Spent a wonderful day with Jax & his parents. In spite of teething, Jax is a happy boy.  Matt & Sara are wonderful parents. A happy family.  I so glad to be a part of it…the rewards for raising Matt I suppose.  LOL  At least he has a sense of humor and can NOW appreciate some of the trials & tribulations we went thru to get him to adulthood.  Also a big thanks to all the other adults/parents of friends who helped us in this major undertaking.

HuHots was fun.  Jax didn’t get to eat any of the food, but had his own that Sara brought.  They put is us in the back, in a little room where other kids were (with their families of course).  So  he enjoyed looking around at the other kids.  Sara & I left with Jax a bit earlier than Matt & Dennis (who had seconds).  We walked around a bit with Jax.  He was fascinated by all the babies in strollers being pushed around.  Interesting how babies just home in on other babies. 

Tomorrow it’s up early and off to see my parents for a mini reunion. Making the most of our holiday weekend. 

Last night was the girls final home game.  Tonight was the boys final home game.  Unfortunately Sullivan beat both the girls and the boys. It will be interesting to see how both teams are ranked when we go to Districts.  Districts will be in Cuba this year; just 15 miles down the road (heading East) from us.  Hope lots of fans go to cheer for both teams.

I’m feeding Jazz for a friend. I drove Dennis’ truck out to their place.  She kind of remembered it.  We (mostly Dennis) fed her a while back.  She was curious until I opened the garage door and got the food out.  Then she was quite friendly.  Lucas was a bit put out when I came home smelling like horse.

We had re-heated left-over chicken pot pie for lunch.  I made spaghetti with a nice salad for supper.  Looking forward to eating lunch at HuHots with Jax & his parents tomorrow. It’s a good place for Matt because he can be Gluten Free, and I think even Jax could eat a bite of veggies as long as no HOT sauce was used. 

Work was mostly fun today.  Cookies and chocolate candy for the staff.     Actually, too much chocolate and cookies.  But at least I know I/we are appreciated. Sometimes.

Tonight was the last home game for the Lady Tigers. Unfortunately they lost to Sullivan.  There were moments of great defense and some great baskets, but in the end, they lost by 3 points. 

We had the last of the rotisserie chicken (with some bbq sauce); deli potato salad; pickled beets & pickled okra for supper. It was good.

Today I started reading The Blood of Free Men.  It is about the liberation of Paris.  It’s been a few years since I read Is Paris Burning, but I think this will be an interesting parallel to that book.  From a different perspective. Unfortunately, the introduction was a bit on the dry side.  Hopefully the book will be better. 

We have a 4 day weekend. Friday is a Professional Development Day for the teachers.  The focus is on school safety.  A couple of the nurses are going; I have previous obligations and it is not a contract day, so I don’t feel too bad about taking my scheduled day off.  I’m sure I will be “advised” of any changes in our current policy that may come about from this meeting.

Now that “spring” is on the horizon, I’m feeling the “itch” to find retirement property near Springfield again.  I think I found a place that might have potential…8 acres near a National Forest just south of Ozark…  Hopefully we can take a look at it this weekend.

It was beautiful out this morning.  The rain turned to snow while we slept.  It was a wet snow, that hung in the trees and covered the ground.  On the way to work, I passed a white pasture with black cows standing around.  It was hovering at freezing, so the snow all melted by noon.  

It is also Ash Wednesday. And thus begins Lent. 

There was a bit of drama early in the day, but that was resolved, and the rest of the day went smoothly.  I felt bad for one girl, who came in with her ankle hurting because she twisted it a week ago.  No bruising, no swelling.  I gave her an ice pack, and told her to go back to class.  STudent: “No, wait.  My stomach hurts.  It’s my stomach that is really hurting.”  Check temperature.   Me–”No fever.  You ate lunch?”    Student: “Yes.”   Me–”Ok, go back to class.”   Student: “I’ve been coughing.  hack hack.”  ME– “I can let you do a salt water gargle.”  Student–”No, I’ll just go back to class.”   

I finished Cat & Mouse.  It was good but I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as Along Came a Spider.  

I like Greek Yogurt.  I’ve tried different varieties.  Fage was my favorite until it became almost impossible to find.  Now I’m eating Dannon Oikos.  I’ve been alternating the “single serving” size of fruit on the bottom with oatmeal for breakfast.  I just discovered the Cafe Latte flavor.  YUMMY.  It’s perfect for dessert.  Or a special treat. 

Tonight was chicken pot pie.  Tomorrow night–left-over chicken pot pie.  

The Almanac weather prediction for Feb. 14-22: Sunny; then snow showers & turning cold.  Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny. There’s some snow in the forecast and colder…and by colder I mean “normal” for February.

If there is any activity going on with the broccoli seeds, it’s under the soil.

I only saw 1 other person (cafeteria worker), besides myself, wearing Mardi Gras beads today.  It was another day full of drama.  It turns a normal day into an exhausting one.  

After work, I headed for Kroger’s for mostly basic supplies–eggs, milk, frozen veggies.  I hoped to pick up a rotisserie chicken but alas, there were none to be had. I noticed some breaded fish filets on sale.  Key word:  BREADED.  Not much fish, lots of breading.  So it’s back to the plain filets from now on. We had green peas with a bit of butter and dill & pickled beets with the breading fish.  

