Happy Halloween

I was sitting here thinking about what to post and I was thinking about the fact that it's Halloween and then I thought about all those kids in the states where Sandy hit who won't get to Trick or Treat.  Now, I know that seems weird, maybe a bit tiny in the broad scheme of things but to the kids...this will be part of what they remember.  I feel so bad for them because that thing they were probably REALLY looking forward to is now gone, along with everything else.  Sad...I feel so bad for those affected.

In other news - my kids at school are total morons.  They pissed me off so bad.  I mean, you know, when I'm not there, I try to come up with plans that won't be horrible for them or the sub.  I don't have them read a chapter of our book on their own.  I don't have them do things I don't think they can do well (and again on their own).  In fact I try to make their time in my class (even when I am there) as successful and fulfilling a time as possible.  I read aloud because I want them to get something out of books and I know that most of them won't do it on their own. I try to make assignments fun and relevant. La la la.  So imagine my annoyance and shock to find that of my 19 kids in my 2 language arts class, only about 5 of them completed the assignment I gave them.  Why?  I don't know.  I mean, one of my LOWEST kids was able to complete it with CORRECT answers.  Apparently they all just don't give a flying F*%K.  And they didn't have to turn it in after class, they could have done it at home or in their study hall (of which they ALL have one) Let me tell you, I gave them the WHAT FOR!  I laid into them...told them how disappointed I was in them and that when they don't try, I don't feel like trying to make their time in my class so enjoyable.  I'm hoping a got through to at least a couple of them.  There are one or two (or three or four) who won't give a shit regardless or who are too stupid to give a shit but RRRRR!!!!  They pissed me off so bad!  Oh well - live and learn.

In weather news - it's rainy and cold here...not snowing this morning like it did yesterday.  It should clear up by later today...I hope.  We're supposed to do a little cookout thing with the neighbors before Trick or Treating...should be nice and cold for that.  Whatever though - always fun to get together with the neighbors.

Oh, Jim has an interview today...cross your fingers.  It would be more money, closer to home and with a company that actually has some "perks".

K - well I best head up and then out.  Happy Halloween...I expect several pics of a little girl by the way!  Later!

Holy Shitballs!

My God!  I think it's Armageddon out there.  I don't know HOW NYC and the tri-state area there will recover anytime soon.  Queens is burning; a levy or dam broke in NJ...massive transformer explosion...generator gave way at NYU hospital - many evacuees are babies in the NICU. Crazy!

Speaking of crazy!  I'm just happy to be home myself.  It was a quite a crap shoot yesterday on whether we would get off the island or not.  I think we may have caught the last ferry off the island. We caught a 9:30 ferry and they shut down by 11:00 so you gotta figure.  And as you can see from the pic - docking was quite chancy and scary.  The ride itself wasn't bad - we pretty much rode the waves the whole way but that didn't make it any less scary for me.  We would have been stuck until Wednesday had we not made that ferry...ugh!

And that's about all I've got for now.  I need to get a move on here because A) it's snowing which means people are going to drive like bitches and B) who knows what's waiting for me at school having been absent a day and a half. 

K - later!

Jimmy's Actin' Like a B*%CH

Hee hee...I told Jimmy I was going to make my post title "My husband's a bitch" and he said, "Why don't you get a new title?"  He's just being slow and pokey and I'm trying to get things done.  Why, you ask?  Because WE'RE GOING TO PIB TODAY!!!  I'll head to work here in a few but I'm only working a 1/2 day so at 11AM...I'm outta there! Until Tuesday!!!  YAY!!!  Hopefully we'll get up there by 4:30 and catch that ferry...otherwise we'll have to wait an hour.  Jim better not piss me off here!

And that's all we have time for today folks.  I need to crack a whip under Jim's butt cheeks so we can go change the sheets.  He has a lot of work to do and I don't want to give him the opportunity to get back in bed.

K - I'm out...until Monday or Tuesday...Later!

New Gutters

The gutter dude came yesterday and ripped off all our gutters!  YAY!  We've needed new gutters since, well, pretty much since we moved in.  It will be nice not to have drippy, nasty gutters that leak. Jim did some painting (that cut our costs down) and they will repair some of the wood work today and put the new ones on.  Now all we need is a new driveway, new siding, new carpet, new kitchen floor, a redone bathroom (upstairs), new counters and a finished basement!  We're well on our way though...just need to win the lottery!

