It is what it is

Glad to be able to sleep in a bit without Casey's whining wake-up too early. I gotta feelin' tonight's gonna be a good good night! It is dark and dreary and a good day to burn candles all day, have the fireplace burning, keep the tree lights and all the decorations lit all day! I only have to leave the house for a nail appointment today and that is it. As usual, it has been a whirlwind week, year, life. Like everyone else, we pause and reflect on the year and how quickly it passes. There never seems to be enough time to do all we intended to do but we do accomplish a lot! I was lucky enough to take a trip to AZ in April and spend Easter with Amanda, her roommates, Cindy and her family and wonderful weather. In September I was delighted to spend a couple days in DC again with Brian and Andrew. JJ & Jackie's wedding in Madison in July was the destination wedding of the summer with our whole family together. When Katie Benages got married at our church it was ...

Oh wait, crap, its over! We anticipate for days, weeks, months, and suddenly, I am in Target buying wrapping paper and ribbon at 50% off and Matt, Andrew & Brian are on their way home. Michael is headed for Florida, Lexi is IN Florida at the Harry Potter theme park and I spent the day cleaning up, doing laundry and being with Matt. I haven't blogged for over a month. Amanda is home again, had her 21st birthday, I have been in PT for my foot for 2 weeks, Christmas has come and gone, we played games, ate too much, opened presents, stayed up too late, laughed till we cried, watched Christmas Vacation, went to Christmas Eve service together, lit the Advent candle, went to Stanley's house for Christmas Eve, spent time with Grandma, took Amanda out for her first drink with her parents, did Holiday Nights at Greenfield Village, shopped, wrapped, visited, hosted, hugged, laughed and I am already missing it all. Will be glad when they are all back safely. East was hit hard wit...

Casey is permanently blind...we took her to the doggy eye dr. this morning and she has SARD....Sudden acute retinal degeneration. Nothing we did or didn't do. We took her in to see Dr. Jill last Sat., and she ran every test in the book. Nothing. Everything was normal. We needed to find out if there was anything we could do for her. Eye Dr. said she will adjust and also commented that she is doing VERY well. Poor dog. She runs into everything. I feel so badly for her. But...she is learning. When others are here..she has the right of way. Haircut, nails and outlet shopping with the girls. Emily and Amanda arrived safely on Thursday and I took a half day to get my hard cast off. Thank God for that. I have a soft one on about half of my foot now and all the stitches and pin are out (ouch....leave it at that!) and it still hurts. Hoping to wear heels for Christmas. Bought dress for Christmas party for Otto's office today...wanted to get cute shoes....NOT. Starte...

First day back from surgery a week ago. I may need a new cast...I wore this one out. I lost count of how many times I climbed those stairs. Still so much organizing and planning and still unpacking. C'mon Motrin...kick in! Went to the community center until Otto could pick me up to hear the district "Doom & Gloom". The auditor droned on and on. (Bueller....Bueller....Anybody, Anybody?) Thought I would fall off the bleachers from boredom. It was just getting interesting and Otto arrived to whisk me away. I could barely crawl to the car. Tomorrow I will email everyone and ask them to send their kids to ME!!!! Please!! I can't do this again. Off to bells but I can use an ELEVATOR and sit the evening away. I would go lay on the couch, but I will not get up until morning. It is what it is!! Actually slept upstairs in a real bed last night....good sign!

I have been home since Wednesday November 3rd after having major foot surgery. I have a beautiful purple cast that will be on for 2 weeks and have been on crutches.....all a first for me. I have not returned to school but will try for tomorrow. Dr. Janigian faxed the ok to work, if I stay off my foot and do limited walking. I had two toes straightened and some bone shaved and other stuff that I don't even know about. I had planned to do this BEFORE my classroom closed on October 22nd and my students were sent to other classes. Then I had to apply to get the math Title I position that had been created for me at another building. I was given a whole two days to pack and forced the district to move me, they took their sweet time to deliver my stuff almost a week later and I had no time to unpack before this surgery last week. The crap I am taking from the janitors to the superintendent is unbelievable...shadows of 6 years ago when I was moved 4 times. I have filed a grievance...

yes it was quite a trip. I did try to rest my knee and not do too much. I didn't know I could be on the phone as much as I was today. I am glad everyone is sooo concerned. Met for my new job today..as long as the knee cooperates and I get settled I will be ok. Baking cake for ADK breakfast tomorrow....ooooo all that up and down those stairs. Have to go practice piano, hands have healed enough now. I said...imagine you have your arms out in front of you and you fall straight down. My right knee took the brunt of the fall but my hands stopped it from being worse...like a chin or teeth...ewuuuu. Bob, my brother has been transferred to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. Long story but he is suffering from COPD, bronchitis, emphysema and now heart problems and circulation maybe from a blood clot. He was to get a sonogram this evening. He really likes his doctor and is optimistic somewhat but falls into the pessimism easily. I understand and really don't have anything to ...

It started out as a normal Monday. I decided to take my class to the Hamtramck Public Library on a field trip to get their cards and an orientation to the library. Nice cool morning, great mile walk, no rain, great tour and coming out to return to school, I turned to look at my line and in front of St. Ladislaus, I tripped on a broken sidewalk that was higher than the rest and splayed on palms and landed on my right knee. Well, the kids didn't laugh, helped me up (yes I wanted to cry) and we cleaned up the blood off my palms. I was more worried about my carpal tunnel surgery scars and areas than my knees which were un cut. I ended limping back to school (a mile) and filled out an accident report, took a motrin and ate lunch. By 2:00 when I walked down the 30 some stairs, I could barely walk. Ended up in the shithole they call Concentra, where I was told to go for 2 hours sitting waiting to see a doctor. The clientele......eyiyayayai! I think I was the only non-drug test t...

Happy 10-10-10 everyone and Happy Thanksgiving to our wonderful neighbor, Canada. We are so grateful to you. Had a busy beautiful day. So summer like...near 80. Matt & Dana are in Wash. DC with Andrew & Brian. They sent pics from my favorite places....Washington National Cathedral and the airport park at Reagan National Airport, watching the planes come in. Oh, I am so jealous! They also went to Cupcake town at Georgetown and Arlington Natl. Cemetery. I did the Nov./Dec flowers for church, Worship Oct. minutes, corrected a mound of papers, prepared lessons, washed windows, laundry, rugs, treadmill, walked the dog, cooked a roast and other things I have already forgotten. I wish every day could be like today. Kinda getting over my depression but still hate to leave Holbrook. Trying to look forward to a new chapter but wishing I had chosen it instead of having it chosen for me. Still have laryngitis but the asthma seems to have quieted down some. Probably less wet an...

After 6 years of working my ass off at Holbrook in my split, I was told that my room will close due to low enrollment, budget crises (what's new in Hamtramck) and I am low seniority of classroom teachers so I will move. Some positions have been created for Title and I will apply for a math position...depends on their mood and how bad they need to place me and fill the position as to whether I am qualified or not. On top of that I found out today that I need surgery ASAP on my foot to prevent further damage caused from a bone spur that has pushed my whole foot out of alignment and it is going to get worse. A cast, time off, what happened to my care-free summer? I want to come out of this smelling like a rose but I am perplexed, confused, disenchanted, overwhelmed and exhausted to have to do this in the middle of October. Matthew & Dana are in Washington DC and Brian is flying home from Orlando tonight so they will all be together for a couple of days. I know there are way ...

What a full day! Took the day to go to Hal Goff's funeral...so not suppose to be. He was only 66 and such an amazing life. Not fair but what is???? He was the story teller. He was only diagnosed in May with a treatable leukemia....and....well.....I will miss him being at trivia with all his trivia! I can so identify with the kids...I was 29 when my father died....I am the age he was when he died and my mother was a widow at my age now. It was a tough day. The military honor guard did me in! Nice luncheon and enjoyed visiting with the neighbors. Our kids all grew up together. It is one thing when your parents go.....it is another when your group of friends start to go...this is US!!!! Got a lot done in the down time, papers corrected, Dr. appt.s scheduled, a couple of errands...tired out. It was a beautiful sunny, warm fall day. Off to bed...so many things going on at school....so many rumors about what will happen..I have to step back and live my life.....like..don...

