LBD search.

OMG. I just about had a panic attack....got the shakes/ sweats and everything. Ever since I heard that Danielle was getting married I have been in a buying mood. Clothes buying. Seems that once I got started two weeks ago and going to stores after school ( DRAT that student teacher for doing such a good job I had the energy!) and found at least one really, really cute outfit. I will post it as soon as I get a picture. OH! And I finally found a pair of pants that actually fit me. Worthington short , size 8 ( I've lost some weight likely due to the uptick of Lexapro) modern tab dress pants. I nearly pressed "confirm order" on another pair but resisted...that is part of the panic:


I have also been ordering on line from Macys. I ordered four dresses from them; two a size 8 & 10 of the same dress here ( danielle has already seen it so no secrets are being divulged) and two sweater dresses ( more like tunics) same color but size M & L. Well, I love the black dress but it is a bit long ( hits below my knee) and so if I decide to keep it will need to get it hemmed. I also have to have Jessica & Dan look at me in the 8 & then the 10. The 8 fits juts right IMO but it does show a FEW rolls mid back..on my sides. But since I will be wearing a pasmina ( haven't got that yet...YIKES) it may be a non issue. ANYWAY. I have to do the following and in this order :

1) Take my dress to St. Cloud Tailor to see if hemming that style of dress will work. It is very full & pleated & if I will loose the swing effect by hemming it an inch I will send it back. Oh. I checked. No petites in this dress.

2) If it WILL work, the decide which one to keep, the 8 or 10 & send the other back.

3) At the same time ( or before I guess it doesn't matter) send back BOTH sweater dresses.... don't like either, & a top that is too large & I really don't need anyway and I COULD exchange for the right size but eyyyyyyyyyyyeeeeeee Dan is going to KILL me when he sees the credit card bill! Even though I told him I'm returning half the stuff.

WHY DID I PANIC?????????? I could NOT find the size 10 black dress!!!!!!!!!!! Did I HIDE it? I never did open it! It was small and flat.... was it THROWN AWAY???!!!! I looked through the other two Macys bags twice... not there. Looked in my closet, under my bed, in the laundry room, the CAR! and then went downstairs. Someone ( God was it ME? ) put it downstairs in a box . HOLY CRAP O LA!!!!!

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. What am I going to do when I retire ? Will I freak out like this when I lose a $12 bottle of Thera Tears eye drops? SHIT!

Oh well. I am absolutely loving looking at clothes again. Really. I have a couple of really cute outfits for school now and Jess showed me a really nice bra that I have three of now for a month and I'm surprised at how having a good fitting bra makes a person feel better too. It is a moving comfort bra...Amazon.

Ok. I'm done. I'll keep you updated on the LBD sitsiiiation.

Bye,

M

I can't believe it. Denny Hartman....

So I was in the Lower Media today behind the desk by Kris Koenig & I saw a guy at the copy machine making copies. I looked at him and thought I recognized him but brushed it off as a mistaken identity. Then I looked at him closer. And yes. It was Denny Hartman. Shara was also in the LM ( we both have student teachers) and I said to her "Is that who I think it is?! and then under my breath ..Denny Hartman">? She looked at me and said excitedly "Yeah, Yeah! He's in charge of my guy!".

I gave her what I'm sure was a disgusting scowl & went into Steve's office to commiserate...but he wasn't there. I walked back out & Denny was gone. Slime ball. I asked Kris Koenig about it and she said "Yeah, he came in here like he owned the place and then said are YOU still workin here?!" I hope I to see him again and get a change to engage in a conversation. Depending on his demeanor and reaction to me I may be pleasant but what I really want to do is thank him.

I want to thank him for teaching me how NOT to treat people because based on my knee jerk & Kris' reaction to him I know I DO NOT want people to react that way to me. I sincerely hope that my personal legacy does not evoke those kinds of gut feelings. I'd rather be remembered as the lousiest teacher that ever walked the planet.

Oh. And I'll have to thank him for giving me a chance to feel what I feel and in my heart forgive him. I know that is the healthiest thing to do.

Flash!

hahahahahahaha

Cat's out of the bag?

Well since only Danielle from the family reads this I think it is safe for me to announce that she ( Elsie) got engaged yesterday. WOOT!!!! Mother Of the Bride #2 coming up. ... some time this summer somewhere in Colorado.

I have to add that Dan was tickled to have had Zach call him in the middle if the afternoon on Friday & "request Danielle's hand in marriage" . Let the excitement begin!!!

Awesome couple # 2 about to join the family. So cool.:)

M.O.B take 2.......

That is code for now.... but it is exciting news.

A crappy week has turned out pretty good.

So I really didn't feel like going to work any day this week. This is a very new feeling for me at least to feel this way both so consistently and so frequently. It has been such a striking change that it has been alarming to me. It has forced me to question: Am I losing it? Am I fooling myself into thinking that I have some good years in me yet but I'm really already toast? Is it like I've convinced myself that I can run a marathon when in actuality my muscles can't or won't make it any further than 14 miles and I will collapse in agony? What is happening?

I would have to say that in the last two years I have felt like I just wanted to stay home instead of going to work ( when I wasn't feeling sick or under the weather) no more than 5 times total. I have felt that way every day this week. But today was a turning point... I HOPE!I attribute at least some of it to the following; the top two being the most critical I think :

* My kids are starting to like me.
* I am starting to like my kids.
* I have been brave and have called many, many parents about very naughty kids which has exhausted me with anger and trouble but has paid off....they are either behaving or are on their way to an alternative setting.
* I saw Dan today after school... rushed home..I really miss seeing him after school.
* Tomorrow is Friday and Caribou Coffee day.
* My student teacher is going to be ok even though his Dad died unexpectedly Sunday night from complications from a heart attack two weeks ago today. The funeral is Saturday:(
* I am ( almost) prepared for conferences next week.
* Dan shot a really nice buck on our property yesterday morning..the 3rd heaviest deer he's ever shot. num num venison.
* I like "falling back" for Fall's day light's savings time because it is light yet right now and it has felt a bit like I had extra time to get ready in the morning.

Now. Let's hope this is at the very, very least a trend in the right direction!

Flash!

Danielle & Zach's Big Adventure.

WHAT?!

No parent phone calls tonight to tattle on naughty, bratty, "normal" middle school kids tonight?

No lesson plans to plan?

No emails that need consideration/ a response to ie.. NL. RTI plan; 401 meeting at 7:45 tomorrow, NEED IEP input! etc etc etc

Holy Balls. What the hell is my brain going to do right now?

Cripe. This is actually the first evening that I have missed my husband and he has not been home when I get home since the very first day of school. Now THAT is sad.


M

My girl in 'Nam is enjoying it.

We've heard from her via e mail twice. Haven't heard in two days so expect to soon. The correspondence is short and sweet " we are here and staying here e mail you again soon...." Another 5 days or so and they should be back in the US. Whew.

They'll need time to decompress. I HOPE they have built in a little time off before they return to work schedules but I'm not sure about that.

I won't be expecting the much anticipated face to face stories for awhile but likely some pictures will be on line sooner than that. I look forward to that but first things first. Get home safely Zach & Danielle.

