being able to go up and down the stairs and he showed me how he should be able to (sideways) and I felt much better. Oh, and he'll have PT coming to the house on Monday so that's good. I'm not sure how long he'll have them coming to the house but the longer they can do it the better.

Okay - well, that's all I've got. I'm really looking forward to this week being over. So ready for a break.

Happy Wednesday - ooh, early release - YAY!!! Later!

Plenty O' Sleep

I was exhausted yesterday. I mean, wiped OUT! Mainly, I think, because I laid in my bed for 3 1/2 hours Sunday into Monday wide awake. Add to that 45 minutes at the Power Ryde and then 30 minutes yesterday on the elliptical...no wonder. So last night we ate early (because Jim had to go out after dinner) and I headed up to bed with my Kindle to read and a melatonin. After watching Lester (yes, I was in bed well before 6:30) I turned out my light, read for a while more and then shut it down. I remember Jim coming home and climbing into bed (he said around 8:45) and not much else until around 4;30. That's about 8 1/2 hours of sleep!

Speaking of the Power Ryde...I was thinking about getting a package of rides (Groupon has a great deal 8 rides for $35 normally $120).  The problem is A) I would most likely have to go by myself since my neighbors go at 5:30 in the AM when I'm about to head out the door for work B) I have equipment at home I can use (elliptical for instance) and C) I'm just not sure it's my thing although I'm sure once I've done it several times, my endurance would increase. I really wouldn't mind going by myself after school but I don't know. We'll see. However, the more I "think" about it the less likely I am to do it.

We have ACT testing this morning for all juniors. This doesn't really affect me (I only have two juniors on my caseload). I'm sure things will be confusing and muddled today with kids trying to figure out what they're doing and where they're going. UGH!

Jim has a PET scan today. I'll be interested and worried to see how his nodules are doing. Double UGH!

Okay well, time to head out. I need to get gas on my way in. Happy Tuesday! Later!

On The Fence

Yesterday was the Power Ryde that a friend of mine had for her 40th birthday (also a fundraiser for breast cancer). This was a first for me and I was a bit interested to see if I could make it through. I did in that I managed to pedal the whole time and do some of the moves but for the most part I had to sit on my ass and pedal away for 45 minutes. And by the way, even with a cushioned seat and an added pad, my ass it killing me! It's a really tough workout and I'm sure if I continued to do it on a regular basis, I could work up to doing it but I'm not sure I have it in me. First of all, the people I know who go attend the 5:30 AM classes on Tuesday and Friday. I'm on the road by 6:15 and couldn't make that. I could go by myself after school which is tempting but I don't know. On the one hand I enjoy the feeling of something so hard having been accomplished. On the other, however, I prefer a workout with fewer people or outside. It was fun though.

After the ride, Jim met the group of us at a local watering hole called Cappy's. We had a beer or two and then Jim and I headed to Paxton's to eat. I hated that I had to eat dinner so late (after 7:00) and I think that interfered with my sleep because I laid awake from about 11-3:30. Slightly dragging today as a result.

Jim had two doctor's appointments today. One with his dermatologist (6 month check) and the later in the day he'll go to Christ to get his blood drawn in preparation for Friday's surgery. I'm looking forward to this being behind us. Of course once the surgery is out of the way, he'll be starting back on his meds. I guess with Jim, there's always going to be something.

With Jim's surgery, I'll only go to school through Thursday this week. YAY!!! I'm starting my history kids watching All the President's Men today in preparation for our next chapter dealing a lot with Watergate. I hope they like it. I didn't want to get halfway through a chapter right before Spring Break.

Ooh, and on Thursday, Jim and I will go to dinner and then to see Beauty and the Beast. Because who knows how long it'll be before he can sit in a movie theater.

K - I best get a move on. Jeans week! YAY! Happy Monday...Later!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I actually remembered to wear green today. Of course I don't own anything green so I had to raid my husband's closet. Thankfully I dress him and buy him colors that he looks good in - green being one. And yes, it's a XXL but that works over my skinny jeans so there you go.

Speaking of Jim, he's actually working today! Already out the door! This is only his 2nd day working this week because apparently there's only been outside work and Jim can't work outside. Well, I guess there was SOME inside work because he got called in for today to replace a guy who threatened to punch another guy in the face. Can't have that so Jim's in. The guy that got threatened, Jim's worked with before and he's supposedly a real pill but Jim says he doesn't bother him and he's comfortable enough to tell they guy to cut the shit without losing his shit.

