clouds, clouds, go away

I was looking forward to a weekend with no plans and sunshine. Well, I got one of the two, no plans. I've really got nothing major scheduled. Can you believe it, me, busyizzie, has nothing urgent pending??? I've got a sweater I can knit on, some scrapbook mags to read that I picked up for the library or an orchid book or two to read up on. A trip to the grocery store is needed for a few things, but that's about it.

I'm thinking about getting out the GPS and the geocaching for dummies book and seeing about going geocaching for a few hours. I know Don wants the lawn cut but I think we can have 2 boys handle that. He stayed in bed until after 11. Lazy bum! Me of course was up early. Not as early as normal, I did sleep in a bit too, but not until after 11.

About to think what's for lunch and then plan my day. I do need to write each of my students their person, end of the year note. I always try to write each student a note so they know that I think they're growing up, or how smart they are, or just a nice note that allows them to feel special. Some students it is difficult to find just that special complement but if i write a few each day, I should be done before Thursday night so they can get them on Friday, the last hour of school.

Enjoy this last weekend in May. Since starting to type this, I saw a peek of sun.

Yipee!! 3 days off and 9 to go

The three day weekend is the calm before the storm. The storm of getting the students through to the end of the year, packing up the room, and getting on to summer vacation. Ahhhhhhhhh, summer vacation! I can't wait. This has been a long, hard year. I've had so many low in ability students and BIG discipline/behavior problems. I've dealt with bullying, group girl fights, and boy out of control.
I was asked if I wanted to go up to 5th grade. NO WAY!! I want to distance myself from this group of students. I'd rather go down to 3rd grade, which was an option, but I really wanted to stay just where I was, 4th grade. So luckily, that is right where I'm staying.

I think I mentioned before, I am going to work my way through the Rebecca Caudill nominees. This weekend, I've gotten through 2 more. These two were good ones too.

This one, The Motzart Question was my favorite so far. It was about a violinest who tells his life story and his parents' life story. You fall in, and feel you're right there in the room while he's talking. It is only about 70 pages, has pictures, and is a fast read. I highly recommend it for child or adult.



Emma Jean Lazarus fell out of a tree talks a lot about problems of that many young, junior high girls go through. The clique, when sometimes you're in and often you're out kind of problems.

Emma Jean is someone we can all relate too.


Moving on next to Naked Mole-Rat Letters. Also been trying to spend some time outside and did a bit of knitting. I've also totally been addicted to Bejeweled Blitz on facebook. Playing that WAYYYYYY too much.

Enjoy Memorial Day or your weekend where ever you are!

I love May 16!

Today is such a special day in my life. 22 years ago today, I was married to the greatest man! Then 5 years later I gave birth to my wild child.


This is my wonderful husband!



This is Brian, my wild, stubborn child. Don is crazy to let Brian jump over him.


Happy Anniversary to us. Happy Birthday Brian!

Only 17 more...

wake ups before I'm officially on vacation!

Finally a few photos

I've been really swamped trying to get everything done to finish up the college class. Next Thursday is the last class. I've also been trying to work ahead and get a bunch of grades into the computer for the 4th graders so that when it gets down to crunch time, I've got grades done and it will make report cards a cinch.

I've also taken a bit of a break from knitting. I finally finished the kimono and booties for a friend and coworker. I've even got photos! I've also been reading. I'm going to try to read all the 2010 nominees. If you are interested, this is the master list of titles and other important information.

My first title was Kimchi & Calamari.


As much as I wasn't sure if I would like this book about a Korean boy adopted from birth into an Italian-American family. It captured my heart from the beginning. I'm actually glad I got to know Joseph and his everyday problems. He's a boy in junior high but the things he went through weren't too difficult or too junior highish.

I've also finished up a knitting gift. This was a little cotton kimono with a simple pair of booties.



I've also found a photo that shows just how big my boys are getting.

I never really figured that Brian would be as tall as Doug, but there is just a chance that he's going to pass him up. Let me tell you, that just bugs Doug to no end.

Well the weather is getting nice around here and the trees finally have almost gotten all their leaves. The grass is green and with the rain keeps needing mowed.
I can't wait until school is out and I can start putzing around and just doing what ever I feel like it.

