Wednesday, May 31

6:44 a.m. - Yesterday was productive.  The biggest accomplishment was replacing the pool motor seals, but I also go other stuff accomplished.  And I ended the night by helping mom get her new horse.  It was fun for me to help her out.  I didn't do much...just drove the truck and trailer and provided moral support, but she was excited.  And her new horse "Peaches" seems to be at home in her new surroundings. 

I got an early start to the day yesterday, but I'm not off and running as fast today.  That's okay...one more "off day" before Iowa softball starts its thing.  And it will be a long day....a double-double to kick off the season. 

1:33 p.m. update - I was able to finish at least a couple of items.  I got all the weeds sprayed with Round-Up, which is a big one, and then I got a new door knob/lock on the downstairs basement...also a big one.  I spent some time outside in the pool, but then the skies clouded up, so it might be nap time.

5:04 p.m. update - No nap today, but Amber and I rode our bikes up to the El Barrill and had supper.  I had this fajita burrito thing...very good.  Plus the margarita was nice...not real strong, but nice.  Then when we came home, I worked on organizing the garage...I through a lot of stuff out in the trash, which was good.

Things to do

• spread weed and feed in front yard
• answer the Loud Thunder question of the week
• fix/change the door knob in basement
• clean/organize the garage
• pick up Stihl weed trimmer from Huffman's
• wack the  rest of the swamp (after it is serviced)
• transfer UT regional arbiter money to checking
• check weeds that remain
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

June

Thurs., 1 - 10 a.m. at Gooselake by myself - one hour travel time

                 - 5 p.m. at Pleasant Valley with Steve Butler

Fri., 2 - open

Sat., 3 - Work USSSA at Muscatine - 8 a.m.

Sun., 4 - Joe's clinic at Knoxville - 8:30 a.m.

Mon., 5 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Lennie

Tues., 6 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Cahill

Wed., 7 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Vern 

Thurs., 8 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Ralph

Fri., 9 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Kraig McPeek

Sat. 10 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun. 11

Mon., 12 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Steve Connell

Tues., 13 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Wed., 14 - 10 a.m. at Central with Duane Rakestraw

Thurs., 15 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Jason

Fri., 16 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Chuck Schuette

Sat., 17 - referee at Monmouth Shootout - 8:30 a.m. Kraig at 1:10

Sun., 18 - Amber's Birthday

Mon., 19 - 10 a.m. at Clinton with Brad Ebersole

Tues., 20 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Jason

Wed., 21 - 10 a.m. at West with Jason

Thurs., 22 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Fri., 23 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sat., 24 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 25

Mon., 26 - BLOCKED OPEN

Tues., 27 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Jason

Wed., 28 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Cahill

Thurs., 29 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Chris Law

Fri., 30 - 10 a.m. at North with Kraig McPeek

July 28 - Mexico

Tuesday, May 30

5:29 a.m. - I couldn't sleep in this morning; I guess there are just too many things on the to-do list to stay sleeping.  I'm hoping to knock a few things off the list.  

Yesterday, it was mostly fun-in-the-sun, as around noon we had family over for some pool time to celebrate the official start of summer.  Before that all began, I did get the bushes trimmed with the helpers of the Harrison kids.  And before that the four of us went up to the school to open up the building for the Kolak family.  Niko was a foreign exchange student from Croatia, and his parents were here to pick him up, along with his two brothers. 

Later today, I am going to help my mom get her new horse.  I learned yesterday that she bought a horse that is a little more her size, so I'm supposed to meet her around 4:30 p.m. later today at her house to drive over to Matherville and help her out.

So today it's time to get to work.

Things to do

• water the front lawn
• spread weed and feed in front yard
• get mom's horse 4:30 at her house
• answer the Loud Thunder question of the week
• fix/change the door knob in basement
• clean/organize the garage
• pick up Stihl weed trimmer from Huffman's
• June 17 - see if I can find a partner
• wack the  rest of the swamp
• transfer UT regional arbiter money to checking
• put mortgage payment in the mailbox
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• check weeds that remain
• take weed trimmer for service
• buy birdfeed
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

June

Thurs., 1 - 10 a.m. at Gooselake by myself

                 - 5 p.m. at Pleasant Valley with Steve Butler

Fri., 2 - open

Sat., 3 - Work USSSA at Muscatine - TBA

Sun., 4 - Joe's clinic at Knoxville - 8:30 a.m.