School is school. I have to come up with something to do in my LA class for next week. I don't want to start the book we're going to read right before Spring Break so I'll have to come up with something. I hate the lull before a break.

Dinner last night was roasted half chicken with potatoes, carrots and pearl onions. I loved it. Jim didn't like the carrots but I knew that was a possibility. He's funny about cooked carrots. He likes then in a pot roast but not like we had them last night. So, I ate all the carrots and gave him most of the potatoes.

This time next week, Jim will be gearing up for a new hip. I'm starting to get more and more nervous. I'm just worried about him getting up and down the stairs and being in pain. I'm assuming he'll have some good pain killers though. Fingers crossed.

And that's about all I've got. We'll be finishing up To Kill a Mockingbird in LA today...BOO! History will start a new chapter. I only have three chapters left to teach in US this year! WOW! I'll have to space those out well. Of course with upcoming testing and what not, it shouldn't be a problem.

K - Happy Friday...YAY it's Friday! So happy! K - Later!

What A Difference A Day Makes!

Yesterday I was contemplating asking about teaching the pullout science class. After talking with my colleagues and thinking about the alternative, I decided to talk to FW about it. So I broached the topic with her saying, "Do you think so-and-so (current teacher teaching the science pullout) is set on teaching science next year?" FW: "What do you mean?" Me: "Well, if he isn't and he wouldn't care, would there be a possibility that I could teach it...you know because I'm not passionate about co-teaching." She then asked to talk to me in the hallway (because we were in front of another teacher) and proceeds to tell me that the night before, she had been talking/texting with the principal who had made the decision to have me teach science next year. FW was supposed to come talk to me later in the day. So there you go! Problem solved. YAY! 

Jim didn't get violated yesterday. That's good! I told him if he was disappointed, I could violate him myself. He didn't take me up on that. 

What else? Oh, Jim didn't work again yesterday! And he wasn't contacted for a job yesterday. So pisses me off. I mean his boss is well aware that starting next Friday Jim's off for 6 weeks...you'd think that he'd do his best to keep him working as he approaches 6 weeks of NO PAY! Jesus! Asshole.

Okay - and that's all I've got. Should probably add to my honey-do-list so Jim stays busy today. 

Happy Thursday! Looking forward to Friday! K - later!

Poor Jimmy

Jimmy has his physical today prior to his hip replacement. Which means - he's going to get his prostate checked. Not that I feel sorry for him! Does he have to get a pap smear once a year AND get his boobs smashed and handled like they were water balloons/balloon animals?! Nope, he doesn't. He's upset because his former doctor was a tiny woman (with tiny fingers) but she left the practice. So now, his doctor is a fellow with fellow fingers. Who knew doctors with tiny hands would be so important!

The meeting yesterday was annoying. Partially because of the schmoozing people did (and yes, FW got that position) and partially because half of what needed to happened, didn't. The numbers for certain co-teaching classes are ridiculously inflated and completely unneeded. Why do I care? Because with high numbers, there's a greater unnecessary need for more co-teaching classes and I don't want to co-teach. Now we all have to do things we don't want to do but realistically, that isn't true of all our teachers. I'd love to be pullout only but that doesn't seem to be my destiny. What are you going to do? I left the meeting yesterday completely disheartened and wishing I could come up with an alternate career. Unfortunately, I'm stuck. I'll just have to deal with people who have their own agendas I guess.

Okay well, time to get a move on. I have papers to grade but thankfully today is the day we start watching To Kill a Mockingbird. Woot! Happy Wednesday! Later!

Wasted Day?

So today is our "Special Ed Draft Day" which means that the whole special ed department gets together to talk about and organize students into classes for next year and then determine caseloads. The problem is - we can't talk about classes for next year because apparently everything is up in the air since we're losing a teacher and there will thus be a shift in who's teaching what. Although, in reality, why should WHO is co-teaching impact the ability to put students into correct classes? Shouldn't we know the number of co-teaching classes that will be offered? Because if we can't do those two things, how are we going to do caseloads? I guess one question that can't be answered is if FW will get the new sped position or not and whether or not we should distribute her caseload. Hold on...I'm laughing and can't type!!!  See, we all know that she's going to get it! I mean lets face it - she's a kiss ass and has schmoozed her way into the back pocket of all the decision makers in the district. Not that I care, really! She'd probably do well in this position...I just think it's crap that anyone else going for the position is screwed. We'll see though. (And, who would want that position!? If there's a need to cut costs, her position would be the first scrapped!)

