There is snow headed our way today. The forecast, lying bastards, calls for 3 to 6 inches of snow this afternoon. It is supposed to start falling a little after lunch time and then an inch an hour for awhile.
The girls basketball coach is having practice this morning at 6:30 just in case we have an early out today. Once school is called off, they are not allowed to have any school events, which includes practice. He told them if school doesn't get called off they will just have two practices today.
Drew is supposed to have a game today but we will wait to see what the weather brings.
The Christmas season is rushing upon me. It is only a couple weeks until we are out for the break and I really haven't given Christmas a thought. No gifts purchased as of yet, no plans on what I am going to buy for people. I am way behind. Go figure, right?
I need to take my car to the shop today. My radiator is leaking and I need to get it checked. I can't wait until too long becuase I will be traveling pretty soon and need to make sure my car is in good enough shape to make it.
I figure God has an exceptionally cruel sense of humor or karma has a bad way of sneaking up on a person. When you don't have money issues, life just seems to hum right along. Your car runs well and the house doesn't need repair and things just seem to be fine. Have a month or two where money is tight; the car breaks down, the house needs repairs, the weather changes so utility bills go up. Kind of like giving you a nice kick when you are down.
I sometimes wonder what the wealthy have to worry about. Maybe the little problems life brings, maybe the fear of losing it all. Maybe I am so far removed from that type of life that I just can't comprehend the crisis life could bring that couldn't be soothed by a trip to the old beach house. I am sure they suffer from disease and deaths, but no more than the rest of us poor slobs.
I have been reading a book about poverty and how people in different classes have different "rules" for living. Most of the book focuses on the difference between poverty and middle class, not much is said about the wealthy. Probably because they rarely have "Real" life issues.
Maybe one day, I will be sitting at the beach house, wonder how the other half could possible live without "this view".
Off to start my day!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
If the polar ice caps are melting, they are re-freezing here in Iowa
The weather was actually pretty decent yesterday. The usually lying weather people were right and it was warm enough to melt some of the ice away. That was the good news.
Today, cold as a bastard and a wind that is an arctic blast from the north. Tomorrow, SNOW! This weekend, SNOW and ICE! Simply put, we are in for a suckfest!
The real estate agent called yesterday and they have someone interested in renting the house. That is very good news so we will wait and see how it pans out. They were going to look at it last night or today, not sure which and then fill out an application. We will review the application and decide if we want to rent to them. If they have the means to consistently pay the rent, we'll take em! I don't care if they raise chickens in the back yard for some sort of voodoo sacrifice, as long as they keep the place clean and take care of the yard and PAY, they can do whatever.
Jess had a game last night and it was another ugly night for the Jayettes. The good news was that Jess was the high scorer on the team with 10 points. The bad news, they lost by 25. The team shooting percentage is pretty poor so the coach is now having shooting pratice every morning at 7:00 am.
Drew had practice in the mornings at 6:15 so now I have both kids getting up early and cutting into my morning Rich time. Drew up at 5:30 and Jess up at 5:45.
Just as I thought the political parade could not get any worse. Just a month away for the Iowa Caucuses, the political machines are sounding off as loud as ever. Phone calls for surveys, every dang commercial is a political one and candidates are everywhere. I will be glad when this is over.
For some reason, I keep thinking today is Thursday. How does that happen? Several times this morning I thought about it being either Trash Day, or what was on TV Thursday night or do I have any meeting for Thursday? Hello! Rich, IT'S WEDNESDAY!!!!
One meeting today and a few items still on my list of things to do. Yesterday was pretty productive so it seems we are on the downward swing of tasks. Let's hope nothing big happens between now and Christmas break.
Today, cold as a bastard and a wind that is an arctic blast from the north. Tomorrow, SNOW! This weekend, SNOW and ICE! Simply put, we are in for a suckfest!
