ding dong Carol's gone

I got a call from the ss librarian early this morning asking about the security system and she told me that Carol has transferred to an elementary school Yeah!

She knows a lot is very anal and efficient.

Once I was up for I've been having a hard tome sleeping at night, I went to my class then worked on the treadmill. I was to meet with the trainer too. The last one insisted that I needed a lot more time since the apt. couldn't be rushed through. This one didn't have anything else to say.

I stopped on the way home at the market passed my temptation, got only the essentials and stopped bu to feed the kitten and leave her milk on the way home.

I made this zucchini soup with onion and basil. I'm sure it's very healthy. I hope it freezes because there is a lot of it.

I made sole and eggplant in sherry with heir loom tomatoes for dinner with green pepper and mushrooms. For lunch a quick sun dried focaccia with peppers and cheese, apricot and cherries for dessert. Breakfast came with raspberries and rice chex.

The air is still bad.

Day Off

And on the 7th day she rested. Well I went 8 days in a row and today I'm not going swimming or walking. The air outside is still really bad. I went to the farmers market. I bought a pepper plant. I read and took a nap and did some into worksheets for next week.

I ran into my swim class instructor at the Farmer's Market and officially gave me the o.k. to take the day off if she took the weekend.

This may be the end of the cherry season too. Apricots still have a few weeks. Last night I made a asparagus and mushroom quiche

Today I may do a peach or nectarine tart. There was a good recipe on my blog link entertaining. I decided not to do a tart because I really don;t like crusts, it's extra calories and since no company is coming, I'll eat it straight up.
I also got 2 lbs. of zucchini to do either a soup or what ever the other thing was.

I'm reading. I'm having a hard time sleeping at night.

Last night I ordered part of the kids books. I don't want to get stuck with them. I ordered them early enough to get super saver shipping.

I would recommend they all go to the library and check them out. I have an order in for the breadwinner, which I read. I haven't read any of the others yet. I'll do a unit on Steinbeck and the dust bowl and migrant workers then during the 1930's and today. A lot of prep is ahead.

This is Gay Pride Weekend in San Francisco.

The gardener turned the switch on the hose so I can't put it back on.

On the way to the market this morning I swung by to see the kitten. She ate the food.

Hairspray

I haven't rented a movie in more than a year I had to update my credit card and I don't even know where the card is but for 4.xx. Beats the 10.25 in the theater or even the cheap 6 something. I rented Hairspray last night. It was cute. Not as good as Greece. (sic) Which seemed similar.

Today I went to the open house at school and talked my classes up. I have 10 6th graders signed up 16,7,8,and 9th and 9 or so 10th and 11th graders.
I can see it's going to be a lot of work. My 2 hour duty turned into 3.

Then I went to swim ans walk on the treadmill. Every day I do a little more.

I got into a fight with a woman who had her 9 y.o. boy in the shower and locker room. I told her it was not o.k. to have them in there and they needed to use the family changing room, she started yelling and I screamed back then went and reported her to the manager. My blood pressure really went up.

I scooted off to the movie at Biblioteca on immigration. I saw part of the 4 part series. It was really good...hum...ironic, well done, might be more appropriate.

I object to the vigilantes who patrol the border. I applaud those that give water and first aide. The coyotes scare me. They take 3k a head to help people cross and don't tell them what to expect.

I saw the kitten last night ans got some cheaper dry food today. The food from last night was gone.

The air is still really bad with a lot of particulate matter.

Bad Air

The health advisory is still in effect and will be until Sun. I went swimming and after class went to walk on the treadmill which give you speed, incline choice of t.v. or the rate I go I could read on the treadmill or bicycle. It was so boring even talking to someone.
It is really grey outside though from the fire. Eyes, & lungs they equate it to be like smoking... it's bad.

Heard that the insurance industry is kooking at a pay as you drive? The less you drive the less you pay. I'll have to investigate putting my bike on the train and riding from the train stop to school. It will take longer and I am not a fan of more time in the morning. I'm up at 7 anyway. That would probably take another 1/2 hr. and cost a train ticket to and from even wit a monthly pass. HASSLE. (exercise)

I was very slow getting started then went to return a book and pick up another on the way back.But I read

World Without End

already.
Tomorrow is the open house at school for 2 hrs. then a movie on immigration at biblioteca. A good thing to do to get out of the heat and air.

I heard today that gas would be 7 dollars in 2 years.

I decided not to go yo the Sierra due to heat and bad air. In addition there is a dry lightening advisory out. Then there is that backpacking factor.

Armando called last night. He's looking at driving back.

There are so many foreclosed homes people are abandoning animals. I may do some volunteer work with them.

Marilyn wants me to do it with mentally ill PEOPLE instead.