In other news, I started to pack for PIB yesterday.  I also dreamt of it.  I dreamt I was getting ready to go but Kristyn, Karmen and Eric Kohl were all going with us and each one of them were late!  Typical!  UGH!

In car news, I have a feeling (knock on wood) that my car is about to break down...maybe the starter.  I took Bubba to the vet yesterday and when I got back in the car to leave it did a bit of a wonky thing before turning over.  Is it possible to do a preventative measure here before I actually get stranded?  I told Jim already that we'll be taking his car to the Bay...I'm not willing to break down or have a car that doesn't start 4 hours from home.

My cold is progressing.  Yesterday it turned into a cough.  Today I have a lot of nice crap stuffing up my head and a bit of a cough.  Hopefully by tomorrow, this will all be out of here.  At least I've gotten good sleep though.

And that's about all I've got.  Need to get a move on before my 1/2 day tomorrow...and my day off Monday.  I have my plans together I just need to type them up for the subs.  K - I'm out...later!

Scratch & Tickle

That sounds a bit more exciting than what the subject I'm about to talk of really is...my newly developed cough.  Nothing major...it didn't keep me up or anything but its what my sore throat has turned into.  Oh well, if this is all I get from that, then I'm a happy girl (knock on wood).

Sorry I didn't post yesterday.  I got up, showered and came downstairs to find my husband already up.  That sort of screwed up my normal routine (go figure, he likes to talk to me when he gets up!), plus  I couldn't stay awake for the debates and I had to peruse the Internet to see what was being said.  (I DVRd it and watched yesterday afternoon.)  I also wanted to get a bit of an early start at school since I had my 3 IEPs yesterday.  All went well there and I banged those out in less than an hour!  Normally I reserve about 45 minutes for an IEP but since all three were siblings and the parents have been doing this forever, and much of it is all the same - bing bang boom...DONE!  I know the regular educators appreciated it and my admin (ADHD), who actually showed for all three (one of the kids isn't even his) said I was on fire!

Speaking of the debates - I won't say anything except...I was watching and well into the discussions, I noticed that Romney was starting to sweat.  There was a light sheen on his upper lip and I thought, "Huh, someones starting to get a bit of flop sweat."  Lo and behold, I was watching Chris Matthews last night and he had James Lipton on and that same subject came up.  Funny.

Okay and that's about all I have.  I'm getting very excited for PIB this weekend.  The weather is supposed to  chilly and maybe a little rainy (see below) but in my eyes...perfect...a great weekend for hanging out, watching football, playing with Eva and maybe having a drink or 10...hee hee.

Friday 63° | 46°

Saturday 52° | 39°

Sunday 50° | 37°

K - well I've run out of things to talk about so I guess I'll get a move on...later!

Feeling Better

Yesterday was a rough day for me.  I just didn't feel right - run down, sore throat - so I tried to take it easy (with the exception of a couple beers at Shooters).  I laid on the couch most of the afternoon and watched TV...took medicine...stirred my French dip (more on that later).  Nice hot bath around 7:00 and in bed by 8:00.  Sleep wasn't great but then it never is when I don't feel good, but I did sleep.  And I'm feeling much better.  My head isn't as achy, my throat isn't sore, I still have a scratchiness to it but no biggie.  And thank God because this was one week when I don't have the time to feel ill.

One thing that isn't up to par, however, is my ability to taste.  Jim loved my dinner last night...and to me it tasted fine but it didn't taste like much to me.  And I didn't have an appetite.  Jim said it had a lot of flavor but when I'm sick and taking medicine, my taste buds suffer.  Oh well...at least Jim liked it.

And that's all I have for now...oh - except HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIANE!!!  Hope it's a great day even though you have to be at work.

K - I'm out...later!

FLEAS!!!