Mon., 5 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Lennie

Tues., 6 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Cahill

Wed., 7 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Vern 

Thurs., 8 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Ralph

Fri., 9 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Kraig McPeek

Sat. 10 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun. 11

Mon., 12 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Steve Connell

Tues., 13 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Wed., 14 - 10 a.m. at Central with Duane Rakestraw

Thurs., 15 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Jason

Fri., 16 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Chuck Schuette

Sat., 17 - referee at Monmouth Shootout - 8:30 a.m. Kraig at 1:10

Sun., 18 - Amber's Birthday

Mon., 19 - 10 a.m. at Clinton with Brad Ebersole

Tues., 20 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Jason

Wed., 21 - 10 a.m. at West with Jason

Thurs., 22 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Fri., 23 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sat., 24 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 25

Mon., 26 - BLOCKED OPEN

Tues., 27 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Jason

Wed., 28 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Cahill

Thurs., 29 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Chris Law

Fri., 30 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Kraig McPeek

Monday, May 29 - Happy Memorial Day

6:20 a.m. - Yesterday was a battle.  Amber and I went on a bike ride and rode for 15 miles - started at Sunset Marina and went all the way to the new I74 bridge.  Then we got home, and I proceeded to weed the ditch weeds.  It started off okay, and then I had equipment issues.  I had to finish up with Brandon's week trimmer.  My trimmer is going to have to be serviced.  In between the ditch project, we went to Malorie Workman's graduation party.  And it was there that we hooked up with the Harrison grandchildren and brought them home to spend the night.  And finally it was a "Luke sleep" night, which means there is much interrupted sleep.  

Today, I'd like to get some more work done off the to-do list, but I'm not sure that will happen.  I've also agreed to run up to the school at 10 a.m. to take Niko Kolak and his family for a tour.  Apparently I'm the closest teacher for the job on a holiday.  I really don't mind; it's just one other thing on the day that I didn't really intend to do.  We are having family and fiends over later today for swimming and food.  Maybe I'll just have to wait another day to get some more projects done.

Things to do

• June 17 - see if I can find a partner
• wack the swamp
• trim the bushes.
• transfer UT regional arbiter money to checking
• put mortgage payment in the mailbox
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• check weeds that remain
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

June

Thurs., 1 - 10 a.m. at Gooselake by myself

                 - 5 p.m. at Pleasant Valley with Steve Butler

Fri., 2 - open

Sat., 3 - Work USSSA at Muscatine - TBA

Sun., 4 - Joe's clinic at Knoxville - 8:30 a.m.

Mon., 5 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Lennie

Tues., 6 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Cahill

Wed., 7 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Vern 

Thurs., 8 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Ralph

Fri., 9 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Kraig McPeek

Sat. 10 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun. 11

Mon., 12 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Steve Connell

Tues., 13 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Wed., 14 - 10 a.m. at Central with Duane Rakestraw

Thurs., 15 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Jason

Fri., 16 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Chuck Schuette

Sat., 17 - referee at Monmouth Shootout - 8:30 a.m.

Sun., 18 - Amber's Birthday

Mon., 19 - 10 a.m. at Clinton with Brad Ebersole

Tues., 20 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Jason

Wed., 21 - 10 a.m. at West with Jason

Thurs., 22 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Fri., 23 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sat., 24 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 25

Mon., 26 - BLOCKED OPEN

Tues., 27 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Jason

Wed., 28 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Cahill

Thurs., 29 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Chris Law

Fri., 30 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Kraig McPeek

Sunday, May 28

5:48 a.m. - Yesterday was productive.  I went to check out that weed cutter, and I bought it.  It's an old one, but it works like it should, and I was able to knock down a big portion of the south swamp on our lot.  It did take a little getting used to, and now I just need more dry weather to dry out the rest of the swamp, so I can get to it.  If I can't, I'm going to have to use the Stihl weed wacker, and that's a lot of work.  I'm hoping to maybe use that today to get to the ditch.  

Also yesterday, I picked up some paving base and worked on the paving blocks underneath the pergola.  That wasn't an easy job either, but it needed to be done.  

Amber and I headed to the casino, where we played awhile but neither was a winner.  Dang the luck.  Oh, before that we cooked some brats and pork chops on the grill, and that was good. 

One problem I do have right now is a cash-flow problem....the old budget isn't doing so well.  I've been spending too much money to meet the income level.  I'm going to have to get some extra umpiring work in somehow.

Things to do

• June 17 - see if I can find a partner
• wack the ditch
• wack the swamp
• trim the bushes.
• transfer UT regional arbiter money to checking
• put mortgage payment in the mailbox
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• check weeds that remain
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

June

Thurs., 1 - 10 a.m. at Gooselake by myself

                 - 5 p.m. at Pleasant Valley with Steve Butler

Fri., 2 - open

Sat., 3 - Work USSSA at Muscatine - TBA

Sun., 4 - Joe's clinic at Knoxville - 8:30 a.m.

Mon., 5 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Lennie

Tues., 6 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Cahill

Wed., 7 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Vern 

Thurs., 8 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Ralph

Fri., 9 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Kraig McPeek

Sat. 10 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun. 11

Mon., 12 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Steve Connell

Tues., 13 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Wed., 14 - 10 a.m. at Central with Duane Rakestraw

Thurs., 15 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Jason

Fri., 16 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Chuck Schuette

Sat., 17 - referee at Monmouth Shootout - 8:30 a.m.

