tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-107941042011-11-12T11:03:34.040-06:00Musings of a frazzled mom, wife, student, and traveller through life in an itty bitty town.Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.comBlogger7571100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-32987004846751907082011-08-04T18:51:00.000-05:002011-08-04T18:51:38.456-05:00

As we drove home from the airport Saturday, my daughter was sipping tamarind soda from a plastic cup. She exclaimed a couple times that she got a tiny little shock on her lip when the soda touched it. This led to passing the cup around the car and everyone having the same phenomenon. We wondered how soda from a plastic bottle could be poured into a plastic cup and generate a static charge. Any

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-81612431854061867302011-07-21T23:11:00.000-05:002011-07-21T23:11:54.468-05:00

Go here Laugh a lot.  Check out the previous 4 similar posts.  :)

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-49134050238585831082011-07-14T08:32:00.000-05:002011-07-14T08:32:07.785-05:00

Summer is crazy. By the end of the school year, I'm just as excited as the kids about break. This summer has seemed like more work than the school year, with less to show for it. Here's to gathering my wits and having a more productive second half. :)

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-20614414857884189652011-06-17T09:00:00.002-05:002011-06-17T09:00:29.336-05:00

Setting up as many ways as possible to post here, in hopes that I might actually do it!

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-5806859453901612292011-03-03T19:02:00.013-06:002011-03-03T19:02:38.011-06:00

Correcting essay tests in flight draws some good attention. Glad to be representing those who work even harder than I do so kids can learn!

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-17377988632140326952011-03-03T19:02:00.011-06:002011-03-03T19:02:35.322-06:00

I'm really thinking this will be my next writing assignment. But for now, to in-flight grading...

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-27520191037602154282011-03-03T19:02:00.009-06:002011-03-03T19:02:32.669-06:00

Objective: Students will express an idea completely, effectively, and intelligently in 140 (160?) characters, without resorting to abbreviations or netspeak...

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-31026083764434771132011-03-03T19:02:00.007-06:002011-03-03T19:02:30.640-06:00

Headed to Vegas for EF regional mtg. Good time to catch up on blogging. Character limit is an interesting writing exercize. I feel a lesson plan perking...

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-7146419343063021842011-03-03T19:02:00.005-06:002011-03-03T19:02:28.295-06:00

I hope I never become blase about the wonder of the view from 37k feet. Grain elevator/bin complexes and drainage systems are easily ID'd up here. Yay farmers!

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-57470336049222246852011-03-03T19:02:00.003-06:002011-03-03T19:02:24.946-06:00

the limitation of posting via text is the restiction of 140 characters. I could not decide on a book to bring, so I am reduced to amusing myself with my palm.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-70891740118972413382011-03-03T19:02:00.001-06:002011-03-03T19:02:22.683-06:00

Although it won't send until I have wireless access, I write from 37000 feet enroute from FSD to Dallas. To my dear reader, Cliff, I waved as we passed over!

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-13067693745404962302011-01-29T12:06:00.001-06:002011-01-29T12:07:47.577-06:00

Holy cow.  Almost February.  We have several milestones here.  The first semester of the 2010-11 school year is over, here in the frozen tundra where the legie says we can't start until after Labor Day.  In that time we crammed in a long weekend in the Black Hills, a ski trip in Mankato for the teens while Mom and Dad went to meetings, and the normal Thanksmas and Christmas mayhem.  That means my

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-63214270985267166962011-01-08T16:53:00.000-06:002011-01-08T16:53:30.149-06:00

Whoa, I really need to sweep out the cobwebs around here.  Got some really good intentions about writing more.  I keep waiting for the time to sit down and crank out a massive post, but I need to let that go and just get some words out of me.  For now, though, I need to go tend to my poor neglected house and children.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-8296909945306067132010-10-01T13:54:00.000-05:002010-10-01T13:54:10.599-05:00

It is difficult for the State Fair to truly disappoint, but I faced some sad realities there this year.  Although we parents joke about how our teenage kids hate us and would rather be anywhere else but near us, there's a grain of truth in there.  Not so much a rejection of us, but an embrace of their own selves blossoming and growing, away from us.  We did some exploring of the fair together,

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-11888013624393334912010-08-21T14:58:00.000-05:002010-08-21T14:58:50.947-05:00