UGH!  Yesterday was a doozie!  So, Jim took Zeke to the vet...originally it was supposed to be Sami's turn but Zeke has been having some major itch problems so we decided to switch them up and get Zeke in.  With three dogs, we have to space their visits out due to the dent they usually take to the old pocket book.  Anyway - while Jim took Zeke I went to the grocery.  As I was unloading, I got a text from Jim that simply said, "FLEAS!!!"  My response was, as you might imagine:  F&%K!!!  So I check Bubba...fleas.  I check Sami - no fleas.  She didn't have one on her.  Bubba only had a few but where's there's one there are sure to be many.  I called Jim and I said, "Get all three of them some dual heart worm/flea control, flea shampoo and when you get home I'll bathe and you head back out to get carpet stuff." Cost:  $700!!!  And no -you didn't misread that...I said (typed) SEVEN HUNDRED FREAKIN' DOLLARS!  Now, that included Zeke's shots, blood test and oh, he has a tape worm so meds for that, a cortisone shot, predinsone.  Jim said he's going to get a job at PetsMart just to pay for our freakin' vet bills. That might be a good idea.  Anyway, yesterday was spent washing dogs moving furniture, treating all the carpets.  I'm sore as hell from lifting and hauling and washing dogs...not to mention I think I'm getting sick (major sore throat).

Today will be spent working on stuff for school (I have a TON of shit to do before my IEPs Tuesday and my 1/2 day Friday and day off next Monday).  Jim's going out soon to get lawn treatment for the fleas.  Then I think I'll be needing a beer and some MegaTouch at Shooters.  Who knows if that will happen though with Jim being so pokey right now.

Dinner tonight is going to be goo-oo-ood!  I'm making French dip sandwiches.  Sounds good, huh?  I'll be putting that in the slow cooker here in a bit.  I'll let you know how delicious it is tomorrow.

K - I'm out...better get crackin' on school work...later!  Oh, and feel free to go on on my pay pal account to donate to the Hanke Hound Charity Foundation.  Later!

Random Stuff

I had a dream last night that a kid at school couldn't take a shower at his house because the water got turned off so I was hunting around in my desk drawers looking for shower supplies so he could shower in the locker rooms.  I found shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, Old Spice deodorant, and soap.  Oh and a giant comb. Why the HECK did I have this dream?  And it wasn't even a kid of mine.  It wasn't even a kid I see...maybe once or twice this year I've seen him in the hallway.  What happened in my head while I slept that made me A) think of this kid B) come up with some story that he hadn't showered C) dream about it for what seemed a good 20 minutes and D) where did the giant comb come from?  So weird.

TGIF by the way.  This was a pretty easy week (knock on wood...I still have to get through today).  I've mentioned that it's the last day of the quarter and I'm ready to clear the slate for some of these kids.  One kid in particular...I haven't named him yet.  Kim thought "Baby Byrd" would be good because he's Mark's kid (new guy in the department) but that sounds too cute and this kid IS NOT CUTE!  I think "Hoops" is a better name.  See, he wants to be a professional basketball player (of course he does), and he's oh, about 5 feet tall.  And completely untalented, I'm sure. He tried out for the basketball team at school but "quit".  I think that means he didn't make the team. I know he can jump though!  Every day when he comes in my room, he has to JUMP and touch the ceiling (it's where there's a lower part from the rest...I could stand on tiptoe and touch it).  ANYWAY!  Hoops is on my LAST nerve.  He's such a lazy, pain in my ass.  Pretty sure he's crazy too. He's never really had a good grade in my class but recently, it's dropped to a 60%...1 point from an F.  And everyday...EVERYDAY...I email is mom and say, "Hoops didn't finish his work and has homework...it's in his folder with a post it on it.  In the 20 minutes he had to work on it he got no questions answered and I had to tell him to get to work 15 times."  Then the work comes back and it hasn't been touched.  Mom's useless!  I'm done and poor Mark who has to deal with this kid.

Okay so that's all I've got.  I would have typed more but Jim came down and told me a new ridiculous story about his brother and a conversation they had yesterday.  UGH!  (That's an UGH regarding his brother, not Jim.)  K - I'm out...later!

This Should Have Happened A Long Time Ago!

Let me just say that divorce is a sad thing...when a marriage ends, especially when there are kids you just think, "What went so wrong?  Why couldn't they make it work?"  That being said, HH should have ended his marriage a long freakin' time ago! (Even though she supposedly left him) Why? There are a number of reasons, the best of which is that he's actually HAPPY!  And here's an example:  Yesterday...early release...bell rings for end of day...kids file out...I breathe a sigh of relief (that I made it through one more day)...I buckle down for an hour of working behind my desk...HH comes on the announcements and says, "Teachers...please listen carefully to this and read between the lines...today is a beautiful day and I'm not sure the computers here will be able to keep up with the work you need to be doing so...feel free to do your work at home."  You don't have to tell me twice.  I delivered a couple things to some other teachers, had a chit chat with ADHD admin, shut down my computer and headed out.  So nice to be home by 2:00!  Sami and I enjoyed our walk immensely.


