He brews or why I don't do mornings

So this morning I'm trying to fix a fresh pot of coffee. I fill the reservoir with water, put a clean filter in...I grind the beans and push start. A few minutes later I wonder why my coffee is such a clear color...I know I ground the beans...Oh...wait a minute...did I put them in the filter?? Needless to say I hadn't.

There's a good reason why he brews in this house. (and it's not B it's usually Stretch that brews for me). The boys have learned to leave me mostly alone until I've had at least one cup of coffee.

A finished post!!

I've started more posts recently and not got them finished...hopefully this won't be another one.

Fall is definitely in the air...the nights are cool, days are cooler...leaves are starting to turn color and fall. Crops in the fields are ripening and I am beginning to see more and more wildlife on my bus route. This morning I saw a coyote near the end of the route and most of the kids on the bus saw a couple of deer at a stop sign. The chaos over the deer sighting was almost funny - one of my students saw it and started hollering and pointing.

Life has been crazy busy lately - we've had cross country meets for the last 2 Saturdays - with at least 2 more to come. In addition Squirrel has had meets during the week - thankfully those have been mostly "at home" but it still means long days for me. Stretch occasionally makes the at home meets but not all of them. Squirrel has been doing quite well - he ran the distance in just over 14 minutes on Tuesday. (It's a 1.9 m race for the middle school age group). He consistently places in the top 15 of the smaller meets (3 or less schools) - this past time it was out of 37 boy runners. (Girls had considerably more runners).

Stretch is in the fall play this year - in addition to cross country. He didn't try out as he focuses on cross country and then just helps with sound/lights/stage management at the play. However one of the kids who tried out - and got a part backed out so he has been asked to step in to take that part over. He does enjoy acting and it's good experience so I'm excited for him.

Dipstick...he's pretty much himself. He dropped out of football early on in the season. I'm sorry that he's not involved in a sport but at the same time it is probably better for his grades. He and I went to Grief Group last night - the same place I used to take Squirrel and Stretch to. He enjoyed himself - had more fun that he expected to. He was afraid that they would just sit around in a group and "talk about it". Instead they do crafts and activities as well as talking. I was surprised at how - even though I did not go into the adult group - I felt so at home there. I was looking forward to having an hour or so when I couldn't go anywhere else to sit and read or journal or whatever - I actually spent almost the entire time catching up with the program director. Pretty much everyone else was completely new to me but I still felt very comfortable and at home.

We've pretty much all been sick this past week - Squirrel started it and it's going around. B is probably the most miserable at the moment. I've been making homemade chicken noodle soup and pushing fluids and vitamins. Hopefully soon we will all be on the mend.

I've spent too much time sitting here at the computer...coffee and toast is finished and it's time to swap laundry loads. I've also got juice for jelly to make...

Squirrel had his first cross country meet tonight - I drove the bus to it. Driving the bus was kind of fun as the team is just big enough to not be able to use a mini bus so no one was crowded at all. Squirrel mis-judged the difficulty of the course and ran out of steam before the end of the race. He still finished well and placed in the top 15 runners and now has goals for the next meet. I didn't take my camera this time as the weather was decidedly iffy as far as rain was concerned.

I'm still pretty tired tonight - in addition to the meet on Saturday we worked a hard day at the old house yesterday. We sealed the driveway and put down rocks to fill in the places we were unable to seal. We were all pretty whupped last night. Today was pretty much a begin to catch up day - I worked on laundry, did dishes and typed out my bus route for the sub this afternoon.

I'll try to write something more interesting tomorrow.