I am a shameless Minnesota State Fair addict.  I don't even know why.  Generally, I don't care for hot, overcrowded, overpriced venues, but for some reason I get all giddy and weird at state fair time.  We live a solid three-hour drive from the state fairgrounds, so, unlike some people, I can't get to the fair every day.  I've considered taking a fair job just for that purpose, but school

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-30204098440141879242010-07-22T11:57:00.000-05:002010-07-22T11:57:58.799-05:00

Thing 4 came to tell me about the present he put together for his sister.  It took a little creative questioning, but when I finally got the whole story, after I stopped laughing, I let Thing 2 know she should probably tone it down a bit. It seems that Thing 4 went outside and talked a little with one of the contractors (also a neighbor, so it's all cool).  He went to his truck and handed him a

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-1860042584107511252010-07-21T19:29:00.000-05:002010-07-21T19:29:42.689-05:00

Hopefully, y'all haven't given up on me out there!  Summer has been rocketing by, as summers are wont to do, and though it seems on the surface I haven't much to show for it, closer inspection reveals more. I'd hate to bore folks with the "What I Did on the First Half of My Summer Vacation" essay, but my brain works best chronologically, so deal with it. Memorial Day Weekend we spent mostly at

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-40867283917677654392010-06-17T21:03:00.001-05:002010-06-22T08:12:07.867-05:00

caricature by Chip Cooper Hello and welcome to this weeks's edition of Mutual of Watson's Wild Kingdom.  The housecat, usually docile and calm, will revert to its instinctive predatory habits when in the presence of prey.  We see here Felis Cattus lounging carelessly in the back lawn, when a baby blackbird drops into its field of vision.  It is a scientific mystery as to why the blackbirds have

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-61108914990663769222010-05-26T21:38:00.000-05:002010-05-26T21:38:34.869-05:00

It seems that every time I get worked up enough to write about something, someone beats me to the punch. Not too long ago I got an email about the men who guard the Tomb of the Unknowns.  My spidey sense immediately began to tingle at catch phrases "for life," "swear an oath," and "never."  So I googled up the National Cemetery website and the Tomb of the Unknown's site and verified my suspicions

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-7079964613566800582010-05-02T13:03:00.004-05:002010-05-02T13:11:21.474-05:00

So you may have gotten this forward in your email, but it is too good not to share: GOD: St  Francis, you know all about gardens and nature. What in  the world is going on down there on the planet? What  happened to the dandelions, violets, milkweeds and stuff I  started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden  plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand  drought and multiply

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-76099348703002116662010-04-17T21:16:00.000-05:002010-04-17T21:16:48.968-05:00

The weather in these parts has been gorgeous.  Too gorgeous.  After our soggy flood stage, the water has receded and not been replaced by much rain.  It's also been dreadfully windy lately, and last evening as I was driving, clouds of topsoil were visible gusting across the road. On the competition front, a good time was had by all at knowledge bowl, but the team placed well out of the running.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-61784240112010840852010-04-05T20:38:00.000-05:002010-04-05T20:38:36.381-05:00

Here in our part of the upper Minnesota River valley, its been all about the high water lately. Two of my three routes to work were underwater for the better part of the last two weeks. The third came close. Tuesday last, the wind picked up and blew ice onto the causeway, reducing traffic to one lane. MnDOT had electronic signs in readiness in case they had to post warnings. The water receded

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-39700762974988905332010-03-08T16:59:00.002-06:002010-03-08T17:06:05.923-06:00

Winter plods on in our little corner of Minnesota. The slush and rain is ugly and grey, but hopefully will precede not so much flooding this spring,We pulled over on the way home from school to watch a HUGE bald eagle just sitting in a field, hangin' out, minding his eagley business.Kyle is home from a weekend trip to LA, where he had meetings and training for our job with EF There are so many

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-17728261274666968792010-02-08T16:18:00.002-06:002010-02-08T16:36:28.372-06:00

Made pancakes. Kid helped.Kids did chores on their own. (they wanted something)Got a few chores done.Had a real conversation with my husband.Made a big dinner. Other kids helped.Cooked ahead for the week. No wonder the day seemed to fly by.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-43894552699923952652010-02-07T16:10:00.002-06:002010-02-07T16:15:12.244-06:00