In other news, tomorrow is the end of 1st quarter.  Can you believe that?!  I've made it through 1/4 of the school year!  So glad.

Yesterday, by the way, was incredibly productive for me.  I managed to get almost all of the work done on the IEPs that I have next week.  I have a couple of "tweaks" here and there but nothing I can't complete today and tomorrow.  I also managed to get much of my end of quarter work ready for IEP progress reports!  I could use 4 straight hours of desk work every week!

And that's about all I've got.  Oh, except for a couple pics from Maggie of their trip to the zoo yesterday.  And Maggie...I sure would like some pics of a little girl with her Nana!  Make it happen.

K - I'm out...it's windy and rainy here...later!

Not Sure What Today Will Bring

First of all...the debate.  I'm not tired right now but I probably will be later.  I actually stayed up until nearly 11:00 watching.  Can't believe I did because I felt like I could sleep at 8:00 but I guess I got pumped up.  I'll tell you what, from the minute the debate started, my heart was beating a mile a minute.  I was worried about Obama's performance prior but in my opinion, he killed it.  There were times when, well, he didn't make Romney look ridiculous  - Romney managed that on his own (though not completely) - but he was able to capitalize on some erroneous comments that Romney made and I was loving it.  (The whole woman thing?  To me, and tell me what you think, he sounded like a condescending asshole...although some of the quotes were hilarious...He asked for "whole binders full of women"?  Did you want pictures to go along with those, Mitt? I think you can find that at Office Max.  Like Maggie said on her FB page - and what it seems Romney really meant was, "Can't we find some bitches to do this work!") That being said, I'm not one to rant my political views and throw them in others faces, so I'll end here...BUT...I just don't like that guy...he's so SMARMY!!!

Oh, and funny story.  I keep getting - as I'm sure the whole of the U.S. is - a shitload of political calls.  Last night, the phone rings...and it's a 614 area code (Columbus).  And so I answer it thinking, "Well, it could be Maggie...or Charlie."  Me: "Hello?"  Actual Live Person: "HI!" (very enthusiastic  "I'm wondering, in the last 4 years, how do you think President Obama has done as a president?" Well, I knew where this was going...Me: "GREAT!  I LOVE HIM!!! In fact, I ALREADY voted for him!"  ALP: "Okay...thanks for your time!"  Me: "That's what I thought!"  Jim got a kick out of it.

So today, work will be interesting.  First of all, for seniors, it's "College Visit Day"...which means they won't be at school.  Why?  Because they are giving sophomores and juniors the PSAT (or something like that).  Freshmen are doing something else.  And the teachers? Well, most are assigned to a room for monitoring. Two to a room.  Lisa and I (and FW and new guy), however, weren't.  I don't know what is expected of us and maybe at the last minute I'll be put somewhere but I sure could use that time to work on my 3 IEPs for next week.  Lisa is actually going to do something with "Handy" the Downs kid since he won't be able to do what the freshmen are doing.  I could "help" her but I'm sure it's not really a 2-person job.  Oh well...we'll see.  I feel like turning off the light and working in the dark so no one will come looking for me and see that I'm sitting behind my desk.  But in reality...what are the other teachers really doing?  Sitting on their ass - monitoring the test...at least I can get some work done...although I'm sure they'd argue the same thing. Oh well, I'll just roll with the punches and try to keep my head down.

And that's about it.  Not much else is going on.  It's Trip's birthday today but he doesn't read this...well, regardless HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRIPPY!!!  Hope it's a great day!  K - well, I'm out...later!

Happy Birthday MAGGIE!!!

Happy birthday to Maggie! She is 44 today!  Hope you have a great day with Eva and Mom...wish I were there with you.  Your gift is on its way...shipped today...let me know that it got there!

In other news, yesterdays meeting with Lisa and FW (I should really figure out a more apt name for her now that we're "getting along" but I'm still wary) was productive.  We came up with - I hope - an effective "teacher input survey" for teachers of sped kids. Hopefully these teachers will see that it's meant to make their lives easier (using google docs) and they'll all use the basic same form so easy peasy Japanesey!

Today I will be busy, busy, busy.  I'm hoping no student needs help today and I can crank out my 3 IEPs for next Tuesday.  UGH!