The real estate agent called yesterday and they have someone interested in renting the house. That is very good news so we will wait and see how it pans out. They were going to look at it last night or today, not sure which and then fill out an application. We will review the application and decide if we want to rent to them. If they have the means to consistently pay the rent, we'll take em! I don't care if they raise chickens in the back yard for some sort of voodoo sacrifice, as long as they keep the place clean and take care of the yard and PAY, they can do whatever.
Jess had a game last night and it was another ugly night for the Jayettes. The good news was that Jess was the high scorer on the team with 10 points. The bad news, they lost by 25. The team shooting percentage is pretty poor so the coach is now having shooting pratice every morning at 7:00 am.
Drew had practice in the mornings at 6:15 so now I have both kids getting up early and cutting into my morning Rich time. Drew up at 5:30 and Jess up at 5:45.
Just as I thought the political parade could not get any worse. Just a month away for the Iowa Caucuses, the political machines are sounding off as loud as ever. Phone calls for surveys, every dang commercial is a political one and candidates are everywhere. I will be glad when this is over.
For some reason, I keep thinking today is Thursday. How does that happen? Several times this morning I thought about it being either Trash Day, or what was on TV Thursday night or do I have any meeting for Thursday? Hello! Rich, IT'S WEDNESDAY!!!!
One meeting today and a few items still on my list of things to do. Yesterday was pretty productive so it seems we are on the downward swing of tasks. Let's hope nothing big happens between now and Christmas break.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
That damn smell is back!
I am not sure what I would do in the morning without a cup of coffee. I hope I never have to find out!
The last two mornings I have been waking up at 4:30 or so. It is about 25 minutes before I normally get up so the dilemma begins. Do I get up at 4:30 when I feel a little bit awake or do I try to get that extra 25 minutes and run the risk of waking up in the middle of a dream, which makes me really tired and not want to get up? So far, I have thought about it long enough that I just get up. It isnt so bad missing out on a half hour of sleep from time to time, it is a heck of a lot better than having insomnia. If you have ever had insomnia, you know what I am talking about.
The school was a mess yesterday. The sidewalk and parking lots were sheets of ice. The building and grounds director, who is a friend of mine, most likely got his butt chewed out. It was ridiculous and he deserved the butt chewing. I am not sure if anyone got hurt but I heard that several people fell. I could go into a tirade about lazy workers and how that is the norm and how, for the most part, people are able to slide but there are times you actually have to do your job; but I am going to refrain from that and move on.
We are busy as beavers at work. It seems that we are riding on a wave of work but at the same time, I feel that once we get over the hump here, we should see a slow down until after the Christmas break. I am hoping that by the middle or end of next week, we should be in pretty good shape.
The JV team played last night. Jess wasn't part of the JV team. I was curious if they were going to have her play any JV this year but apparently they aren't. I went and watched the first half and then came home and watched "Chuck". I am not sure how the game ended up, I forgot to ask Jess when she got home. The girls have a game tonight but it is away and an hour away at that so I am not going. Drew had an early morning practice again today so he is already gone for the day.
Drew has a game Thursday and Jess has a game Friday. The girls play the #1 ranked team in the state so it will probably get ugly.
I have to decide decide when I am going to do my Christmas shopping. I really am not looking forward to it this year. My tendency is more on the side of the grinch this year than of of St. Nick.
My tenants are supposed to be out of the house today. The realtor called and said they have another family that may be interested in renting it. I hope to do a walk through today and then get a showing in tonight or tomorrow. That house is an anchor around my neck! I am concerned with the condition of the house. The current tennants were slobs and negligent of the property. More crap to worry about.
In all of my haste, I have forgotten to note the hiring of Bo Pelini by the University of Nebraska. I think it is a good hire and I think we will see an impact next year. The talent is there, I think we now have a coach that can get it going. I hope that he keeps Watson on the offensive side of the ball. I think he would be a great offensive coordinator.
I just saw that the lying weather bastards are predicting a high of 40 today. It kind of made me happy but I hate to take them at their word. The lying bastards have gotten my hopes up many times only to play out as a collosal dissapointment. If they are right, which is RARE, maybe the ice will melt a bit.