Sun., 18 - Amber's Birthday

Mon., 19 - 10 a.m. at Clinton with Brad Ebersole

Tues., 20 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Jason

Wed., 21 - 10 a.m. at West with Jason

Thurs., 22 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Fri., 23 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sat., 24 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 25

Mon., 26 - BLOCKED OPEN

Tues., 27 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Jason

Wed., 28 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Cahill

Thurs., 29 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Chris Law

Fri., 30 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Kraig McPeek

Saturday, May 27

5:36 a.m. - Yesterday...the day started great...got in a little strength training in the basement, wen to school, saw our newly hired superintendent, Mr. Bush, had a little pizza, and went home.  That's simple, right?  Then at home, we cleaned the pool, simple again, right?  And then carma bit  me in the ass.  There was a bad warning that the evening was going to be difficult when a group of teenage girls made fun of me on the drive to United Township.  We were stopped at the intersection of Andalusia Road and the beltway, and they started talking to me.  I was minding my own business and then one of them said something, so I looked over.  I'm in my little HHR, with my sun glasses on and my bucket hat.  And they proceed to make fun of me..."nice hat big guy".  So there you have it...I've reached the age and status that silly teenage girls find me worthy of being made fun of.  Then I get to the game hoping for Pekin to make short work of United Township - nope.  Instead, it ends up being a 16-10 UT slugfest win in 8 innings.  What the hell?  I didn't have my best game at the plate...but I didn't expect to when it became apparent that it was going to be a long night.  So let that be a lesson to myself...send an email with concerns to the IHSA about not having a 3-person crew....get a marathon game - yup...should have seen that one coming.  

Today could be interesting...we are going to watch the Harrison girls play a little t-ball, but before that I'm going to go look at a motorized weed wacker - the kind I used to use at my grandparents house.  I'm hoping this is worthy of the money they want....could make keeping my back yard a lot easier to keep the weeds down.  Week wacking is definitely on the agenda for the weekend...one of the many little projects around the house I hope to work on.

So the school year is over, the IHSA umpiring and officiating season is over, and now it's summer time.  The weather is going to feel like summer this weekend, and we are not going to fight the holiday weekend campground crowds.  That's okay...plenty of jobs to get done around the house, and some pool time will be nice.  If I really want to, I can go grab some firewood from Shawn's and even have a little campfire going, just to do it.  

Now it's on to summer Iowa softball season and a little basketball officiating.  All this is geared to having some extra spending money for summer fun and that trip to Mexico that's on the horizon in July.

Things to do

• June 17 - see if I can find a partner
• wack the ditch
• wack the swamp
• trim the bushes.
• go look at push sickle - 8:30 a.m.
• get clinic checks to Joe
• send courtesy reminder to Pekin and United Township
• transfer UT regional arbiter money to checking
• put mortgage payment in the mailbox
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• check weeds that remain
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

June

Thurs., 1 - 10 a.m. at Gooselake by myself

                 - 5 p.m. at Pleasant Valley with Steve Butler

Fri., 2 - open

Sat., 3 - Work USSSA at Muscatine - TBA

Sun., 4 - Joe's clinic at Knoxville - 8:30 a.m.

Mon., 5 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Lennie

Tues., 6 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Cahill

Wed., 7 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Vern 

Thurs., 8 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Ralph

Fri., 9 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Kraig McPeek

Sat. 10 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun. 11

Mon., 12 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Steve Connell

Tues., 13 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Wed., 14 - 10 a.m. at Central with Duane Rakestraw

Thurs., 15 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Jason

Fri., 16 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Chuck Schuette

Sat., 17 - referee at Monmouth Shootout - 8:30

Sun., 18 - Amber's Birthday

Mon., 19 - 10 a.m. at Clinton with Brad Ebersole

Tues., 20 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Jason

Wed., 21 - 10 a.m. at West with Jason

Thurs., 22 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Fri., 23 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sat., 24 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 25

Mon., 26 - BLOCKED OPEN

Tues., 27 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Jason

Wed., 28 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Cahill

Thurs., 29 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Chris Law

Fri., 30 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Kraig McPeek

Friday, May 26 - Last Day of 22-23 School Year

5:22 a.m. - To have "things to do for school" empty is nice.  We have one more short day today at school, which will basically be a pack up and clean up day for me.  Then I think I'm going to come home and work on the pool before heading off to my last IHSA game of the season.  Speaking of that game, I sent an email to the IHSA softball director as well as several others yesterday - asking my questions around why there is not a 3-person crew assigned to the 4A UT Regional.  I think basically the UT athletic director didn't think it was necessary.  I'm going to keep that in mind with United Township hosts Pekin for the regional championship today.  

Yesterday went fine...finished up the exams, scored the remaining exams, entered the grade, filled out the paperwork for the guidance department and Mrs. Hasson, and worked on cleaning/preparing the room for summer maintenance.  When I got home I played with the Harrison grandchildren, and then I mowed the yard.  It's amazing how much nicer mowing the yard can be when the mower deck is properly attached.  After that Amber and I relaxed in the hot tub for a bit before I watched some television and watch some college softball tournament games.  

