Irish Prayer

"From ghoulies and ghosties and three-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night, Dear Lord deliver us!"

Another Halloween has come and gone, with varying degrees of success. 

When I left school today, I was aware that I had no jack-o-lantern, and no candy.  A trip to the grocery store fixed that.  I BOUGHT a lighted, fake jack-o-lantern, and enough candy to get through the evening.  When I got home, I realized that the resident dog had managed to get hold of yet another open can of dog food...and had already eaten her dinner.  (I have yet to figure out how she gets stuff out of the bottom of cans!)  Okay...back out to get some gas in my buggy and some dog food. 

As soon as I got back, Meg called, asking where I had been.  Darn!  I had only been gone 20 minutes!  She was in tears.  There were issues...the biggest one being that they couldn't find Robin's flower girl dress...and could I come up with a costume in the time they were mobile on the way to Plainfield?  God was with me!  I had Megan's baptism dress from age seven--too big for Robin, but just long enough to look like a wedding dress for her. They brought her veil and flowers, so Robin didn't know the difference!

Ryan was a cute spider, and Robin made a formidable bride.  They have departed for the other grandparents' house, and the dog has FINALLY stopped barking at strangers at the door.  Peace!

Today would have been my brother's 53rd birthday.  He didn't live this long.  I did my grieving on Sunday.  Today, I have managed yet another anniversary and survived.

I can go to bed when I hear that my children are home safe in Muncie...

 

Monday, Monday...

Yesterday was a busy day with the grandchildren.  We got up and went to church.  The children played in the nursery while I went to the worship service with their other grandmother, Judy.  (Grandpa was singing in the Men's Choir for the service.)  All of us attend Plainfield United Methodist Church, which is convenient!  Yesterday's service was a little unusual.  It was a day of remembering, in honor of All Saints Day (which is Wednesday)...we remembered our "saints"...those who had died in the past year.  It was a Communion Sunday.  When we went up for Communion, we were invited to light a candle for those we wished to remember.  Before I even left for the Communion rail, Judy just handed me a tissue.  Smart woman!

Of course, the Dearly Departed in my family is my brother, whose 53rd birthday would be tomorrow, if he had survived...so the service was very meaningful for me.  I took Communion and lit a candle, saying my brother's name as I placed it in the receptacle.  And, of course, there were tears...

After church, the children and I went to the other grandparents' for lunch and a short visit.  Judy said she would put the finishing touches on Ryan's spider costume while I took the kids to the park to play.  Thanks, Grandma J!  At the park, the children rand and ran and ran.  There was a kid in a yellow stocking cap that freaked out Ryan.  He was chasing the kids saying he was going to put them in jail, so they ran from him.  Ryan said the boy was "super mean," but I saw no signs of aggression--just play.  Before long, Robin said she had to go potty, so we headed all the way across the field to the restrooms, only to find them closed.  (I wondered why, but figured it out:  closed for the weekend through Halloween, in hopes of warding off Halloween vandalism.  Makes sense, but when you have a 4-year-old that says she has to "go," it's pretty inconvenient!)  I rushed the kids back to the house so Robin could do her thing.  And that was the end of the park.

Back at the house, Robin wanted to play with clay, and Ryan (who seemed pretty tired) wanted to watch a video on the bumpy bed.  I gave them snacks--popcorn and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches--and let them relax while I gathered their things up to take them home to Muncie.  Both were asleep in the car before we even got to I-465!  When we arrived in Muncie, Ryan snuggled on his mommy's lap, while Robin stayed on her daddy's lap with her head on his chest.  Both seemed genuinely happy to be home with their parents after their weekend excursion.

Had a pretty decent day at school today, although I really wanted to be home in the warm temps so I could rake leaves while I still had some energy.  By the end of the school day, however, I was weary...so I came home to Dr. Phil, Oprah, and the couch for a snooze.  Surprisingly, when I woke up at 6:15, it was dead dark.  So much for raking!  Have to adjust to the new time...again.

Spent some time this evening putting the house back together after grandchildren.  It's just a matter of putting things away that were left out, etc.  The only real casualty of the weekend was the lid to my ceramic pumpkin, which I glued back together and looks no worse than it did before. 

Hey!  It just occurred to me that tomorrow is Halloween and I haven't carved a jack-o-lantern, nor do I have any candy!  Guess what I will be doing after school tomorrow!

