70 years in the making.

Last night, Jim and I attended a banquet where Topeka High school inducted several people into their sports hall of fame.  Jim's uncle Ray was included as part of the 1955 state champion football team on what would be the 70th anniversary of their championship.  Uncle Ray flew in from Indiana for this occasion, and we couldn't resist going to watch him receive this honor.  

Uncle Ray was on the stage with a lot of pretty impressively resumed people.  Olympic trial swimmers, KU football phenoms, a KSU football star, a couple of medaling tennis players, an amazingly well-spoken coach, and a woman who is currently a women's basketball coach in Denver just to name a few.  

A few interesting things I noticed.  I have never been really into sports.  I don't really enjoy watching them, unless my kids are playing, and then yea, I will attempt to pay attention - but usually at some point lose focus and have to ask what is happening.  BUT - I have said over and over again, I think that sports are incredible for other reasons.  Fostering relationships, learning to work together as a team, learning to focus on being part of that team, cooperation, sacrifice, being 'coached," responsibility, and probably most importantly, building lasting friendships.  I saw all of that last night when watching Uncle Ray with his old teammates.  It may have been 70 years since they played together, but you could tell he legitimately loved the people he played with.  He told me that he still talks to his friend Clayton every couple of weeks.  His eyes were lit up like a kid on Christmas.  I am happy I witnessed it, because it gave me a sense that I was right - winning is good, being a champ is awesome, but the relationships, and lessons along the way are more important.  

Also of note....I have been in a lot of high schools.  Between my own high school years, my kids sports careers, and my bus driving career, but I had never been inside of Topeka High before.  I have driven by dozens of times - it is the school on 10th street that looks like a castle.  I have always sort of wanted to go inside, and so that was fun.  The school is pretty nicely designed, decorated with amazing art done by the students, has nice facilities, and feels like it has a pretty rich history in Topeka.  Their school victory chant of Hoy Hoy Mighty Troy is a little weird, but I guess I shouldn't judge coming from a place where a lightning bolt is the school mascot!  I absolutely loved the auditorium!  It was pink!  A lovely shade, I might add!  And the chandeliers - awesome!  I tried to take a picture, without looking like a total geek or weirdo!  This is as good as I got, and it just doesn't do it justice. (Also happens to be the only photo I got of Jim's mom and Uncle Gary!)

One other thing I really enjoyed was getting to watch some old video footage from the football team -  the advances in safety equipment are startlingly apparent!    

I am glad we were able to attend this event.  I know it was a special night for Uncle Ray, but it was pretty good for us as well.  

And now, TGIF!  The weekend is looking a little busy, but still offers some time to get a few things done.  I am crossing my fingers that we are afforded a little bit of time to relax, as this week has been long and tedious.  

 

Weekend of the longest, weirdest week

Last week, we were trying to get our selves back in order after the blizzard that hit last weekend.  It was one of the weirdest weeks I have had in a long time.  

Jim and I had Monday off because the state closed down in order for the road crews to open the roads back up.  Our neighbor bladed our driveway for us, and we were able to get to work on Tuesday.  I had no issues, but Jim slid off the end of our driveway into the ditch.  We tried to dig him out, but when I sunk to my bits in the snow, I came out spitting mad, and proclaimed my hatred of winter, of cold, of snow and of pretty much everything else, and we called Jagger to pull him out.  

We were to return to school and bus driving from the break on Wednesday, but we had a snow day instead.  When I tell you my days are extremely messed up in my head, I am serious about it.  

Thursday, we had school.  I had no issues driving the kids to school.  Nor any issues driving them home from school. And then I got home.  As I went to turn into our driveway, somehow I slid sideways and sunk the back end of the bus into the ditch.  I tried to rock out.  Nope.  I called my boss, who told me just go ahead and call Jagger.  Sigh.  When I tell you I did not want to call him 2 days in a row- but….I also couldn’t stay stuck until spring!   Luckily for me, Jagger is one heck of a good guy, and also knows when to give you crap, and when to shut his mouth.   He told me it would be at least an hour, maybe longer because he wasn’t at home when I called.  I said fine - what choice do I have but to wait?   But then my neighbor happened to stop- he said he thought he could pull me out.  And he was successful.  So I called Jagger back and told him never mind.  I then decided I should drive around the mile and come in from the other side of the driveway.  As I am pulling in for the 2nd time, I slid sideways and ended up right back in the same ditch, but facing the other direction this time.   When I tell you that I said a few choice words….. 