My friend P.J. from OR sent me a box of goodies he collected. Some for me and several for my students and stamps for their papers; one of a book.

I'm starting to get antsy being in the house with the windows closed knowing. I shouldn't go out.

I watched a new show, Hopkins, last night that I really liked.

Gas dropped ahain to 4.42.

No Fireworks!

Well the governator said no fireworks and some crazy communities want to sell them to raise funds, I say support those of the city that go off over the ocean or the Bay.

I met with the trainer today to come up with a personal plan and set goals. I gave her 45 min then left to get to my class and will return on Mon. so she can show me how to use all the equipment from weight circuits and bike and register my progress.

I should be well on my way to a towel by now showing up every day. This morning I got up at 7 but was moving slow and went back to bed for an hour after checking the schedule and watching the news.

At the moment for the next week this schedule works for me, It's the only time I go out and the only thing I do. Summer school starts on 7/7 and then I will still have the mornings to swim but I'll spend a lot of time on prep. and grading papers. Guess I better start shetching out my 3 lesson plans for 3 classes per day for a few weeks.
Uggg.....

Last year I slept in. I also spent time with Armando in the evenings. This year we'll see. I could also go after class but I doubt it. I will probably not be going 7 days a week. I may swim that often but the yoga or aerobics, treadmill and weight circuit will be 2 or 3 days a week. Right now I'm not sore. That's unusual with above the water exercises. I smell like chlorine.

With all this smoke in the air I may just walk on the treadmill inside tomorrow. The smoke is moving N and it will be around for the next few days.

The fire on Big Sur is 560 acres now. It doesn't sound like it's to Kirk Creek but the two fires have united now.

Is it everywhere that 7/1 all cell phones need to be hands free or just in CA?

Exhaustion

I slept in till 9:30 today with a nap yesterday. After my class and my laps when I pull myself out of the pool I feel like a thousand pounds and my legs are so wobbly. I came home and napped.

I went on my walk last night too. I sat out on the deck for dinner. It was really nice despite the haze and smoke in the air. We are in a valley and need the wind to blow through.

I'm wearing myself out and my skin is getting dry despite the lotion ans shower oil from the chlorine and soap even though it is OIL OF oLAY.

The kids are driving me crazy. they are so loud and so many on the other side of the pool that one can't hear the instructor. Then they scream and stare at you while you are changing. I am not tolerant.

The Big Sur fire is projected to go on for another 2 weeks and cover over 19 k acres. I see the governator is where I was at Andrew Morea state park. I should check on Yosemite. My window for this week is gone.

I have 2 appointments tomorrow. One at 9 at the Y with a trainer,info. person and the other with a designer to contemplate shaded for the dining room.

I put blinds in the kitchen and the office.

I replaced my drapes after 28 years. They were hung by me and have to be tweeked lowered and were very expensive for 4 windows in the dining room and 3 in the living room...like 3k or so. They offered to hang them for 500 dollars. I said no. They seem old fashioned to me. I want to look at blinds or plantation shutters.

The one's I got for the 3 windows in the kitchen and one in my office were 50 percent off Llevoler at Penny's.

I want to see Mama Mia the movie which opens in July.

My r knee still hurts. No yoga on that knee I can't kneel on it even on a pillow on the bed. It's been over a week. 13 days.

We're being told to stay inside, close windows and I'm going to walk. There is a health advisory out. It's really cool. I need sweats and my fleece jacket. Temps in the 60's and dueing the day 80's

While I was on my walk I noticed a black and white kitten in front of a house. The house was vacant and the a note on the door said it was owed by the bank. I was concerned that they abandoned the kitten. I went home took some water and dry food and went back. I ran into a neighbor around the corner and she said that there were three. She had put food out too. I went around the corner and up 3 houses and saw the baby across the street. I rattled the dry food and it came running, keeping well away from me. We need to trap them and spay them.

I got an Amazon Business Visa to purchase all my supplemental readers for summer school. They will give me 30 dollars free then I'll go back to my United Visa to collect miles.

Oprah's Dr says if you eat 11 lbs of fruits and veggies a day you will lose weight, not be hungry, lower cholesterol and .... I believe it all that fiber.

Let's see I had cherries, strawberries, mushrooms, apricots, tomato, lettuce, avocado, and carrot. I had sushi for dinner and a tuna spinach wrap for lunch. I need to eat more beet top and spinach and cook my beets.

Fire

More than 5 thousand acres burned. and still going, they were bringing in fire trucks and bulldozer's as I was driving out. There is a 2nd fire too three miles apart. They are about to merge. The tinder dry West. It's smoky and visibility is really low.

Things I would have missed:
toilet paper (but I got some in Castroville at the Giant Artichoke. I used to get a bag of frozen srtichoke hearts to take home but I had enough.)
my toothbrush and tooth paste
a brush
my bed
private bathroom
light
hot water
a stove
on the other hand no pans is easier packing.