I guess that means I need to start thinking about my summer to-do list.
We are also considering a vacation. Although I'm not a sand and beach girl, for some reason the beach is calling me. I'm thinking outer banks, east coast vacation of just relaxing and enjoying what we can do for cheap.

Hope you also treat your mom extra well on Sunday. She deserves it. I am going to go cut some lilacs off of a huge bush at an empty house and give them to my mom with her card. I already gave her some pillows for her new glider.

Update

Still haven't finished the kimono.
Still haven't sewn on the button on my finished Finnish vest.
Need to pay bills again.
Oprah book is at my friend's and so are my supplies. I need to get some creativity.
Still reading Old Willis Place.
Picked up 2 more books and 2 Reading Teacher magazines from school.
Have 5 more college classes.
Still need to finish Don's business cards.

Lots to still do at work to finish up the school year.

Can't WAIT until School's out.

Major hand washing going on and no more high fives at school. Swine flu watch.

Finally saw A League of their Own again. Thanks library for a free 2 week rental.
Also watch Harold and Maude. They say it has a cult following. There were times Don and I looked at each other and chuckled. Rolled on the floor laughing when Maude refers to the Commie Jap Pigs! (Private joke around here!)

Ok, bed is calling and it's not even 10. Maybe if I get to bed early, I can get to work early and get filing and grading done, maybe. I also have to decide what to teach tomorrow night at the college. Something, I'll figure out something.

Until we meet again!

Back to the grind

Yes, today is the very last day of spring break. It was a nice week weatherwise at the end of the week. Today is drizzly, gloomy; kind of like my mood of returning to work. I have plenty of people who have counted the number of weeks until summer vacation. 7, there are officially 7 weeks until school is out. Now with the weather getting sunny and warmer, keeping 22 fourth graders focused on school gets much more difficult. There are about 3-4 more weeks of teaching the college students. That will be a nice change not to have to grade double papers, tests, etc. It just gives me a couple more nights to get caught up and ahead for the crazy last days of school.

I have enjoyed relaxing this week. I found the button for my finished Finnish vest. I just need to break out the needle and sew it on. Now that it's done, it's almost going to be too warm to wear a wool vest. I've also got a little Kimono done, just needs ends tucked in, blocked, and cords tied on. I'm swatching the yarn for a pair of booties. I love knitting, especially since I'm getting better at it, with new techiniques and pattern reading. I just hate swatching though. I've got 2 projects I want to finish up with that too. UFO's for you knitters!

I've got plenty of UFO's related to scrapbooking. I'm heading to my friend's house to work on one of those UFO's. I've got my Oprah's favorite things book to put together and journal about. I've also got the digital urge to work on my Miraval spa book too.

Before I do that though, I need to finish up Don's business cards, write bills, and finish a book I started called The Old Willis Place.

Well as you can see, way too much going on and way too many weeks before summer vacation. I've also got to plan a family birthday for Brian, there's also Mother's day, and placement of students for next year. That means I also have to have all the folders updated and in place before that happens.

Hope you have an enjoyable week. When I get a picture of that little kimono and booties, I'll definately post along with a picture of my finished, Finnish vest!

Ciao!

Great test results

The biopsy came back as NOT cancer. I couldn't have asked for anything better.
I have been so happy since hearing that. I really have had a lot of wonderful friends and family praying for these results. I can't ever thank them enough. I can't ever thank God enough. When you give the problem to God, he handles it.

Thanks be to God. God is so great!

sick days over

by my own choice. I'm going to work tomorrow. Things have been healing quickly and I feel good. Well, better than I could have ever expected.

Just thought I'm tell you out of all the movies I watched all weekend, Mama Mia was my favorite and I also enjoyed Nim's Island. Both are highly suggested. We used the sign along extra after watching Mama Mia. Don enjoyed it too, so it's just not a chick flick.

I was bummed that the disc for A League of their Own was so scratched it wouldn't play.

I did like A Weekend in Rodanthe, but I guess I was looking for a happier ending. Didn't quite expect that ending.

Well I need to get to bed because tomorrow's commute to work is going to be long. It's snowing here and I know it's going to create havoc with rush hour.

On the recovery front, drainage band removed, no bandages needed any longer, stitches should be coming out on Tuesday. Please keep praying for good results on the biopsy results.