I called Jagger back and said well old buddy what are you up to now? Fortunately while I had him on speaker, I was able to drive out of the mess and I then resigned myself to parking the bus at the school.   Thursday night, we had an additional 4-5 inches of snow, and so we had a snow day again on Friday.  It was pure insanity.  And we can now just go ahead and do spring.  I am completely done with winter weather.  

Madison sent some photos of the girls on their snow days.  They had fun! 

The girls got taken out for dinner, as Andrew is gone this week for training.  He took them out before he left!

This afternoon, the girls came over for spaghetti and meatballs (an Evelyn request).  We had fun playing with them.  We hadn’t seen them for quite a few days due to the weather!  One more reason to hate winter.  

Evie wanted to build a snowman. Luckily for her, aunt Mal was willing!  He turned out pretty cute!  

While they were building the snowman, Daisy found herself rolling in poop. She had to take a bath, and her punishment was giving pony rides.  She actually seemed happy about it.  

Last year, Jim got a 70’s tv show puzzle.  We spent days and days putting it together, only to find it was missing a piece.  This year, he got an 80’s tv show puzzle.  We have been working on it.  I am hoping to have better luck this year.  Wrenley was all about helping us.  And she wants it on record that if a piece is missing this time, it is the cat’s fault. 

I had a little craft idea.   I found this cute little tree on the Christmas clearance at dollar general.  It was 75% off, so I got it for 1.25.  I got some valentine foil stickers and made some ornaments.  Total project cost $4.25.  I am still making the ornaments, but I like the vibe.  Ignore the Christmas platter it is sitting on - I am using it to be able to easily maneuver it while I work.  Cause sometimes I relax in weird ways I guess.  I also enjoyed hanging with Jim and the girls, and had a nice call from Preston. I do love me a weekend.  And now, 

I am extremely sad to see the weekend end.  It was pretty relaxing, but we still managed to get some stuff done.  I wish I could say the roads are clear.  They aren’t.  I wish I could say we have another day.  We don’t.  Suck it up and face it I guess.  Only real choice we have right? 

 

un dia mas

Well, today was supposed to be the first day back from break.  BUUUTTTTTTT......apparently all the roads, parking lots and sidewalks were not cleared of the crazy amounts of snow we received, so the kids got a little bonus un dia mas (one more day).  

Yesterday, Quincy, Harper and Saige all had dental appointments.  When they were done, I told them to stop by my office and we would meet Jim and eat at the bar.  As we were done eating and leaving, I witnessed Harper shaking her fist at some dripping water and say "stop melting!"  She wanted this extra day.  Although, I am not sure that any of us are ever ready for any break to end!  I think I better make the girls work really hard today, so they will be excited to go back to school for some rest!  :) 

 

If you told me 20 years ago that I would not only own a little tiny dog, but also that I would be buying him little sweaters, and dressing him to go out in the cold, I would have laughed at you.  If you had told me that I would hear my husband asking the little dog if he would like a few more sweaters, since he had been wearing the current one for several days, I would have not only laughed but would have lost a lot of money betting against that ever happening!  Carlos truly hates the cold though.  I literally have to pick him up, and shove him out the door.  He has been peeing on the front porch!  Half the time he comes inside and shivers for half an hour, dramatically lays on the vent, or buries himself in blankets..  I feel bad for him, but there is nothing I can do except insist that he goes out to use the bathroom.  He has been pooping in the laundry room - not because I let him, but because he is a little jerk, who knows better, but doesn't care.  Truly, he is a tiny ball of spoiled rotten.  But how can you be mad, I hate the cold too!  

I finally got one flower on my Christmas cactus - one!  There were more blooms, but they got knocked off accidentally (not by me).  I am enjoying the one flower and taking it as a huge success in my ability to raise a succulent!  