Last night I made a DEEEELICIOUS meal.  Jim gave it 4 out of 5 stars but only because it was a tad salty (because the soy sauce I have is regular rather than low sodium and we aren't used to it...I'll never buy regular again!).  Anyway, I've made it before but if you're interested here it is again...btw - I use sugar snap peas instead of snow peas.

And now I need to stop posting this because my computer is driving me crazy and rather than throw it out into the cold wet yard, I'll just close here.  F&%KING COMPUTER!!!

Okay - happy birthday again Maggie!  Have a great day!  Later!

Eva, Pumpkins & Weekends

I do apologize for not posting all weekend...it was busy, busy, busy.  Especially little Miss Eva.  So cute she was.  So what did we do?  Well, Friday after school ended, I headed over to Lynne's house to see Maggie and have a much needed glass of wine.  I only stayed about an hour and didn't get to see Eva because she was sleeping.  I came home, walked Sami and waited for Maggie and Eva to arrive.  That night we had LaRosa's for dinner, Maggie and I tried to watch Project Runway (we both fell asleep) and went to bed pretty early.

Saturday we hung out, took a short walk, Eva napped and then we headed to KY (Trip and Susan's) for a Chili/Pumpkin Extravaganza!  As you can see, we carved many a pumpkin and the all looked really good.

Yesterday Maggie, Eva and I hung out until Mom got here around 10AM.  Maggie and Mom left around 11.  I walked Sami, went to the grocery and hunkered down to watch the Bengals.  Sucks they lost.  Tough week for Cincinnati fans, that's for sure.  Made dinner (shepherd's pie...yum), watched the season finale from Hell on Wheels (from last week)...lots of crazy shit there that I need to talk to Maggie about...then a bath, and a tad bit o' Walking Dead.  I actually only watched the first 15 minutes of that before falling asleep...Jim and I will watch it tonight...preferably NOT during dinner.

And today...I have a 1/2 day professional day, which I will be spending at central office with FW and Lisa working on surveys for the teachers who have students on IEPs.  Long story.

And that's about it.  Need to get a move on because I'll stop by school first, make some coffee and head to central.  Happy Monday.  Later!

Nashville

First of all, let me just say BOO!  So sad for my Reds. Wish they could have gone further but they did great regardless.  This is a TEAM (and I mean that in every sense of the word) with amazing heart and camaraderie and they make me glad I'm from Cincinnati so I can watch them whenever my heart desires   Great season boys and there's always next year!

So, Nashville.  And I mean the show, not the town.  Originally I wasn't going to watch this show because I hate country music.  AND...it looked like it would be entertaining but we all know I watch WAY too much TV as it is and can barely keep up with the shows I'm already addicted to.  Well, it looks like I'll have to add Nashville to that list.  Why?  Well, you can blame Maggie.  She convinced me to give it a try.  (I like that she and I watch many of the same shows because we can discuss).  So last night Jim (under force) and I watched.  Jim kept going "twang twang twang" and being a pain...but he sat and watch the whole thing.  It was really good.  That Hayden Panawhatever is a real BITCH!  I mean she's the perfect bitch you love to hate.  Very convincing.  And the rest of the show...and from what I saw for the seasons preview...looks juicy!  Oh, and later while getting ready for bed, Jim comes in and says, "Sooooo...was it implied that the oldest kid isn't Rayna's?!"  And I said, "What?"  And Jim repeated (although I heard him...I just wanted him to ask again).  So I then said, "What are you asking me about?"  And Jim says, "Trashville!  I want to talk about TRASHVILLE!"  Looks like Jim's hooked now too. Hee hee!

Okay so YAY!  It's Friday!  And!  DOUBLE YAY!!!  Eva and Maggie are headed here this weekend!  I get Eva Friday and Saturday!!!  AND!  I get to see my other neice (Madison) and my nephews!  And Mom and Richard!  AND!!!  Trip and Susan and Anne!!!  AND!!!  I get to carve pumpkins!  Can't wait.  Going to be FUN!

Okay so that's all I've got for now.  Today should be fairly easy at school...quiz in LA (vocab) and a section in my Age of Kings (and Queens) chapter in World History...learning all about Charles V, Catherine the Great, Peter the Great and so on.

K - I'm out...later!

Are The Reds Trying To Kill Me!?