We are having “normal” February weather.  Which feels really cold.  More rumors of snow tonight.  20-30% chance is what the predictions are so far.  

All Quiet on the Broccoli seed front.  

Birds were singing again this morning when I woke up.  The “backyard birder” was on the local public radio station, talking about the kinds of birds we are seeing in the area.  In my case, it is more hearing than seeing.  He also encouraged people to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, which is Feb 15-18.  You have to sign up and commit to counting birds at least 15 minutes once a day on those 4 days.  I haven’t checked out the site, but I might do it, just to figure out what some of the less common birds we see are.  There is an on-line guide to figuring out the species at the site (so I’m told). 

Last night I watched a couple of episodes in “The Walking Dead” marathon, in preparation for the new episode.  It looks like Rick has gone off the deep end, as well as The Governor.  Scary times ahead and not just from the Zombies.

Dennis bought some broccoli seeds and got them started after work tonight.  He didn’t find the variety he researched and we talked about, but it’s a different type than what we’ve been planting (Goliath & Waltham 29) but not with good results.  I think he said it was Green Sprout.  It’s considered an heirloom seed and brought to the USA by Italian immigrants. 

The Coconut Shrimp Soup was good.  I have 2 more recipes I’d like to try at some point.  Tonight I reheated the leek & tomato soup from last week.  It’s history.

Today was sunny and in the 40′s.  Tonight in the 20′s with rumors of snow.

Happy Chinese New Year.  I am celebrating by drinking a cup of tea (the box translation is Bird Pick Herb Tea) made from one of the remaining tea bags I bought in Los Angeles Chinatown last March.  

The garden became a bit more than just talk today.  Dennis got out the seeds left from last year.  I threw away any that were more than 3 years old.  He made a list of early crops he wants to plant.  I ordered seeds that we want to try.  We buy our “common” seeds in bulk from a local garden store.  That way we save a bit of money and also support small businesses.

Trying my hand at some Coconut Shrimp Soup tonight.  

It’s over.  Everyone had fun (or were polite enough to say they had fun).  I was happy when the retired (mostly) school teachers won this year.  They were a close 2nd place the previous 2 years.   Not as many people this year, probably because there were at least 5 other Trivia nights already this year.  There were nice items at the Silent Auction, so that also brought in some money.  Dennis was the MC.  He did a good job.   Hopefully the members can catch their breaths and relax a bit before they gear up for the Pancake Breakfast on April 13.  I like the pancake breakfast.  I just have to show up and eat; then chat with friends and take a few photos.

It warmed up to 44 before it started raining this evening.  The temperature is dropping, but the rain will probably be gone before it gets below freezing.  If it gets below freezing tonight. Last night I heard Lucas rustling around in his bed; he was trying to curl up in a small ball with his legs tucked under him.  I found his blanket and covered him up.  I’m sure he is a lot cooler without all his fur.

I think I’m becoming accustomed to drama…or maybe I was less stressed by it because it was Friday.  It will be a fun weekend. Tonight I am relaxing; waiting for the CSI:NY conclusion of the CSI episode on Wednesday.  Saturday night is the Kiwanis Trivia Night.  Hopefully all the ducks are in a row.  I still have to make a trophy for the winning team.  I’ll get to mingle/schmooze and take photos at the event.  

Lucas got a shampoo and haircut today…he was such a shagamuffin I can’t call it a trim. I think he is glad to be back to his usual elegant and handsome self.  He definitely smells better.

I used the left-over grits to make shrimp & grits for supper tonight.  Tomorrow I’ll probably just heat up left over soup before the Trivia Event begins.  Maybe have a late breakfast/brunch.  Dennis’ mouth has healed to the point he’s ready to eat more “normal” foods…just taking smaller bites and chewing slowly.  

With all the crazy weather, the jonquils are up…no bloom buds yet. I also noticed some leaf buds on trees.  This is not a good thing to see in early February. It stayed cloudy and didn’t get out of the 30′s today.  The almanac predicts snow showers & cold from Feb 8-13.  So far no snow in the forecast.

Remember Flo on “Alice” telling Mel (and assorted other characters) “Kiss My Grits!”.   LOL   Since we were having a breakfast pot luck at the Smith’s I figured I had to bring grits…because if you didn’t want grits, why did you order breakfast??  Personally, I’m a grits fan.  I like plain grits.  I like fancy grits too.  Tonight I made fancy grits—with cheddar cheese and Rotel.   Got an update on injured basketball player…BAD sprain.  It’s hard to call that good news, but it could be worse. 

Less drama at work today.  Still having sick kids, but fewer whiners.  Washing my hands constantly.  My cuticles are so dry they are cracking & sore.  Antibiotic ointment and hand cream help but my hands are losing the battle.

At lunch I started Cat & Mouse.  Patterson jumps right into the action & inside crazy criminal minds. I have to be careful or I’ll read beyond my 30 minute lunch break.

Before the Super Bowl, I never heard of the Duluth Trading Co.  They had an interesting underwear commercial.  I checked out their site and they have what looks like a wonderful robe–made of sweatshirt fleece.  I would love to make one, only longer.  Zips up the front and has great patch pockets.  Now I just need to find the fabric and pattern to make one for myself.  Only longer.  I’m all about the couch potato look in the evening.