Four days of work this week, 3 are teaching days, one parent-teacher conference day.

Adios!

My mind made it worse than it actually was

Surgery that was. Luckily, I was scheduled for 9:00 surgery and I was on time. We had to be there at 7:00 just in case I had to have any tests before the surgery. Well can you believe they actually made me take a pregnancy test. Guess what..... it was postive...........NOT! Could you imagine dealing with a new baby in the midst of all this crazy busy life????

Well I was very nervous about being fully put under and was considering twilight and once the doctor said that my neck would be tilted backwards that was it; I went fully under.

Don said surgery was a little over an hour. I remember going under, and I remember coming out. Why is coming out worse than going under? I think I woke up crying, coughing, almost felt like choking because of sinus drainage, and with the most horrible instanteous headache that wouldn't go away. After throwing up, a dark room, my ipod's relaxing songs setting, a bit of rest, and strong drugs to get rid of the headache, I was feeling better. That was until after the ride home. Sick again, bed for a nap then up until 10 last night.

I really can't believe that I was so stressed out over this. Today feel really good. I hope I'm not cursing myself by saying that, but I do feel good. I'm glad I didn't decide to teach today, but being up, showering, went out with Don for a couple errands and a couple movies. I feel a bit tired but hey it's 7:00 pm.

I am really pain free, but it itches to the point it's driving me crazy. Not sure if it's the incision or the tape that has been holding on the gauze to catch any drainage. I just know having the bandages off feels so much better. LOL I look funny with a little drain tube hanging out of my neck but this should be coming out tomorrow.

Anyway, I have a huge pile of movies we've rented this weekend for my viewing pleasure:
Slum Dog Millionaire (sort of disappointed, not as good as I thought)
Marley and Me (pretty people to look out, but brought back sad memories of putting my pets to sleep)
Nim's Island (in my queue)
Michael Clayton (in the queue)
Mama Mia (in the queue)
A League of Their Own (waiting just to hear Tom Hanks say "there ain't no crying in baseball")
Night's in Rodanthe (still in the queue, but I hope it's somewhere as good as a combination of Pretty Woman and Under the Tuscan Sun and I'll be as happy)

Now it's Friday night and there isn't much on that ever interests me. I love What not to Wear, but not so much in the mood and I absolutely cannot stand the Howie Mandel show, This is Howie Do it.

I'm going to say adios for now. Thanks for stopping by!

Midweek Date night

Very rarely, until recently, have Don and I had date night. We've had extremely busy schedules, and with growing boys, date nights seem to go by the wayside. With the boys almost grown, date nights have been more accessible. We have been able to do more together. Well Don and I had a mid-week date night. Don rode the train into the town where I work, then we drove to the Garfield Park Conservatory. They were having a spring flower show and I thought that might just be a good thing to help keep my mind off of my upcoming surgery.

The great thing about going here is that it's free. They suggest a donation, but it's not mandatory. They have a great palm house, fern house, the show garden, a children's garden, a sugar garden, succulent (desert) garden, and a houseplant garden. The palms were huge. The ferns and mosses were green and beautiful. Two of the gardens had pools in them with fish. The one garden still had Chilluly glass in the pool with large koi in it. Then at the end was a waterfall. Oh I could have sat there and just chilled out for hours. I actually told Don that would be a beautiful place for a hammock.

Anyway, here are a few photos.


This is the relaxing pool with the Chilluly glass.

They had beautiful hydrangas.

Spring was in the air.

They were said to have over 700 azelas.

How could you see this cactus and not laugh? We had to take a photo of it.

That was our date night. Not fun for all, but enjoyable for us. We went for pizza at Ledos and had salad and pizza. I gotta tell you, I'm not as young as I used to be because date night wore me out. Not used to being on the go from dawn to dark.

Weekends just aren't long enough

especially when the weather is great. I've finally spilled the beans to a few friends about the status of my health and that I've scheduled surgery. I keep feeling my throat and I think it's getting smaller, but people keep telling me to get it out. I am still having mixed emotions about it, but I still have a bit of time before the day.

