It was a good weekend. The weather was marginal but the days off were a good break for me.
I tried to do a little shopping on Black Friday. What a mess! I wanted to get a tv. I am using some of the money I made from teaching class to buy a 40 inch LCD TV for the front living room. I want a specific model and they had a great sale on them. Of course the two places I went were sold out! I will give it a try again later.
Thanksgiving was ok. I made turkey and it was the best turkey I have ever had. It was just perfect. I am not sure what the deal was but it sure turned out good.
We got about three inches of snow this weekend. I wasn't outside much so it wasn't a big deal to me.
Nancy did her Christmas baking on Saturday. Jess and Drew helped a bit. It is one of my favorite things. She makes chocolates and cookies, caramel corn, chex mix and a bunch of wonderful things.
Jess had a basketball scrimmage on Saturday morning. It was at North Polk. She was back around lunchtime.
Sunday was a bit of a waste. I had a headache and didn't feel that well. I laid on the couch most of the day and watched a marathon of the TV show "Solitary". I think it would be fun to go on that show. Maybe I will send in a video next time they are auditioning to see if I can get on.
Three weeks until Christmas break. I have two more Monday classes and one more Tuesday class. It is good to be almost done with the classes. I will miss another one of Jess' basketball games Tuesday.
It will be a busy week for Jess. She has practice all week with a game Tuesday. She also starts volleyball practice with her club team this week. Tonight there is a rules meeting so after practice they will be headed to Ankeny for that. She will have practice Wednesday and Thursday.
Drew has a game tonight in Perry at 4:15 so I will be able to watch it.
I am not sure what I have on my work calendar this week but I guess I will check it out when I go in this morning. I really do feel a bit refreshed from the weekend and ready to start again.
Off to start
Monday, December 1, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Monday - the antidote for a positive attitude
It is Monday but we have a short week this week. The kids only have school today and tomorrow. Thanksgiving break is always a good get away from the day to day hassle of school.
Jess had a basketball tournament this weekend. It was ok. They lost Friday but won Saturday. Jess played the worst game of her career Saturday. She fouled out and really didn't play much. She got in foul trouble early in the game and every time she came in she seemed to foul and the she just really struggled to get it going. The team won so that was what was important.
Drew has a game tonight in Dallas Center. Jess has a game tomorrow in Perry.
I have a couple meetings today. One this morning and the other tonight at 6:30. I actually canceled my class tonight so I could attend this meeting. It is a school board work session and they are discussing borrowing money.
We got a bunch of snow on Saturday and it was unexpected. I would guess we got a couple inches if not more. It was slick and messy and cold as it could be.
Off to start
Jess had a basketball tournament this weekend. It was ok. They lost Friday but won Saturday. Jess played the worst game of her career Saturday. She fouled out and really didn't play much. She got in foul trouble early in the game and every time she came in she seemed to foul and the she just really struggled to get it going. The team won so that was what was important.
Drew has a game tonight in Dallas Center. Jess has a game tomorrow in Perry.
I have a couple meetings today. One this morning and the other tonight at 6:30. I actually canceled my class tonight so I could attend this meeting. It is a school board work session and they are discussing borrowing money.
We got a bunch of snow on Saturday and it was unexpected. I would guess we got a couple inches if not more. It was slick and messy and cold as it could be.
Off to start
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
PB&J and Tuesday nights go hand in hand
Cold this morning but I think it is going to warm up today. It will be short lived. The rest of the week is supposed to be cold. The good news is we really don't have a chance at any significant snow in the near future.
Class went well last night. I had them do a team project that incorporated Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. They had to do a lot of work and finish the night with a presentation. I was anticipating it to take a few hours total but it ended up taking almost the whole four hours and the second group didn't get to do their presentation. They will have to do it next week.
Even thought it was a bunch of work, I really didn't hear any grumbling about it. I think they enjoyed the project but it was a killer for me. I just had to sit there for four hours and wait. It was very dull. The next two classes are going to be the same because they have test prep next week and the final test the week after that.
Jess had a basketball game last night and they won. I thin they won pretty big too. Dawn said Jess played well. She is more confident this year and really getting to the basket. I think she had 12 points. It will be good to see her play on Friday.
She has the best vertical jump on the team so she does the jump ball. So far this season she is yet to loose the jump toss. We will see what happens when she has to jump against a girl that is 6'2. Last year she had to jump against one of those girls and she wanted to get up early so she jumped as soon as the ball was tossed. The other girl jumped with her and they both wiffed!
