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Saturday, June 6, 2026

Saturday, June 6

6:56 a.m. - Yesterday was a good day.  In the morning, there was physical therapy and then I hustled out to IC Elementary to log into an admin meeting - a meeting that most things didn't really include me.  After the meeting, I did have a chance to reach out to the kindergarten candidate's reference.  That checked out, so I worked through all the paperwork.  Unfortunately, thought, I didn't get the recommendation in before the BOE packet went out.  And then I made a call to offer the position to the candidate, but she wanted to have some time to think it over.  She later called back in the afternoon and said yes, so that was awesome.  Then I headed back home and spent the day with Carmen and Caleb.  Kollyns was there too, so Amber and I took Caleb and Kollyns to the farm to see how Tyler was doing and experience some farm life.  We looked at the horses and rode the horses and rode the gator and rode the tractor.  We had fun before Kollyns needed to return home to meet up with Michael.  Then it was time to take a nap, and I battled Caleb but I won the battle and he laid down for awhile.  After that, we planned on supper, and I made a decision to get Benny's pizza.  It was a good idea, but pizza is just stupidly expensive.  The night was fairly quiet as I played with Caleb, and we just hung out at home.  Tyler has made good progress on the project at mom and dad's, and I'm hoping that works out well for everyone.  

And what about today?  I know that the Southwell children will be joining us this morning and be with us the rest of the day.  That will make life here busy.  I think Amber wants me to move the little blow-up pool and set up the canopy to assist with the kids cooling off in the kiddie pool.  I think I'm also making some pancakes for breakfast.  Beyond that?  I'm not sure.   

Things to do for School

  • periodically check on mail at post office
  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • 2 p.m. June 4 - Cassie Torres - kindergarten interview
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey

OTHER THINGS

  • Get items from Laura Hozak
  • Kamp Komfort - campground for  weekend if July 10-11
  • schedule dentist appointment when able
  • use Dick's gift certificate
  • a hood light switch for the Ford
  • June 5 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 8 - 9:20 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 10 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 12 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 8 week - Jury Duty
  • June 17-18 - trip with admin to Springfield
  • June 20-27 - Shawn GONE - check on the house
  • June 25 - 9:25 a.m. - ORA appt with Hussein
  • July 10 - 7 p.m. - Shawn's ceremony in Bloomington.
  • July 19-27 - Trip to Branson, MO (and Strawberry, AK) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D3BB0_IuwRs0WDKqm1Euor9WUH84SeF1DIwKi7OWeS4/edit?tab=t.0
  • July 28 - Bus Refresher Course
  • Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
    Things To Do for History Page
    • What/Where is South Buffalo Prairie School and for that matter West Buffalo School and East Taylor Ridge School?  ugh.
    • Friday Tidbit on the RR History Network Page

    Knee Surgery Dates Completed
    • March 11 - 10:25 a.m. - ORA Moline - Consult
    • April 1 - 1:45 p.m. - ORA Moline - MRI
    • April 9 - Walk in labs at Tr
    • April 15 - Dr. Wang pre-op physical (surgical clearance) 8:45 a.m.
    • April 28 - 9:40 a.m. at ORA Silvis
    • April 30 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
    • May 4 - surgery on left knee at Trinity Moline
    • May 5- returned home from hospital
    • May 6 - home recovery
    • May 7 - home recovery
    • May 8 - home recovery - visited ICE for about an hour - 9-10 a.m.
    • May 13 - 8:45 a.m. Post-Op Appt Hussein
    • May 15 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 18 - noon - ORA PT
    • May 20 - 8 a.m. - with Brandon; 9:20 - ORA PT
    • May 22 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 26 - 3:20 p.m. - ORA PT
    • May 27 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 29 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 1 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 3 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT

Friday, June 5, 2026

Friday, June 5

5:40 a.m. - Yesterday was busy.  I got to IC Elementary and got some things done, and we completed an interview with a kindergarten candidate.  The interview wasn't a slam dunk, so now I have some work to do today before attempting to make a recommendation to the BOE.

After leaving the office at school, I got home and waited for Carmen, Tyler, and Caleb to arrive.  Tyler had arrived earlier and was working on the bathroom at mom and dad's.  The project is to remove the old tub and install a walk-in shower.  Carmen and Caleb arrived around 4:45 p.m., and soon after we all loaded up in Amber's van and headed to Aledo to watch Brooklyn and Brinley play softball.  On the way we grabbed some supper at Subway.  After getting home, Caleb had fun playing and Carmen and I watched a movie - Remarkably Bright Creatures.  I enjoyed it all over again watching it a second time.  

So as I type today, the Hoenigs are sleeping downstairs.  I'm not sure when they will get up and start their days, but I may beat them out the door.  I have physical therapy and then an admin meeting and then I need to spend some time working on the kindergarten candidates - I just need to do some reference checks to try to fill in some questions I'd like to have answered.  After that, I'll probably head to mom and dad's to see how Tyler is doing with the bathroom project.  I'm really hopeful it all works out, as they have needed this done for awhile.  

I think Kollyns is visiting for a bit this morning, so that will be fun for Caleb and Kollyns to get together.   