I've got a lot coming up soon with parent-teacher conferences, report cards, and grading college papers while on spring break from the college this week. I've finally got my hair appointment rescheduled thatI had to cancel from a couple weeks ago to go have some medical tests. Don's off school this week and I've talked him into taking the train into the city where I week so we can go to the spring flower show at the Garfield Park Conservatory. I can only imagine how excited he is about it, but I know tulips, daffodils, crocus, 800 azaleas, and 400 hydrangias can only perk up my mood.

I've bunches of paper work to file and organize and it's supposed to be mostly rainy this week so maybe one evening-not Thursday, ER night- will be for filing and organizing.

This weekend I went to my friend's scrapbook day. She hosts a scrapbook day once a month and her husband fixes a great lunch. I actually met my goal of having my Texas album done. It was quite liberating to just go with the flow and not have any true rule other than 7x5 album. It probably has about 12 pages and was quite fun to work on. Hand journaling, some photos back to back, transparancies, laser cut paper, and notebookesque paper. No rules, just freedom to be creative. I've been working on theme albums lately to get them finished that worring about a lot of embellishments for each page. I am trying to decide whether or not to finish up some half-finished pages next, find, edit, and print some Oprah's favorite things pictures that I thought were lost, or begin on my Europe trip photo carousel. Just not too sure where to go.

I know I've got some time before I get to scrapbook again because I don't go on spring break until April 9. I just hope my spark of creativity doesn't leave before then.

Hope everyone who stops by has a wonderful week and hopes your weather is better than the rain predicted each day this week.

Too much going on

I've been quite busy and believe me nothing I want to happen. Truly, my mom says she doesn't think I could function properly unless I was busy. Today we were talking about the fact that as each day passes I get more and more grouchy. Today I said I should get out the "banana gun." Yes it's my private joke with a few teachers at school. The kids are getting really crazy at school and it's driving me nuts.

Maybe I should take you back for a bit of catch-up. Two weeks ago I found something growing on my throat. Inside, like the size of a large grape. I went to the doctor and had my thyroid checked since sometimes I feel just horribly run down. Everything came out clear and normal except this thing on my throat. Went for an ultrasound, and that ruled out that it wasn't my thyroid, but that sent me on for a CT scan. CT scan showed it wasn't a blood vessel and looked like a lymph node. That got me an appointment with the ENT. He was stumped and scoped my nose, sinus,and the inside of my throat looking for any indication of what could make this mass start to grow. Nothing points towards anything being wrong, except this mass growing on my throat. That then led to a biopsy. It's been the waiting on the results that is continually making me grouchy. I'm under way too much stress and it's hard not to think about it and whenever my phone rings I jump. I'm quite worried yet they keep saying it's new, nothing indicates there is any visual problem, you're young, so we expect it to not be cancer. But then again, the tests can come up inconclusive or negative, or positive. It's just not having anyone know how it got there, why it got there, and what it is caused from that is driving me nuts.

Then add in the fact that I've had very few planning periods away from the students last week and this week just is making me a bit overwhelmed with kid issues. It is just that some of them are back to their old tricks too. There are just too many days between now and spring break.

So add all of that along with teaching night school, having Doug home from school (it's great, but extra food needed here), and the giant fight that comes up next week with the high school about Brian. It's just incredible and I just am so sick and tired of dealing with issues that are just wrong.

So I'm just feeling overwhelmed, under appreciated, over worked, under paid, and worn out. I'm nervous about phone calls tomorrow. They said if I hadn't heard any results I should call on Friday. Of course when will that happen without any time away from the students? As a teacher, I totally hate Fridays.

I'm really feeling I could use some prayers and something to help destress myself. I need spring break!

Well now I hope you realize why I don't post too much because truly, there is too much going on.

FAT Tuesday!

Or some call it Paczki (poonchki)Day for those fattening, yet delicious little Polish snacks that are consumed on Fat Tuesday. I certainly celebrate in a paczki or two when available, but as for the Ash Wednesday celebration to follow, I'm not Catholic so there won't be any services at my church tomorrow.

I can't believe that in 40 days it will be Easter! Then again, yikes it's 40 mor days until Easter?? My school district takes it's Spring break from Good Friday through the following week. Doug will be home in another week, Don's college and my second job is off starting March 23, Brian is off the last week of March, and I have to wait another 40 days. Can you see that there is no simultaneous breaks here, so therefore, there is no vacation to anywhere besides here.

