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Monday, February 16, 2026

Monday, February 16 - President's Day - No School!

7:21 a.m. - I finally slept well!  Maybe I just need Hogan's Heroes!  With Amber in Florida, I made it to bed around 9 p.m., and I found episodes of Hogan's Heroes on Amazon Prime.  I felt like I was in the camper!  I remember watching about 15 minutes, and I was out.  I woke up around 4:30 a.m., which is normally when we are waking up.  I used the bathroom, shut off the television, and went back to bed and slept another couple of hours.  Perfect!

So it's now me and Bella and the Today Show.  

Yesterday, I had a nice day.  I got up early to take the HHR to Carmen and Tyler.  That dang car ran perfect.  I know it's silly to feel guilty and sad about a car, but I loved that little car.  It was always dependable; it helped me a lot through all the times I had sometimes three seasons of gear in it - volleyball, softball, and basketball; and it got great gas mileage.  It had over 245,000 miles on it, but that dang thing raced off to Fort Madison like it had 245.  I told Tyler all the things wrong with it that I could remember, and I told him that he can do whatever he wants with it, but he's not allowed to let Carmen drive it, and the big thing that needs to be fixed is the driver's side door.  Did I mention I loved that little car?

While getting the car down there was important, I really needed to spend some time with Caleb.  That little guy just makes me smile.  I spent a little time with him at The Sanctuary's church service, and then I spent time with him at his house while Tyler and Carmen packed up for their trip to an overnight "them night" in the Quad Cities.  And then I got to have lunch with the Hoenigs at Jimmy Johns in Burlington, and I got to hold Caleb's hand on the ride home back to Edgington.  I think we ended up getting home around 5 ish?  Caleb was sleeping when we pulled in the drive, and then Carmen and Tyler used the restroom at the house before continuing on to Sherrard where Caleb was going to spend the night with Grandma Sue.  I thought they were pulling out of the drive, but then Carmen came back in the house because Caleb had woken up and was asking for Papa!  So I hustled back outside and told Caleb I loved him and said goodbye to him.  It was awesome!

The rest of the evening was me and Bella and caring for my knees and watching television - a little NFHS, a little Winter Olympics, and then ending with Hogans Heroes.

And what to do today?  I have a bunch of little things I would like to do.  These are simple things like getting in a little workout, maybe going for a walk out at Loud Thunder, cleaning the kitty litter, washing the car, etc... just little things to take a chance to get done.  I'm also going to visit mom and dad.  Finally, I hope to tackle the classroom observation scripts I completed at school last week.  So, basically, I think today is going to be busy, but hopefully a peaceful and quiet busy. 

Things to do for School 

  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey
  • Feb. 25 -  PTO meeting at TRE at 6 p.m.
  • Mar 25 - PTO meeting at ICE at 6 p.m.
  • Apr 22 - PTO meeting at Andalusia 6 p.m.

OTHER THINGS

    February

    16 - OPEN

    17 - Galva Regional - 1 hour drive time to Galva from Edgington

        6 p.m. - (Bureau Valley and Polo)

        7:30 p.m. - (Sterling Newman vs. Stark County)

    18 - OPEN

    19 - OPEN

    20 - 7:00 game at Galva Regional (championship) - 1 hour drive time from Edgington

    21 - OPEN (I think)

    22 - SUNDAY

    23 - boys regional quarterfinals

    24 - girls sectional semifinals

    25 - at Farmington IHSA boys regional - 6 p.m. - 90 minutes drive time from Edgington

    26 - girls sectional finals

    27 - at Farmington IHSA boys regional - 7 p.m. - 90 minutes drive time from Edgington

    28 - OPEN (I think)

    1 - SUNDAY

    2 - girls supersectional

    3 - boys sectional semifinals

    4 - boys sectional semifinals

    5 - girls state finals

    6 - girls state finals; boys sectional finals

    7 - girls state finals

    8 - SUNDAY


Sunday, February 15, 2026

Sunday, February 15

4:35 a.m. - Well, I couldn't sleep last night, so here I am up early again when I don't need to be.

Yesterday was a long day, but it was a good day.  I started off by taking Amber and Kristi to the airport.  They landed in Florida safely, and now they are going to have a nice get-a-way weekend.  After getting back from the airport, I laid down for a bit and snoozed, and then I got ready to head to my basketball games.  The first game was a girls quarterfinal regional game between Ridgewood and Stark County.  It was close for a half, and then Stark County pulled away.  The we had about a 90-minute wait until our second game, which was a boys LTC tournament game between Bureau Valley and A-Town.  This game was physical, which we expected.  It wasn't easy to officiate, but A-Town pulled away in the second half.  After that, we went and had pizza and ice cream at Genesio's in Woodhull.  It was good.  After getting home, I tried to unwind and watch a little basketball, but I couldn't stay awake.  I wish I could have just stayed sleeping instead of waking up at 2 a.m.

