Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!  Trick or Treating is from 5-8 here in Shawnee, our candy lasted until 6:00.  What a bummer.  Today was great.  We went on a field trip to Cornerstone Ranch today.  It is near Ada, so it was a long ride.  It was well worth it.  We got to go through the 6 stations as a class.  They were great.  First, we went to the petting area where there were goats, little horses, donkeys, and hogs. Second, we went on a train ride.  Next was a hayride where we got to go into a field and pick our pumpkin. Fourth, we went to the inflatables.  Then we went to a movie about pumpkins and how they grow.  The last was the barn where they got to swing on the barn swing, go through the hay maze, the diamond dig, and the tricycle riding.  We got to spend 20 minutes at each station.  Then we went to eat the sack lunches we brought.  We walked off the bus at 1:55 into the classroom to sit down at the tables set for a Halloween party.  Then we left.  What a day.  There was only one oopsie in the day.  While the kids were on the train ride a parent from another group complained to the train driver that one of my boys was using offensive hand signals.  Agh!  
Two Broke Girls is on.  I think it is really fun!  Then there is Mike and Molly, more fun!  Then Castle, I love it!  Good TV on Monday.
Fall is here and the fireplace is working.  I love love love it!  I haven't turned the heat on yet, so it is nice to have a fire to take the chill out of the air.  Rusty, the big red dog, goes outside and then runs in to stand in front of the fire to warm himself.  That is one spoiled dog.
Ken started tonight putting up Christmas decorations.  He will be working at night for about 2 weeks.  This is not my favorite time of year.
Oh, the Parmesan & Garlic Cheez-Its are yummy! 

A Day Of Sewing

My birthday person at school had her birthday today.  So yesterday I took goodies in for her and the staff.  I was trying to come up with something good and easy.  Laura and Charme' suggested dump cake.  I have never made dump cake before.  Well I went by the store and picked up the ingredients to make not one but two cakes.  I made one for school and one for Ken.  It was a hit at school and at home.  It was so easy.

Dump Cake
1 yellow cake mix
1 20 oz can crushed pineapple
1 can cherry pie filling
2 sticks of butter
1/2 cup nuts (optional
350 degrees.  Layer the ingredients in a 13 x 9 pan.  First pineapple, cherry pie filling, cake mix, slices of butter, and then the optional butter.  Bake for 1 hour.

I added some Gardettos, baked wheat thins, black bean and roasted garlic chips, and some French onion dip.  It was all gone.
I am so cold.  Ken wanted to turn the heat on a week or so ago, but I asked him to wait until net month.  He did, but we have a wonderful cozy fire in the fireplace.  I love having a fire in the fireplace and the cozy feeling it puts out.  We went out to get donuts this morning and found the young couple who use to own the donut shop on Harrison.  Now they own one on Kickapoo.  Cool.  Then we went out east of town to a friends barn sale.  We took the big red dog with us.  He enjoyed getting out and smelling all the new smells.  Then we went by and saw where Kevin was doing some work downtown.  Luckily we got to see Kenny, our oldest son, too.  We went to pay the truck payment.  On the way we saw a car show in the park.  So we took Rusty to the car show too.  Then Ken worked on the roof  and I sewed.  He is thinking about making a deal with a guy to finish the roof in exchange for the old red truck.  I just hope the guy knows how to roof! 
I watched the OU game and kept up with the OSU game while I was sewing.  Good day in Oklahoma.  I talked to Kayla and Janet today.  Austin sent me a picture of his awesome new Cowboy bench.  I don't know where he got it or where he is putting it, but it sure is way cool.

Potted Meat - Yuck

Monday did not go well.  The kids were wild!  We didn't get much done.  I spend a lot of time working on getting along each day.  I wish kids came to school with a bit more skills in getting along.  Tuesday was better and Wednesday was good, we got an art project going.

Yesterday, I noticed a string in the area of my steri-strips from my surgery to remove the port.  So I did the most natural thing, I wrapped it around my finger and pulled hard.  Ouchee!  Wow that really hurt and I realized it was attached!  Looking back it seems really stupid.  Laura, Charme', Amy, and I put up our Enchanted Pumpkin Patch after school.  We all sent home a blank pumpkin to decorate as a family activity.  They came back plain to fancy and some very creative.  We added vines and it looks really fallish.

This morning started out rough.  As I stepped out of the tub I stepped on one of the glass blocks (from the continuing construction going on in our shower), lost my balance, landed on the big red dog who was trying to get into the tub, he moved out of the way and I went down.  I wasn't really hurt, but it did kind of shake me up.

