Ground Vinason...

Can't spell, but there might have to be some ground up deer meat soon.  I'm having one hell of a time playing chicken with all these Vinton County deer.  They are living up to their repuation of 3 deer to 1 person here.  ARGH!  So far no meat, but seriously I'm not backing down deer...get off my road.

More elementary schools today. I believe there is a lunchbox museum in the future this afternoon.  Last night there...then back in my very own bed tomorrow night.  YEAH!!!!!!!

Ok...back to work.

Kids...

3rd and 5th grade building roller costers today.  Electric is back. Went fishing. Caught a fish.  LIMITED access to internet, making the effort for you readers.

Off to dodge deer on the road.

Seriously???!#$!#$!$!..............




ARGH! Ok, so I did sleep last night with the help of some Tylenol PM. Yeah! However, this morning I woke up to no electricity. In the middle of the woods, it’s pitch black at 630am. ARGH! I did have hot water and did take a shower in the dark. I mean dark, I could not see my hand right in front of my face. No curling iron, hair dryer, lights…and I have to be the responsible one to make sure all of the students get up and get on the road on time. Did I really sign up for this? Oh, I guess I really am camping now.

I am connecting to the net which is great, but it's the school net, so no personal mail. I'm surprised that I can blog, but yeah.

SLEEP!!.....

Argh, first night in cabin was a mess. No sleep, well a tiny bit.  Sleep for 10 mins or so the up and hearing all noises around me.  This would not have been this bad except for some stupid person knocking on the cabin door at 1am and scared the crap out of them, then scared me that the students in the other cabin we going to actually open door to the knocking idiot. I have no idea who they were but they kept me up all night, it's only 330pm, but boy I need some sleep now. 

Ok off to tour a castle, who knew there was a castle in Vinton County.

I’m Off Again…


No, I’m not off my rocker. I’m off on another adventure. This one it not taking me as far as Florida, but could be interesting.

Let’s see if you can guess where I’m headed with a few clues.

-The county seat is McArthur.

-In the 2000 Census the population was 12,806—the least populated in the state.

-Lake Hope State Park is where I will be staying



Ready? I'm about to give up the answer...


....

....

Ready?...


Ok, give up?



I’m headed to the exciting Vinton, County OH—IO!

Why you ask, well I ask myself that a lot these days as I’m doing the planning for this week long trip. The University offers alternative spring break trips. It gives the students at the University the opportunity to do some community service during their break instead of just throwing back tequila shots. Now I do like my Patron, but it’s good to give back every now and then. I’m taking a group of 5 students to Vinton County to do some Access Programming in the High School and Elementary Schools. They will be talking about their college experience and the many ways individuals can increase their knowledge base after high school. Why go to Vinton County, why go to a county where there are literally no hotels to stay in, why go to a county where you have to stay in a cabin in a state park? Well…I’m not a camper as you likely know, I don’t believe in sleeping in a tent when there is likely a perfectly good bed not too far away. I don’t believe in not showering for days just to become one with nature. The good thing is, this is a cabin and there is running water, hot running water hopefully, and a bed --a real one. Opps off topic…we are going to Vinton County because they have a very low percentage of students who go on for a technical education, two year degrees, or four year degrees. We are going to show them there are options open to them depending on their interests.

The challenge will be to overcome a couple of mind sets. One, many of these students believe that they are going to be professional athletes. It doesn’t matter that only one student (that I know of) actually was awarded an athletic scholarship to a college in the most recent years. They, like many high school students, need a small reality check. We hope to gently break the news this is a great dream, never stop dreaming, but have a backup plan. We also need to break through the idea that it’s ok, if they want to, leave Vinton County and explore other parts of the state, country, world.

Ok, I’m off my higher ed soapbox.

I’m still working, just out of the office. I’m researched and the local library has wireless, so I’ll be able to answer work emails and such and I’m told that Verizon mobile service is the best for the area, so I should be able to have a phone at least in the town, not quite sure yet at the park, but co-workers can contact me if they REALLY need to. The good news is, if time allows I should be able to report via the blog our adventure.

Now, enjoy your weekend kids and keep a look out for on the road reporting.

Irish Day!!!!!

A Wish for my Readers!

Wishing you a rainbow

For sunlight after showers...

Miles and miles of Irish smiles

For golden happy hours... Shamrocks at your doorway

For luck and laughter too,

And a host of friends that never ends

Each day your whole life through!

Lou received a card in the mail yesterday, he was stunned that he would be thought so much of to receive his very own St. Paddy's Day card. He was so excited he did a little dance. I've got to get a video camera.

Look at all the sparklies I got for St. Paddy's Day. I'm wearing them all today. They rock!  I know the best people!
 

Enjoy your St. Paddy's Day!

A Great Big Thanks…


Thanks to those of you that came out Saturday night for an early St. Paddy’s Day celebration.

Thank you to those that mailed such lovely packages to my home in honor of the holiday. They were complete surprises, but the good kind not the scary kind.

More Disney Photos, sure no worries.

