Thursday March 29

Stopped at Howard's Short visit because I needed to get the $80 from the rec center. Denny made 3 out of 6 goals and got $20. I made 5 our of 6 goals and got $60. Worth the work to get the $$. Too bad I have not exercised since them. :( There was National Honor Society at 10 this am. Why it makes me cry I don't know, but it does. Then Brice interviewed Mr. Miller for careers. We couldn't be in ICN room for 2 class periods. Cindy was gone and so I went with Logan 2 of his 6 period. Callie made NHS and got her schedule to me. The first of my advisees to get it done. After school I came home and made supper of stuffing and chicken with soup, broccoli and cheese and cabbage salad for us at Howards at 5:30. Mandy got a cute dress in Omaha. She joined us for supper before she headed to work 7 pm to 7 am. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. The shift tonight she picked up extra. We spent time on the deck after supper, then we went down to work in the basement. At 8:15 we headed out to the deck again. It was great out there. Pictures: Karen and Luke gave cool gifts at their nonrehearsal supper. Haley and Anabel got hair bows, etc. Evan and Torren were thrilled about thier super hero Mexical face masks. (Even Aunt Gail looks pretty fine.) Denny and I got a pretty serving plate. We left it at our Texas home. Thanks, Karen and Luke.

Wednesday March 28

Stopped at Howards for a short "hi". I had ordered breakfast pizza at Cenex for the HS staffing at 8 am. (There was no breakfast planned and I thought it was my turn.) I had made a gallon of orange juice, too. I visited with Superintendent T. before school. Then I took the left over pizza over to the home schoolers. Missy was monitoring tests for my students again today. Today during success we met with advisees to register for classes next year. I'm not really confident helping students with this yet. After school I came home and read SPA on the trampoline. Then at 6:30 I took the grands to Awana. Phillip was home sick today. Mandy was heading to Omaha shopping. Pictures: There is something about spending time on the beach. When we got done we usually headed to Goldsmith's pool and hot tub to get warmed up. Our pool wasn't heated, theirs was heated.

Tuesday March 27

Stopped over at Howard's before school. He is planning to get the roofs on the farm buildings repaired. Great!!! Man and How are headed to SC today. I was at school for a while then I headed to Lutheran church where home schoolers and Missy were taking Ia. Assessments. Otherwise regular day. After school I stayed in town and worked on an IEP. Denny rode in with Howard and Mandy to go to REC banquet. Looks like a 13% cost raise starting in July. ouch! It was a great meal and I really enjoyed the vocal numbers by the high schoolers for entertainment. Going home at 8:30 ... the time I usually go to bed. The pictures are from the walk to the beach. It was great to be about 1 1/2 blocks from the beach. One morning we took the grands and fed the birds. They came swooping down, we only gave them the Ohh's that had fallen on the beach. Kids loved to play in the sand and water. We loved it, too.

Monday March 26

Another beautiful morning. I slept til 6:15. Kind of a record for me. Howard had a good time in Blair. He said he was meeting with Roof guys today about 11 to see what their estimate would be for roofing buildings. I met Mandy going in to school. She was headed home. Nice to catch a short visit. even if it is on a gravel road. Regular day at school. I had an IEP at 3. Niether Mr. Miller or gen ed teacher could be there. At home I fixed food for supper and a meal for our lunches. Then I started to study for SPA. Once again...I am not taking the test tomorrow, but I studied almost 2 hours, just so I could read the test to our students. Dad said Luke would be proud of me learning about specific heat, thermodynamic, Energy transfer, Joules, Radiation, heat engines, internal combustion engines, absolute zero, entropy, pistons, kinetic energy, Converting K to C and F temperatures. UFFTA!!! Keep praying that the Lord would open my mind to learn these things. The pictures today show good friends of my mom and dad. Jack and Gloria Lamey were special guests at the unrehersal dinner. They were in the same trailer park as Mom and Dad for the over 25 years and loved Luke when he was 1 and came down with me to visit Grandpa and Grandma Newhouse. The folks had visted Lamey's in Michigan many times and Lameys had come to Burr Oak to see Mom and Dad, too.