Keeping Up With Grandma

A few weeks ago, my daughter asked if I would watch the children overnight this weekend so she and her husband could go to a Halloween party in Cincinnati at the home of a long-time bud of Meg's from middle school and high school.  Even though it meant extra driving and gas, I decided that I wanted the children at my house for the "sleepover".  So here is my day:

Up at 5:30 when the dog decided it was time.  Left the house at 9:00 to be at Sam's Club when they opened at 9:30 to pick up some meds for Meg.  Drove to Muncie.  Was there by 11:30.  Cleaned off their kitchen table and started a load of dishes in the dishwasher.  Grabbed the children and a basketful of dirty kids' clothes; was back on the road by 12:15.  Stopped at McD's to feed the children some lunch on the road.  Back in Plainfield by 1:45.  (Limped into the BP station on 267.  Was driving on fumes, and beginning to worry that the construction traffic there was going to cause the car to flame out...but we made it!)  Started laundry while the children watched a new Dora video and played.  (Did three loads--washed, folded, put away.)  Had a visit from Grandma Judy to deliver some things sent to the children from Cousin Joey in Georgia.  Made cookies.  Went to Wal-Mart to gather parts for Ryan's spider costume and some art supplies.  (The children were good.)  Came home and fixed supper (late).  Did supper dishes.  Bathed both kids and supervised tooth brushing.  (Robin said, "I haven't brushed my teeth in years.")  Read five little Halloween stories (from Cousin Joey).  Put a tape in the TV/VCR in my bedroom at 10:00 and placed both kids in the "bumpy bed".  By the second tape, Ryan was asleep.  Robin asked me to turn the TV off and close the door.  She conked out, too.  Thereafter, I laid out outfits for the children for tomorrow (church), cooked sausage for tomorrow's breakfast, and sat down to breathe for a bit before I turn in.  Looks like I'll be sleeping in the guest room tonight...

Could you keep up with Grandma??  I'll admit I'm tired.  I'll admit the living room has some toys strewn about.  I'll admit that the children were pretty doggone good 99% of the day.  But the laundry is done and the children are clean and so is the kitchen.  And we had some fun in the process. 

So, what's the big deal about taking care of two pre-schoolers?  Piece o' cake!

<Wink>

 

Homework

Yesterday and today, I fulfilled the first part of my homework, assigned by my friend.  I got my Teachers Retirement Fund number from the administrative office, and I called TRF today.  I told the person on the other end of the line that I didn't think I was getting my quarterly reports.  We soon found out why.  The address they had on file for me was in Cloverdale!  I haven't lived there since 1991!!!  Now I'm wondering if the reports have been being mailed there all these years, and the resident ex-husband never sent them back.  I will never know...  In any case, the beneficiaries will be changed.  (At least I didn't have HIM on there!)  Back then, since my daughter was still a minor, I had my daughter as primary beneficiary, and my sister-in-law and sister as secondary, in case they had to raise her in the event that I croaked.  And, back then, I hardly had any money in that account since it was my first teaching job in Indiana.  Getting all of that on track now!

I had a curriculum meeting today, so there was a sub for my classes.  I went in early to be sure she had everything she needed...and I got to meet her.  She seemed like a good gal!  The meeting let out early.  We went to lunch.  Then I came home.  What a nice deal to be home by 1:00 on a Thursday afternoon!  I still had enough energy left to do some laundry and sort through some things.  Good deal!

I will have the grandchildren with me this weekend.  Pray that I will have the patience for quality time!  I adore the children.  They just wear me out!

It's Been a Few Days...

I was just up from my afternoon nap yesterday afternoon when the dog started to bark.  She was persistent, so I figured someone was at the door.  (I don't have a doorbell.)  Sure enough!  It was my friend and colleague, Phyllis, up the hill from physical therapy for her hip, wanting to know if I wanted to go for dinner.  Yes, I did!  We went to a little Italian restaurant in Plainfield called Sal's for good food and conversation. 

Phyllis is a treasured friend.  I met her when I got my first teaching job in my current district, teaching fourth grade at Hall Elementary School, way back in 1990.  At that time, I was aware that my husband and I were going to be Splitsville (for reasons that soon became obvious to everyone).  I was, to say the very least, "needy".  Phyllis and the other fourth grade teachers became my cheerleaders, and Phyl had the particular combination of drop-dead common sense and inspiration that I needed.  Once upon a time, we met every morning in the summer (early) to walk 2 1/2 miles at Hummel Park.  We walked and cackled.  I told her of my life and heard about hers.  (And I lost 50 pounds in the process!)  Our kids grew up and moved out.  She taught at the elementary, and I taught at the high school (different schedules), and we lost touch, somewhat...but never "out of sight, out of mind".  One of the strengths of our friendship is that we always manage to pick up where we left off.  Still, I have always felt that I take more from Phyllis than I gave.  Still true!

While we were dining yesterday, the topic of retirement came up.  I told Phyl, who is very active in the teacher's association and understands the retirement gobbledy-gook, that I had no idea when/if I could retire.  She started asking questions.  I couldn't answer ANY of them.  In typical Phyllis form, she said, "Stop!"  And then she told me what we were going to do.  We were going back to my house to find some important papers, and then going to her house to get online to figure out where I stand in the scheme of things.  Couldn't find one important paper...in fact, don't think I am receiving them quarterly, as I'm supposed to...so she gave me my homework assignments.

Phyl is four years younger than me and a very dedicated teacher who has worked hard all her life to raise her boys with and without husbands.  What encouraged me is that she is tired of teaching...the same as me!  I could probably teach high school kids forever...but my transfer to middle school has just about worn me out.  I was gratified to know that I'm not the only one who comes home exhausted every day!