In brief:Someone quit at Job2 and I'm working more lately.Education cooperative gigantic inservice dayEnd-of-Quarter workdayEnd of quarter work loadBeginning of Semester lesson plansTraining weekend for foreign exchange program concurrent with...Supervision of ski trip for 102 foreign exchange studentsWatching the Vikings, yet again, snatch defeat form the jaws of a victorious seasonNearly weekly

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-69184656041175434112010-01-19T14:28:00.003-06:002010-01-19T14:32:31.105-06:00

A recap for the Winter Blues theme: the view from the landing.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-87666030059898520242010-01-18T15:38:00.004-06:002010-01-19T15:20:30.023-06:00

Our New Year's Eve game party was mostly harmless. A good friend and "auntie" to the kids came out for a visit over the long weekend, bringing along the boyfriend of Thing 2. He's a great kid, and was nice to have around. We got in a good visit as we alternated shotgun duty... The kids have started inviting their friends for the NYE party, and this year it was kind of a pain in the butt.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-37321418335154589932009-12-31T08:08:00.001-06:002009-12-31T08:10:07.862-06:00

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied, "Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way..."Minnie Louise Haskins, "The Gate of the Year" 1908

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-14609285935717984922009-12-31T05:57:00.005-06:002009-12-31T08:42:25.658-06:00

Teachers get as excited for this time of year as students do. I've been having a lovely mix of lazy slacking and productive putzing through the Midwestern Snowpocalypse of 2009. Our local snowfall amounts were relatively tame, totalling 12-15" in spurts over three days, enough to make the backyard all purty and provide impetus for a snowfort. There were enough lulls in the storm for most folks

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-90848616805615642172009-12-16T06:24:00.002-06:002009-12-16T06:34:19.372-06:00

I'm here, all is well, just busy.I have been keeping my nose to the grindstone and making some progress. Knowledge Bowl has been fun, but no big wins yet this year. Saturday morning was the last day of firearms deer hunting in our neck of the woods. On my drive around the lake to meet the K-Bowl bus, I saw a hunter in full winter camo and blaze orange trudging back toward his vehicle. About a

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-77565386440983116122009-12-07T11:54:00.001-06:002009-12-07T11:55:59.610-06:00

My internet at home has been down for 36 hours. I think of a million things to look up or people to contact, then remember.I am an addict!Thank goodness for datsphones...

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-77338968408812830142009-11-30T15:31:00.001-06:002009-11-30T15:31:45.414-06:00

28/30 in a very hectic month. Not so bad.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-62790852756425860432009-11-28T07:54:00.000-06:002009-11-28T08:07:24.096-06:00

After a cold, nasty, October, our November has been mostly dry and beautiful. Yesterday the temperatures crawled up into the low 50s, and the sun shone all day. We spent most of the afternoon out in the yard playing the yard games ma picked up on the Black Friday sales. The fresh air was welcome and a little disconcerting for those of us preparing to hibernate. After supper the bulk of us

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-80626144963101609862009-11-26T21:16:00.000-06:002009-11-27T21:17:56.778-06:00

Fat. Sassy. Sleepy. Thankful.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-71977627951093148562009-11-25T17:00:00.003-06:002009-11-25T17:05:22.533-06:00

Well, I got all the activities for this week completed, and managed to teach a little in between, too. Oy. Looking forward to four days with family for Thanksmas. I will get to curl up in a comfy corner and do a little grading. Our Thanksmas gatherings have plenty of activities to join as well as quiet time to visit and just chill. It will be nice not to have the housework and other

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-63652862528941565252009-11-24T08:00:00.000-06:002009-11-23T21:52:29.180-06:00

Kids pulled off their show with aplomb. Not without a glitch here and there, but they had energy and carried it off despite lapses. I am very proud of them. And really, really glad its over for a while.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-7030465429958342232009-11-23T05:42:00.003-06:002009-11-23T05:43:56.107-06:00

Matinee and 7pm tonight, then it's time to pack this baby up. I've had a lot of fun with these kids, and maybe they'll ask me back next year. I'll try to curb my response rather than run screaming or laugh in the poor woman's face.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-61855842634309582382009-11-22T17:40:00.000-06:002009-11-23T05:42:09.984-06:00

...that even as I struggle to get these kids on the stage and finish this play so I can have a little sanity, I think ahead to the next show and can't wait to start. Or maybe that's insanity and not irony. They both start with "i."

