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Tuesday, October 20, 2026

Tuesday, October 20

4:49 a.m. - I'm feeling better this morning.  Yesterday was rough.  I had some sort of stomach bug or had something to eat that didn't agree with me.  I was achy and couldn't get warm.  My stomach was gurgly, but it wasn't bad enough to feel like puking, nor did I have to use the restroom.  I almost didn't go to school, and then when I got there, I almost came home after a couple of hours.  I just kept drinking water and pretty much stayed hunkered down in my office.  I was able to get some things done even if I wasn't myself, and I never got sick or had to use the restroom.  I'm glad I didn't have any officiating last night, and I did come home and had a good salad along with some supper.  And then I went to bed early and had a good night's sleep.  I feel better this morning, so maybe I'm past it.  

So on to today.  I've got a few things to do, but no officiating again, which is nice.  I'm thinking perhaps I'll get a call from mom that she needs the other load of hay in the barn, so I'll wait to see on that.  We also got news yesterday that Sophie the granddog is doing better, so that's good news.  It's nice to have a quiet, simple Tuesday morning.  I know I'm getting older, but I like quiet mornings to just jot down my thoughts, listen and watch the local news, and wake up peacefully.

OTHER THINGS

  • Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
  • Dec. 1 - 7:45 Hussain Moline
  • Dec. 4 - 7:50 Dr. Blew dentist appt.
  • Mar. 19-24 - trip to Kourtney in Florida