Yesterday, I became aware that one of my students...the one that I considered my "project"...has been removed from the foster--maybe adoptive--home where he was.  The parent conference of last week revealed a huge problem (more with the adults than the kid).  And now he's gone...sent off to yet another foster home (40-something to date) and my heart is broken.  No chance to help now!  At the conference, I tried to explain to the "mother" (who prides herself on being strict) that the only thing this young man has control over in his life is his behavior.  He is going to express himself that way because nothing else has worked.  His real mother signed him over to authorities in favor of an abusive boyfriend.  I've been down that road with students more times than I care to count.  So...another would-be good kid bites the dust.  I'll probably read about him in the papers in a few years.  I don't like it very much.

And so it goes...

 

Um...

As the date quickly approaches my late brother's birthday, I note (with interest) that the websites he maintained so well are still up. 

I miss him, but his essence is still around.  This gets weird....

Turn Grandma On

A couple of days ago, I discovered that my daughter had a webcam.  (News to me!)  In short order, we figured out how to transmit to each other.  Ryan (almost 3) put the microphone in his mouth and was hard to understand.  Robin (newly 4) did the "chicken dance" on camera for me.  When I was at school today, apparently Ryan kept asking his mother to "turn Grandma on."  Don't I wish someone could!!

I have started Romeo and Juliet with my honors class.  Should be fun.  They are excited!  The other classes are reading the play of The Diary of Anne Frank.  Keeps me busy!  I was somewhat honked off today by a youngster to whom I have loaned $2 for lunch money.  He was telling some other student that the other kid owed him money...which was my motivation to say, "And you owe ME money."  His response?  "I don't owe you anything."  That shut down the sympathy train for me.  He also failed, expectedly, to serve a lunch detention that I had issued him for another reason.  I'm done working with him!

I found out via email today that my niece, Laurie, reads this blog.  Hi, Laurie!  I really, really wanted to be with you all for Thanksgiving, but when I found out that Nathan's mother was going to be gone for the holiday (leaving that part of the "family" adrift), I knew that I had to do the dinner here.  I will see you all at Christmas.  Count on it!

The doctors want to keep Major Pat another couple of days.  He is quite inconsolable.  I told him that when he gets back from this, no stone will have been unturned by way of his health.  In that respect, he is lucky!  He is not so sure...

Time for bed, here.  I am blessed with friends to whom I owe so much.  Thanks to all who have stuck with me through the years, in spite of my stubbornness.

Nightie!

Cold and Dreary

What a difference a day makes!  Yesterday was sunny and shirtsleeve weather.  I looked out this morning and saw a major leaf fall that wasn't there yesterday, due to rain and wind.  Yuck!

Because the sun was no longer shining, my energy level was lower than yesterday, but I still managed to get some things done.  It is never enough, of course...but better than it was!

I got up at 4:30 this morning.  The dog, who had been alseep with me, went to the bedroom door in the dark, crouched, barked and growled, and refused to leave the room.  It scared the you-know-what out of me!  Something scary was just outside my bedroom door!  It didn't take me too long to figure out the source of the problem:  the Vacuum Monster was in the hall by the door where I had left it last night.  Damned dog!

After my heart went back down in my chest from my throat, I came out and putzed around for a couple of hours, then went back to bed for a snooze, and got back up a little after 8:00.  It sure was nice to wake up in a clean bedroom.  It's been so long since that happened!

The lack of sunshine today somewhat sapped my energy.  I wasn't lethargic because I did get some things done, but I just didn't have the same amount of motivation that I had yesterday.  Although I am never happy until everything is all clean at the same time, I can say that my kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and guest room are spiffy!  <Patting myself on the back.>  I am now making lists of hot spots to clean and organize.  It would be nice to dispatch one of those per day...  Can I do it during the school week?  Probably not!

Speaking of "patting," I called Major Pat this morning at the hospital.  The doctors want to do a CAT scan of his lungs because of calcifications that show up on x-ray.  I heard from a SATERN friend who called him that his heart has been ruled out as part of the problem.  I will call him again before the evening is over, just to check up.  He wants out of there in time to drive to Chicago for a SATERN meeting, but I don't think he understands how weak he will be after spending several days flat on his back.  We shall see...

Next weekend, I will be babysitting with my grandchildren, either here or in Muncie, while their parents go to visit a friend for a Halloween party.  I haven't seen them since the Turkey Run wedding deal, and I miss them. 

School tomorrow.  Bleah!

Please Pray

I got a phone call a few minutes ago from my friend, Major Patrick McPherson.  Pat is the National Director of the Salvation Army Team Emergency Network (SATERN), and he is in the hospital with "double pneumonia".  They are also checking for heart problems. 

I have been concerned for a week or more when Pat told me that he went for a walk and almost couldn't get home because of coughing and things that were coming up from his lungs.  He went to his doctor who prescribed antibiotics (which apparently didn't help).  He was at Men's Camp last night when he could no longer breathe due to coughing and asked someone to take him to the hospital.  The doctor who checked his lung x-ray asked him how long he'd been smoking.  When he said he didn't, the doc asked when he had quit.  Pat has never smoked a day in his life! 