Since I woke up early, I decided to ice my knees and watch yesterday's games on NFHS.  I still look too fat, but I seem to be moving better.  

I'm trying to get a few things done around the house before leaving this morning for Fort Madison.  I'm going to take the HHR down to Tyler, and then Carmen, Tyler, and Caleb are going to bring me back home.  After that, I'll probably head to mom and dad's and check in on them and probably visit for a bit.  Maybe I'll watch some of the Daytona 500 with dad.  And then I think it's just back home to relax.

Oh, I did get some good news yesterday.  I received a boys regional assignment to officiate.  I have a semi-final and a championship game at Farmington.  I'm not real crazy about the drive, but I'm glad to get a full regional.  Marcus is going to Alleman for one boys regional game, and Tony is going to Rockridge for one game.  Speaking of those two...yesterday was the last day of us officiating together for the 25-26 season.  I can easily say the three of us had a successful season.  I do hope they both get a girls sectional game.

Things to do for School 

  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey
  • Feb. 25 -  PTO meeting at TRE at 6 p.m.
  • Mar 25 - PTO meeting at ICE at 6 p.m.
  • Apr 22 - PTO meeting at Andalusia 6 p.m.

OTHER THINGS

    February

    16 - OPEN

    17 - Galva Regional - 1 hour drive time to Galva from Edgington

        6 p.m. - (Bureau Valley and Polo)

        7:30 p.m. - (Sterling Newman vs. Stark County)

    18 - OPEN

    19 - OPEN

    20 - 7:00 game at Galva Regional (championship) - 1 hour drive time from Edgington

    21 - OPEN (I think)

    22 - SUNDAY

    23 - boys regional quarterfinals

    24 - girls sectional semifinals

    25 - at Farmington IHSA boys regional - 6 p.m. - 90 minutes drive time from Edgington

    26 - girls sectional finals

    27 - at Farmington IHSA boys regional - 7 p.m. - 90 minutes drive time from Edgington

    28 - OPEN (I think)

    1 - SUNDAY

    2 - girls supersectional

    3 - boys sectional semifinals

    4 - boys sectional semifinals

    5 - girls state finals

    6 - girls state finals; boys sectional finals

    7 - girls state finals

    8 - SUNDAY


Saturday, February 14, 2026

Saturday, February 14 - Happy Valentine's Day!

4:04 a.m. - I wonder why I'm not sleeping very well.  I guess I have too many things going on in my brain.   

Yesterday, I survived Friday the 13th.  We got through the school half day, with the special Valentine's Day celebrations and brunch.  We also got through the professional development by making an appearance.  We also got through the officiating night.  Basically, we got through it.  

And now on to today!  I'm helping out Amber and Kristi by getting them to the airport this morning, so they can take a flight to Florida and spend the long weekend relaxing with Jack and Rhonda.  I'm glad they get to get away and get a break.  I'm not going, as this is the start of girls regional week.  

Actually today, is the start.  Tony, Marcus, and I have a girls quarterfinal game this morning at 11:30 a.m at AlWood, and then we have a boys LTC tournament game this afternoon at 3 pm.  These games will be the last four "the crew".  The basketball season is always so long, but it's SOOOO much better with a dependable, fun crew.  We don't work each and every game together, but I would guess at least 75% of the time we are together.  

Tony is going to the A-Town regional in Abingdon, Marcus is going to Riverdale, and I'm going to Galva.  I'm going to miss my guys.  The plan is to grab  some pizza in Woodhull after this afternoon's game and then find some ice cream somewhere and celebrate the season!  And then...get home and relax a bit myself.  Maybe I can sleep better tonight.

Things to do for School 

  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey
  • Feb. 25 -  PTO meeting at TRE at 6 p.m.
  • Mar 25 - PTO meeting at ICE at 6 p.m.
  • Apr 22 - PTO meeting at Andalusia 6 p.m.

OTHER THINGS

    February

    13 - at Orion boys vs. Rockridge (Marcus and John Hippen) 5:30

    • Jay drives

    • Pick up Marcus at Marcus’s office at 4:00 p.m.

    14 - at AlWood girls regional - Ridgewood vs. Stark County - 11:30 a.m.

    at AlWood boys (LTC trny game) (Marcus and Tony) 3 p.m.