What I learned:

to check road conditions.
to go and enjoy this incredible area more.
book at the Yosemite or Kings Canyon high sierra camp with hot meals, not freeze dried and cots, sheets already there.

My aqua activity class was good. My arms are always tired first. There were arm float things like weights that you push under the water they were good. I ran the entire time too.
Before class started I swam laps for 1/2/ an hour. It's a lot easier with my mask. A;as. can see the rubber strain from the salt water and metal crust. Pulling myself out of the pool I was exhausted.

Then I changed and went to a yoga cass. I'm nuts. Maybe I could do aerobics better.

I'm really out of shape an inflexible. I cant touch my toes much less than hold them. I took my mat but need a belt? You loop it around your feet to keep them together?

Ever heard of bogo? It's this blue 1/2/ ball thing that you bounce on. There's a class on that too. Got there at 8 left at 12. I might have overdone it a bit. Usually when I leave I feet energized.

The kids were there it made it really difficult to hear. LOT's of KIDS

I filled up again at $4.42 $18.00 for my trip.

Then there is the ten miles back and forth from the Y every day.

I walk at night.

It really cooled off and my walk last night was accompanied with my fleece jacket. I closed my bedroom window.

I planted beets and beans yesterday. I just can't turn the hose switch back on after the gardener left.

I made this great corn, eggplant, salsa to go with the salsa for dinner last night.

Going to the Y daily is costing me gas. My sojourn to Big Sur yesterday cost 18 dollars in gas and 2 for ice. That was 7 lbs.
I used to get frustrated as a teenager and mom would tell me that I didn't put the weight on over night I can't expect the body to improve or the weight to come off as fast.
Yesterday, I had cantaloupe on the road and a ham sandwich driving home, and some artichokes, a feta, spinach tartlet and the halibut with corn. I could only eat about 3 oz of the dish I was too full. I hot a really small piece but it was still 2 meals.

I need to get some more rice chex.

Big Sur!

What can I say..I love this place. I did not make the effort to go last year. The quandary...a tent and the ground.
Yes, I have pads, inflatable, chair, umbrella, lantern stove ...and it's car camping with water and a bathroom but...the ground! I've become old. fat and such a wuz.
Where is that intrepid backpacker?

Once upon a time I headed to the Sierra to Secret Lake in the fall and since it was snowing turned around changed directions, came home repacked my backpack and headed south to Andrew Morera state park.
There you park and it was free and you hike your stuff in about 1/2 mi. Now it's $10.00. I thought I was a Sr. there and at the movies but I see it's 62. There necer used to be a manned station now there is.

It was xlosedand next ti the fire camp. That was before I knew of the best place, Kirk Creek, that Kim told me about.

I'll be perched an a cliff over looking the Pacific. See Big sur images free...

My time is limited, it's now or August.

It took me awhile to find everything. Since I had help cleaning the garage, my tent was in one bog and the sleeping bag in another.
I finally got packed, bought 7 lbs of ice for 2 for the cooler. I couldn't find my stove, which didn't work well last time or my lantern. I think Gloria may have tossed my backpacking stove out like she did to my kite and skateboard when she helped to clean the garage.

Woke up thought it was 7 put on my swim suit then looked again oops 6. I was off to the pool. I liked the aqua fitness class and swam a bit after the 7:3- class.

I walked last night. It was wonderfully cool again, back to normal...60's. I read on the deck too.

I filled up 4 gal which cost almost 30 dollars and that got me to big Sur and back. It is simply the most spectacular place. When I live 2 hrs away I wonder why I don't go more.
I stopped in Castroville for fried artichokes and the weather dropped to the 50's.
The sea air and fog at 12. By 2 I was in Big Sur but was in for a disappointment for there was a fire and the road was closed about 30 miles from my site, the other campground Andrew Morea was closed and though there were people rafting on the Big Sur River you could see the smoke and smell it too where they turned cars around.

I stopped at the outlets on my way home. On that road too there was a fire at the pass.

Next time I'll check road conditions first although it was a lovely road trip. I'd rather be sleeping in my bed and there were no camp fires.

I could go backpacking in Yosemite....hum, I'll ponder that.

I stopped at a wonderful bakery in sand city outside of Monterey that was written up in AAA magazine, Sweet Elena's and got some mango chutney and a nectarine tart. Yum

Geo. Carlin died today...I saw him on a date at the Cellar Door in Georgetown at 18.

Up and at it

Woke up to go to the loo and couldn't sleep, do after 1/2 hr. changed the flannel sheets for cotton and threw a load in the laundry and opened my 2nd window.

I need to go swim between 6-8:45. Then to the farmers market.