Drew has early morning practices this week so we go over at 5:10 am. Molly loves the little walk to the school so she is just excited as she can be when Drew is up and about in the morning.
I have a meeting today and not much on the agenda for the rest of the week. I am a bit worn out today for the last two nights of teaching.
I got my confirmation card for teaching next semester. I teach three classes. For a 6 week period from the end of February to the start of April I will be teaching 17 hours a week. I guess we will see how I hold up.
Off to start.
Class went well last night. I had them do a team project that incorporated Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. They had to do a lot of work and finish the night with a presentation. I was anticipating it to take a few hours total but it ended up taking almost the whole four hours and the second group didn't get to do their presentation. They will have to do it next week.
Even thought it was a bunch of work, I really didn't hear any grumbling about it. I think they enjoyed the project but it was a killer for me. I just had to sit there for four hours and wait. It was very dull. The next two classes are going to be the same because they have test prep next week and the final test the week after that.
Jess had a basketball game last night and they won. I thin they won pretty big too. Dawn said Jess played well. She is more confident this year and really getting to the basket. I think she had 12 points. It will be good to see her play on Friday.
She has the best vertical jump on the team so she does the jump ball. So far this season she is yet to loose the jump toss. We will see what happens when she has to jump against a girl that is 6'2. Last year she had to jump against one of those girls and she wanted to get up early so she jumped as soon as the ball was tossed. The other girl jumped with her and they both wiffed!
Drew has early morning practices this week so we go over at 5:10 am. Molly loves the little walk to the school so she is just excited as she can be when Drew is up and about in the morning.
I have a meeting today and not much on the agenda for the rest of the week. I am a bit worn out today for the last two nights of teaching.
I got my confirmation card for teaching next semester. I teach three classes. For a 6 week period from the end of February to the start of April I will be teaching 17 hours a week. I guess we will see how I hold up.
Off to start.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
I think I might prefer the virtual world
Yesterday I had to go to Rockwell Collins for a virtual reality demonstration. They are donating a virtual reality projector, computer and screen to the school and I went with a small group of people to check out the technology in their environment. It was pretty cool to see the virtual reality, 3D environment. We had to wear some high tech 3D glasses but it really seemed like we were really in the virtual room.
We had to leave at 6am yesterday morning, thus the blog did not get posted. It was an early start to the day since I also had to teach class last night and didn't get home until around 9:45. Anyway, it was pretty cool and it will be interesting to see if our staff gets jazzed enough about it to actually develop curriculum to integrate it.
Drew had a basketball game last night. They lost 50 something to 14. UGLY! Drew did score one point.
Jess has her first basketball game tonight. I am not sure where it is but it isn't in Perry. I teach so I pay less attention to where she plays when I have no chance of attending.
The weekend went quickly. The huskers won, which was good. Jess had a basketball round robin scrimmage all day Saturday. The kids and Dawn wen to the school play and that was about it.
We did go to Ankeny Sunday to turn in Jessica's volleyball contract but that was relatively uneventful. I did buy a new kitchen trash can..Whoo Hoo!
I can't believe we are a little over a week away from Thanksgiving. I need to call mom this weekend and decide what we are going to do. Jess is having oral surgery over the break so I am not sure I am going to make it to the traditional Thanksgiving decoration day at the restaurant. I really haven't even thought much about it and it is just a week away.
Christmas is fast approaching as well. It won't be long until the shopping season will be full swing. I also have to start thinking of songs for the Christmas CD.
Ok, off to start.
We had to leave at 6am yesterday morning, thus the blog did not get posted. It was an early start to the day since I also had to teach class last night and didn't get home until around 9:45. Anyway, it was pretty cool and it will be interesting to see if our staff gets jazzed enough about it to actually develop curriculum to integrate it.
Drew had a basketball game last night. They lost 50 something to 14. UGLY! Drew did score one point.
Jess has her first basketball game tonight. I am not sure where it is but it isn't in Perry. I teach so I pay less attention to where she plays when I have no chance of attending.
The weekend went quickly. The huskers won, which was good. Jess had a basketball round robin scrimmage all day Saturday. The kids and Dawn wen to the school play and that was about it.
We did go to Ankeny Sunday to turn in Jessica's volleyball contract but that was relatively uneventful. I did buy a new kitchen trash can..Whoo Hoo!