Then, late this afternoon I was in the sewing room working on pants for Beverly when I saw two people out front.  When I came home, I went in the front because I had a few sacks of groceries.  I left the hard door open because, well I am not sure, I was planning to leave in about an hour.  Now the front of the house is dark and the only lights on are the back hall and the sewing room.  One of them, a man started for the porch, so I headed for the front door.  The doorbell went off and the man came in the house about the time I got to the end of the hall.  I was shocked!  I said may I help you?  He asked if it was a business.  I said no and he said it looked like a business.  He apologized and went out.  Then he told me they were traveling (homeless) and they really liked Oklahoma and Shawnee was very friendly.  Then as he was talking his partner asked for water.  I went and got a bottle and gave it to him.  (Kind of thinking, hmm, should I go let the big red dog in?)  Then he went on to tell me when they could get a meal from Salvation Army and then something about somewhere else.  Which brought him to the next question could I spare him a bologna sandwich.  I am ready to get back to my sewing, but I am trying to be kind, so I go to the pantry grab the first things I see,  a lunch tuna fish and cracker thingy (not sure how long it has been in there) and two cans of potted meat (not sure how long they have been in there either), I grab half a package of sandwich thins, a couple of plastic knives, and I shove it all into a bag.  I felt bad giving them what I did, because there was no way I would touch either of those ( I hope Ken doesn't notice they are gone, he eats that stuff!)  Finally, after some more talking they left.  I quickly shut and locked the door.  I was happy to help, but a little unhappy that I felt uncomfortable.  Times are tough.  I am sure glad they weren't out to hurt me.

It's Going To Be A Good Week

Fall Break is over.  I have really enjoyed staying at home.  I feel rested and ready to go back refreshed to see my kids.  I got two quilts bound and delivered.  That was a big weight off my mind.   I also have 4 table runners almost complete.  I have some things I would like to get ready for the sorority aucton and then things for Cristmas.  I need to get busy.
When we went to Arkansas Ken was in charge of getting some snacks.  He picked up some Cheez-Its.  I looked at them and I was disappointed, I guessed he didn't know I didn't really like them or he really did like them.  Anyway, he got them because of the flavor - Parmesian Garlic.  I was skeptical, but after I tried them I loved them.  Oh!  They were great and they were gone in no time.  I think they are great by themselves, but I think they would be fantastic crushed and used  like a bread crumb coating on meat.  They would be good on Talapia, pork chops, or chicken fry. Maybe I'll suggest that to Ken.  
I went to school today to get a jump on the coming week.  I was able to solidify the weekly plan, copy a few things, write the newsletter, and work up an example.  That is quite a bit that will help out.  I noticed while I was out on Wednesday the kids got the play-doh on the carpet in several places.  I'll give it a couple of days, but it may need to close.  I will need to finish up a couple of things from last week, but I think we will have a good week.
On Thursday I got my first haircut with my new hair!  Pretty exciting stuff.  I went in and told Janice that I didn't want little old lady hair.  So she washed it, trimmed it, and styled it.  I left with little old lady hair.  It does look better, not quite as wild, but it is still little old lady hair!  Janice assures me it won't always look this way, some length will help.  Time will tell.  My sister, Janet was ever so helpful.  She suggested I was just looking at it with little old lady eyes!  I guess that summed it up.  I will try to remember those helpful words the next time she needs cheering up!

Comfort Food

What a busy few days I have had.  Short weeks are always a little difficult trying to keep the schedule close to normal.  You make decisions about trying to get 5 days work done in three.  Then you wonder did I cover the concept well or did I just waste that time.  I am always second guessing the decisions.  Another reason I love my wonderful teaching partner of many years, Charme'.  Thanks for helping me be decisive.  So, I spent Monday and Tuesday trying to think of all the details to help the guest teacher have a good day.  My kids were pretty excited about the upcoming four days off, so I knew today might be difficult.  I prepared the kids that things might be a bit different than usual and that would be okay.  I hope they were kind.

Last night I realized I am just less than a month away from the sorority auction.  So I started racking my brain for cute fairly quick ideas to make or do for the auction.  I came up with a fall table runner.  So I started on it last night and worked on it a bit more when I woke up from the nap I took after surgery.  I started on the applique.  I only did two leaves and my incision started feeling sore so I had to quit.  I will pick it up again tomorrow.  In the first picture that is the layout of the runner and the second I was trying to show the applique detail.  I have finished the red and green leaves complete with veins.  That takes a whole lot longer than I estimate.  Anyway, that is one of my many projects.  I also have 2 quilts to put binding on and three more table runners in progress.  Maybe I will get some of these finished in the next couple of days.  That would make me a happy camper!
Surgery was fast and uneventful.  I was out, but it wasn't deep sleep.  Everything went as planned.  Ken fed me when we got home and I took a 2 1/2 hour nap.  Zachary, my youngest grandson called and I spoke to Kayla, his mom. I am hungrily awaiting some comfort food from another teaching partner, Laura.  She told me she would be bringing over a chicken pot pie.  I can't wait!  My cancer journey is coming to an end.  I will still be taking the pill for the remainder of the five years about 4 1/2 to go and I will see the oncologist periodically.  OH!  She is here!