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-91964543474539686412009-11-21T05:00:00.000-06:002009-11-23T05:40:09.409-06:00

...and it's a good thing, too, because I need all the help I can get.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-25451462462747480602009-11-20T22:14:00.001-06:002009-11-20T22:15:53.922-06:00

Friday night. All I want to do is crawl into bed. When did I get boring?

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-79253378102364457352009-11-19T22:15:00.000-06:002009-11-19T22:18:37.229-06:00

Four days until this play hits the stage. Enough coffe and aspirin and I may survive.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-90305113190413160022009-11-18T05:46:00.001-06:002009-11-18T05:56:40.049-06:00

see more dog and puppy pictures

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-47266232588617810712009-11-17T06:07:00.001-06:002009-11-17T06:09:26.599-06:00

Let's see...Evaluation during 3rd hour class, tech work all afternoon, rehearsal after school, and my daughter's band concert tonight. More coffee, please.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-82578604699522306982009-11-16T18:03:00.000-06:002009-11-17T06:07:36.979-06:00

I am a little busier than I want to be these days, but it's all good. Since I only have a part-time teaching contract, I take on extracurriculars to help pad the paycheck. The middle school play may kill me. I try to remind myself that this cycle repeats itself with every production I have ever participated in, regardless what my role has been, onstage or off. Next week it will be over and

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-12084401004325425522009-11-15T17:50:00.002-06:002009-11-15T17:55:54.531-06:00

I had to collect a batch of exchange kids from a lock-in this morning, which necessitated a drive out in the frosty morning, watching the sun rise. This afternoon, I went off in search of some costuming items and drove home in a glorious sunset. Long days aren't all bad.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-77652962680853152172009-11-14T18:18:00.000-06:002009-11-15T06:20:41.160-06:00

...but I haven't caught my tail yet.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-57739815786529149452009-11-13T20:24:00.000-06:002009-11-13T20:25:09.172-06:00

All is well, but I've plum hit the wall. Nitey nite.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-90660605904802454542009-11-12T09:34:00.002-06:002009-11-12T09:34:00.083-06:00

As I was getting Thing 4 ready for school this morning, he was pretty owly, so I called him a crabby pants, 'cuz I'm mature like that.He replied, "Don't you know one of the Ten Commandments is "Don't Call People Names'?"I smiled and told him that wasn't a commandment, but a pretty good idea, nonetheless. He considered a moment and said, "Actually,(pronouced ak-a-chully) He meant eleven

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-13447489881375688882009-11-11T21:33:00.001-06:002009-11-11T21:34:12.082-06:00

Thank you to all who have served, and those who serve still.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-19399295442853256652009-11-10T21:53:00.000-06:002009-11-10T21:54:05.494-06:00

Long days lately. Working on a play with the middle schoolers after school. Plum beat. Having a blast!

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-31798357643517287032009-11-09T22:49:00.000-06:002009-11-09T22:55:35.390-06:00

Over the weekend, I heard a radio story introduced by the announcer,"When we hear of mass shootings, we often..." and I tuned out the rest of the story. My brain was too busy trying to wrap itself around the concept of a world in which "when," "mass shootings" and "often" all fit logically in the same sentence. God Bless Fort Hood, and God save us all.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-45858823671372457302009-11-08T21:07:00.000-06:002009-11-08T21:28:47.767-06:00

I watched with interest the shenanigans as the US House of Representatives debated and eventually passed the HCR bill last night. Between all the grandstanding and gladhanding, its surprising either party had any time for legislating. Of the three Reps from my own state I was able to track, one blithered incoherently, one snarked about the Stupek ammendment though the majority of the state is

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-15444102108644653222009-11-07T18:39:00.007-06:002009-11-07T19:20:47.424-06:00

Wow!! What a great day outside! It gave us a chance to get out and tackle the yard a bit. You may remember this brush pile from a post in May:Well, today, we hacked the new chainsaw out of the box and borrowed a lopper from the neighbor, so now it looks like this. The catch here, is that with that saw and loppers, we also cleared a bunch of scrub trees from the alley, so the pile above was

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-82915446087295118952009-11-06T21:44:00.001-06:002009-11-07T08:48:21.233-06:00

Indian summer? Saint Martin's Summer? Gypsy Summer? Brittsommar? Altweibersommer? Ruska? Saint Luke's summer? WHatever you deem politically correct enough to call it, it's here!!! We spent every possible moment in the sunshine and fresh air today, and now I'm tuckered out and ready to do it over tomorrow!