Crowds of spectators, ropes and lines painted on grass telling which way to go, hundreds of different colored uniforms, the whistle and starting gun...off they go. Spectators running and walking to different vantage points on the course...watching the runners as they spread out over the distance...hearing the roar as the first runners are spotted coming around the first bend then the next and the next. The rush to the finish line...and the increasing crescendo of cheers and shouts as runners come in...some in a pack...some alone. The intensity on runners faces as they reach deep inside for that last burst of energy to finish strong...the excitement as they catch the runner ahead...that final sprint...Dogs on leashes, cameras, sweat dripping, mosquito bites, airplanes buzzing low overhead, friendly parents, snacks, tears, "Well done, Nice run"...Invitational Cross Country Meets.

Get up and What??

My get up and go disappeared sometime yesterday... just getting out of bed was almost a chore this morning though I did o.k once I got moving. I'm hoping for a nap sometime this morning though. I have got laundry started and am working on loading dishwasher. There's bus route paperwork to do as well as some for B. I'm hoping that if I don't push too hard today I will be able to get more done tomorrow...Saturday I'm driving Stretch's cross country meet to Marion. That will be a long day but I usually thoroughly enjoy the meet. The course is a fast one and there are a lot of runners which all adds up to lots of excitement.

Speaking of Stretch...he did not end up having MRSA though he did have another type of staph infection. The antibiotics cleared it right up. However he still ended up back in the after hours clinic last Friday night this time due to an allergic reaction to the antibiotic...he broke out in an itchy rash, had a headache and was running a pretty decent fever. An injection of two types of steroids followed by a course of oral steroids has fixed him up and he's finally feeling much better. He had his second cross country meet of the season yesterday - the first was last Thursday as he was getting sick - yesterday's went much much better. He came in under 23 minutes and felt great. He did learn the value of compression shorts under his uniform though - for more than just looks.

Squirrel's doing well...his cross country season has not officially started yet though he's got practice every day. His first meet is next Thursday the 8th and I am not driving that one. His recent excitement involved having a large rottweiler break a picture window as he walked past the house on his way home from practice. (He rides the shuttle bus to town and walks to my friend's house where he waits until I'm done with my bus route) . Thankfully the dog did not come out of the house but I still had one very terrified son. The dog's owner was very apologetic...I havent' heard end results on this but am hoping he was able to find a country home for the dog as it did seem like a nice dog - just not suited for town life.

Dipstick has dropped out of football. I had mixed emotions about that though it does uncomplicate the schedule somewhat. Unfortunately it looks like I'm still going to have to work to stay on top of his grades and homework...checking daily. I was hoping he'd out-grown that over the summer.

My little girl who had so much fear about school has been absent the last couple of days sick - kids are already starting to "drop like flies" with various illnesses. She had been doing much better at getting off the bus and walking to class - still wanted to walk with one of my older kids bt no tears and was walking by herself in the afternoons.

O.K...there's probably more to write but that's enough of an update for now. I need to attempt to get something constructive done.

Diagnosis...sulfa drug allergy. Treatment...injection of Decadron and Kenalog (?) followed by course of oral steroids. Symptoms...headache, itchy rash and fever. Who....Stretch. He went to school today...ran a mile for cross country this afternoon - Coach looked at him and apparently wanted to send him right home. He had his worst race since freshman year of high school yesterday...getting better should make running easier and life generally more enjoyable for him.

Result...one terrified 13 yr old. Cause...rottweiller breaking out a picture window as said child was walking past the house on his way home from the bus. Who...Squirrel. After cross country practice each afternoon Squirrel rides the shuttle bus from the middle school to town and walks from the stop to my friend's house where he waits for me to finish up my bus route. Yesterday afternoon I could tell he was upset/mad/something when he walked to the car to put stuff away. He came inside and sat down at the table and filled us in..."I had a big dog break a window as I walked past". I was shocked...Becky and I walked down to check it out immediately...she'd called the cops on that dog before - on it getting out. This time it didn't come out and it didn't charge us...just stood in the open, glass-less window looking at us. We couldn't tell if it was hurt or not...but it had clearly taken all the glass out of the window leaving just shards. Owner who seemed very nice and was very apologetic said he'd recently had to move to town...lost the acreage he used to have where dog could run.

