Going through...

Going through some pictures I came across these two. I love them.

Ruby, Elizabeth or any suggestions

Ruby, Elizabeth or any suggestions?
Austin gave two names as his suggestion. Chris likes Ruby also. However Lara doesn't seem to be keen on the name. Mom wants Elizabeth. I think I'll just call her Little Lu Jr.
Name suggestions are welcome.

Trip to Wales?

I sure hope that son-in-law Chris gets sent to England or Wales soon. I have a hankering I will have a genealogy trip I need to go on.
It seems that my mother has another uncle. An Uncle William, that did not come to America. I am wondering if their sister Sarah also did not make the trip. I just wonder if she was a servant or something at the time they moved here. I sure wish I would have been older and asked more questions of grandma.

I have evidence of William. I have evidence that he was ill. I now have my mother telling me that her mother talked of her brother William and that he was too ill to come to America.

I also know she has another uncle I cannot account for. Great-grandma Jones talks of him in numerous things, however I know nothing about him and my mother doesn't either.

Oh the trials of a genealogist. The search quest. I will keep plugging away and hope to find my answers.

I need lots of trip money also. I need to write my book.

Great article about schools and testing

How true this author is in his thinking. For many years teachers have said the problems in schools is more than just the teacher. It is a community and family problem also. Read it. Sound off to congress... get rid of NCLB and its testing. Let's get back to REAL teaching in school. Make education more realistic. Not all students want to be rocket scientist... and there would not be enough jobs for millions of them.

Tomorrow...

I think tomorrow will be my baking day. I am in the mood for some cookies and I don't have any.

I also think I am going to start the mints for the baby shower. They will keep good in the freezer, so I need to find some baby molds so I can get started on those.

So much I could be doing; however here I sit in front of this computer.

Think I will scan some of the postcards I have and then some of the magazine articles I have. ...

Life is good. Enjoy it.

Thunder, lightning and wind oh my....

Thunder, lightning and wind oh my....
It is doing it again...storming. Little rain so far, but lots of wind, lighting and thunder.

It has cooled it down. Comfortable sitting outside temperature. Love it.

Casi would be loving it right now. She loves thunderstorms. Just like her dad.

Hamburger balls and loaf

Okay, Devon is here. We were going to have meatballs, however we can't call them that we have to call them hamburger balls. He is now a confirmed lover of hamburger balls.
I asked him if he wants meatloaf for dinner tomorrow night. He said I don't like meatloaf. So I asked do you like hamburger loaf? And the answer, YES!
His reward for eating his hamburger ball all gone... ice cream

How is retirement?

I keep getting asked, "How is retirement?"
Well I don't know. I am technically retired, however I have always had summers off so it does not feel like retirement in most ways.
I have noticed that when I drive by the exit for the school, I think about what I need to do and if I should see if my room is ready to start preparing for next year. Then I catch myself. I don't have to go get things ready for next year.
How is retirement... ask me in late August.

I've been workin' in my garden....

(to the tune of I've been working on the railroad.) I've been workin' in my garden all the live long day...
Yes I have been working in my garden. The flowers are all starting to bloom. Here are a few pictures for you. Remember these are raw, untouched pictures. I have more. This is just a sampling. I am waiting so I can transplant them.
I am going to spray, yes I know I have a wildlife habitat certification, however weeds are overtaking the beautiful flowers that draw my wildlife to my yard.

Graduation for a Swede

Graduation for a Swede ~ Ours anyway. Emilia will be leaving us soon to go home. We will miss that beautiful smile and her love of Harry Potter.
I have made chocolate chip cookies for her graduation party along with some iced sugar cookies. I am also making some butter cream mints. (graduation caps and books)
Will miss you Emilia. It has been really nice getting to know you.

Retirement

It does not feel like I am retired yet. Of course this could be because I always have the summers off. In the fall I think I may miss not teaching. I have caught myself a few times thinking of things I need to do in my "classroom" soon. Isn't it funny that teachers start planning for the next school year just as their regular year ends?
I know many people believe that teachers do not work during the summer months. They do. Not always just on things for school, but second jobs and classes.
This will be a strange year for me. No workshops, no classes I need to take for those CPUs and no planning for next years classes.

Garden

Wow I really need my Gardener to get out of jail. His drinking gets him in trouble.
I went out in the garden today, spending about 2 hours just weeding and digging up a few plants for a former student that gave me a dozen cannas bulbs.
I am thinking I need to redo the garden. I don't know. I think this will have to be a fall project as I am afraid to dig some of my plants up this time of the year. I will think on this a bit.
I am thinking of taking the master gardeners classes. That would be fun.
I am off to think on the garden bit, taking notes of what I have and then decide what I want to do.

Emilia and the kite

Emilia told us that she has only tried to fly a kite one time. It didn't go so well. There were too many trees in her neighborhood. So we took her kite flying and picniced.

Devon and the Hamburger balls

Okay we all know meatballs. Devon loves hamburger balls, aka meatballs. He doesn't like meatballs though. I guess it is all in the name.
Austin ate 5 and a half meatballs. He just wants his uncle Chris to know that he ate more than he did and that he holds the family record right now.

