Almost Halloween

I am glad to say that Trick or Treat is almost here. We only have 3 1/2 days of school this week. Halloween Day we will be having parent teacher conferences. I only have one scheduled this year. Maybe more will sign up soon. Usually folks just drop by to say "hey!" I have some of the greatest students and parents around. Of course just two weeks ago we had Swap Day and I had many parents then. Most of us talked then.

Well happy halloween. I will be writing later. I need to finish my presentation for the Transition Conference. AAAGGGHHH!!

It is about finished then I need to write the information for the folks that are coming to hear me present. I will have to rewrite it for the conference in December since I am making it a fall theme. Oh well I will only need to change backgrounds and maybe some of my transitions.

Where has October Gone

Here it is the 16th of October. The first quarter has quickly passed. I can feel Christmas Carols about to come bursting out of me. I know that if I find an XM station playing those songs I will be "blasting" them over my stereo. I had Rachel last night and the night before. Poor thing has to stay with grandpa and grandma 3 nights a week. Well sometimes I will take her home if she wants to go. Last night she didn't have skating practice, I offered to run her home since it was early. No she wanted to stay with her grandparents. We always have kept our doors open for them to come visit.
Casi called last night and wants me to find out where the train leaves up around where they live. They want to go to the Thomas the Train ride. I think it would be a great train ride to St. Louis and that riding Thomas would be WOW! I know that Devon will REALLY be excited and Austin will like it also.
All for right now.
Da Bo

Great Weekend

This weekend we spent picnicing, geocaching, and just havin' plain ole fashion fun. On Friday I had meetings all day. On Saturday I planned to get "tons" of work done. Instead I ended up working on things important for school... lessons. On Sunday I met up with the kids at Turkey Run. We cooked out, went on a hike, played, did some tumbling, then we went geocaching. The geocache was near a covered bridge. Isabella really likes America. However while geocaching it began to get dark, especially in the woods. This bothered her, but she stood strong and we all came out with just a few bug bites. When we first arrived at our geo spot there were some deer standing in a field. Leaving there the field was full of deer resting. She took lots of pictures of the animals. Chris and Isabella went back to Michigan City as Isabella had school Monday and Chris had to work half day. Lara came home with Kristina, Rachel, Ashley and me. What a surprise for her dad. He was glad to see her. On Monday I took Lara over to Kokomo so they could sign the paper work to sell their home there. I know Lara and Chris will miss it and I know their neighbors will miss them. Lara got the recipe for the sugar cream pie that is so wonderful. Lara, Chris and I went to have dinner at Outback... Bloomin' Onion, baby back ribs, sweet potatoes, apples and their bread. Great meal, good company, and many laughs. I headed home and Chris and Lara went geocaching. Now we are all back in the swing of things. Rachel is getting excited about going to the skating competitions. However many of them seem to fall on Jason's weekends. She is not happy. She is scared he will not take her to them. I hope he can find it in his "fatherly" heart to do what is important to his children. The activities they are involved in are important to them. It is important that they learn they are important and not just a financial "burden." Sometimes it is important to see that the money paid in support is not all the support that is needed for your children. Enough of my rantings and how disappointed I am in their father by how he treats them and their mother.

Dad and his 2008 Harley

Well, he is trading it in on a 2009 Kaw.... I know he loves Kaw's and really misses the one he used to have. The Harley just isn't real comfortable.

The meetings went well this morning. Just so much new to digest along with new reg. changes. I really wish someone in the congress would ask for teacher input....!

I am "decluttering" the attic. I have a little of every one's things up there, plus dad's and mine. I have a few antiques if any of you want them. (My family only.) There are two sets of dishes, one was my grandmother's and one was my mom's. I think Mom's we will use at Thanksgiving, since she just had her 90th party it would be great to use them again. We are so blessed to have a solid foundation for a family to build on. Of course the docs are telling us that she will probably live to be at least 120. I guess that is what honest, hard working, loving families have to look forward to.

