BARC

Bulldogs Amateur Radio Club is a club that one of my fellow teachers (WW9JD) and I operate at school.  Over the past three years, we have worked to get students licensed.  To date, we have eight.  Not all are active, but we are working on that.  The statewide severe weather drill will occur next week, and we intend--with administrative permission--to have our licensed kids work the drill as a communications exercise.  The district "sprang" for equipment this year--12 two-meter HTs with all the accoutrements...and now they are going to pay for t-shirts that we can throw on the kids to ID them as emergency communicators for the drill.  It is a real step forward! 

The week has been exhausting.  Student behavior has been the pits, so I have had to get ugly.  I come home at the end of the day with an energy deficit, feeling like I have been stamping out brushfires all day, but with no time to nap and still do what needs to be done before I go to pick up my grandchildren.  I have been heading for bed at the same time as the children.  If I'm asleep by 10:00, I do okay.  If not--like tonight--I'm just pooped.  No rest for the weary!

I am about to tell Summit Builders out of Greencastle (a family-owned business) to put us on the schedule for the garage remodel project.  We have to do something, and soon, to find more space for all of us.  I don't know where the money is coming from, but God provides.  I look at the project with fear and trembling because I currently have a garage that is level-full with junk that has to go somewhere before the project can go forward.   And then there is the prospect of moving rooms--one at a time--to new spaces.  Every room in the house needs to be painted and renewed.  It will take months. 

If anyone wants to know why I am not retiring this year, that is the reason--plus all of the medical bills from last summer's health debacle.  I sure wish I had an assistant who could just take care of all of the details for me! 

The weekend approaches.  Still no sunshine or warmth--and March is upon us.  Go figure!

Another Sunday

We actually had sunshine yesterday!  None today, however, so it was short-lived but helped my mood considerably.  At least there was no precip today.  For once.

With the granchildren here until almost noon on Saturday, not much got done around the house except sorting laundry.  Meg and I took a jaunt to Mooresville to go to her bank, have some lunch, and stop at Meijer.  That took a couple of hours out of the day.  Plus short naps for both of us.  She had homework to do, as well.

Today, I launched into cleaning and laundry.  Made a crock pot of beef stroganoff that was done in time for the children's rearrival at home.  Just before that, we went to Goodwill in Plainfield in search of clothing for the kids.  They are growing like weeds, and we are anticipating that no one will fit last year's warm weather duds.  We had some success for both the remaining season...and the warmer season that is to come...some day...maybe.  Both children are tall for their ages, and slim.  We can find things that are long enough for Ryan, but they are so big in the waist that he can't keep them up.  Both children are wearing out the knees of their britches.  'Tis ever thus.  Anyway, $80 worth of clothes from Goodwill covers a lot of ground!

I did get some things done today.  Washed the bathroom floor (which was no longer an option!).  Got bunches of laundry done.  Good dinner.  Dishes.  Meg did homework and worked with Robin on her sight words.  The day is history.

Now here is the scary part:  I am getting ready to tell Summit Builders (family operation out of Greencastle) to schedule us for the garage project.  Great, you say!  But before they can come to do anything, the garage has to be cleaned out...as in, stuff sorted, pitched, and otherwise disposed of.  Those of you who know me understand that my garage hasn't been usable as a garage for probably 14 of the 16 years I have lived here.  I am going to need help and people to take the stuff I can no longer keep.  Help!!!!!

 

Does Anybody Hear Me???

Just for the record:

I am done with winter.  Over.  Fini.  Do you hear me?  DONE!  I have had it up to my eyebrows with overnight snows, ice, slush, dirty slop, freezing rain, sleet, wind, cold, wet, and anything else related to winter.  I am SICK of tempting springlike weather one day, then ten days of single-digit temperatures thereafter.  I'm TIRED of no sunshine for days on end.  I am WEARY of feet that get cold walking from car to building...unable to get warm again until I go to bed at night.  I have had it!  IS ANYBODY LISTENING???  SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING!!

My school district was on a 2-hour delay today, due to yet another overnight snow/sleet mix.  Although we didn't get much more than an inch or two all day both in Plainfield and Monrovia where I work, it kept up all day in one form or another.  The roads were semi-crappy on the way to school, and even crappier on the way home.  With the delay for my district, Meg could head for work while I held down the fort to get the kids ready to go to day care.  All went well...except that I got the children dressed before breakfast.  BIG mistake!  Robin spilled her bowl of cereal on her clothes, so we had to do a pants exchange before we could head out.  Ugh!