A storm blew through, no rain, and brought some breeze yesterday afternoon.
I went back to sleep from 5 to 7:45, then to the pool to swim. After my shower where you hold the button in 40 times to do your shampoo, rinse, soap, face soap and oil I was out of there my 9:10 and to the farmers market where I got halibut and moon fish, strawberries and raspberries, Japanese eggplant,apricots,nectarines, samosas and nan.

I got home and the Gardener and I looked in the rafters for my scuba stuff to no avail. I found my tank below, but I'm still looking for my bag of fins, mask etc. I remember rinsing the bc, buoyancy compensator out and all the gear and the yellow mesh bag, regulator... I think it's in a black bag to keep it clean which is why all bags should be clear like I use now.

Somewhere inside I have some goggles even those would help.
Today it was crowded and the kids came at 9.

The lawn is cut, the agapantha trimmed, dropped fruit picked op, vegetation in compost bin,and pyracantha trimmed again.

Moon fish is really good mild and worth it. I cooked it with heirloom tomato salsa and sherry. I had a tab of basmati rice and a samosa. I've been getting sea scallops. I like this better.

It was in the high 60's again this morning. normal There was a touch of smoke in the air from all the fires and haze though.

Where the fire next to the freeway off ramp was, they jumped on it. It was down to a mow but not black.

Some of the heat lightening caused fires. we are advised to close all wimdows. I may go back to mall walking.

It never really cooled down

At midnight it was still in the 80's. I dragged the 2nd fan from the car, from my office and brought it in and on 10-2. When I opened the 2nd bedroom window at 3 it was cooler then at 9 when I woke up, very hot again. I closed all the windows. It must be in the 90's already. I had one fan on from 4-9. 100 expected. Hopefully, Sun will be cooler and Mon 80's...as I head to the coast where it it generally cooler.

The place I go is on the cliffs above the ocean. It's peaceful. Hopefully quiet too.

Turns out there is a Wachovia next to me at the shopping center where Wells Fargo was. All I need to do is open an act.

Think I'll head to the pool and then walk the mall. perhaps sex....IS Playing AT THE OTHER Nearby Theater. I went to the pool too early for lap swim so I got my picture taken for my IF and then went into a yoga class to stretch a bit.

Then I went into the pool where they told me I couldn't go in because the pool closed at 1? I wasn't having it. I WAS OUT BY 1. I'm, ONLY GOOD FOR 6 laps of varying style right now.

This time I had a comb, shampoo, conditioner a razor, bath oil, 2 towels & face soap.

I need my googlies or mask. I prefer my mask and snorkel because I can clear it and don't have to keep turning my head. My eyes are chlorinated even though I don't open them under water.
I'll have to climb up and get it out of the garage rafters with my scuba stuff or get someone else to. I opened the garage side door last night for a breeze and to take my redwood lounge chair out with the pads to the deck to read.

I', watching my cooking shows in front of the fan.

Ever add pureed frozen corn, melted butter and sour cream to corn bread?

Or a salt bed and red snapper with bay leaves in the belly, cover with salt and bake 29 min.crack the salt to dispose. won't be salty. cut off head, up spine, take skin off and get really juicy fish. If you want put a tad of olive oil and salt.

strawberries, cinnamon, black pepper, red wine, orange, sherry vinegar and later edible flowers like nastrstrums pansies or Johnnie jump ups to eat. (They are cool weather crops like snapdrahons and sweet peas though.

I headed to the library to cool off and watch a movie on immigration from 4-5 then to the mall to walk and see the movie. I really enjoyed Sex and the city but couldn't believe it was 10.25.

Gas is down to 4.44.

Happy Summer Solstice!

The city is opening cooling stations till 8. I went walking in my crocs last night at 9 and it was still warm. I rarely would go in flip flops but it seemed o.k.

I discovered Cheese its white cheddar Crisps. A lot of sodium but lower fat, 36 crackers is 70 cal. I like animal crackers too. For a 2.5 oz box it's only 120 cal.

I'm going into the Y to swim and then to make copies. Joined the Y and did the water step aerobics class and swam laps. I used to swim them far more effortlessly, I'll build up. It was a monthly fee of 58. and a 100 fee if you kept it up. I felt a lot better and tonight I'll walk.
They are open till 10 and have a 7:30- a.m water aerobics class. There are regular aerobics classes too. I;ll have to work my way up. I need to keep a gym bag again and a lock. I wore my swimsuit for the first time. I bought it 2 yrs ago. I took a tiny shampoo and conditioner and lotion but no soap only my razor. No comb.

Afterwards, I went and made copies of

grammar rock songs and exercises

.

Then I went to the library and got books for me and summer reading brochures for the 1-5 ones.

Stopped at the store for a cantaloupe and tortilla chips to go with my heirloom salsa.

