This morning, I was sitting in the bathroom 4 times before 10am, each trip a little more urgent than the last.
Musta been something I ate  

And then a shower, which also cleaned my sinuses.

Leaving the bathroom with my head held high cuz my hair was wrapped in a towel, I decided that was the best I had felt in 24 hours.

And now I must get done some household chores.

Even when I’m an at home wife, I still wish for a maid.

~~love and Huggs, Diane

Those other shirts were made of good quality materials, and did not need steam to unwrinkle nicely.
He wore them out, literally.  Frayed cuffs, buttons hanging loose.  I did my best mending to keep them going, and he searched all over the place for updates. The company had discontinued that style.

Finally, he bought several shirts at a big box store. These are okay, but they really need steam to keep them looking nice for the job behind a desk.

Before Christmas, I went looking for an iron. I was not satisfied with any I saw in stores where I usually shop, so I went hunting by online descriptions.  For some items, I would prefer to have and to hold what I want, just to make sure it’s worth my hard-earned money.
Then I worked with a group from church who gathered for an evening to be sewing tote bags for the Relief Sale.

There was an iron there like no other I have ever seen! and its owner raves about using it for all her sewing and quilting projects.

Today, I finally went out and bought a new steam iron. At a store which I enter only when online tells me it is the only store in the county which has what I want.

ROWENTA Focus, which is sold at Amazon, but I didn’t do a link because let me tell ya, the advertisements finding my Inbox are too many already  It is made in Germany, with a warranty.

I think I will like it.  It took some long looking to just get it out of the box, and then I started reading the directions.  Twice in different paragraphs, it says to use Spring Water, Never 100% distilled water, to make the steam.  This is a complete turnaround from what I learned in high school Home Ec class.

While I was at it, I bought a new ironing board.  The wobbly one which I’ve been using was bought at a Yard Sale when we lived in Tennessee, but we’ve lived almost 27 years in this house on the prairie, so I’d say that a new ironing board is fine.

Where I stopped shopping was a padded cover.
I’ll use the one that came with it awhile.

Some folks might think I’m nuts for spending $100 on a Saturday afternoon because I am a woman old-fashioned enough to iron clothes. Especially when my new dryer has a buzzer to tell me to take clothes out as soon as the cycle ends.

Different activities considered important.

~~love and Huggs, Diane

This week the lessons have centered on the birthday of children’s books author Dr. Seuss.  On the side table is a pile of Seuss books.  The teacher explained that awhile back, she was visiting a local public library and those titles had been updated to newer editions, and that heap was next to the dumpster!
Lovely wunnerfully nice books, with strong library bindings, abandoned and alone.

So of course, being an elementary school teacher who knows that any opportunity to open a child’s mind should never be passed over, she tossed 27 Dr. Seuss books into her car, and allows her First Graders to have free reading time.

The morning would be devoted to Learning Centers, which is an educational concept coming into vogue towards the end of my employment at the daycare center.  Every 15 minutes, the students change places and lessons to be learned. And we wonder why a long attention span is hard to see in older students.

My task would be to read aloud a book.  I got to choose which one of the Dr. Seuss books I wanted to read for 5 different groups.  I found I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew close to the middle.  The teacher seemed pleased, and said one of the students would be quite happy to finally hear a grown-up read it because he has chosen it on his own to look at every day this week.

It’s one I did not know about before, but after reading it 5 times in one morning, I can say YES, it is one of his best.
I looked up that edition/ used condition online, and see that current price is $27.95, although there is a newer version, with glossy pages and a little more pink in the ink.
The customer reviews are glowing, especially from college students who have been assigned reading in class.

Then I went with the class to help supervise PE, getting a drink of water, then they went to music class down in the basement.  I was free to leave at almost lunch time.
I stopped at McDs on the way home for a burger. Bringing it home and inside, the smell woke up the cats, who are 2 of the biggest moochers around.  I gave away almost 1/3 of the meat before I got a bite my own self

Yeah, I got out of the house in a good way, the cats seem to be fine, if sleeping on aphgans next to sunny windows is any indication.
Still, I’m glad today is Friday, a free weekend.