Mom

Confession.

I like to watch Project Runway. That is all.

The First Three Words You See Will Desribe You.

I got fool, beautiful & lovely. So I'm a beautifully, lovely fool. There's some real truth to that.

Have you seen this? CUTE!

Gene Simmons Family Jewels.

I had to stay awake to see the wedding. I was very intrigued by the whole thing. I want to believe that Gene the superstar, super smart, super business saavy, super successful etc etc etc man will be faithful in all ways to his wife Shannon but I'm not sure he will. It will be so sad if he goes back to be an ass especially for his kids whom I adore ...Nick & Sophie. Shannon & Gene both managed to raise two wonderfully intelligent, talented ( did you hear them SING at the wedding? FANTASTIC!) and secure adult children. It would sadden me to no end if Gene did all of this for the fan fair,the attention, the spotlight that he craves.... but I would NOT be surprised if he cheated on Shannon again.

Stay faithful GENE!!!

Flash!

ps Gene.... I really never thought KISS was so spectacular but I don't hold THAT against you!! Just keep your pecker where it belongs....at HOME!!!

I think America should just SHUT UP!!

Hey Andrea.....

My goal for tomorrow.... to NOT get pissed at students before 9:00 a.m. LAST Monday I was yelling ( very rare for me) by 9:00am. Here's a math problem for your students:

If Mary can delay her pissed off ed ness by 15 minutes every consecutive Monday of the school year starting tomorrow.... how many weeks will it be before she can say "I didn't YELL AT MY STUDENTS ONCE TODAY!!!!!"

Depending on the answer, I might actually set that as a goal.

M

Three.

Three times a charm

Knock three times on the ceiling if you want me. Dig it..



Everything comes in threes

more?.....

My girl is going to N. Vietnam.

She leaves in two days & will be traveling for two weeks. I will be glad when she gets back and am excited, cautiously worried , and looking forward to hearing about their adventures all at the same time.

I think that some of the worry is an overreaction..I have known about this trip for a year or more, but the three typhoons in that area got me going not to mention that when I was a kid the North Vietnamese were our enemies in a terrible war. The good news is that Zach has traveled in that area before and they have left all important information ( passport copies, an itinerary etc) with both Zach's folks and us & they will let the American authorities in Vietnam know they are there.

I guess they have covered all of the bases and for that I am grateful. I hope it is the trips of all trips and I can't wait to see the pictures and as I said hear the stories.

It is supposed to be a beautiful country , friendly to Americans & a relatively cheap place to spend a two week vacation. Be safe Danielle. I love you. And don't drink the water....

Yo Mama :)

Sanity.

It was so good to see Andrea, Anna, Sarah, Shara, Laura, Kelli (hope I didn't miss anyone!) this morning for coffee. It made my day. I hope to make it as many Fridays as possible. I really have no excuse not to make it ... unless of course I get down and out which I plan to avoid at all costs.

My plan at all costs includes:

1) Go to Coffee Fridays.

2) Go to phoenix over Christmas ...yes, just me....it is a stepping stone to sanity...I just bought my ticket.

3) Up my dose of lexapro for the first time in 7 years or whenever it was I went on it.

4) Start to plan spring break 2013.

5) Space out my 6 sessions of massage to last all year.

6) Continue using my myofacial release roller. I have fallen in love with it and have a small one at school that I use.

7) There is no seven. I like round numbers and I think that six is plenty anyway. It is four more strategies than I needed last year which proportional to what looks like what might be a 4 xs more difficult case load of students. You should see the blue marks in skyward. Now I know why it is called skyward....it is as blue as the sky.

Flash. Oh and be grateful for beautiful weather like this weekend!

Pictures from Seattle.

If you are curious at all about who is who or why.... just ask.

Flash!

Early morning conversation

Jessica is getting ready to go to the deer shack with Dan. She is bringing some camping gear that is somewhat unnecessary. Jess was in the kitchen and couldn't hear us.I say to Dan " I think she thinks she is going camping or something. "

Dan "Yeah".

Me "Does she remind you of someone?"

Dan " Um hm"

Me "Does she remind you of me?"

Dan, "Um hmm."

Me ,incredulously, " REALLY?"

Dan "Yeah".

I asked Dan " Does Jessica remind you of me sometimes? "

Dan looking at me now " Yes. "

Me " WOW I have just always looked at her as some kind of FREAK or something".

Dan & I really laughed. I never knew she reminded him of me so much.

Yeah. This is a good idea...

Think a waiver for NCLB is a good thing? Check this out! After what parents managed to do to South imagine what a few hundred signing a freaking petition can do.Just more scary shit.

"Teensy Gains in test scores in the last four years" a good editorial...

MINNPOST... a blog I like; good reading.

I am tired.

You know? The last week has been about as incredible a week as I have ever had in my career. It is almost impossible to believe that so much could go so wrong so quickly in a school ( I typed "my" school but I am quickly losing any Wildcat Pride that I ever had & so changed it. Yeah. I am sad about that. REALLY sad.) . I feel as if I am in a boat that is sinking. I know that it will right itself but I have some pretty messed up emotions. I really like Dr. Nolan & think that he got shad upon. That makes me want to work really hard for him. But I liked Eric too & worked very hard for him as well & as far as I am concerned, he did the "shadding" so I'm a bit confused right now.

And I am tired. I am so glad that my trip to Seattle was so wonderful (I don't use that word frequently so it means something) because it has put this other crap in perspective. It makes me think of what my Mom has always told me & I typically fight against because it is a poor reflection on my profession but right now I am internalizing "It is a job not a mission" & that is also sad but for me true.

I am going to have to get used to the fact that my career may not end on a high note.But then again, I DO have a choice in how I look at things I guess. Holly & Andrea keep posting because right now you are the stars in a dark sky.

Miss you,

Mary

Trip to Seattle was fantastic!

Giles & his wife Gail. Adore them both. Giles is very intelligent and very odd. He had questions about his grandmother... my Mom had many of the answers he was looking for. She wasn;t in De Dattle but we did a speaker phone call in the kitchen. She had some good stories for Giles & he is intensely interested.

I spent two days with Bink on his boat on the Sound & Lake Union. Quality time I needed. Went to dinner at Rays and then the locks with Donna & my nieces. Really quality time. Donna & I managed to spend more than 12 hours together without screaming at each other and making an embarrassing spectacle of ourselves. Rare. About time at almost 60 & 55 ehhhhhhhhh?

Weather beautiful. More picts later.

F

Ryker Puckett...born on my B-Day!

Colin's son, Ryker, was born 3 hours ago by C section. He is a little early but things are looking good. Not sure what this all means for the Puckett reunion as it was being hosted by Ryker's Grandpa in Seattle.... but I'm leaving on a jet plane anyway!!! May just have to hang out at Pike's Market for two day! DARN IT!!!!!!

Superstitious me.

I am not riding my motorcycles even though it is absolutely beautiful outside because next Thursday is a milestone that will change Dan's and my life and I need to be alive on that day. I will be 55 years old on September 8th, 2011 and thus will be vested in TRA and entitled to a monthly pension check from the fund when I decide to retire. Before that day I would only be entitled to a smaller lump sum....