Finally had breakfast of rice chex, less, with more strawberries and 1/2 and 1/2 and 1 percent....a compromise.

There was a pot luck today but I didn't stay. It had "bad" food. Most of the people were Asian, Vietnamese or Chinese and I assume retired. I have the summer to go in the morning and then there is probably a whole new group that shows up 4-6.

Tonight in Santa Cruz there is a free concert at the beach. I can stop in Saratoga and take back my chipped guaranteed Caphalon mug and get another and use my gift certificate from Marilyn's cup.

I think I'll go to Big Sur on Mon.

I want to go see Mama Mia, Indiana Jones and Sex and the City movies. It's been over a year since I wanted to go to any flic and not rent it. I may take a foster kid at school to the Indiana Jones movie. She helps me in the library. She's having a hard time in her foster home.

It was so hot I decided to go to the movies, see Sex in the city, stop at the p.o. in the mall and then the movie only I got there at 5 and the movie had 2 showings one at 7:4- then other later. So I left. It was light being hit by the hear from a blast furnace. I should have stayed in the book store.

On my way to the mall, I saw a fire on the next off ramp to the freeway just like I assume there was last year on the other side, It was RIGHT next to the exit ramp and flames were shooting up. I saw the fire truck arrive and the fire people get out. I was watching it in my rear view mirror while I waited for the light to change. I can't imagine people having that job.

I drove home avoiding that street and when I turned onto my corner there was a lot of traffic diverted, I imagine they closed the road.

It seems to me on reflection, I saw a homeless person pushing a shopping cart on top of the overpass looking back and walking away.

I stopped at in and out burger for an ice tea with 2 lemons slices. I'm tempted to go back to the pool.

I'm camped in front of the fan eating frozen grapes. Time to unpack the other fan from the car. It's going to be VERY late before it cools off tonight.

This morning it was only 70 at 8.

I'm reading Sarah Paretsky's Bleeding Kansas.

Water rationing

In the E bay water rationing is in effect. We didn't do enough voluntarily. Another fire in S.F. too.

Good Morning, it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood. I'm off to water mt tomato and snapdragons and plant sunflowers while the sprinklers water the lawn.

Today, it's still 91-2 out this weekend will cool I may go swim.

I hope the flodding stops.

Noticed the food priced going up?

U need another cantaloupe. I need to join a farm Coop...29. per boz whatever veggies are in season. 2-- saved per year. Then there is the beef. 2l for 1/2 a cow and a freezer for 300.??

I went to my meeting and he save me the leftover fruit veggies to take home. I came home opened an amaxon credit card and ordered 200 worth of books for summer school.

I have to otder more but i ordered the watsons go to burlingham for 6th grade to go w my MLK unit. Grapes of Wrath for 10th, Hush for 8th, Hope was here for 7th along with Touched by fire by Draper, and another Steinbeck novel for 9th for 11th grade. Of Mice and Men.

yesterday was the secretary's birthday she got steaks from Omaha steaks.

Several teachers from last year were returning. They all have aides.

It's 93. Public transit is free due to air and heat.
more acurate count after open house next sat.

ice on them there knees

Oye Ve...I'm sitting at my desk with ice packs wrapped on my knees and moving a bit slower this morning. My neck, back, hip and KNEES are hurting. I don't like this getting old stuff

Today I started the day with a pint of strawberries. I have yogurt, cherries and green beans with me.
Last night I had some tilapia for dinner with heirloom tomato salsa, from the lean plate newsletter, with broccoli and cauliflower and cherry tomatoes.

Carol is out sick today and Friday. I have a student who got thrown out of school, whose mom brought him in and I have him rechecking the 6th grage history books to see if we missed checking any in. He left his in his locker and it's missing.

They won't let him in another school until he clears his record and he wants to get books to check out for the summer. So far no books found in Ancient Civ not checked in.... I'll give him a discarded science book but the others...I'll leave that to his new school.

I just changed ice ice on my knees...oh mercy....

Why did I come in to work today...to get some work done and curry points....not that I think it matters.

I have to move my holds over to the San Jose Library for the summer. I also want to sign all my kids up for the summer reading program. I require it of them. At least they get a book some stupid toys, programs and a pizza coupon from Roundtable for their effort.

Why do kids need rewards to read? I rode my bike miles once a week while we lived in Alexandria to pick up books during the summer.

I lost 10 lbs.

I stopped by Biblioteca to pick up sommer reading logs for my ss students.

It's about time to get a new bedroom and kitchen and perhaps cell phone. My bedroom phone will connect to the computer, I can talk on it but recently the buttons don't emit sounds. Having to go into the kitchen to call is the pits..

What an ass Bush is such let's destroy the coast and drill more. When is he leaving? 5 months how much more damage can he do?