OU Shirts

My dad was not a sports kind of guy so I didn't grow up with weekend activities dependant on what game was televised.  Ken is not really a sports kind of guy unless his kids are playing.  That was a plus coming from previous lives (marriages) that revolved around football and baseball.  I thought it would be nice to watch the OU games together, kind of like a common interest thing for us.  We invited Ken's Dad and sister over for the first game and I went and bought matching OU shirts for us to get into the spirit of the new interest!  So we went to War Eagle this weekend and I had to work Friday and Ken took off at noon to get us packed.  I placed my jeans out and told Ken I would need socks to wear with my tennis shoes and take our OU shirts to wear on Saturday.  He wasn't sure it was a good idea to wear them in Arkansas at the craft show, but he packed them and we wore them.  It was quite funny, because people were asking Ken things about the game, which he has no clue.  Or as we walk by a both or people they would say Boomer and Ken felt obligated to return Sooner.  It was funny to me, but I don't think he enjoyed it so much.  
The craft shows were not as big or good as they have been so we were done earlier than usual and got back to our hotel room in time for the game.  I was glad we got to see it, even though I had a hard time staying awake for all of the fourth quarter.

Wedding Rings -Really!

It is finally Friday. I had a first in all my years of teaching this week. I noticed early in the week there was a budding romance going on in the room. Tha is no so unusual, but what follows is the never had happen part. I noticed the two getting in line together, going to the same centers, and some holding hands (which I tried to discourage) going on. Well, I guess he was just overcome, so he brought rings for her. He actually brought wedding rings. Thursday morning they were noticed during the movie and brought to me by another teacher. So I decided to wait and see who asked about them. Nobody did. I had a sneaking suspicion who was involved, so I dismissed all but the two lovebirds. I asked them if they knew anything about th rings. She said that he gave them to her and he said they were his mom's wedding rings. I asked him why he gave them to her and he said he liked her! I said ok! It all made sense to me. I told him I would keep them and if momma wanted them she could come get them because they were to ebeautiful to take a chance on them getting lost! Well, can you guess who was up at school first thing this morning? She was grateful I had found them. I think the whole stealing issue escaped her. Hmm! That just might explain quite a bit. We drove to Arkansas, went to a craft show, ate the best sweet potato fries, and I am so excited about crafting tomorrow I am having trouble sleeping. I am doing this on an unfamiliar machine, so please excuse the typos. Part of the text isn't wrapping. Ach! I also can't find spellcheck

My Heros Are In My Family

It just hit me that we are fast approaching War Eagle Weekend!  I knew it was coming, but it seemed kind of abstract and in the distance.  Ken and I have been getting away and going crafting for many years.  We started out going after my sister went, then the next year we made it a yearly adventure with Janet and T.J.  I always miss him, but War Eagle time makes me ache just a bit more.  The four of us had such great times together and could find joy in being together.  I miss him so much.  He fought cancer for 11 years, but you wouldn't know it.  He talked about his disease as if it were a trip to Walmart.  He is my hero.  My  baby sister is another hero.  She held everything together for T.J. managing his health, managed her breast cancer, went to school during this time to change careers, and kept in touch with family and friends.  She has been a big help to Ken and I during my care and just one of my biggest champions.  My sister is a strong special woman.  Wow!  

Socks

For my friends who have 21 students I am gaining 1 girl tomorrow.  I met her today, she is from California.  Her parents went on about how smart she is.  I hope they know what they are talking about.  Time will tell.

When we went to Canton, we also hit an outlet mall.  We went into a Nike store and I bought some socks.  For Mother's Day, Haley gave me two kinds of socks.  I really liked one of them a lot.  It really showed me socks make a difference.  So I have been buying socks to find more that I like, which I haven't.  I have an issue with my left foot and shoe.  It seems that the left shoe eats the sock right off my foot!  I digress.  So I bought a 3 pack of socks with a extra padded big hand pull on the heel.  I started putting them on while we are at Canton and I noticed a mark on the top of the sock close to the toes.  I looked closer and realized it was a L and I had it on the right foot.  Ah Oh!  How cool!  I've never had socks that were marked left and right.  Well, I like the socks.  I forgot they were marked when I grabbed a pair out of the dryer and when I went to put them on I had two left feet!  I will never look at socks the same!

Bunco tonight was great!  Probably because I was a winner because I lost the most games and won the Bunc Off!  Woohoo!  

