Can Molly and Emma pull a dog sled?

We have a big snow storm on the way. It looks like 8-12 inches of snow with winds up to 45 mph. I think there is a strong possibility that we will get out of school early today and probably not have school tomorrow.

Drew had a marathon of basketball games at the end of the week last week. They played Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning. He was pretty beat up and tired Saturday afternoon. The other tough part of it was three of those games were away and two of the away games were over an hour away.

He played well. Not much scoring but plays good defense and does a good job getting the ball to the open player.

Jess went to the University of Northern Iowa last weekend. The visit went really well. She was really impressed with the facilities and the team. She really liked the coach and felt comfortable with the thought of going there. They offered her a 75% scholarship and if she runs 56.6 this year it would be 100%. That is big money so we will have to see what Iowa State offers.'

I hope the decision is made by Christmas.

Work has been a little busy this week but with the anticipated snow days coming up, I am guessing it will slow down considerably.

Ok, off to start.

Cold as can be

Friday is a wonderful day. It is going to be cold as can be but I don't even care.

Drew played well in his game last night. He played pretty god defense and got some rebounds. The team lost by 5 but it was a good game.

Jess is headed to the University of Northern Iowa today for an official visit for track. She will be there today and tomorrow morning.

The basketball team has moved practice tomorrow to the afternoon so she can be there.

I have been shopping online for Christmas gifts. I am doing pretty well right now. I have gotten a lot done so I am a bit ahead of the game.

Going to put the Christmas tree up tomorrow. My back was out last weekend so I couldn't put it up then. Drew will help.

Not much else. Still budget worries at school but that is just becoming part of the daily stress.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone at Christmas.

Poop

The weather is taking a turn for the worse. It is going to be cold today and by the end of the week it will be very cold. Highs in the 20's.

Drew's team lost last night but he scored 6 points and played well. Jess' team won and she scored 18. Jess leads the conference in points per game right now. She is averaging 19 points a game.

My back is feeling better. I am not 100% yet but I am a heck of a lot better than I had been the last few days.

I teach tonight in Des Moines. I only have two more sessions this term. Tonight we are doing a little test prep. Next week is the final.

I am up this morning at 4:30. Not a big fan of this time of the morning but had some stomach problems and can't lay in bed. Augh..life.

Ok, off to start.

Have you seen the new Barbie...C'mon!

I think the weather is going to be good again today. In the mid 50's so that is good.

Drew has a basketball game in Atlantic. It is a long trip for them.

Jess plays Boone here in Perry tonight. The first home game of the year.

My back is slowly getting better. I was able to sleep through the night last night with only three or four painful moments.

Class went well last night and we are winding down the semester. I already have 8 people signed up for Monday and 9 signed up for Wednesday next term.

The budget cut gloom is still looming over the district. Our Superintendent is keeping pretty tight lipped about the big plans but the staff is getting restless. The break over Thanksgiving gave us a little boost but I think the gloom and uneasiness is starting to come back.

I think the longer she waits to make the plans known, the more people complain about her.

Today is the day that anyone wanting to take the early retirement option can file paperwork with the district to do it. It will be interesting to see how many people take advantage of this. It may be one of the things she is waiting for before making the projected cuts public.

It is amazing to me that it is only a few weeks before Christmas. Time sure flies. Speaking of which, I need to get.

Off to start.

It seems like a blur

The weather is going to be nice again today so it is a good way to start a Monday.

Thanksgiving was pretty good. I hurt my back messing around with the dogs and can barely get around. I have been laid up for about three days now. It will be interesting to see how the day goes. I hope I don't have to go anywhere.

Jess had a few games last week. They won one and lost two. She scored 20, 19 and 17 in the games. Unfortunately, she is the only one that can consistently score. The other problem is the other girls are throwing up bad shots to try to score and it kills the team. If they don't right the ship, it will be a long season.

Drew has his first game on Tuesday. I look forward to watching him play.

Jess went to Nancy's house yesterday for their annual baking day. They made all kinds of good things and I just love everything. All kinds of chocolates, cookies, fudge, rice crispy bars, carmel corn, chex mix. It is awesome!

I am not sure what is on the agenda for the week. I really don't feel much like getting back to work but it is probably best to get back into a routine. I have had a lot of trouble sleeping with my back hurting so much.

Off to start.

I had a dream last night that a turkey was eating ME!

Finally Friday. Weather is ok. Cloudy and cool.

Drew has basketball practices in the morning so I walk him over and let him in the back door of the school. Of course we have to take the two pups with us so it is like a little caravan over and back to the school.

It is really hard to see Emma in the dark. She is all black and little so she is dang near invisible at night. I need to get her a glow in the dark collar.

Jess has a basketball tournament tonight and tomorrow night in Saydel. I am not sure if the team is going to be any good this year. They really only have Jess and the rest are shaky. I guess we will wait and see.

The lady who normally keeps the official book for the basketball games can't make it tonight or tomorrow so I am keeping the book. I really don't want to do it but I would have felt like an ass when she came to my office and asked if I would do it.

The industrial tech teacher at the middle school told me yesterday that he was losing his job at the end of the year. The principal told him they were going to cut the program. This is the first of many stories to come over the next 6 months. It is sad. He has worked for the district a long time. It is a result of our governor feeling that education is just another government program that can be cut before any of his pet projects.

Thanksgiving next week and I look forward to having a few days off to just eat and watch football. Two of my favorite things.

Not much else on my mind today so I better get ready to start my day.

Out!

and the band played on

A typical Monday. Weather is marginal and so is my attitude.

Drew starts official basketball practice this week and Jess has a game on Tuesday.

We found out yesterday that Jess was selected 1st team All-State for volleyball. It is a big deal especially since her team wasn't very good. Only 6 girls in the state for our class were selected and she was one of them. Pretty good honor for her.

We had a budget meeting on Friday and it was rather vague. I am not sure if there is a bit of indifferent or what but it seems like no decisions are being made. Anyway, it looks like we will make it through this year without cutting positions but the hatchet will fall for next year.

The office is still kind of quiet with all the budget cut talk. We have seen an increase in technology purchases from categorical funding. Which basically means, funds that cannot be used for salaries and are required to be spent by a certain day. We keep seeing more technology being purchase and at the same time we are losing a staff member to help support technology.

Ok, off to start my day.