Today

Today I went to my final check out of school day. Then I met my wonderful husband in Champaign and we went out to eat and then the book store. Came home went to my mother's and my cousin Glenda came by. We went to two of the many cemeteries so Glenda could learn some family history. Came home. Went to get some LJS for dinner, mom wanted this, and we ate with mother. Now I am trying to figure out where to put all my 30+ teaching years worth of stuff.
Tomorrow I will maybe feel I am retired.

Ahhhhh.

Relief, retired officially in less than 24 hours. Oh how great it feels. It was a hard decision at first, but as the school year progressed I decided it was time. The younger generation needs to move into my spot. If the state of Illinois has their way, congress and an idiot governor, teachers will be the oldest working class in America, age 67. Not only that they want to take away half of the money you have earned to pay for their poor leadership. Attack big business or your own pensions, not people who work 30+ years, more than 40 hours per week without overtime pay, no paid holidays, no paid vacations. We need to overhaul the pension plans of congress members, why do they collect full pension, even when they only work 4 years to receive it? Cuts... let's start by cleaning the pension system of congress and governor first. Maybe they need to be able to only collect one pension... which do you want? Teachers that have paid into social security, at a different job, only receive about 25% of their benefit... what is up with that? Yet congress can collect full pension from more than one fund. Why do railroad widows have to choose between the half benefit they receive from their husband's retirement or their own? Why do spouses only receive half of their spouses pension when the spouse passes away... they both gave in some way and should get the full benefit... More research needs to be done. American people need to start standing up and telling congress we have a voice, we have the power, we want change, but let's start right there with you all. You get to write your rules for you, I want to write your rules! You have the UNFAIR advantage!

Genealogy Dig

Wow I just found a census that states one of my great-grandmother's sisters had 13 children. I did not know she had so many. I have not found out when she died either. As far as I can tell no one else that is researching that line knows either. I guess one of my trips this summer will have to be to Wisconsin (Even though I have sworn I would not give them any of my hard earned teaching money with what they did to teachers there.).
I also need to go to Tennessee. I have a few unanswered questions there. Then of course I have plenty of research around here.
We are going on a motorcycle trip to Colorado. I need to see what research I need to do between here and there. Never hurts to make plans for when the weather is such that you cannot ride.
I also need to go to Indiana. I have some questions that the answers may be there.
My retirement will be full this summer. But so is every other summer.

Indy 500

This weekend is the big Indy 500. We are taking our grandsons. Our daughter,Lara, her husband and Emilia are all going with us. Kristina and Dustin are going as well as Rachel and Ashley. Or at least Rachel and Ashley want to go. Their father is insisting on them spending extra time with him if they go because it is his weekend. Rachel doesn't want to do that. So I don't know if they will be going.
Devon wants to go because Austin wants to go. I don't think Devon knows what it is or how hot it can be.
I just hope it doesn't rain and storm for the race. Looking at weather reports... well the race might not happen.

A New Life...

Well not really a new life, but time for change. I have worked most of my life. I started babysitting at the age of 10. That's right, 10. I think back and wonder, just what were those people thinking, I was 10 and babysitting their new baby. Of course they lived across the alley from us, so I guess they figured I could call my mom. I mowed lawns for others, never asked to be paid as they were all elderly people and I just liked to mow. Then I babysat on a regular basis for 3 families. I worked at my uncle's restaurant and I worked at my aunt's boutique. I worked at a department store and scrubbed floors at a nursing home. And then I did what I did for a major part of my life... taught school.
I retire in just 3 days. Wow does that ever sound great... retirement.
I have been teasing the students all year that I was going to go home and just bake cookies one of these days. Well I really wasn't joking, as I had already made up my mind I wanted to retire.
My daughter is just starting her teaching career... she is "inheriting" lots of stuff for her classroom. She has been laying claim for awhile now... so now she can just have it all. 34 years worth of collecting!
So Hello new life. Sewing machine oiled and dusted off. Cookie sheets ready to go. Lets see what I can find to fill up my days. I may need to sub once in a great while, just to feel I am contributing to the future. Who knows. I sure don't. This is kind of scary. But it is also kind of exciting.
Maybe I'll write a book.

Study hall

Talk about being quiet... well most of them were. I told them I would not sign their test waiver if they were as loud as Thursday. Most were quiet. Some well they can't get out of finals, so they were just their normal selves.

I have been told I have the quietest study hall.. I say if they are quiet, then what do the others sound like?

I have the largest... 57 students 29 are freshman.... the rest are juniors....

Made the....

I have put in for retirement. Yes, I have taught many years. Many times under appreciated for all the hard work. I will miss most of the students, however there are some I will never miss.
It is not I will not miss the student... it is their behaviors, attitudes, lack of parent involvement, too much government... too many that do not know what they are talking about.
I ask students that are not achieving, "What can I do to help you be successful?" Their response, "Nothing! If I want to learn it I will. But I am here to visit friends. I could careless about what teachers are teaching."
So there you have it. Congress... stop blaming teachers, start blaming congress and stupid laws, regulations, tests that prove nothing... You cannot educate when you have to teach to a test. There is so much more to education and you have no clue. Ask real teachers and not people who have not been in an educational setting except maybe the college level. If they are not currently in education or just retired they have no clue!