Things to do for school

• 
  

Things to do

• register with USSSA softball
• https://www.usssa.com/fastpitch/OfficialsHome/#!#%2F%3FgdSport=16
• get clinic checks to Joe
• send courtesy reminder to Pekin and United Township
• send Riverdale volleyball contract back to them
• transfer UT regional arbiter money to checking
• transfer arbiter money to checking
• send Emma Johnson's check
• pay Verizon bill and beginning of month bills
• put mortgage payment in the mailbox
• Amber's Birthday
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• check weeds that remain
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

June

Thurs., 1 - 10 a.m. at Gooselake by myself

                 - 5 p.m. at Pleasant Valley with Steve Butler

Fri., 2 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sat., 3 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 4 - Joe's clinic at Knoxville - 8:30 a.m.

Mon., 5 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Lennie

Tues., 6 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Cahill

Wed., 7 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Vern 

Thurs., 8 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Ralph

Fri., 9 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Kraig McPeek

Sat. 10 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun. 11

Mon., 12 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Steve Connell

Tues., 13 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Wed., 14 - 10 a.m. at Central with Duane Rakestraw

Thurs., 15 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Jason

Fri., 16 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Chuck Schuette

Sat., 17 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 18

Mon., 19 - 10 a.m. at Clinton with Brad Ebersole

Tues., 20 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Jason

Wed., 21 - 10 a.m. at West with Jason

Thurs., 22 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Fri., 23 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sat., 24 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 25

Mon., 26 - BLOCKED OPEN

Tues., 27 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Jason

Wed., 28 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Cahill

Thurs., 29 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Chris Law

Fri., 30 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Kraig McPeek

Thursday, May 25

6:00 a.m. - We got through the first day of exams...we got through the softball game.  The game was "eventful", but I'm going to leave it at that.  

Today will feature day 2 of exams.  I'll be doing some scoring of exams and entering grades.  No softball game tonight, so I'm going to see if I can get some projects done around the house, but I'm not sure what those projects will be.  I'll think about that today. 

Things to do for school

• score semester exams and enter into Lumen
• 2nd and 4th done
• complete grading stuff for guidance
• complete checklist for Mrs. Hasson

Things to do

• June 4 - 8:30 a.m. - at Knoxville - Joe's IHSA clinic
• register with USSSA softball
• https://www.usssa.com/fastpitch/OfficialsHome/#!#%2F%3FgdSport=16
• send check to Foremost Officials Clinic - 1035 Dayton Drive, Galesburg, IL 61401-1310
• send courtesy reminder to Moline and UT
• send courtesy reminder to championship teams
• send Riverdale volleyball contract back to them
• pay Verizon bill and beginning of month bills
• June 4 - Joe's clinic at Knoxville
• Amber's Birthday
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• check weeds that remain
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

25 - BLOCKED OPEN

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

June

Thurs., 1 - 10 a.m. at Gooselake by myself

                 - 5 p.m. at Pleasant Valley with Steve Butler

Fri., 2 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sat., 3 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 4

Mon., 5 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Lennie

Tues., 6 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Cahill

Wed., 7 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Vern 

Thurs., 8 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Ralph

Fri., 9 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Kraig McPeek

Sat. 10 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun. 11

Mon., 12 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Steve Connell

Tues., 13 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Wed., 14 - 10 a.m. at Central with Duane Rakestraw

Thurs., 15 - 10 a.m. at Assumption with Jason

Fri., 16 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Chuck Schuette

Sat., 17 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 18

Mon., 19 - 10 a.m. at Clinton with Brad Ebersole

Tues., 20 - 10 a.m. at Muscatine with Jason

Wed., 21 - 10 a.m. at West with Jason

Thurs., 22 - 10 a.m. at North with Jason

Fri., 23 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sat., 24 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sun., 25

Mon., 26 - BLOCKED OPEN

Tues., 27 - 10 a.m. at North Scott with Jason

Wed., 28 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Cahill

Thurs., 29 - 10 a.m. at DeWitt with Chris Law

Fri., 30 - 10 a.m. at Bettendorf with Kraig McPeek

Wednesday, May 24 - Happy Birthday Chase

 6:09 a.m. - Yesterday went about as well as I would have liked.  We got through the last regular day of school for the 22-23 school year.  Today and tomorrow are exam days.  We got through the softball game at the UT regional with a 2-1 exciting game that featured the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning.  I got over to see Chase and give him his birthday card...it's hard to imagine that he's 30 years old today.  He's had a tough go of it for about the last 10 years; perhaps getting a little older now will feature some calmer times.  I hope so; he's got a good heart.  After visiting him and having some great pizza, I stopped by the casino on the way home...still a place that doesn't feature much winning for me.  And then I topped off the night with a little time in Amber's inflatable hot tub.  

Today will be a long day...no real breaks, as today's exam periods are 2, 4, 5, 6.  And then it's off to work another softball game at UT.  I just need to get a bunch of exams scored and entered before I leave Friday.