Things to do for School

  • periodically check on mail at post office
  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • 2 p.m. June 4 - Cassie Torres - kindergarten interview
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey

OTHER THINGS

  • Get items from Laura Hozak
  • Kamp Komfort - campground for  weekend if July 10-11
  • schedule dentist appointment when able
  • use Dick's gift certificate
  • a hood light switch for the Ford
  • June 5 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 8 - 9:20 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 10 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 12 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 8 week - Jury Duty
  • June 17-18 - trip with admin to Springfield
  • June 20-27 - Shawn GONE - check on the house
  • June 25 - 9:25 a.m. - ORA appt with Hussein
  • July 10 - 7 p.m. - Shawn's ceremony in Bloomington.
  • July 19-27 - Trip to Branson, MO (and Strawberry, AK) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D3BB0_IuwRs0WDKqm1Euor9WUH84SeF1DIwKi7OWeS4/edit?tab=t.0
  • July 28 - Bus Refresher Course
  • Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
    Things To Do for History Page
    • What/Where is South Buffalo Prairie School and for that matter West Buffalo School and East Taylor Ridge School?  ugh.
    • Friday Tidbit on the RR History Network Page

    Knee Surgery Dates Completed
    • March 11 - 10:25 a.m. - ORA Moline - Consult
    • April 1 - 1:45 p.m. - ORA Moline - MRI
    • April 9 - Walk in labs at Tr
    • April 15 - Dr. Wang pre-op physical (surgical clearance) 8:45 a.m.
    • April 28 - 9:40 a.m. at ORA Silvis
    • April 30 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
    • May 4 - surgery on left knee at Trinity Moline
    • May 5- returned home from hospital
    • May 6 - home recovery
    • May 7 - home recovery
    • May 8 - home recovery - visited ICE for about an hour - 9-10 a.m.
    • May 13 - 8:45 a.m. Post-Op Appt Hussein
    • May 15 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 18 - noon - ORA PT
    • May 20 - 8 a.m. - with Brandon; 9:20 - ORA PT
    • May 22 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 26 - 3:20 p.m. - ORA PT
    • May 27 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 29 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 1 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 3 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT

Thursday, June 4, 2026

Thursday, June 4

6:00 a.m. - Yesterday was okay.  PT was hard, but it's hard every time now, so that's not something surprising.  The leg continues to come along and get a little stronger and a little more comfortable each day.  It's still a long way from what I would like, but progress is progress.

Yesterday at school, there were some items accomplished.  The new intervention teacher was in the building, and the new special education teacher was in the building.  Those were good things, so they could start digging into their rooms to determine what they want and don't want, so we can move forward with cleaning those classrooms.  Plus more importantly, the two of them met each other, which is big as they and we start to learn how to move forward with new approaches coming in the next school year. 

Another big highlight to yesterday was securing a verbal commitment from a candidate we had interviewed for the new PreK position.  That's great news as well.  So far then, we've hired two new staff members and secured two more staff members to take recommendations to the BOE.  Now we have one more interview to complete today, and perhaps we'll be able to secure a new kindergarten teacher.  

Among all of that, Carmen and Caleb are coming to stay - well, Tyler is coming too, but he's got a project he's working on at my parents' house.  So the Hoenigs will be arriving sometime today and spending the weekend at Grandpa and Gigi's house.  When Caleb is here, I get to be "grandpa" and not "Jay".  Either name is okay; I don't mind.  

Last night I watched the NBA finals - Game 1.  I actually was able to watch some of it as I dosed in and out from being tired.  That's because after getting home, I mowed the yard.  Fortunately, I only had to do the rider mower, as the recent dry weather has really held up the grass growing very much, which I'm perfectly okay with.   By the way, the Knicks won.  Generally, I would route against any New York team, but in this case, it's been 53 years since the Knicks have won a championship, so the Cub fan in me understands what long-time Knicks fans have endured.  In this case then, I think I'm routing for the Knickerbockers!


Things to do for School

  • periodically check on mail at post office
  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • 2 p.m. June 4 - Cassie Torres - kindergarten interview
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey

OTHER THINGS

  • Get items from Laura Hozak
  • Kamp Komfort - campground for  weekend if July 10-11
  • schedule dentist appointment when able
  • use Dick's gift certificate
  • a hood light switch for the Ford
  • June 5 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 8 - 9:20 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 10 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 12 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
  • June 8 week - Jury Duty
  • June 17-18 - trip with admin to Springfield
  • June 20-27 - Shawn GONE - check on the house
  • June 25 - 9:25 a.m. - ORA appt with Hussein
  • July 10 - 7 p.m. - Shawn's ceremony in Bloomington.
  • July 19-27 - Trip to Branson, MO (and Strawberry, AK) https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D3BB0_IuwRs0WDKqm1Euor9WUH84SeF1DIwKi7OWeS4/edit?tab=t.0
  • July 28 - Bus Refresher Course
  • Nov. 5 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
    Things To Do for History Page
    • What/Where is South Buffalo Prairie School and for that matter West Buffalo School and East Taylor Ridge School?  ugh.
    • Friday Tidbit on the RR History Network Page

    Knee Surgery Dates Completed
    • March 11 - 10:25 a.m. - ORA Moline - Consult
    • April 1 - 1:45 p.m. - ORA Moline - MRI
    • April 9 - Walk in labs at Tr
    • April 15 - Dr. Wang pre-op physical (surgical clearance) 8:45 a.m.
    • April 28 - 9:40 a.m. at ORA Silvis
    • April 30 - 10 a.m. - Milan Optical
    • May 4 - surgery on left knee at Trinity Moline
    • May 5- returned home from hospital
    • May 6 - home recovery
    • May 7 - home recovery
    • May 8 - home recovery - visited ICE for about an hour - 9-10 a.m.
    • May 13 - 8:45 a.m. Post-Op Appt Hussein
    • May 15 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 18 - noon - ORA PT
    • May 20 - 8 a.m. - with Brandon; 9:20 - ORA PT
    • May 22 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 26 - 3:20 p.m. - ORA PT
    • May 27 - 9 a.m. - ORA PT
    • May 29 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 1 - 8:20 a.m. - ORA PT
    • June 3 - 8:40 a.m. - ORA PT