Pat is only 60 and needs our prayers.  He is diabetic and has stage 3 kidney disease.  He has worked to lose a lot of weight over the last six months and is now afraid for his life.  Major Pat McPherson is a very, very dear friend of mine.  Please pray for him and put him on every prayer chain you may have.  He is a minister of the Gospel and has done much good for "the least of these [our] brethren" in his work with Salvation Army's Emergency Disaster Services over a lot of years.  Now it is time for us to help him.

Thanks.

Idle Hands Are the Devil's Workshop

When I got up this morning, I decided to try to salvage some of my Fall Break by doing some cleaning/sorting...and I did.  Clutter begins to get to me after awhile, and my life was getting cluttered...and so was my house.  (Let's not even talk about the garage!)  One thing I have discovered is that the more I do, the more I find that there is to do.  Simple cleaning is never simple!  I need to start making lists of hot spots in the house--drawers and cupboards--that need attention, and do them one at a time.  There's a novel concept!  Then I need to do it at school, too.  Living alone has its pitfalls, and one of them is letting things go because I know I can "do it later".  Right!

The kitchen is clean (except for the carpet).  I even cleaned out one junk drawer.  The bathroom is clean (except for the floor).  I have found the top of the dresser in my bedroom that has been piled high with stuff for months.  Have knocked down a few cobwebs and picked up endless bits of shredded tissue (thanks to the dog).  I have washed some curtains and some linen, and have been looking for a place to hide the endless pictures that I have sorted and sorted but became victim to the grandchildren.  (Have to start over again!) 

Took the Frodog to be groomed yesterday at Petsmart.  When they still hadn't called after four hours, I called them.  Yes, indeed, the dog was done.  The gal "thought" they had called but couldn't get hold of me, but I was home the entire time.  The dog was delighted to see me!  The ONLY time she will jump up into the car on her own is when coming back from the groomer or the vet.  The rest of the time, I have to boost her lardy butt into the back seat so she can sit there and quiver.  (She never has been a good car rider.)   

Have finally decided on the location of my radio club's Christmas dinner.  (As prez, it's my choice.  That's the ONLY privilege of the job!)  We'll be going to a very nice Chinese buffet in Avon--something for everyone.  I'll try to make the tables decorative and supply some holiday cheer.  It won't be like last year, but I can't match that!

Back to work here.  If I work it right, I can have a totally clean bedroom and linen by bedtime.  Works for me!

Ahhhhhhh!

At a little after 11:00 this morning, I was turned loose to come home and be a human being again.  By 1:00, I was on the couch taking a snooze.  By 3:00, I was watching Dr. Phil, and at 4:00, watched Oprah.  Have done virtually nothing since. 

Got an email from KB9RAF indicating that, besides gout, he is now dealing with plantar fasciitis in one foot.  I can relate to that!!  I sent him my best tips for dealing with it, since I'm suffering from it now...but the downside is that it won't go away quickly.  It isn't a function of old age, Ryan!  It's a symptom of too many hours on one's feet!  Good luck!

I just found out yesterday that we will have the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off.  This is a first!  Because of that, I will probably trek to my sister's near Springfield, IL, for that holiday.  (Haven't been there since last Christmas.) 

It is balmy outside now but not expected to last.  I should have been working outside this afternoon...but I needed to rest.  Oh, well!

Don't know what the weekend will bring...

Parent Conferences, the Sequel

Kids went home at 11:00 today.  Teachers had a pot-luck lunch...then off to our rooms for conferences...slow in the beginning, but by 1:00, there was no end to the stream of parents.  At dinner time (provided by the district), I had to just close my door and leave or there would have been no supper for me.

For a couple of youngsters, mine was the lowest grade on their report card.  For those, I refigured the grade...but, unfortunately, the grades held.  No Honor Roll for them!  There are a number of students who have untenable home situations.  It's a wonder kids grow up at all!

I am extremely weary tonight, and I'm afraid it showed at the last of the conferences.  My make-up wore off sometime around dinner time...and my hair died long before that.  The parents who came late probably wondered if I need to retire.  For the most part, however, the conferences went well.  There are a number of parents who reported that mine was their kid's favorite class and I the favorite teacher.  What does it tell us when a fat, 59-year-old woman is the favored mentor?  Either I'm not strict enough, or the other teachers aren't dynamic.  Maybe both!

The dog was sure happy to see me tonight!

Parent Conferences

Grades for the first grading period were due today...and for the first time in my career, I just eyeballed the grades and submitted what seemed reasonable for each student (rather than calculate them all).  When that was done, I went back over all of the grades to make sure that no one's grade was strongly impacted...then went over them again, taking selected students in each class to calculate.  Guess what?  I was right on the money in every single case!  I guess when you've been doing this as long as I have, instinct takes over.  My grades were in on time without huge stress on my time.  No one got F's that didn't deserve them, and I could prepare for conferences with their parents, to start at 4:00 PM. 