Just can't find the time to write! Sad news this morning, my neighbor Hal Goff passed away after a short and aggressive illness. So sorry for a wonderful family. We have been neighbors for 20 years. He will be missed so much! Amanda is unsettled with situations in AZ. Sorry to hear that and hope it can be resolved soon. School is always difficult but so far away is so much harder. School here has been an issue, more demands, no money, classes threatened, layoffs, on and on with the doom and gloom! Casey is all fresh and ready for Matt & Dana's visit this weekend. Looking forward to a fun fall weekend....closing the pool though and bringing plants in...so hard to see it end. Off to the river cruise on the Detroit Princess tomorrow. Fought long and hard to go there! Should be a fun trip. Then meeting "my girls" for ice cream after the cruise. Busy busy fall days. Like my message says....."it must be fall, school has us all, leave me a message, I...

Such a nice weekend with a beautiful, fun wedding last night. Did all my fall decorating. I am so happy for Brian & Andrew but feel so sad that summer and pool have ended. I was reminiscing all day today about the festivities a year ago. Why do I feel so happy but sad at the same time? I miss everyone. Kept busy all day. So many things going on. The pressure from school and trying to keep up with everything. Zoloft anyone? It is what it is.

On top of Casey getting into a big bag of clothes in the basement, she scattered everything and ate the strap and back off a perfectly good bra. That dog! We were late for Katie's wedding at our own church last night....I thought it was 5:30 and it was 5:00. Thought we would be early and instead walked in after the bride! Helped transport the flowers so we got to hang out and see everyone after the ceremony and watch the fun of pictures being taken. The reception at St. John's was awesome. Lots of dancing and fun and hanging out with friends. The rain broke and it has cooled off. It won't be capri season much longer. Soon all the plants will have to come in and summer will be put away. Lots to do today. Preparing for a new program at school to start tomorrow. Also Open House and math presentation Thursday. Going back for breakfast at the hotel this morning. Off to do Sunday! It is what it is.

Geeze Loueeze....this was the longest week ever! I have a really good class this year so far. Two squirrels from last year but they are manageable. New boss....interesting character. I like him and he is trying to make it all work but is a manager of everything. We have so run ourselves for so long. Talked to my former boss this week, he is so loving retirement...I am sooo jealous. Miss being home and being on my own...reading the paper, blogging, shopping, visiting, drinking coffee, no schedule....love it. Lots of demands this week. Wedding tomorrow night..daughter of a good friend at our church and reception at St. Johns. Miss my pool and the sun and the summer. I soooo enjoyed my trip to DC last weekend. Andrew & Brian are celebrating their one-year anniversary this weekend. I love flying and getting there in an hour when driving takes 9. Ok, I snuck out! The zoo was delightful, I enjoyed my day on the mall which included the American Indian Museum, the bureau of ...

Cold, crummy, suppose to be 82 and sunny.....hope so. Spent a fun day at Marlene & Danny's but got home way too late. The poor dog at a whole box of Rice-A-Roni garlic & cheese. I keep an extended pantry on shelves downstairs. Guess I will be moving things a little higher because overnight, she opened a box of Zatarains, for shrimp creole. Ate most of that and drank her bowl dry....go figure. The cortisone she has to take for her allergies cause extreme hunger and thirst. Poor beagle. Seems fine today. If only she had thumbs! Not much planned until this afternoon, going to see my brother at the lake.....brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I see pants and socks & shoes in the wardrobe choice. Baking brownies for the 2nd day in a row and made a pasta salad. Maybe we should add soup! Packing for the weekend and getting ready for the dreaded 1st day of school...OMG it is tomorrow.......ALREADY! It is what it is.

Our rabbit that I have adopted this summer has not been around for about a week. No sightings at all. I miss seeing him. He was affectionately called Peter and Run Rabbit Run. He gave Casey a good work out and totally destroyed my corner bed of pink and fuchsia and purple impatiens, which of course, I tried to reason with him about. I told him he was welcome here but please watch out for the dogs and eat all the crab grass! I know it was silly to attach to a wild rabbit but he seemed so comfortable and tame. I could get so close and chat! About a week ago Otto spotted a hawk (may have been the same one that was in our back yard on the deck rail on Feb. 14th) in a tree in the front yard. I commented then that Peter lived under the Hostas in the side yard and the hawk was looking that way. It is what it is but he sure made our yard more interesting this summer. PS I still have no hummingbirds. The feeder has been up since early April and I change the food weekly and move it ...

Not really I just liked the title from Snoopy's writing his novel. Love Snoopy still. Gee maybe that started my love for beagles! It is just rather dark and stormy looking at 9:00 am. The East coast is bracing for hurricane Earl and I am bracing for the tennis group here tonight. We were planning on eating outside and doing margaritas & pool but it is suppose to be quite windy and high 70's. Not sure what tot do here. Putting drapes in DR up after cleaning and replacing sheer that shredded when I washed it. Between the 80.00 for that and the 40.00 to clean them...yikes. Washing the sheets right now (how exciting) and then have a few odds & ends to do. Avon order in this morning , can't believe I am starting my 27th year with that! Took care of all the girl stuff I had to do this week, called my orthopedic Dr. and found she moved east. Maybe I can see her and get a Dr. excuse for going to Wash. DC! LOL Ok, that what it is so I better get doing it so it ...

Not too much going on. This is kinda a freeze frame for school to start. Shopped today and did final errands! House cleaned when I got home....love love love! Tennis group in tomorrow...we have had rain and the weather is suppose to be cool, down right cold by Sat. Excited for trip to DC but feeling guilty for taking PD time from school. Don't thin I can stomach any more Restorative Practices, especially for 2 days. Anyway, liking our new principal, think it might be a good fit for us at Holbrook and still have some control. We are so sick of the way the kids acted last year. It is what it is but it is going to get better!

Slept as late as I could as tomorrow it is BTS (Back to school). We have our breakfast which is fun to visit and see everyone but then blah, blah, blah. Workshop and staff meeting when what we really want to do is go home! It is suppose to be in the 90's and there is not AC anywhere we are meeting. Will be interesting staff meeting on Wed. morning with new principal. We could use time to work in room and prepare for first day on Tues. Sept. 7th. But no, they would rather we sit through useless information and waste our time. In a way, I am ready. The pool is getting colder, the days shorter and I have done about all the cleaning (ok there could always be more closet and stuff purged), painting and shopping that I can do. I painted the guest room blue, our room lavender, our bathroom same, hallways white, the art room green, visited everything I wanted to visit (can always go to the zoos again though), didn't get to Wash. DC or Chicago or Phoenix, but am planning on all...

I can't wrap around the fact that August is almost over. I am a mixed up emotional mess. I miss my kids, don't want to start school but with the days growing shorter and the pool growing colder, I know it is time. I want everyone here to relax and have fun. I enjoyed Matt & Dana here last weekend but am not looking forward to a long empty weekend. The days drag on but I still have so much to do that I keep busy. I am not impressed with my first impression of the new school year. Time will tell. It is suppose to be hot by the first of the week...go figure. Off to get a haircut and then back to work! It is what it is but I miss what it was.

Was looking forward to serious pool time with Matt & Dana, they don't get to come here often enough and it is suppose to rain and storm all day...ugh! They got in late so we were all up late but enjoyed. Dream Cruise is today. I wanna go! I wanna drive the pink '57 I learned to drive in. I want the 64 1/2 Mustang we had in 1972. Not sure what we will be doing on the indoor day. Have to go spend $140.00 on Casey's allergy pills and she is so bad this week we had to put her back on cortisone for a week or so until it is under control again. Spent the day yesterday working and sorting and cleaning in the basement. Still work to do there. I haven't finished cleaning around house yet and still want to get the hallways painted. (and the fridge cleaned yuk) Did purchase the tv for my room and one of the 2 new white dressers. Still never got to Dr. Spirt about my foot. It is bad enough to have a Dr. appt. on opening day of school (just staff breakfast and talk...

