Spring is in the air

Dan returned home safely from Florida. It was a little touch-and-go as they travelled through the Ohio Valley. They hit the area during the climax of this past weekend's winter storm. The four of them made it home safely; they did wonder, however,why there were so few cars on the road. I guess they didn't hear or see the messages telling motorists to get off the road.

For the last three weeks Nate has had to get up at 5:30 to be at the field house ready to rock-n-roll by 6:00. On Sunday they started their final phase of testing before spring ball starts after spring break. Nate was able to do 285x1 in the hang clean.(I have a video clip of this but it wouldn't load properly) He also squatted 405x4 and was able to bench 325x1. Now I don't know if any of this is good or not but Dan says it is, so I'm going with that.

The clocks are sprung ahead; the days are getting longer and hopefully warmer. Dan has started track. With all of these things in place, spring must almost be here. We may even work an entire week of school this week!!!

Another shortened week

So here it is Wednesday and I am able to post a message on my blog. "Why?" You ask. Because we are off school again due to snow. I think this now makes 4 days we have to make up. At this rate we may be done by the July.

As teachers we get an early morning call from the administration. Dan and I, in turn, have to call 4 other teachers on a list. At the beginning of snow season, making these calls was fun. Teachers were just as happy as the kids to have a day off. Now I dread making the call. Teachers are trying to be consistant with their lessons and this weather is not allowing that to happen.

When Dan called me this morning, from sunny Florida, he had to rub it in that it was going to be in the mid 80's and sunny. They are going to the Tiger's game today at 1:00. The weather should be great.

Vacation Plans

It's the end of February and college students and teachers start making plans for spring break. It's no exception in this house.


Dan is going to Lakeland Florida with his brothers. They leave a week from Monday. They are driving a RV down. Their plan is to sit in the outfield, get some sun and watch the Detroit Tigers for the week. This is the first time that they have done anything like this. I'm sure they'll have a great time.


Nate is getting ready to go to Panama City. He is going with a group of track athletes from the college. They say they are going down to compete at Florida State. Phil, June and the girls will also be down there that week. Morgan and her friends have a condo on the beach, while Phil, June and Gwen have one a block away. I know Nate is a good boy, but knowing that Phil is down there (just in case) makes this trip easier on me.


Matt is home this week - his big trip comes the beginning of May. He, along with 40 guys from the AC football team, are traveling to Italy for 10 days. They will even play a game over there against a semi pro team.

I know that as you read this you're thinking, where is Donna going this year? I'm wondering that too. I guess this is my year to hold down the fort while the boys play.

Busy Weekend

This was a pretty busy weekend for Dan and I. On Saturday Nate had a track meet, Dan had a high school track meet and we had the cash raffle. We split up during the day -Dan going with the hs to Hillsdale College and I traveled to EMU to watch Nate throw.

What a looooong day. The schedule said the shot put should go off around 3:30. Nate finally started throwing at 7:00. There were 38 guys competing. Nate was ranked 15th going in. When all was said and done, Nate ended up 10th with a throw of 49'10". There were lots of athletes there that I knew - either from Hillsdale High School or from high school competitions.


I was able to see Josh Perrin run the 6000 - he took 2nd. I also saw Erin Dillon run the 4x200. She is still recovering from an injury so her times are not the best.
Dan and I were so close this year at the raffle. Our two tickets were pulled quite early. We went in with two other couples and bought another ticket. That ticket was one of the last 10 standing. At that point all people remaining have an opportunity to pool their tickets and split the money. There was one person there who did not want to pool - and the next ticket (a no money ticket-our ticket) was pulled. Maybe next year.

PS - Another Monday - another day off of school :(

Pics from the Windy City

How cute are Bennet and Neil. I can't believe how Neil has changed. Dan and I are looking forward to going to Chicago at the end of the month for Neil's baptism. Bennet obviously knows what a camera is - what a ham.

Another Monday home from school.

Well here I am working at the computer when I'm suppose to be teaching. I guess we didn't have school because of the blowing and drifting. Dan did have to spend all morning shoveling out the driveway.


Matt spent the weekend with Nate at HC,so both boys came home for dinner on Sunday. Dan and I made city chicken for dinner. This was the first time that the boys were begging to take home leftovers. (I don't know if I should take that personally). And no there is no chicken in city chicken - it's a Polish thing.

Recipe for city chicken.

As we were making them, Phil called. When I told him what I was doing he-without hesitation- said, "I did the flour." When we were kids we each had a job to do: Phil did the flour, Allen did the eggs, I did the breading, and my mom did the frying. Even after all these years we all remember what our jobs were.

Nate threw on Saturday at Ohio Northern University. This is located about 30 minutes south of Findley. Nate didn't even begin to throw until 11:30 p.m. When all was said and done we walked in the door at 2:30 am. It wasn't Nate's best performance. He threw 48'6" and took 4th or 5th.

Snow day - AGAIN :(

I know a lot of people are jelous of teachers because they get snow days. We are at the point now where I don't want any snow days. I think we have to start making up time and Dan and I are planning to leave right at the end of the school year to go see Morgan graduate from hs. If we have to make up days that could be more complicated.

This weekend Nate was suppose to be throwing at Saginaw Valley. Well, because of the weather the meet got cancelled. Because of that, the coaches at Hilllsdale College scheduled an impromptu meet Saturday night.


Nate ended up winning the meet - his first collegiate win - with a throw of 49'3". This was his furthest throw to date. He did have one farther but the official called "SCRATCH" What was he thinging. Oh, yeah, did I mention that Dan was the official. At least he kept it honest.

Matt went skiing for the weekend - he didn't even fall (his words)

Dan and I got our taxes done. This is the first time in in a while where we have not had to pay. I will say that when Busia told me that we were getting money back I had tears in my eyes. Happy day!!