Ok, off to start my day.
The last two mornings I have been waking up at 4:30 or so. It is about 25 minutes before I normally get up so the dilemma begins. Do I get up at 4:30 when I feel a little bit awake or do I try to get that extra 25 minutes and run the risk of waking up in the middle of a dream, which makes me really tired and not want to get up? So far, I have thought about it long enough that I just get up. It isnt so bad missing out on a half hour of sleep from time to time, it is a heck of a lot better than having insomnia. If you have ever had insomnia, you know what I am talking about.
The school was a mess yesterday. The sidewalk and parking lots were sheets of ice. The building and grounds director, who is a friend of mine, most likely got his butt chewed out. It was ridiculous and he deserved the butt chewing. I am not sure if anyone got hurt but I heard that several people fell. I could go into a tirade about lazy workers and how that is the norm and how, for the most part, people are able to slide but there are times you actually have to do your job; but I am going to refrain from that and move on.
We are busy as beavers at work. It seems that we are riding on a wave of work but at the same time, I feel that once we get over the hump here, we should see a slow down until after the Christmas break. I am hoping that by the middle or end of next week, we should be in pretty good shape.
The JV team played last night. Jess wasn't part of the JV team. I was curious if they were going to have her play any JV this year but apparently they aren't. I went and watched the first half and then came home and watched "Chuck". I am not sure how the game ended up, I forgot to ask Jess when she got home. The girls have a game tonight but it is away and an hour away at that so I am not going. Drew had an early morning practice again today so he is already gone for the day.
Drew has a game Thursday and Jess has a game Friday. The girls play the #1 ranked team in the state so it will probably get ugly.
I have to decide decide when I am going to do my Christmas shopping. I really am not looking forward to it this year. My tendency is more on the side of the grinch this year than of of St. Nick.
My tenants are supposed to be out of the house today. The realtor called and said they have another family that may be interested in renting it. I hope to do a walk through today and then get a showing in tonight or tomorrow. That house is an anchor around my neck! I am concerned with the condition of the house. The current tennants were slobs and negligent of the property. More crap to worry about.
In all of my haste, I have forgotten to note the hiring of Bo Pelini by the University of Nebraska. I think it is a good hire and I think we will see an impact next year. The talent is there, I think we now have a coach that can get it going. I hope that he keeps Watson on the offensive side of the ball. I think he would be a great offensive coordinator.
I just saw that the lying weather bastards are predicting a high of 40 today. It kind of made me happy but I hate to take them at their word. The lying bastards have gotten my hopes up many times only to play out as a collosal dissapointment. If they are right, which is RARE, maybe the ice will melt a bit.
Ok, off to start my day.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Don't talk to me, it's Monday
It's Monday and 9 degrees outside. What a way to start a week.
We had a pretty good ice storm on Saturday. The state was in pretty much of a do not travel mode. The kids and I stayed in all day. We cooked and watched TV. It was actually pretty nice even though the kids said they were board.
The beauty of a day like that is I did some work around the house in the morning but when I went to take a nap; I really had no guilt. Usually, I feel guilty that I should be doing something else and taking a nap makes me feel lazy. I should note at this point that the guilt rarely stops me from taking naps but I do feel guilty about it. No such concern on Saturday.
Friday night, Jess had a game and they lost by two. It was kind of a shame because they played a pretty good game. They have way to many turn overs and not a lot of defensive tenacity. They were down by two with 10 seconds left. The coach calls a timeout and draws up the play. The come out of the timeout. Jess is throwing the ball in bounds to the point guard. They are supposed to get it in, set a pick for the shooter, make the pass and get a shot up. So Jess gets the ball in, the point guard takes two steps, picks up the ball, and then dribbles again. DOUBLE DRIBBLE, game over! The girl is a senior and should not have made that kind of mistake.
I got a letter in the mail Saturday from Des Moines Area Community College, and they are inviting me to a metor-mentee meeting on the 18th that is required for all new instructors!! I got the job! It looks like I will be teaching college classes in January. How cool is that?