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-17593171768343757232009-11-05T13:34:00.002-06:002009-11-05T13:36:35.476-06:00

It is an absolutely GORGEOUS fall day. Those in the know threw a fire drill on a temperate day to go outside in shirtsleeves. The caveat? Telling the kids to go back inside...

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-37724007642437553252009-11-04T22:40:00.000-06:002009-11-04T22:43:44.831-06:00

see more Political Pictures

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-69423768891044098382009-11-03T23:54:00.002-06:002009-11-04T05:47:49.404-06:00

My six-year-old was reading his Beginner's Bible tonight. I heard him reading aloud and poked my head in to inquire. He said he was reading to the cats. He invited me to sit down and read it together, so I had him read to me. It was the story of Moses parting the Red Sea. The only word I had to help him with was Pharaoh. Then he wanted to show me a particular picture, and started flipping

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-38305203733520234392009-11-02T11:13:00.002-06:002009-11-02T11:17:31.446-06:00

Just finished English 11, and one of my "average" students stayed behind to discuss something she'd found online while looking for some supplementary material(!) about Of Mice and Men on her own(!). She made some good connections and asked some good questions, and as she left she said, "This book is really sad, but it's good. It's like real life." This is why I teach.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-26792969384266466432009-11-01T20:27:00.003-06:002009-11-01T20:31:35.975-06:00

In order to kick my butt into posting a little more often, I joined NABLOPOMO again this year. No guarantees of quality, but you should see me around here more often, at least for a little while!

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-91803731222219982872009-10-30T15:01:00.003-05:002009-10-30T15:02:57.412-05:00

I've been complaining that it has been so grey and dreary hereabouts. Today is snowed, fluffy white and clean. I think I'll just keep my mouth shut from now on.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-42431479527034192472009-10-29T06:19:00.002-05:002009-10-29T06:32:13.048-05:00

Ok, I was totally not serious about that whole "see you in a month..." thing, but I just looked at the calendar and realized 3 1/2 weeks have, indeed, slipped past me, and if I'm not careful, my little joke will become true!It seems we can't catch a break at school. A car accident involving a senior and a former student has left us with yet another funeral in the school district family and two

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-30144951223626743362009-10-04T16:09:00.003-05:002009-10-04T16:42:09.531-05:00

Wow. The time, she sure does fly. Let's see what's been going on around here.After the first weird week at school, we rolled into a normal year. Our normalcy hit a little bump last week with a small epidemic of three different family suicides within our district. Follow that with the news yesterday of a substantial layoff at a major employer in the district, and to say the mood is a little

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-90896252580560512032009-09-16T19:55:00.002-05:002009-09-16T20:02:48.554-05:00

We're getting back into the swing of things here at casa del goose. The first week at my school was subdued, to say the least. A sophomore boy killed himself the Thursday before school started. In today's world, most of our kids had word via text and Facebook within the hour, so they had the long weekend to process the news and their reactions. His funeral was held the following Thursday at

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-17632893483425769162009-09-08T22:13:00.001-05:002009-09-08T22:15:22.459-05:00

Everyone survived our weekend at Lifelight, we all got back to school safely, and when I got home today ipastor had baked pie! Life is good!

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-61117399344812411642009-09-02T21:35:00.003-05:002009-09-02T21:51:24.602-05:00

Summer has whizzed past like a kid thru a sprinkler. Today and tomorrow are teacher workshops, then it's Lifelight or bust! After a short recuperation Monday, we're all back to school! Situation normal...

