It was busy today, even for a Monday. 84 middle school students managed to make it thru the door and into the office.  Not at the same time, although at one point they were lined up past the door.  No drama (that I know of) and no major medical emergencies.  There were several substitutes in the school today, so that added to the numbers of students darkening my doorway.  One sent a boy down because he said he had a scab on the inside of his nose.  It wasn’t bleeding.  I didn’t see it. Told him not to pick it.  He didn’t return, so I guess he followed my advise. 

It was hard to motivate myself to go to the grocery store after work.  Spent $101.15–although almost half of it was for dog food, cat food, and kitty litter.   

My sinus infection is better.  I’m feeling enough better that I’m having trouble remembering to take my antibiotic.  Only 3 more days.  

Sunday evening I figured out 3 outfits to wear this week, including accessories.  About mid-morning I realized what I was wearing today was WAY too “matchy matchy”…  must be careful to just co-ordinate my accessories in the future.   It looks like it might rain tomorrow, so I’ll post-pone wearing a skirt until Wednesday.  

Today was a good day as far as getting results on incomplete immunizations…I think I’m ready to run my computer report tomorrow and have that task out of the way.  I will have one student “in progress” and the rest of the 900+ students compliant by the state of Missouri standards.  WOOHOO.  As a nurse (and mom) I’m a big believer in the standard childhood immunizations.  My roommate in nursing school had polio and at that time alternated between crutches and a wheelchair. She’s now completely in a wheelchair.  Early in my nursing career, while working in a hospital, I took care of a man who died of tetanus as a result of poking his finger with a fish hook…and delaying medical treatment until it was too late.  My mom barely survived diptheria and my dad whooping cough (as children).  I’m not 100% on board with all immunizations but the basic childhood diseases, absolutely.

Last Monday I missed the first episode of “Revolution”.  I plan to watch it tonight…hopefully I’ll be able to follow along, although I’ve heard rumors it might be as confusing as “Lost”.  

Yesterday was a busy day, but the most fun was the UMW fall dinner and auction.  Dennis was the auctioneer, and Dave his “side kick”. There were some interesting items donated for the auction.   There was some competitive bidding on this old, but still very sharp 2 man saw.  I believe the person that finally won it has 2 strong teenage boys…  I found this item interesting and bought it.It was donated by a retired Army officer who served in Korea.  He said the Koreans would follow the US troops around and pick up their brass casings…and then melt them down to make items such as this candle holder.  I haven’t decided which room will be adorned with it, but I’ll have to be sure that it is securely hanging on a wall stud because it is HEAVY.  

My dad felt better Saturday morning, so my parents came up as planned.  My mom and I went to Coldwater Creek first.  I found a beautiful “dress up/dress down” winter floral print skirt in blacks/navy/grays.  By accident my mom and I discovered that it also looks good with medium purplish/gray cotton jacket.  I was happy to find that jacket.  I have a nice black cardigan I originally planned to wear with the skirt, but the purple will prevent the “goth” look.  Add a nice black shirt and a silver chain with scattered shades of purple/lavender beads, black heels and it’s all dressed up.  Add t-shirts and ballet flats, it’s perfect for school.  

On the way to Osage, we passed 2 pumpkin “stands”.  Coming back to St. James we stopped at one and bought pumpkins.  I got 2 smaller pumpkins and have started the fall decorating on the table on our front porch. At some point I’ll get down to the basement and find the rest of my fall/Halloween decorations and finish it.  My dad got 2 big pumpkins…he goes all out decorating their yard for the holidays. 

Since I didn’t feel good/had no energy last week, I had to get laundry started early Saturday morning, sneak another load in last night, start again early this morning, and I now have the final load of laundry in the dryer.  WHEW.  Now I have clean clothes…which now need ironing.  :/   I love cotton & linen, even if they do wrinkle.  I try to avoid permanent press because of the chemicals they use to make it that way.  

My parents and I discussed Thanksgiving and they are sticking to their original plan…TG at our house this year.  It is too much for them to do both BIG Thanksgiving and BIG Christmas.  Matt & Sara also said it would be easier for them (and Jax) to have Thanksgiving here…less time spent driving from house to house, since Sara’s family (mostly) lives around Rolla.  I think my parents still plan to do BIG Christmas.