Her allergies have been acting up as they always do in August....she must have been dreaming, perhaps caused by all the med she is on..she was barking in her sleep...so funny but when I went to her she seemed embarrassed! LOL...it is what it is!

Tonight there were tornado warnings north of here...we had nothing but a 3/4 moon. I was out shopping today and bought a new tv for our room and a new dresser. Also fabric for valences to match my new bedding on our king bed. Video chatted Amanda last night. Hard to do because I still miss her. Between the two of us we did the Diamond Jack River tour, visited Pewabic Pottery, took a drive on Belle Isle right before a shooting, drove through Indian Village, drove down Lakeshore Drive, went to a shower on the East side, drove to Bellevue to visit my brothers and niece and nephew and nephew-in-law, drove to a great wedding in Madison, shopped at Howell outlets, bought a Mustang, bought a personalized license plate, went to lunch at Cotswold Cottage in Greenfield Village, went to a Tiger's game in the pouring rain that was re-scheduled, went to a book signing by Al Kaline, went to lunch with Ms. Mack at Senate Coney Island, visited our friend Heidi's pool, taught a writing ...

Yep, today is the day she leaves to go back to Arizona. This is my first year not taking her back, she doesn't need me to go with her to unpack or move anything. I have been in AZ in Aug for quite a few years, the last 4-5 with Amanda so it feels weird. I will miss her! We had a lot of fun this summer. I have cleaning, sorting and painting to finish. I let things go because we needed that time to do "stuff". We bought too much and spent too much money...no regrets. I know today will be hard. Tomorrow will be better, and so on. Pretty soon we will head back to school. Double ugh. It is so hot the month of September, it drains you. Looking forward to October and hope I can fit in a trip to AZ for a LONG weekend. Time goes so fast and the busier you are, the faster it goes. Lunch this week with the girls here, Bunco, finishing Art room, finishing the upstairs cleaning and sorting and hopefully fitting in time to make new valences for my room as I have been una...

Not thinking of this as our last week together for awhile. Went to the outlet malls yesterday. Was an expensive trip! Went for a bike ride to Melanie's house and took poor Malfoy out to play in the hallway last night. Amanda got her sequential tail lights and left for Andy's about 10:30. I haven't heard if or not she got them installed. I woke up after 1:00 and I didn't know if she was back or not. Trying to get to Bellevue today to visit Josh & Annette and Dave and Bob. Can't get anyone to FB me back or call. It is going to be a hot one today. I heard mid-nineties. Poor Casey is about as itchy as I have seen her all summer. Still on the atopica but I upped her to every other day. She ate a pair of Amanda's underwear Sat. (didn't look like much fabric or elastic..only a small piece) and has been feeling a little punk. If I am not worrying about that dog, I am paying for her! It is what it is!

Ok, we are already a week into August. I am getting flipped out just thinking about the summer winding down. I am not ready for Amanda to go back to Arizona. Summer time goes so fast with her here. We never get to spend enough time together. I have to respect her decision to go to ASU but I don't have to like it. I know she loves being at school (well-sort-of) and her independence but I also know she wishes she could come home a little more often. How hard to get on a plane and not see your home until the pool is closed and all the leaves are gone off the trees and flowers are dead. Ok enough. I need to enjoy this week and then look forward to the visit I am planning in October. This is the first time in quite a few years I have not gone to AZ in August. She does not need me to "take her back" and move her anywhere! She will unpack her suitcase and be ready to hit the books for year 3. Glad she got to have her Mustang this summer and her new iPhone 4 and a jo...

Can't believe that July 31st is here! The wedding of the summer. All the dignitaries are gathered. One more to pick up from the airport...Chelsea Clinton's wedding you ask? NO! JJ Even and Jackie Smith. What a fun time last night. It is great to have the whole fam damily here. Took some time to get here but so worth it. We only fought half of the time not the whole time. Missing Brian but we will pick him up soon. He was in LA for Adriana's college graduation and is taking the red eye to Memphis, then got bumped up to FIRST CLASS! He was pumped about that! Upon arriving at Memphis, he discovered he is riding to Madison on a true puddle jumper. May take awhile. It was so great to see Matt, Dana, Andrew, JJ, Jackie, Christie, Luke & Leanne, Yooper Joe and Dave & Ellen. All ready for the big day! A rooftop wedding and reception overlooking beautiful downtown Madison. The weather is suppose to be perfect. Let's hope the day is for all of us to ...

Oh what a day! First thing I notice when I went downstairs is that Malfoy the hamster is missing!!! He ran away from home!!! I am so distraught....the resident beagle would love to find him. I was moving his water bottle to make it easier for him to use it and there was a gap in the old cage....oh geeze, oh geeze....I am so sorry! Spent the day working around the house. Getting ready for bunco at my house but found time for the pool and sunning. Yesterday went to a fun wine tasting day with "Larry" a cousin of one of our ADK sisters...he talked too much and poured too little LOL. Angela and I had a great time. I love her new house and neighborhood. Had a problem with my bank.. there idea of overdrafts and mine are way different. I fought to the death and WON!!!! I hate my bank. Painted trim in my bedroom yesterday and the whole room on Monday.....1 more down. Painting the art room tomorrow to fix the ACO paint mistake. Then off to my friend Heidi's pool f...

What a lot of phones to choose from. I was so embarrassed at how crappy my old razr worked. I had a pink one about 5 years ago and it got dropped in the toilet. Well, got a new one and dropped it so many times it split in two. took Amanda's old red one until I could get to the AT&T store. I really didn''t think I would get an iPhone but they talked me into it. I have all the aps on my iPod touch except the phone. So much to figure out (thanks Amanda for the quick tutoring session! Still have to get photos and ring tones. Fun with new stuff. The pink case sealed the deal. It is soooo blah looking just plain. We hit Sonic for lunch today and then spent all that time at the AT&T store. She ordered her new iPhone4. Don't hate me, I have the newest besides that! I can even video and upload everything to FB! Finally found an outdoor clock for us pool users, it is one of those that automatically update...we are in EDT and Otto hit that button but it sti...

Enjoyed a nice lunch at Applebee's with my friend Janet today. We missed each other there last year due to an inept hostess. We finally met up as I was leaving and she was on the waiting bench.....anyway we had a nice lunch and catch up. Then off to Ikea and Home Goods and Hobby Lobby...never early to plan that table for Festival of tables. Play day! Home in time to water beds of dead looking flowers in the 90 plus degree heat. Off to a few minutes in the pool before the big storm. Lights blinked but we escaped the wrath again. Alert cancelled but it is still dark. Still haven't washed that car LOL It is what it is!

Finished painting the wood on the last 3 new windows today. Bought paint that was supposed to match the under-half of the wall in the art room. Well it didn't match. It is lighter. I am so mad! Got some pool and sun time in and need to wash my car when O brings it back after gassing it up. Amanda forgot her name tag and I couldn't run it to her as I had no gas and it would take too long to go to Costco but it was all ok. Making k'bobs for dinner. TV sure is crap during the day....what do we pay for anyway!!!! Beautiful day. Going to lunch with another July birthday tomorrow. Amanda nanny day tomorrow and I will run some errands. Ikea, Lowes, Hobby Lobby etc. We have a bees nest by the pool.....yuk....hate those necessary items. Amanda working until 10:00...ugh....it is what it is.