I have known this for quite some time & quite honestly, every time I mounted either baby GZ or Flash this summer it went through my mind that I was possibly putting our financial future at risk but I am a risk taker .... to a point. And I have reached that point.

I will begin to ride not September 9th,10th,11th or 12th because I will be in Seattle, but after that the leathers will come out!!! WOOT!!

Flash.... a young 54 :)

Puckett Reunion!

Next weekend. Here is Alan... I will be seeing his son Giles . I met both when I was a teenager. Can't wait!! Go to the link...it's interesting:)

Flash!

I lost Jessica's keys.

And I didn't shut my windows. I am in deep doo doo.

There is just no giving up in this family.

All of us were born to be tough.

Are you serious mother II

I accidently deleted the photos I took. It is (was... she wants it back) a necklace made out of really cool wooden buttons hand-carved by her grandfather. BUT the artist who made it used copper to put it all together & I really can't stand copper. It makes my mouth water for some reason.

Anyway... back it goes.... ASAP.

M

Are you SERIOUS Mother?!!!

Christ. Yes, I said CHRIST! And I mean it. GOD Mom. Jesus H. Christ. You want me to wear WHAT to the Puckett reunion? Do you REMEMBER putting me in frilly little dresses and patent leather shoes?

I'll post a picture later. I have to go into a deep meditative state first.

Funny ... Earth Q related...from LDS

BREAKING NEWS: President Obama has just confirmed that the DC earthquake occurred on a rare and obscure fault-line, apparently known as "Bush's Fault". Obama also announced that the Secret Service and Maxine Waters continues an investigation of the quake's suspicious ties to the Tea Party movement. Conservatives however have proven that it was caused by the founding fathers rolling over in their graves

Flash died on me.

Near the same place baby GZ did 3 years ago. Called Dan. Dan came to get me but had to go to work. I already knew what was wrong.. used the tools on the bike to get at the battery; terminal broken off. Left flash both seatless and battery less. Left a note . WILL BE BACK DON'T TOUCH. Got a battery. Had it charged. Jess & I were going to go put it in. Didn't look right. Went to Uncle Dave/Franklin's. They were washing/ drying dishes by hand soooooo cute. Drove out to Flash near Marty (Pearl Lake) . Dave fixed Flash. Dave/ Franklin pushed me out onto road. Went home. I LOVE Dave & Franklin.!!! More than Flash. Going fishing. BYE!

Jess went to her 6th wedding this year.

Me after looking at her posted FB pict. : " Jess, who is Greg______ and who dressed him? "

Jess. " Oh. He's a hippie who lives on a boat in Duluth. I'm sure someone gave him those clothes"

Me, " Who got married" Jess, "Dave, the guy who lived at the airport in Duluth" Me"oh"

Bike time!

The trip/ celebration in Rochester was great.

Connor got his training wheels off!!

Going to Rochester.

Sondra Blumke (now Grotz) pictured below will be 30 this weekend. She is Dan's niece. She is a miracle. When she was 16 she was diagnosed with leukemia and immediately underwent treatment. The treatment nearly killed her and she still has residual effects from missing most of her pancreas which is gone due to infection. Sondra is married to Travis who is an orthopedic surgeon at the Mayo. They are friends with Jamie & Ryan ( Jamie being her first cousin) and they have fun times as couples boating together on the weekends.

Sondra is the niece who is now looking at adopting a child. She & Travis have tried every avenue to conceiving their own child including invitro i don't know how many times. The last viable embryos were implanted last spring but Sondra got sick and they didn't take (again).


It is so ironic that it is Sondra who can't have a baby. When she was little she bugged everyone including me because whenever a new baby was introduced to the family at a family gathering Sondra would "hog the baby".

So the birthday party tomorrow is a surprise and we are all to have a story about Sondra to share. It won't be hard... she is quite the character...a real firecracker. VERY outspoken & opinionated. She has pissed me off with flippant remarks regarding teachers whenever the topic has come up. You have to realize that this illness of hers went on for over two years in HS , she was home schooled and wanted to graduate with her class so there were bound to be some conflicts. She has been cancer free for over 5 years now. So the story I will share:

At the end of a school year and after Sondra was on the brink of death twice she finally stablized and was in ICU. She was in a diaper, she had a colostomy but she was DEFINITELY SONDRA!!!! Lippy and bossy. It was quite impressive.

The plan was to give Bob & Paula a much deserved break and family members were going to take turns staying with Sondra a few days at a time. There was a regular, very nice motel room right in the hospital for just this situation. On the very last day of school I left FROM school for the hospital. I went directly to Sondra's room & we started visiting when the nurse came in and said I had to leave the room and that it would be awhile, at least an hour before I could come back. So I went to the motel room , layed down and proceeded to fall asleep.

The phone rang. I woke up looked out the window and though "OMG! It's almost dark!". I had been sleeping for AWHILE! I answered the phone and the nurse said. "Sondra wanted me to call and check on you. She was worried about you". I'll never forget it. She was worried about ME! Here she had nearly died , the whole family on eggshells worried every day for months that the dreaded phone call with bad news was here ( we all just KNEW it was a matter of time & she would be gone) and she was worried about ME! I felt so guilty! That's it. That is my little story I will share & it may seem lame but man, for me (and the rest of the fam I think) it will speak VOLUMES about just how lucky this young lady is. I can't wait to see her.

Flash!

An email from me to a colleague and to youse guys too!

" It just goes to show (and don't ever, ever forget this) that we teachers truly DO keep students at the heart of all that matters in regard to their education. It is just in our nature. We are not "above " anyone because of this tendency but it is what makes us true professionals in this field called education. There will be some who may nearly convince you or convince others around you otherwise, but never forget that you deserve the recognition, the compensation and the union representation for the good works that you do for the youth of this country. Lord knows, the respect that you get in return for that same hard work will ALWAYS fall short and unfortunately THAT you will be able to count on as well. "

You really need to see this.

I love this FB page, the concept, the creativity, the vids... everything about it is just about perfect to me for some reason.


Here's The Thing

Munsinger Garden WOW Ride.

What a beautiful day for a group ride!

Corn day!!!

My very smart husband's saying of the morning....

‎"If you're a good boss, no one knows who the boss is." Right on Dan.

This morning's fishing journey.

I could get used to this.

Letter of recommendation...& pict of Grace & Jessica

Did I SCARE YOU? Here is something my Mom emailed me a week or so ago. Dan starts his job as "team leader" for Envirotech, a company that does cleaning services for local businesses tomorrow. Dan will be supervising a team of 7 people who are assigned to clean the Wells Fargo bank downtown from 4:30- 9:30 M_F and one Saturday morn. for 3 hrs per month. He is nervous but is hoping he will like it. Anyway ... Mom's take on Dan & our lives together.....

To Whom It May Concern,
Over the past 35 years, Dan Meyer has been patient, cool headed, calm in the midst of chaos and has exhibited fair treatment toward the four females who have swarmed around his calm demeanor. He should be given the Nobel Peace Prize.
I know no other human being who would have been able to pull that off.
Congratulations, Dan.