Things to do for school

• score semester exams and enter into Lumen
• 2nd and 4th done
• complete grading stuff for guidance
• complete checklist for Mrs. Hasson

Things to do

• send courtesy reminder to Pekin and Normal Community
• June 4 - 8:30 a.m. - at Knoxville - Joe's IHSA clinic
• send check to Foremost Officials Clinic - 1035 Dayton Drive, Galesburg, IL 61401-1310
• send courtesy reminder to Moline and UT
• send courtesy reminder to championship teams
• send Riverdale volleyball contract back to them
• pay Verizon bill and beginning of month bills
• June 4 - Joe's clinic at Knoxville
• Amber's Birthday
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• check weeds that remain
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Tuesday, May 23

6:08 a.m. - Yesterday was a productive day.  I got a bunch of grading done at school, and we are going to be able to squeeze in the novels along with the films for the novels.  Plus yesterday, I pushed out the exit survey to allow the students some feedback for the course and my efforts.  I always receive criticism, but that's okay.  I probably would be more worried if I didn't received criticism, and all the comments instead were praise.  I'm not there to be their friend; I'm not there to make things easy.

After school, I got the riding mower back together, but I also took the blades off the deck as well as the push mower and went over to my parents house and gave them a quick sharpen.  Then we went to Tucker's game, which frustrated the heck out of me.  Whatever happened to just allowing the really young kids to have T-ball?  Why do people insist to trying to pitch to 4-year olds.  Most of them aren't hitting the ball...they are just swinging and are lucky if the coach hits the bat with the pitch.  Time drags on, it's hard for the kids to stand that long out in the field....it's just dumb.  Leave the T out there...teach them proper hitting technique...let them wack it and run...and keep things moving.

After baseball, I sprayed some weeds that needed killed, even though I'm not sure how well it will work.  I didn't have any Round-Up, so I used some Weed-B-Gone.  Then after that I jumped in the chilly pool and ended the evening with a little time in Amber's inflatable hot tub.  

Today...get some more grading done.  Try not to become impatient with silly students ready for the end of the school year.  And then head to United Township for a little 4A Regional softball action.  I just want to get it done.  Survive and move on.  Amber won't be home until later because she is on the 8th grade Great America trip.  I'm not sure what I will do today after returning home.

 Things to do for school

• Score and enter journal evaluation scores

Things to do

• send Riverdale volleyball contract back to them
• pay Verizon bill and beginning of month bills
• Amber's Birthday
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• check weeds that remain
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Monday, May 22

5:43 a.m. - Yesterday afternoon we went to the RHS graduation ceremony, and all the speakers did a great job.  After that I went to Taylor's graduation party in Geneseo.  I don't see that side of the Bizarri family very much, so it was nice to sit down with them and chit-chat and catch-up on how all of them are doing.  Just before I left, Taylor and her friend were being silly and singing some karioke, and they both had beautiful voices.  Amber didn't go because she wasn't feeling well.  

After that Shawn Strachan was awesome.  After he and I got home, he called to take a look at that mower deck.  He said he could fix it, and we loaded up the deck in the truck and made our way over to his shop where he did just that.  He saved me hundreds of dollars, perhaps thousands if I would have had to buy a new lawn tractor.  He then finished up his waxing job on his trailer - Big Red.  He did a lot of work on that trailer, and it looks nice.  I hope he gets to get out with it soon.  

Today...get through the school day, get some work done, and get home and put the tractor together, I hope.  I would like to sharpen the blades to the mower before I put it all together, so maybe I'll do that first....I can pay mom and dad a visit too.  

The weather is supposed to be warmer this week, but the temps on this morning's forecast didn't look as hot as what was earlier predicted last week.  I just want to get through this damn 4A softball regional as painlessly as possible.  Actually, I want to get through the whole week as painlessly as possible.

Things to do for school

• create May 23, 24, 25 lesson plans and post
• Score and enter journal evaluation scores
• 3rd, 4th, 6th periods done
• Monday enter scores for 451 end of book
• enter scores for exit survey completion

Things to do

• send riverdale volleyball contract back to them
• pay Verizon bill
• Amber's Birthday
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• put riding mower back together
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• spray weed killer
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• clean the pool again
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

22 - OPEN
23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sunday, May 21

12:09 p.m. - I didn't get the hike I was hoping for....oh well.  I did get a chance to talk with Coach Brooks while I was getting the camper ready to pull out.  I also got the camper home, parked, and unloaded in time to also work on the pool a little bit.  The new equipment I purchased for the pool was nice to use...I hope it lasts.   The camping weekend wasn't exactly all I had hoped, but the weather was nice, and I got a little bit of time to do some camping things...I went fishing last night; I finally got to sit by the fire last night; and this morning I made an awesome breakfast on the Blackstone.  In addition to that yesterday, I had a softball game in Annawan, and then we had Tucker's fourth birthday party.  He's four already...geez time does fly faster when we get older.  

Yesterday I went to mow the yard after softball, and I discovered my mower's deck is broken.  I am going to try to see if someone can weld it back together.  I don't think I need a new deck, and I'm not going to spend the money on a new deck.  It's either fix this one or buy a new mower.  

Today I am going to the Rockridge graduation ceremony...I don't really want to, but I should.  And then I need to get out to my cousin's daughter's graduation party.  Maybe this evening I can jump into the hot tub.