Just be glad to be home! Lots to do and don't know where to start. Painting trim on new windows upstairs today. Suppose to be in 90's again this week and Amanda is with Nicole nannying today, then works at Meijer....$$$$$$! Had a nice lunch at Sam's Place yesterday after my contact lens appointment. It rained so hard that it looked like we were under a waterfall. They have one wall in the restaurant that is like a greenhouse. It is all glass and curves from the roof and it rained hard for 10-15 minutes like a monsoon. That was it. About 4-5 storms like that yeasterday! It is nice to have Lexi around again. Mel was here too. Matt will be home for the weekend and we are all going to the 175th anniversary of our church Sunday. Matt even bought a new suit (for J & JJ's wedding). We have been members there over 25 years! Ok, off to start the day. Writing camp was fun and I hope to keep blogging this summer. Went to a fun "country" wedding on Sat...

Writing camp has been amazing. It is so cool to have kids just sit and write. You can write too because you don't have to check on them at all because they want to be there!!! No discipline! What a blast to read what they write. They are soooo insightful. I am eager to start summer. So many projects and cleaning and painting and places to go and people to see and shopping and lunches and shopping and shopping. Summer goes so fast and there is so much to do. Amanda only has a little over a month before she returns to AZ. I think I may need to do a trip somewhere! Not going to AZ in August for the first time in years.....it is too friggin hot and she does not need me to move her anywhere...just unpack her suitcase and voila! Saving my trip for October or even better, February break!!! It was so much fun having everyone here for the 4th. It was packed with activities and eating! We were in the pool every day! It was so excellent to see Brian and Andrew and Matt altogeth...

Decided to attack the guest room and paint a very cool blue. With all the white trim and wicker and new quilt, it looks like a B & B or cottage room. 2nd coat tomorrow. Made for a long day. Glad that Amanda got a job at Meijer! Started today. Between "nanny" job and Meijer, she will be gone a lot, but when you buy a car with payments and pay rent all summer, it has to come from somewhere. Glad that she can have this job through school, summers, breaks, etc. Hope it works. Andrew & Brian & Matt home for the weekend of July 4th. Going to Greenfield Village Friday night for the DSO and fireworks and Sue Kage's beautiful Northville home for the parade on Sat. morning. Not much new, birthday on Thurs., creative inklings meeting that day and everyone home by evening. Andrew & Matt both worked for Meijer, Otto worked there many years ago in Kalamazoo when he was working for the temp. people. I never worked there, I got a job at Montgemery Ward in col...

So much to do and don't know where to start. Birthday is Thursday, Creative Inklings meeting Thursday, boys all here Thursday night, TOPS picnic here tonight. I haven't been home yet as last week was math class. Camp starts next Tuesday for writing so that leaves Tues & Wed to do stuff around here. Nothing has been done for months. All the little things, cleaning, sorting etc. Wicked weather yesterday....scary. Looking forward to the 4th with everyone here. Lots of pool sun and fun! Wish we had had the pool when the kids were growing up. Oh well, it is what it is. Hi ho it's off to work (in the house) I go. Note to self...finish book I started before school was out and write article about the state of our schools in Michigan.

DAY FROM HELL!!! Off to Ann Arbor to the Honda dealer to turn in my lease. Two hours of paperwork etc and Matt, who came home last night for Father's Day went with me. He worked there about 5 years ago. Well....getting home there is more construction than for the pyramids....it took us the better part of 2 hours from A2. Well...turned the corner with my beautiful new CRV and ANDREW WAS THERE!!!!!!!! SURPRISE!!!!! I have not seen him in 6 mos. Brian is off to his brother's graduation from middle school in L.A. area for the week and Andrew drove 8 1/2 hours to be home for the Father's Day weekend!!!! Too funny, I have not been food shopping or done anything else to catch up including changing the sheets in guest room but hello.....who cares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My poor piano teacher gave up after me re-scheduling (knows my whole family for over 20 years and had all 3 kids) said...."Take the day off....after 3 times of trying my best to do my lesson....LOLOL. It...

No more pencils, no more books, no more STUDENT'S dirty looks! What a group I had this year, eiy yie yie! I can honestly say if I never see some of that bunch again, it will be too soon. Fun party last night...too tired to sleep! Nice feeling to sleep in. ADK party this afternoon, piano lesson (may have to re-schedule), picking up new car in Ann Arbor and going to Amanda's 2 baseball games. Nice video chat with Andrew & Matt last night. They get so silly! Brian landed safely in L.A. at 2:09 our time. His plane from Philly was delayed over 3 hours. All day to go 5 hours sucks, but he is safe! Congratulations Matthew Sandoval on your middle school graduation. Have fun with your family. I cleaned out 2 filing cabinets of old 4th grade files and old materials we don't use any more. I think I filled 10 boxes to re-cycle. I didn't get my bulletin boards done for fall (who knows where I will be anyway!) or my books sorted (paperbacks). Administrative whispe...

So, I am just home from graduation..I don't want to detail because I am so disappointed with the behavior of the audience that I will say things I shouldn't. Anyway, I was at the kitchen table and got up to go in the family room and Casey was underfoot and I didn't realize she was there. She is always underfoot and always there but....I started to step on her and realized so to avoid a direct step I fell into the corner of the kitchen wall. Tore up my forearm and will be bruised to the nines. That big ugly one on my upper arm looked like a tattoo for about a month. That one was from the garage door to the house. As always, I had my arms full coming in from the car and opened the door which hit the recycle bin and bounced on my arm....the door won. I am usually in a hurry and overloaded. Every day I take more shit to school than when I go on a two week trip to Phoenix. Anyway.....it is what it is! Grades are done, a lot of my "end of the year" stuff is d...

First blog I have had in weeks. I miss my laptop! I am at a workshop for writing across the curriculum so I am writing! Actually on lunch. Interesting stuff. I am so bummed about school lately. It has become so difficult to manage everything. There is never enough time. I get so worried about having to teach another 10-12 years before I can retire. The kids are getting rougher and so is the teaching. More requirements, less help, less money......they want us to raise these kids, not just educate them. Off to other thoughts. It is a beautiful day after rain, storms, humidity and very warm this weekend. The ADK Diva night on Friday was very successful. Spent the weekend catching up after being on Mackinac Island for the Grand Hotel's food show last Tuesday. Always love being there despite the cool temps. It is so peaceful and picturesque, even with the hard work of the food show. I could move there! Looking forward to Amanda coming home in 10 days, Matt's upcomi...

Just got home from Worship Committee, long meeting! One person that shall remain unnamed, had the longest list of notes and nothing to say! Old windbag! Not too bad for first day back, too much to do and too little time. The worst 2 kids in the class went home! One slept half the day and left at noon. Whhhooooo hooooo! Nothing unusual except that my new ring from Gilbert Ortega broke, the stone (turquoise) fell out. Yes, I will be sending it back. I was texting Amanda at 12:45 this morning so it is no wonder I didn't wake up by 6:00. Screwy time change, jet thing! It is what it is!

The week was filled with amazing wonders. The trip to Arizona was simple but long. Houston was another airport. Arrived to Phoenix about 7:00 pm on Easter. Good to be there and see everyone...long day tires. Monday I took Amanda shopping in the afternoon after we slept WAY-IN! Tuesday we just did stuff. Wednesday Amanda, Lexi & Emily and I took the Light rail to Phoenix downtown where I made my new friend who had a weekend pass if you get my drift. Got to go to Oregano's where Kristen works. We spent the day Tuesday at Old Scottsdale, shopping and enjoying the spring weather. Lunch at Sugar bowl. On Thursday, we went grocery shopping and to the Apple store to discover that Amanda had fried her computer which is why mine stayed with her. Flew home on Friday not to the delight of the United people who claimed that because I used 2 different credit cards to book my trip that was originally booked for next week and had to be changed to last week to the tune of another 1...