I can't believe we are a little over a week away from Thanksgiving. I need to call mom this weekend and decide what we are going to do. Jess is having oral surgery over the break so I am not sure I am going to make it to the traditional Thanksgiving decoration day at the restaurant. I really haven't even thought much about it and it is just a week away.
Christmas is fast approaching as well. It won't be long until the shopping season will be full swing. I also have to start thinking of songs for the Christmas CD.
Ok, off to start.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Well, it doesn't feel like Friday
More rain and cold. I was thinking that I might rather have snow and just cold than this crappy, wet, miserable stuff we have been getting.
Friday has rushed upon me quickly this week. I think it has been because it has been such a busy week. Yesterday was a day full of meetings and office work. Nancy had to go with her mom to the hospital yesterday for some testing.
I have zero plans this weekend but the kids have plans. Drew is going to the movies tonight and then the school play tomorrow night. Jess is going to the school play tonight and she has a basketball scrimmage/round robing tournament in Des Moines tomorrow. Saturday night she is going out with friends.
I contacted the University of Nebraska to get information from them on the track program. They seemed very interested in Jess and are sending her a packet and want me to send a video. She received a big packet from K-State this week and has been getting a bunch of emails from the head coach at the University of Northern Iowa.
The economy is going to hit the district pretty hard next year. The state has notified the districts that this year we are safe from additional cuts but next year we will be hit hard. We are looking at possible staff cuts. There is the potential to have a $300,000 deficit or more heading into the next fiscal year.
It is getting to the end of my teaching for the term. I have 3 Tuesday classes left and 4 Monday classes left. It will be good to get them done. I look forward to teaching again next term but I really need to re-organize prior to the sessions starting up.
Ok, off to start the day and push to the weekend.
Friday has rushed upon me quickly this week. I think it has been because it has been such a busy week. Yesterday was a day full of meetings and office work. Nancy had to go with her mom to the hospital yesterday for some testing.
I have zero plans this weekend but the kids have plans. Drew is going to the movies tonight and then the school play tomorrow night. Jess is going to the school play tonight and she has a basketball scrimmage/round robing tournament in Des Moines tomorrow. Saturday night she is going out with friends.
I contacted the University of Nebraska to get information from them on the track program. They seemed very interested in Jess and are sending her a packet and want me to send a video. She received a big packet from K-State this week and has been getting a bunch of emails from the head coach at the University of Northern Iowa.
The economy is going to hit the district pretty hard next year. The state has notified the districts that this year we are safe from additional cuts but next year we will be hit hard. We are looking at possible staff cuts. There is the potential to have a $300,000 deficit or more heading into the next fiscal year.
It is getting to the end of my teaching for the term. I have 3 Tuesday classes left and 4 Monday classes left. It will be good to get them done. I look forward to teaching again next term but I really need to re-organize prior to the sessions starting up.
Ok, off to start the day and push to the weekend.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Without peanut butter and jelly I would die
Still cold and rainy but still now snow.
Class went pretty well last night. I didn't get out of there until about 9:30 so it was a little later than usual. I gave a test at the end of class and it took some of them an hour to complete.
I am hoping it doesn't get slick on the roads tonight. We are supposed to get rain most of the day and the temp is just hovering around freezing. Last night I checked the temp at 8:30 pm and it was 33. The high for the day was 34.
Jess had a hard basketball practice last night. I think it went until 6:30. I haven't talked to her yet but Drew said she was complaining about her legs being like rubber.
Drew is having a little trouble with spelling words. He is just not intuitive when it comes to that. I told him to bring his words home so we can work on them at night. They test every Friday. He said I should remind him to bring them home. My response to that was to explain to him that in a few months he will have a learners permit to drive a car. If he can't handle the simple task of remembering to bring his spelling words home, I am not sure how comfortable I am letting him get behind the wheel. I am pretty sure the spelling list will be here tomorrow. lol
Gas was as low as 1.70 here but it shot up to $1.89 overnight.
Oh! Jess was selected First team All-Conference for volleyball. They had the awards ceremony last night and the coach announced it. It is a big honor because we have one of the toughest if not the toughest conferences in the state for volleyball. For her to make 1st team when our team wasn't that competitive is a very good thing for her.
I also forgot to mention that she got tested for her vertical jump the other day and she has a 25 inch vertical. She can jump up and touch 9 feet 8 inches. The best in the school for girls.