Since the weather was marginal all weekend I watched a lot of tv. I guess I normally watch a lot of TV on the weekends regardless of the weather it just made me feel better to justify it this weekend. Anyway, it was kind of a unexplained tv theme. I watched a few episodes of "A Haunting" and a show on the History channel called "Monster Hunters". They were looking for Big Foot. I got to thinking that it is easy for people to believe in dark or scary things but people tend to me more sceptical of good or positive things. Here is an example: If I told people that I had a ghost in my house the was a demon or something, there would be a pretty good number of people who would believe it. Now if I said I had and Angel talking to me, that was helping me through life, people would think I was a nut! I think people tend to believe things that scare us more than things that do not.
I told Drew I like this sort of thing and like to believe because it makes life a bit more interesting. Life with Big Foot, the Lochness Monster, Spirits and UFO's makes this an iteresting place. As long as you don't go overboard and become obsessed with these things, what's the harm?
Hey mom, I am reading Dean Koontz, "Brother Odd". An Odd Thomas story. It is funny that his is haunted by Elvis' spirit.
Not sure of the game schedule for this kids this week. I think they both have games Tuesday but not sure where. I know there is a girls JV game tonight. I am not sure if the coach will have Jess play. It would be good for her to get to play but I doubt he lets her.
More tomorrow.
We had a pretty good ice storm on Saturday. The state was in pretty much of a do not travel mode. The kids and I stayed in all day. We cooked and watched TV. It was actually pretty nice even though the kids said they were board.
The beauty of a day like that is I did some work around the house in the morning but when I went to take a nap; I really had no guilt. Usually, I feel guilty that I should be doing something else and taking a nap makes me feel lazy. I should note at this point that the guilt rarely stops me from taking naps but I do feel guilty about it. No such concern on Saturday.
Friday night, Jess had a game and they lost by two. It was kind of a shame because they played a pretty good game. They have way to many turn overs and not a lot of defensive tenacity. They were down by two with 10 seconds left. The coach calls a timeout and draws up the play. The come out of the timeout. Jess is throwing the ball in bounds to the point guard. They are supposed to get it in, set a pick for the shooter, make the pass and get a shot up. So Jess gets the ball in, the point guard takes two steps, picks up the ball, and then dribbles again. DOUBLE DRIBBLE, game over! The girl is a senior and should not have made that kind of mistake.
I got a letter in the mail Saturday from Des Moines Area Community College, and they are inviting me to a metor-mentee meeting on the 18th that is required for all new instructors!! I got the job! It looks like I will be teaching college classes in January. How cool is that?
Since the weather was marginal all weekend I watched a lot of tv. I guess I normally watch a lot of TV on the weekends regardless of the weather it just made me feel better to justify it this weekend. Anyway, it was kind of a unexplained tv theme. I watched a few episodes of "A Haunting" and a show on the History channel called "Monster Hunters". They were looking for Big Foot. I got to thinking that it is easy for people to believe in dark or scary things but people tend to me more sceptical of good or positive things. Here is an example: If I told people that I had a ghost in my house the was a demon or something, there would be a pretty good number of people who would believe it. Now if I said I had and Angel talking to me, that was helping me through life, people would think I was a nut! I think people tend to believe things that scare us more than things that do not.
I told Drew I like this sort of thing and like to believe because it makes life a bit more interesting. Life with Big Foot, the Lochness Monster, Spirits and UFO's makes this an iteresting place. As long as you don't go overboard and become obsessed with these things, what's the harm?
Hey mom, I am reading Dean Koontz, "Brother Odd". An Odd Thomas story. It is funny that his is haunted by Elvis' spirit.
Not sure of the game schedule for this kids this week. I think they both have games Tuesday but not sure where. I know there is a girls JV game tonight. I am not sure if the coach will have Jess play. It would be good for her to get to play but I doubt he lets her.
More tomorrow.
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