Fall Volleyball-Basketball 26 Schedule
10/20 - OPEN
10/21 - BLCOKED MENTORING MEETINGS - Take camper to Loud Thunder
10/22 - VVB at Rock Island - 5 p.m. Jim Hartshorn
    ride with Katy?
10/23 - BLOCKED
10/24 - VVB at EM Christian - 8 a.m., 9:30, 11 with James Hu
10/25 - BLOCKED
10/26 - OPEN
10/27 - OPEN
10/28 - JHGBK at MerCo - with Clint Gingerich
10/29-11/2 - BLOCKED HALLOWEEN WEEKEND
11/3 - OPEN
11/4 - OPEN
11/5 - OPEN
11/6 - OPEN
11/7 - at Sherrard JH 8 a.m. - 2 games 8 and 9:10
11/8 - SUNDAY
11/9 - BOE meeting
11/10 - OPEN
11/11 - OPEN
11/12 - OPEN
11/13 - at Monmouth girls scrimmage
11/14 - OPEN
11/15 - SUNDAY
11/16 - at Sherrard JH BKB - 5:30 p.m. - Gabby Suarez
11/17 - at AlWood VGBK - 6 p.m. (I think) - Marcus, Tony
11/18 - OPEN
11/19 - at Sherrard JH BKB - 5:00 p.m. - Gabby Suarez
11/20 - at Monmouth boys scrimmage
11/21 - at Galesburg 6 p.m - Tony, Kraig
11/22 - SUNDAY
11/23 - BLOCKED - Marotta interview
11/24 - at MerCo 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
11/25 - at Wethersfield 2 p.m. - Marcus, Tony; at Orion 7 p.m. - Josh, Tony
11/26 - THANKSGIVING
11/27 - at Wethersfield 3:30 p.m. - Robbie, Tony; at Orion 7 p.m. - Josh, Tony
11/28 - at Galesburg 2:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony; at Orion 5:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
11/29 - SUNDAY
11/30 - BLOCKED - night off
12/1 - at Wethersfield 5:30 - Marcus, Tony
12/2 - at United 6 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
12/3 - at MerCo 5:30 - Tony, Teel
12/4 - at Erie - 7 p.m. - Marcus, Dan Howard
12/5 - at Erie F/S 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. - Marcus and Michael Parsons
12/6 - SUNDAY
12/7 - at Sherrard 5:30 - Tony, Teel
12/8 - at Erie 7 p.m. - Berlin, Howard
12/9 - at United 6 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
12/10 - BLOCKED - night off
12/11 - at MonRose 5:30 - Marcus, Tony
12/12 - at ATown 11:30; at United 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
12/13 - SUNDAY
12/14 - BOE Meeting
12/15 - at Wethersfield 5:30 - Tony, Marcus
12/16 - BLOCKED - XMAS PROGRAM
12/17 - at United 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
12/18 - at Sherrard 5:30 , Tony, Hu
12/19 - at ATown 2 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
12/20 - 12/27 - BLOCKED - Christmas
12/28 - at Erie Warkins   5:30 - Josh, Tony
12/29 - at Erie Warkins  5:30 - Josh, Tony
12/30 - OPEN
12/31-1/2 - BLOCKED - New Year's
1/3 - SUNDAY
1/4 - at Riverdale 5:30 - Tony,Teel
1/5 - at West Central 6 p.m. - Tony, TBA
1/6 - OPEN
1/7 - at ROWVA 6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
1/8 - at Knoxville 6 p.m - Tony, Marcus
1/9 - OPEN
1/10 - SUNDAY
1/11 - at Sherrard 5:30 p.m. -  Tony, Josh
1/12 - at MerCo 5:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
1/13 - at West Central 6 p.m. - Tony, TBA
1/14 - BLOCKED - NIGHT OFF
1/15 - at ATown 6 p.m. - Tony, Robert McGinnes
1/16 - at Cuba 3:30 p.m. - Tony, Eric Geiger
1/17 - SUNDAY
1/18 - MLK Day - BLOCKED - NIGHT OFF
1/19 - at Mercer County 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Scott Verstraete
1/20 - at AlWood    6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
1/21 - at Riverdale 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
1/22 - at ROWVA 6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
1/23 - at Fulton noon - Robbie, Tad
1/24 - SUNDAY
1/25 - at IESA/Rockridge - 6 p.m. ???
1/26 - at Riverdale - 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Brad Steinhagen
1/27 - at MonRose - 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Matt DeSutter
1/28 - OPEN
1/29 - OPEN
1/30 - OPEN
1/31 - SUNDAY
2/1 - IESA BOYS SECTIONAL 6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/2 - at West Central - 6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/3 - BLOCKED - NIGHT OFF
2/4 - at Rockridge - 5:30 - Tony, Verstraete
2/5 - at Princeton - 7 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/6 - at Rockridge - 1 p.m. - Tony, Verstraete
2/7 - SUNDAY
2/8 - BLOCKED - BOE Meeting
2/9 - Erie 7 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
2/10 - OPEN
2/11 - OPEN
2/12 - OPEN
2/13 - IHSA Girls Regionals Begin
    - ROWVA boys LTC 1 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/14 - SUNDAY
2/15 - ROWVA boys LTC 6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/16 - OPEN
2/17 - OPEN
2/18 - OPEN
2/19 - at MonRose - 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/20 - OPEN
2/21 - SUNDAY
2/22 - IHSA Boys Regionals Begin














Monday, October 19, 2026

Monday, October 19

4:59 a.m. - Yesterday was eventful.  I got up early event though I didn't need to - I guess for no reason except that I'm old, and that's what I do.  In the morning, I ventured over to Loud Thunder to scout out a campsite for the upcoming weekend, and then I headed to Muscatine to do some shopping.  I spent more money than I expected at Farm-n-Fleet, but that's not uncommon.  After getting back home I went to work on the hot tub, and Amber headed to Shivers and Shakes.  I didnt' thing I was going to get the hot tub done, but eventually I got it filled and hooked up, and it's currently heating.  I watched the Bears win too.  And then something really weird happened.  Taylea came over to check on Sophie the grand dog, and it seemed okay, and then Sophie had an episode and basically seemed to have died.  She slipped a little on our floor and sat down and then laid down, and just went lifeless.  I thought for sure she was dead, but slowly she came back around.  It was really weird, and then same thing would happen later in the evening.  And this morning, she is walking around and still alive, and I thought for sure she would have another episode overnight and not come out of it.  Through all of it I watched the Bears Hallmark movie, which I really enjoyed.  Karrigan eventually arrived, along with Kollyns and Kasyin, and I figured Karrigan just wanted to see Sophie one more time before she died over night, but Karrigan and the girls ended up driving back home later in the night.  