I have no idea what is on my agenda today. I haven't checked it and really don't want to know.
Off to start.
Class went pretty well last night. I didn't get out of there until about 9:30 so it was a little later than usual. I gave a test at the end of class and it took some of them an hour to complete.
I am hoping it doesn't get slick on the roads tonight. We are supposed to get rain most of the day and the temp is just hovering around freezing. Last night I checked the temp at 8:30 pm and it was 33. The high for the day was 34.
Jess had a hard basketball practice last night. I think it went until 6:30. I haven't talked to her yet but Drew said she was complaining about her legs being like rubber.
Drew is having a little trouble with spelling words. He is just not intuitive when it comes to that. I told him to bring his words home so we can work on them at night. They test every Friday. He said I should remind him to bring them home. My response to that was to explain to him that in a few months he will have a learners permit to drive a car. If he can't handle the simple task of remembering to bring his spelling words home, I am not sure how comfortable I am letting him get behind the wheel. I am pretty sure the spelling list will be here tomorrow. lol
Gas was as low as 1.70 here but it shot up to $1.89 overnight.
Oh! Jess was selected First team All-Conference for volleyball. They had the awards ceremony last night and the coach announced it. It is a big honor because we have one of the toughest if not the toughest conferences in the state for volleyball. For her to make 1st team when our team wasn't that competitive is a very good thing for her.
I also forgot to mention that she got tested for her vertical jump the other day and she has a 25 inch vertical. She can jump up and touch 9 feet 8 inches. The best in the school for girls.
I have no idea what is on my agenda today. I haven't checked it and really don't want to know.
Off to start.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Life just doesn't slow down
The weather is very cold and it seems like it going to be like this for awhile. At least we aren't getting any snow.
Jess had her volleyball tryouts yesterday. She was going to try-out for two or three teams. She wanted to play with the same girls she played with last year so they weren't sure if they would all make the same team so it was a wait and see thing.
They all tried out for the same team that they played on last year which has new coaches and management, so that it where the concern came in. They all made the team so she didn't even try-out anywhere else. I took her out to eat instead. We will sign the contract this week and take it back next weekend. A couple of the other girls also tried out for another team but they all want to play for Sports University again. I guess we will see how it turns out.
I was glad she made the Sports University team again. We have all the gear so it saves money.
The other good news is we will be in Omaha again for the tournament so tell Jenny and Angie.
Drew went to the Drake football game this weekend. The school took the entire middle school football team. The tickets were free. It was cold with flurries so even though they had fun, it was a cold mother.
Since we had volleyball tryouts Sunday, I reserved the high school gym for practice. There were three girls that were going to come but it was open to anyone trying out for teams Sunday. We go to get setup and the high school basketball coach was in there getting setup for a middle school practice. Jess was freaked out a bit. Not only did I have to kick him out of the gym but had to tell him it was for a volleyball warm-up for girls trying out for club volleyball.
Basketball practice starts today. We will see if he is grouchy with Jess. What are the odds. 9:00 am on a Saturday morning.
Not much going on with me. Just teaching and working.
Off to start the routine.
Jess had her volleyball tryouts yesterday. She was going to try-out for two or three teams. She wanted to play with the same girls she played with last year so they weren't sure if they would all make the same team so it was a wait and see thing.
They all tried out for the same team that they played on last year which has new coaches and management, so that it where the concern came in. They all made the team so she didn't even try-out anywhere else. I took her out to eat instead. We will sign the contract this week and take it back next weekend. A couple of the other girls also tried out for another team but they all want to play for Sports University again. I guess we will see how it turns out.
I was glad she made the Sports University team again. We have all the gear so it saves money.
The other good news is we will be in Omaha again for the tournament so tell Jenny and Angie.
Drew went to the Drake football game this weekend. The school took the entire middle school football team. The tickets were free. It was cold with flurries so even though they had fun, it was a cold mother.
Since we had volleyball tryouts Sunday, I reserved the high school gym for practice. There were three girls that were going to come but it was open to anyone trying out for teams Sunday. We go to get setup and the high school basketball coach was in there getting setup for a middle school practice. Jess was freaked out a bit. Not only did I have to kick him out of the gym but had to tell him it was for a volleyball warm-up for girls trying out for club volleyball.
Basketball practice starts today. We will see if he is grouchy with Jess. What are the odds. 9:00 am on a Saturday morning.
Not much going on with me. Just teaching and working.
Off to start the routine.
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