To Retire....

To retire or not.... well lets see.... hummmmm..... maybe!

Seniors last day

Thank God it is their last day. It seems when they get near the end of their senior year they become, "I KNOW EVERYTHING!"

10 days

10 days left for teachers; 8 days left for underclass; 2 days left for seniors. Wish that study hall was full of seniors.

look at the countdown.

Woo hoo! 17 days that is counting weekends. Summer vacation is just 17 days away.... Plan to start planning ....
The students are about crazy now. Seniors are in NO mood to study any more. They are in graduation mode. The senior picnic will probably be tomorrow when you study the weather for the rest of the week. The list was posted last week and now it is just a matter of when will it be.
The art club went to Indy today so the picnic wasn't today. Too many seniors that could go on the picnic and some that went on the trip aren't able to go on the picnic. (They really thought today while they were gone would have been a great day... not!)
Been cleaning my classroom. You really don't know how much stuff you accumulate over 30+ years. Some of it is still usable, some of it is not. (outdated) I can't wait... 17 more days!

The countdown....

The countdown is on... Seniors 5 class days
Students (other than seniors) 11 class days
Teachers 13 work days

Bowling anyone?

We all went bowling. It was a really nice place. It had some really great games besides bowling. As you can tell, the nachos were a hit as much as the bowling.
At first Austin and Devon wanted to use the ramp to bowl with, however Austin forgot after 2 frames and decided to just roll the ball. As you can tell, Austin won.

Dear Congress

Dear Congress, Last year I mismanaged my funds and this year my spouse and I cannot decide on a budget. Until we have come to a unified decision that fits all of our needs and interests, we will have to shut down our checkbook and will no longer be able to pay our taxes. I'm sure you'll understand. Thank you very much for setting an example we can all follow.

A Friend of mine posted this message on facebook. Thought it was great. Wonder what Congress would do if all tax paying Americans did this?

Humid!

Humid... the only word to describe this weather. Hot.. well warm and humid. Scattered showers and strong storms maybe tonight. Time to hunker down and get ready for tonight. Talk tomorrow if all is well.

Pros are coming

They have hired a professional cleaning crew to come and clean our classrooms that were damaged by the storm. Yippee... Now I do not have to mess with all of the "yuckie" stuff.

The Day the Rain Came In

The Day the Rain Came In
4:29 p.m. the phone rings. It is a call from the high school. “Jane, I need you to come to the high school. The roof over your end of the building has come off because of this wind. There is an eighty percent chance of rain tonight and early in the morning.”
“Great. I will be there. “
Off I go to see what I can do to save things in my classroom. I call my husband to let him know NO Dinner tonight, I won’t be home. Then I call my daughter to see if she would come help me move things.
My daughter and two granddaughters come to help me out. Computers unplugged, onto carts and down to a safer area. Our tech person comes in and we decide the Smartboard really needs to come off the wall and into a safe area. So off it comes and down to a storage area. In about an hour he comes back, I had suggested that maybe we should take the camera down also. It was covered, but the hole to cover it was at the top. Down it comes.
Soon the “head cheese” arrives. The insurance man has been hanging around. He is worried about things plugged in outlets, people climbing on chairs on top of tables to take ceiling tiles down. Yes we took the ceiling down in my room. The size of the tiles will need to be special ordered if they are destroyed. The lights, well that is a different story. We could not take them down. All we could hope for was that they don’t short out and cause other problems.
We head home four and a half hours later.
Sleep was tough. I kept thinking it is not raining. I will need to try to get my room organized enough to have class. Then, 2:48 a.m. thunder, sounds like an explosion, awakens me. I still had a glimmer of hope. Just maybe those tiny holes in the metal roof will not leak in my room. The rain pounded the roof of our home. I could hear it. What is it doing in my classroom? I would know in just a few hours.
I decide not to leave as early as I normally do. I would not have any place to be if it was raining in. I pull into the parking lot. The weight room garage door is open. Maybe…. No such luck. The rain is coming into the weight room, just what does my room look like?
I go through the open door and it is raining as hard in the room as it is outside. There is a man using a wet-vac, trying to keep the water from getting too deep in the room. He’s not having much luck.
What are we going to do? What will happen to all of those bookcases that are sitting in water? Are they going to be ruined? Oh the wait. Check back later to see the end of The Day the Rain Came In.

Emilia....

Emilia was in the play Alice In Wonderland this past weekend. She did a fabulous job along with the rest of the cast. Their hard work for the past two months was obvious. Here are a few of the pictures I took. Enjoy. (I took mostly Emilia, sorry.)

















Emilia was very sad after the final performance. Reality of going home and leaving her new friends is very hard for her. Tears of joy and sadness both flowed easily this Sunday, March 27, 2011.

Marriage Maxima

I found this while looking through old papers at the library. I thought I would share it with you.