I think there has only been 1 time that any of us had spring break together since I started teaching years ago. I think it happened to be last year, but only with my high-schooler.

We've been so lucky to have 2 straight days of sunshine. Although it's still been cold, at least the students have been able to get out, run around, and the sun always makes the day a little bit better.

Well I decided to take a bit of a break while getting my things ready for teaching at the college tonight, but unfortunately I have to get a bite of dinner and head out.

Happy Fat Tuesday, hope you get a paczki!

Ahhhhhhhh...3 day weekend!

Some weeks at school are very long. It feels like 7 days long squeezed into 5. This past week was one of those; a very long week. I've got some kids who are making bad choices about gossiping and some choosing not to do their homework. That calls for consequences and one day this past week I had 6 kids in detention. Then there is a group of "mean girls and boy" who continually cause drama and talk about one another. This quite often takes place outside of my classroom and therefore gets handled by the office. Thank goodness, I've got enough to deal with inside of my classroom. So it wasn't until Thursday afternoon that a valentines party was a go because of behavior. Friday went fine, but an assembly and a party was thrown into the schedule which for some students makes it a bit off and things get crazy.
Thankfully I made it through to get to my 3 day weekend.

Saturday was relaxing and a bit quiet because Don slept all day because he worked Friday night. I went and got my hair colored, a lighter shade of brown, and then went out scrapbook shopping for a browse around a store I rarely go to. Then we went back to her house and finished...yes FINISHED my cow album. I've use a Maya Road Lunchbox. Then I designed around 90 pages of cow themed pages. Each page was 7x5 and has embellishments based on the 1999 display in Chicago called Cow's on Parade. The outside of the tin needs a bit of decoration, but there are a lot of cow pages done inside. I've been able to complete my Christmas journal, my Believe book, and now the cow album this year. Now I'm going on to my Texas album from my November visit to see my friend Helen. I can't wait to work on this, it is going to be relatively simple and I think somewhat based on how Ali Edwards does her preplanned Christmas albums and such.

This weekend, I also paid my fees to attend a scrapbook weekend in June. Just after school is out, I'll be able to go Friday through Sunday to scrapbook. I'm going to hopefully be working on my photo caruosel for my European Baltic Cruise vacation from last summer. I also have tons of pages that I need to finish for other photos and my Oprah album about when I was on Oprah's Favorite Things show. Believe me, I have plenty to work on. I also have 3 H's I want to alter for a display.

I've also been feverously trying to finish my vest I've been knitting. The back pieces are finished, not sewn together, but finished and now I'm about 20 rows into the front right. I'm hoping before summer comes, to have it finished and wear it. I have plenty of stuff that also needs done as far as knitting projects lined up too. I've also found some delicious wool that is being recycled so those projects are forthcoming too.

So I need to go do a bit of laundry, go get new dog tags, I want to look for a yarn winder, and should do something about grading some papers (yes, my favorite job) in order to get grades posted to do progress reports for this week.

Hope you have an enjoyable President's day and a great week ahead.

A Two Post Weekend

Can you believe it??? I truly can't. I have had a really nice, relaxing weekend. I got a few things done. I wrote all the bills for the entire month, scheduled the online payments and now when I can get into my room to file them, I'll get them filed and finished up for February. The wonderful thing is that even with an added car repair, Don needing to buy books for school, and student loans starting again, God provided us with the funds we needed and just a bit extra to save for a rainy day. If I'm able to save some each month, I'll be able to go to my girlfriend, Marybeth's scrapbook weekend in June. It's very local, but weekend away with friends, scrapbooking, challenges, and delicious food. It also provides another opportunity to catch up on a few projects that are unfinished.

Another beautiful day in Chicagoland. I heard the weather forcast and Tuesday they are calling for 62 degrees. Remember it's February people and we should not be that warm. We are going to get hit again, I know it.

On Friday, I stayed at school with 3 others and we did Billy Banks' Boot Camp video. Those squats have me still feeling it in my hamstrings. Tonight I might hop on Wii Fit for a bit of aerobics and balance exercise. Anyone else out there do Wii Fit? My favorites are Advanced step, ski jump, and boxing practice on Wii Sports.
I'm finding I need a yoga mat for the strength and yoga exercises. Next thing to save for, I guess.

