This was the first 5 day week we have had this year. It was an easy start, 3 days then 4 and then the full 5 days. OK we made it through.

What is making things more difficult this year?? Let me see, as I said they District changed the computer program we document everything with, and that isn't working as planned. Thankfully it can be made to do what we need, it is just getting everything fixed. I have been trying to generate a report for each teacher with a list of health care concerns they have in their class. I can get the list, but the horizontal lines are so heavy that the list can not be read. Little things like that...

I have had more ill students this first 3 weeks. It is concerning to me as I don't want to get sick, and I don't want them sick either. I know, you can't have everything.

Last but not least, we lost one of the office personnel and there is no plan to replace her. Soooo guess who is helping fill that position and getting that work done?? Yup, me... I am so busy that the day is gone before I know it. I love it this way!!

Then I get home and want to die!!!! but there is dinner and all those other home type chores. G-pa is a wonderful help there. He says that since I work outside the home and he is retired, he will do the mopping, vacuuming dishes and so on. During the week I don't argue with him at all. I appreciate him so much. Of course Branden could pitch in and help, but that won't happen. Billy is in school so he isn't home during the day to help G-pa. (My favorite gritch at this time!!)

Now you have a better idea why I have not been around the stream. I might drown!!!! You know fall in face first and never be seen again... Oh silly!!!

We have now gotten through all the funerals and memorials that we had to attend. It was hard on G-pa knowing that now he only has 2 living sisters. In the beginning there were 10, 5 boys and 5 girls. They are now at 4 boys and 2 girls. In my family there were 3 2 girls and our brother, the baby. Now there are only the 2 girls. This year has been a hard one in that sense, but knowing they are with our Lord helps a lot.

Our new church has a "Have & Need" spot on their website. I have lots of yarn and there was a need for yarn. I donated a good postion. We needed at queen size frame for Billys bed. Someone was needing to get rid of one. It is a wonderful idea..

OK, better get back to the laundry, it sure won't jump in the dryer or fold itself.

Hugs all around,
Granny Cheryl

Posted at 5:47 PM PDT

A long time ago I gave my best friend a recipe for a chocolate Zucchini Bread or cake. It is hard to remember. Now, I have her new and improved version. Yummy is all I can say. It even got Billy out of his bedroom while it was baking.

CHOCOLATE ZUCCINI BREAD

2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 cup + 1 tablespoon oil
1/3 cups cocoa
1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 teaspoons vanilla
3 cups flour
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
1 tablespoon salt
3 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups grated zucchini

Mix and pour into greased and floured pans. Bake 350*F for 1 hour. Makes 2 loaves.

To make it even better change the oil to mayonnaise. It makes it real moist. Also the raisins can be changed for huckleberries, raspberries, blueberries, or cranberries. Sometimes try throwing in about a cup of nuts. A fun recipe.

I made two batches tonight. Now I am yelling at Billy because he wouldn't let it cool as asked before he cut into one of the loaves. Rotten kid...

OK Enjoy. Thanks Cis!!!

Hugs all around,
Granny Cheryl

Posted at 9:56PM PDT...

Today, Branden was gone so I spent a lot of time cleaning Branden's bedroom. The reason --- I was having trouble breathing when I even walked by the room. I stank like a real dirty ashtray. Branden is not allowed to smoke in the house so why??? I am a former smoker and I smoked a whole lot more than he is. I know that my house never smelled anything like that. I don't know what it is, or why, I just know I could not take it anymore! I cleaned, I vacuumed, I sprayed Febreze, I sprayed odor neutralizer, I did anything I could think of. I won! The room was clean and it smelled clean.

Tonight after he got home I went into his room to tell him something and he had thrown the "clean" clothes I had set on his bed on the floor along with several book he had from the library. I got upset! He told me, "Don't worry I will pick it all up in the morning." HA!!!!!!!!! I have heard that story so many times before.
I am not mad, I am just so hurt I could cry. But he could care less.

And so goes my life. Or should I say thanks for letting me blow.
Hugs all around,
Granny Cheryl

Posted at 8:43PM PDT

things are mellowing out. those first three days last week were just plain hectic!! This week was smoother. Not calm, but better. I think I am getting used to my new assignments and my new computer program. I hope.

Billy finally started school on Thursday. He was so happy. It turns out that his girlfriend is in 3 of his classes. Oh man is he happy!!! He claims they make a good team keeping each other on track. Oh how I hope!!!

Branden has become a slug. He does nothing and tries to stay up all night. That is just plain not allowed. He is in real deep doo doo right now. His staying up keeps me awake or it wakes up G-pa. If he isn't on the computer playing games, he wants to watch Anima cartoon programs all night. NO!!! I have already blown up quite a few times. Now he is on death row!!! He needs to get a job and be busy, or get financial aid and go to school, something!!!

Oh Well, life goes on. I was talking with two of the ladies from the new church we are attending. One is the Pastor's wife. This weekend there is a pot luck/ master cooking contest. The Pastor just happens to be one of the judges and a complete meat and potatoes type of guy. It is a celebration on how well the new building is coming along. the celebration is going to be held in the new building. We all have to bring our own chair though. It should be fun. I think I will make porcupine meatballs. Yummy.

OK, I am going to go fall over and relax. I am tired again tonight. Wonder why??? Sleep??

Hugs all around,
Granny Cheryl

Posted at 7:55PM PDT

Our first week at school was only three days long, but man were they a busy three days! I am now doing a bit of double duty as we don't have the third secretary in the office this year. I am getting little assignments extra that will help the office. Also the Principal asked me if I would be available to monitor the pick up line on Fridays. He said he would add 15 minutes each Friday and I could either get paid for that or take comp time. I took the comp time. That means I can run away when there is nothing to do during conference week. Yahoo.

Well I mailed the quilt away today. Now I wonder what kind of a project I can get into.. Tee Hee...

I know I am going to have a lot of fun harassing Miss Terri. Silly girl, why start a new one when you have one already??? what can I say??? I am glad she is up and running again.

Billy starts at his school on the 10th. I have never seen his so excited about school starting. Do you think it could have anything to do with being able to see his girlfriend??? I do. He is really under the gun. He has to do well in his classes or he is out. This is his last chance. He has to show by the quarter that he is really being a student or he looses. Then he won't be able to see her...

I FINALLY got it through to the core teacher and the SPED teacher that Billy has real reading problems. This problem is the main reason he does poorly. Of course he can pass the little quizzes they give him to prove if he can read or not. So he doesn't qualify for help. It is ridiculous!!!! Oh well, I can keep reading to him. He does great IF he hears it, but not if he has to read it to himself. He reads very slow and very deliberate. Then by the time he gets to the bottom of the page, he has no idea what he has read. Interesting..

OK, I am out of here for now.
Hugs all around,
Granny Cheryl

Posted at 5:28PM PDT