"Schools Out Schools Out

Teachers let the monkeys out" My Mom would ALWAYS call me on the last day of school and leave that message on my machine. She was a riot! Mom was always proud of my work with the students, in the district but she also knew how much energy it took away from me and my real life.

So school's out and I'm smiling. Muffin is adjusting to my NOT having the alarm ring at 4:45. Saturday she attempted to get me up early and I shooed her. This morning she mewed and then rolled over and went to sleep again! aha!!

Had a lovely luncheon with my Humanities colleagues on Friday. We went to the Mediterrano. Good food, good company. I will miss their kindness' next year. They got me a gift certificate to a great card store in Kerrytown. You know I"ll be heading that way soon. I love beautiful cards.

Packed up my belongings, left a few things undone--oh well--and moved on down the road. Celebrated at home and have been smiling every since.

Jan and I went Garage Saleing yesterday. She is funny. She makes a DAY of it. Jan gets several newspapers, cross references and highlights ones she wants to attend, then uses her GPS to guide us. We go all over the western edge of the county. I love the backroads and the rural scenery. I also love being a passenger. There is a lot you miss when you have to pay attention to the road. (but then Jeanine knows the secret that Jan doesn't always stop at Stop Signs. Makes for some exciting trips) My big haul yesterday was 2 wooden puzzles for Hunter (Melissa and Doug puzzles/a newer thing) and a big black garbage bag of duplos (now washing in the dishwasher) There were big boxes of legos, too but I held back--I figured it would be years before Hunter started manipulating those and did I really need to start storing more things?

I have the name of a good realtor. Though the house is "just finished school" messed, I am thinking about putting in some time and calling her. My Dad is supposed to be hanging with me soon (Denise is leaving with Ben to go to Europe)--but I"m quite sure Dad won't want to stay here non stop. He is garden devoted and enjoys his own stuff. I have 1 tv and my house is not user friendly for someone no longer steady on his feet. Even to go walk in the yard would be hazardous. (Up and down the front door steps could even be tricky without a railing.) Well, we will do what we can and want.

My deck is flowing with plants (primarily tomato--I got a little crazy) I imagine I'll be having bushels to share come August. My squash is HUGE, my cucumber struggling (watering it with salt water from the tap wasn't a good idea)(also purchasing a new water softner soon) then there are the katrillion beans (I like beans) and lettuce, rosemary, lavender, peppers and more peppers, basil and flowers. ahhh

One of my friends, the country western gospel singer who also had a day job with Compuware (programmer) but was laid off last July (no work yet) called and told me he had a stroke. GOSH! He is pretty healthy, eats okay and is "young" --51. I don't think I'm prepared for friends of mine to have strokes. He lives far away (Romeo) so I am not much help to him. His kids though are supportive so he'll have help.

Brown Cat comes over daily for dinner. I'll include a pic at some point. He always smells sweet. He loves rocking on the deck rocker until I come to the door to let him in. Lately Marmalade has been coming over for breakfast--but he only uses the front door.

We've been missing DeNozzo for a while. Often in the spring he is busy with his lady friends, but it is unusual that he keeps so far away from the bird feeders (he loves corn) Though we have a lot of "No Hunting/No Trespassing" signs down at the pond, we did hear illegal hunters down there 2 months ago. We keep hoping DeNozzo will come back. He's been a mainstay for 3 years here. My front door step is empty without him.

Off to join the world. Plenty to do and then zipping into Dearborn to see Dad. Though he is disappointed about the Red Wings, he isn't nearly as sad as Emily. She zapped me Friday night "I am devastated!!!" and she meant it. The next morning she wrote "I cried myself to sleep!" She is a true fan!

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Sunday May 31st

Gosh this month flew by!

Busy week, bogged down with end of school tensions.  Trying to help keep the kids head above water AND on track.  Sometimes, no matter how you plan, kids put off doing what they need to do all the same.

Had a crazy Saturday.  Jan asked me to go Garage Saleing with her--so I did.  She is very organized so she had a list of 11 previewed Garage Sales.  She used her GPS unit to find each.  Primarily I was just going along for fun--but ended up buying more than she did ;-)  So many good deals for Hunter! Garage Sale #2 had child's electronic keyboard (in good shape)  At sale #3 we ended up at one of Jeanine and Jean's former teacher's house-the Coelius'.  Mrs. Coelius has taught in the Manchester district for a billion years.  She is retiring so she was selling a lot of her teaching things (books, puzzles, hand puppets).  Hunter inherited a few Coelius boy things as well.  My best find was the $1 Fisher Price toddler bike. It looked well loved.  I think Hunter will enjoy it!  It can even live outside without much problem.  At Garage Sale # 7 (north of Dexter) I looked up from the display table in the garage and there was Alice Leisinger.   I "hehed" her and we laughed and hugged and shared stories. (She has new born feral kittens in her window well! I'm going over to see them tomorrow!)  After goodbyes and more travels,

