And It Begins

The cold weather kind of snuck up on me this year. I have been so busy lately that I haven't had time to "smell the roses". As I look out the window today I see the end of another growing season. In a two day period the beautiful trees that were just outside my school windows have been reduced to barren land-like trees. We have been so lucky with the weather so far that when the November-like weather did hit I think it took us all by suprise. The November clouds have rolled in and have covered us in that familiar early holiday feel. I can practically smell the pumpkin pie when I look out at the leafless trees and dying grass. I hope that you are not getting the wrong impression. I love this time of year. Walks outside are one of my favorite things to do this time of year. The smell of decaying leaves is heavenly to me. It reminds me of growing up and playing outside in the fall. In a couple of weeks Thanksgiving will be here and the holiday season will be in full swing. Don't get so busy that you forget to enjoy the small things like watching a holiday show with your kids, cooking with your kids, reading a book with your kids, having a good talk with your wife with a cup of coffee, and laughing as silly things with your family. These are the things that make life worth living.

Beautiful Day for Football!

The Fighting Irish play today, my son has practice, and my family is coming for the weekend to watch my son's game tomorrow. 73 and sunny today...awesome! I will blog ya' from the game with a pic. These kind of weekends are what I live for. Running around with my family in some nice weather is about as simple as it gets but some how it reminds me what is important in life. Enjoy your weekend!

Midwest Weather

Currently it is 87 degrees in my room and 91 outside. It feels like we are in an oven. Dismissal time today has been moved up to 2:00 pm. It sure is hard for students to concentrate when the temperature and humidity are up like they are today. The students did well today even with the heat the way it was. My son has football practice tonight. Welcome to football son!

On the other hand, tomorrow's high is supposed to be 72 degrees! What a difference a day makes! This Midwest weather is crazy! Hopefully this cooler weather will energize us all. Keep cool!

January?

Today I went for a 50 minute walk...outside...in 60 degree weather! It is January 6th? What a beautiful "Spring" day! Right now it is 67 degrees. I set out on the front porch for about an hour playing on the laptop. My allergies are acting up. I am sure we will pay for this with some upcoming nasty weather. I am enjoying this weather but it sure makes me think of spring and the end of school. Anyway, enjoy this wonderful weather if you live in the area, and if you don't live in the area, we will enjoy it for you!

I just saw, as I was watching the Giant and Buccaneer game, that it is only 70 in Tampa Bay. We're close!

Snow (Ice) Days

The first "snow-days" of the season fell upon us this week. The "snow-days" allowed us to have, at least, a four day weekend. My kids enjoyed yesterday but fell into the "boredums" today. I kept telling myself to get writing on my blog but blogging has recently taken a back seat to my podcasting. I think my students enjoy the podcasts more and I also think they have more personality to them.

Anyway, what did I do with the two days off? On Monday I went for a walk with the kids in the mall, went and did some grocery shopping, cleaned the house, and made my "famous" chili. I was busy most of the day. I felt very accomplished and got a lot done. Today (Tuesday) I didn't do much until around 3. I mean, I did the normal things to keep the house running with two kids in it. I cooked lunch for them and picked up the house. I got to spend quite a bit of time on the computer. I took the kids to see "Enchanted", which by the way, was a very good movie, at 4:00 and then I dropped them off at home. I then went to the mall to do my walk. I really needed the walk. It was nice to get out of the house for awhile and just "chill". School is still up in the air for tomorrow but I really need to get back in a routine. You students know how I am!

Snow in Quincy

The first measurable snow fell in Quincy, Il yesterday. It wasn't much but it was enough to cause some problems on the roadways, get the kids excited, and get me into the Christmas spirit. We received around 2 inches of snow in Quincy. It sounds like we are in for an interesting weekend, as far as weather, also. Freezing rain is in the forecast again. My kids were so excited about the snow yesterday! They couldn't wait to get out in it. My son did just that but my daughter was angry because she had dance and didn't get the chance to get out in it. I think Christmas tree shopping is on the agenda this weekend. Hopefully we can get that done before the weather hits. Enjoy the snow and be careful on the ice!

It's A Heat Wave!

Yeah, it's hot! Are most of us spoiled? I am sure that most of you out there, under 30 I'm guessing, grew up with air conditioning. My wife did and I did not. Yes, it is more comfortable in the the air but I really think it cut's down on our all around tolerance for the heat. I mean if I start the day out in the heat I sure don't notice it in the afternoon as much as I do if I have something to do inside in the morning and try to get going outside in the afternoon. There are only a few days, growing up, that I can remember that it was just unbearable. Those were some pretty memorable nights. I remember sitting in the living room late at night with a couple of fans blowing on my family and I. We didn't have any lights on and we were just trying to get a few zzzs, but my brother and I always managed to get a conversation started with our parents so we could stay up later and pretty soon we forgot all about the heat. I admit, I have become soft since I was younger. I have become spoiled; or maybe just old. My mom and dad just got central air around four years ago or so. I am glad they got air. I am not glad for me, but for their health. They are not spring chickens anymore and I really think it helps them cope with the summer heat. My mom still doesn't like to turn it on but she will if it gets hot enough (like today!). I think my dad benefits the most. He works in an office all day and is used to the air. It would be really hard to work in the air all day and come home to a hot-box of a house. I don't think it used to bother him much, but now I think it really drains him.

This week's temperatures are a little early! As stated on the average weather page for where I live, the average temp for June is supposed to be around 84. It was around 94 today. At least it didn't get record hot today (102!). With temperatures like this in June what do you think July and August hold for us in the Midwest. Like they say, "If you don't like the weather in the Midwest, just wait fifteen minutes."

What do you do to stay cool during hot weeks like this?