This week is going too fast! The weather is perfect, it is sooo good to see Amanda and I am just enjoying being here with my best friend of nearly 40 years, Cindy. All the stress has just melted away. I didn't bring my calendar, not thinking about students, grades, car lease that I need to renew, bathroom torn apart, argument with my principal over discipline of rotten behavior, etc. Enjoyed my flights here,( but they took way too long cause I was routed thru Houston), enjoying the weather, went shopping with Amanda on Monday for stuff, went to Old Scottsdale yesterday for much needed down time, bought some cute pieces at Gilbert Ortega, ate lunch at the Sugar Bowl with half of the geriatric population of Arizona! Had dinner at Oregano's where Kristen works and drank too much wine! Oh well, better today about careful eating. Going to take the light rail with Amanda to Phoenix. Drove around yesterday and just checked out places we had not been to for awhile. Fountain ...

Nice to sleep in and shop and do errands. Attended a very somber Tenebrae service tonight. Warm, warm, warm.....probably broke all records.....in 80's. Bloomin' everywhere!!!!! It is a nice break from all the cold and uk. Birds, forsythia, crocus.....spring spring spring! It is what it is! Happy Spring!

What a ton of work to get ready for Spring Break. Wrapping up Reading, Math, Social Studies...not enough minutes in the day. Brought home Draco Malfoy (the hamster), my beta, all my geraniums (so we could open the windows) because they are big and it was HOT. Over 80 today. Had piano today, conferences (how can so many people be Soo dumb) a fight with my boss who seems to stick up for the bad guys (speaking of dumb ass), cleaned up the room as best as I can, made chicken salad, walked the dog, gave 8 tests (now have to correct them) had a birthday party, she brought a cake and 4 bags of 99 cent chips, no knife, no plates, no napkins, no forks and one 2 liter bottle of pop for 30 people, no cups. We are miracle workers for sure! Do parents think that is all furnished by the school? Honestly, what a day. No wonder we are so stressed and have so many ailments. Our Ms. Turner, the lady in the kitchen that collapsed 3 weeks ago in the kitchen, died today at 45. We still don't k...

OMG My neighbor directly across the street took her Christmas wreath down today!! PTL I thought I would have to call the association on her. Not as bad as neighbor kitty-corner that took his Christmas crap down LAST WEEK. I mean the reindeer, tree, snowflakes etc. Some people! What a nice walk with KC! As much as my degenerative arthritis in me feet will allow...Dear God, I sound like my grandmother!!! I washed all the windows inside and out on the ground floor today. How special is that on the next-to-last day of March. Waiting to see if we go out lion or lamb. Came in like a lamb......today was the best for weather. Otto on way to Grand Rapids for a food show. Spending night alone, well with Casey! Subway...eat fresh! Had mock interview for state audit today. Had to have a sub for the day and she sat on her ASS all day. I can't believe she took a 20 minute break and told me she was in the baffroom. I had to have her paged. Other staff said she was on the phone....

Not a bad day! Sunny but cold. School went fast today. One of my students wrote a story that was chosen by Brainstormers to act out. It was very cute. What is with these stupid militia people? What a stupid cult. Do they really think they can get away with this dumb-ass thinking???? "DUH...lets take out the government"...and then what..have these morons run it??? Only 5 days until Phoenix. About the same time it warms up. I still don't have a clue about which car to lease next. Have to have the carpet cleaned, the sink replaced in the bathroom and new windows. Then we have to choose a new mattress and ....it is too much! Too many decisions. It is what it is!

Gosh it could not be any worse. It has been dark and dreary all day. Got all my stuff done today. Matt left for Chicago, celebrated Otto's mom's 108th birthday or maybe it only seems like that. I think she is late 80's but don't really know. Did my shopping, errands, nails etc. Cooked like a crazy fool yesterday. Wasted my afternoon trying to do dinner and desert when take-out is just as good. Palm Sunday today, enjoyed the service. Wish I could enjoy the week, getting up early and working with the ones I work with. Glad to be leaving on a jet to Phoenix a week from today. I am armed with books, dvd's etc. It is already getting dark at 7:00 rainy pm. Hate these kinds of day....it is what it is

We really need to do this in the fall. Long day. It was my job to ride the bus as we picked up parents thru the neighborhoods and took them to the middle school. Glad for Angela riding with me. We had fun at dinner. I didn't realize I was presenting a homework help spheel! We had a good turnout but 13 hour days are too much. Tomorrow is Family reading night. My dog does not know who I am! Better days at school. Could restorative practices really be helping. Could positive comments outweigh negative???? Wrote a great piece on spring today. Did writing circles with my class. They LOVED it. Give me more of loving stuff. Gotta go practice. I will try and get the time to put my recital piece from Creative Inklings on FB. It is what it is.....

Two math meetings, restorative practice workshop, piano lesson, bell choir, parent meeting, Family reading night...oh and I still have to find time to teach! Yikes, no wonder I overslept this morning! Spring is passing before my eyes and I am too busy to get out there and see it. I love this time of year but why is there always sooo much to do??? Time to go to bed and I just got home. Oh well, it is what it is!

Today was a fairly normal day if there is such a thing. My clothesline that has been up for 5 years had been pulled down while a sub was in the room...go figure. Sorry I blabbed the loser in Idol yesterday, I forgot that Pacific time is 3 hours behind me and my girls read who was axed before they watched it and were not happy. Oh the drama at school. Recital practice tonight. And tomorrow on the big piano at the big church. Hopefully I won't get all freaked. It is what it is.

Spent the day in Lansing for our HFT Lobby Day. BEATUtiful day and good trip but feeling is pretty hopeless for school funding this year. Hopefully they will pass a .05 decrease in the sales tax and add a service tax to find the disparity in funding for next year. We are missing money from all the industry that has left town. Ok, enough, it was not very happyville talking to our legislators. Happy St. Patrick's Day....please don't drink and drive...off to bells

Liking the longer days but still not enough time. Went to St. Edith to practice again, I love the sound of that concert grand in that place. Took KC for a short walk, did schoolwork and chatted with Matt. Going to Lansing tomorrow on the big bus with the HFT. We have to beg on hands and knees to get funding for our schools. It is so wrong. Our sports and entertainment idols make millions and we can't fund basic programs in our schools. What message are we sending? The only worth is entertainment....how sad. It is what it is!

Showered, dressed and ready to dry hair when I realized that Otto wasn't up. Went to wake him and he told me it was only 5:30, not 6:30! Don't know what happened to my bedside clock but it was an hour forward! So instead of spring ahead 1 hour, my clock was 2 hours. I am already tired thinking about how tired I will be! Couldn't go back to bed! I will be in bed by 9:00 ha ha! It is finally 6:30 and still very dark! and cold! and winter! It is what it is!

After church this morning, we had brunch with Mike & Jan and had a few mimosas sans orange juice, ha ha great fun. It was another sleepy dusky dreary rainy dark day. Cooked the corned beef & cabbage for Wednesday, made chicken tortilla soup for today and used fake crab for a seafood salad for tomorrow. Did a lot of "stuff" all day, April flowers for church, watered plants, that kind of stuff. This daylight savings time sucks when it is rainy & cold. Now we are 3 hours from Arizona. Amanda is in Las Vegas, which is always 3 hours different from us. Andrew is home from Minneapolis and the weekend is nearly over! It is what it is!

Wow, will it ever stop? It has been the gloomiest day! Raining, dark, windy, cold....it is sooo march. We got spoiled for a couple days. Spent the day getting nails done, laundry, errands, shopping, on the phone with the kids and finally home! Want a fire and want to light candles but it is already 10:00 because of the daylight savings time change. Amanda is in Las Vegas, Andrew was in Minneapolis and took most of the day to fly back to DC thru Wisconsin with a 2 hour lay-over. Had a shoot with a client but didn't know he had to go until late Thursday. Hmmm I get to go to ......the administration building...hahahaha...no glam for me in my job. Enjoyed my shopping day as always......never long enough!!!! It is what it is!

