We Do Live in Michigan...

Apparently we can't go to school if there is three inches of snow on the ground.

As a result, I finish school on Monday, June 9 instead of Friday, June 6.

So much for the planned trip with the in-laws that weekend.

Accomplishments

What I Did Over Mid-Winter Break:

• Read two books that I did not have time to read.
  
• Visited my parents in Las Vegas.
  
• Ran in 60 degree weather three days.
• Ran in 35 degree weather another day.
  
• Made pasties. The crust just doesn't turn out right without mom, though.
• Played "Diego Blocks" with Lucas.
• Enjoyed my first round of golf in quite some time with Mom in Vegas. I could actually hit the ball!
  
• Lost. The casinos didn't like me this trip. Don't worry, it was a reasonable amount of money.
• Washed the smoke smell out of all my clothes from the trip. While the casinos and Mom and Dad were equally at fault, I still can't believe I smelled that way for 18 years. (Sorry, it had to be said.)
• Observed people waiting at the airport. I don't think my observations will work for the paper I have to write.
  
• Stayed current with my weekly cleaning.
  
• Saw 'Definitely, Maybe' with my mom. Good movie.
  
• Hung out with Robin. That included picking paint colors for the basement and meeting her niece!
  
• Admired my dad's new motorcycle. And his new truck.
  
• Ate at Applebee's three times.
• Stayed at the Mirage for a night.
  

What I Did Not Do Over Mid-Winter Break:

• Shovel snow. :)
• Clean the office.
• Grade papers... yet.
  
• Paint the basement.
• Go in to my classroom to clean up.
  

(I am happy with my use of time. It's bugging me that I put periods at the end of so many sentence fragments, though.)

Contagious

He has this type of enthusiasm for just about everything. Pickles, dishwashing, brushing teeth, laundry, the computer... he's really only missing enthusiasm when it comes to using the potty!

Two Years

We've been in the house two years now. Major projects this year included:

• Paving the front walk with brick
• Replacing the bathroom floor and vanity
• Painting the rest of the main floor
• Finishing the cabinets
• New lights in some areas
• Shrubs & minor landscaping out front
• New banisters
• Getting some pictures up
• (Almost) getting the office cleaned
• Drywalling the basement

This list is not as impressive as last year! There were some major projects, but overall we were kind of slackers. This upcoming year should be a lot more productive with new floors, painting and carpeting the basement, finishing the office, and landscaping the backyard. Oh! I really need to get pictures up on more of the blank walls as well.

This gets a bit ridiculous....

I'm all for a day off of work, but at this point the snow days are seriously interrupting my ability to get anything taught. Why are we the only district in Wayne or Washtenaw county that is closed?

We're at the point that we'll be making up days in June. Lovely.

And if they're going to close school, it should really be done before I'm up and showered. I guess I'll be productive this morning and take a nap later.

New Babies & Challenges

Several friends have new babies that I have enjoyed seeing on their blogs. They are all girls!

Kalli is Jamie & Tyler's daughter in California
Ellie is Zak & Molly's daughter in Illinois
Alexandra is Wes and Michele's daughter here in Ann Arbor. Michele has also recently begun chemo for breast cancer. She and her extended family would appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

Here is a link to Amie's young daughter, Sadie, too, even though it is late. (I also think you're the only one reading my blog, Amie!)

...and a Happy New Year!

New Year's Day I had a post in mind... and then I was very productive this month! During the winter vacation, I had a long list of things to do around the house, and since then I have been trying to keep up with teaching and taking two master's classes. I have been really good about getting work done and not procrastinating, thus no new posts. I am bummed because I didn't get anything posted in January. Oh well.

The new year started off wonderfully. We have a semi-annual tradition of going out to Dave's cousin's house in rural Illinois. They have 300+ acres on a plot that reminds me of my grandparents' farm in the U.P. (the driveway has the exact same twists and turns). Every time we go out there, we race big wheels in circles (they've been modified to fit adults), play MarioKart, eat White Castle, watch movies, play with their kids (2 daughters- 3 years and 13 months), etc. We were lucky enough this year that it snowed, and snowed, and snowed, so we were able to sled as well. They have the greatest sledding hill right off the back of their house. We were out sledding in the snow until 11:30 at night, then came inside and I was playing Dr. Mario on an original Nintendo for the new year. Fun.

The beginning of February has started out very positively for me as well. We have a snow day today! I have the chance to get tons of grading and work for my classes done today. I couldn't sleep after the phone call came this morning, so I've been up since 6:00 grading papers and will take a nap (!) later.