I think so!  Arg!  Had a hard time watching much of the game beyond the 5th inning.  I ended up taking a bath during the game so I could relax a little.  Didn't help.  I kept waking up last night thinking about today's game.  Starts at 1PM so I'll miss most of it because A) I'll be at school and B) I'll be driving or at the grocery.  I'm with them in spirit though and I'm wearing my jersey.  F&%k em at school...the Reds need my support more than I need to look like a professional!  Latos is pitching...crossed fingers and all that. 

Here are some sweet pics of J Bird and Trip at the game Tuesday!  Look like good seats out there in the moon deck.  

And that's about all I've got.  Oh, Bubba went to the vet and was a champ.  Stupid people took his blood when they didn't need to...I should have let him bite them after I heard that.  Dumb asses.  His skin issues are on the mend.  I take him back in two weeks to check thyroid.  Sami goes to the vet for a check up a week from Saturday but that's Jim's deal.  

And that's about it.  As I mentioned, I'll be headed to the grocery after work to shop for Maggie's arrival...really to get Eva stuff but Maggie and I will need some wine to and prosecco for mimosas Saturday morning!  Need to give the house a clean and root on my Reds.  K - happy Thursday and GO REDS!!!  Later!

Guess It'll Have To Be Game 4 UPDATE

Why must the Reds put me on pins and needles?!  UGH!  10 innings of which I watched every minutes...yelled a lot...and I won't be able to watch today.  Although, I'm tempted to make today a lesson on baseball in 6th period.  I'll definitely have the game on in 7th and it's early release so after that - who knows...probably stupid meetings. Maybe I'll get sick right around noon and have to go home...ooh, now that is a plan.

UPDATE:  Game is at 4PM!!!  Now Jim will have to change the vet appointment to 3:30.  Poor Bubba won't be able to be drugged.  Oh well, it'll be quick - BING BANG BOOM!  Done!  GO REDS!!!

In Bubba news - today is his 2 week check to see where his thyroid levels are.  He's been much better, he's stopped losing fur and his itchy, nasty spots are dried up.  He still has some flakiness but I think when I bathe him next that will disappear.  I'll get home today and give him a tranquilizer.  His appointment isn't until 5:15 so that will give him time to get all doped up.  Hopefully the only thing they'll have to do is take a smidgen of blood and weigh him.  I'll be interested to see if he's lost any more.  He was at his lowest weight 2 weeks ago and the doc was worried about him losing too much (wish I was worried about that with me).  Anyway -  crossed finger for a clean (and cheap) bill of health.

And that's about all I've got.  I'm wearing a sweater today that is reminiscent of poop color.  I bought the sweater (Loft) because it was about $10 and just figured I'd deal with the color...I can't decide if I like it or not.  I hope people don't look at me and think "POOP" when they see me today...that would suck.  Well, at least I don't smell like poop.  Although Diane will probably think I do because I used my cinnamon/pumpkin lotion today and she HATES pumpkin...even the smell of it.  She crazy!

K - well, I think I'll go to work now.  Maybe get an IEP or 3 done.  Later and once again GO REDS!!! (Sorry Aunt Kathleen!)

Tuesday...Not Much Of Anything

I don't have much to say.  I have a morning teachers meeting today (7AM) which will eff with my routine but who cares...it's better than having the meeting at 2:30 when I'm ready to split!  I'm sure there isn't much that will be said...mostly crap about the upcoming OGTs.

What else, what else?  Oh, how about some cute pics of a little girl!?

 New raincoat and cupcake hat

A little monkey running around

Not much else is happening.  Diablo was in quite a state yesterday.  I have many a quotes from him in my bag but not the time right now to share.  I get a nice collection going and then post them all in a special "stupid shit students say" blog.

This weekend is going to be fun.  Mom and Richard are coming...staying with Trip and Susan.  Maggie is coming with Eva and staying with me.  Saturday we'll all be at Trip and Susan's for our 2nd annual pumpkin carving contest...which I plan on winning. (It's not really a contest but I'm still going to win).

Speaking of winning GO REDS!!!  I'm wearing red for good luck.

And that's all I have.  I need to eat here, finish my "toilette" and head out.  Later!

9-0!!!