Danville Commercial News July 13, 1871

A good wife is the greatest earthly blessing.
A man is what his wife makes him.
It is the mother who molds the character and destiny of the child.
Never make a remark at the expense of the other; it is meanness.
Never part without loving words to think of during you absence. Besides it may be that you will not meet again in life.
How gently glides the marriage life away,
When she who rules still seems but to obey.
Never both manifest anger at once.
Never speak loud to one another, unless the house is on fire.
Never reflect on a past action which was done with a good motive and with the best judgement at the time.
Let each one strive to yield oftenest to the wishes of the other, which is the mutual cultivation of an absolute unselfishness.
Never find fault unless it is perfectly certain that a fault has been committed; and even then prelude it with a kiss and lovingly.
Never allow a request to be repeated. "I forgot" is never a very acceptable excuse.
Marry into a different blood and temperament from your own.

Doggone....

The spring break is over. I have not accomplished much that is on my list. An ice storm hit the area in the late 1970's. Do you think it could happen again?

Well off to the store. I do need milk, bread and tea bags. Catch ya later.

Casi's house

Rachel and I went to visit Casi and family. We had soo much fun. The whole gang went to Chuck E Cheese. Casi is to post the pictures. (Come on Casi get them posted.) We went to a cemetery and took lots of pictures. Rachel went to Devon's school with Casi to teach the chicken dance. She had a great time at the school. Devon is worried that we may not come back soon enough.

Japan

I think it is great that Japan and its people are working so well together to come back from the tragedy. It is a country that have people that understand that working as one can succeed at defeating anything.
I believe that the main reason Americans do not work together like we should is we are too busy worrying about how others see us. Also if you look at the original people that settled this country, all races included, we don't work well together because we are too busy blaming others for our hardships. Many of the forefathers came as "prisoners" and were sent to America to develop it. So what can you expect out of a bunch of outlaws?

Butterflies and Hummingbird Party

Butterflies and Hummingbird Party
Butterflies and hummingbirds are losing their homes to many factors. My grandsons and their friends love to dig in the dirt, finding bugs, worms and planting plants.
Instead of the ordinary birthday party, make it a plant party for kids. Contact your city; ask if there is an area where they would like a dedicated flower garden for butterflies and hummingbirds. (You could even do this in your own yard.)
Once you have chosen the proper place, begin the planning of the flower bed. Check with your local nursery if you are doing this as a city beautification project, as they may be willing to furnish some plants. Planning the garden will take research on the type of plants that will grow in your area. A garden for butterflies and hummingbirds have specific needs other than just plants, so check out the web or go to your local library and find articles on gardening for butterflies and hummingbirds. A great resource is at http://www.bhg.com/gardening/ . They have many good ideas on planning your garden.
For your cake use the dirt cake recipe. Give each child a set of tools, small trowel, a sand bucket, plastic watering can and flowers.
Remember to tell all invited guests to wear play in the dirt clothes.
For party games, be inventive. You can have races to fill a plastic tub (Your choice of size) using their new watering cans. Dig to China game, they dig their holes to plant their plants measuring the depth (may need adult help with the measuring) to see who can dig their holes the fastest and correctly.
For girls use a flower design to decorate and for boys use tractor and farmer decorations, keeping this part of the party simple. To end the party have a piñata filled with plastic creatures and flowers.

Travel agent

I have been thinking I would love to become a travel agent. I love to travel. I would work from home... where ever that maybe.... cell phone for my number and computer for my desk. Doesn't that sound great? I cannot wait till I get up enough guts to actually do it. I think I am getting up the nerve every day. Just ready for a change.

Another Work week

Work tomorrow. Ear is still bad. But need to go at least to let students know I am still alive. Still get dizzy. Not sure what is going on with my ear. My grandfather had this problem also. Guess we will have to see if the meds work when I am finished with them. Pain is still there. I have tonight for the one and 2 more days with the last of the 4 meds. If not better on Wednesday I have to go back to the doctor. This is their first line of defense and diagnosis. We will see. Still have the nonstop ringing in my ear. Been a bad three weeks. Hope it gets better soon.

Haven't won yet

I haven't won the lottery yet. So here I am thinking what can I do when I retire? I know I need something to do. I don't think I would be a good writer as that comes in spurts and I need to have a passion for what I am writing about. So just what can I do?
I love to travel. I love doing family history. Maybe I can write my book I have always dreamed of writing. Not going to give away what it is here. Maybe I will start it in a week or two.

Now just as I was saying, what am I going to do when I retire?

If I could only ...

If I could only win the lottery, what would I do?
I would retire, furnish my children and their families with a little cash, pay-off their bills, help my mother, give my sister a little cash, go on an extended vacation, do family research, just plain ole relax.

If I could only win the lottery.