Your Mother-in-Law, Cathryn Elizabeth Puckett Smith :)

We are going fishing early tomorrow morn.

Flash!

Nice bunch of fish.

I caught the biggest sunfish I've ever caught before. We were on Clear Water Lake & it was fun. I especially like wearing my pajama bottoms for fishing. They are perfect for the job.

Flash!:)

Dan got a job.

And the letters of recommendation from his partner of 30 years & one of the guys who worked for them made me cry real tears.

I am married to a very special man. I knew that but to hear it from others is so well, remarkable.

Can't say any more... yet.... HI ELSIE!!!!!!!!!! I'm NOT going to tell Dad to call you guys..... so..... GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!!!!!!!!!!

Yo mama

Calling ANDREA!!!!!

What size do you wear? The seller wears a 9 but these are snug on her with bare feet.

$25.00 + $7.50 shipping Go here

I found them doing a search on "fire alarms" trying to find a part for out vintage , refurbished school fire alarm that we want to mount on the house.

AREN"T They AWESOME!!!!

M :)

Lists!

As I'm sure all of you are, I have been making lists and the list making intensifies as the school year approaches doesn't it? So when I ran across THIS list I did a double take and it took me a moment for it to register. Of course it is a list that Connor and I made together before he went to bed here around their Easter (and Grace's birthday) visit last spring. He had a very busy DAY!!

Very good short story.

My sister, Donna, sent both Lisa & I a copy of World Enough And Time by Linda MacCullough Moore.

It is ironic that it is about a woman who is dying. It took me awhile to get through the part I quote below because I was LAUGHING so hard. :

WHEN NANCY WAS SIX and I was eight, she told me that a witch lived underneath our bed and then would throw my pillow on the floor, where it would lie till morning. One day she tied a string across the middle of our room and said she would tear my eyes out if I put one foot on her side. The door was on her side.

When she was miffed, Nancy could be stone silent from after lunch till bedtime. She would play dead in fights, stop breathing, feign sincere unconsciousness until I begged and pleaded and promised I’d be her servant my whole life — a promise I now wonder have I kept.

She told our little brother Ricky if he wet his finger and put it in the electric socket, ice cream would come out. She promised if he jumped off the six-foot-high armoire, he could fly. Inspired by the first seat belts, she chained him to his tricycle and pushed him down a hill.

Oh, Nancy would give you anything. She was always generous. And she was mean.

I can’t tell you just what it all amounts to, but I do know that I am afraid of her to this very day.

To this day I am afraid of Donna.... I wonder if she is afraid of me?

F :)

ps. as usual the card itself that she sent the story in & how she sent it .... 8 pages folded into a 3 inch square, stuffed into the envelope making it near impossible to read
is so typical DONNA that I was laughing before I even got the darn thing open!!!

THE CARD: Pretty sure this represents me although I can't be positive which makes it all the more hilarious. Donna has always admired my interests in shooting/hunting and now riding a motorcycle. We are different that way.

More intense than I thought.

I have to tell you about my motorcycle ride to Wilmar yesterday but first I want to tell you what I just bought at Cashwise:

1) Small bottle of citrus flavored vodka
2) Small bottle of white rum.
3) Lemonade.
4) Six limes (they were 2/$1.00).
5) Club soda.
6) Fresh mint leaves.

If you have any specific suggestions for recipes ( I have some ) or ways to mix a drink... just comment. I am blogging BEFORE I mix a drink:)

Ok. Yesterday the group above met in Clearwater to go to Wilmar to visit a woman who belonged to WOW for many years. She was diagnosed with cervical cancer & is in a nursing home. TWO things ( or revelations) were more intense than I had anticipated... actually three make that four:

1) It was more sad than I thought.

2) When facing certain death acceptance truly is a gift.

3) Even strangers can bring a ray of light to a dark situation and don't ever forget it.

4) My back took a beating and I didn't realize it at the time. I really, really hurt right now... thus...a drink..a DRINK! not yet Mary... it is way too far from bedtime. patience.

M
ps.

The motorcycle we are all behind is FlashG!

Want to Hear Maryjo?

That was the subject for the email I received this am from LDS ( Low Down Sinner) whom I sold my banjo to. Here is the body of the email:

I've been recording a trio of young women this week. They're quite talented and play a plethora of instruments, violin, mandolin, guitar, and some banjo. They brought a pretty raggedy old banjo that honestly sounded like crap, so I pulled out MaryJo. They were nearly as delighted by her as I've been.

Anyway, I've just finished up the first rough mix (thus the RM1 in the title) of one of the songs they played her on, I thought of you when they started admiring it. I thought it was only fitting that you be the first person outside of the studio to hear the track. It's going to be on their upcoming album I'm engineering and producing for them. Please keep this close to the vest until after the release (probably sometime in September).

I'll send you links to the other tracks as they become presentable, if you'd like.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Here is the link

Granted, the quality of the recorded song isn't that great, the banjo actually isn't tuned perfectly, and the voices aren't perfectly in tune as well..... but I LOVE the lyrics! AND I am sooooooo very excited that my banjo ( he named it Maryjo) is being appreciated.

Flash!

FAVORITE quote for the "years"!!!

"rubric" is academic, educational, public school 'gobble dee gook'. Excellent."

My dear mother. RIGHT ON MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I snuck a ride in!!!

The air lightened up just a bit and I got a 50 mile ride in!

M

I should be doing something more productive.

See all Other reviews at Expotv

I can't stop

See all Other reviews at Expotv

I feel like I'm playing house!

Today Dan & I set the alarm clock and got up to go fishing. We left home at about 7:30 am after a cup of coffee and a piece of peanut butter toast and half of a banana that I prepared and put on matching plates. We caught 24 fish that were "3-4 to a pound" in size. We fished on Pearl Lake, the lake that we lived on for 6 years. We fish on lots of lakes but Pearl Lake, to me, really does have a special place in my heart. I don't necessarily prefer to fish on Pear but I notice that when we are ON pearl it seems particularly relaxing.

We landed the boat at about 9:30 and were home by about 10:00 am. Dan washed off the fish & I made each of us a cup of coffee which we enjoyed together side by side in our matching chairs.

Dan cleaned the fish in the garage and listened to WCCO AM 8.30 radio and after I took a few pictures of our catch and then a shower I turned on the radio ( FM 103.7) and emptied the dishwasher, washed the counters and some beach toys with sand in them from when Jamie & the kids were up, and added a few items to the grocery list including bleach for the whites. I know... so quaint. I had a LITTLE time to go on the computer, just enough to see that Minnesota has made national news with the shutdown and then Dan came in the house. Thank God because I am getting a little overly obsessed with politics lately.

By this time it was nearly noon and so Dan made himself a sandwich and I ate my half sandwich from yesterday. Again, we did this side by side in our chairs. Dan watched the weather channel & commented that it was supposed to get really hot starting tomorrow. So I suggested that maybe we take our walk in the middle of the day even though we have been walking in the morning. He thought that was a great idea and said that he would be ready to walk after he took a shower.