It was 91 here again today. The tomatoes are growing. Tomorrow is my ss luncheon.
Tonight I had 2 pork tacos,carnitas, with cilantro, rice, lime and guac salsa and frilled onion with a radish chaser and broccoli and cherry tomatoes/

Tuesday...maybe the last day

I started the day with 1/2 a cantaloupe, and cherries for lunch.

I picked roses and agapantha for the secretary and attendance clerk before school, Gave the secretary an early birthday card and mailed cards to the retiring teachers.:-)
Then I promptly jammed the copy machine. (the big, fast one with all the bells and whistles.
I told the secretary, Annette and she snapped, "I just got here." (Well, I knew that)
I didn't need it fixed that minute, I just wanted to let her know.:-(

I have a student coming to work for an hour or 2 her penance for lost books. Who knows if they were, I was buried in books and kids were helping to check in and some were not accurately checked in. Then the principal came to see me to ask me what I had left to do and what happened with the book check in. DO I go and recheck in every book? Maybe so.
I finished all the science books.
The girl, Megan, was asked to take the stickers off the magazines and but them away in the back, Instead of peeling the date due stickers she peeled off the bar coses from all the magazines. Very well done, the were covered with a plastic cover. Now we had to rebar code them, re catalog them and delete the old barcodes. a lot of fun, So much for student help. She was helping me copy too and tried to take all 100 pages instead of the first 20. I wondered where the rest of the package went.

She was good at putting paper in the machine until the toner ran out.

Then I moved to the high speed copier in the teachers room and went through 4 reams of paper making 100 pg. grammar handouts for 60 kids. No fun. I "should" go in one more day. I jammed it again and Megan mixed up yhe 100 pages I was coping so whp knows what I have in the final sort. I do know, I killed a tree and have a bankers box filled with grammar handouts. I dropped them off at summer school to lighted the load in the car.

I may get 47 miles to the gal. but weight matters. It has to carry me. It doesn't need 100's of lbs of books and paper for extra days.

I stopped and bought croc flop flops on the bar home not exactly what I wanted, but the didn't have black on black canvas so I got black soles with a white and black print. Then I went and got another pair of SAS shoes W and 1/2 size wider. Then for krmon ice and to get some sunglasses with thin lenses and that thing to the tune of 430.
I vame home, frove into the garage around 7 gathered my bags and fell between the car and the garage wall tripping over a bin,onto my knees, I laid there and whimpered awhile looked for blood or help and when there wasn't any, pushed myself up on all 4's. I'm such having my flip flop's on and my hands full didn't help. At least the garage was carpeted and I had a pillow to put under my knees while getting up. Ouch! OYE!

Hurt and geeling sorry for myself I still went walking with my neighbot...now the whirlpool and ice. Felt better after the walk.

Hate that Thursday show Swingtown in CBS at 10.

Summer time and you can get a lot done without the kids

I'm reading Fearless Fourteen By Janet Evanovitch.

What a difference it makes not having the kids here. Except for one nasty email 2 phone calls from the same student my day has been pleasant and productive.

I'm almost done cataloging all the 7th grade new science books and Carol will barcode the rest tomorrow, stamp them and check them in and put them on the shelves in the book room. Then I delete the old 6th and 7th grade ones.

Karen asked....Armando is still with his son in Indianapolis. He says he's coming back and calls. All his stuff is here and I have his microwave at school and his t.v. in my family room and all his clothes in the garage, or 3 bags full and a suitcase and a few things on hangers and "the hat" el goro. Either he returns of Goodwill will get a nice donation.
Yes, I miss him. He is good company and enriched my life.

He didn't like any of my friends. They wondered what we had in common.

He did a lot for me besides clean, paint the house and do yard work.

I walked a little farther last night with my neighbor. I have a dentist appointment on the 20th and a luncheon on the 21st but until then I'll be free and may go up to the Sierras past Sonora, to Yosemite camping,to Big Sur or Trinidad.

Close to home for a day or 3 may be o.k. A little hiking.

I investigated joining the Y this morning.

It's $100. to join and 50 a person. They have a pool and water and regular aerobics.

I'm going some prep for summer school while I have a copier behind me and don't have to compete for space or fight the heat in a small room.

Gee it takes a Lot of energy to make copies and get organized. I copied non stop for 3 hrs. while I did other things. I've only got a little done.

A lot of prep is necessary to do 3 classes of 6th-12th grade I have some stuff from last year which will help. I hate the thought of being on my feet in that little airless room like last year.

I have my syllabus and course outline intro letter, autobiog assignment for all classes and a lot of grammar for 6th grade.

I prefer less grammar but he asked for it.

I also have a project of Martin Luther King and an scrapbook/family tree project done.