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-7786986020632689162009-08-15T09:40:00.002-05:002009-08-15T09:42:51.708-05:00

Life has been a frenzy lately, with no time to sit and create wonderful and witty writing upon which you, my loyal readers, can feast your brains. Oh, I never did that? Well, everything's normal then. Carry on.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-20748944011967524772009-08-03T19:54:00.002-05:002009-08-03T19:57:30.133-05:00

New kid picked up and safely ensconsed at home. Rushing like mad to place the last few kids before their Visa windows close. Prepping a theatre workshop for Thursday, when iPastor drives off the other direction to take kids to get their pre-braces spacers. Showing both the Purple Ride and the new kid around to family and friends. A pleasant, busy time, hereabouts.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-82270029340305199072009-07-31T19:21:00.003-05:002009-07-31T19:30:11.672-05:00

So, you know how things go. It started out innocently enough. With two exchange students, we should upgrade to an 8-seater or drive two cars anywhere we need to take the whole family. As long as we're looking, might as well find a big van, like an old daycare or church van, so we can haul our camping gear as well. Found one we liked, but it sold. Feeling a little dejected, iPastor resumed the

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-70860797591971165782009-07-18T23:19:00.002-05:002009-07-18T23:30:22.455-05:00

Scare anyone? Scares me...Those of you loyal readers (yes, that was plural, I know you're out there lurking about...) who've been around awhile know that we host exchange students with the EF Foundation roughly every other year. When speaking with someone new, iPastor gets a real kick ut of telling folks we're expecting our 10th kid and watching reactions. To his credit, he's easily

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-48789475240833758382009-07-14T16:12:00.001-05:002009-07-14T16:14:10.946-05:00

With three daughters off at camp, Thing 4 is feeling alternately like master of his domain, or kinda lonely. I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. Just gotta get used to it, I guess.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-67978709893993211992009-07-09T15:15:00.007-05:002009-07-09T16:18:20.858-05:00

I seem to be in the same slump as nearly everyone else I read regarding interesting subject matter to post. I'd like to think my life is far too busy and important to allow me time to chronicle all the fascinating and wonderful insights in my brain, but, nah. No sense trying to blow smoke up yer skirt.We've been busy buying the dentist a new boat. Things 1 and 2 required significant dental

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-20697255996539251012009-06-30T14:52:00.004-05:002009-07-01T22:30:35.510-05:00

The first month of summer has buzzed by at its usual rapid pace. I've been doing a whole lot of nothing, which is how it should be, at least a little bit. I do fear arriving to about August 15 and thinking, "Holy @(*&^! I haven't gotten anything done this summer!!" I guess I'd better kick it up a notch, then.As previously mentioned, a dear old friend came to visit for a short afternoon, but

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-59798505374654936832009-06-18T07:42:00.000-05:002009-06-18T07:43:52.145-05:00

"Stop licking your sister!"

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-14725844128766366572009-06-17T08:22:00.002-05:002009-06-17T09:10:50.995-05:00

Back in action at Casa del Goose after a long weekend in Jamestown, North Dakota. Our van has been starting 9/10, so we opted to take the car, since we were down a kid and could all fit. It was good news/bad news all weekend, as we spent the bulk of it visiting pawn shops, thrift stores and rummage sales. It really limited our cargo space, which prevented us from buying items like trap sets

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-19017833764946141952009-06-08T10:03:00.002-05:002009-06-08T15:15:44.807-05:00

After taking forever to get here, summer is upon us. Wow. The kids hosted a last-day-of-school bonfire, we've done a little putzing about the house, we took a day trip to Sioux Falls to hang with friends and take in the Siouxland Renaissance Festival, and we have a 4-day weekend planned. Next week a friend is back in Minnesota from the east coast, so I'll work in a visit. If it continues to

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-39937230052094580202009-05-28T18:48:00.007-05:002009-05-29T09:19:34.406-05:00

The weekend was pretty mellow around here. No major plans, just putzing around the house and a quick trip over the border for a day at the zoo with SIL. iPastor worked Saturday overnight, so we cleared out of the house to let him sleep in peace. We came home, and I let the kids monkey pile in the living room and watch movies. iPastor woke at about 4am and wandered down to discover they had

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-9388839271481840092009-05-23T19:10:00.004-05:002009-05-23T19:33:19.464-05:00

Poking my head in here so you all know I'm alive and kicking. Although I do write lovely things in my head to post here, they're usually gone by the time I get to a keyboard. I'm much more active, albeit quite short and pithy, on facebook and twitter. Such is life, I guess. Feel free to "friend" or follow me (that was fun to write) there for more frequent updates, but I do plan to keep this

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-8331770796850173102009-05-10T21:02:00.004-05:002009-11-07T19:01:20.264-06:00