This evening, Meg decided not to go to Muncie with the kids.  It was a good decision.  The roads were dicey, and she was tired.  Instead, we went to Burger King for supper (at the children's request), then home to watch movies.  (There were two other clothing exchanges in there, btw, due to "accidents".  And so it goes...)  Guess they'll go tomorrow, if the highways improve. 

A few of my students were looking at my 1965 Senior yearbook today.  One told me that I was pretty back then.  Uh....thanks, I guess!

 

 

I Have Surfaces!

This morning, Meg and I launched into de-clutter mode.  I think I've filled three garbage bags, so far...and not done yet!  I finally was able to take the Christmas decor off the fireplace mantel and went through the bookcase to pitch things that are taking up space.  We made one shelf just for the children's books.  Not quite a full shelf, but almost!  And the dust!  You can't believe the dust!

Meg started on her class homework.  We both succumbed to sleepiness and decided to take a nap.  I'll bet I was down for over two hours, which is why I'm still going strong right now. 

I've been working on the kitchen since naptime.  There are boxes in there that contain Christmas decorations that haven't been escorted out of the house yet.  As I go through that stuff, I am trying to reduce the amount of things that go into storage.  De-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter!  This all sounds so boring to those of you who read my blog...and I apologize for that.  Both Meg and I would like to have some order in our lives, but it's a full-time job with so many people in this little house.  If we can ever get it under control, the issue will be to enlist everyone to contribute to keeping it that way.  Very soon, it will have been a year since Meg and the children arrived on the doorstep.  We have had some good times and some frustrations, but we are all endeavoring to make our abode workable.  Truth be known, I would rather have them here than not.  Family is everything to me.  We survive!

Bunches of rain due tomorrow.  We don't need it, but such is winter in Indiana.  Better than snow!

"Valentime's" Day Has Come...and Gone

Valentine's Day sure is a hit with the little kids.  For the old "kids," it's just another day!  First, there were the little trinkets, candies, and Valentines--hand addressed by Robin--taken to Kindergarten for their party.  Then there was the heart cake and Valentines that both Robin and Ryan took to day care for THEIR party.  I tried to make the day a little special at home by having the dinner table set with white and red, with cards and a stuffed animal and heart-shaped box of candy for everyone.  (Meg didn't get a stuffed animal!)  I considered it a little ridiculous to have such a lavishly-set table in a room otherwise cluttered to the gills, but I doubt the children noticed.  For dessert, there was the heart cake.  I went out for a little bit and came home to find Robin still in the Valentine mood--way past bedtime--making things to take to Daddy's, etc.  She always has liked holdidays.

This morning, since it was a day off for me, I told Meg I would take the children to day care so she could just go to work without the added responsibility.  I was awakened sometime around 7:30 with someone tickling my back.  I thought it was my bedmate, Robin...but it was Ryan.  He had crawled in with us and was giving me shivers with his little hands being a "tickle bug".  He is a snuggler, through and through!  We got up, breakfasted, dressed, and delivered to day care.  Thereafter, I started doing "stuff":  haircut, shopping excursion to Wal-Mart, three loads of laundry, one load of dishes, and bill paying.  I then picked the children up early from day care in order to take Ryan for a haircut (at Cookie Cutters in Avon--what a great place!), then out for dinner at Chick-fil-A where Meg met us.  They are now on their way to Muncie with Meg, with Robin loaded with things for her friend Wednesday (Daddy's girlfriend's daughter).  One day down.  Can you tell I've done anything?  Not a bit!!

Every time I get in my car, I hold my breath hoping it will start.  So far, so good.  God provides!

 

Tired, Here...

For a short week, this sure has been a long one!  No rest for the weary.  I had hoped to be in bed by 9:00-something tonight, but life got in the way.

I was home by 3:15.  Watched a little Dr. Phil, then starting thinking about supper.  At 5:00, I picked up the children, came home, and had supper on the table just as Meg got home.  Right after supper, Robin and I went to the grocery store to get the fixings for  Valentine cakes.  Got that done, then took videos back to Hollywood Video while the cakes were cooling.  After that, Robin decorated the cakes.  Meanwhile, Meg and Ryan went to bed...with Meg in tears because Valentine's Day just crept up on her and she wasn't prepared.  I got a load of clothes in the washer, then the dryer, so Robin would have the clothes she wanted for her school party tomorrow.  As soon as the cake decorating was done, it was my plan to tuck Robin in so I could finish a few things...but she had other ideas.  In any case, I have a load of dishes going in the dishwasher so Meg can have a glass for her morning Instant Breakfast.  The clothes are done.  The cakes are done.  And I'm tired!