Sunday March 25

I was up at 6 to work on addding Blog pictures. No donuts this am. Jensens headed to Storm Lake J.Rolands church. We picked up Laura and Stephen. There were 14 2-5 year olds in our ss class. After church Mandy, Denny and I went to Omelet Brunch. Howard had driven to Blair to spend time with Gary, Kim, Karl and Eric. Denny took a nap after church, then he started to clean. What a guy!!!! I just worked on putting pictures on the blogs I have been writing. Still didn't get caught up. I'll keep on plugging. I did go outside and plant the daffodils that Evan pulled up. I also moved some asparagus plants and spread them out. We went to prayer meeting at 6. Denny finished cleaning. It looks so great around here. Thanks Denny.











The pictures are from the room where 3 tables of people ate. After we ate we showed the power point of pictures of Luke and Karen growing up. Some family sat on the steps and watched the power point. Some had to stand for the 10 minutes, and some got chairs to sit on. Pete also gave a tribute and a toast to the couple that night. We projected the power point pictures on the wall next to the big fish head. We had thought about using the room with the TV,but this seems to work great.

Saturday March 24

Took rich fruit drink before I went to bed. Did not sleep well at all. Up at 5 to jot down about Anita Archer Explicit Instruction. This was the start of a very perfect day. Left at 8:15 with Missy and Anabel and Brooks to get Mandy. Then off to Carroll I made weight at WW. We met Gail at Penneys where I got 3 pairs of dress pants for Denny. Then more shopping. Met Jean at New Hope village Thrift store. Then more shopping. Then Rice Krispie bars to hold off lunch for the little ones (and usbigger ones)... and finally to eat Mexican in an outdoor restaurant. It was wonderful.. A real treat from Gail. Another thrift store, then WalMart. As we headed home Bergmans, Hendersons, and Denny headed to Caroll. They called and I wait for them at Wall Lake cemetary. Motorcycle ride to Denison and to have Dairy Queen blizzards. Then back to Bergmans for steak sandwichs, chips, and veggies. YUM. Plus sitting around a neat fire pit. Then home, Denny and I stopped at Mandy's to gelish my nails. Denny brought over the DVD Couragious and we watched it. It was a good movie. Wonderful Day



Now about another room in the beach house. The first story level had 4 quadrants: the kitchen, the formal dining room, the room with the TV, and a big room where we put tables for eating the unrehersal supper. There was a open staircase between this room and the formal dining room. Here are some pictures taken in this area of the house. I think we had 3-4 card tables set up in this area. Luke and Karen did not have an offical rehearsal, but we did have a supper Friday night before the wedding. Hence, the unrehearsal supper. There were about 40 people in the beach house eating both Friday night and Saturday night after the wedding.

Friday March 23

Stopped at Dad's. Mandy was visiting a friend in Mapleton. At school there is a comp Lit II test on Monday and a SPA test on Tuesday. Careers class wrote thank you's for job shadow. Took Lauren and Carlie to Foodpride. Getting ready to leave for the weeked when one of the staff said something about my student who is failing 4subjects...Now that was a downer. I had put it out of my mind. But no time to check up on hims...so I'm sure he is doing just fine ... just like he answered m when I asked him on Monday. :) I gave Bethany a ride home. Stopped at country condo to chill for 45 minutes and start to watch Footloose until Mandy and Howard had go to the fish fry. Came to our home and chilled with Jensens-- Missy offered enchilados for supper and I took her up on them. At 6:30 I picked up Bailey and 2 friends. Then to Home School variety show until 9. It was a good night.








Now about the kitchen in the beach house. The counter was a good place for Brooks to wait for his breakfast. It was spacious. There was a frigerator in the kitchen and there was also a basement area where the Jensens stayed that had a refrigerator. We mainly served food off the bar in the kitchen. As you can see Justine & Kevin and Mandy & Jason finished off the big tray of salsa/ glacamole and the chocolate cake.