Add to the above...having two elementary students get into it on my bus...I was told one was beating the other one up. Unfortunately I don't think the video tape picked up enough of the events for there to be any action taken other than verbal warnings given. I've contacted parents and handled the paperwork.

School Days Again

Busy busy busy...We are a full week into school and overall it's going fairly well. I can tell the students are getting much more comfortable with the bus and the school year as I'm having to spend more time at my RR crossings waiting on them to get quiet. High priority needs to be getting my seating chart done and posted. Problem is that while I love the results of having a seating chart...especially when I can use magnets to post the names - I hate drawing it up. Oh well I will get it done...earlier this year than I did last year.

I have the same route basically as I did last year. That's a huge yeah...made the morning route really easy - no new roads and most of the new kids were in town. My first pick-up was terrified to be riding the bus - she climbed on clutching her older sister's hand. Her mom and dad followed the bus the entire route and met her at school to escort her into the building. This afternoon going home I got a goodbye wave and an agreement that she'd see me in the morning. Now a week later she is doing much better. She is still afraid to walk to her classroom alone...and couldn't find my bus by herself this afternoon. However she is willing to walk with one of my older students into the building and to class. That's an improvement and a sign of growth. And I'm getting a real wave and smile when she gets off the bus in the evenings.

Today was Dipstick's first day of school for the year...the joys of juggling two different school schedules. He was kind of a mess this morning but hopefully had a good day. B left a few minutes ago to go get him from football practice...something new for all of us. (Squirrel and Stretch are doing cross country again this fall).

I'm sure there's plenty more to write about but in all honesty I'm tired tonight and my thoughts are scattered. The good news is that Stretch is feeling MUCH better than he was yesterday - I had him into the after hours clinic last night and he's on antibiotics for possible MRSA. Judging from the rapid response of his body they are doing their job thankfully.

Pictures Finally..and stuff

Well...the house is very very quiet at the moment...all the guys are gone camping for the weekend. Stretch and Squirrel will probably be back tomorrow evening as they usually only go for the one night and the canoeing on Saturday. However B and Dipstick traditionally stay over until Sunday afternoon making it a full weekend. They are on a Father/Son camping trip headed up by one of the men from our church though it's not a "church-only" event. It tends to be more of a friendship building/outreach type event I think. I don't look forward to this trip all year long but usually when it comes around I get excited about having the house to myself for a bit - and maybe having the chance to work on a project that I don't usually have time for. Having said that...my time tends to go all too fast and I rarely get as much done as I hope to. Tonight I'm away to a home-party - that will be interesting I think though it was booked off one I held. Tomorrow I know that I have to go out to the butcher shop to pick up some meat I ordered. Other than that...I'm either going to work on scrapbooking or start sewing strips together for quilt tops provided I can get the sewing machine working.

To update on the end of our trip...the passports were received by 11:00 am Friday morning. That was a huge relief. We spent Friday visiting a hobby store (very large collection of farm toys)...lots of fun. We also went to a Farmer's Market and spent some time realizing how vast Lake Huron really is...we weren't really even on the lake but on a bay. (Somewhere during the week I saw a 3D display that really showed how deep the Great Lakes are). Pictures were plentiful. Saturday we headed home...took the scenic route that gave us glimpses of the lake. However being as it was a holiday weekend in Canada traffic by the lake was very heavy and the trip took at least two hours longer than it could have otherwise. We were all pretty tired when we finally got home. Sunday was church and beginning to get unpacked.

Monday was our beginning of school meeting for the bus drivers - this time it seemed very long. The good news is that my bus route is basically the same as it was last year...I'll have new kids of course but also will have many of the same ones I had last year. I hope that will make the adjustment period easier as they will already be familiar with my rules. (I just got off the phone with a "new" family who's moved into town.)

Other than that...this week has mainly been a catch-up week - and time spent getting re-organized after our trip and ready for school. Hopefully this time I can get some pictures to upload to post.

