Thursday, August 15, 2024

LOL to surviving a potato famine on less than 500 calories or 2 crackers!

So much for using the betting approach I have used the last few years which was based on the predictions from the pink sheet. I lost $25 by the 5th race yesterday so I stopped betting. I'm going to have to develop a new method for next year - maybe the naughty horse one!

Very little sleep last night - I was worrying about all the work that has to be done for DD's wedding, then clearing out my house in the subsequent 11 days to get it ready for sale.

We are visiting a former work friend of DH's this morning, then going to Lake George to stay with friends tonight. Likely dinner out again.

I finally found out how much the insurance company is going to pay for the rodent damage to my car: $1500 after the $300 deductible! The claim adjuster said they have a lot of those claims especially in the area in which I live. I guess the mice are artists at getting into cars and damaging the wiring etc. Though I have had a loaner car, I will be glad to have my own back on Monday. And now it won't smell wonky anymore (there apparently was a dead mouse in the air cabin filter - yuck)!

Have a thoughtful Thursday!

Kirby has slammed headlong into teenagerdom. The fierce barking at strangers that used to just sound like excitement now sounds and acts like he'll rip a head off, but he's still wiggly and rolls over for belly rubs when they get close. Definitely not interested in listening to my commands anymore. Feels like the hormones are now in charge. Current expert wisdom is to not neuter goldens until roughly two years old for joint issues and cancer prevention, but this week I'm not sure we can make it that long. I made it to 13 months with Fergus and his joints were great and no cancer. One day at a time. In the meantime, I really need to go back to basics with training and cut back on freedom.

Weight was down into the 180s for the first time in nearly a month. Hopefully I can get back on track! Back on track with eating, back on track with the dog, it's a theme...

Still feeling like I'm annoying my dad. My cousin made a similar comment about his reactions when he showed him video of his new house. I reassured him that it wasn't him, he just doesn't respond with the same enthusiasm anymore. Sometimes he does, but mostly it's not the same. And he vacillates between getting mad at the dog's behavior and saying he's really very good for 11 months. Anyway the criticism on that front and of other things involving me and the flatter affect or lack of enthusiasm makes me want to go home where I don't have to deal with either! I'll stick it out for a few more weeks.

Not much on the docket for today. The hvac guy is here servicing the boiler and a/c, but nothing else I have to do.

Hope everyone is well!

Do any of you have thoughts about these changes you are noting in your Dad? My Dad told me once when age started to catch up with him that you must can't cope with things on the same level as before, not enough energy for it. My Dad's the type who won't slow down though so he pushes past his current coping skills, and then we get outbursts from him.

I mentioned it to Claudia. At first i chalked it up to a lousy July with his stent infection followed by Covid. Now he's irritated that one of their boats is broken and it's been more than a week and it hasn't been fixed. And he gets tired faster. Today he was good. The dog sets him off a lot. It's like a transient crotchetiness we didn't have before. Something to keep an eye on, but other than moodiness, his health is good right now and his memory/mind is excellent.

If I had more news, I'd write longer posts. But every day here lately with us has been much the same (rain or mowing, errands in town, gin rummy, delicious breakfasts and dinners--but no lunches, laundry, declutterring, and 8 hours of good sleep. And it's deliciously peaceful.

I have no doubts about our mutual decision to sell our respective three-story homes and downsize to a condo. But I will certainly miss the peace and quiet and gorgeous country views out here in the countryside.

Oh ... I can share that I've figured out how to poach an egg in the microwave. Simply microwave a quarter cup of water in a Pyrex measuring cup or thick-walled cup until it's steaming but not boiling (that takes 30 seconds in my microwave), carefully break an egg into the water, pierce the egg yolk once with a toothpick, cover the cup with plastic wrap, and nuke the egg for 30 seconds. Voila! Because all microwaves aren't the same, the time required to steam the water and to nuke the egg may vary.

I will have to try this! I have an egg poaching pan, but it's a bit cumbersome, especially if I only need one egg.

I have similar feelings about selling my house. It is the right decision but I am really going to miss it.

At last you'll get your car back! Rodents of all kinds are a plague!!!

Another relaxing day. I got up, did a few things, went to workout, and now I'm on the porch with a book and a protein drink.

I decided not to do the training. I was tempted both by the extra cash, learning with a select group of co-workers about what I think could be a valuable initiative to help students. But in the end, with our department still in an upheaval, and unknowns about shifting job responsibilities in the face of a possible staffing shortage, I decided to be cautious about making additional commitments of time and energy.

As it is, I will be getting close to 50 hours of training this year on reading. Minnesota passed a law called the Read Act, and its a pretty rigorous push for more robust reading education and interventions. I had great success with a reading intervention for many years called Read 180. Probably the highlight of my career when I would have 9th graders come in reading at a 3rd grade level, and have them finish the program at or close to grade level in two years. Several of my reading students went onto 4 year colleges. I loved teaching it and having the same group of students two years in a row. Then my district decided to offer it in elementary, and said there would be no need for the high school program. Sigh. And yet I continue to have 9th graders who can't read. Anyhow, I am excited for this new reading push, and maybe I'll get to make a difference for some kids in my last year.

My weight is crazy stable. It typically doesn't fluctuate more than half a pound for weeks at a time! Still fighting to get a minimum acceptable level of protein. I think I'm hitting the goal more days than not.

What a difference you made in the futures of those kids! I hope you have that opportunity in your last year.

DD, that story about your and your students' learning successes seems to me to be THE BEST POST HERE EVAH!