Thursday March 22

Went to Howard's at 7:10. He was still in bed. Mandy was at work til 7:00. I met her on the way home at 7:29. I Wasn't early enough to meet her at the hospital. I stopped at home after Howard's to drive the Jeep instead of the Prius. It looked quite rainy and I didn't want to get stuck in the mud. Regular Drama at school. Yes, J is seen snuggling up with J in the hallway. Yes,J is seen holding hands with D. Yes, J is seen talking and flirting with L. Oh my Romeo of the resource students. Not good. I was instructed to talk to J ... and see what is up... perhaps tell him not to break these girls hearts. Such drama. Plus, could a student graduate early in case he could get a job? I don't think so. I stayed at school just shuffling papers around until about 5:30. Didn't stay for Las Vegas night. Instead Denny met me on the deck for a great sunset. It was such great weather. We toured sheep and hog pregnant females. Couldn't find lambs. They were in a hay hide away... far from the howling coyotes. Missy came down and asked for volunteers to feed 3 lambies. I put sweats on over my PJ.s and we fed those babies. What a great night. They were so cute... and so nice to spend time with Missy. She subbed today in elementary. Mandy headed to Mapleton to spend time with a hospital nurse friend.









Now about another room in the beach house. The stairway hide out for the grands was in the formal dining area of the beach house. It worked great for feeding the 2 littlest grands. At the unrehearsal supper, my sisters had a craft activity of making beach "I spy" packages with sea shells, trinkets, and fillers. The table worked great to spread out on. Phillip, Luke and Karen also used this table to sign the marriage certificate. I don't know how many other ceremonies had a almost 2 year old (Brooks) officating the signing.

Wednesday March 21

Early up and go. I stopped at Howard's. Then headed to meet other two teachers to head to a seminar at Cherokee. Missy subbed for me. She gave Denny a ride into Arthur. The seminar was really good. Lots of humor and good ideas. Kinda hard to sit all day though. We got back to IG just in time for Denny and my tax appointment. Sandwiches at subway, then to Awana. Phillip had 6 guys out after school. Pictures are from a very fun part of the Beach house. This little room was off the kitchen and under the stairway going up to the bedrooms of the Missouri Johnsons. It was just right for little grands to play in. They really had fun in there.

Tuesday March 20

First day of spring. Mandy said my light blue plaid flannel shirt and yellow t shirt looked "springy". Went to Howard's in the am. Another day of IA testing. Visited with one of my students who failed 4 classes last quarter. He said he was doing fine...getting his work turned in...I am so reassured. Nice to know he is doing fine. (Ya right). One of my IEP students is expecting. One of my former IEP students moved to Cherokee; I heard his mom lost her job in IG so they moved there. Denny fixed the potato sausage for supper with rice and spinach. Phillip went to a meeting so M&M came down with kiddos and visited. Denny tried to get computer back up and running. This is not going to be an easy fix. He doesn't know if info from our accounting is retrievable. Oh my, could be a headache.









We used the room off the kitchen for the "shoe game" after the wedding. Carol read a question like,"Who will be the first up in the morning?" Karen and Luke each had a sign they would raise telling who they thought would do the task. Pretty cute, lots of laughs. This room also was a good place for Gpa and Luke to chill before the 5 pm wedding.

Monday March 19

Picked first daffodil of the year. :) 7:15 over to Gpa's, then met Mandy on her way home from working at the hospital. Iowa Assessments started today. We have them on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday for about an hour and a half each day. I gave tests to a student in the foods room. Christian got an A on a science test. It made the whole resource room's day. Drug dogs were at school today. I think for a baseline assessment. Praise the Lord, Cathy went online with me and entered Carlie's IAlt.A in the computer until 6 tonight. Stopped at Country Condo. Mandy still has abdominal pain. Denny went to Denison to pick up the computer. The hard drive needed to be replaced. There was a vacancy notice. I worked on letter. And did SPA math. Denny cleaned inside and outside of the bank car. He came to bed late.
I would like to show some pictures of our beach house on South Padre Island. It was so nice for entertaining. I didn't take andy pictures per sec of the house but I'll try to show some areas of activites while we were down there. Off the kitchen there was a family area with a lot of seating and a TV. Perfect place for grands to hide under a blanket from their aunt and Jason under a blanket. Oh dear, This sofa is really bumpy.