    • Jay drives

    • (30 min. from Aledo)

    • Marcus meets Jay at Jay’s house at 9:30 a.m..; picks up Tony at Tony’s house at 10:00 a.m.


    15 - SUNDAY


    February

    13 - at Orion boys vs. Rockridge (Marcus and John Hippen)

    14 - at AlWood boys (LTC trny game) (Marcus and Tony) 3 p.m.

    - girls regional quarterfinals

    15 - SUNDAY

    16 - OPEN

    17 - 7:30 game at Galva Regional (semi-final)

        Game 5 - Winner of game 2 and game 3 (Morrison vs. Bureau Valley and Galva at Polo)

        Game 6 - Winner of game 5 vs. game 6 (Sterling Newman vs. Stark County/Ridgewood)

    18 - OPEN

    19 - OPEN

    20 - 7:00 game at Galva Regional (championship)

    21 - OPEN (I think)

    22 - SUNDAY

    23 - boys regional quarterfinals

    24 - girls sectional semifinals

    25 - at Farmington IHSA boys regional - 6 p.m.

    26 - girls sectional finals

    27 - at Farmington IHSA boys regional - 7 p.m.

    28 - OPEN (I think)

    1 - SUNDAY

    2 - girls supersectional

    3 - boys sectional semifinals

    4 - boys sectional semifinals

    5 - girls state finals

    6 - girls state finals; boys sectional finals

    7 - girls state finals

    8 - SUNDAY


Friday, February 13, 2026

Friday, February 13

4:44 a.m. - Yesterday was a long one, but it was a win.  The second grade students went to a Quad City Storm game, and for the most part, it went fine.  Then we had an intense game at Rock Island last night with Galesburg (girls) getting upset at Rocky.

Today...half day...Valentine's Day Party...just survive.  And then tonight, we have FS/V boys at Orion.  The only problem with that is that the opponent is Rockridge.  (No rest for the wicked.)

I didn't sleep well at all last night...I'd like to get home and get a nap today before the games.


Things to do for School 

  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey
  • Feb. 25 -  PTO meeting at TRE at 6 p.m.
  • Mar 25 - PTO meeting at ICE at 6 p.m.
  • Apr 22 - PTO meeting at Andalusia 6 p.m.

OTHER THINGS

    February

    13 - at Orion boys vs. Rockridge (Marcus and John Hippen) 5:30

    • Jay drives

    • Pick up Marcus at Marcus’s office at 4:00 p.m.

    14 - at AlWood girls regional - Ridgewood vs. Stark County - 11:30 a.m.

    at AlWood boys (LTC trny game) (Marcus and Tony) 3 p.m.

    • Jay drives

    • (30 min. from Aledo)

    • Marcus meets Jay at Jay’s house at 9:30 a.m..; picks up Tony at Tony’s house at 10:00 a.m.


    15 - SUNDAY


    February

    13 - at Orion boys vs. Rockridge (Marcus and John Hippen)

    14 - at AlWood boys (LTC trny game) (Marcus and Tony) 3 p.m.

    - girls regional quarterfinals

    15 - SUNDAY

    16 - OPEN

    17 - 7:30 game at Galva Regional (semi-final)

        Game 5 - Winner of game 2 and game 3 (Morrison vs. Bureau Valley and Galva at Polo)

        Game 6 - Winner of game 5 vs. game 6 (Sterling Newman vs. Stark County/Ridgewood)

    18 - OPEN

    19 - OPEN

    20 - 7:00 game at Galva Regional (championship)

    21 - OPEN (I think)

    22 - SUNDAY

    23 - boys regional quarterfinals

    24 - girls sectional semifinals

    25 - boys regional semifinals

    26 - girls sectional finals

    27 - boys regional finals

    28 - OPEN (I think)

    1 - SUNDAY

    2 - girls supersectional

    3 - boys sectional semifinals

    4 - boys sectional semifinals

    5 - girls state finals

    6 - girls state finals; boys sectional finals

    7 - girls state finals

    8 - SUNDAY


Thursday, February 12, 2026

Thursday, February 12

4:53 a.m. - Yesterday was busy, but it was also productive.  I had no student discipline issues to deal with, which was very nice.  Then we traveled to Abingdon to work one game in the LTC girls tournament, which wasn't much of a game.  That was the last regular season 1A/2A game of the season  Now there is one 3A/4A game tonight, and then I have the post season to work.  

Today, the second grade goes to a Quad City Storm game.  This will be an adventure.  Then we work a Rock Island girls game tonight,which will also be an adventure.  Bring on the adventure!

Things to do for School 

  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey
  • Feb. 25 -  PTO meeting at TRE at 6 p.m.
  • Mar 25 - PTO meeting at ICE at 6 p.m.
  • Apr 22 - PTO meeting at Andalusia 6 p.m.