My new little hamster has to spend his first weekend alone in my room at school. Probably will relish the quiet!! Day was uneventful except for the basketball game after school. Our Holbrook team won the first game of the playoffs and went into the final round. Well with 16 seconds to go they pulled ahead after being behind the whole game, by one point and won the championship! What a game.....I will never be able to live with these boys after this! Amanda going to Vegas for her spring break with roomie Emily's family, Andrew flew to Minneapolis for a 2 day work assignment and I am sooo home this weekend as is Matt! No plans except brunch with friends after church on Sunday. Weather has been very spring-like. Progress reports for week 5 of 3rd quarter are mailed, looking forward to recital next weekend and Easter trip to Phoenix in 23 days and Lansing's Lobby Day for our HFT Union next Wednesday. Cancelled the Wicked Witch sub for next Wed and put in for someone new. ...

Does the drama ever end???? I was out all day for writing workshop and received a phone call about a half hour ago from our Restorative Practices person letting me know that my sub suspended 6 students for 3 days. Hahahahaha! As much as they get on my nerves, these were all my 6th grade girls that have never been in any trouble! Evidentially she thought she had "power" to suspend. Katie and I had to call all of them and let them and parents know they are not suspended and the witch has no power in Holbrookland. Who does this woman think she is and why can't we get any decent subs? Oh wait, I know, they pay crap and you get what you pay for. Good piano lesson tonight. Things were going very well today until......geeze loueeze, what could they have done? Ok Katie said the sub said they told her I had written the wrong page on the board (which when teaching 2 grades is VERY possible! If I get distracted or don't do something right away, I am often wrong) but...

Enjoyed the dinner tonight with my math coach and a couple others from Hamtramck. We all use Everyday Math and love it! Home late and poor KC was overdue for a trip. Need to mail out progress reports but they will get done! Need to go practice and, and, and! Off tomorrow for writing workshop and will be helping in the afternoon. Oh the guy on this program was killed by a bus on Grey's last season! Don't know what it is though. Our custodian's wife has responded to her radiation and he received the good news today. Happy to hear that! Now we need to get our kitchen lady well! Went all day yesterday with a minute tear in my left contact, it was 1 day old and I didn't realize it until after school and could not stand feeling like an eyelash was in my eye all day. The previous lens went 6 weeks and the new on 1 day...I don't get it!!!!! Better go practice before Idol is on. I have a list a mile long to do but it is now 8:00 and too late to start any of it...

Finally got a chance to go practice at St. Edith's on the Grand Piano!! Recital songs sound grand! Now how do I stop from being nervous??? The acoustics are something else and the sound is like nothing I will ever have in my house! I would love to practice there every night!!!! Matt, Amanda and Cindy all called tonight so I have been talking forever! Not a bad day today. Time to go realax....I cooked tonight...Costco chicken....yum! It is what it is!

Sorry to Meryl after 17 nominations. She won in 1985 I think but deserves more. Sandra was unbelievable in Blind Side though and appreciate her recognition of Meryl. Did my first literature circle (book discussion) with my class today and they asked to do more. We read "Bud not Buddy". Good read. Made turkey chili tonight....good. Way better than the fish I cooked in the oven that stunk up the house and still lingers.....yuuk. Took KC to vet tonight for all her vaccinations and left $140.00. She had arthritis...big surprise...just like her owners. Ok now what???? Doggie steps to the picnic table??? A doggie walker with tennis balls on 2 of the feet?? Dr. C recommends glucose supplements and a special dog food to help her age gracefully. What about me???? LOL I need all that but after leaving $140.00 I can't afford it....our friend at school is still in ICU and needs our prayers and support....it is what it is.

Done in!!!!!! Haircut, nails, shopping, people over for Trivia, did snacks, and the best dessert from Kraft Food & Family magazine. Bottom layer crushed oreo cookies. 2nd layer was cream cheese, sugar and cool whip, 3rd layer was vanilla pudding, cool whip followed by a layer of cool whip.........everyone LOVED it. I have to go to bed, my eyes are heavy, I am very tired. Oh our staff member that collapsed is holding her own with a weak heart and a collapsed lung...hoping she can make a full recovery!!!! It is what it is.

I wish with all my heart that I didn't have to write this....today started with an incident I am still not able to deal with. We had one of our staff members who fell and had a seizure. I happened to be in the office when someone who speaks very little English come into the office, and was very distressed because one of the other ladies in the kitchen had fallen. I was standing there dealing with a student who came into the room where I was working on the computer with another teacher on a school improvement survey. I had walked the student to the office to find out what what going on and this woman that works in the cafeteria was very distressed saying....."Ms. Dobos, Ms. Turner fell...she is in the kitchen...come....come...help...Ms. Jeannie (person-in-charge in kitchen) not there...please...help." Thank God, I turned to our secretary of 2 days and said " Call 911" I thought this person had fallen down the stairs. I followed her to the kitchen...

Oh geeze what a day. You would think after my self sacrifice of Tuesday in Lansing and being out for School Improvement yesterday, the kids would have been decent today. It started out ok but I have a proverbial liar/cheater that will be absent tomorrow. Add to that the 6th grade that is louder than a twice as big 5th grade. They so tick me off some days. They can be real pigs and very disrespectful. Part of the problem is the lack of consequences. The parents are all too eager to make excuses and deny their child's behavior. After tomorrow I will be down to 30. This boy has fooled away the year and is always behind. Mother wanted time for him to make-up assignments and I said "No, not again." Homework policy clearly states, 1 day per 1 day absent and he hasn't been absent, just fooling around. Sorry and goodbye, going to other 6th grade where he will find the teacher gives way more homework than I do. Hahahahahahahaha! I am so sick of my class' beh...

Worked all day on updating reports to the state that we just turned in. Honestly, they get sooo nit picky! Recovering from trip yesterday. The kids were dragging also. Hard to get out of bed. Forgot the part about the frozen fog about Howell to Lansing. It was beautiful on the trees but made visibility even worse. GPS's don't hold a charge long enough and busses don't have cigarette lighter plugs to charge them. Oh well! The fog miraculously lifted almost exactly at 10:00 am at almost Lansing city limits. The field trip from hell will never be forgotten but has already turned in to a laughing tale. We will journal our adventures tomorrow! It is what it is! Thanks Z for your support!

OMG!!! We just got back from Lansing after an 11 hour field trip. We left Hamtown at 8 am, got lost on the way, was a little late, walked about 5 miles, climbed the steps twice to the 3rd floor of the capitol, was escorted on the floor of the House of Representatives, met with Representative Burt Johnson, met with former Representative John Stewart, was escorted on the floor of the Senate with Senator Martha Scott, saw everything we went to see and were ready to leave at 5:00.....no bus. The battery died and they had to send a replacement bus. We had to leave the capitol as it closes at 5:00. A very nice lady directed us to Lansing Community College's cafeteria which was only 3 blocks away but....it seemed like 3 miles! Anyway, we called all the parents, fed everyone again and waited. At 7:30 we finally climbed on the replacement bus for the hour and a half trip back to Hamtramck. Talk about an adventure. It is what it is. Kudos to all the chaperones and the kids who held i...

Sorry Matt that you were mad when you left for Chicago. I had fun shopping and doing "stuff". I understand that it sucks when you barely make enough to have ends meet that you have to pay more for taxes still. It sucks that people take advantage of extra unemployment instead of looking for a job because they are "due" that money for losing their job. It sucks that people live off the government everything...free food, free medical, free everything. It sucks that people that do make a lot of money find "deductions" that the rest of us don't. It sucks that I have more education than the average person and still don't make a ton of money. I preached education for my children and a lot of good that did. It is what it is. Glad that Amanda is back from skiing and had a safe weekend! Andrew is finding out what life is like to work full-time and go to graduate school. (without 3 kids in 3 schools) It really is what it is......