We discussed where we would walk & wound up on cty rd 141.*** the following is all information relayed to me during our walk**** We walked passed the Block place where Steve Block used to live. He was a little younger than Dan's Grandpa Meyer ( Grandpa Meyer was born in 1898)and he preferred to use his team of horses to farm rather than tractors although he did have a tractor. Steve was small of stature and nervous. For example, if he came over to G & G Meyer's place to visit he would only visit for a little while & then he would get all fidgety and need to go home. That might perhaps be because he was a bachelor and also there were many folks back then that way. It was common for peple to come to visit and stand outside and when invited in for coffee would decline and say that they had to get going soon. Much of the visiting was done outside.

After the Block place we walked to the Waltzing place. Irene Waltzing lived there until about five years ago. She is probably in a nursing home now. She was a hoarder. Dan's Dad was one of the few people who ever stepped foot into her house and that was to ask for permission to deer hunt on her property. Irene always said yes and if Ben shot a deer he would give her some of it. Irene did not cook. When Ben was in the house he saw that she had newspapers piled everywhere including the stove. Irene went to town everyday at around 10:00 am and that was to go somewhere to eat. Irene has a brother, Larry, who lives close to pearl lake. Irene was a large woman and a guy that Dan worked with, Paul Gregory, always referred to her as "Queeny". There was speculation that Irene was a hermaphrodite or maybe she was a he who acted like a she or something. "Anything's possible there I guess" said Dan.


We walked for about 1.5 miles. We got home at about 2 pm. Dan has a new laptop. Actually it is an old Gateway but it is new to us. I got it for him for Father's Day. I have been teaching Dan how to use it. He wants to be able to email the kids. So after we got home from our walk we sat down at the kitchen table where his laptop is set up and I showed him how to log on to check for email and I also showed him how to compose a message. When we were done we sat in our chairs and I giggled. Giddily. And said, "this is so much fun! I feel like we are playing HOUSE!". And he left to do something outside and I decided to blog. I decided to blog this. I started to blog this and now I am done blogging.

Goodbye! :)

FlashG!!!

Cool Blog........

Danielle & Zach ran in to these people at the Dunes State Park in Colorado. Danielle got some fantastic shots from there, but I'm not sure how to grab them from Facebook. Oh. I figured it out.

Back is better!

I see Lori Flint , my magic fingers masseuse tomorrow to get a better idea of just what I pulled, but judging from how much less pain I am experiencing I'm pretty sure recovery will be quick.

This was a true wake-up call. I'll be focusing on strengthening my core the rest of the summer.... no excuses. Soooooooooo relieved!!!

FLASHG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two read books a disappointment!

The Girl's Guide To Hunting And Fishing &

The Stone Diaries

both started out great. Both held my interest through the first two thirds of the book, then they dropped my interest like a rock in a lake.

I'll try Deception Point, The girl With The Dragon Tattoo, About Schmidt or The Eight next.

That is after Dan & I go take a walk.

M

Discourageing or inspiring?

Well, I did something really, really stupid yesterday. I dropped the Vulcan which I've done on a couple of occasions but this time I tried to lift it using incorrect technique and pulled something in my back. I'll be glad if it will just be healed enough in 4 weeks so that I can continue some assemblage of lower body strength training which for me lately mounts to just some pilates & stretching.

This is he 2nd time I've injured my back.. the first was about 4 years ago when I fell out of a tree.

I'm trying to look at the bright side... I can focus on upper body work, go to Jessica's Fri. morning water aerobics in Becker, and in the mean time let the back heal.

I DON'T have to let this discourage me and it CAN serve as an inspiration to continue with "training". I really can't believe I am in such poor physical condition. I used to be so physically fit... But I have to stop lamenting and get on with regular routine...

Flash.

Nine Day Summer Adventure 2011

So Day 1) Picked up rental car at 2:30 pm. to drive to Rochester to visit the Haradens.

Day 2) Left in the morning for Adair, IA to Mom's. There was construction in Des Moines and a girl no older than 14 (that's what she looked like anyway) merged into the passenger side of "our" car. The state trooper was cute anyway...on to Mom & Bill's. Stayed overnight.

Day 3) Visited with Mom & Bill. BIll unfortunately but predictably will need to go to a nursing home by Fall. Mom & Bill's son, Shane, are starting arrangements.

Day 4) Left Adair at the wee hours of the am. and got to Denver by 4 pm. We ate something good..not sure what but everything we ate there was good.Buster thought so too. He ate Danielle's cat, Chello's, puke.Niiiiiiice:( Stayed overnight.

Day 5) Danielle took the day off work but we went there to meet some coworkers and she showed us around. Then we went to Red Rock Ampitheater. Home. Ate supper. Chicken. Danielle made a delicious salad.

< from here on I forgot the camera ... I need to get a pocket-sized camera >

Day 6) Zach, Danielle & I went to the ARC... a thrift store... we bought things. I know ..I am so descriptive. I stayed at the 1157 Adams and made a couple of salads for super, laid around and snooped through all of Danielle's stuff while everyone else went hiking in Evergreen. I washed a pair of underpants and dried them over a fan. Dan fried fish.*** Danielle I did not snoop :) But I did use your fan to dry my underpants sorrrrrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyyyyyyy***

Day 7) 1)We walked to the Arboretum. 2) Ate the best ribs I've ever had & that is without a beer first.... Zach made them. num num 3)We walked to Jazz In The Park in the early evening...a salsa band was playing. Very cool. I really enjoyed that time alone by the band/dancers with you Danielle. 3) Back to 1157 Adams then walked to get a cone of homemade toffee nut ice cream just before the shop closed at 9 pm.

Day 8) We got up at 5:00 am to leave for Adair. Arrived there at 5 pm. Bill was having a "good" day so visiting was more meaningful:) Mom looked tired though:( Ate supper. Dan went to Casey's to get each of us a Casey ice cream bar. Ever have one? They are great! Stayed overnight.

Day 9) Got up at 5:30 drove home, cleaned the car & returned it. I got lost. Seriously. I forgot where the rental place was in St. Cloud. But then I remembered. Dan & I laughed and laughed and laughed about that.

Leaving...not on a jet plane!

Tomorrow for 1) Jamie's 2) Mom's 3) Danielle in Denver... then home.

Gone for 8 days & Buster is coming with us!

Later,

F :)

ALMOST unbelieveable twist to this strange "family" of mine.

The thoughts of a "reunion" evoked:

The few of you who read this, including you Danielle Mary , may be astounded and almost tempted not to believe that which I tell you regarding my family. Yes, Danielle, how I (we) managed to raise three beautiful human beings amongst all of this angst and revelations that occurred for me as you grew up is beyond me. Literally "beyond" as in why I believe in God even though he ( or she/it) was rarely mentioned in my childhood.

But there actually IS a part of "me" that I have yet to explore and that is the Jewish part of the family. Quick & brief:

In 1985 I went to Florida for a Housman reunion. Donna & Lisa, Dad & Cigdem, Charlotte ( Dad's nudist sister) & I THINK David, Dad's brother were there although I can't remember for sure. That trip truly is a blur for me. I cried uncontrollably and was inconsolable for nearly 9 hours on that day. It is the one part of my life's story that remains an entire mystery ... one that would take a lot of work to solve. Basically I have relatives everywhere who are an extension of my grandfather... Robert L. Housman's fam and I met some of them in 1985. I don't remember any of their names...oh Milton ... was Robert's brother, a retired pharmacist, and sooooooo looked like my Dad! He was in fact Dad's uncle... Robert's brother.I'm sure Milton has passed.