The children ARE going to Muncie this weekend, so there will be some opportunity to catch up on things.  They are such good kids, but they are kids!

Heading for the boudoir to shake hands with my pillow!

 

Another Winter Storm...that didn't happen

First, there was bitter cold.  Then a winter storm watch, which soon became a winter storm warning.  Predictions ran anywhere from 2-8 inches of white stuff, depending on which channel we watched.  At bedtime last night, Meg said she just wasn't seeing anything on the radar that looked threatening.  And just after she went to bed, the storm warning was canceled and went to a snow advisory...so it was up for grabs.  This morning, there might have been a half inch of snow on the car windshield...but stuff was freezing.  The roads were less than good, but not horrible.  So there you have it.  School was in session.  Whoop-de-doo!

And what an "in session" day it was!  The natives were restless.  This happens in February of every year.  Statistics show that the most disciplinary referrals occur in February, and we are here to prove that.  We had one girly fight in the hallway--and rumors of another about to happen.  Teachers were alert, so the second one was thwarted, much to the dismay of the young "men" who were standing outside my classroom door in eager anticipation of a cat fight.  Yesterday, there was the blood-smearing incident that happened in the girls' restroom by my classroom--not once, but twice.  Student behavior has been rude.  I feel like a policeman!  I spend at least 75% of my instruction time correcting aberrant behavior.  I am quite sure that their mommies and daddies would be appalled to see the way their darlings behave in school!  One of my young "ladies" had so much black make-up on her eyes today that I asked her if she could see...

Two more days.  TWO MORE DAYS.  Then a 4-day weekend.  No plans, as yet.  Depends on whether or not the grandchildren are here or in Muncie...  Keeping my  fingers crossed.  There is so much to do and not enough time to do it!

Come on, spring!

 

Ten Little Known Facts (if you care)

1.  A stray crayon in the dryer can wreak havoc on every single item in there.  (A large load of towels with blue spots all over them.)

2.  It will cost all of $10,000 to convert the garage to a Grandma room.  (Care to contribute?)

3.  A different grandchild is sick.  (Everyone has been well...what?...two weeks??)

4.  There are no exits between Brazil, IN, and Putnamville, IN, on I-70 east out of Terre Haute.  (I left my purse in a Terre Haute restaurant on Thursday after a textbook adoption fair.  Discovered the purse missing AFTER I passed the Brazil exit.  Thirty miles to turn around, go back, get the purse; then thirty miles back to where I turned around, and points east.  Sixty mile mistake!  So much for getting home early!)

5.  One 40-pound dog can make bigger messes than two pre-schoolers.  (Shredded tissues, poop on the floor, missed pads for urine, and one pile of dog barf at my feet in the computer room.  Anyone want a dog???)  And on the same note, my granddaughter attempted to step over the dog yesterday.  The dog got angry and actually chased Robin, growling, down the hall.  She only stopped when Robin got to me.  If Frodo had connected, she would be toast by now.  As it was, we just warned the granddaughter about the dog.  Sheesh!

6.  Chuck E. Cheese on a Saturday evening is a whacko place to be.  (Need I say more?)

7.  I can have a 4-day weekend next weekend if we don't have to take a snow day between now and then.  (Temps are dropping as I type.  Hopefully, the bitter cold that is predicted won't keep us out of school all week!)

8.  Christmas "stuff" that isn't put away just after New Year's will still be awaiting closure by Valentine's Day.  (I'm drowning!)

9.  God has a plan for all of us.  (We just don't know what it is, yet!)

10.  Fat doesn't go away by itself.  (I haven't figured out the secret yet.  Sewing lips shut?)

Hope your weekend is going well.

:)

 

 

 

Kaleidoscope of Weather

In the span of the last couple of weeks, we have had:  60-degree weather, 20-degree cold, lots of rain, freezing rain, snow, wind, tornadoes, dense fog, flooding.  Have I missed anything?   If we could get hurricanes in Indiana, I'm sure we would have had one of those, too!

My radio club just called up the second Skywarn (severe weather net) in a week.  In winter!  The storm tonight didn't pan out to much here in Plainfield, but Pfield ran its tornado sirens.  This, boys and girls, is the reason that people come to ignore the sirens!  They don't necessarily mean "take cover".  More like the folks in Emergency Management just want to cover their butts anytime there is a weather warning of any kind for the county.  Sheesh!