Love my Reds!  Way to go Bronson (I bet he gives himself some killer pedicures.  His butt is so bony though) Anyway - so excited...but I don't want to jinx them...settle down, Muir.  Day off today...travel day...game tomorrow at 5:30...at least I can watch this one.  But maybe I shouldn't!  I haven't been able to watch them these past two days and what if I'm the reason?  A conundrum for sure!  Maybe I shouldn't have watched the Bengals yesterday.  I don't think that would have helped, however.  Andy Dalton couldn't throw a pass or get a 1st down to save his life and the coverage for him was atrocious!  Oh well, next time!

So its back to the grind today.  I'm hoping this week I can get some shit DONE!  I don't have any IEPs but I have three coming up on the 23rd that I should really tackle.  Maybe try and bang one out ever day.  Good intentions but something always comes up.  Today will be a good reading day with TKM...Tom Robinson's trial starts.  This is always my fave part.  Well, that and the end.

And that's about all I've got.  I'm making a new recipe tonight:  Mexican rice casserole.  No biggie.  Happy Monday to all...later!

Sore Again

Before/During

After

If it's the weekend and fall, that must mean I've worked myself to the point of complete body breakdown.  I'm so sore...my neck is killing me and my back feels like it's breaking.  Why, you ask?  Well, it was log splitting day yesterday.  See, our next door neighbors took about 15 trees down in their back yard and had all this wood just lying around.  They said we could take what we wanted.  So...Jim went out yesterday, borrowed another neighbors truck, got a log splitter (shown) and we went to work.  We loaded the truck 3 or 4 times with wood...I think it was just three, drove it to our driveway, dumped and then split.  We started working around 11:00 and finished at about 6:00. You can see, in the stacked picture, the line where the new wood starts...hopefully the old wood won't be buggy and we can use that until the new stuff seasons.  Can't wait!  We should be set for the winter.

Stacked

Other than that - not much is going on.  I was so tired last night that I knew I wouldn't be able to watch the Reds game (and I'm glad I didn't...what a nail biter!) but I did tape it and looked back on some key stuff.  Chapman makes me so crazy!!!  Thankfully the boys won.  Tonight they don't play until 9:30 again...ugh!  Hopefully they pull it off. The Bengals play the Dolphins at 1:00...I'll enjoy watching - I don't think it's blacked out...the website said it was on.  Jim's renting a seeder with a neighbor and they're going to seed the island, the neighbors yard and our yard.  Dinner tonight:  Beef Stroganoff...yum!

Ooh, and Jim and I completed our ballots today and they will go off in the mail tomorrow!  Loves me some early voting!

And that's about all I've got.  I need to walk Sami and then come home and clean.  I didn't get to clean yesterday...oh well.  K - well, I'm out.  Later!

You See The Size Of Them CHICKENS?!

Maggie and Eva went to some festival thingy yesterday in Mt. Vernon, I think and Eva was intrigued by the chickens! I believe in this one (notice the chicken she's looking at) she's thinking, "Hey!  Didn't we meet once when you were a chicken nugget?  You look DELICIOUS!"  Love her!

In weekend news, I just got up!  Slept almost to 8 AM, can you believe it?  I'm a wild woman!  Today will be a day of "jobs".  In need to make my menu, go to the grocery, walk Sami and clean house.  While I'm doing some of that, Jim's going to head out and get a log splitter.  We'll then spend most of the day splitting wood from our neighbors yard - they took down about 10 trees and said we could take what we wanted.  We don't have much wood left from the trees we took down a couple years ago - not enough to get through the winter - so this is awesome and much needed.  The wood has been sitting for over a month now and should season nicely in the next two months and be ready for burning soon!  Can't wait for the first fire...this weekend will get really cold to...I'm tempted!

And other than all that - uh...nothing.  We'll eat dinner out tonight or get takeout...I'm sure we'll be exhausted after all the splitting and hauling and stacking.  A good exhausted though.  A good workout...won't be running today.

K - I'm out...gotta get moving...later!

Tired & In A Hurry

I need to get to school because I need to finish my IEP for tomorrow.  It's at 7:30 AM so I only have a couple opportunities to get it done.  In addition I'm TIRED.  I stayed up to watch the debates...UGH!  I won't discuss because I don't find it couth to talk about my political views here...no point...everyone has their own views and no one needs to hear mine...no matter how RIGHT I am!

And that's all I've got.  Nothing else happening.  Can't wait until tomorrow - Friday   Going to be a big weekend...lots of log splitting.  K - I'm out!