I feel like I have 6th-8th covered. The 9th-12 will take more effort. I have some stuff. Iy depends if I have the dame kids as last year or not.



I went for shoes and found I needed a wider and maybe 1/2 size larger. I'll get some croc sandles and some flip flop orthotics?

I'm going to look at croc flip flops too.

I went walking with my neighbor.

Happy Father's day!

To all you dads out there and to mine whom I miss every day.



I got up at 8 and started to go to the Farmers Market till I realized it didn't open till 9. Then I went and bought 2 2 ft. Roma tomato plants , one heirloom brandy wine tomato for 1 dollar, some tiny ones, apricots, nectarines, cherries, cauliflower, some salsa of heirloom tomatoes, humus w roasted red peppers, bread, a cinnamon roll, long beans scallops and tillapia and sole and halibut fillet. I wish I could grow orchids but I know I kill them and passed the flower stand instead of buying myself some sunflowers or iris.

The I went back to the market for cucumber, cherry tomatoes, basil, romaine, and more corn on the cob. I had two last night for dinner and they were so great that I decided that even at 2 for 1 i got 6 to cut off the cob and mix with basil and cherry tomatoes. 6 ears only equals 1c cut off and it's starch barely a veggie so go easy. (Yes, Michael this means you, but since it's perhaps the only vegetable you eat, go ahead. Try a pea too under your mashed potatoes.(mom used to hide them)

I got home cooked the corn,and long beans cutting them into 1 in pieces and then plunging them drained into an ice bath to stop the cooking while still crisp. I'll put them in soy and sesame oil and rice wine vinegar and chill.

I went walking last night too, Some people do it in the morning I prefer it when it's cool. It was cool till 10 a.m. Now, at 11 the sun is getting stronger and burning off the fog.

I was treating myself to rice chex with 1/2 and 1/2 and strawberries yum. Today i noticed that rice chex are whole grain which I don't mind but it ruins TRIX.

I guess it was time to stop eating those anyway.

Rice chex with one percent even with fresh raspberries wasn't the same. :-(

I'm starting Sue Grafton's new book. Nevada Barr's mystery was really good.

My mammogram came back clear.

My system is reacting to my switch to veggies and fruit after my fall off the wagon last week for BBQ potato chips.

M.H. told me that my maternal grandmother had a sister Anna who died as a baby. I never knew that. Too bad she dies so young of breast cancer. 38

Stephen, Kelly and Kerry? Wonder how they are doing?

I took a nap and then drafted my first handout for ss.

Let the fun begin...at least I talked myself into a 5 dollar an hour pay raise from last year.

This gig entails countless unpaid hours grading papers and prep. in addition to the paid class time.

Now at the onset I like it and I'm a little excited looking forward to teaching again.

I got this catalog of "orthopedic" shoes. I'm tempted to nut some flip flops and heel cushion orthotics to help with my obesity caused plantar fascists from them and am looking at some Etonic walking shoes and Savoney.

The laundry's done and I think my presoak, stain treatment and bleach powder stuff got out the stains on a new short set that I thought I ruined after 1 wearing.

I'm off to walk.

Poor Des Moines et al Iowa

Who would have thunk it... evacuating downtown Des Moines. I hope Mary Helen and everyone is o.k. She's not too near downtown. The flooding is not 31 ft like Cedar Rapids. Not to mention flooding and tornadoes. When I last visited with M.H. she drove out to show me the flooding then. This is their 140 yr high. see: demoinesregister.com Too bad Gwen and Michael don't know Mom's family there.


To think I almost bought a house here in the 100 yr flood plain.
Not to mention earthquakes.

Global Warming it's here...

And then IN. Oye Ve

Go hybrid



Despite a moment of insanity when I woke up during one of my numerous trips to the loo, I thought about booting up the laptop to go some view foils to laminate on Mon for my summer school classroom WALLS. Then exhaustion or sense or a bit of Leno at 2 I went back to sleep till 9.

Lacy was staring at me waiting for her treat. After a few minutes I got up, turned on the news, made some rice chex, boiled some corkscrew pasta for a cold salad and went out on the deck after turning on the front sprinklers to pull dried out vegetation from nasturtiums for the compost bin and put in stuff from the veggie bin. I cleaned out the refrig a bit, did some dishes, cleaned the burner where pasta water boiled out and finished my pasta with celery, mayo and some celery seed, red pepper and pepper. I took out the trash, turned off the sprinkler, planted sun flowers and peas and put out a un turned over full water bowl for the outside stray cats.

I think the black one is Diablo who I tried to socialize 2 yrs ago. He ain't having any but let's me get 6 ft. close. It took 2x as long as the girls to touch. He was just coming around when I gave him up. I guess he didn't get adopted and was put back out after spaying.

He fights with Brutus.

