IAS Holiday party

Last night was the IAS holiday party at the Grand Harbor in Dbq. We stayed at the Julien instead. The room was very nice. A lot nicer than Grand Harbor's I hear. Started partying in our room with Dempsey, Zach, Mike and Ronda. Then went over to the Grand Harbor for drinks, dinner, awards, entertainment and prizes. Dinner was great. Entertainment was so-so. Hypmotist(sp) was the best part. Not as good as Jim Wand the last time. Jon won a DVD player which he immediately gave to Dempsey. I didn't even know he won let alone know that he gave it away. I know we have one but it would have been a nice gift for someone, other than Dempsey. Jon could have at least asked me before he gave it away. Dempsey was in fine form, like usual. Drunk and entertaining. Not sure if he will ever grow up. But he did have fun and people do enjoy him. We also went to the Diamond Joe later. I know why we never go there. Smokey and noisy. Teaching isn't so bad when you see the workers there. I would hate to have to work there. Went back to the hotel about 12:30, leaving Zach and Dempsey at the Diamond Joe. Not sure when they left but Zach said he had to walk back. Brrrrrrrrrr. They actually called this morning around 10:15, already checked out and ready for breakfast. We went down, checked out and ate breakfast with them at Caroline's, the restaurant at the Julien. Dempsey ordered a $12 carafe of orange juice. He was very thirsty but actually not too hungover. He was out of money and Zach lost $200 gambling so we bought their breakfast. Maybe that's why they called us.

TGIF

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is Friday and no report cards to do. I can't describe the feeling of relief I have when those reports are finally done. Only teachers know how good it feels when those report cards are done and sent home. Now we just wait to hear from parents and what they think.

It is also the IAS Christmas party weekend at Grand Harbor. I am so glad it is this weekend and not last weekend. I can really enjoy it. We are staying at the Julian but that is ok. Most of Jon's co-workers are staying there too. I hear their rooms are nice. After our suite at the Grand Harbor last year, I knew that an ordinary room would be a let down. Anyway, I am looking forward to RELAXING big time.

It was REALLY cold this morning. 17 below but no wind. It is only going to be 0 tonight so it didn't last long. I am almost starting to envy these people who leave for a month or 2 during the winter. I just can't see leaving Trenten and Miss Addy for that long. I would miss them tooooo much. They are worth the cold and the snow. And we have geo now so our house is really warm. So I guess I have to put up with these cold Iowa winters for a while.

Report cards done!!

I think my report cards are finally done. At least till I think about them some more and wonder if I should change a grade. I hate second guessing myself. In reality who really cares if it was a D or I, 2 or 3? Ten years or even 1 year from now no one will remember what his or her grade was in 1st grade or 5th grade.

Talked to Adam last night and it sounds like he had a great time skiing in Vale. I am so happy for him because he is happy. Colorado has been good for him. It will be 6 months all ready at the end of the month. Wow. Seems like we just packed him up and said good by and good luck. Not sure if or when he might move back to Iowa but CO is is where he is now and it's a good place for him. Just wish he was closer. I would like to get out to see him this winter yet but not sure if that will happen.

We got another pretty snow yesterday. It was MLK day so the kids didn't have school but we still had in-service @ Xavier in the a.m. Then Mary told us we could go home. Yay. Then Jon drove me to my dentist appt. in Dbq at 2:30. Roads were snow covered but drivable if you took your time. I was glad Jon was driving. He is an excellent driver, you know. We had a 2 hour delay today. I really should get going. Couple stops to make before school and stuff to do at school.

Friday night social

Mike, Ronda, Dempsey and Zach came out last night for drinks and dinner. Good food and good time. Dempsey is such a storyteller. Laughed til I almost peed my pants. Food wasn't bad either if I do say so myself. Steaks AND marinated chicken breasts, Olive Garden salad, fire-roasted vegetables, grape salad, deviled eggs and warm apple pie and ice cream for desert. MMMM! Oh I forgot the appetizers before, hot cheesy dip and black bean/chicken/spinach dip. And all this with Trent and Addy after school. Abby called at 2:00 and asked if I could take them home from preschool and daycare. I just can't say no. Needless to say it was a rush cause I didn't even know who or how many were coming til yesterday at noon. It made it easier when only 4 out of a possible 12 could come. We got it done though and it was a fun night. They didn't want to play cards tho. Just sat around talking. And laughing!

Trenten funny story3

We were coming home from school yesterday and stopped to see Papa at work. When I pulled out of IAS the road was slick and I started to swerve. I told Trent I better be careful because it was slick. Trent then said we should tell Papa it was slick but that he would be ok cause Papa is "an excellent driver" not like Mama. Papa doesn't get stuck or slide like Mama. Sure, almost go in the ditch 1 time and have to get rescued by Papa and I will never live it down.

Where does time go?

Made it through the first full week of school for 2011. Just have to get my report cards done by next Monday, the 17th. The semester ends on Fri. the 14th. We have in-service on Mon. the 17th with exactly 1/2 hour to work on our report cards, from 3-3:30. So that means I have to work on them at night (too tired) or on the weekends (hate to do that too). Why do they give us clerical days and not let us use them for report cards. Did I ever mention how much I hate report cards and conferences. I just like to teach. That's all. Oh and June, July and August.

I finished Catching Fire, last of the Hunger Games series. All three books were books that you had to finish to find out what happens. I recommend all. And you have to read them in order. Not sure what to read next. After I finish my report cards.

Went to Cranberry Hollow yesterday for the final time. Kind of sad. Bought a shelf for Addy's room and a few other things. Abby says the red shelf we got for Trenten's room looks flippin cute. And the shelf for their bedroom works great too. We got my cupboard home from Hickory Hill on Wed. Dempsey helped Jon and me load and unload it. We just put it in the garage for now. I thought it looked different when we got it home but then you always notice things about antiques at home that you didn't notice at the store. Anyway, when Abby saw it she said it was upside down. Too funny! Well, Hickory Hill and Cranberry Hollow are now history. I will miss them but I will also be richer for it. Save big money.

Also went to Ashley's bb game at Beckman yesterday. Then went to Dbq with Tory, Abby and miss Addy. Trent and Papa came home. They also dropped Ashley off at her house. As we were getting ready to leave the game Trent just started sobbing. Abby asked him what was wrong, he said he didn't want Ashley to go with Ronda and Alan. He was so sad that he wouldn't get to see her. So she rode home with Papa and Trent. That made him feel better. He loves and misses his big sister. :(

Went to the Monastery for mass this morning and then to Dbq to pick up a few things. Am now just killing time, putting off working on my reports cards. Did I mention I hate doing report cards? Gotta go. Maybe I can get them done today yet. :)

Back to school :(

Well 2011 is here and Christmas vacation is over tomorrow at 7:45. Back to the real world. It was a very good vacation, so I shouldn't complain too much. But there is something about being able to sleep in (2 mornings out of 11) and being on your own schedule. What's not to like about that?

Went to Mary and Paul's this afternoon for supper. After we went to Abby and Tory's for breakfast and then to Dbq for a few groceries. Marlene was there, too. It was good to see both of them. Saw Mary and Paul's new addition to the house. Nice. I really like the fireplace. I want one of those. Maybe it will happen someday.

Took Abby's birthday present out this morning. An old cabinet for their bedroom. It should work where she wanted it in their bedroom.

I am going to bed since I can't sleep in tomorrow morning. I went to bed at 8:30 last night and Jon had to wake me up at 8:00 this morning. I was really tired from the night before. I don't think I am caught up yet. Night all.