Things to do for school

• Score and enter journal evaluation scores
• Monday enter scores for 451 end of book
• enter scores for exit survey completion

Things to do

• send riverdale volleyball contract back to them
• pay Verizon bill
• Amber's Birthday
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• fix deck adjustment on riding mower
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• spray weed killer
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• clean the pool again
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• Sunday, May 21 - Ryan's daughter's grad party
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

22 - OPEN
23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Saturday, May 20

7:51 a.m. - We were at the campground last night after discovering that my mower deck has a problem...I think it might be fixable, though.  I just have to figure out who can do it.  Last night wasn't a quiet night, but it was eventful...the Harrison grandchildren were with us...playgrounds, bumps and bruises, campfire and smores...sort of....  whoa those kids have energy.

Today is a busy day...softball...work on the yard maybe...birthday party...and back to the campground.  

Things to do for school

• Score and enter journal evaluation scores
• Monday enter scores for 451 end of book
• Enter scores for today's section questions

Things to do

• send riverdale volleyball contract back to them
• mow the yard - somehow
• pay Verizon bill
• Amber's Birthday
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• fix deck adjustment on riding mower
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• spray weed killer
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• clean the pool again
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• Sunday, May 21 - Ryan's daughter's grad party
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

20 - 11 a.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional - winners
21 - SUNDAY
22 - OPEN
23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Friday, May 19

7:25 a.m. - Yesterday went fine...got the camper out to the campground, went to Brooklyn's pre-school graduation, and went back to the campground.  I cooked supper on the campfire, which was nice, watched a little Hogan's Heroes, and went to bed.  Today, I just want to get through school, come home and mow the yard, and head back out to the campground.

Things to do for school

• get copies of exams to Mrs. Hasson
• Score and enter journal evaluation scores
• Monday enter scores for 451 end of book
• Enter scores for today's section questions
• 451 - pages - 134-150
• Ox-Bow - 209-end of book - 4th period finished

Things to do

• send riverdale volleyball contract back to them
• mow the yard
• pay Verizon bill
• Amber's Birthday
• post answer to Loud Thunder question of the week - Alix 
• replace pool motor seals - haven't received that yet
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• fix deck adjustment on riding mower
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• spray weed killer
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• clean the pool again
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• Sunday, May 21 - Ryan's daughter's grad party
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

20 - 11 a.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional - winners
21 - SUNDAY
22 - OPEN
23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Thursday, May 18

5:44 a.m. - Another day closer to the end of the school year.  Yesterday went as it should have ... school and softball and home.  After the game last night, the softball crew I'm working with went to a local establishment for a quick sandwich and beverage.  It was nice to sit and chit-chat, even if it was quick.  I was home by 7 p.m., and I saw the Harrison grandchildren for a bit.  After that I worked on getting ready for camping, as I'm taking the camper out to the campground after school today.  So I went to Shawn's for a little firewood and hooked up the Eagle.  This morning I just need to load a little food supply and some clothes, which shouldn't be too much trouble.  

Yesterday I did learn my partner for next week's 4A regional.  First of all, there is only one partner, which is really disappointing.  I would prefer three umpires for a regional tournament.  Next, is the person I was assigned to work with.  He's a veteran umpire, and he and I aren't exactly "close".  I really want to enjoy my time umpiring or officiating, and partners are a big part of that.  Without that enjoyment, then umpiring or officiating become more of a job...and with postseason, the experience can be downright uncomfortable.  That's pretty much how all three games will go next week...we'll get through it, but the whole experience will be uncomfortable.  That's really not how I wanted to end the IHSA season, and it's a whole lot different to the end of last season.  I'll need a nice weekend coming up to help get my patience level up to maximum to prepare for next week.

Things to do for school

• Make Lesson plan for May 22
• get copies of exams to Mrs. Hasson
• Score and enter journal evaluation scores
• Enter scores for today's section questions
• 451 - pages 113-133
• Ox-Bow - 181-208

Things to do

• send message to Stark and AW
• send riverdale volleyball contract back to them
• mow the yard
• pay Verizon bill
• Amber's Birthday
• receive Doheny's order
• post answer to Loud Thunder question of the week - Alix 
• replace pool motor seals
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• fix deck adjustment on riding mower
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• spray weed killer
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• clean the pool again
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• Sunday, May 21 - Ryan's daughter's grad party
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

20 - 11 a.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional - winners
21 - SUNDAY
22 - OPEN
23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Wednesday, May 17

5:46 a.m. - Another day at school, but I got most of the textbooks collected.  The softball game was very lopsided, so it was quick.  It was fun to work 3-man mechanics.  I got home early enough to put the flowers in the garden and jump in the hot tub for a little relaxation...I just may go out there again this morning.  When I get out, my knees feel great.  

Today should be another normal day at school followed by more softball.  I have the plate today.  Today's game won't be as lopsided, but it shouldn't be a very good game. 