Robert married a gentile... my Grandmother ( the FIRST Mary C. Housman!) and so was literally kicked out of the family..... a jewish thaaaaaaang. One day I'll get to finish that story... but I'm not ready and there is no time.

But in case there are skeptics.... Google Robert L. Housman. You will find that he was a professor at the U of Montana...Missoula. And the first man in this country to earn a PhD in journalism. THAT I know because I personally corresponded with a man who worked with (taught with) him in Montana. I didn't believe this guy Robert existed myself so had to confirm. He was not a very nice fellow, having literally abandoned his own children ON THE STREET ... David tells that story. Oh. And after my Grandmother divorced him, he married a woman named Lillian & hey had a child , Mickey, whom I met at that reunion. It is STILL too much for me to process & I very conveniently throw and stash all of this in the back recesses of my brain and hope that some day I can "reconnect" with some of those offspring I saw through a veil of tears in 1985. But if I never do, I think I will be ok with it.

Shirt

CUTEST thing EVAR!!!! I am going to Seattle for 4 days in September for the Puckett reunion. Colin Puckett is expecting a son on 4 months. There is a story ( as usual in my life.....nothing is easy in this fam life I have) behind my life with Grandma Puckett's extended family but basically for a little background for this trip:

1) My Mom, Bink (Walt) , & Prissy grew up with Alan Puckett as their brother. He was in fact their half brother. I met him once in the early 70's. He died not too long ago.. here is his web site . He also co wrote a wonderful book on classic motorcycles of which I have two copies. Alan did all of the art work.

2)During that visit I also met his son, Giles who must have been about 16 yrs or so. Maybe 17. . Giles, his wife and son ( don't know their names) are coming to visit Walt in Seattle from Australia for a month in Sept..

3) This "reunion" trip is costly but I cannot miss the opportunity to see Giles... and Bink.. he isn't getting any younger. Bink lived with us while he went to college in the late 60s. My Dad was a surrogate Dad to him... his Dad (my grandpa) died when Bink was 13.

When Dad was dying Bink was with is in NC. yadayada a WHOLE different story.... so much stuff. So much info.

WHICH IS MY POINT!!!!!!!!! I want to know WHY Alan wound up in Sydney, Australia & learn & see from Giles how I am connected. ... Do we look similar ( he is my HALF first cousin..hahahha) ? Does he resemble Bink? Mom? Prissy?

Whew... all of this over a shirt!!!! Isn't it DARLING?????????

Good luck with that.

Good luck with that.


Let the unraveling begin:(

Watching Letterman!!!!!

Sweet Jesus summer is HERE!

I MUST LOOK FOR THIS SHOW.

We are going to Denver.

I'm not sure of the details yet. I am waiting for the go- ahead from Dan. And you, Danielle. Dad is looking around for tires for the car today & like I said, he's going to check in to cost effectiveness with renting a car instead of driving ours. He'll be calling you.

I dropped off a car load of mostly clothes and books at goodwill yesterday. I was SUPER surprised that the entire building has been re-done. At least from the outside. I didn't have my wallet with me so didn't go in.

With the heat I think I'll do some more goodwill hunting today. I already have another box of books ready to go. It won't be quite as easy to gather clothes..

Our WOW group has a meeting and ride Saturday. I'm looking forward to that. Hope the weather cooperates. May ride to school to drop off something that has to be signed for the LEAF grant I received for science club.

I see Letterman is still on. Craaaaaaaaaazy. I'll have to put that on my to do list for summer.

Talked to Mom... we are stopping down there on the way to Denver. I'm trying to talk her in to going to Seattle for the Puckett reunion. I have a room and a car. It's taking care of Bill that is holding her back but the boys are around & I've planted the seed... it wouldn't be a reunion with Cathy Puckett.... we'll see.

Morning visiters.

Woke up this morning at 5:30 to mass chaos between four of these and Buster's barking. They didn't actually tangle (thank goodness) but they WERE all just outside Jessica's window. I sleepily ran past Dan with a broom over my head and he yelled, "MARY!!! BUSTER HAS HIS RABBIE"S SHOT!!! YOU DON"T!!". Stopped me.

We are hoping mama will show up but I have my doubts.

F

Wondering how the Pub Crawl went ****taps foot****

Since I didn't go I suppose I don't deserve an snapshot. Oh well. HOW DID IT GO DAMN IT???? And did Kara go shopping, take a nap or both???!!!!

I had the distinct pleasure of talking just a bit with Jayne Bautch until my hair appt. at 3:45.

Did you guys know that in Jayne's former life she was a confederate spy, killed a union soldier, served time , got typhoid, was released and allowed to live in England to recuperate? See? If I would have gone on the pub crawl I NEVER WOULD HAVE FOUND THAT OUT!!!!!

My Year.

Has been a mixed bag of ups and downs but the things that I am the most proud of are:

1) I got to the PLANT UNIT!!! Often times that one just seems to slip away. The kids LOVE to play in the dirt & I really do think plants get a bad rap.

2) My honors class went quite well I think. There were some troubles....lots of peer pressure to achieve & also popularity stuff I normally don't have to deal with. As far as my planning for "higher achievers" goes though, I worked hard, challenged them & I am proud of that. I enjoyed teaching it.

3) I got pooped but not drained mentally. Much of that I attribute to Dan so I guess I should say that I am proud of "us" there.

4) Even though I continued to forget kid's names ALL YEAR I got over being embarrassed about it. That is always a good thing.

5) Because I had planned so far ahead before the Phoenix trip these last two weeks have been a breeze...and I have been able to just sit & relax/ interact with my students on a more personal level. They really just crack me up. I think I have broken down and laughed until I nearly cried at least 4 times in the last 2 weeks. They say & do the funniest things & they know it. We have had fun together and I am really proud of that.

That's it. Now it's the typical clean up which I'm not going to sweat this year. I'm trying not to get too worked up about finishing my grades because truthfully there is nothing to get worked up over.

I am a little nervous about being home with Dan this summer. It's been two summers now that he hasn't been working. That first summer didn't go so well for various reasons. Last summer I taught ss so there wasn't so much unstructured time together. This summer , then, we will be the real deal so we will have to ease into who does what & when. You know, splitting up the "chores" and all. I'm hoping that I can just do what I used to do ( which is pretty much everything ) and give Dan a break to fish & what not. I guess we'll just have to work on it.

end of rambling...

F

How do you feel about kindle "like" readers?

I saw a couple of students reading from them last week. Just curious.

F

Today's field trip.

Well I did it. I took 27 kids on a field trip to St. Johns and it was a piece of cake. I didn't get worked up over it, I had fun & laughed even when the boys were throwing sticks around and the girls screeched at seeing spiders and everything.