Most folks would think that doing yard work on Mother's Day is some sort of heresy. I, however, was glad to be home for the day with no plans and no agenda. Once the lawn finally started greening in, we had plans or commitments every afternoon and evening, so I didn't have a chance to mow until today, and it was plenty thick and green. I opted to bag, and the darn thing needed to be emptied

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-76860357926094119772009-05-02T08:38:00.003-05:002009-05-02T08:51:18.584-05:00

Been busy with life-n-stuff around here. Not much excitement, just keepin' on. Last night, however, the Flip Flop Momma, of my sidebar fame, and I did what we've been threatening to do for two years, and met up for karaoke. We found a place roughly between our two towns and got together. Had a nice time. Of course, we were the best ones there and everyone else sucked, but that's what happens

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-81053190290327889562009-04-20T17:43:00.002-05:002009-04-20T17:48:18.753-05:00

Grey, damp and raw today. Hard to get motivated to do much. Tried a nap, but was awakened every time I just got to sleep, so that was probably more tiring than restful.Our houseload of company is safely home in Germany, and we're a little sad and subdued here. This place is never quiet, but it's a little less lively today. Off to see if I can con the kids into a Wii/laundry party...

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-18375297259974470912009-04-17T11:57:00.002-05:002009-04-17T13:05:11.508-05:00

I hardly like to blog vacation trips without pictures, but since the camera for the trip was destroyed in our last episode, you'll just have to take a thousand words for it. After laying in supplies at the Evil*Empire outpost in Spearfish, we headed for Devil's Tower. Since it is off season, we opted to take photos from the pull-offs, and enjoy our drive rather than enter the park. We will

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-23597445544108073152009-04-14T00:19:00.002-05:002009-04-14T00:29:52.520-05:00

We had plans to travel to the Black Hills this week with our German guests. After the initial mayhem, my brother has been cremated to be scattered at a later time, and a memorial service with military honors will be held after the VA grave marker has been set. My brother loved the Black Hills. We've packed up his widow and dragged her along on our marvelous misadventure. After a lovely Easter

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-91210620366801358512009-04-11T15:17:00.003-05:002009-04-11T15:21:09.382-05:00

The joy and gift of the Resurrection is especially poignant this year. It's been an interesting week. We've enjoyed some wonderful visiting, and a rather nasty shock, but we are hopeful and peaceful, and focusing on enjoying time with loved ones.Please note the following was written with my brother's quirky sense of humor in mind, and find no offense.Donald Lloyd Kautz was born November 10,

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-27478294927538926522009-04-08T11:55:00.002-05:002009-04-08T12:02:05.432-05:00

Having to drive around Lac qui Parle on my way to work every morning, it's not unusual to see various wildlife and assorted waterfowl on my way to work. It was no surprise for me to watch small flocks of Canvasbacks, Canada geese and Mallards bobbing within a few yards of each other this morning. It was a little disconcerting, however, that they were swimming in the middle of a cornfield.The

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-12609293893962284882009-04-06T16:07:00.002-05:002009-04-06T16:23:29.926-05:00

Our second German kid is home with her parents for a visit. We've been having a lovely time forgetting to bring the camera wherever we go. Their flight was nearly an hour early, which did them (and us) no good whatsoever as they waited on the tarmac an hour for an open gate. They scooted through customs and we got underway for home about 6:30 as we'd originally planned. We stopped for supper

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-39955975775308508992009-03-30T21:51:00.002-05:002009-03-30T21:53:02.530-05:00

That one where your parents hope you get kids just like you? I never acted like this toward my parents...yikes!That, and I'm just about done with winter, thank you. Enough with the snow!!

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-52454457463673384802009-03-29T07:59:00.002-05:002009-03-29T08:05:44.989-05:00

Although, somehow, now it's over and we're back to fall. Or something.We've been on a cleaning bender at Casa del Goose. There has been just enough sunshine and hope that it will warm up to get our blood flowing and start spring cleaning. I've been posting stuff to Freecycle and dropped two vehicles' worth of stuff at Goodwill yesterday on our way to pick up Angel Food for our church. As soon

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-47171744332472139152009-03-21T18:38:00.003-05:002009-03-21T18:43:00.051-05:00

The words "I may have been bad..." are a tipoff. iPastor volunteered Thing 3 for a babysitting gig. Normally this wouldn't be a problem as she likes the cash; however, she already had plans for the evening. Not wanting to put the folks in a lurch at the last minute, iPastor volunteered us to watch the kids. They were 4, 3 and 2. I have still not fully recovered. They weren't bad at all, and

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-17650570432415565742009-03-14T23:33:00.001-05:002009-03-14T23:34:39.623-05:00

Another daily funny but true...see more Lol Celebs

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-70930825511773171152009-03-12T22:24:00.002-05:002009-03-15T20:33:58.935-05:00

I am a firm supporter of my President, but I still think this quote I read today is funny..."Obama isn't the Messiah. Jesus could build a cabinet."