~~love and Huggs, Diane

Husband pointed me to a fine blog about someone who is eating a school lunch every working day this year.
Fed Up with School Lunch

and then I clicked on someone’s comment there, and found

Mr. Ferguson’s classroom about a teacher in Japan

who gives a little perspective from over the sea

Gotta love the InterWeb

~~love and Huggs, Diane

Mahalia girl kittycat is doing better.  After breakfast and her shot of insulin, she played with her glove in the living room, then had a nice morning nap.  After her Noon meal, she wanted to go out the front door.  I watched from the window. She sat on the top step and surveyed the area.  After a few minutes, I opened the door and asked if she wanted to come back in.
She looked over her shoulder, then back out across the yard, gave a little murmur of NO, then hopped over into the grass.
I watched through 2 different windows as she paced off a 3 corner territory, stopping to sniff at a bush where a stray yellow cat likes to sit to watch us.  The temp got up to over 40^o and the sunshine brings a hint of Spring.

A few minutes later, her paw was on the screen of the front window, so I answered the door to let her back in.  She went straight to her water dish, had a nice long drink, sat on the rug doing a little grooming, then settled in her chair for her afternoon nap.

I’m not sure I want to leave her alone to go to a Sub job!
I like knowing that she’s eating, and enjoying the yard during the day. And Spring Break is weeks off yet!

When I checked SubFinder this morning, there were a few jobs, all at the high school, and all names I don’t know.  Because I’m not familiar, I was not in the mood for an adventure.  Last time I tried that, I had to change diapers on a kid big enough to be playing football if he did not have problems. And only one other aide was willing to help with lifting, which is not teamwork.

The last school board meeting notes say that most Assistant jobs will be eliminated next year.  Fewer regular positions mean fewer Sub opportunities. Next question is “what will happen to all the students with disabilities?”

And what other job might give me the freedom to take time off to nurse my girl kittycat?

Now I’m getting myself into a darker mindset, so I should stop typing now.
I’ll go work on the peg loom with green and blue ombre yarn to make a baby hat.

Husband is on the treadmill. He’s so faithful.
I haven’t been on it for 4 days. Crochet is not nearly enough exercise, and my backside knows it.
~~love and Huggs, Diane

from fabric I found in a box in my hobby closet, the liner, and a little re-cycled pocket inside, all came from the same box, as if waiting for the best weekend to be used

the handles were a bought-on-Clearance fancy crochet cotton worked on the knitting nobby spool, then sewed in between the outer and inner fabrics
I’m such a packrat, but times like this, it pays off nicely

talk about being easy on the wallet, something old made new

but oh the ooo-ing and aaww-ing from the guest and parents at the party

I’m thinking the big sisters might like it even better than the baby.  He’s already starting out as “all Boy”

~~love and Huggs, Diane

So while we’re in the middle of all this merchandise, I suggest we might get something for Monday’s supper.  I took the day off to be able to carry Mahalia kittycat to the doctor (she’s doing fine, I’m a good nurse, we don’t go back until the end of May) so I knew I would have time to cook something.

Before I was even done with the sentence, my spouse looked all hopeful and softly said “Chicken Noodle?” as I knew he would.
I haven’t made it for 3 weeks, he must be having withdrawal symptoms by now.

So we went over to the poultry fridge and I found the Whole Chicken Cut-up package and put it into the cart.  He looks at the price and says a deli chicken already cooked would be less expensive, so I trot over to the end where I can see the little cart has its heat lamp burning.  However, there are no whole chickens on a busy Sunday evening, only crispy fried parts, which do not make good casserole innards.

Back to the fridge and put the Whole Chicken Cut-up package into the cart again.

This morning, I stripped the bed because I took the day off to be able to carry Mahalia kittycat to the doctor, and I knew I would have time to do the laundry.

When I went to the basement to sort and load, I found youngest son’s laundry hamper waiting.  He must have brought it by yesterday afternoon while I was at the Baby Adoption Party.

So I end up with 6 XL loads to put through the machines.  The dryer just buzzed for #4, but it’s only 2:30 in the afternoon, plenty of time to get the rest done.

