Derby

Quickly approaching...
I am going with Friesan Fire...

And Uncle Lee - Hoofhearted did not make the list...

Pandemic?

Level 4 - wow. I work with a girl that just got back Saturday from her Mexico/Caribbean honeymoon. She has a mild cough but no symptoms. Since we are friends, I keep giving her a bit of grief which is quite fun. She has no fever or anything like that but we tease her nonetheless. We told our supervisor that we should get to work from home since she has already infected us - but she isn't buying it. Oh well...

My sumo pics aren't as good as I would have hoped - but just for Aunt Janet...

It's Over!!!!

The Prom weekend has come and gone. In a nutshell - it was successful - the kids had fun and I survived! In the pics - Mellisa is with her best friend Ashley - they went dateless and had a blast. Kiel and his date, Rachel. They have been best friends since about 4th grade... Tomorrow - I will have pics of Kiel and Mellisa sumu wrestling each other at Post Prom...

Recruiting update

Well, we met with Lincoln Jr. Co. on Wednesday. Great coach - team place third in the nation last year - and have a history of top finishes for quite a while. He offered Kiel one of his out of state scholarships - which means tuition and books - which amounts to about $21,000/year. He can't pay housing/food - but that is only $6000/year. Although it is a JuCo - they do offer upper level courses in criminal justice so he could start focusing on that as well. He might redshirt him his first year - not sure about that yet. But - he would give him a full ride regardless of status.

We didn't sign yet - although we probably will. It's close - I like the coach - it's residential so he can get the 'college experience' and the coach was excited about helping him find a 4-year school to finish. He has a school in Tennessee and one in Wisconsin still looking at him...

but WOOHOO!!!

Growing up...

It's funny how the smallest things make me cry anymore (stupid menopause)...

I was driving home from work yesterday and remembered that I need to start working on Kiel's graduation announcements. Yes, he should be doing them himself but seriously, no one can read anything he writes. I failed as a parent on the hand writing scorecard. Anyhow, I just burst into tears. I think I will handle Kiel's graduation much worse than AJ's. AJ spoiled me - he was an easy graduation transition since he is just in the basement. Kiel is going off to college - like miles - like I am going to have to plan a trip to see him. This just breaks my heart.

Poor Mellisa's feet are large - and finding shoes is impossible. So for Prom, we bought men's black flip flops. I beaded and sewed on some gorgeous beads that she picked out - and they are beautiful. She tried them on - tears again... When did she get old enough for Prom?

Riley and Alyx brought home their 'casual' pictures from school. Alyx looks cute as a button and grinning with her toothless smile. Riley looks so grown-up. She was all posed - long blonde hair - cute clothes. Tears again...

When did my babies grow up???

Recruiting

Our first coach stopped by last night... Super nice guy - talked for a straight two hours. He is so young and has so many dreams. He has been the coach at Spoon River (small community college) for about 6hours before he came over! One day - he will really go somewhere - so impressive. I don't think that his start-up program is a good match for Kiel - and that's so sad. They have no money - and no housing. It would be fun to be a part of such a new program. Next college comes next Wednesday. Poor Kiel gets about 5 phone calls a night...

If nothing else, I clean the house like a crazy woman...

Kiel made the internet - check out the link...
http://midstatehoops.com/v5/2009/04/15/611-senior-is-a-division-i-sleeper/

Onto the soc sec problem. Chris found someone at the IRS to explain what will happen. They will send a letter to both parties - each has 30 days to respond - which I will immediately. If the other party doesn't respond, then another letter is sent to both parties to respond within 30 days. At that point, if no response, then they will add to to the pile of investigations. Great - I bet we are looking at years before this gets figured out. I am still hoping that someone made a little typo and I don't have an identity theft problem.

Just wonderful...

So, I was filling out the FAFSA for Kiel last night - this is the way the government determines if you are eligible for any financial aid. It kept rejecting it since it didn't like my social security number. I found that strange - and it told me to try again in two days. I said something to Chris and he said that the IRS had rejected our tax return since someone had already filed under my soc number.

Identity theft. Fabulous. There was even an article on MSNBC today about tax return/soc sec issues. Terrific. So now, no refund for gosh only knows how long - and no government aid to send Kiel to college since I can't get anything to go thru...

Chris is going to call the advocacy places today and see what can be done. Can't wait to see what run-around he gets...

Post Prom

Big meeting last night. It was our last committee chair meeting for the big event. $17,000 is our budget - so hopefully, we can pull this off.

Our casino chair made me a bit nervous - she mispronounced 'roulette'. Luckily, she isn't one of the 15 dealers for this night - I am not sure she would have a clue. She thought that the kids would be playing spades and was curious what the chips were for...

Tickets were the big controversy last night - how many can a student earn, do we give them out for sliding down a slide, etc. We have a zillion inflatables, sumo suits and the games - each earns tickets. The tickets are turned in for raffle prizes. I think the prize committee is awarding $25 cash every 15 minutes - with grand prizes at the end. They have purchased a laptop, Wii, sports tickets, flat screen TV, etc. I wish I qualified! There is a hypnotist show at the end that I hear is great - hope I can stay awake that long...

I am only in charge of the custodial staff - which I have bonded with over my years in the concession stand. They are a great group of guys. One of my favorites - the night supervisor in fact, is retiring after this class graduates. I will miss him - no matter what happened, he always kept his cool. So, I have the easy job for the night. I have my floor plan and each committees' equipment needs to get into a spreadsheet - easy as pie. Then I just walk around with the walkie talkie and call when we have messes or blown fuses!

One of the moms was throwing a fit about the cost for Prom. Well, we have NOTHING to do with Prom. Officially, we are not even a school-sponsored event (don't get me started on that fiasco). It is expensive - it's Prom. There are tuxes; there are shoes; there is hair and nails; there is ridiculously priced dresses; there are flowers; there are pictures; there are dinners; there are tickets; there are commemorative t-shirts; there may even be limos. It is Prom. I have no idea what she expected us to do. She wanted to know what Junior signed the contract for the facility that they are renting. What? Is she going to yell at them? True be told, the banquet facility was probably reserved five years ago... I have no idea what she plans on doing - but she better be afraid if she goes after Mellisa! Mellisa is the secretary for the junior board - and wow, she is not afraid to speak her mind! I wonder where she gets that?

Snow?

As if Mondays are not bad enough - I walk outside and there is an inch of snow on the ground. What in the world? My poor lilacs and bulbs. They are going to be so confused.
Mellisa called - she couldn't find the girls' snow boots. I packed them away already so she dug those out.
And now they are saying 60 degrees by the weekend!

What's the deal?

I have been way too busy at work lately! It is really starting to conflict with my blogging efforts. In a quick synopsis...
Kiel, Rachel and I tried on tuxes. Poor Kiel - he is too tall. Refer to the updated Kiel pic on the left! He will look fantastic. And we will match Rachel...
Riley and Alyx had casual pic day at school - so I will update their pic to individual ones when I get something. I did add "their day at concessions with mom" picture though...
I have my 'clearance' appointment with the urologist today - I am sure I will be fine. Darn - I liked not being able to lift anything!!!
AJ is great - getting thru the dreaded math class. I think he did ok on his last test so he might be a step closer to that Assoc. degree after all!
Chris is good - budget cuts at the farm but he is still hanging in there.
Kisses!