I did reserve a site for camping at Loud Thunder again this weekend.  The weather is supposed to be nice, so why not get the camper out?  I'm staying close again because we have a few things to navigate - graduation parties, birthday party, and I have a softball game on Saturday.  

Things to do for school

• Lesson plan and assignments for May 18
• Lesson plan and assignments for May 19
• enter FRW scores for today
• Enter scores for today's section questions
• 451 - 93-110
• Ox-Bow - 156-180

Things to do

• send message to Midland and St. Bede
• send message to Stark and AW
• camping at West Lake - stay limit is 14 days
• $27 for full; $24 for water and electricity
• pay Verizon bill
• Amber's Birthday
• receive Doheny's order
• post Loud Thunder question of the week - Alix 
• replace pool motor seals
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• fix deck adjustment on riding mower
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• spray weed killer
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• clean the pool again
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• Sunday, May 21 - Ryan's daughter's grad party
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

17 - 4 p.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional -- Wethersfield vs. Stark County

18 - OPEN

19 - OPEN

20 - 11 a.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional - winners
21 - SUNDAY
22 - OPEN
23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Tuesday, May 16

5:38 a.m. - Yesterday was a normal day at school, but there was no softball.  Instead, I took a table and chairs out to Karrigan's new house.  She purchased a house southeast of Aledo, and it's her first home purchase.  She has a big garage and a big yard, so Sailor and Sophie will like that.  Karrigan will have lots of room in the garage for her hunting and fishing stuff.  Afterwards I stopped by a friend's house to say hello and chat for a bit.  I thought about jumping in the hot tub when I got home, but I just watch some hockey and then went to bed.

Today it's a school day and softball.  Maybe it will be a quick game, and I can get a few things done around the house.  The weekend weather is looking good...I'm thinking about camping at West Lake this weekend.  I have a softball game on Saturday, but I can work around that.

Things to do for school

• Determine and post agenda for May 17
• Post next reading section assignments for May 17
• Enter scores for today's section questions
• Gather textbooks

Things to do

• camping at West Lake - stay limit is 14 days
• $27 for full; $24 for water and electricity
• accept game from Foremost
• Amber's Birthday
• receive Doheny's order
• post Loud Thunder question of the week - Alix 
• replace pool motor seals
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• fix deck adjustment on riding mower
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• clean the pool again
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• Sunday, May 21 - Ryan's daughter's grad party
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

15 - OPEN

16 - 4 p.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional -- Saint Bede vs. Winner of Midland and Lowpoint Washburn.

17 - 4 p.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional -- Wethersfield vs. Stark County

18 - OPEN

19 - OPEN

20 - 11 a.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional - winners
21 - SUNDAY
22 - OPEN
23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Monday, May 15

5:45 a.m. - Yesterday was nice.  The weather was pretty much terrible, and seemed to get worse as the day got later.  I did manage to get the pool swept, but it needs a lot more attention...in fact I'm going to place an order with the online pool place to get some help.  We went to church service, and then we went to the Bakers (may aunt and uncle) to celebrate Mother's Day.  It was a good chance for me to sit around the table and listen to stories and thoughts and opinions...plus the food was great - brats and burgers and baked beans and potato salad and rhubarb pie.  That was delicious.  I think it was around 4 p.m. when I got home and then it was pretty much couch and television from that point on.  I even slept halfway decently.  

The weather is still cool today, but that's okay.  I think I have the day off from softball before the regional week begins.  I'm still not sure who my partners are at United Township in two weeks...I'm a little worried about that situation.

Today at school the halls should be quieter - no seniors.  Let's just get through the week.  The weekend weather is looking nice.  Other than that softball regional championship on Saturday, it might be a nice weekend to go camping.

Things to do for school

• send announcement about late work, make-up work, or revisions to essays
• post lesson plan for May 16
• post next questions for May 16
• enter scores for 451 - end of Part 1; enter scores for Ox-Bow pages 101-122
• figure out semester exams (I do have tests for both novels.)

Things to do

• place order at Doheny's
• Amber's Birthday
• post Loud Thunder question of the week - Alix 
• replace pool motor seals
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• fix deck adjustment on riding mower
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• deposit checks into the bank
• clean the pool again
• get out new license received in the mail
• renew stickers for the vehicles online
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• Sunday, May 21 - Ryan's daughter's grad party
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

15 - OPEN

16 - 4 p.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional -- Saint Bede vs. Winner of Midland and Lowpoint Washburn.

17 - 4 p.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional -- Wethersfield vs. Stark County

18 - OPEN

19 - OPEN

20 - 11 a.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional - winners
21 - SUNDAY
22 - OPEN
23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Sunday, May 14 - Happy Mother's Day

5:47 a.m. - Yesterday was a busy day; I didn't even get a chance to post a blog entry.  I woke up and Amber was already up setting up for her garage sale.  So for me it was also time to get up and get to work...put chlorine in the pool, get to Shawn's and finish the wood splitting, then get to my mom's and get her garden tilled, then get back home and grab my wallet and get to Aledo to pick up some bird seed and soil and a Mother's Day card, then back home to help Amber tear down her yard sale and take the unsold products to Goodwill, then back home for more work on the yard before the rains, and finally a little down time.  I watched a little television and then the Strachans stopped by to visit.  We ended the night by taking our first hot tub dip.  Amber got an inflatable hot tub from her kids, and it was ready to try out.  That was a day of a lot of stuff.

