Colorado

Thelma and Louise(aka Mary and Donna) made it safely to and from Colorado last weekend. We left on Thursday about 11:45 (30 minutes late) and made it to Sloan, Iowa at the WinnVegas casino around 5. Mary had an appt there so I waited while she sold. She got done around 7. It wasn't bad except for the smoke and the noise. I finally went into the restaurant where there was no smoking. We decided to just eat there at the buffet and then hit the road again. We drove as far as York, Nebraska and got a room there about 11:30. We were up again at 6:15 and on the road by 7. We made it to Blackhawk, which is west of Denver, up in the mountains, around 1:00. Mary's appt there wasn't til 2 so we got a bite to eat and then she went to her appt. I again waited for her to get done. Their casino was much bigger and nicer than WinnVegas. And no smoking!!!! Iowa really needs to ban smoking in their casinos. Mary's appt was lasting longer than I thought it would. I finally got a hold of Adam and he was going to come up to get me but the traffic was unreal so we decided he would meet us in Boulder. It was amazing the steady stream of people checking into the hotel at the casino. I can see why Adam didn't want to drive up in all that traffic. Besides taking him way longer than driving to Boulder. So Mary finally finished around 6, we packed her up and headed up to Boulder. I would meet Adam and she was going on up to Fort Collins to Luke's. Adam and I got back to Denver around 8. We picked up Joelle and went out to eat. Japanese Hibachi. It was very good. We went back to the apartment and crashed. It was so good to see Adam and Joelle. On Sat we slept in and then went to try to get some breakfast. The place we were going to try had people waiting in line outside. We then just went to a coffee shop, had coffee, and sat and visited. Joelle went to yoga and Adam and I headed up to Fort Collins. I stayed at Luke's the next 2 nights cause Adam and Joelle had a concert on Sat night and were going out for her birthday on Sun night. We stopped in Boulder and had lunch on our way up to Fort Collins. It was just nice spending time with Adam and visiting. I didn't care what we did. I am so happy that he is happy. I was glad that we could talk. I don't get that chance that often anymore. Denver was definitely a good move for him. I will keep praying that he keeps going in the right direction and that he makes choices that are good. He went back around 5 and then came back up to FC Sun afternoon to spend time with me again. I did leave my pillow at their apt but I told him it was an accident. Didn't mean for him to have to come back up. But he did and I was glad again to see him and spend time with him. I also met one of his former girlfriends. Stephanie somebody. Very nice girl. She is working for Luke now and is going to sell for Mary in the FC area. We spent the rest of Sunday at Falbo's. Luke had a Grateful Dead open mic that night. Different. But cool I guess. Not your usual group of people. We were also at Luke's on Sat night. He was way busy. We helped out like moms do. Just made sure to stay out of the way when they were running around making pizza and everything. He said it was his best weekend yet. I told Mary we were good luck. But we can't come out every weekend. All in all it was a great weekend. I got to see Adam. (and Joelle) Mary and I had a great time talking and we still like each other after 24 hours in the car with each other. Definitely would do it again.

Thelma and Louise

Mary and I are heading to CO later today. Mary has business appts. and is going to see Luke and I am riding along and going to see Adam and Joelle. We are leaving about 11:30 from school. Should be fun. I am looking forward to doing nothing. I will be at the mercy of Mary and Adam. Not sure where we are staying or when I will be able to see Adam but that is fine. This came up sort of last minute so Adam and Joelle have plans for Sat night. We'll see. Looking forward to seeing Adam. Hopefully the weather cooperates. Fog delays today and yesterday. Will post when I get back.

Back to school :)

Well it is back to school after 3 snow days and a delay this morning. We actually could have gone for part of the day Tuesday but that is water over the damn or snow on the roof. Today we will go at 10:20, teach for 45 minutes, go to lunch, go to recess and then go to a movie(K-2), go skating(3-6) and go bowling(7-8). Gotta love Catholic Schools Week:) I wonder if Mary will let us wear jeans on our make-up days. I think I will ask.

I have a meeting this morning at school with Mary and all the "old" teachers, those of us who are 57 or older. We are going to be offered an early retirement package. One time offer of $7500 plus $250 for each year of employment with Aquin. Wow! First of all, I have no idea where this came from. I can't believe that they are even offering us such a thing. Usually they just let you or someone else go. Secondly, I can't believe that I am old enough to be in this group. :) Thirdly, now I have to decide what I am going to do. I am the Queen of Playing it Safe and Keep the Status quo so this is really going to be hard for me to do. Teaching and having my own income is so much a part of who I am. I'm not sure how I will react to not having that. I am less worried about the lack of income for me than I am for Adam and the Toppings. I can get by on next to nothing. I just like being able to help my kids and grandkids. I know what they will say though. Just like Jon, Abby and Adam will tell me to do whatever I want to do. It might be easier if someone told me what to do but then I wouldn't want to do that cause I don't like being told what to do. Can't win. I just saw a post on Facebook that says there comes a time when you have to make a change and go with something new instead of staying with the known. Or something like that. I am taking that as a sign I maybe should take the early retirement. I guess I have a lot of praying to do and know that I will make the right decision.

Snow Day #2 and probably 3

Well I guess it's no school today. It's not that bad out right now but I guess they think it's going to get bad. Tomorrow sounds even worse so we probably won't have school tomorrow either. It is supposed to be the worst storm ever, effecting 100 million people. Blizzard conditions. Yippee! Just how I like to spend my Easter or summer vacation. Snowed in!! I actually said something to Adam about coming out over Easter vacation cause I had 6 days off. Key word had. I'm sure they will take Easter Tuesday and Wednesday away now. I should have known better. I don't think we have ever been able to take all our Easter vacation. The only good thing is Trenten and Addy are coming over. Hopefully Abby makes it home from work all right. She said she is going to watch the weather and head home if it looks bad.

It is also Catholic Schools week. It always seems to be bad weather this week. I really don't mind missing some of the craziness we do this week. That is another good thing.

We went up to Joe and Sherry's Sunday night with Mom and Dan and Judy. It was a great supper and good company. Sherry is so funny.

Helped Dan and Judy remodel and paint Chad and Carrie's kitchen while they were in Baltimore the last 2 weeks for Alec. It turned out nice and Judy said Carrie loved it. Carrie was a brave woman to let her mother-in-law work on her house while she was away. Not sure if I could have done that. It is good that Chad, Carrie and the kids got home when they did. Now Chad just has to worry about his cows calving during this blizzard. At least he is home and can do something. It would have been hell for him and Dan if this would have happened last week.

Going to eat breakfast and get ready for 2 little munchkins. No rest today!!