It was so nice to sleep late. Lots to do. Catching up on Idol and Grey's. Matt arrived safely after a long drive home from Chicago. We were with tennis group but not too late. I had a luncheon at work to say goodbye to Kimmy who is our secretary and is moving to technology after 9 years. Then we had a program for Black History Month and I left that about 5:00. We had had snow again so it took about an hour to get home. Just plum tuckered out with lots to do today. I wish there was a way to divide my classes and work with them alone. It works soooo much better. No prep time again today. That is 4/5 I have NOT had this week. Sure we get compensated but it's the TIME that we get lesson plans, grades, xeroxing etc. done. The teacher for this class comes from another building and is totally useless. She is not there at least 2 days a week which leaves a totally useless sub and never leaves lesson plans. Not that she has any for the kids anyway. I can't believe h...

Yesterday was Otto's 65th birthday...not believing that my husband is 65! I am fed up with math meetings, hosting them in my room and providing everything, losing my prep time so that I can't get my lesson plans done and oh wait...I need to be grateful that I have a job. The stuff we put up with and the stress!!! Ok, enough of that. Anyway the week has been full of stressful drives in. The snow is driving us all nuts. The ice, the freezing temps. ARRRGGGHHH. I feel like I am getting something in my chest...oh no. We have a luncheon tomorrow for Kim leaving and then a thing tomorrow night and I have to make something for both. Picked up the cake from Costco, went to Piano (recital is a countdown), picked up a sub, treadmill, BUNCO. Had a great 4-way video chat with the kids last night. Cool!!! Otto had dinner with his Mom cause the roads were so bad that I went straight to bell rehearsal. Oh well. Off to play...it is what it is. Need to post my new tattoo!

Ha, I said it was ominous feeling! What a pleasant surprise! Most of the expected Monday snow hit last night and by 5:30 they called school. We've had about 8 inches and it is heavy and wet. It has slowed to almost nothing but I have not left the house all day! Just having a nice cuppa...raspberry on my mother's good china cup. Some candles have been lit and I just did stuff all day. Put the valentine's stuff away and got out the St. Pat's. What a gift! Casey and I have enjoyed not doing much. The day went very quickly. I washed and dried my car yesterday and glad to have it sit clean today. I am sure that tomorrow it will be all salty again. Dentist appt. canelled as well as TOPS tonight. So I don't have to go ANYWHERE! Caught up on looking at photos on FB, talked to Amanda and just enjoyed the no stress day! It is what it is and it is good today!

It started out sunny but is dark and quiet. Does that mean snow is on it's way? It was nice enough to take Casey for a 4 block walk and she is sacked out on the kitchen floor! Church was nice this morning, nice vocal from men's chorus. Kinda a quiet day, not a lot to do which is awesome. Tried to find a hamster to replace Hagrid and no one has them anymore. Have to explore more pet stores. Got my car washed and hand dried it in anticipation of the snow. We are reading a novel at school so I had no spelling or reading tests to correct and was only there 2 days so I have no other papers or tests. Whoooo hoooo! Very nice dinner last night. Bought Otto a briefcase for his b-day from all of us. Am ready for a trip to DC to hopefully see the cherry blossoms in April. Last year we arrived the evening they all blew off the trees! Arrrrgh. Talked to Amanda & Andrew, Matt to go yet. Fire in the fireplace just to have the ambiance. It is what it is!

had an awesome shopping day. Kohl's had an early bird price day and I had a 10.00 gift card and paid 16.00 for about 50.00 worth of stuff. Then Pier I gave me a 20.00 gift card so I bought 22.00 worth of stuff on mycharge and only paid 2.40 for it. It was a nice day. Have reservations for dinner at Andiamos for Otto's birthday (on Wed) and will be doing dinner soon. Yum...love Italiano. Stuff went well today. Bought new beta today, mine died. Getting new hamster tomorrow, mine died. Yikes. Looking forward to the snow! It is what it is!!!

News flash! More snow expected Sunday through Tuesday. I think I have a meeting or activity every night this week! So, it will just get rescheduled! I need to go to the grocery store and do errands. Hoped to get to Costco last night but had the National Junior Elementary Honor Society induction last night and out of 14 students, 7 were mine. I had to stay and I can't stop anywhere that late when poor Casey is waiting to go outside! So Costco on a Sat. it is! And Target, and Kohl's and ......Pier I is on my list. They sent me a 20.00 gift card that expires tomorrow so I have to use it! Ok, off to start the day. It makes me feel pretty good about the NHS. This group of kids will be the class leaders and graduate with honors. Every graduation I have been to , the kids that are the officers, NHS etc were top kids when they were in the 5th grade. It is enlightening to see success. I would like to think I have been a part of it but then I would have to take blame for t...

When I got to school in daylight, I realized that I had carefully chosen the navy socks and shoes but grabbed the black pants! Oh I hate myself. Then Hagrid, my hamster didn't move. I had not seen him since last Friday and he wasn't real active then. Anyway, I had to get rid of him before the kids came in. Then I cut my arm on the staircase and God knows what germs are there! But, I did find a bus company to take us to Lansing for $740.00!!! Yikes. The kids agreed to pay a bit more for our trip! And.....my piano lesson was excellent! I really worked for those recital pieces!!!! I am almost ready...a few more lbs.!!!! I can't afford the car I want and it feels like a no good very bad day. It is what it is!

Just filling out the form to teach writing camp this summer again and realizing how much I have grown as a writer this year made me want to fill out my blog before I settle in to watch Idol. I have tried, this school year, to become more focused on the writing and less focused on the mechanics of writing. It is hard sometimes but they really have been quite creative in their stories. It is like a sandwich that is full of good stuff in the middle but you don't much like the bread and have to pull back the layers, throw away all the gunk and get to the "meat". Lent started today. We don't have a service, would to have liked to have gone to make it more concrete. No chocolate or meat for me. I actually cooked fish and veggies and rice in the oven. Quite tasty. Had another professional development on Neo boards. They are like a keyboard that you can answer questions, type etc. A lot of work to set up and only 2 sets per school and we don't have any cords or...

It is only 2 days but better than nout. Just fooling around on the computer looking for stuff I can't afford! Went to look at Honda's yesterday I spent 2 hours of torture at the dealership. Drove a CRV (bottom line) and didn't like. Saw no reason to drive another CRV that had leather seats and all the accouterments. The drive would be the same wouldn't it???? May end of with a new Accord if I can't get a reasonable payment. Going back with Otto tonight. Having lunch at Papa Vino's with 2 girlfriends that I haven't seen in awhile. Getting KC's license, just doin' stuff. Cleaning day so I better hit the shower and get out of here soon. Piano progressing nicely. Entertainer is about 99% and Farewell to Ireland about 95%. Stopped at Evola music yesterday and looked at the new pianos which sparked me to look at Craig's list. Lots out there for minimum costs. But, I need help from Mona (my piano teacher). Actually went there to look for ...

Today started as a normal Saturday. Had a delayed piano lesson as my teacher's father passed this week and she re-scheduled most of us. Did my errands, talked to Amanda and just did Saturday stuff. Went to a Music Dept. concert at Ward Pres. last night. Am off for 4 days for winter break. Otto does not want to go to service tomorrow because he still has a big bandaid on his face for the skin cancer operation from Monday.....4 times in the OR until they got it all. I won't go alone so..........wondering what we will do Sunday and then M & T. Want to take my Honda Accord to dealer to figure out what I will do when lease is over in a month. Hoping to shop and maybe do lunch with friends on Tuesday. Bought Otto new watch for VD and BD because he lost his Seiko at C-Mas in the parking lot of a restaurant when the bank broke after about 25 years. Loved that watch. Bought one at Kohl's.. Not nearly as nice but it looks similar. We will see. Ok that is it for no...

