Chops

Doug and I have a wine bar that we loved to visit in Fort Wayne called Chops.  Tonight we sat in my favorite spot at the counter overlooking the chefs preparing the food.  I find it interesting watching them cook.  Each pan was heated in the stone oven before the food was prepared.  Hamburgers are one of their specialities and they made a lot of them.  From adding the spices to cutting the speciality cheese it is a busy kitchen full of activity.

Doug loves their risotto.  It is also a speciality and changes every week.  Tonight's featured blue cheese so I passed on trying it and instead tried the free range chicken with waffles.  It was spicy and sweet and I really liked it.  Another one of our favorites is asparagus and fried egg.  Much like the chicken and waffles I would have never thought of asparagus with egg, but it really works and we find it delicious.

Chops has wine flights that feature three small glasses of wine to try.  Doug likes trying a different three every time we go.  I, on the other hand, prefer to stick with the same three.  Normally we have dessert, but Doug wanted to try Joe's on the way home.  It was closed by the time we got there, so I think we will forget that idea for the next time.

Deep River Water Park

Today was Meg's turn to enjoy her PBIS reward trip.  Students with no write-ups or who served community service to "buy back" their write-ups were invited to go to Deep River Water Park.  I had offered to help chaperone the trip as several of the 8th grade teachers wanted to stay back.

Once again I had a great time as did Meg.  She hung out with Graham, Jacob, Jared, Preston and Clayton most of the day.  One of her teacher's tried to talk her into going down the Dragon body slide.  She told him that I wouldn't let her, so he called both of us wimps.

I walked around with Paula most of the day.  It was great talking to her.  This week was rough for her with Memorial Day and the twenty seven year anniversary of her high school sweetheart's tragic car accident.  We had a lot to discuss while we were walking.  We enjoyed watching our students as well.  Several had never been to the water park.  One screamed and jumped around all day long.

We were back in Milford by dinner time.  Both Meg and I got some sun and were worn out from the day.  It is times like these that I really appreciate teaching at Milford.  I was able to be a part of the my own children's experiences and still be a teacher.

Roller Skating

Today Mrs. Sweatland and I switched morning classes.  Cam's class had their PBIS roller skating party and I wanted to go along.  She suggested switching classes, so I wouldn't have to take a personal day.  Cindy agreed to it with the disclaimer that  I would be in charge of nineteen third graders on roller skates and I may want to rethink the trade!!

I had a blast with Cameron's class, even though there were a lot of shoes to be tied, collisions, light up pacifers and Mountain Dew drank.  Cam was one of the first to fall, but after some practice on the carpet he was right back out there.  He hugged the railing for the first few trips around, but then made it all by himself for the final two laps.  He and his friends had a lot of fun and I was thrilled to have been a part of it.  Third grade is a fun year and Cameron has had a wonderful experience.

Next Year

I met with Cindy and Ryan today about next year.  They have an idea that might work and would allow me to change to full time.  I spent a lot of time looking into it today.  After researching it, I would definitely be interested.  I believe I could do what they are asking me to do.  I have a few questions, however, that would have to be asked before I would agree to it.  The best part for me about the meeting was that I realize that they do value me as a teacher.

Tomorrow

Today was one of those days that looked like it would turn out great, but it just didn't.  Sometimes it is best to just say, "I'm moving on.  Tomorrow is another day."  Thus, that is what we will do today.

Memorial Day

Today was a beautiful, yet busy Memorial Day.  We started the day at the Milford parade.  Meg and her bandmates marched and played "God Bless America."  Cam was the big winner of the day as the FFA float, which included Cade, kept raining candy on him as they passed by.

After the parade we attended the Memorial Day service at the Milford cemetery.  The speaker was a World War II veteran and his words resonated with me.  I thought of Paw Paw and his service to our country.  Much as this man, his experience in the war changed his entire outlook on life.  Paula was there with Gabrielle and Alex to pay respect to their father.  It touched all three of us as we left, seeing the girls face strewn with tears.  It is hard to imagine the pain they must feel every day because of Todd's loss. A national holiday can never truly honor the fallen heros of our country, but it is a start.

The rest of the day was spent at home.  Doug was able to finish his garden and take Cam and Meg to play tennis.  Cal still wasn't feeling that great, but did manage to play golf with Cameron Adams and Dominic.  I started staining the picnic table and glider that Paw Paw made.  Doug finished it for me as he definitely paints a lot quicker than I do.

Brett had a big day.  He worked this morning and has put in about 15 hours since he started Friday.  He feels a lot better about the job.  At first he was a little overwhelmed with the new responsibilities, but is really starting to catch on.  Tonight he went to Goshen for a cookout with his new employer.  He said he had a wonderful time.

We ended the evening by grilling out and then having a bonfire.  It was a fun way to end a beautiful weekend.  I still feel as though there is a lot to do, but we sure made headway and had fun as well this holiday.

Rough Day

Cal seems to be on the mend from a rough day yesterday.  He woke up Saturday morning with what now appears to be a sinus infection.  He felt absolutely awful.  We tried Benadryl and Ibuprofen, but it just wasn't enough.  He threw up most of the day and throughout the NLC tournament.

God love him for sticking it out and finishing the round.  He would hit a shot and then bend over waiting for the next one.  There were a couple of bright spots as he birdied the first and tenth hole, but overall he finished the day with a 92.  Not what he was hoping for, especially since that score put them in last place in the NLC.

Doug and I both believe that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but it sure is hard to know how much he has worked this season only to have this happen.  That is the story of golf, however.  Good days and bad days all abound.  One errant shot or a bad hop can easily end a career round.  The nice part about the sport is that there is always another day.

Today Cal was back at it, practicing with his Grandpa and then later with his friends.  He is taking an antibiotic and started on allergy medicine.  Don't know how it will be for Tuesday's Bob Turner Classic at Tippy County Club.  The end goal now is to get ready for sectionals.