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-58781796385104586992009-03-11T19:11:00.001-05:002009-03-11T19:12:40.039-05:00

"Well, I have a cat in my pants!"Answered simply by:"Again?"

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-15046930428527126432009-03-07T14:01:00.004-06:002009-03-08T21:36:36.658-05:00

The week of two concerts is over, and I feel a bit hungover. Fleetwood Mac on Tuesday night was a great show. We avoided most of the rush hour traffic, but encountered just enough to discover that our brakes need some attention. Lovely. Got down to the xcel and found a little sub shop close by to have a sandwich before the show. Mick Fleetwood looks like a half-crazed Santa, but the gang can

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-62790825624960682522009-03-03T13:30:00.004-06:002009-03-03T13:42:44.458-06:00

I am back at Third Day on the Third Day, so excited I could just squeeeeeeeeee, because on Friday Ima gonna take iPastor and the 2 oldest Things to see Third Day!! Woot!This concert was originally scheduled for Nov 1, and was to serve as Thing 2's birthday trip. Unfortunately, the concert was rescheduled due to the death of David Carr's father. Having recently lost iPastor's mom to lung cancer

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-7788883220384040302009-02-27T15:46:00.005-06:002009-02-27T15:56:23.972-06:00

Here in our big, drafty old house, we have a couple of methods for keeping warm. First, we pile into the recliners with blankies and sisters:A secondary method: Fill the bed with a pile o' cats

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-58581404832408975782009-02-26T18:08:00.010-06:002009-02-26T19:20:09.284-06:00

We got to school today in time to hold one class, then turn around and head home. When I left home, there wasn't a flake to be seen, but by 9 am my car was covered and the roads were slippery.I got home about an hour before my kids got home from their school. Then the slacking began in earnest. We did get the dishes done as we set the kitchen up for cookie baking jamboree.While we knocked

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-46416409025372436342009-02-23T08:01:00.002-06:002009-02-23T08:15:34.036-06:00

It's a brand-new week! I have some sort of weird sense of elation and optimism. I awoke on my own 15 minutes before the alarm went off, refreshed and ready to get out of bed. This can only end badly...Last week was almost too quiet. This week is shaping up to be pretty busy. I did, however, get the majority of papers corrected as they came in on Friday, so all I have left are the stragglers

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-17157455600180934482009-02-18T21:29:00.002-06:002009-02-18T21:32:02.111-06:00

I'm just lazy and uninspired. As of right now, I have no projects looming with deadlines, therefore the irresistible urge to blog is not there either. Funny how those go together...

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-48315506597142165422009-02-11T18:48:00.002-06:002009-02-11T18:52:19.271-06:00

Everyone else has more interesting and important things to talk about today.MercyMe is visiting the Dominican Republic this week. The pictures they are posting reflect the living conditions of the people who live there. Go check it out, and I'll shut up about my water problems...

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-68234114415865057042009-02-11T14:41:00.002-06:002009-02-11T18:44:19.797-06:00

I was going to link to Jeff, but decided instead to copy/paste. He says it better than I could...Wednesday, February 11, 2009Skate Plaza StimulationSome of you may have seen that my son's skate plaza project has been in the news recently. Only this time, for a different reason.The SetupLast fall, mayors nationwide were asked by the U.S. Conference of Mayors to submit a list of, what was termed "

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10794104.post-54520394817090476132009-02-11T06:01:00.002-06:002009-02-11T06:03:48.328-06:00

Could you please allocate some of that infrastructure money to our freakin' water mains. We got through the deep freeze miraculously with no broken lines, but now that there's a thaw, the bugger in my intersection cracked.Good thing the cistern in the basement is full.

Gettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16353094400938089023noreply@blogger.com1