Sunday... March 6, 2011

Wow woke up snow is on the ground. What happened to all those great days we just had? I know March can be one of the worst months for weather. Snow, Ice, Rain, Wind... I remember one of the worst ice storms we ever had was in March. I was in California, it was cool there, landed at O'Hara airport, flights were being cancelled. The flight to my hometown was going to happen, the pilot lived there and wanted to get home. Off we go. The ice was thick on the windows when we landed. The ice was on the roads, the trees, the buildings and power lines. I did make it home, my luggage didn't and neither did my children. They were still at their grandmother's home. I woke up the next morning to a loud crashing noise. The patio cover had fallen, the power was off and I was alone. My husband was stuck in Florida, on his motorcycle with an ice storm between him and me. It was our anniversary. So I sat and read until the power came back on... gathered my children a few days later, my husband sent me the biggest arrangement of flowers I had ever seen and life was good.

Cookies anyone?

I made a fresh batch of cookies last night. Buttermilk/nutmeg with icing. I am donating them to our church for their first sale of the season. Hope everyone enjoys them. Tonight I will just make plain ole buttermilk cookies.

If only I could.....

Most times I wish I had more time to craft. I would love to make handmade cards for the family and friends. My family that lives in Wales sends me their lovely cards. Maybe someday I will have the time to sit down to my Cricut and learn to use it. Wouldn't that be wonderful.

Have you noticed how many anodynes there are laying around on the floor

How Random is this? I have decided I want to retire, however I am not quit old enough. Now what do I do? I think I want to do something else as it seems no matter how hard we planned for retirement, winning the lottery, never happened. So now what? Maybe the craft circuit, maybe the bakery business, maybe sitting at home or a hotel or campground with the ole laptop and make money on the Internet. Have you noticed how many anodynes there are laying around on the floor. Wooo how random is that statement. Any ways I am going to get serious about making money some other way. Teaching is not fun any more and we seem to be the target of the government. I guess that is to take the heat off of them. They are such failures at their jobs that they have to target someone else. Well enough for now. Talk at ya later.

Great Day

Oh how I wish I was retired. The day was beautiful. Sunny and not a bad temperature.

Cookie Monster....

Cookie Monster, not really. I have just finished making a new cookie. It was really good. Plan.... Convert the motorhome into a cookie selling vehicle.... LOL. ... Retirement income.....HUMMMMMMMM I am so ready for retirement.

Find a Grave

I have spent one afternoon in the cemetery finding or trying to find the graves of some folks for people through find a grave. I enjoy doing family history and I find that the pictures I take of markers can now be stored someplace to share with others other than at my blog site. I will still post at both sites.

I joined find a grave a while back. I can't wait for the summer so that I can do what I enjoy doing. Working on my family history.

Lets see trips, libraries,and cemeteries.

Full moon?

This week has been crazy at work. The students are off the wall crazy. It was like energy drink heaven, without the energy drinks. They were talking constantly, very rude, homework... well we were lucky if they even began doing it. There were fights in the halls, kids running out of classrooms because so and so said such and such... wow... I sure hope that full moon goes away real soon.

Check out....

Check out the new site I put on here. It has some many great ideas. Can't wait to try some of those recipes.

http://www.bakerella.com/

Wow >>>>>>>>

Wow, I have been neglecting the blog. The weather, having the girls for days, cabin fever and those crazy games on fb, and,,,,,,,,, well the list goes on.
The weather is freezing cold today. I am heading out to taco bell for some dinner. I really don't feel like cooking.
Did mom's hair last night because she had circle today and now she is at the beauty shop getting that hair cut she has been putting off. Not that her hair looked bad, just she really doesn't like it longer than what you can roll one time around a roller. UGGGGG, now it will be so short I will have trouble rolling it.
I am so glad the end of the week is near. This school year has been long, but short. Can't wait til it is over.
Plans are in the works for the summer. Found, well a good friend just visited, another great FREE place to take the grandchildren this summer. Best thing is it isn't that far from home. Story about the summer trips will follow each trip.
I am off to Taco Bell... I know the stories are going around.... however if you like it what difference does it make, as long as it isn't poison.

Ice Cream Pie?

Tomorrow we are making an ice cream pie. I have not seen instructions for the one we plan to make. Stay tuned. We will have the results and maybe the recipe tomorrow.

Rachel and Ashley

The girls are staying with us a few days. Dustin has surgery tomorrow on his back. I am not sure how long the girls will be here, but you know we will have fun. School trips will be with Aunt Marianne. That means they have to get ready super early. Ouch.. Tonight we are going to great-grandma's to eat dinner. I have the meatloaf in the oven, mom has the cauliflower ready and I am getting the broccoli ready. Need jump off of here so I can finish dinner.
Next game: Steelers and jets.... well I really don't like either of these teams, so I guess I'll (toss coin in air) Steelers. Of course the announcers think the Packers want to have the Jets win. I wouldn't want to play a team where the sideline players are playing dirty when you run near them. Trip, trip and you even get caught on tape. They should be banned from playing until they learn sportsmanship...

Mom Update

Mom is doing well. She went to church today for the first time since the surgery. Rachel wanted her to go with her. So she went. After church she went out to eat with her normal crew. She called me when she got home from eating, said she was tired and was going to take a nap.
This is a great first step for her and Rachel knew she wouldn't let her down.

PS The Pack are on their way to the Super Bowl.