Lou was full of all kinds of excitement headed into the Kingdom.
 

Chip says hello, or wait is that Dale...hmmmm.
 

Lou developed a bit of a crush while there, he just wouldn't stop talking about Minnie. 

Mickey knew it too, he looks all smiles, but see how he's pointing right at Lou.  He knows.

Look at that lovely group!

Oh Lou, you can't stow away in her mailbox.
 
I believe that the Monday following, "Spring Forward", should be a federal holiday!

Ok, so what photos do you want to see?...

Mr. Potato Head!!! Love the Stash! 

Mr. Potato Head, squishing my sister... I knew I liked him!

Buzz and I to the rescue!

Look at those kids!  Having the Disney time of their lives!

This will be what I look like today, if I have to say, "Do you damn Job!".  Oh, that's another story.

Look me...with Palm Trees!

More Palms Trees...but it looks like...

Yep, Lou hiding in the trees.  He thinks that me might be moving to the warm weather soon.  I'm planning to stow away in one of his bags if he goes.

Look, the castle..and some random kid with Mickey ears.

My sister and aunt color coordinated so we would not loose them...smart kids.

Oh crap...gotta work...more photos soon.

Like Candy Stolen From a Child...



I purchased a coupon for a massage the other day on the groupon website. I was super excited, I was going to get a one hour massage for the price of $25, this truly is a bargain. It would be my first massage too, oh how I hear stories of how relaxing, how great a massage is. I just did this last week I think, I haven't had a chance to schedule the appointment.



Today I received an email that my coupon has been cancelled. The company did not anticipate how popular the coupon would be and they cannot accommodate all the people. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want my $25, 1 hour massage darn it!



ARGH! People!



Sorry, no photos! ARGH! ME!

#$^% &^#$^#$^!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Sorry, I'm just a bit annoyed that I have gotten a head cold. I understand this happens to many in the world and I just need to get over myself. I think it's the timing. I'm beginning to believe the gods are plotting against me. 2 years ago, St. Paddy's Day party...emergency root canal. 1 year ago, St. Paddy's Day party...extraction of tooth. This year, head cold. ARGH! Now, I stayed home yesterday in hopes that rest would make this thing go away faster, I deserve a fun evening out Saturday, darn it.


I forgot the flash drive at home with photos on it, so sorry, those will be delayed.

In the mean time, enjoy a couple of random photos of Lou as we approach his favorite holiday.

Orlando, Night 1...

The trip began with an evening in Disney Town.

It is the all about Disney.

We saw Nessy made out of legos.

A dino too.

We had dinner at an Irish Pub--

Have a listen to "On Raglan Road".

We listened to a bit of music and watched the Irish dancer.

I also found myself a man. He's a little old and doesn't say much, but a true Irishman.

Orlando 2010...

My little getway to Flordia was to Orlando.  Today I'll just give you a couple of photos then really give you the full tour next week.

The trip started off with a terrible display of snobbery, as my sister (although liked the new handbag I purchased) was keen to point out it was NOT Coach!

All in good fun... I think.

I was so gitty to get away from the snow, I couldn't seem to take a real picture of the palm trees the first night there.

And, no, no I was not drunk (at this point).

Who is that?  Who made the trip also?  Oh, that's my aunt in the yellow shirt.

Oh and Lou too.

Change of Plan…


I was going to talk about Florida and Disney today, but I have changed my mind.

I was in the shower this morning, now get your minds out of the gutter this is PG rated. I just was so struck by the fact that there was sunlight, actually sunlight coming through the shower window. I took the long walk into work this morning, just so I could see it for a bit. It will be gone by the time I leave work. Ah sun, you give me hope that green grass will soon appear and this winter really will end.

I didn’t have a camera on me to take a photo, but enjoy this one, I borrowed from Mr. Gates.

A Nice Thanks…


I make fun of Southwest Airlines, I tend to call them South-worst. They don’t have the best reputation for leaving or arriving on time. They stood true to this on the flight to Florida last week. We sat for an hour on the plan waiting for something in the nose of the plane to get nitrogen. Now, of course, I want the plane in working order before taking off, but it was annoying that we had to wait. The pilot was serving passengers drinks, I knew at that point, the 15 minutes they said we would be delayed was going to be a bit more. They did give passengers the option to go back into the terminal until the plane was ready to go.

The return flight was off on time and actually arrived a few minutes early, go Southwest.

I received an email this week from the company with a simply, thanks for flying with us. It was a nice touch and I’ll think twice now when I refer to their name.

 
 

Last Week…


I escaped from life, work, Columbus Gas, all of it for a week. I went to where “Dreams Do Come True”.

Hopefully a few pics to come in the next few days. Until then enjoy this pic of all the Disney Princess, which one if your favorite?

I Would Like to File a Report...



Neglected blog! Readers, I need to report that this blog has been abused, it has been neglected and is in need of serious attention. The problem is lack of time, lack of my time. I've been too busy to find the time to blog, but need to. What to do?