Dumb Idiot Award

Well I get the dumb idiot award for the week...we are now at my sister's place...arrived here late last night. It's a 3-4 hour drive from Toronto where we were at Mom and Dad's. We arrived here about 5:00 pm last night..and 30 min or so later I realized I had left our passports in Toronto! Thankfully Dad was able to find a place to ship them from where they are guaranteed to be here by 5:00 pm today. Delaying the return home was not an option as I have to be back for training on Monday morning early. I could have driven back to Toronto to get them and done a turn-around trip but was not eager to do so.

Today is planned to be a quiet day (relatively) visiting...allowing the kids to have time with their cousins...catching up with my sister. Later we are going to a hobby shop that has tractor models..and there's plenty of photos to take.

I'm looking forward to being able to post pictures and update more and catching up on blogger friends. Am very thankful to be spending the last full day of our vacation back in the countryside. Think we all experienced some major culture shock in the city.

Still in Ontario enjoying a visit with Mom and Dad. It's been difficult to see how much Mom has changed since March when I was here for a weekend visit. Dad is a trooper...staying strong. We will be here until Thursday after lunch and at my sister's until Saturday morning. From there we will make the drive home.

4H Fair

Well I haven't written as often as I'd have liked recently...still haven't gotten to that promised reunion update. The local 4H County Fair has been going on since last Friday...I've been up at the fairgrounds every day and late into the evenings...and that's without any animals to care for. In between it's just normal life and preparing to head to Ontario to visit Mom and Dad next week. I can't at the moment remember how to upload photos so that will have to wait until the boys get back from running. Today will be another day of catching up around home and preparing for our trip. B and Dipstick won't be going this time as they've not got their passports yet.

Decidedly discombobulated this morning...No Lil Bit (new nickname for Baby) today - her dad Ornery got laid off yesterday afternoon. I slept in until 7:30 - was soundly asleep when B woke me telling me Squirrel wanted to be at TKD by 8:00. I left with no coffee and no food at all...dropped him off and went to my coffee friend's house to visit and eat. B called just as I was about to leave there to tell me that our builder Bob (Yes we had Bob the Builder doing our addition) was at the house finishing up stuff so we could pass final inspection and we needed another smoke alarm. That necessitated a run to the nearest larger town west of here to get that and some stuff for my chickens then home to start dinner (mid-day meal). Being as you can't make a watched pot boil I'm attempting to relax and get my head screwed on straight. This afternoon basically it's a bit more running and book-keeping to be done.

One thing that's been made abundantly clear over the last couple of days is that mice...even "cute little field mice" make me climb on things. When Squirrel and I went to mow the other place there was a mouse nest in the JD mower - complete with very new-born baby mice...including one the mama was attempting to deliver as she ran frantically around trying to escape the monsters. We left...until the mouse nest had been removed and I was certain that the mouse was also gone. The mowing did eventually get done...but I was still rather jumpy.

Time to go for lunch...

Quote and Partial Update

"Writing begets writing and not writing begets not writing" (quoted from the article "Baby Steps" in Writing Basics magazine)

I don't write to get published - usually I write to process stuff and just to keep a log of what's going on in my life. However that statement really resonates with me because I've not written recently - at least not here - and every time I think I'm going to write I back away because it seems like there is too much to write about and too little time to do so. So...I'm going to attempt to discipline myself to spend a few minutes every day here or with my handwritten journal (which I've not used either) - not just when I'm upset about something. (Though I had to just stop this, deal with an issue with Dipstick and make notes about it...ugh!! Guess that's part of being a mother and grandmother)