I ended up with a sinus headache so after 5 hours of Garage Saleing, Jan and I headed home.  I was taking a nap when my friend, Laura called and asked if I'd like to go to the Pinckney "Arts and Eats" festival.  I met her at crossroads outside Dexter and drove up together from there.  It was an okay festival.  Most of the "art" was yard art for gardens or cottages.  The trend in the jewelry seemed to be some kind of fused glass. ?  (lots of that)  Though pretty, now isn't the time to be buying new jewelry.  We fused around a bit, ate garbage food and headed back home at 6pm when the festival ended.  (Guess they turn in early there)

I'm headed into to my Dad's this morning.  He invited a helpful bank attendant to dinner today. (Pause to think about that)  and she accepted.  We are going to the Dearborn Inn.  I really didn't think she'd accept, told Gpa--"Perhaps you can get her a gift certificate"  but no, he wanted her to come so--Miriam will be joining us for dinner.

Gpa has been delighted that the Red Wings have been winning. Go Wings!

Muffin got me out of bed at 5:30 this morning so I cleaned out the car, killed a few ants, am running the laundry--and hope to transplant some plants before showering and driving into Detroit.  Ah, Sundays!

Later Gators

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Monday Memorial Day

Don't go, Don't go, Don't go to "Night in the Museum:Smithsonian"  it is horrible!  Even the monkey acted poorly!!!

Home awaiting hand laundry to finish so I can hang it in the breeze of the lower level ;-)

then off to buy more potting soil, more flowers.  Have lots of tomato plants thanks to my Dad and my lust for cherry tomatoes.  Will be busy in the dirt with at least 3 hours of school work waiting. It can wait.

Beautiful beautiful day.

Listening to John Denver--where there is a voice you can follow, a kind message, and a gentle beat. ha!

Gpa will be garden busy today as well as we bought 4 bags of potting soil, 6 bags of mulch.  You should have seen him trying to throw that stuff on the pile.  87--yeah!

Well, over and out--just wanted to be sure no one buys a ticket to that movie!!!

Have a great Memorial Day, thanking all those who have given time, life to protect our freedoms, allow us to be who we are, follow our dreams.

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Sunday May 24

Where does the time go?

Having an excellent holiday weekend.  Doing some things, doing some nothing.  

On the fun side, met Jeanine, Brad and Pumpkin Puss in A2 yesterday.  They were out for a fun ride and stroll about town.  Little guy enjoyed walking on the diag and climbing the steps at the UGLI.  We hung at Borders for a while as well.  I bought Hunter the "Wheels on the Bus" book--the one with the moving parts.  I always enjoyed sharing that in my Kindergarten classes--now Hunter can enjoy pulling all the different paper parts until it wears down.  Thanks for including me in your day, Bobenmoyers!

Purchased some plants for the garden but not a bunch as yet.  I stopped at a newer nursery in Dexter (recommended by Jan and Doug).  They didn't have all that I was looking for, so will spread the wealth today.

I began to write out my senior student cards.  I will have the class sign this week in prep.

My friend, Laura called and invited me to a party today, but I'm headed to Gpa's.  We decided to head out to a late movie last night instead--saw "Angels and Demons".  My pastrami lunch was demonizing in my stomach so I wasn't sure I'd make it through--but yeah------saved Rome once again.  It was fun to see the Roman sites one more time.  Loved the Bernini statues.

Lazy Sunday with a very early start.  Muffin was sure I should get up at 5:30am.  I shooed her outside, but then I could hear her expanding the wholes in the screen on the front door--so back up and feeding her, then she was sure she'd prefer to sit on the porch with the breezy front screen door rather than sit quietly in the house.  Up down up down.  Lost my remote yesterday somewhere in the house --so was limited to one channel this morning--yep, lazy morning.

Now off and about to drive to Detroit.

Will keep you posted ;-)

Sunday May 3rd

Morning

Been a tremendously busy week.  I was out T-Th from school to support the family, play at U of M Distinguished Dissertation Awards, and just be.  I realized of the last 7 days, I had driven to Dearborn 6 of those.  Friday was a hectic clean up day at school.  Catching up on all that I had missed kid-wise.  I'll be catching up with kids for a while.  Many forgot why they come to school and just enjoyed being in a class with "no direction" more or less.  The sub who was hired was very relaxed.  He took attendance kinda--many of the kids he marked present were absent, and a few he marked as out (skipping) were in their seats.  