In the four hours of conferences tonight, I probably had 10 students represented.  All went well.  Many of the parents who came tonight have had kids in my classes before and/or I have traded emails with, pertaining to the kids' progress.  This part was easy.  Tomorrow, the students go home at 11:00 AM and conferences go from noon to 8:00 PM...many of them by personal invitation from the 8th grade team of teachers.  We'll see how many of them show up!

At about 4:30 or so, the custodian in my room and I became aware of a helicopter flying overhead and some emergency vehicles pulling into the driveway of the elementary school behind the middle school.  Sure enough, the helicopter landed in the field between our schools, awaiting an accident victim to be airlifted to a hospital.  Apparently our field was the safest and closest place to land to get the victim.  A few of us stood in the cold wind and drizzle to watch.  It undid my "do" but I can't pass up an opportunity to watch something like that!  One of my colleagues suggested that I should turn on my "scanner" to listen to the air traffic, but my HT was in the car (although I'm almost certain that frequency is programmed in there). 

When I got back to my desk in my room, it soon became apparent that I didn't need my "scanner."  Dan Criswell was IMing me.  He was on the "run" that responded to the accident.  Within minutes, I knew that it was a single car accident on SR 39---ran off the road...29-year-old guy with suspected internal bleeding.  Sent off via helicopter toward Martinsville.  Ain't radio (and Internet) grand???

Note:  I have been suffering from plantar fasciitis in my right foot for a couple of months now.  (More commonly known as heel spurs.)  Yesterday, I just puttered around the house...and walked absolutely normally all day.  No pain because I wasn't stressing my feet.  Today, I wore my "good" walking shoes (highly stylish, I'll tell you!)...and managed MOST of the day without pain.  Maybe...JUST maybe...the foot is healing?  I still have to be aware of what I am doing to my poor doggies, but I sure hope this means there is light at the end of the tunnel.  This condition doesn't fix itself quickly.  Weeks to months and months...

Fall Break and Halloween approacheth.  I've got my punkins.  How about you?

Coats for Kids

I drove to the State Fairgrounds early this morning for the Coats for Kids distribution, sponsored by Channel 13, Tuchman Cleaners, and The Salvation Army.  They hadn't opened the doors yet when I got there, and the line of people waiting outside wound all the way around the building...and it was cold out there!

The coats are free.  Children have to be under age 18 and must be accompanied by an adult...and the children must be present in order to get a coat.  No one needs to prove poverty or anything else.  They just have to show up.  As in other years, ethnicity seemed to be equally divided between white, African American, and hispanic.  Unlike other years, the lines moved smoothly and somewhat quickly, since they had TWO coat shopping areas instead of just one.  We gave away over 5,000 coats today. 

One of my SATERN operators reported that she broke into tears when one of her children was acting stubborn about not liking any of the coats.  The woman said that she had fallen on hard times and had never had to do something like that before.  Her kids left with coats, nonetheless. 

Radio operators were there, helping with communications.  We were busier in the morning than in the afternoon, of course, but I don't know how they ever got along without us!  SATERN has been helping for the last 4 or 5 years, and we have made some friends just by way of being there and helping out.  One couple that joined us this year did a wonderful job...and the Salvation Army people loved the female half of the pair.  (I'm sure they liked the husband, too...but he couldn't stay all day like she did.  He worked the first shift of the event having been up since 2:00 PM the previous afternoon!  He needed to go home to get some shuteye.)  We all were invited out to dinner and a drinkie-poo with them afterward.  That's a first!  We went to the Broad Ripple Brew Pub, covering the clothing that identified us as associated with TSA.  (It would be tacky to be imbibing with TSA all over our clothing!)  Fortunately, I had an Indy native in the car with me who could get me around without getting lost (except for finding the Pub).  We came, we saw, we conquered.

Everyone went home full and tired.  My feet weren't too bad, but I wasn't walking as fast as I needed to.  Still, all of the bases were covered.  I'm sure there were a lot of families that went home happy today because their children have coats that will get them through the winter ahead!

Stuff and Nonsense

Drove to school in slight rain this morning, but somehow the windshield wipers sounded like they were sweeping over sandpaper.  It's dark that time of day and part of my trip goes through construction on SR 267.  Even a little rain causes headlights to reflect on the wet pavement and makes visibility difficult around the lane-divider posts...and I sure couldn't see well.  Got to school and heard from another teacher that anyone who parked out in front of the building (which I do) got some kind of stuff all over their cars--some overspray from whatever they were doing on the roof the day before.  Mystery solved!  Now I have to figure out how to get it off my windshield...

Today was one of those days where everything hurt.  Feet hurt, hips hurt, back hurt.  I think my students look at me sideways when I moan and groan.  Had to plan for a sub today because I will be in a curriculum meeting tomorrow at the elementary school.  I don't have to be there until 9:00.  No big rush in the morning!

I actually cooked tonight!  With the weather turning cool, I decided a bowl of chili would taste good, so I made a batch.  I even let the resident dawg lick the pot.  (That is something that Meg and Nate always let her do when they had her, and she gets her nose totally out of joint if a dish goes to the sink before going to the floor, first.)