I've been watching Ornery's daughter "Baby" since end of last week. She is 4 years old now. We are finishing up potty training (she's in pull-ups when she arrives in the mornings) and learning about making sure to tell an adult where she is going - even if it's only from the shop to the house or back. Overall she's done quite well - is quite the chatterbox and seems to enjoy "running" with me. This morning we went and had coffee with friends in town (I can't decide how to refer to them as we started out as school bus driver and parents...now we are friends. Usually I refer to them as my "bus moms" - I truly never expected to be such good friends). One of them has a home that is the neighborhood gathering place...we sit outside when the weather is nice and visit. When the weather is nasty the visiting goes on inside. Anyway...Baby quite enjoyed that as there were different kids for her to play with and she got rather spoiled. I will only be watching her until the end of next week - by that time Ornery and his wife are to have full-time childcare arranged for. I rather hope that that will also involve preschool - she is one little one that needs the structure. (I think I need a better nickname than Baby...any suggestions?")

This past Saturday B and I drove back to Erie, PA to meet Dipstick's sister to pick Dipstick up from his 2 week visit out there. We drove appoximately half-way and they drove approximately half-way. Our drive was rather challenging as it was pouring rain and many thunderstorms pretty much all the way out there. However thankfully God protected us and we made it safely there and home again. I think Dipstick had a very good time. He's had a bit of a challenge adjusting back to "home schedule"...hopefully that will happen soon.

4th of July weekend was my high school reunion - 25th. B, Stretch, Squirrel and I drove to Chicago for the weekend. Stretch and Squirrel got to spend the weekend with their aunt and uncle and cousins - we met at a Bass Pro shop to drop them off. That was the first time I'd ever been in one of those so it was very interesting to walk around and check things out. From there B and I went to the resort where we had the reunion. I'll have to write more about that next time as it's time Squirrel and I went to the old house (which still hasn't sold or been rented) and mowed the lawn.

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Ok...not really but definitely leaving today for my 25th high school reunion. This time it's in Chicago so not as far to travel. Last time it was in Colorado...made a couple of "new" states for me to travel through. When I tell people that "this time" the reunion is in Chicago most want to know where I graduated high school at/from...I grew up in Africa and graduated from Rift Valley Academy. Reunions in my class's case are basically a big family reunion - except most of us only bring pictures of the kids. However we have people travel from across the US and Canada as well as occasionally Germany and New Zealand. B is going with me. Stretch and Squirrel will be at their aunt and uncle's in the Chicago area while Dipstick is away visiting his sister.

Both computers will be going with the boys to get worked on. I should have some limited computer access at the resort...and enough free time to possibly check some stuff.

Lots to do yet this morning so had better scoot for now. I'm one of those people who like to leave the house clean and laundry caught up before I go...it never totally seems to happen.

Leaving on a Jet Plane....

Ok...not really but definitely leaving today for my 25th high school reunion. This time it's in Chicago so not as far to travel. Last time it was in Colorado...made a couple of "new" states for me to travel through. When I tell people that "this time" the reunion is in Chicago most want to know where I graduated high school at/from...I grew up in Africa and graduated from Rift Valley Academy. Reunions in my class's case are basically a big family reunion - except most of us only bring pictures of the kids. However we have people travel from across the US and Canada as well as occasionally Germany and New Zealand. B is going with me. Stretch and Squirrel will be at their aunt and uncle's in the Chicago area while Dipstick is away visiting his sister.

Both computers will be going with the boys to get worked on. I should have some limited computer access at the resort...and enough free time to possibly check some stuff.

Lots to do yet this morning so had better scoot for now. I'm one of those people who like to leave the house clean and laundry caught up before I go...it never totally seems to happen.

Computer Issues....Again

Having computer issues- the main computer is crashed at the moment. The good news is that Squirrel was able to get the laptop going again so we have limited access...The tower of the desktop will go with us to Chicago this weekend - my bro-in-law will get to fix it. I am so thankful we already had a trip planned when it crashed and that he has the know-how to fix it when I don't. I will also have him price out what's needed to get another one...we have monitors and keyboards but not the other stuff to have a second "quality" working computer. Being as B is laid off again at the moment and working on getting business started at home having a working computer is rather important. Not to mention the fact that this is absolutely how I stay in contact with family and friends.