So what made your weekend special? Mine is that Don's home tonight and not working. Although he's asleep, it's always nice to share the bed. (Well sometimes having the bed alone is a simple pleasure too!)

Toodles

I see some friends have been here

but no comments? I'm so sad. I do try to update this old blog as much as possible, but sometimes I want to post but I don't want it to be a posts of whining. Today, there is no whining! Today, February 7th in the Chicagoland area was 50 degrees! Fifty freaking degrees! Ok, from previous experience, 50's in February means two things: One, everyone, especially school children, will get early spring fever and it will be hard to keep them focused through state testing in mid-March, let alone until April's spring break. Two, this is always a sign that we're going to be hit with a huge snowstorm again before spring gets here. After all it is February and there is still lots of snowtime left in this old winter.

I've also been knitting. I finished up a scarf for my son away at school. It would be a nice thought that since it was finished on the warmest day of the winter season if it would ward off any more bitter cold days. I've got to get started again on my vest. I can't wait to finish it and wear it before the winter is over. This is with my yarn from Finland. I've also gotten bit by a bug to recycle yarn. Today for less than $10, I got two 100% wool sweaters and a lambswool & angora sweater. I have to deconstruct them, but I really am thinking a pair of cute fingerless gloves might be an upcoming project with something from the wool. I did find a 100% cashmere sweater, but the condition was a bit felted. Not much worth buying and not in the best shape either.

So I've got spring fever a bit today and with the vase of stargazer lillies on my table is making me long for the sweet smell of flowers. I've got a butterfly project I started late in the summer season last year that I think soon I'm going to hang up and enjoy. When I get them hung up, I'll try to snap a couple pictures of them. Just trying to decide how to hang them, find a stick or hang them individually from my lamp in the dining room?

Well I hope you've had a great day, beautiful weather, and are enjoying your weekend. I'll try to be back soon!

Will another blizzard ever hit on January 26?

How many birthday blizzards does one girl get?? Aparently January 26 is a pretty popular day for blizzards. Apparently, I've been born on a blizzardable (Is that even a word?)day!



This is a story I hear year after year. Do you realize you were born on the same day as the Blizzard of 67? Yes, I've heard it so many times, seen so many pictures, and the news usually mentions it each year. Blizzard of 67.

The crazy thing is that if I had lived in Chicago I don't know where I would have been born. Home, car, taxi, hospital??? Looking at the highway and the impassible snow, I just don't know. Thankfully, I was born in Ohio. My mom talks about wearing short sleeves, the 60 degree temperatures, and walking outside without a coat the day I was born. What a crazy coincidence, isn't it? I live now in a town with the largest 1 day snowfall, 23 inches and only 4 were predicted.

Another funny blizzard bit of trivia is that on my 11th birthday, I was in a blizzard in Ohio. It had hurricane force winds and the lowest barometric pressure. I remember my dad, who worked for the City of Columbus, got called in to work because it was payday. Granted no one could get out to the banks, the stores, or into work to get their paychecks, but the city sent a huge snowplow to come pick him up and take him to work.



Here is an article about that blizzard in which 51 people died. Blizzard of 78 I remember I was going to have homemade pizza and wound up having it I think, but we were without electricity for a long time. Can sterno cook a pizza?

Each year, I still curiously watch the weather almost anxiously awaiting to hear the weather reporters forcast another blizzard for January 26. Until then, I'll continue to try to have just a normal birthday.

Happy Wednesday!

I've been finding some peace and tranquility in the car in the ride to and from school by listening to a CD that a friend gave me with a variety of Christian artists. I find it gives me a happy feeling. I try to listen and sing along each day. I don't know why, maybe my prayers, maybe the Lord is hearing my needs, but it seems like the past 2 days at work have been a little bit more productive. It is always a bit more productive when the behavior/discipline student doesn't need discipline.

Mr. B started his new school and seems to be going ok. I hope this is what he needs to be successful. I can only pray for good things for him. This is his consequence for issues, but I can only hope that this is his/my answered prayers to help him be successful.