Off to the grocery and to get h20

oops forgot the water, cucumber and peppers I'll stop tomorrow after the farmers market.

I got some more flower seeds. maybe this time I'll water them.
LOL

Stoped for Chinese on the way home.

As soon as it cools off I'll go walking. Ya can't just take pills you have to move the body.

I've only got one and I made it like this. Now to unmake it like this.

Flag day....happy happy

Tim Russert dies of heart attack at 58!!!

Oh No! That's only 5 yrs. more than me. If he can go any of us can. Couldn't believe it.

Today is less busy cuz kids got out at 10:30. Can't believe all the hub bub for an 8th grade graduation, leis of orchids and candy and roses and baloons and yearboods like they were gold. etal.
I still remember what Michael wrote in mine...all 129 lbs of e..."to big fat dumb dumb Jane, go on a died and lose 50 lbs."
Loving brother comments huh? He was 19.Where did the days when we made tents over the t.v. and snuck our to the stables in Rock Creek Park go?

There is a party going on but I'm too exhausted to go. What I'd really like to do is float around in the pool.

I need to stop at the p.o on the way home.

I was up at 4 and couldn't go back to sleep. The brain won't shut off. Could have taken a sleeping pill but thought I'd sleep seeing I didn't nap.

Had breakfast, cut some flowers for the secretary, got here early.

Now I'm leaving and off to read and relax this weekend.

I dropped off some workbooks for summer school.

I need to resume my walking. I was ticked and ate and stopped walking.

I stopped to get gas at 4.51 a gal today and spent 35.00. That;s up 15 dollars since I bought the car.

Then I went home and transplanted tomatoes for therapy and watered plants.

I had not watered in almost a month.

Since I left an hour early today I was going to get some shoes, I need a wider shoe and my tennis shows should not hurt my feet midway through the day,

I made the mistake of trying to get Reebok by mail in a 7.5 W, they went back along with some shorts.

I have to try the shoes on.

My weight also gives me fastitis. My heel ligaments hurt.

In addition to walking and diet I think I'll join the Y and swim.

Busy

All the kids are coming in to turn in books and clear fines so they can graduate. While my able assistant was in sickout mode I was so buried I had kids helping check in books. Needless to say some were not done well. In 6th grade there were 13 language books and teachers are yelling and complaining to me and the principal. Carol took the 250 odd books and rechecked them in.
Need;ess to say there are others. A mom came in today and found 2. Great, Kids sometimes find them and I check it in and sometimes don't. Then I charge them. If the book turns up I will credit them and refund their money. The same thing goes if they later find the book minus a 3 dollar service fee.
The public library won't do that.

I turn in the money to our bookkeeper. I run a tally and then autosum. then she corrects it because excels total was wrong. I can't win.

I found our today that I have 2 extra days per diem after all the kids and teachers are out. swell.

Considering that the 7th grade science books arrived today I need the time to catalog them, and delete the old 6 and 7th grade ones. all a tedious pain.
I'm bit going to the end of the year party I'll be dead then.

Actually, I'd like to see her house....

Today during my 30 min lunch I went to the p,o., library, quiche shop abd froyogurt shop.

I'll be glad when Wed. comes.

Plus its 91 and there's another fire in the hills.

I'm reading Nevada Barr's Winter Study,

Counting down

I'm overwhelmed with all there is to do. I'm buried in checking in books. Having the kids help check in was not the best idea. Not all the books got checked in properly and I have to go and look for them.
Kids are coming to get cleared for graduation and field trips for Great America.
I have boys to help do the heavy listing. Sometimes they put things in correctly, sometimes I have to have it redone.
There is shelving galore to catch up on. I need to delete all 6th and 8th grade science books.
Carol decided to waive all small fines. I wouldn't. I'm pissed. Where does she get off making these decisions.

At least when I teach summer school it's a mile from my house.

Gas is almost 4.50 a gal.

sick out

Carol is staging a sick out and didn't come in again today.

I need a sub. Clerical don't have subs. I am burried in books in the hundreds....HELP!!

Rare Form

My assistant isn't here today on the busiest day of the year. The kids turned in all their books and the locker clean out is this after noon.

The bitch couldn't have picked a worse day to call in sick or from her perspective a better one. I'd fire her for sure.

Today has been hell and it's only 1:24 and this is the first time I've had a break all day.
I left early yesterday to pick up some books. It was an early release day. My last chance.

Police Report

Well for the 4th time my car was struck. I've had my front l tire flattened 2x and the front l door keyed 2 times as well.

I am so ready for the 13th of June to be here. There are a lot of books to check in and put away and on top of that I have new art, science and spanish books to catalog.

I've been throwing kids out of the library left and right because I need the distraction not!

I think I'm crazy to have agreed to teach summer school.