It’s sunny but cool.  There is warmth in the sun but the north wind is chilly and a bit gusty.  Dennis and I are going to pick the acorn and butternut squash and I’m picking another crop of chili peppers (to dry) and will pick the bell peppers to chop and freeze. Most of them have turned at least partially red.  The eggplant is still blooming and producing.  It’s good that we like eggplant. I noticed a volunteer cherry tomato plant that has some ripe tomatoes.  I think there’s enough lettuce that is big enough to thin, that we can have some sort of small dinner salad tonight. Dennis is going to plant more turnips, since the last crop failed–planted a bit early I suppose.  It got too warm when they first came up and they just withered & died.  

Vive le Weekend!  I have about 8 more hours until bedtime and I need to make the most of it! 

Another home game.  I was on the sidelines.  Cool with a nice soft breeze.  Unfortunately Moberly stomped us.Moberly taking down our receiver…

I was wrong about today.  It is next Friday that we have Acceptance Awareness Day.  I was disappointed, but I have something to look forward to next week.  

I caught the middle part of “Julie & Julia” on TV.  Too many commercials.  When I finish Appetite for Life I’ll watch the DVD. The little bit that I saw was good.  

Lucas had a shampoo and trim, so he’s looking exceptionally handsome.  

I made jalapeno cornbread to go with the left-over beans tonight.  There are still a few beans.  Plus some spinach from last night…so I see a soup with navy beans and spinach in our future!  Perhaps Sunday evening.   Tomorrow we will be eating at the UMW Fall Dinner.  Hopefully with my parents.  My mom called and my dad is feeling a bit under the weather today.  Hopefully a good night’s sleep will be the cure for what ails him. 

The past few nights have been very pleasant.  No Cicadas.  Just frogs and a few crickets serenading.  Unfortunately the recent rains have hatched out some very hungry mosquitoes; so if you are outside after dark, it’s advisable to keep moving. 

WoooHoooo!  My 2013 Old Farmer’s Almanac arrived!  This is the 221st year of the publication and it also the 1st year after Leap Year and (until July 4) the237th Year of American Independence.  Some of the “calendars” actually start in Nov 2012.  I’m looking forward to comparing the Almanac with what really happens with the weather.  Also planting the garden with the moon and best days each month to do various projects.  

Previously this week:

Dennis worked Tuesday night.  I spent the evening smushed on the couch with Lucas and both cats.  We watched last season’s NCIS finale so we will be ready for next week’s new season premiere.  It was 39 degrees when I went to work Wednesday morning.  Things have warmed up again, but just to comfortably warm and not hot.

A lot of drama at work.  I’d say needless drama, but is drama ever needed?

Looking ahead: 

Tomorrow is one of my favorite days at RMS.  Acceptance Awareness day…where people (some of them students at RMS) with various disabilities come and share what it is like to have: diabetes, survived cancer, be autistic, have Down’s Syndrome, cerebral palsy, be blind, deaf, have to use a wheelchair or scooter.  

Dennis has to work Friday night.  I know he’s frustrated by this because he bought a lottery ticket…

The weather continues to be cool and fall-like.  Dennis mowed the lawn today.  This is the 3rd time all summer.  That says a lot about how hot and dry it was. 

I opened a few boxes of winter clothes and found some sweaters and scarves (as in accessories not warmth). This is what I’m wearing tomorrow. With gray pants.

After school I stopped by Aldi’s.  Fried pork chops with the very final okra and mashed potatoes for supper.  I have Greek Yogurt for breakfast. A few years ago Dennis and I made regular yogurt.  I need to check into making Greek yogurt…to see if it involves more than just straining it.  

I’m not 100% but I continue to improve.  My energy is still down; I can manage work but not much else. 

Work was busy.  I didn’t feel good, but managed to muddle through.  This weekend my allergies and congestion turned into a sinus infection (self diagnosed), so I made a doctor’s appt. for after school.  I was lucky to see the P.A., who agreed with my diagnosis.   I’m on antibiotics and got a nasal spray that amazingly improved my breathing. I’m glad I decided to get medical treatment sooner rather than later.  This way I won’t get so sick that I have to miss work.  