Anyway - sorry, I went off on a tangent. My point: Today should be a waste! What WON'T be a waste, however, is my breakfast at Perkins this morning. The only good thing that will probably come out of today. Unless I get sick which is a good possibility. I've been getting sick lately eating just the littlest thing. Not sure what's going on but I'm thinking it may be acid reflux. I'm going to get something on the way home today and see if that helps.

Have I mentioned that I'm probably going to be admitted to the hospital on Sunday? I've signed up to do a Power Ryde for an acquaintance's birthday/breast cancer fundraiser. I'm going to die! I sure hope there's a bucket next to my bike because it's almost a given that I'm going to need to puke in it! UGH! I mean, yes, I work out, I bike but I don't exercise like this. Fingers crossed I make it through. One bonus, however, afterward there's a small get together for beer. That's something to look forward to.

K - I need to get a move on...get my ass to Perkins. Mmm...pancakes! Happy Tuesday! Later!

Slept Through The Alarm

Totally slept through the alarm this morning. Only by 6 minutes but I'm not sure that's ever happened to me before. It had more to do with the fact that the volume was way low (I smell sabotage by Jimmy) rather than exhaustion. Although, I didn't sleep really well...not because of the time change or anything but I just haven't been feeling up to par. I actually woke up feeling a bit better than I have in the last few days so lets hope that lasts.

I had a great time with the Egberts this weekend. We mainly hung out but had a great time at Pins Mechanical, playing Duck pin Bowling! Totally need to find a place near here to play...or open a place myself! Eva's spring break will continue with even more fun as Nana arrives today. Her original flight was going to Chicago first before landing in Columbus but they cancelled the first leg of her trip and rerouted her to Charlotte. I know Maggie and Mom will be relieved of that considering the weather headed toward the east coast.

This week is going to be a bit crazy. I have a professional day tomorrow for our special ed department which I completely forgot about and will now need to tweak my plans. LA will be fine as they will be testing but I'll have to figure out something different for history. UGH!

BTW - today starts the first day of the 4th quarter! I'm in the last quarter of the year! Can you believe that?! Crazy!

Okay - time to get a move on. I'm a little behind since "over sleeping". Happy Monday! Safe travels Mom! Later!

Headed North

I took a half day today so after 4th period, I'll be heading north for an "appointment" with my doctor -Dr. Eva Egbert. She's got a great staff working under her - her nurse Maggie and receptionist Mr. Buster are always accommodating and welcoming.

Oh, and apparently my mother was a bit put off by the fact that I'm headed up there this weekend rather than next when she'll be there. I should point out, however, that I made these plans to go BEFORE the airline flight was booked. So blame your other, less lovable daughter for that! She obviously wants you all to herself. She doesn't share well!

I have to say that the closer I get to spring break, the more I need it and the more these kids are driving me to drink more and more! They are ALL getting on my last nerve!

Speaking of Spring Break - two weeks from today, Jim will be getting a new hip! Woot! He's been approved of a "2-day stay" at Christ. Of course 2 days really means getting admitted on the 24th and being released on the 25th. I'll bring him home on Saturday and I'm hoping everything goes well and I don't have any issues getting him in and out of the car and comfortable at home. Fingers crossed.

We finished TKM yesterday in my Language Arts class. I choked up a few times during 1st period but not really during 6th. The kids are bewildered by my weepiness. They kept saying, "Why are you crying?! It's not sad!?" I guess they don't understand that tears can fall with other emotions. Emotionless little effers! Just kidding.

Okay well, I need to finish packing and get ready for work. I'll post on FB. Happy Friday! Later!

Another Delicious Meal!

Last night was Cheesy Chorizo with Orzotto, Tomatoes and Spinach. It was really easy to make and essentially a one pot meal. Tonight will be pork chops with a mustard sauce, green beans and potatoes.