And now on to today.  Today appears to be pretty light with official stuff, which isn't good.  That means something will find me.  And I'm not supposed to have any officiating tonight...also not good.  And maybe I'm wrong; maybe it will be a quiet, simple Monday.


OTHER THINGS

  • Take IHSA basketball test and watch video
  • get basketball assignments in this blogger - done
  • Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
  • Dec. 1 - 7:45 Hussain Moline
  • Dec. 4 - 7:50 Dr. Blew dentist appt.
  • Mar. 19-24 - trip to Kourtney in Florida

Fall Volleyball-Basketball 26 Schedule
10/19 - OPEN
10/20 - OPEN
10/21 - BLCOKED MENTORING MEETINGS - Take camper to Loud Thunder
10/22 - VVB at Rock Island - 5 p.m. Jim Hartshorn
    ride with Katy?
10/23 - BLOCKED
10/24 - VVB at EM Christian - 8 a.m., 9:30, 11 with James Hu
10/25 - BLOCKED
10/26 - OPEN
10/27 - OPEN
10/28 - JHGBK at MerCo - with Clint Gingerich
10/29-11/2 - BLOCKED HALLOWEEN WEEKEND
11/3 - OPEN
11/4 - OPEN
11/5 - OPEN
11/6 - OPEN
11/7 - at Sherrard JH 8 a.m. - 2 games 8 and 9:10
11/8 - SUNDAY
11/9 - BOE meeting
11/10 - OPEN
11/11 - OPEN
11/12 - OPEN
11/13 - at Monmouth girls scrimmage
11/14 - OPEN
11/15 - SUNDAY
11/16 - at Sherrard JH BKB - 5:30 p.m. - Gabby Suarez
11/17 - at AlWood VGBK - 6 p.m. (I think) - Marcus, Tony
11/18 - OPEN
11/19 - at Sherrard JH BKB - 5:00 p.m. - Gabby Suarez
11/20 - at Monmouth boys scrimmage
11/21 - at Galesburg 6 p.m - Tony, Kraig
11/22 - SUNDAY
11/23 - BLOCKED - Marotta interview
11/24 - at MerCo 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
11/25 - at Wethersfield 2 p.m. - Marcus, Tony; at Orion 7 p.m. - Josh, Tony
11/26 - THANKSGIVING
11/27 - at Wethersfield 3:30 p.m. - Robbie, Tony; at Orion 7 p.m. - Josh, Tony
11/28 - at Galesburg 2:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony; at Orion 5:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
11/29 - SUNDAY
11/30 - BLOCKED - night off
12/1 - at Wethersfield 5:30 - Marcus, Tony
12/2 - at United 6 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
12/3 - at MerCo 5:30 - Tony, Teel
12/4 - at Erie - 7 p.m. - Marcus, Dan Howard
12/5 - at Erie F/S 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. - Marcus and Michael Parsons
12/6 - SUNDAY
12/7 - at Sherrard 5:30 - Tony, Teel
12/8 - at Erie 7 p.m. - Berlin, Howard
12/9 - at United 6 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
12/10 - BLOCKED - night off
12/11 - at MonRose 5:30 - Marcus, Tony
12/12 - at ATown 11:30; at United 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
12/13 - SUNDAY
12/14 - BOE Meeting
12/15 - at Wethersfield 5:30 - Tony, Marcus
12/16 - BLOCKED - XMAS PROGRAM
12/17 - at United 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
12/18 - at Sherrard 5:30 , Tony, Hu
12/19 - at ATown 2 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
12/20 - 12/27 - BLOCKED - Christmas
12/28 - at Erie Warkins   5:30 - Josh, Tony
12/29 - at Erie Warkins  5:30 - Josh, Tony
12/30 - OPEN
12/31-1/2 - BLOCKED - New Year's
1/3 - SUNDAY
1/4 - at Riverdale 5:30 - Tony,Teel
1/5 - at West Central 6 p.m. - Tony, TBA
1/6 - OPEN
1/7 - at ROWVA 6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
1/8 - at Knoxville 6 p.m - Tony, Marcus
1/9 - OPEN
1/10 - SUNDAY
1/11 - at Sherrard 5:30 p.m. -  Tony, Josh
1/12 - at MerCo 5:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
1/13 - at West Central 6 p.m. - Tony, TBA
1/14 - BLOCKED - NIGHT OFF
1/15 - at ATown 6 p.m. - Tony, Robert McGinnes
1/16 - at Cuba 3:30 p.m. - Tony, Eric Geiger
1/17 - SUNDAY
1/18 - MLK Day - BLOCKED - NIGHT OFF
1/19 - at Mercer County 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Scott Verstraete
1/20 - at AlWood    6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
1/21 - at Riverdale 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
1/22 - at ROWVA 6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
1/23 - at Fulton noon - Robbie, Tad
1/24 - SUNDAY
1/25 - at IESA/Rockridge - 6 p.m. ???
1/26 - at Riverdale - 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Brad Steinhagen
1/27 - at MonRose - 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Matt DeSutter
1/28 - OPEN
1/29 - OPEN
1/30 - OPEN
1/31 - SUNDAY
2/1 - IESA BOYS SECTIONAL 6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/2 - at West Central - 6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/3 - BLOCKED - NIGHT OFF
2/4 - at Rockridge - 5:30 - Tony, Verstraete
2/5 - at Princeton - 7 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/6 - at Rockridge - 1 p.m. - Tony, Verstraete
2/7 - SUNDAY
2/8 - BLOCKED - BOE Meeting
2/9 - Erie 7 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
2/10 - OPEN
2/11 - OPEN
2/12 - OPEN
2/13 - IHSA Girls Regionals Begin
    - ROWVA boys LTC 1 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/14 - SUNDAY
2/15 - ROWVA boys LTC 6 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/16 - OPEN
2/17 - OPEN
2/18 - OPEN
2/19 - at MonRose - 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
2/20 - OPEN
2/21 - SUNDAY
2/22 - IHSA Boys Regionals Begin