Uncle Merle

Prayer requests for Uncle Merle. He will not make it, however prayers that he does not suffer is requested. He fell again, breaking open his head. The stint is leaking fluids in his brain. They think he may have had a stroke. It is only a matter of time.
Uncle Merle we are thinking of you.

Just ....

Rachel has been coming to stay with us since she broke her jaw. She is getting lots of practice making milkshakes. I can't wait for her to get her mouth unwired. I feel so sorry for her. A trouper, she does not let this phase her. The only bad thing, she is sitting here rooting for the Bears.... GO PACK! Only 2:49 left Bears have the ball. Hold'em Pack... I know if Uncle Merle is watching he'd be wearing his cheese hat. Hang in there Pack. Stop those Bears. We may be going into overtime. You know that if you placed a hundred dollar bet on the Bears to win the Super Bowl and they won, you would win five hundred dollar. They are the clear underdogs for the Super Bowl Champions.

SNOW...

What can we say about snow... it's pretty when it first falls, it can be light and fluffy or it can be heavy and wet. Ours was both today. The wind has picked up a little. That could mean school could get canceled. Some in the area are already canceled. According to the transportation departments web site, roads around here are patchy with snow. They were clear earlier. The plows won't be able to get the country roads done with the wind... Snow won't close us, wind will.
I enjoyed the weather channel's coverage of the snow in the deep south. It looks like many individuals were having a great time with their snow. Difference... we don't shut down... we still have to go.
Good night all.

Okay....

We were dismissed early from school today. I think it would have been smarter to have a late start as it was scary driving this morning. Had at least 8 students end up in the ditches. Coming home the roads were just fine. ... Tomorrow... well if we have lots of wind.... maybe no school. Want to thank Rodz in Wales for sending the snow back to us... LOL

Needing your prayers....

A friend of ours has found out they have cancer on the left side of their face at the temple. They have been informed it is in the lymph nodes and the prognosis is not good. Prayers of safe surgery on Wednesday for Dick and for his wife to have the strength needed during these next few weeks.

Potato Soup

Today is the second Sunday in January. Mom is improving with each day. Today she wanted potato soup. I used some of last nights mashed potatoes, some carrots, ham chunks, potatoes chopped, onion, celery, a dash of each of these spices: cinnamon, cumin, ginger, oregano, a little chopped fresh garlic, Velveeta cheese, and some milk. It was really rich and creamy. It tasted great and she ate a full bowl full. I know she is feeling better... she is finally eating well.

Mom...

Mom decided tonight she wanted everyone to go home. She is feeling so much better. She looks better. She even joked around tonight.
I made dinner for us, we had a pork butt, with mash potatoes with gravy, creamed corn, and cranberry sauce. Mom ate a plate full. There was about a half bowl of creamed corn left and she sat her plate aside and ate what was left right out of the bowl... so uncharacteristic of mom.
So glad she is feeling on the mend.

Put God....

Put God back into the home and public. I have noticed numerous students that do not say the pledge to the flag in my homeroom. I have asked a few of them why they don't. One reason that I ask is they are the ones collecting welfare and public aid, have food stamps and free medical care. The response is the same... God...! What, are we raising lazy people, people who really don't care about anything and allow them to disrespect the flag and the very country they live in because they don't believe in GOD.
I do believe in God, I do believe that science and evolution did play a part in what we are today, however the two seem to go together.
I don't mean every single group of individuals have to believe like I do... in fact I don't think anyone has to agree with me. I do believe though that this country needs to do something for the lack of caring... The lack of I only do the things that interest me... I only learn stuff if I believe it is important.
Well that is another topic... another blog post....
Have a great day and may GOD bless you and watch over you.

goal 1:

2011 Goals:
1. To finish sorting things in the attic.

This weekend I will continue with this process. The books that are just sitting around up there that have value, I will offer for sell at the site for the cancer victims.

I will try to let people know when I post them so you may have an opportunity to purchase one or more of them.

Skeletons?

Devon was over tonight while his parents were at the funeral home. He loves skeletons. We played with the cricut and made "skeletons", turkeys and a frog. I think that boy is going to be a bones doctor. He wants to find an anatomy book to start looking at. What a kid. We did have fun and the Christmas presents we haven't given to the boys yet, they got tonight.

It doesn't seem possible for the school year to be this far along. It seems to speed by faster and faster every year. I think I want to retire soon. It's not that I don't enjoy working with the students, it's I am tired of all the paper work and the long hours put in at home doing for the classroom.

I don't get paid enough for all that extra work.

I do have to say I have enjoyed the students for the last 34 years and it is always great to hear of the success they are having. I will miss the students when I retire. I keep saying I need to find something to do when I get done with the everyday grind. I have started a book. .... Hummmm I wonder if I will ever finish it.

New Years Resolutions.... NONE.... I just set 1 goal at a time... To hard to keep to many at one time.

Good night all.

Holy Smolly.....