Confession time…I watched part of an episode of “Honey Boo Boo”.  NO NO NO.  It’s awful.  The whole family is uneducated, ill-mannered and proud of it.  Plus they got  Honey Boo Boo a “tea cup pig” for a pet because she lost a beauty pageant.  I had to turn it off when they couldn’t get the “pack n play” set up for the pig to sleep in.  Which was crazy because one of HBB’s unwed sisters is pregnant…she’s going to need that for her baby, not a pig.  Just shoot me.  I’m happy to say that this family is from Georgia, not Arkansas.  The silver lining, so to speak.  (I have to admit when it first started I was afraid I might recognize a RMS family…)  

I was feeling chilly Sunday, so when I changed the sheets, I put the flannel sheets on the bed. I thought I might be jumping the gun a bit…until I heard the weather tonight.  It’s going to be down in the 40′s at night this final week of summer.  So our way above average temperature summer is ending with definitely below average temperatures….which is the problem with averaging things.  In spite of the extremes, we may end up with what looks like (statistics speaking) an average summer. And we all know that isn’t true.  (There are lies, damn lies, and then there are statistics.)

The thermometer was stuck on 57 all day.  There was a slow steady rain until about 3 PM.  We need the rain but the gray skies and constant drum of the rain on the roof was narcotic. The cats just gave up and slept. I managed to get some laundry done and clean sheets on the guest bed. 

For lunch I made sweet potato biscuits to go with the left-over chicken & rice soup. I’m glad it was soup weather today.  I have some navy beans soaking overnight and will cook them tomorrow.  

Tonight was the celebration of the marriage of my friend Martha’s son Greg to Danetra. The rain stopped in time for things to dry off a bit before the party started. It was at the old St. James train depot and had a train theme. The depot is the building on the left.  A train even came through, just as the best man was about to give his speech.

The father of the bride is looking thru the window as Greg and Danetra cut the wedding cake.

It was a wonderful evening.  Good people and good times.

I wore my rainboots to work…it started pouring about 6 AM and the street had a couple inches of water running down it when I headed to work at 7. It rained hard until I got to Rolla, and then it stopped.  It had only sprinkled there.  I’m glad we got the rain though. I’m also glad the football game is away so I don’t have to slog around on the sidelines in 50 degree weather.  It’s already 59 and I’m sure it will continue to drop.  Perfect weather for hibernating…which is exactly what I plan to do this weekend.

Dennis called from work, about 5:45, wanting to know if I wanted to eat out in Rolla.  I wasn’t eager to jump back in the car and drive there, especially since the gas gauge is on E. After hemming and hawing for a few minutes, he finally confessed.  He’d locked his keys in the truck. So I actually “earned” my dinner by rescuing him.  

Dennis did a good job taking photos yesterday. Hannah, Jax, Matt, Paul. I’m sure Jax was a bit overwhelmed by all these crazy aunts & uncles who just showed up at his house.  

It looks like Jax & Paul really connected though.

Hannah’s flight was delayed in Springfield, so she missed her connection.  She had to hang out an extra 2 hours at the Atlanta airport (which she said was HUGE) but her reward was getting a seat in first class on the next connection to LA.  She got a pillow and blanket so she could snooze.  And the coffee was served in a ceramic cup, not styrofoam. 

We got to spend a bit more time with Paul tonight.  He & Beth (and the 2 dogs) will be driving back to Sacramento (actually Lincoln) tomorrow.  It’s always good to see family.  When they leave, it’s sad.  Especially since we have no idea when we’ll see them again.

Fortunately tomorrow is Friday.  My plans for the weekend…a lot of sleep.

Hannah flew out of Springfield and is on her way to Los Angeles.  She had a layover and called me…seems like it gets harder to say good-bye after every visit.  

Work was pretty straight forward today.  I got done what had to be done, and I’ll deal with the rest tomorrow. Here at home I’ve got a load of laundry started and am trying to focus on what needs to be done immediately and ignore what can wait.  

Hopefully Dennis remembered to take the camera and got photos of all 3 kids in Springfield before Hannah left.  I saw where Paul posted a photo of himself feeding Jax on Facebook.  Hannah said Jax is cutting his top 2 teeth.  

It got up to almost 90 today, but as soon as the sun goes behind the trees, the yard cools down. I’m enjoying this weather.  Fall is definitely on the horizon.  I pulled a few weeds and watered the one basil plant that managed to survive the summer heat & drought.