OTHER THINGS

    February

    12 - at Rock Island girls vs. Galesburg (Marcus and Tony) 7:00

    • (15 min. From Andalusia to Rock Island)

    • Tony drives

    • Pick up Jay at his house at 5:00

    • Pick up Marcus at his house at 5:15

    13 - at Orion boys vs. Rockridge (Marcus and John Hippen) 5:30

    • Jay drives

    • Pick up Marcus at Marcus’s office at 4:00 p.m.

    14 - at AlWood girls regional - Ridgewood vs. Stark County - 11:30 a.m.

    at AlWood boys (LTC trny game) (Marcus and Tony) 3 p.m.

    • Jay drives

    • (30 min. from Aledo)

    • Marcus meets Jay at Jay’s house at 9:30 a.m..; picks up Tony at Tony’s house at 10:00 a.m.


    15 - SUNDAY


    February

    12 - at Rock Island girls vs. Galesburg (Marcus and Tony) 7:00

    13 - at Orion boys vs. Rockridge (Marcus and John Hippen)

    14 - at AlWood boys (LTC trny game) (Marcus and Tony) 3 p.m.

    - girls regional quarterfinals

    15 - SUNDAY

    16 - OPEN

    17 - 7:30 game at Galva Regional (semi-final)

        Game 5 - Winner of game 2 and game 3 (Morrison vs. Bureau Valley and Galva at Polo)

        Game 6 - Winner of game 5 vs. game 6 (Sterling Newman vs. Stark County/Ridgewood)

    18 - OPEN

    19 - OPEN

    20 - 7:00 game at Galva Regional (championship)

    21 - OPEN (I think)

    22 - SUNDAY

    23 - boys regional quarterfinals

    24 - girls sectional semifinals

    25 - boys regional semifinals

    26 - girls sectional finals

    27 - boys regional finals

    28 - OPEN (I think)

    1 - SUNDAY

    2 - girls supersectional

    3 - boys sectional semifinals

    4 - boys sectional semifinals

    5 - girls state finals

    6 - girls state finals; boys sectional finals

    7 - girls state finals

    8 - SUNDAY


Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Wednesday, February 11

5:12 a.m. - Yesterday was another survival day.  One student had a challenging day, but we worked through that.  We got through a before school staff meeting, something that I still think is dumb.  We also got through officiating last night without any problems.  

Today, I hope it's just a repeat.  Get through the day, get through officiating in Abingdon, and get home to bed.

Things to do for School 

  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey
  • Feb. 25 -  PTO meeting at TRE at 6 p.m.
  • Mar 25 - PTO meeting at ICE at 6 p.m.
  • Apr 22 - PTO meeting at Andalusia 6 p.m.

OTHER THINGS

    February

    13 - at Orion boys vs. Rockridge (Marcus and John Hippen) 5:30

    • Jay drives

    • Pick up Marcus at Marcus’s office at 4:00 p.m.

    14 - at AlWood girls regional - Ridgewood vs. Stark County - 11:30 a.m.

    at AlWood boys (LTC trny game) (Marcus and Tony) 3 p.m.

    • Jay drives

    • (30 min. from Aledo)

    • Marcus meets Jay at Jay’s house at 9:30 a.m..; picks up Tony at Tony’s house at 10:00 a.m.


    15 - SUNDAY


    February

    13 - at Orion boys vs. Rockridge (Marcus and John Hippen)

    14 - at AlWood boys (LTC trny game) (Marcus and Tony) 3 p.m.

    - girls regional quarterfinals

    15 - SUNDAY

    16 - OPEN

    17 - 6 p.m. and 7:30 game at Galva Regional (semi-final)

        Game 5 - Winner of game 2 and game 3 (Morrison vs. Bureau Valley and Galva at Polo)

        Game 6 - Winner of game 5 vs. game 6 (Sterling Newman vs. Stark County/Ridgewood)

    18 - OPEN

    19 - OPEN

    20 - 7:00 game at Galva Regional (championship)

    21 - OPEN (I think)

    22 - SUNDAY

    23 - boys regional quarterfinals

    24 - girls sectional semifinals

    25 - boys regional semifinals

    26 - girls sectional finals

    27 - boys regional finals

    28 - OPEN (I think)

    1 - SUNDAY

    2 - girls supersectional

    3 - boys sectional semifinals

    4 - boys sectional semifinals

    5 - girls state finals

    6 - girls state finals; boys sectional finals

    7 - girls state finals

    8 - SUNDAY



Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Tuesday, February 10

5:24 a.m. - Yesterday was a long day of a long week.  I started the day by going to Old Towne Bakery to get cake.  Then I was off to school to get the gym ready for the 70th Birthday Party and certificate assembly at ICE.  It all came together like I would have hoped.  Our student council members, a long with Anita and Lori, got the gym decorated with all the decorations we had ordered - including the table settings and the banner.  And I would say there were 20-30 community members too.  We had too much cake and too much ice cream, but that's okay.  It's always better to have too much than not enough.  And I even got to talk to some folks that I hadn't met and heard some things I had never yet known.