Sunday, October 18, 2026

Sunday, October 18

5:01 a.m. - Yesterday was a busy one.  I did get in a little inflatable hot tub time to start the day, and it felt great with the cool temperatures on the outside.  After soaking for a bit, I started the process of emptying it out to get it transitioned to the basement.  Hopefully I can get it all put back together today and get it heating up to enjoy soon.  Then it was off to pick up Juanito to have him help me do some work at mom and dad's.  We got a rack of hay loaded in the loft, and then I had him help me work on some fencing things that mom had been wanting to get done.  I think we were gone a couple of hours, and Juanito enjoyed all of it.  I guess it's all about perspective...something as routine and mundane to me as loading hay and fixing fence was a whole other world of experiences for him.  He's a good guy and a good worker, but he was a hoot when he was trying to give the horses a treat.  He was just like a little kid - afraid and giggly - it was fun to see.  After returning him home, I set out to then get things done around the house - the mowing was first.  After that, I clipped the hedges (hopefully the last time before winter).  Then I continued work on the hot tub as well as wrapping up the storage of pool parts that were still around from last week's winterization by Pete the Pool Guy.  While I was doing that, Amber was taking Sophie the granddog to an emergency vet.  Sophie was sounding weird and drooling unusually.  The vet clinic kept Sophie overnight, and so far it seems like some type of infection in her mouth?  I don't know what's going to happen with that today.  I know the vet bill, so far, was over $1,400, so I'm glad I'm not going to be responsible for that bill.  In the evening, I helped Amber put some groceries away and enjoyed some grilled cheese and tomato soup - yum!  Then I tried to stay awake for the Notre Dame game, but I struggled.  I did wake up to see the end to watch Notre Dame fall short at the very end.  A lot of highly ranked teams got beat yesterday.  