Made a grocery run to Wal-Mart this evening.  Bought $60 worth of stuff, then came home and remembered the things I forgot.  That will have to be a trip for another day...

Meg has posted some wedding pictures on her website, with the "prettiest flower geel and rain bear" in them.  http://family.mamabeararts.com/photosX.html

We have a freeze watch for tomorrow night.  I need to find the ice scraper for my car and get it in there for the season.  <sigh>  The Covered Bridge Festival and fall foliage gawking starts this weekend in Central Indiana.  The leaves are pretty but certainly not at peak.  Whatever wind we had today brought a lot down--right on the walk in front of my door.  Nowhere else, it seems!  I just hate the notion of raking.  There has to be an easier way!

Never Underestimate the Power of a Food Slut

I know what you are thinking, but it's NOT ME!  I had taken four jars of Gerber's Meat Sticks to the Turkey Run thing on Sunday, in case the grandchildren needed a snack.  (For the uninitiated, the meat sticks are like little Vienna sausages--without the fat and other junk--packed tightly in little baby-food-sized glass jars with a metal lid that pops off when twisted.)  The children ate two jars.  The other two jars came home with me and were left in a plastic sack on the floor of the living room after I got home.  This evening, I was picking up flotsam and jetsam around the house and found--to my absolute astonishment--two EMPTY meat stick jars.  The rim of the lids were still on the jars, but the centers were punched out just as neatly as if someone had used a can opener.  Even more fascinating was that the contents of the jars was gone.   Since I live alone, and no one has been here but me and the dog...hmmm...could it be that Frodo the Wonder Dog had a tasty snack??  The fascinating thing is that I can barely get the meat sticks out of the jars with my fingers.  It must have been an interesting sight to watch the dawg dig them out with her tongue!  There should be shards of metal in her belly.  Oh, well!

October, a particularly pretty month in Indiana, poses some problems for me.  I have to plan for a sub for Thursday for a half-day meeting (that I only found out about today), and again on the 26th.  Friday, we have a middle school "fun night" which requires my presence at school until 5:00.  All day on Saturday will be spend with The Salvation Army for the Coats for Kids distribution at the state fairgrounds...a very big deal!  Next week, we have one full day of students on Monday, then half days with kids on Tuesday and Wednesday, dismissed for parent conferences.  (I will be expected to be at school until 8:00 PM on both half days.)  Then I have Thursday and Friday off for Fall Break...but with all the activity that has gone on prior, I'm not prepared to do anything for fun.  Damn! 

The weather is supposed to go to crap tomorrow, sometime.  Rain mixed with snow by Thursday...and I haven't turned the furnace on yet to know if it will actually work...

Grades for the first grading period are due Monday.  I'm working like crazy to get caught up on paperwork but won't have much weekend time to calculate grades.   Is it working?  NO.....  I would stay after school and work, but I get so sleepy by 2:30 that all I can think of is going home to the couch! 

One particularly obnoxious young student is so in need of attention that he can't control himself.  Today, I stopped the class to tell him that I loved him...and he couldn't handle it!  I am making headway with everyone but him.  He is my special project.  Ask me in May how we did!

Tomorrow is another day.  DUH!

Turkey Run

What a fantastic weather day this was!  I doubt we will have too many more of these, but gee!

I stayed up late last night making meatballs for the Turkey Run wedding after-party/reunion today.  The kids were supposed to come here from their motel about 10:00 AM today so we could regroup for the trip to T.R.  Meg called at about 9:15 to say she couldn't wake anyone up, although she had been trying.  (Apparently their motel is having hot water problems.  Everyone had been bathing here...except Meg, who took a cold water shower this morning.)  The plan was for us all to ride to T. R. together, to save gas and gate fees.  I figured Turkey Run to be about an hour away, and figured we needed to leave by 11:00 in order to be there by noon.  (In truth, it is more like 1 1/2 hours away.)  Because I had been racing around in order to get organized and get everyone fed, I wasn't ready to go...so I sent Meg and family--with meatballs--on their way, and I would follow thereafter. 

I hit the road probably close to 12:30, but soon figured out that I didn't have my wallet.  Backtracked to the house, found it, and hit the road AGAIN.  I stopped for gas and ice and a couple of bottles of lemonade for my grandchildren (they don't drink pop), then was on my way.  Much of US 36, from Avon westward, is newly paved and smooth.  It was a nice drive...but I had clearly underestimated the distance.  I checked into MIDCARS, mobile, on 40 meters on the way.  The band was good.  AB9D heard me and talked to me from the Bedford, IN, hamfest...and I got to talk to WW9E from Midland, Michigan just as I was arriving at T.R.  I discovered that if this wedding/party had been scheduled for next weekend, it couldn't have happened.  Rockville is preparing for their Covered Bridge Festival.  (Tents are already up on the courthouse square, etc.)  Next weekend, the traffic will be horrific in that area!

I found the reunion group easily.  Meg and Ryan greeted me in the parking lot.  The food was plentiful (as were the attending bees).  Everyone ate and chit-chatted.  The young folks headed off on the trails while the old folks played Bridal Bingo for prizes.  Meg got to play with her nephew, baby Jackson from Georgia, so she has had her baby fix for awhile (I hope!).  Robin and Ryan played with the other kids, took a trail with their parents and cousins, and generally had a good time, I think. 