Not sure what was different. Maybe that it was just 27 kids. Maybe because it was just one afternoon. Maybe because my med bag didn't have any mind- altering drugs or epi- pens in it. Yeah. I think that was it mostly. I felt that I could manage just about any scenerio thrown at me. Oh. And I had no parents to impress or contend with or judge me. Just Dan & the gimpy bus driver. I could have taken both those guys on with both hands tied behind my back. I mean I have a black leather motorcycle jacket now. But in reality and as my step dad would say (and has said to me many times growing up) "Well, you're really just half- tough".

Worked today!

Flash!

BIG NEWS!! WOOT!

My first cousin, Colin Puckett, & his wife are expecting a baby boy in about 7.5 months. Who cares you say? WHO CARES???? The whole fam cares!!! It will be the first Male Puckett in over 60 years!!!!!
I have already bid on and won a toddler size Twins #34 Puckett Jersey. Original for the time period, no cracks to the lettering, needs a little hemming.

I'll post later. ANOTHER PUCKETT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So damn exciting :)

FLASH!

The ERC and what I learned...

Experienced Rider Course....rode down yesterday, stayed overnight, class at 8 am, posted this on the motorcycle forum I frequent.

In a curve, straightening the handle bars is important while braking and it is harder (for me) to do with a heavier motorcycle. But I CAN do it... and need to practice.

Apparently it is mandatory for me to drop my motorcycle whenever I take a class.
( this is totally unrelated to above statement.)

I must admit, I'm pretty good in the box, and with most exercises that require a good head turn and press and roll.

Instructors must like citrus. Squeeze "like an orange" 3 years ago "like a lemon" today. Speaking of food:

Eating nearly an entire medium Davanni's thin crust, extra cheese, mushrooms and pineapple on a queen-sized bed alone in a hotel with HBO should be done at least once in one's lifetime. Once.

Rain is not bad; a downpour really isn't much fun.

If you don't somehow incorporate the concept of "Carpe diem" while taking a msf course you pretty much are an idiot. Thanks to all of the encouraging words. A great experience.

Just wanted to get this all in before the end of the world...

Nothing to post.

I love these girls:)

About lost an eye today

shooting of water rockets. Justin & Karl needed help with the launcher...smart me didn't wear goggles. Hell, when I did it with science club I wore my freaking motorcycle helmet. Smart.

Grace ..the speed demon.

My go faster!!! My do it!!! Gracie do it!! Faster faster faster!!!!

I love my grand kids more and more.

I hear birds chirping

da da da da daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Royal Wedding .....I love it!!

It will be live streamed on Friday morning. I won't be able to help watching it. The whole Princess Diane saga ( her tragic car crash/ Charles & Camella ) really gripped me.

I watched their wedding live, her funeral, and now William and Kate. I'm kind of excited. A happy time of royalty after so much tragedy is worth watching I think.

Anyone else hooked?

F

Sunshine and Jesus.

Last night toward dusk the sun came out... I've been waiting for it. That and spring. I don't remember a spring that took quite this long to arrive. I don't know much about the stories in the bible but I bet that the "waiting" theme is in many of them. Waiting seems to be a very big chunk of the human experience.

HappY Easter Everyone!!! The waiting is over....for at least a little while>

M

How I will know it is time to retire.

When I have the walking farts on a regular basis.

Buster's favorite times of day.

1) When we both get into bed.

2) Just after we get up in the morning and are sitting in our chairs drinking a cup of coffee.

How do I know this? These are the times he puts his face and body under blankets and kicks his skinny little legs around and makes happy noises. Buster is my best little buddy :)

Chew your food:(

Everything is ok but poor Gracie pooh spent the night in the hospital last night with Jamie at her side. Grace choked on a piece of turkey last night at super. The story according to Jamie:

Grace started choking.

The heimlick didn't work. Grace wasn't turning blue, but she was "wheezing".

They called 911.

The ambulance and a firetruck were there within minutes.

Connor was hysterical. Jamie was hysterical. Their neighbor, an ER doc. came over to their house when he saw the commotion.

The paramedics put Grace on her side. The ER doc. called the hospital so a pediatric surgeon was waiting.

Jamie rode in the ambulance with Grace... Grace was calm but having trouble breathing.

The ER doc drove Ryan & Connor to the hospital.

The surgeon at the hospital wanted to do surgery. Jamie requested that they wait just a bit to see if they could could encourage Grace to dislodge it herself.

She did.

Grace immediately was back to her old self charming the staff.

They took an X ray and told Grace to "smile". :) Grace got many , many stickers.

As a precaution they hooked Grace up to monitors to observe her breathing overnight. Grace was not happy about that. But they got through it.

I'm guessing they are home by now. The discharge doc was in the room when I hung up with Jamie.

My comment ( Danielle..hush) ...... Dear Jamie & Ryan, why do you let that kid stuff food into her mouth to it's capacity with her dainty little hands & then allow her to ask for more? But I didn't say that...

Grace is tiny and eats like a horse. Connor is a solid muscled "horse" and eats like bird ( although in reality birds eat a LOT). Go figure.

I can't wait until Easter. I want to see the Haradens :)

Yo Kat

Thanks for checking out those test tube racks... considering how busy you are I'm pretty impressed ( and grateful) that you found them.

Thinking about you, want to wish you luck before bo bo is born, and damn, I'm going to miss you this spring!

You're beautiful you know!!!!

Roomy,

Flash

ps. Do you think Jane and I will look funny standing next to each other?

Darn you Danielle.

Have you been reading this the whole time? Remember how you could find me WHEREVER I was in the district subbing? I shouldn't have been surprised you've kept up with this...

One time, when I was subbing for Mr. Boatz waaaaaaaaaaaaaay up in the farthest corner of Tech's old wing a guy came into the classroom and said, "Are you Mary Housman Meyer " :yes:.. Do you have a daughter named Danielle? YESSSSSSSSSSSSS. " Well you have a phone call down the hall" ........... I'm sure that it was very important!

Love you Elsie..... everything about you....

Yo Ma ma:)

Danielle's blog.

I think that Danielle has forgotten about Snoidsville which is fine with me. She has a blog here and is selling some of her prints here.. And her Mama blogs here.

Is that weird?

Maply Syruping Weekend.

Cooking off the first 25 gallons. I'll be going out with him later to collect sap so will post another slide show later. Here is how it ( and many things work):

1) Dan comes up with plan.

2) Dan follows through with plan.

3) Mary documents plan.

4) Dan does all the work.

5) Mary reaps the benefits of the fruits of his labor ( is THAT in the bible?)

6) Mary stays healthy and brings home some money.

Mary is happy. Dan is happy. Buster is a wreck... as usual.

Interested in different points of view?

Check out this news blog from the right. I am not a sheep but was likely birthed as a lamb. Isn't there something in the bible about a something something in wools clothing? ***** grabs bible, fidgets through rice paper, savors the history of it all****

Flash:)

I would like to lodge a formal complaint.

In light of the objections against Cowboy Day and it's ensuing change to Western Day, and considering the demographics of our student body, I would like to protest the use of
the acronym P.I.R.A.T.E.S.for our upcoming test preparation. I fear that it might be an unjust suggestion of foul behavior by a specific group of people resulting in unwarranted tension between clans including the cowboys, the nerds and the wildcats.