I went to quilt today on the long arm.  I enjoyed it but was scared the whole time.  I would kind of like to have one, but not really sure I would use it enough to make it pay for itself. 

Who Dun It

It is Friday!  I lost another student this week, so I am down to 18.  I am still boy heavy.  I picked up two desks at Canton.  I have set them up for my two boys who are very distractable.  It has helped.  

Do you ever feel like you have all the pieces, but you just don't know where they are or you just can't fit them together just right?  When I was 16, my first car was a corvair convertible.  I loved my first car, but I had stringy long hair.  So I always looked mussed whenever I got anywhere.  So my question is why don't I have the cool convertible car now or the curly short always look the same no matter what hair then?  Some things just make you go Hmm. 

We went to a Who Dun It Dinner Theater tonight.  We got to go to Cattleman's for a buffet dinner.  We had fruit, salad, rolls, steamed vegetables, steak, chicken or salmon, coconut cream pie or pecan pie.  Wow it was a great meal and the murder mystery was so funny centered around a 1955 class reunion.  It was very interactive with the audience!  I highly recommend it if you get the chance to go.
I found the cutest pumpkin art project today.  You cut out a pumpkin from orange construction paper.  Then you fold it in half and cut horizontal lines about an inch apart and within an inch on each side.  Open it up start at the top and push one strip one way and the next the other way and continue to the bottom.  Then add green leaves and curly ribbon for vines.  It looks 3D.

Colonoscopy

Tuesday was a long day.  Well, Monday was a long day for the hubby.  He couldn't eat anything so he would be ready for the colonoscopy on Tuesday.  Normally Ken is very easy going, but when he can;t eat he is a bit grumpy and maybe you could even go as far as grouchy. We reported to imaging filled out the questionnaire and waited.  Finally, they called him and he was off and I got to read.  I even splurged with a diet coke.  What a luxury reading during the day.  I saw the doctor come in and in about 20 minutes it is over.  They called me back and Ken was drowsy.  Every 5 minutes the blood pressure pumps up and a nurse comes in and writes it down.  After several times he gets to sit up and then finally the IV comes out and he gets dressed.  I talked to the surgeon and he said that Ken had a few polyps and diverticulitus.  We left and he wants to eat.  We head for Boomarang for a ham breakfast.  Then we went home and Ken went upstairs for a nap with the big red dog, Rusty.  I finished reading the book I was reading.  I then started sewing.  I finished the quilt for Karri, made a pillow, and another smaller blanket.  Now I have the chair cushions left to do.  It is a chair seat pad and a chair back pad.

I came home from dinner at church and there was a big dumpster by the side of the house.  Ken is planning on roofing this weekend.  We shall see how it goes.  The last weather forecast I heard called for rain.
Friday is the last day of this nine weeks.  That means a lot of screening is going on this week.  Then I have to get all the screening information to the computer.  It will be a busy tense time.  The upside is I lost another child this week.  I am down to 18.  
Tomorrow will be busy with a busy day at school and then a sorority meeting after dinner with the old man.

Pumpkin Pancakes

I am still tired!  We drove to my sisters Friday after work.  Then we had to be in McKinney by 8:30 to see Macie Jane's soccer game.  I awoke before 6:00 and went out to the living room and read.  Book 3 is really the best yet Jane!  Life is a bit different there. It seems like the closest anyplace is is 30 minutes away.  We needed to leave by 7:30.  It was a fun game and the Grasshoppers won 4 to 2.  YaHoo!  Then we all went out to eat breakfast.  Janet wanted pumpkin pancakes.  Someone must of texted her when I was having them a week ago.  Well, she lost out and we ate breakfast at a pub.  The food was good.
We (Ken, Haley, and Duane) met up with Austin and Holly to see some houses that Austin is interested in.  We looked up and after 3 houses it was 2:00.  It was time to meet up with my sister at her house so we could head for Canton.  Janet was playing tennis.  So off we went!
We found some deals.  We found a great Christmas gift for Mom and Bob.  The shops closed and we had to go eat.  Applebee's was close to our hotel.My dinner was to spicy.  Since when is marinara sauce spicy?  I couldn't eat it.  They graciously brought me another dinner.  It was good.   
We were tired and called it a night.  Sunday morning came early and we were off to iHop for pumpkin pancakes!  Janet is beyond ready.  They are not on the menu, they are not on the specials menu?  No pumpkin pancakes until the next day.  Uh Oh!  It isn't pretty!  Janet wanted the pumpkin pancakes and there aren't any.
We split an omelet and pancakes.  It is good.  Now, it is time to shop shop shop.  We got some deals.
I have been tired today.  I had a good day today.  I lost one of my kiddos today. I am sad.