B is still laid off - we still are not 100% convinced on what we are supposed to be doing at this point. However he has been busy catching up on work he already had in the shop - and getting more lined up. We thought we had a renter for the house but that fell through - they had approached me about possibly renting - we had agreed on a price and details. At the last minute they were approached by family to rent from and backed out on us. This is an opportunity for us to watch and see how God is going to work. I have struggled this time...still haven't taken time to sit down and journal everything out and I know that will help.

Laid Off - Again

B was laid off again this afternoon (or rather yesterday afternoon) I didn't take the news well at all even though it wasn't as much of a shock this time as last time. I'm beginning to feel sleepy so will head back to bed...no thunderstorms to wake me up tonight.

Well...it's been 2 weeks again since I've blogged! Yikes. Ah well..overall life has been good. Today is a quiet "non accomplishing" kind of day - one that I've very much needed. Dipstick has been gone to Mom and Dad K's for the day - to help out his grandpa. Squirrel and I went for coffee with friends this morning and then to the store for milk and a few things I couldn't get yesterday. Of course we managed to not get pop so that is something that will have to be taken care of soon...not for me as I'm good as long as I've got coffee available...but for B. Stretch had a 4 mile run this morning then a quiet morning at home...except for having to meet Squirrel and I with my purse halfway to town.

Last week Dad K was in the hospital - he had several "minor" heart attacks and eventually had a heart cath and a stent put in. He's feeling much better now - even with the pulmonary fibrosis - his breathing is better as is his energy level.

The old house still has not sold...not any offers even. The guy that looked at it a couple of weeks ago does not qualify for a loan on it so he is out of the picture. There will be another open house this weekend...hopefully something will come of that. Otherwise...I have been approached on the possibility of renting it out and am considering that. I don't know all the ramifications of renting and am not sure if I want to even get involved in that. On the other hand...some income off of it (helping to make the mortgage payment) might be better than none. I am thinking that this week when we go out to mow I will take the pitch fork and bring back some starts of some of my perennials...I dug up several of my irises but left the established black-eyed susan and purple coneflower.

The depression...well that's another thing altogether. Some days I think the new medication is working and other days ...not so much. The fact that Dipstick seems to be struggling more also - it's coming up on 2 years since he lost his mom - is not helping at all. And we lost our "puppy" this past weekend - she'd been killing chicks - hasn't helped either.

This picture is around the mailbox...a month or so after I planted the irises there. The top picture is immediately after.

On a positive note...I feel like I'm getting on top of the housework and am getting more stuff unpacked and sorted through. I have got some rhubarb plants to start...will eventually grow some strawberries as well. (Note to self: check to see if it's possible to put rhubarb and strawberries in the same bed!) I've also picked up and planted some daylilies and other flowers. I am wanting to build some more raised beds - starting that tonight - to put on the north end of the house. And I found some bleeding heart roots that may or may not be any good as they've sat for over a year. Either way I figured I would stick them in a pot and see if they come up.

Quick Note...

Quick note...I haven't blogged in a very long time...have really struggled with depression this past month...am now on different stuff that will hopefully help...maybe a post another time about the mixed emotions and fog of depression...and maybe not. Definitely a post another time on the Memorial Day weekend and the birthday party for Squirrel...lots of people, lots of fun, lots of mud...

The main reason for posting at the moment is that I just got word that there are two showings on my old house this afternoon! One has been scheduled for several days and the other was just scheduled today. I had a friend call to let me know that there was someone in the drive ... being as we've already had 1 robbery since we moved out...I called the realtor and she said she would go out to check it out after she finished her current showing she was on the way to...and she would call me back later. Less than 5 minutes later my cell phone rang again and she was calling back...she had just scheduled another showing for this afternoon from the person who was up in the driveway looking at the place. Hopefully this will lead to an offer of some sort...