Holly Smolly I just spent another night at the hospital with mom. Firemen came to the house first, 15 minutes later the ambulance arrived. She was in terrible pain. My niece was on night duty...
Well we arrived at the hospital at 11:30ish... 5:30ish we were heading home. She had gas pains... she thought something was wrong... She was in so much pain. gas-x would have helped except with all the pain, she really thought something was "bad wrong"...
Well about 4:15 am the tablet I had given her around 5 pm was starting to work... she began to pass gas... and gas... and gas...
When we got to her house she was in a sprint to the door to get inside. She was so relieved when the ER doc told her the CT scan showed she was well healed, that it was only a gas bubble and that she needed to begin walking more.....

When it Rains

When it Rains it Pours... we have lost another friend, Larry Davis. My memories of Larry are when I was a young girl, he hung around our house with my older sister Judy. Judy passed in Oct. 2000, Larry passed Sunday. I bet the two of them are having a good time up there in heaven... water skiing, having my dad run them around in the red convertible... and discussing the fact that Larry's nephew married Judy's niece (my daughter).
What a small world we live in... Our family path's have crossed again.

Also we have lost another family/friend. Tillie passed away on the 17th of Dec.. Aunt Frances was buried on the 18th of Dec. Another friend lost their mother (my friend married my cousin Bruce, who has since passed)whom was also one of our neighbor's growing up this week. A church friend also lost their father this week.
I really wanted 2011 to start off better than 2010 ended...
All I can say is that we were fortunate enough to have mother saved over the holiday as they told us if we had waited 2 hours longer, she would be part of this article as a loss. Thank God for something positive.

Rest in peace all of my friends and family. We will miss you all.

First Day

This is the first day back to school after the holiday. This is what we refer to as our long side of the year. Not many breaks. I have check my schedules.... there are some changes... which we all expected.
Count down for the end of the year. I am ready for summer.

2011

Today is the first day of 2011. New years 2000 seems like yesterday. This day 2000 Kristina, Cassandra, Lara, Rachel and I were enjoying Hawaii. It doesn't seem possible that it was 11 years ago. So much has changed since then....
Hope 2011 will be better than 2010.

WHAT WE.....

What should we be thankful for?
1. our health
2. our great family
3. the happiness we share with each other
4. the mental support we give each other
5. for a wonderful GOD that gives us the opportunity to experience this "Wonderful Life"

Mom Update....

The home health nurse is coming today for mom. We will need some help with her when we go back to work on Monday. 3 doctor appointments next week. It seems her gallbladder was creating problems with her heart. She did have a heart attack sometime in August. It was mild. They think she may have had a mild stroke during the surgery to remove her gall bladder. She was in congestive heart failure when we got her into the hospital.
She is much better and she is becoming stronger. We have good friends that are retired that are willing to help during the day while we are at work.
Prayers are always welcome.

Emilia and the Cricut

Emilia is having a blast using the Cricut. She and I sat down tonight and figured it out. Now we understand the functions, how to put things together with the laying techniques. We can't wait to get a little more serious about this whole thing.

Holiday... BOO HOO!

Mom is in the ICU ward at the hospital. Emergency surgery for gallbladder. It was filled with stones and puss. She is doing much better. They will be keeping her over the Christmas holiday.
Dinner tonight with my sister and her family, Lara and Chris, a game of Harry Potter Clue, and then church.
Can't wait for the girls to get home. Miss them a bunch. When they get home our son and his family will be here. Casi and her family may come also. Vacation is about over.... BOOOOOOO. New Year is very close. Go to bed early to night... SANTA will be coming soon. Peace and may you have a wonderful holiday.

Checking it twice...

Checking it twice... Oh wait I have checked it more than twice. So glad online shopping is available. People who just don't live real close... Your gifts are in the UPS hands....
I am actually checking the list again. I keep thinking, "Who have I forgotten?" I don't think any one. I took four of the grandchildren shopping... they took all day, to do their shopping. They were having so much fun they didn't want the day to end... I have started my savings for next year. Woohoo!
It is snowing again. I can't get to my Christmas decorations. My tree is up, I have lights, but I can't get to the ornaments.... bummer. This is a tough life... NOT. If I can't get to them I will just hang some pine cones, popcorn, spoons and anything else I can find to make it sparkle and shine!

Aunt Passed...

We also had a loss this week. My Aunt passed away on Monday. I am sad, yet I know the suffering she has had. She never loss her beautiful smile or sense of humor. Mom is checking on her hair, my cousin is concerned it is not as her mother would like it. Mom will miss her, they did each other's hair up until this summer. My aunt was 95 and my mom is 92. They would laugh and talk and have good memories as they did each other's hair. Aunt Frances... we will all miss you.

making fun of...

Today a young man wanted to make fun of one of my students. He knows the young man is one of my students. I explained to him about what had happened when this young man was 5 years old... flew through the window of his father's truck and back into the truck ... he did not understand that his father sitting next to him, still in the driver's seat was dead. His basic memory of that moment in time, before blacking out due to head trauma, was trying to get his dad to take one of the french fries they were eating just before the accident.
I am not sure why individuals feel they must make fun of others... I don't care if you like them, and in the case of children, do not like their parent or parents, you have to feel sorry for the ones with medical conditions that make their life harder. It doesn't matter if it is physical or emotional, try not to make fun of them. Have compassion. Their parents can be the world's biggest narcissist, the children don't desire to be hurt...