Found out last night by 9:30. What elation! Slept in and did lots of little stuff all day. Got to the mall and since our street has not been plowed, the Honda did not want to leave the driveway. Had to work it! It's quiet here and I need that once in awhile. Told my kids last night I would see them on Thursday and it worked!!! I don't like to be alone too long but one day is nice. I miss Amanda and the boys a lot. We got a lot of snow. I don't know how Andrew & Brian are coping with all their snow in Washington DC. This morning they had another eight plus inches on top of the 20 plus last weekend. It was still coming down, blizzard conditions and whiteout, with another 8 expected. Andrew hasn't been to work in a week. The city is paralyzed! It can get old. A year ago I flew to DC on this Sunday for a week's visit and there were flowers blooming. It was brisk but sunny and NO SNOW from about half-way on the flight. This year sheesh! Glad I am no...

That is what we need, want and hope for! Puleeze! We get two gimmes, so bring em on! Andrew & Brian are cursing the 20 plus inches in Washington DC. The city has shut down, everything started closing yesterday including airports and the rest of the country became affected. They went to 3 grocery stores trying to find "supplies" for their Super Bowl party Sunday! Things are tough there! Glad I am not going for our February break for a week like I did last year. It was so nice with the exception of one day that Luke, Mike and I went to the Washington Monument it was snowing sideways! The flowers were blooming in February! Anyway, we only get two days so it is not an issue. I am missing them and want to go visit again. I can bounce my weekends between Chicago, Washington DC and Arizona anytime! Poor Casey then misses me! LOL It is what it is! Guess we will have spring before they get rid of all that snow. We still have green grass. Not fair!

Today flew. I was out for a workshop in am and had the sub for the pm so I did some grades, met with the rp rep (restorative practices) and told her no Barney stuff for these 5th/6th graders...you know "I love you, you love me" crap. Some of that stuff drives me up the wall. They are beating the crap out of each other and then have to walk away saying their best friend.....right! Conferences yesterday, why is it the parents you want and need to see don't come????! TGIF It is what it is!

But not enough to do anything but mess up the roads. Typing worship minutes, putting in an avon order (after 26 1/2 years still doing that), typing the flower sheet for church for February and planning a Super Bowl party for a few friends. Geesh life is expensive and all they want to do is cut our benefits and have us take concessions. We fought so hard to be professionals and we make so much less than people in the business world with equal education and experience and now we are fighting to keep from drowning. The state would love to see our unions busted and new, young inexperienced teachers take over in the charter schools because they will work for so much less. After all we are just glorified babysitters who have to push their classes to pass MEAP, state standards and I am teaching Algebra, Geometry and things like changing fractions to percents and decimals to FIFTH GRADERS! They need to be able to convert metric to standard, measure and figure perimeter, area and volume, ...

Up for early service and had the whole day to do all the things that needed to be done and caught up with Andrew & Amanda. Otto decided to have a Super bowl party next Sunday so, if you are looking for a place to watch the game come on over. Did a lot of nothing and made chicken noodle soup today. Very cold this weekend and glad to stay home and not have to go anywhere else. About to watch Desperate Housewives. I am a Desperate Housewife....LOL back to the grind tomorrow, conferences 1/2 day on Thursday and Sex Ed refresher on Friday, guess I have forgotten what I knew about teaching Sex Ed!. No comment.....it is what it is!

As I watch her sleep and enjoying me home, it makes me wish I could stay with her here. It is 11 degrees and we are out of food again. Being in Chicago last weekend, I didn't buy food! Need to get nails done, go to the florist, buy light bulbs, buy out Target, etc. Lots to do here, finish grades (my school insists on a hard copy that I still have to write out yet) Went to our friend's house in Washington Township last night for a fish fry. Their brother-in-law, who is retired, has a second home in Alaska, caught and brought back an 80 lb. halibut. MMMMMMMMM! It was the best. Good to visit and see friends we haven't visited with in awhile. It is an hour drive each way though. Spent an hour video chatting with the boys Thursday night. Will catch up with Amanda this weekend. Am laughing about people who chose to be "child-free" (LOL) I have to say that the wrong people are choosing to be child-free. There are some real good reasons to help a lot more p...

I actually left school before 3:30 after doing my daily bus duty. Stay until all the busses are gone. It is so frickin cold my fingers were numb and my ears burned. Had my lesson today, gearing up for recital in March (jitters already) We made snowmen for fun today and got through all our lessons...oh wait, dumb and dumber were suspended! How nice to have 25 today. Funny story: One of my girls was in the hall throwing a paperback up in the air and catching it. Well, one time she missed and it hit one of my 5th grade boys in the face and he decked her which resulted in a smackdown. I pulled him aside and asked him what had happened. His answer " I did what I had to do!!!!" Out of the mouthes........It is what it is! Gotta love kids!

Not trying to make fun of anyone but in Chicago this weekend, someone introduced to Otto said " Oh that's a parallelogram!!!!! Well being the math nerd that I am had to step in and say "You mean a palindrome??????? ahahahahahahahahahahahaha!.......sorry 0102 / 2010 it is what it is

Amanda at Dr. today and he agrees she may be anemic. What a day! Did a science project with Foss kits and I have sand in my eyebrows. I have had 4 kids on suspension for various offenses, fighting ect. and one kid pinched another so hard he had a huge bruise. My principal told him to find a new school. I have a couple failing who come to school late, sleep as needed, bring nothing and do nothing except disrupt. Since we are a public school we can do nothing. Parents false promise or won't support us. You know....our fault. And they want to base our pay on merit. I am learning to let it go. I had a father say "well you know, he has asthma and has to go to the orthodontist all the time......... Well.....everyone in my family has asthma and they all had braces and weren't the shitheads I have to deal with. My parents would have smacked me out of the solar system if I acted the way they do. On the bright side......2 of my 5th graders (hope for next year) took 1st...

Been working after school in my room for a couple hours a day getting everything ship shape for the state audit in April. Do this do that but don't worry about it. They say I need a meeting place for my 30 adult-sized kids on a rug....hahahahahahahahahaha! I barely can walk in my pint-sized room with double everything for 5/6. Another cabinet to cram all the crap we have been given from the latest grant $ for the latest stuff. That will so make me a better teacher..more crap. I am lucky to teach the basics to 2 classes every day. What we need are smaller classes and more help...go figure. It is such a simple solution, yet no one has thought of it. I spent over 2 hours last night correcting papers, posting grades and just catching up and more to do tonight. It never ends. June, July, August! However, after the last day being June 16th, I start Math class for 7 days the very next day and then agreed to teach writing camp again so I will be free by July 10th and PLEASE no...

Enjoyed the time change going.....not so much coming back. Friday, took KC to vet to discover her ear infection still there. Vet took care of bump on her eyelid. Washer repaired, errands done and left for Chicago only to get there and enjoy Matt & Dana's company until very late. Sat we hung around, talked, watched old episodes of Jeopardy and went to Snookers to celebrate Matt's 26th birthday with many of his friends and co-workers. Bursting with pride at all the good things everyone had to say about him. Dana's new condo is top-notch new and beautiful and accolades to her for having us stay there. We saw nothing new but just enjoyed relaxing and visiting. The weather was 50 degrees plus but rainy, foggy and ucky all weekend. When we left today, you could not see the top half of the Chicago skyline! Watched "All Creatures Great & Small" DVD's there and back and enjoying very much. Thank you Cindy! KC went to Grandma's for the weekend....

All day spent on School Improvement Team, and attended district School Improvement Team. Late piano lesson, watching last night's Idol after bunco was last night. Awful sleep night. I hate those nights. Amanda called and it is raining coyotes and scorpions in Arizona. All the traffic lights are out and the wind has been horrific all day. She arrived at class soaked to the bone and the teacher made her take her hat off! Nice....idiot. Oh well, it is what it is. Sleeping in tomorrow, taking Casey to the vet for her 14 day check up after her ear infection a month ago. Washer repair guy coming at noon to replace the timer in the washer, doing some errands and paying bills and hitting the road to Chicago for the weekend. Hope the weather holds, suppose to have freezing rain. Wouldn't that be a crap or crap if it got bad and school cancelled on my day off? LOL My kids have been horrible. Science projects due on Monday. Good luck with that. I feel for my sub tomorrow...