Sept. 28th

Wow!  Where did this last week go?  It just whizzed by........

     The weather isn't all that great today.  We were hoping for a sunny, autumn day. so that we could go for a hike and maybe do some fishing on the last day of the fishing season!  But oh well....we'll have to see what the day brings!

Sunday afternoon

Hello there everyone,

     It's been a nice, relaxing weekend.  Dominic went for an overnight to the Longhini hunting camp.  He took Annie, our family dog, with him to do a little bird hunting.  Actually, he just walked in the door and said that he saw only one bird!  He didn't even get a shot off!  (That's good!)  However, he was able to cut the grass (probably for the last time this season) and do some work on his little bridge that leads to his deer blind.

    I have been busy.........I made another batch of antipasto with Diana.  She really wanted to learn how to make it, so I said "let's go for it."  So that was yesterday's afternoon task!  We did some "retail therapy" in the morning ( I only found one shirt) and Diana got a really cute suit!  Then we bought the veggies and other supplies and started making our antipasto at 2:30!!!   It only took us about 3 1/2 hours!  Whew!  Then a nice, hot sauna.........and we both fell into the chairs and watched the food channel on TV.....Total girl day!  HA!!!!

     Well....we're off to church in a little while....do take care......I'm thinking of you all....... XO

Antipasto evening....

Good Morning to all of you......

      Last night I went over to my friend's house right after school and we made a double batch of antipasto.....Yummmmmmmmmmmy!   It ONLY took us three and half hours.  Starting at 4:30, we worked very efficiently in Karen's kitchen.  We took a couple of breaks and sat on the back deck, enjoying the sunshine and the sand dunes!  So between the two of us, we ended up with 14 jars each............I know my antipasto lovers will be smiling when they read this blog.

       Well, I need to get myself ready for work.  Needless to say, I didn't correct any papers last night.....so I need to get my butt in gear!  Have a great day, everyone..........

Visiting in Minocqua................ Saturday!

Hey....everyone....
While we're waiting for Jerry to fire up the sauna, I'm showing Jenni how to access and do a blog. She wants to learn how to do this! So we are doing a "hands on lesson".......TTYL :-)

Jenni here. Sandi's learning some txt tlk. AISB, from moi. SO good to see youse guys on your Mom's blog site! We click only seconds after we see each other, and it's like we're back in Deertrack, in Marquette, in the early 70s. Jilli & Annie are outside in the cold, dim, damp backyard, romping in the grass, establishing their boundaries, and friendship. Jer and Dom are BSing back there, somewhere -- like always!

We love you kids!

TGIF.........

     Once again......another work week is done!  Whew!  This was a full week......and the kids were primed!  HA! We're having a "tailgating party" in our teacher's lounge this noon (in honor of all the football games going on this weekend), and so I baked and frosted the tradition Longhini treat.....carrot cake.  I have on my favorite football team shirt (Packers) and I'm anxious to see what all the other teachers will be wearing for this traditional spirit day..... :-)

     Dom and I are thinking about going to Minnocqua to visit the Tizianis for an overnight on Saturday.  It might be the only weekend we can agree on that both couples can get together.  We didn't make it to their house all summer long......so we're hitting the road tomorrow morning......after I get to sleep n a little bit!!!!  Annie will have a friend to play with there at their house......as they have a new dog.....named Jilly.  This ought to be an experience!

    The weather is cool and wet today.  Dom cut the grass yesterday, just before the rain came pouring down yesterday afternoon.    Needless to say, the lawn looks pretty good these days!

    Have a great day, everyone!  I have to get to work.......'thinking about all of you!

Tuesday........9/9

    My back is feeling much better, but I'm taking things slow.  I'm still not lifting any heavy objects yet, but I'm thinking about taking a yoga class.  We'll see.........

    The weather has been a lot cooler....it's definitely the autumn season that is upon us! The leaves are just now starting to turn colors.  'thinking about all of you!

     I need to grade some papers, so I'm signing off for tonight.....

Sunday......September 7th

Hey there......

      It's been quite the busy weekend!  On Saturday, I attended a funeral in the morning and a wedding in the afternoon..........quite the teary day!  My students' father passed away from complications from cancer....both Nicole and Jacob were in my class.....and they are just the sweetest kids!  Their mom has done an outstanding job, dealing with this terrible situation, and my thoughts & prayers are with her.  Dan was the most wonderful guy and a terrific father....too young to leave this world (44 yrs. old)....but I know he did the best he could to prepare his family......His death announcement was highlighted by the Irish Blessing printed on an insert at the funeral home.  It was so touching!

      In the afternoon, I went with Kirsti  to St. Peter's Cathedral for Shana's wedding (Ruth Murphey's daughter)....what a wonderful experience!  Ruth sang many of the songs during the mass and everything was picture perfect!  The wedding party had beautiful green dresses and all the girls carried hydrangea bouquets........Shana was gorgeous in her wedding gown.  At the end of the ceremony, the married couple was blessed traditionally AND with the Irish Blessing! Whew!!!!  two Irish Blessings in one day.........quite the day!

        Then in the evening, Kirsti, Cathy, and I went to the Vista Theater to see "Nunsense II in Las Vegas".........it was hilarious!   We laughed so hard!  It was too bad that they didn't have a great turn-out for audience numbers, since it was the last night of the performance.  BUT all five of the performers did an outstanding job of singing and doing their slapstick comedy routines.

        Today Dom and I went to the Copper Country.  We stopped by the cemetery to pick up the flower boxes......which STILL look great!  The lilac bush is doing super........and should do okay in the winter.  Maybe next year we might have a lilac blossom????

    Then we had a nice drive up to Copper Harbor and back down to Houghton for an Ambassador pizza!  :-)  YEsssssssss...............we had great weather, even though it rained for about 30 minutes......then the sun was back out!  And so......I need to shower and relax before I head to the bed.  I'm going to sleep tonight!  Tomorrow it's back to the salt mines...........

Happy Birthday, Kimberlee........

    I'm sitting here, drinking my coffee and thinking about Kim.  Today is her birthday and I am thinking happy thoughts for her. So......if you are reading this, Kim......HAPPY BIRTHDAY and have a great day!           XO     'love you  :-)

First Day of School......Whew!!!!

Hellllloooooooo everyone,

   It's still 78 degrees and so humid.  An approaching storm is coming in fast for the evening hours, with damaging winds and hail.  This afternoon it was 94 degrees and so hot at school, that the kids and I were just sweating!  As I was reading to the class, beads of perspiration were just dripping off my brow and temples!  AND.....I had the fan on and the windows open to get what little air I COULD manage to help the kids breathe!!!!

    I seem to have a pretty good class.....25 students in all....too early to tell what the behavior issues will be  and some of the academic challenges may prove to be quite tough to deal with this year.  Most of the students seem to be really low in reading, so I am going to spend most, IF not ALL of the afternoon, remediating reading and writing skills!  More later on this situation......

     Meanwhile, we had a wonderful weekend with the family.  We celebrated Kim's birthday on Saturday and Spencer's baptism was on Sunday.  Monday (Labor Day) was fishing day with Grandpa on the Escanaba River.  And yes, we hit the beach, rode on the jet boat, built sand castles, ate great food and ate some more, goodies and laughed at the kids!  Wait until you see the pictures.....Trina was snapping pictures, so she said that she will post them on her blog......

    Well, I'm going to shut down this laptop before the bad thunderstorm comes in....I don't want to have lightening strike this unit....All for now....love you guys!