The chicken got baked, picked off the bones, and chopped ready for the casserole. It waits under wrap in the fridge. Noodles, can of cream o chicken soup, and bread crumbs waiting on the counter beside the ceramic dish.  Pan full of water waiting on the stove, ready to be heated to boil the noodles.
All this because I actually asked the mister what he might want for supper on Monday.

Next laundry load just went into the dryer, last load altogether went into the washer.  No way could I have done 6 loads of laundry in one day if I had worked TA Sub hours, but I took the day off to be able to carry Mahalia kittycat to the doctor.

Putting the cat into the carrier, driving to the animal hospital, waiting room, check-up, discussion for treatment, paying bill, home again, was a total of 43 minutes time.

All the other chores got done because I took the day off to be able to carry Mahalia kittycat to the doctor.

And what a nice day it has been

~~love and Huggs, Diane

~~love and Huggs, Diane

We got through the morning routine of my medicine, and her medicines, fill the critter bowls, then I gave Husband a smooch to send him on his way on his bicycle to his job.

I went out and cleared my car of the freezing rain that was covering it, then drove past the ISU dorms and crowds of students making their way to classes.

At McDs, the drive-thru lane had a long line of cars, so I decided to go inside and have my breakfast.

Not being with Husband, I felt off-kilter.  I ordered my usual meal, but forgot a newspaper.  McDs has the local paper for a quarter on the same bill.  I sat in a different seat than he and I do together, again because being there alone is unusual. There was a paper left on the next table, so I claimed it to at least read the front page.

Then I realized I had forgotten the cholula sauce.  A McDs sausage and egg biscuit is not quite ready until the hot sauce soaks in to join the grease on the bready part.

So I finished the hash browns, re-wrapped the sandwich, made sure the lid tight on my coffee, and came back home.

I found Mahalia in an odd position almost unconscious on the rug between the kitchen and living room.  I had to rub a bit of corn syrup on her tongue, lift her and rock her and keep talking to her until she rallied enough to eat a couple more spoonfuls of wet cat food.  I made her walk around a little to get her system to send insulin to all parts of her little body.

Good thing she goes in for a re-check in a little while.  I’m going to ask again about how much food at a time, how often to keep her levels in balance, and how much Total food she should have in a day.
And I will write down the answers because my hearing does not always connect correctly inside my brain.  Written notes can be referred to as often as I need to.

I had to re-heat my sausage and egg in the microwave, put it onto a cold biscuit, and drink lukewarm coffee.
Mahalia sat on a magazine about 10” from my plate until I gave in and let her nibble a marble size bit of egg.

So much for having a solitary and anticipated meal.

~~love and Huggs, Diane

At times when I had a TA Sub job in the building, I had heard announcements about play practice, but I also received a personal invitation from Caitlin, a girl at church.  I’ve known her since she was a babe in my arms in the Nursery, so of course I wrote the time and Admission fee in my planner book.  She has a wonderful scene where she gets to wear a long-blonde-hair wig.

It was also good to see so many of the staff of the building in a context other than classroom.  The guy running the sound board owns the music store where youngest son rents a room to give guitar lessons.
All this brings about a wonderful “small town” feel.  I guess I should know bunches of folks, we’ve lived together in this house almost 27 years.

I got 2 offers for a ride home, but the evening is lovely, the sidewalks still clear, I had my walking stick.  It felt good to move again after sitting on those uncomfortable chairs of the cafeteria.

I will ask for prayers for whoever was in the car accident at the corner of Locust and Main. I heard the sirens during the curtain call, and could see the flashing lights when I crossed College Avenue.
A guy in a neck brace loaded into ambulance, and a tow truck already on scene. Somebody must not have come to a full stop and looking before turning right. Carrunnch :(

If you live near Normal, go hand over $4 and see a bunch of junior high kids doing something good.

And be careful out there.  A body is fragile skin and bones.

~~love and Huggs, Diane

here’s the blurb blatantly copied from the school website Come out to support the Drama Club, the Stage Fighters, with their performances of “Shakespeare Unplugged” at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, February 19, and at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 20 in the KJHS cafeteria.  Tickets are $2 for students and $4 for the general public.  A portion of ticket sales will be donated to American Red Crass/Haiti.  You won’t want to miss their second performance of the year, because the first one in the fall was outstanding!