Big D is coming home this weekend for my birthday celebration. I went out to see him at school last weekend and enjoyed spending just a couple hours with him and giving him my full attention. That doesn't happen much when they get older, especially living away at school.

I guess by the time I get around to posting again, I might be another year older. Age is a state of mind and body. Let me tell you that my body feels OLD.
I am looking forward to eating my favorite birthday cake....german chocolate cake! Wish I could have you celebrate with me an have a piece, but I'm kinda a cake hog on my birthday. I absolutely LOVE German Chocolate Cake!

Trudging through a cold and snowy week

This week was unbelievable. Last weekend we got another 4-6 inches of snow on top of what we received earlier. I've got about 12 inches of snow on the ground. Then we had a blizzard warning on Monday night into Tuesday. That was cancelled due to lack of blowing snow, then the bottom dropped out. We had wind chills of -30 to -40 for about 2 or 3 days. Many shcools cancelled due to the dangerously,cold weather, but not my school. My district had teacher in-service on Friday so we were all over at schools taking classes. I was not at my own school, I traveled between 2 different schools. That meant I didn't go back to my own school or my classroom, I went straight home Friday afternoon and enjoyed a sunshine filled afternoon. Cold but sunny helps a lot.

Yesterday, the weather warmed up a bit. If you call tens and teens warmer, yes it felt about 50 degrees warmer than the previous wind chills. It snowed another dusting and it's white, iciclely and cold out still. The dogs don't want to go out to go potty. Well, I should clarify that, my big dog, CJ loves going out and frolic in the snow. He is the snow dog, the one to put that snout into the snow and root around. The little princess (aka PITA) thinks she's too good to go out and poop in the snow. "I shall not poop in snow up to my butt." is her motto. We've had to pick up a pile from the rug in front of the door. She's truly a "female dog."

Getting through this week was different. Brian has been suspended and transfers to a new school next week. Difficult to accept, but with God's help, I'm starting to understand it's not a reflection upon me. He must accept and deal with his consequences for the choices he's made. Then this week was also finals week. He was allowed to take the finals, although suspended, but he got incredibly sick and was down with a high fever for several days. He's still recooperating, but should be back and ready to start school next Tuesday. We'll have to find a time to make up all those finals but he gets out of school earlier than the high school so we could work that in or maybe they'll just send them out to his new school.

The colleges (both NIU and COD) started this week. Don's going back for a few more classes, Doug's new semester started, and the class I'm teaching started also. I have more students this semester and a few are probably going to be a challenge.

I'm also dealing with an upcoming birthday. I've got a family situation I've been struggling with and trying to make a decision about. I've got more praying to do with this one. Still a bit torn as to what I need to do.

Yesterday was a fun day to end the week. Don's added another night into his work schedule for a couple weeks so that means nights alone without my honey and days alone while he sleeps. I took advantage of his sleep time and went to scrapbook at my girlfriend's house. She's back into having her once-a-month scrapbook day. We had good conversation, a delicious lunch and snacks, and I got much closer to having the cow album finished. I've got about 8 photos tops until I've got the pages done and then a little bit of outer decorations to add to the can. Yes, each page is 7x5 (landscape), contains a picture of a Chicago decorated cow, the cow's number, name and a few decorative elements. Marybeth has been keeping me on track about getting unfinished projects done. Not sure what I'll be moving on to next, maybe my Texas album from my visit to my friend Helen's house. I also have a couple puzzle pieces to finish for an altered puzzle, I'd love to put together a tag book made from tags my Tipster friends made me, some letter H's I want to continue to alter for a shelf I need to put up, and I still have my Oprah's Favorite Things memory album to finish. I've also got hundreds of photos I need to continue to edit and print from my Baltic cruise for the photo carousel I want to make. Lots and lots of projects to do and just never enough time or space to get them out to work on them.

I've also got the everyday, mundane list of chores and jobs to get done. Tomorrow is an extra day off to celebrate and remember Martin Luther King, then I wish I could sit and watch the inauguration on Tuesday. Also a haircut is on the calendar for tomorrow and maybe I can talk my friend into playing beauty shop and to color my hair. I need a little perk up for this upcoming birthday. Gosh, getting old is hard!

Take care, stay warm, say your prayers, and try to enjoy your week. I'm going to try to find something to be thankful for each day. Peace!