Any suggestions? How about HTHBE - hope this has been enlightening or NTRU - Number Theory is Really Useful or SMART - Self-measurement for Assessment of the Response to Training or READ - Reach Excellent Academic Dreams

But but but but but then I wouldn't be able to wear my pirate accessories!!!! arrrrrrrrrg

Flash!

A few picts. from our Phoenix trip.

The botanical garden is second to none. We spent a day here . One of the perks of The Honey House is its central location & it is right along a canal where many people run & bike. Dan & I walked it every morning after breakfast. The Inn is at the foot of Camel Back Mountain & so as you walk you can see it and depending on the time of day & the shadows cast by the sun, it changes . It is strikingly beautiful.





The view from the guesthouse where we stayed. Before you book a stay here be sure to talk to me. It is a steal at $109/ night , but as they say, there is no free lunch ( just yummy breakfasts!)and so you sacrifice some typical luxuries at a traditional B&B but I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.



Jeanette Irwin, the Inn keeper of Honey House was a jewel in the desert. I absolutely fell in love with her. She very much reminded me of my Grandma Puckett even though she is only 12 yrs. older than me. "Sweet" is the best adjective I can come up with to describe her.



After having checked out from the Honey House on Saturday morning we were on our way to South Mountain Park to do some hiking because our flight wasn't due out until 7pm. Just a block away we ran across these folks. They had a box of grapefruit labeled "free" & so we took two. We ate them after several hours of hiking while sitting in the shade on a green at a golf course right by where we had parked the car. Perfect!





A word to the wise. By far, the most expensive part of this trip was the car rental. I am so grateful that we didn't know the total cost until we returned the car because it truly would have ruined a wonderful week. The quoted estimated price for the car was just over $400. The daily cost was $31.00 a day. So we assumed the taxes were embedded in that estimate. Wrong. When we returned the car the total was nearly double at $773!!!

I was LIVID!!!! Fortunately we had enough time before our flight & all of the paperwork in hand and so I got into a long line of folks waiting to pick up their car to wait my turn to release my outrage. I wonder how many people don't have that luxury of time and just say "fuck it" and get on their plane & fly off.

I was very glad to see that the young woman who had rattled down the list of add- on options when we picked up the car including a lame sales pitch "well sir, you are a big man & perhaps could use more leg room. Would you like an upgrade in cars?" etc...

By the time it was my turn, my heart rate & flushed face had subsided, but barely. The biggest add on that we were contesting was an extra 29$ / day for additional insurance. Dan had told her when we picked up the car that we did not need it & even offered to show her our insurance card. Thank goodness she had remembered that.

They pulled her off the line at the counter at that point because I was getting a little loud I guess & there were many people waiting. She went in the back to get a manager. Of course he came out pointing to Dan's initals that had signified an agreement to the additional insurance. I ( and Dan... he suddenly appeared) explained that we did not know what we had agreed to especially since we explained that we intended to use our own insurance as coverage. Reluctantly the manager "met us half way" and reimbursed us about $100. Big whoop.

Before I was finished, I held up the paper and pointed to where it was quoted at an estimated cost of $400 with a daily fee of $31 & said, Sir, at the very least this is dishonest business practice and .... at which point Dan said, "Mary, it's settled. Let's go."

THAT was a bummer. But as I said, until the very last moment our trip was perfect & after an hour or so of simmering I got over it & Dan & I joked about it the whole way home.

F

Sweet Jesus

let the movement against Walker continue . Go here.

Got my LARGE PRINT bible!!

Uh oh.

I'm back. And! The first thing I did was buy a NIV student bible. This definitely goes on my list of things that make me go "Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm".

Where is Flash???????????

Final Phoenix Preparations

Dan..such a happy guy. He's been in a pretty good mood. He is all packed & only wanted my opinion tonight on which pair of dress pants to bring. He really is a big boy now. Self assured, confident & positive he won't look like a geek wearing socks with sandals..he he he

Mary... I'll spare you the details but let's just say that I have taken the responsibility to be prepared for intimacy... you'll understand that later in your lives, but I MUST protect the pride of my socked, sandal wearing tiger by saying it has nothing to do with a little blue pill.He's still a ROCK star.


BIG NEWS!!!I have decided not to bring my laptop!! I have been contemplating whether or not to bring it and made my final decision today after school based on the following:

1) I have ALL units from after break until the end of the year ready to be run off.

b) I will bring my planning book so that I can peek in once in awhile to keep the plan planned.

III We are bringing our new Garmin so my technology fix will be satisfied.

Buster... we are using a different set of luggage than what Dan brings to the shack so he hasn't caught on & isn't anxious. He is all lined up with sitters. Dans brother will let him out Sat. morning & then between Jessica and uncle David he will be well taken care of. Also.. I expressed his anal glands tonight & good thing..they were full. So we won't have to worry about him getting sick.

Dan & Mary based on some sound advice from Steve Kline & Kris Koenig, we will stay the night tomorrow at Holiday Inn Express. For $120 we get a king sized bed, breakfast, free shuttle service and free parking. Can't beat that deal... for sure!

We have a car lined up for rental in Phoenix. The woman who runs the B&B is a retired teacher who loves to garden so it really does sound like a good fit.

Can't wait!! I'll post picts. Won't be back until next Saturday.... SUNSHINE HERE WE COME!!!!

Hope you all have good times whether it be relaxing at home or running a marathon..

Flash!

Flash

I've got big balls.

I think that I am dressed like and may look like Jane Barth today.

Honor's class funny answers.

I definitely need to give more essay ?s to my honor's class. Dan & I were rolling on the floor laughing at some of their answers yesterday.

The day before the test, I gave them this:

There will be one essay question that will require you to write a paragraph in your own words regarding the following statement :

Birds have a very high metabolic rate so need to ingest large amounts of food. In addition birds also need to maintain high levels of oxygen in their bloodstream in order to keep up with this increased rate of cellular respiration.

And the day of:

*** Birds have a high metabolic rate. They need to ingest large quantities of food and maintain high levels of oxygen in order to meet the demands of increased cellular respiration. Other than having a crop, a gizzard & hollow bones, what other adaptations do birds have to help them keep up with this high rate of metabolism?

May I preface this by saying that weeks before they had already been assigned the pages this info was on & also, I pointed that to them the specific pages a few days before.

Here are our faves:

1) "Adaptation birds need to make for their high rate of metabolism are exercise more or alot.

2) I think for them to eat seeds which is healthy would keep up a high metabolism. Eating seeds from plants would do good for the health.

3) ........ and wings to have a better view of things.

4) To get the demands of exercise daily so they can eat more, get enough sleep for energy stored up in the body.


The answer I was looking for was to reference their highly specialized respiratory system that ensures a constant, highly concentrated supply of O2 & also by me eliminating crop, a gizzard & hollow bones from their response left the door open to include feathers in their answers.

I had 3- 4 kids who will get full credit & 8- 10 partial. Now........ formative assessment, summative assessment.... point value.... the laughter has to stop for just a bit:)

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