And now I'm up early again...because that's how life goes at my age I guess.  I am sore from yesterday's activities, but the quiet of the house feels good, as does the cup of coffee.  The weather is cool outside again, and it looks a bit breezy, so I hope the hot tub I left outside didn't get blown around.  I need to purchase a couple of small tarps - one for downstairs and the other for me getting decorated like a sundae in January.  Then I can work on the hot tub downstairs, even if it's during the Bears game, which is at noon.  And the rest of the day?  Oh, I'm not sure, but I'm confident something will find me.  I thought about perhaps getting the garage organized for winter, including getting the grill and the Blackstone in the garage, but I think there is time for that a little later on in the month.


 OTHER THINGS

  • get basketball assignments in this blogger 
  • Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
  • Dec. 1 - 7:45 Hussain Moline
  • Dec. 4 - 7:50 Dr. Blew dentist appt.
  • Mar. 19-24 - trip to Kourtney in Florida

Fall Volleyball-Basketball 26 Schedule
10/19 - OPEN
10/20 - OPEN
10/21 - BLCOKED MENTORING MEETINGS
10/22 - VVB at Rock Island - 5 p.m. Jim Hartshorn
    ride with Katy?
10/23 - BLOCKED
10/24 - VVB at EM Christian - 8 a.m., 9:30, 11 with James Hu
10/25 - BLOCKED
10/26 - OPEN
10/27 - OPEN
10/28 - JHGBK at MerCo - with Clint Gingerich
10/29-11/2 - BLOCKED HALLOWEEN WEEKEND
11/3 - OPEN
11/4 - OPEN
11/5 - OPEN
11/6 - OPEN
11/7 - at Sherrard JH 8 a.m. - 2 games 
11/8 - SUNDAY
11/9 - BOE meeting
11/10 - OPEN
11/11 - OPEN
11/12 - OPEN
11/13 - at Monmouth girls scrimmage
11/14 - OPEN
11/15 - SUNDAY
11/16 - at Sherrard JH BKB - 5:30 p.m. - Gabby Suarez
11/17 - at AlWood VGBK - 6 p.m. (I think) - Marcus, Tony
11/18 - OPEN
11/19 - at Sherrard JH BKB - 5:00 p.m. - Gabby Suarez
11/20 - at Monmouth boys scrimmage
11/21 - at Galesburg 6 p.m - Tony, Kraig
11/22 - SUNDAY
11/23 - BLOCKED - Marotta interview
11/24 - at MerCo 5:30 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
11/25 - at Wethersfield 2 p.m. - Marcus, Tony; at Orion 7 p.m. - Josh, Tony
11/26 - THANKSGIVING
11/27 - at Wethersfield 3:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony; at Orion 7 p.m. - Josh, Tony
11/28 - at Galesburg 2:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony; at Orion 5:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
11/29 - SUNDAY
11/30 - BLOCKED - night off
12/1 - at Wethersfield 5:30 - Marcus, Tony
12/2 - at United 6 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
12/3 - at MerCo 5:30 - Tony, Teel
12/4 - at Erie - 7 p.m. - Marcus, Dan Howard
12/5 - at Erie F/S 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. - Marcus and Michael Parsons
12/6 - SUNDAY
12/7 - at Sherrard 5:30 - Tony, Teel
12/8 - at Erie 7 p.m. - Berlin, Howard
12/9 - at United 6 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
12/10 - BLOCKED - night off
12/11 - at MonRose 5:30 - Marcus, Tony
12/12 - at ATown 11:30; at United 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. - Marcus, Tony
12/13 - SUNDAY
12/14 - BOE Meeting
12/15 - at Wethersfield 5:30 - Tony, Marcus
12/16 - BLOCKED - XMAS PROGRAM
12/17 - at United 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. - Tony, Marcus
12/18 - at Sherrard 5:30 , Tony, Hu
12/19 - at ATown 2 p.m. - ???
12/20 - BLOCKED