I am very proud of all four of our children. You all understand hard work and dedication. Your financial sense makes you good strong people. I love the fact you are all good with money and managing credit. It shows in what you can purchase when you want it. I am proud of the fact that you are all going to college to become teachers and physical therapist. It is tough though on getting together since it seems between your work schedules and school we can't get together much. (Austin can't wait for the next vacation!)

Casi we are all proud of the fact you decided to go through with the brain surgery. You are showing us how strong you are. Dad and I have both discussed how much happier you seem and how you are more like the little girl with the ocean blue eyes and the big wide grin we knew.

It seems odd not having a million things to do. I have finally caught up with the work I needed to get done to feel prepared for school. I am now a week ahead of schedule and I can now get a few weeks ahead I hope.

Next Saturday I will probably be doing Sat. school as Brenda asked me to do it. I always let the "young ones" have an opportunity to do it for the extra pay, however she doesn't want that next week because of how many and who the students are. The good thing about it is the pay on payday.

The desk I designed for Nichole is working great. She really loves it. Now she can be in her wheelchair and do homework with enough area to work and within her field of vision.

I do have a gripe with someone, but I won't put it on here in case they decide to read it. He just.... Oh well some folks just don't understand what family is and how you should own up to your responsibilities... Co-operation is important to keep children okay. I don't like the childish game playing. Besides he didn't do much supporting when married so why when your not. Get the hint! Besides this is my site and I have a right to my opinion and the knowledge that leads to this opinion.

Off that blink, blink, blink subject.

Bella we would love for you to stay awhile longer. It is so great adding you to our family. Mom loves you and so do the rest of us. Lara and Chris are really great "parents." Goes back to the fact they have two great sets of parents and families that understand that families can extend beyond just the house you live in and/or country.

Dad Orville is still not well. He is deteriorating so quickly. Mom makes sure she goes out to feed him at least once a day. He won't eat for anyone else for some reason. We are not sure why. I guess mom's face is kind of familiar or maybe she reminds him of his mother. I think she will have a hard time loosing a second husband, however he is not much more than a vegetable now and it is heart breaking. The people at church always ask about him.

Speaking of church, Chris I will let you know the exact date of the next noodle dinner. It is suppose to be sometime this month.

How is the house sell going? I sure hope it gets closed-on soon. Lara then you can just go to school and not have to worry about the house in Kokomo.

Well I will leave for now. I will try and post my pictures off my camera this weekend. Time is a limited resource. I try to use mine wisely. Sitting here writing...well forgive me but I just need some aaaaaaaaahhhh time.

Dad is in bed, as he is back on his shift. He was to go to the dentist yesterday for a teeth cleaning... no power at the dentist office. Soooooooo. Long drive for nothing.

Da Bo

It has been a month?!!!

Lara's site states it has been a month since I last posted. Time is "flying" by! I hope I can catch up to it. The first quarter is over next Friday. Just doesn't seem possible.
Rachel and Ashley are once again into their after school activities. Rachel is at skating now, so I have a few minutes til I need to go pick her up.
I don't know about the price of gas where you live but I paid 3.27 this morning and on the way home the same station had it at 3.03. I lost .24 cents per gallon. AAgghhh!!!

My students are producing great power point presentations for my speaking engagements. It is kind of nice being one of the top teachers around these here parts. Golden Ruler look out I will be a winning again. I would like to win the Disney teacher of the year. Who's Who in American Education is nice also.

Well the bad news is that the co-op has decided to change the program we are using. Hang it all. I spent over 50 hours after school and on week-ends with the last change (last year). I hope we don't change directors again for a real long time.

I have been asked to participate in several committee meetings. So my life is busier than normal. I need to get off so I can go pick up Ray. She will be finished shortly with her jump and spin practice. She improves every time. GGGGGooooo Rachelllll!!!!!!