Today is Mother's Day, and my mom has always been one of my most powerful role models.  We don't agree on everything, but she's a go-getter, and she can be very stubborn with her beliefs.  I am a lot like her in a lot of ways.  It was great yesterday to get over there and till that garden; it always makes me smile.  They have this rototiller that was beyond it's prime twenty years ago.  So every year we take the poor thing out, use starter fluid to get it going, and it eventually fires and it limps along to get her garden tilled.  Every year I want to threaten her to get a new tiller; every year she reminds me we use it once a year for an hour, so why get something new - and she's right.  I enjoy doing things for her because of how much she's done for me.  Sometime I worry about her because she may need to slow down a bit, but that's not her, and it wouldn't be how she wants to live.  Go get 'em mom, Happy Mother's Day.  Let's go bust that rototiller once every spring for an hour for many, many more years.

So today I want to get a few things done around the house and then head to Mother's Day festivities.  I may end up going to church service today...apparently Brinley and Brooklyn are singing.  I'd like to get the pool cleaned, and then I wouldn't mind mowing the yard today again even if I did mow it Friday.  I need to work on the deck, as it's uneven again; that thing is always giving me issues.  It would be nice to purchase a new riding mower.

Things to do for school

• post lesson plan for May 16
• post next questions for May 16
• figure out semester exams (I do have tests for both novels.)

Things to do

• place order at Doheny's
• replace pool motor seals
• fix pavement stone by hot tub
• fix deck adjustment on riding mower
• recycle chlorine jugs - West Lake
• plant grass seed to stop erosion
• deposit checks into the bank
• clean the pool again
• get out new license received in the mail
• renew stickers for the vehicles online
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

15 - OPEN

16 - 4 p.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional -- Saint Bede vs. Winner of Midland and Lowpoint Washburn.

17 - 4 p.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional -- Wethersfield vs. Stark County

18 - OPEN

19 - OPEN

20 - 11 a.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional - winners
21 - SUNDAY
22 - OPEN
23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN

Friday, May 12

6:37 a.m. - The regular season schedule for softball that I have (not including today or tomorrow) is completed.  It was a long night at Mercer County last night, but it's done.  Yesterday, I had to deal with a student and what I felt was improper attire.  He had a shirt with a graphic that was a woman in lingerie...he refused to wear something else or turn the shirt inside out, so he went home.  He's been sending me emails ever since arguing his case.  He should be fun to have in class today.  

Speaking of today...today is the last day for seniors.  They will be squirrels, and I get it, and it's a big milestone, and they have honestly been pretty tame this week.  I'm just old and don't deal with squirrels very well anymore.  It's nothing against them...it's me.

I got another softball postseason assignment, and I suspected I would go to a 3A/4A regional, which is what happened.  I'm headed to United Township.  I don't yet know my partners...this won't be fun.  I just hope they hire three umpires and not two.  I'm a little hurt that I go to state one year and the  next year I only go to the regional level...goes to prove what I've said for a long time...officiating state finals isn't only about being good...it's about other things as well.  Unfortunately I'm at a disadvantage living on the border of the state...limits the number of sectionals and supersectionals that are in my area.  It's also about the number of other good officials in the area in which you live.  So basically, you have to be pretty good, get high powerpoints, but also some other things have to go your way.  The IHSA doesn't really explain the process in those terms.  This year essentially devalues last year's experience.  Last year it was my turn; this year, it's not.

Things to do for school

• need lesson plan for May 15
• need to post next questions for May 15
• post lesson plan for May 16
• post next questions for May 16
• figure out semester exams (I do have tests for both novels.)

Things to do

• send message to AW and MerCo
• put UT games on calendar
• deposit checks into the bank
• mow the yard
• clean the pool
• renew stickers for the vehicles online
• get check from MonRose from wash - $70
• finish splitting firewood at Shawn's
• May 24 - Chase's birthday
• June 23-24-25-26 -- Springfield trip - Double J  https://doublejcampground.com/ -$62.00 per day

May

15 - OPEN

16 - 4 p.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional -- Saint Bede vs. Winner of Midland and Lowpoint Washburn.

17 - 4 p.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional -- Wethersfield vs. Stark County

18 - OPEN

19 - OPEN

20 - 11 a.m. at Annawan IHSA 1A regional - winners
21 - SUNDAY
22 - OPEN
23 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Pekin vs. Normal Community

24 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- Moline vs. United Township

25 - BLOCKED OPEN (could potentially try West Lake first come/first serve)

26 - 4:30 p.m. at UT IHSA 4A regional -- championship

27 - BLOCKED OPEN

28 - Sunday

29 - BLOCKED OPEN - Memorial Day

30 - BLOCKED OPEN

31 - BLOCKED OPEN