And then I go through the rest of the day, which was very busy, including completing an observation for evaluation.  And after that, I needed to attend a BOE meeting, which really was a fairly short meeting.  

Today won't be as busy, but there will still be a lot of work.  And then I have games at Mercer County tonight, which is good because it's close. 

One other thing that did occur yesterday - the first post-season assignments for girls basketball have been released.  As expected, I'm headed to Galva.  I'm very happy that Tony and Marcus both got full regionals, as Marcus is going to Riverdale and Tony is going to ATown.  Robbie is going to UTHS, and Tad and Jason are going to Metamora.  On Saturday, Mario told me that I could anticipate a state finals assignment if/when I was an "R" for a Super sectional.  Last year, Brad Gooding was the "R", so now I'm thinking he will go to the state finals this year and I may still be a year away.  I'm okay with that.  I would really like to have a full boys regional and get a boys sectional game for a first time.  Last year I only got one boys regional game.  That information will be released next week.

Things to do for School 

  • update attendance each week in SDS
  • send any IEP notices to Mrs. Saey
  • Feb. 25 -  PTO meeting at TRE at 6 p.m.
  • Mar 25 - PTO meeting at ICE at 6 p.m.
  • Apr 22 - PTO meeting at Andalusia 6 p.m.

OTHER THINGS

    February

    10 - at MerCo boys vs. Morrison (Tony and Molly Doughty) 5:30

    • All drive separately

    11 - at ATown girls LTC 3rd-4th place game (Marcus and Tony) 6 p.m.

    • Marcus drives

    • (60 min. from Aledo to ATown)

    • Pick up Jay at his house at 4:00

    • Pick up Tony at Tony’s office at 4:15 p.m.

    12 - at Rock Island girls vs. Galesburg (Marcus and Tony) 7:00

    • (15 min. From Andalusia to Rock Island)

    • Tony drives

    • Pick up Jay at his house at 5:00

    • Pick up Marcus at his house at 5:15

    13 - at Orion boys vs. Rockridge (Marcus and John Hippen) 5:30

    • Jay drives

    • Pick up Marcus at Marcus’s office at 4:00 p.m.

    14 - at AlWood girls regional - Ridgewood vs. Stark County - 11:30 a.m.

    at AlWood boys (LTC trny game) (Marcus and Tony) 3 p.m.

    • Jay drives

    • (30 min. from Aledo)

    • Marcus meets Jay at Jay’s house at 9:30 a.m..; picks up Tony at Tony’s house at 10:00 a.m.


    15 - SUNDAY


    February

    10 - at MerCo boys vs. Morrison (Tony and Molly Doughty) 5:30

    11 - at ATown girls LTC 3rd-4th place game (Marcus and Tony) 6 p.m.

    12 - at Rock Island girls vs. Galesburg (Marcus and Tony) 7:00

    13 - at Orion boys vs. Rockridge (Marcus and John Hippen)

    14 - at AlWood boys (LTC trny game) (Marcus and Tony) 3 p.m.

    - girls regional quarterfinals

    15 - SUNDAY

    16 - OPEN

    17 - 7:30 game at Galva Regional (semi-final)

        Game 5 - Winner of game 2 and game 3 (Morrison vs. Bureau Valley and Galva at Polo)

        Game 6 - Winner of game 5 vs. game 6 (Sterling Newman vs. Stark County/Ridgewood)

    18 - OPEN

    19 - OPEN

    20 - 7:00 game at Galva Regional (championship)

    21 - OPEN (I think)

    22 - SUNDAY

    23 - boys regional quarterfinals

    24 - girls sectional semifinals

    25 - boys regional semifinals

    26 - girls sectional finals

    27 - boys regional finals

    28 - OPEN (I think)

    1 - SUNDAY

    2 - girls supersectional

    3 - boys sectional semifinals

    4 - boys sectional semifinals

    5 - girls state finals

    6 - girls state finals; boys sectional finals

    7 - girls state finals

    8 - SUNDAY

    9 - boys supersectional

    10 - OPEN (I think)

    11 - OPEN (I think)

    12-14 - boys state finals