Both of the little Christmas cypress trees I got this year - I don't know where I will eventually plant them outside, but I have been enjoying their cuteness!  Obviously they are different types of cypress.  I need to do a little more research on this subject, but I think the grinch tree (lighter green) is the type of cypress that grow in the swamps in Louisiana.  

This guy - the reason we had to call Jagger yesterday.  He got his truck stuck - in the same place I got stuck in the bus last year - at the end of the driveway.  He said "I don't know how it happened!"  I said I do! Been there done that!  Would it really be January if we didn't have to call up "uncle Jagger?"  I should have taken pictures, but I was too cold!  

Which brings me to this:  things I would rather be doing than cold, snow, shoveling, stuck vehicles, frozen water dishes, extra work, plugging in buses, and whatever else January has in store for me.

Rattlesnakes.  Yes, I know - people hate them, but when you see them, by gosh, it is not cold outside! 

Hauling water to flowers - because hauling water is better than breaking ice!

Having poolside afternoons with my grandkids.  Or basically doing anything with the grandkids that doesn't involve making snowmen!  :)  

County fairs - even with the sweat dripping into crevasses you didn't know you had, it is preferable to the cold!  

Getting farm fresh eggs and vegetables.  I miss them the most! 

Parades, and fireworks.  Definitely preferable. 

Popsicles and rock candy - taste better in the summer time!

Softball evenings, sun on your face, shorts and flip flops, nachos in your hand, daylight until 9 or after.....I miss you summer!  Hurry back!

 

Just because - I’m on a roll

Day 3 of being home due to weather.  Day 3 of absolute productivity and projects getting done.  And also day 3 of being completely pooped at the end of the day!

Madison is also pooped - from keeping the girls in snacks!   If you know, you know!

Funny how different things look when the sun shines.  I despise winter.  I loathe being cold.  But even I could appreciate the beauty of the sun shining through the ice, making everything seem bright and sparkly! 

Of course my moment of appreciation lasted exactly one moment, and then Harper, Saige and I had to tackle adding more bedding, defrosting more water containers than I can count, carrying buckets into the house, defrosting them in the bathtub, and then returning to the barn so things could have drinks.  Adjusting heat lamps, trying to make sure the critters had at least a small amount of comfort in the freezing cold. 

Jim started and scraped off the vehicles.  He and I will have to go to work tomorrow.  The girls all have dental appointments, which Quincy is going to take them to, and then she has to go on to work.  Year end taxes and paperwork cannot wait, and my house party is over I’m afraid. 

I know right now they are cautioning people about wild birds, and advising you not to feed them due to not wanting to attract them due to bird flu.   I just can’t not put feed out for them.  They are hungry, it is cold, and everything outside is covered in a literal foot of snow.  It is cruel to have something for them to eat and not give it to them I feel like.  Plus, they have sort of come to expect it.  They hang around the deck.  They sort of feel like friends.  I don’t want to let my friends down.  And the red headed woodpecker - he might turn on me.  You can’t trust him not to peck the house if his belly is empty!

I begged the girls to stand in one of the snow drifts.  They refused. Harper did reluctantly agree to let me take a picture in front of one of the drifts - hard to get a grasp on how much snow there is out there!   Some of the drifts are waist deep!   

Jim and I were having a conversation about whether we should try to shovel some of the snow, when the dogs started barking. They were freaking out because our neighbor boy, Brandon drove in with his tractor and blade.  He worked pretty hard getting the driveway cleared out, and moved the enormous drift that was In front of the bus.   Break is supposed to end on Wednesday.  I was elated and relieved that he showed up here and helped us out!  Casey’s gift cards in his future for sure.  

In other news, I officially finished painting the Preston/guest room, except for a couple areas I am patching.  Jim and the girls helped me disassemble the (extremely large, heavy and unnecessarily difficult) loft bed and got it carried out of there.  Tomorrow afternoon I will shampoo the carpet and then wait until I can get together with Grace to get the area rug.  The pieces are coming together, and I am so happy the prospects are nearing completion.  I have more projects in the near future, but nothing quite as lofty as the goals I set for this weekend.  I might actually be looking forward to going in to work - where I can sit down for a while.