Oink, Oink...

Bleah. 

I have the flu. Most likely, H1N1, better known as swine flu. I haven't had the $50 test - the county health department said that, since it isn't flu season, if you have flu, then assume you have the swine flu.

Hershey School is being hit hard. Eleven teachers are out today, and 75 kiddos weren't there as the day began, including 4 of mine. As the day has progressed, many have gone home (two more of mine adding to the stats) and I have been told the school is approaching the magic 20% absentee rate which will cause them to close for a few days.

Hey, maybe I've timed this right, and I will be healthy when the school closes and I'll actually have a few days off to get things done!

Off to write sub plans for tomorrow...

Making Room for Cole

This morning I spent several hours organizing Cole's room. All the toys and accoutrements for children/grandchildren visits were stored in there and that took a while. (Big pile for Goodwill!) It was very satisfying to get it in shape for his return - just to little more than two months away! The toys, pack n' play, and other things are now in one side of the closet in Curt's old bedroom.

Judging by the stacks of worn/washed/returned clothes on Cole's dresser, and the open closet doors, I think Curt is going to need to do a final run-through of his own closet at his apartment to be sure he's returned everything he's borrowed since Cole left.

As a result of all this scurrying around and organizing, I now have the rooms ready for Thanksgiving as well as Cole's return. Double bonus!

Bring on the holidays!!

Todd's Honor

Todd tweeted the following on Twitter today:

Headed back to my alma mater 2 give a lecture on head & neck cancer & swallowing disorders. Should b fun 2 C the campus again.

What he DOESN'T say is that he is Illinois State University's Alumnus of the Year in the Speech Language Pathology department! And, he's to be honored at the football game on Saturday in addition to lecturing on Friday.

Way to go, Todd! I am very, very proud of you!!

Cute Note from Ashley

Got this in my email inbox. I am still smiling!!

I thought you might like to know that Braden is running circles around me and the table where I'm sitting saying Grammy! Grammy! Grammy!!
Don't ask me why!
But it is still cute :)

Cute, indeed!! Note to self: extra Christmas gift for Braden!! :D

Go, Illinois!

Chief Illiniwek Scott Christensen 1983

Source: www.youtube.com

Chief Scott Christensen performs at halftime of the Illinois vs Michigan football game 1983.

What wonderful memories this brings back!! Go, Illini!!

Missing Dad

Some days I really miss my dad. Today was one of them. I came out of Hershey to go to the car and it was a cool but sunny autumn day. Perfect for the drive through the countryside to visit him.

A year ago I would have turned right out of the school drive instead of left, heading out to Mulberry to see him. I did that a lot last fall.

I felt such a tug today to go see him, to just make that right turn and drive out there anyway. But, of course he isn't there any more.

I really just wanted to laugh with him again - something we did almost constantly when we were together during his last year of life. Up until the end, he still could repartee and come up with witty comments. We'd laugh, and he would often hold my hand. Sometimes, he would suddenly, briefly, be himself, and ask me how school was going. I cherish those brief flashes of memory when he truly became my dad again and knew me.

I miss you, Dad.

General Conference!

I love, love, LOVE General Conference. Not just because we get to do "jammie church," but for a variety of reasons:

~ I love listening to the talks and music. They change me and how I live my life.

~ I love knowing my children, grandchildren, and friends are watching, too, and I feel a bond with them.

~ I sleep in until 7:00! (My kids will not believe that, but it's true! I did!)

~ It kicks off the fall season - once General Conference has convened, you know the leaves will be turning and the holidays coming!

~ I sort through my closet and bring the fall/winter clothes forward and put the spring/summer clothes in the back. Then I step back and look at them, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Sort of like nesting. :D

~ This last one is for my daughter, Lisa. I change the CDs in my car and put in a fresh assortment of CHRISTMAS MUSIC (along with the soundtrack from The Nightmare Before Christmas; yep, Curt, that's for you!).