Weather

Down grade, down grade, down grade. Now we are going to receive 1 inch or less, however the winds will make the weather bad. To the north of us... I am glad I do not live there.
I have thought numerous times, "Where else would I like to live." The answer is the same each time... no where. I love where I live. I love our weather, even when stormy. This is a great place to live!

Christmas shopping

Christmas shopping
Thanksgiving weekend I took four of our grandchildren shopping. We had a blast. They each had their Christmas club savings with them. We were very busy looking, looking and looking. Hope everyone loves the fact that the children picked out what they thought each individual on their list would want. It was fun to watch them try to decide just what someone else would love. Grandpa be prepared....
Just a note... Austin is sooooo tight with his money he wasn't sure he wanted to spend it on someone else. He was working hard on finding something for himself. He did catch on and then he spent his whole wad.

SNOW>>>>>>

Woke up this morning at 4:30 a.m. Looked outside....SNOW! Hey Snow is only allowed on Sunday nights... Everyone knows we don't want snow on a weekend.
It is beautiful outside. The snow is very wet... snowman and snowball snow!

According to the weather report we received 6 inches of snow. However it is to freeze on the roads tonight. Guess I better get hunkered down and ready for a long Saturday night Nap!

Good night to do some photoshop and scrapbooking.

Wonderful, Great Husband....

My wonderful, great, husband purchased a Cricut for me for my Thanksgiving/birthday gift. I have wanted, not wanted, wanted for a long time this machine. I have not tried to use it yet, as I had a houseful of grandchildren last weekend. This weekend is a ME weekend. I will be trying it out. Look out Cricut... here I come....

SNOW!

UGHHHH... No we do not have any snow yet. The students are anticipating snow every day. I keep telling them, "No, we don't want snow. I want to get out in mid-May." Seniors you will graduate in early May if we don't have snow. Snow... well let's just have it over the winter holiday and then... poof it can all go away.

Well It's over...

Well it's over... One more Thanksgiving dinner.... One more "black Friday" ... and no I do not go out shopping today. I find most "bargains" are not really bargains.
Had a great day yesterday. Rachel and Ashley spent the night Wednesday night. They both woke up early, knowing it was a "cooking" day. I had been up since 1 a.m.. I had to run some errands for others... I personally don't shop on national holidays. I think it is awful that the poor individuals have to work. I guess I am thankful for the ones that do work... however I feel bad that they have to work. I have met a few that have actual told me they were glad to work because of some sad story. I guess no family near or maybe no family at all, the death of a loved one recently and makes it hard to get through the holidays, people, even if they are not family, just people make the day better.
We had Thanksgiving diner. The weather wasn't the best, mom was worried about it. I thought she had decided not to come. She let me know real quick she was coming, that she needed to be with family for Thanksgiving. Marianne and her family came by. Nice to see everyone.
My daughter Lara is the only one not home for the holiday. She is with Chris's family.
Austin and Devon are staying for the weekend. We are taking them home on Sunday. Rachel and Ashley are here for the third day. They will be going home soon.
I am so thankful for my wonderful family. Yes we all have our minor flaws, however we are still a great bunch of people. Hope you had a great holiday.

Today is one of those days...

Wow it is Thanksgiving again.... How time flies. Seems we just did this a few weeks ago. I am starting my Christmas shopping... people that know me are like, "What you aren't finished yet. You are always done by September." Well, lets just say I have been too busy to shop, not really. I just want to purchase AMERICAN made products. I get tired of the junk from China. I did find, actually Kristina found, some cups made in the good ole USA. I have purchased them and the made in China ones... RUMMAGE SALE goods for our church. They aren't that old its just they are made in CHINA... I don't want any more of their poisons in my family or my body any more.
I am getting ready to make puppy chow for Ashley. I have never made it so I am hoping it will turn out. I made at 1 a.m. a new version of chex party mix. I used the Carmel corn recipe and covered the chex mix (no seasoning). It is good. Something new for the family to feast on.
We had a thunder storm last night and it is still raining. BOOO. Well it could be snow. Has happened around here before. In fact yesterday morning we had ICE. Now that has happened only one other time that I can recall... Clyde you aren't in Illinois visiting are you? Remember there is such a thing as FREEZING RAIN! Those southern folks just don't understand when you get ready because they are calling for freezing rain. I must be tired. Actually I am getting ready to head to the store... those clerks need someone to visit them, I thought I had the right size bags to do the puppy chow, but I am out of them. So off I head into the rain... Talk later.

Listen to the Games.....

http://www.dhsvikingvirtualcheeringsection.com/

Read about this site today in the Commercial News. GO DHS Vikings.

Finally!

Grandpa says I am going for a quick ride. Austin, Rachel and Ashley all hurry to the door and ready to go. Rachel asks, "Grandmum, where is your helmet?"

Austin explains to all waiting, "It is my turn to ride. I have never gotten to ride with grandpa."

So off they head in the 50 degree weather. Of course grandpa took Ashley for a quick ride and then he and Rachel headed out into the sunset. (home)