This weekend was catch up as well-I am preparing my Tuesday lecture (Modern Music Part 2) finishing grading make up exams (discovered 3 students were no show at the make up, so gave them a 0), did house things that get put aside when you are on the run, had an oil and fuel filter change, and have yet to do some major computer shifting to do as the district announced they are giving us new computers as of Friday.  Ah, life!  Monday night I am attending the Pioneer Band Honors Banquet (cafeteria, parents bring foods, kids have fun), while juggling prepping my lecture. I may slide out early.  Though the kids will be glad to see me, Nancy will be angry.  I am on faculty and I am invited.   (Headed to my Dad's today).  Life is full.

I texted (my cousin says "Tex Mex") with my lil sis until 1 this am when they landed back in Sacramento and started home.  

I'm tired.

Jan and Marshall's brown cat keeps coming to eat here.  He prefers our 9 lives to the Meijer brand (I gave them because Muffin wouldn't eat it).  He runs in here at breakfast, all out of breath and "starving" and does the same in the evening.  Brown cat (that's his name) is very soft and sweet.  Sometimes he walks around the house to see if I've moved any furniture, then mews at the door to go home.

Life has taken a different direction, but my feet are still in the old world--so it's off to prepare for lecture ;-)

Later gator

Sunday April 26th

Yawn

I'm still working to get back on Chelsea hours.  This week was a struggle even with taking Tuesday off.  Usually I'd zip home and lay down by 5pm--lectured Friday so the end of the week's schedule included laying down with lecture notes.  Still planning for a change in teaching schedule next week.

Had a lovely time in Hawaii.  Kids were good and entertaining.  I enjoy traveling with other people--you can bounce things off of them.  Also, traveling on an arranged trip is easier for me--they have already checked out the digs, the events, the restaurants--and then with the free time factored in can continue to do my own "fun" things.

Uncle Eloy died yesterday. He was a Marine at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed.  That seems so ironic since I was just there and thinking of him immensely.  Seems unimaginable the odds those young men faced.  He was just coming off KP duty at 7pm and was in the fight.  He grabbed a machine gun and shot down a Japanese plane.  His CO gave him a box of cigarettes as a reward. Of course they spent many hours fighting and then cleaning up the disaster.  Uncle Eloy was accepted into the Marine Band (baritone) but chose to take the duty of guarding a code talker instead.  He was sent to the South Pacific, Midway, Iwo Jima, Marianne Islands, and dropped into Guadacanal.  Due to the Japanese returning abruptly, the Navy pulled out, leaving the Marines behind to fend for themselves.  He lived in trees, guarding his code talker for 4 months--surviving on eating monkey meat.  Later in the war he contracted malaria and ended up back in Walter Reed Hospital--but by then it was Spring 1945.  I knew Uncle Eloy as the keeper of the family stories.  As quiet as my father is/was--Uncle Eloy was boisterous.  He is the one who told me about the Conquestidor's sword and silver in the cave in NM.  His funeral is Tuesday--full military honors.

My sister Emily, husband Jasper and perhaps Larrainey are flying in for the funeral.

I'll post some Hawaii pics for your amusement.  We had a wonderful time!

Aloha!

Friday

and moving quickly.  Have been trying to tie up loose ends, taxes, get new walking/water shoes (no not walking on water), maybe clean, pack, organize, and headed out to dinner with Jan and Marshall, then to Purple Rose.  Tomorrow will be swoosh in prep with Sunday with Gpa.  What fun!  

Had a wonderful birthday weekend last week.  Jeanine, Brad and baby invited me to spend time at their place.  I love them so.  I was able to rock the precious little Hunter to sleep on Saturday night, and then spend time with both Jeanine and Pumpkin on Sunday morning.  They didn't mind that I wore my crown around Meijer/town.  We went to breakfast where the waitress calls me the "Hot Grandma" ;-)  It was so sweet spending time with them!  On the way home I stopped at Starbucks and they wished me Happy Birthday AND decorated my cup!  I have yet to throw it away.  Perhaps I should write customer relations and tell them how their gesture touched my heart.  

Gave a big H test this week.  Am contemplating taking some of the tests with me on vacation (to grade) and also thinking nah!  I've already written lesson plans for Monday (we get in late Sunday) and then plan to take a sub day on Tuesday.  ;-)  Perhaps I'll indulge that day and get that massage Jeanine and Brad bought me for my birthday.  I'm sure my back will be ready to be put back together after the 18 hour trek back home (a few lay overs ;-)

I picked up my Healing Cuisine order from Dr. Lu last night.  Boy was it good!!! I would highly recommend the food to anyone wishing to have a healthy life.  

Bought new shoes (again) today.  Gretchen, one of my music colleagues, told me to check out Chacos--and I did and I bought them.  They support an ol lady foot while still looking like a cool old hippie ;-)  I plan to wear these all over Waikiki.  

Well, I'm off to finish up chores before Marshall and Jan show

Have a great Friday.

Love you

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