The neighbors a few doors down will be closing on their house today (although they moved on Sunday). She posted a nice little thing on Facebook. Although the cynical part of me sort of snickered at her hope that this "isn't goodbye" to her "island neighbors". My response is, "Yeah because we still hang out so much with our other neighbor who moved a mile away and will now be two doors down from you. See ya never." It sounds like I'm pissed they moved and really I'm not. I just feel bad for my other neighbors because their kids are all best friends and the way they went about the search etc. was really secretive and weird. People are weird though so what can you do? I look forward to meeting the new people. I hope they move in soon!

What else? Snow likely on Monday! I'm excited in the hopes that we get a snow day! I'll be pissed, however, if it hits while we're already at school. You know I'm going to be disappointed!

And that's all I've got. Time to get ready and head out. Today is the last chapter of To Kill a Mockingbird. I've already warned the kids that I may get weepy. I mean, I've read that book probably 20 times and I cry every time! I have one kid who's sort of obsessed with seeing me cry. He says he's never seen an adult cry before and since I've warned them, rather than following along while I read, he just stares at me...watching and waiting. Goof.

K - Happy Thursday. Later!

Dinner, Pigeons and White Castle Eating Terriers

First of all, I made my first meal from Hello Fresh last night - beef tacos with guacamole. It was deeeeelicious! We thoroughly enjoyed the radish garnish too. I look forward to tonight: Cheesy Chorizo with Orzotto.

My dinner last night was NOT made with pigeon, by the way. I dreamt about a pigeon. I was actually having a conversation with her. See, I was concerned that she kept leaving her nest when she had two eggs in it. I told her I thought she should be keeping them warm but she just ignored me and kept flying back and forth to check to see they were still there. At one point she was standing at the base of the tree where her nest was and she kept yelling up into the tree, "King?! King?!" Then another pigeoned popped up from the leaves of the tree - her husband - and cooed, "What?!" She then asked him if her eggs were still in the nest. So weird.

And that wasn't the only weird dream I had. I also had a dream of Maggie's C.C. - her Yorkshire terrier who died about 7 or 8 years ago. I had a dream that she got into the garbage and found a sackful of White Castle sliders which she proceeded to chow down. I was pissed because Maggie, Eva and I were about to head up to PIB and I just C.C. was going to hold us up barfing up her nasty burgers. UGH!

I seriously need to get a revolving door in to replace the slider in the kitchen. I swear I've gotten up a dozen times to let Sami in and out. I let her in about 2 minutes ago and she literally came in, turned around and stood at the door with her nose pressed against it to go back out. I mean, really!?

Okay - it's Wednesday! YAY! So happy we're half way through the week. Especially since I get to see Eva in two days! Woot!

K - I'm out. It's going to be a windy one today...a Mary Poppins kind of day. Later!

Um...Nothing

Nothing. I've got nothing to talk about.

Oh, I know something. I don't know if I mentioned the most recent bit of information regarding Jim and his meds. He will not be back on his meds until after his surgery. The doctor is worried about him having a fever prior or during surgery so there you go. It freaks me out a bit that his cancer is currently not being treated but I also don't want him to get another fever so close to his hip surgery.

I really have nothing else and should probably get a move on since it's just starting to rain cats and dogs. I may just go the back way to school today with all this shit falling from the sky.

K - best get a move on. Happy Tuesday. (BTW - I can't believe clocks spring forward this weekend!)

Later!

Botox

I had a dream last night that I got botox. And it didn't hurt! And I looked amazing after getting it! So that's that, I guess. Time to sign up for botox!

I don't have much to say today. We had a nice weekend. Cards on Friday for a couple hours with the neighbors and then we went to Rivertown Brewery Saturday (with same neighbors) and dinner at Shooters. Jim and I went to Shooters for a beer yesterday and then we just hung out at home. It was a lovely day yesterday and we sat outside for a bit watching our other neighbors move. Looks like they got most everything out yesterday and so SEE YA NEVER! I look forward to the new neighbors moving in. The closing for the house is on Thursday so I would imagine they'll move in over the weekend. I'll be in Columbus so maybe I'll get a glimpse of them Sunday.

The week at school should be fairly easy. I have no meetings and the schedule should be normal. I will try and scoot out of 7th period Friday a little early so I can beat the buses and get on the road to C-bus.

Oh, and I get my Hello Fresh delivery tomorrow. Next week I'll try Blue Apron (free week) and then I saw a new delivery service advertised - Plated.com. We'll see if I can find a free delivery or discounted for them.

Okay - time to get a move on. Happy Monday. Later!