About 5:00, I decided to pack up for home.  (The rest of the world gets a holiday tomorrow with Columbus Day, but I don't!)  I don't like driving unfamiliar roads after dark, and I figured I could beat the kids home to pack up their stuff that was all over the house, in order to facilitate their trip back to Muncie.  Saw an Amish horse and buggy on the road home.  Easy trip back.

The kids didn't make it back here until later than expected.  They had stopped a couple of places along the way.  They departed about 9:00 PM.  Am awaiting news that they have arrived safely in Muncie so I can go to bed...

All in all, it was a very busy and exhausting weekend.  There were at least 3 places I was supposed to be yesterday.  Family, of course, comes first. 

As they were leaving tonight, I had a handful of chocolate to give to Robin and Ryan.  Robin first.  "This is a treat for the prettiest flower girl in the whole world."  Ryan chimed in, "And the prettiest rain bear?"  Yes, Ryan...and the prettiest rain bear!

Gotta love 'em!

The Prettiest Flower "Geel"

We got Nathan's brother Dan and his fiancee Sara hitched today.  It was a drop-dead gorgeous fall day, and everything was nice. 

I had made it my job to style Robin's hair, since she was to be the flower girl.  The kids left for the church (with Robin in curlers) while I ran a short errand.  By the time I got there, she was in her flower girl dress and walking around like an absolute beauty queen.  After I got her hair done and put her "crown" on, everyone told her how beautiful she was.  (She did, too!  "Aren't I beautiful??")  She was not the rambunctious 4-year-old that wrestles with her brother and runs around barefoot and naked.  She acted very much the part of a lovely princess the entire time she was in her dress.  We didn't have too many concerns about what kind of a job she'd do.  She was really into the wedding business!  (At one point, she sat on the steps at the front of the sanctuary and yawned, but otherwise, she did a very nice job.)

Ryan, however, was another matter.  He and his cousin Joey were to be joint ring-beareres.  ("Rain bears.")  Ryan did a pretty good job making it down the aisle, but once at the front of the church, there were other things to do.  He spied the piano right next to his father.  Nathan (the best man) snared him JUST before he could tickle the keys.  Then there were other things.  He went over to his sister and took her flower basket, spilling rose petals on the floor.  We were expecting a sibling quarrel right there in front of the whole church, but Meg managed to grab him to sit in the pew with us, where he sat quietly for the rest of the service.  (Until it was time for the recessional.  Nathan had Robin and Joey by the hands, and Ryan--feeling left out--danced behind them, smacking his father on the backside as they went!)  He's only two...

The children's 4-year-old cousin Joey, from Georgia, was really smitten with Robin.  He kept hugging her and holding her hand, saying "Isn't she beautiful?"  Someone heard him say, "I hope she likes me!"  We wondered, at one point, if he thought HE was getting married, instead of Uncle Dan.  It was cute!

Everyone is understandably pooped.  Tomorrow, there is to be a wedding party/reunion at Turkey Run State Park, and the weather is supposed to be grand.  Guess I'd better start making the meat balls I'm supposed to take...

 

The Trip from Hell

I left school early today, thanks to support from one of my team members who took my six kids from 7th period so I could go shopping and be at the wedding rehearsal by 5:00, as directed.  My mission was to find some clothing for Robin and Ryan.  The seasons are changing, and both children have outgrown last year's cool weather clothes, so I figured I'd find two outfits each, then come home and head to the rehearsal.  AFTER I got home from shopping, Meg called--from her home phone.  It was 4:40 PM and they hadn't left Muncie yet!  Okay...they'll be an hour late to the rehearsal.  (They weren't the only ones.)  While the rehearsal was going on, I called to find out that they were stuck on I-69 in rush hour with emergency vehicle sirens going by them. 

The rehearsal ended.  Still no kids.  Another cell phone call indicated that they had just gotten on 465 on the east side of Indy.  Okay, I figured 30 minutes, in good traffic.  I told them just to go to the rehearsal dinner site...but Meg reminded me that she had sent me a file of "bridal bingo" sheets that I needed to print out and take to the dinner because she couldn't get her printer to work.  Ack!  Went home, rebooted (because I am having connectivity problems right now), and started printing...but each sheet took at least 5 minutes to print.  An hour later, I showed up at the dinner, with sheets in hand.  The mother of the groom informed me to get a plate and join them at table...but the kids STILL weren't there.  Another call indicated that they had finally made it to Plainfield and were on their way.  The groom's mother had forgotten the bingo tokens, however, so the game was never played....  What a comedy of errors!

Dinner was good.  My grandchildren didn't get to take part in the rehearsal, so tomorrow will be strange to them...and they are both coming down with colds.  Everyone visited; then it was time to head out.  Meg and family and Nathan's sister from California checked into their motel...but then came back here to finish soaps that are to be wedding giveaways.  (Can't remember the name for that right now!  I'm senile!)  I don't have a clue if that chore is done or not.  They all departed for their respective motel rooms along about 1:00 AM. 