Sunday March 18

Great am. E&A and I went to GGpa's just before Mandy got home from working a 7 to 7. Mandy had wondered if we had any tums, but we didn't. Gpa is heading to Manson for Pizza Ranch lunch today. We went for donuts before prayer time. Denny came later and took jumper cables to Stangls to help start their car. I set out cookies and made kool aide. I put pussy willows in front arrangement. After church we took Laura and Stephen to omelet brunch in Odebolt. Then we headed home. Bethany was pretty happy to drive the Jeep. Denny and I took the Harley on THE FIRST RIDE OF THE SAESON. Such great weather. First we went to IG to get gas, Then to Storm Lake to drive around the lake. We got coffee and a smoothie at Grand Central Station. Then to Lakeview. We stopped and visited for a while with Judy S. They added on to their lake house since the last time we were there. They also put up a big garage/machine shed/pontoon shed for storage. Nice place. I asked if we could hang out there if they weren't home some time when we visited. Judy just laughed and told us where the key was. We got back to Arthur in time for 6 pm prayer time. After that we took Stangl's home. The grands came down to help Denny do the wash, but Anabel didn't want to touch "those white things" she said. Don't blame her... "those white things" sometimes aren't too white in certain areas. We got a cute picture from Matt. He said the swing was assembled. Th picture showed Kane in the swing.

Saturday March 17

Top of the Morning to You!!! We went to Howard's when Mandy got off work about 7:45. We brought along our cards and wrote Thank yous to the many kind people who sent gifts. Howard said he would take us out for lunch about 11:30. Home to work on flowerbeds. Denny started to organize mail, bills, information. We went to Arthur to mail letters before we headed to Family Table. The onion rings are great. Phillip had 3 guys out to move rocks at Segerstrom place. Denny started polishing the Harley. I finished flower beds. He grilled hamburgers for supper. We called Hendersons, Gail was working at Y until 7. Bruce was at a track meet. We watched 28Days with Sandra B. before falling asleep. Earlier this week Lauren had asked if I was going to track meet at BV today, I said not this weekend. She asked "Why not?" I had no really good answer, but it was sure nice to stay home today. Fun pictures from Burlington reception.

Friday March 16

I waited til Denny was headed to Dad's, but I forgot I had half and half for Howard, so he couldn't have his cereal until I got there. Come back home. So nice to have today off. The weather is great. I came home and worked alittle on organizing bottles and cans for recycling. I took A&B outside for about 2 hours while I cleaned up some of the flower beds, they played, and Missy and Evan had school. At 11 I called IPERS for information. Found out in July they are starting the high 5 not the high three years salaries like I was thinking. Also their years go from January to January. So my 2010 salary was only half of the school salary I got for the 2010=2011 school year when I started teaching. Wasn't really thinking about that either. quite depressing. Need to keep trusting God and not my figuring. Hope I feel better about what I do. Lord, Help me....Missy asked me if I wanted a bowl of chili for lunch...sure. Then while we were eating she said she needed to get motivated to clean the house. I said "Why not we clean your house for 30 minutes, then my place for 30 minutes?" We gave her a shot. Both places got cleaned alittle. YEA! Now I"m outside on the deck trying to catch up some on the blog. Mandy is heading into oa workout. I think I will go back to cleaning dead plant out of flower beds. It is just gorgeous today. Thank you Lord. Denny works til 6. Maybe grill something and a salad for supper on the deck. The pussy willows right off the deck are in full bloom. The bigger pussy willow by the pine tree ore almost too far gone. Great to be outside. The grands really liked the beach at South Padre Island. We all liked the beach at South Padre Island.