Not My Favorite

My meal last night (pork chops with chimichurri, chayote and caramelized shallots) was not my favorite. Well, let me correct that - I liked the pork chop and the chimichurri and the onions but the chayote was not very good. It's a vegetable (I guess) that I had never heard of before. (Maggie gave me shit for that since I'm a faithful watcher of Top Chef and apparently should have know about this food.) I read that it's a squash like veggie with a taste like zucchini but I would completely disagree with that. It's not that it tasted bad but it didn't taste very good. Kind of like what grass would taste like if it was a more solid pear-like food. It smelled fine - kind of like spring but I don't want to eat spring. I will avoid chayote from here on out. Can't win them all.

Next week I'll be getting a delivery from Hello Fresh, courtesy Becky who gave me a free trial coupon thingy. I'm getting beef and guacamole, mustard pork chops and a cheesy chorizzo orzotto. We'll see.

Happy it's Friday, I'll tell you that! The week has been fine but the kids are in need of a break as am I. Only a couple of weeks until spring break (and Jim's surgery...nervous).

Yesterday Jim ended up having to go in to work (which I'm not complaining about) so I ended up doing the Costco shop. Maggie said Jim probably begged his boss to find somewhere for him to go after seeing my list of "jobs". Hee hee...he assures me that wasn't the case.

Okay well - time to hit the road. The weekend should be fun - we're going to Rivertown Brewery on Saturday for a tour, beer and food. They also have an arcade with 200 old school games. I'm excited for that! AND the games are free!!!  Woot! Centipede here I come!

I was putting the Rivertown pic on my blog and hit an "archive picture" button and that sweet pic of me in kindergarten popped up. Man, I wish I were still that cute! Look how my hair is combed down in front. I loved that dress, by the way!

K - I'm out...Happy Friday!

Amazingly Alert

Considering the lack of sleep I had yesterday, I never really felt bad or exhausted. Until about 6:30, that is. But hey, by then I was home, fed and ready to crawl under my covers...which I did. I managed to stay awake until about 8:00 and then I hunkered down and wasn't conscious of anything again until 3:30. At that point I rolled over, saw the time and snoozed some more until 5:00. Slept like a baby! And it's Friday Eve! WOOT! Love it when the week goes by quickly!

Jim's off today...it's a slow time at work so he'll be running around doing errands for me. Costco, Kroger, walking Sami, dusting and vacuuming. When I told him what I wanted him to do today, he said, "In one day!?" Yup...get it together! Not sure if he'll be off tomorrow or not.

Speaking of Jim, he should be back on his meds by the end of the week (or the beginning of next). Can't say I'm thrilled to have him back on with the possibility of another fever but at least we know what to watch for and can call immediately to figure out what to do.

We also found out that he MAY be able to continue his meds through his surgery at the end of this month. His doc is figuring that out.

What else? Nothing really. I have another student out for several weeks because of major emotional issues. He isn't on my caseload but I have him in my LA class. I've been worried about him for a while and had even emailed his mother a couple weeks ago to voice my concern. UGH! These poor kids!

Oh! I had my second meal with Home Chef last night. It was chicken piccata with angel hair pasta and a lemon caper sauce. It was really delicious! One change I would make, however, would be to reduce the amount of capers used. I'm not a huge caper fan (very vinegary and salty...like olives a bit) but a few are fine, Anyway - it was delicious and Jim and  both cleaned our plates. Oh, and the pasta, I only served half of what they gave us...there was a TON! Excited for tonight's meal! Pork chops with chimichurri. I hope it's good!

K - I'm out. Sami just went back upstairs to sleep some more. I love her...wish I could join her. Happy Thursday! Later!

Three Hours Sleep Is Enough, Right?

I've been awake since 11:30...ugh! Actually, I did doze off for about 30 minutes between 3 and 3:30 and then was rudely awakened by a tornado siren! That was quite a startling wake up call! I jumped out of bed yelled to Jim that the tornado siren was going off, ran downstairs to look at the radar, saw it was in the central/southern part of my county, went back upstairs and found Jim standing and staring out the window. Jeez! Anyway, once I got back in bed I had about an hour left until my alarm when off. I got about another 20-30 minutes of sleep and here I am.

Now, I need to get a move on because there's major shit moving toward my route to work and I don't want to get stuck in that. So later. Happy Wednesday. I'll be happy when this shit is out of here around noon.

K - safe travels to me and my peeps. Later!