I tried to talk to Meg about the logistics tomorrow.  She is convinced that they will converge here prior to the wedding, but I'm not sure she has a clue how all of that will work in the appropriate time frame!  I'm not sure I do! 

In spite of the double-the-hours trip from Muncie to Plainfield, Nathan seemed genuinely happy to be in the presence of his sister from California...Rhoda.  So was Meg.  Our time was festive, even if late.  Rhoda is a sweetie and we don't see enough of her.  She seemed to be somewhat overwhelmed by Robin and Ryan, who talked her ear off....

So, I need to be going to bed because the herd will descend on me again tomorrow, and I am exhausted already.  There is WAY too much to do before the event tomorrow.  Robin needs a hairdo.  How can I arrange that????

Robbie will be the prettiest flower girl ever, and Ryan and his cousin Joey will be joint "rain bears".  I need to find my camera!!!

Life Happens When You Aren't Looking

Another Thursday.  I decided after almost a week of not tending to things at home that it was time to do laundry, etc.  This weekend is my son-in-law's brother's wedding.  I am part of it, if only to help control the ring bearer and flower girl.  The rehearsal and dinner tomorrow evening, the wedding and reception on Saturday, and the reunion at Turkey Run State Park on Sunday will make for a full weekend. 

School has been chaotic.  Trying to stay ahead of the special needs kids' special needs, the football team's need to be accountable (with grades) to the coach...and the fact that there are going to be a BUNCH of unhappy parents when report cards come out in two weeks because a number of kids failed to turn in a 50-point essay that they had 1 1/2 weeks to do...  Of course, it will be MY fault.  I also had a student announce to a class previous to mine that he wanted to blow his brains out because he had nothing to live for...  His mother abandoned him at birth and his father is a jerk.  Still, he creates problems for himself in a bid to get attention however he can get it.  I feel like I stamp out brushfires all day long.  And people wonder why I come home so tired!

I found out quite by accident that my daughter is sick and the grandchildren are getting that way.  Don't hear much from Muncie these days, and it creates a new set of circumstances for me.  Once upon a time, my life was somewhat defined.  Now, I am struggling to find my way all by myself.  Do we feel sorry for me yet?? 

Burn-out, thy name is Peggy!

Computers! Bah! Humbug!

Computers are a wonderful invention...when they work!  At school yesterday, the server wouldn't let me on the network.  It said that I didn't exist "in context."  Whatever that means...  Here at home, my computer is having connectivity issues.  It seems that I have to reboot and unplug my modem every time I want to log on...so something's got to give.  All I want is for the stupid thing to work when I want it to!

I am beginning to come to the conclusion that I am getting too old to teach middle school!  Every day is a new adventure in immaturity...and I'm too "mature" to want to deal with it.  I guess I need to look into where I am in the retirement scheme of things.  I'll get a retirement job or something.  Would you like fries with that??

Truly, I love the kids.  (Some more than others, of course.)  One young man is either newly adopted or in the process of being adopted by a strict family...and has issues.  He is, perhaps, 14 years old and has been in 40-some homes--foster and otherwise.  Why should anyone be surprised that he is struggling?  He is going to be my special project this year.  I have a little experience with moving a lot in youth.  I just want him to know that someone understands and cares.  Will I make a difference?  Probably not...but at least he will have a teacher to turn to if he wants to talk...

October begins to heat up from here.  Lots of weekend activities.  Coats for Kids, through Channel 13 and The Salvation Army is the big one coming up.  Radio to the rescue! 

Bedford hamfest is this Sunday.  I'm supposed to be somewhere else, but if my daughter and family aren't going to be there, I'll head the vehicle south to Bedford.  It's a pretty drive and makes for a pleasant day.  (The other committment is at Turkey Run.  I can't lose, either way!)

Ciao!

Another day...

Another dollar?  I sure do earn my money at school these days!  We are being asked to do more and more but with less and less time.  And I do find the students to be somewhat exhausting.  Gave one a lunch detention today for talking during silent reading, and got the usual, "I wasn't the only one talking!"  Right then and there, I should have said, "Okay...then the whole room has a lunch detention!"  That would have shut her up, but wouldn't have been fair.  Still, that class needs something to inspire them to settle down!

I left for Muncie on Saturday to babysit with my grandchildren while my daughter and husband took an overnight camping trip.  The number one priority was doing damage control with the children's hair.  Robin had cut her hair in SEVERAL places.  (A couple of spots will take years to grow out...cut right at the scalp.)  Ryan's hair had been cut by a friend of Megan's and needed to be evened out and professionally cut.  Both children are to be in a wedding next weekend.  The gals at Great Clips did a pretty good job, although Robin's hair won't look normal again for a loooong time. 

Got home around 4:30 on Sunday afternoon.  Thereafter, I basically did nothing.  Needed to do laundry but just sat like a lump for the rest of the day.  So did the dog.

I've got to find a way to retire!  Don't know how that is all going to happen.  Decisions, decisions...