I was somewhat amazed.  When the net started, I went looking for my hand-held radio, just to take it with me around the house so I wouldn't miss anything, and realized that I left it at school.  Hmmm...  So I grabbed an older radio that I haven't used in years, turned it on (with an ancient alkaline battery pack on it), and it worked!  It worked well enough for me to check into the Skywarn net.  I was prepared to change the batteries, but didn't need to.  Neato!

I didn't get the fuel pump replacement in my vehicle.  Told the folks at the shop that I didn't have the money now, paid for what they did do (fuel filter), and drove the buggy home.  So far, no problems.  Unfortunately, intermittent malfunction doesn't give any warning about when it will happen again...  I have taken to going out early to see if the vehicle will start so that if I have to call a colleague for a ride, I can do it.  I do feel better, however, that Meg has (so far) a reliable vehicle!

Robin is losing teeth.  She's only five, but her bottom fangs are big-time loose, and she has permanent teeth coming in just behind them.  We need to get a Tooth Fairy pillow made soon!!!!

Little Ryan stepped on something at suppertime last night and slipped, bonking his teeth into his bottom lip.  There was a little blood and lots of tears.  Our solution to mouth injuries is popsicles.  Works every time!

Today is Fat Tuesday--Mardi Gras.  Lent begins tomorrow.  For the first time in eons, Easter will occur the weekend before spring break.  The year is flying by... 

The children will be with us this weekend.  Looking for ways to give both Meg and me the space that we need to survive.  Sounds simple enough but, in fact, isn't all that easy!  I love the little skunks.  Just looking for ways to unclutter our lives...

Ciao.

 

Ugh!

Friday was a 2-hour delay day.  We got virtually NOTHING of the weather that was forecast--an inch of slush, basically.  Whoop-de-doo!

My car is in the shop in Monrovia where I work.  They replaced a "badly clogged" fuel filter, then went about the business of trying to make the car repeat what it was doing when it wouldn't start.  I got a call at the end of the day on Friday saying that the fuel pump wasn't working up to specs.  They want almost $600 to replace a fuel pump assembly.  I am not convinced...and neither are two of my knowledgeable friends.  I guess, for now, I will stall on the pump replacement and hope the car doesn't strand me again.  I hate this!  Meantime, the "spare" car--my old Taurus--was given to Nathan today.  It runs, although it has some problems.  His Beretta just gave up the ghost.  Is it Karma that his and mine ran out at the same time??

The children came home from Muncie today in fairly good moods, but also in high spirits.  It is Superbowl Sunday.  Meg kinda wanted to watch the game in hopes that the Giants would whup the Patriots (which they did).  Perhaps it was our relative inattention to them that caused them to act up, but they became unruly in short order.  Both children got spankings in the course of the evening...not totally undeserved.  It's just so frustrating to try to tie up the weekend when children are being nutso.

Big mistake:  When trying to clean in my room this weekend, I discovered an absolute stash of wrappers and crumbs on Robin's side of the bed.  She sneaks food and eats it in our bedroom.  In the recesses of a corner that I can't easily reach is some Indian corn that was probably put there a year ago...and I noticed that a cob was out of place and devoid of kernels.  Huh?  Mice??  I made the mistake of trying to shame Robin out of her food hoarding habit by mentioning that it could be attracting vermin...but then she didn't want to go to bed.  UGH!  I finally told her that she had to be asleep SOMEWHERE, suggesting the bed or the couch.  The poor baby is now conked out in the living room.  Truth be known, I'm not sure that we DON'T have a mouse problem now, or that I can convince her that it's okay to go to bed now.  Bad Gramma!

Truth be known, I'm tired.  I work so hard just to stay in one place...and I don't like the place!  Meg is taking classes at IUPUI, and she needs weekend time to keep up with her assignments.  Laundry is a big issue.  So are toys (although the children are better about toys than laundry).  The house is just too darned small to keep us all in a happy place.  We need to unclutter!

Yesterday, Meg's cousin--that would be her father's nephew--came to take measurements to give us an estimate for the garage remodel project.  Christopher was once a fat and goofy youngster who got real about life in junior high school--lost a ton of weight and is long since a respectable member of his community.  It was great to see him!  I am praying that the estimate is something we can do.  We desperately need to find "space" for everyone. 

Time for bed.  Eli Manning helped with a Superbowl upset over the hated Patriots.  That helped assuage the hurt that the Colts weren't in the game!