Rubik Cubes and Cat Poop

Great title, Huh? I bet you are wondering what in the heck that could ever mean. Well, I'll tell you.

I am one who is able to mix up a Rubik's Cube (scary thought huh? Most people buy them, turn them a couple times, back it up and set it on the shelf to look at! Come on people- play with the darn thing!) I love doing it. I have to thank my dear sister-in-law. She taught my wife who in turn taught me.

My students think that I am amazing because I can solve it. I solve it everyday after a couple of students mix it all up. The part I love about it that my students have an assignment they do every day. They have until I complete the cube to work on it. They are getting frustrated because I am finishing so fast, meaning they don't get very much time to complete their assignment. I love it because it gives me the chance to do something fun with them.

Now on to the cat poop. I was very disgruntled when mowing the lawn I stumbled upon a huge pile of it on my NEW GRASS! The neighbors are a cat factory. They have something like 10-13 cats living in their house. They let them out to roam the neighborhood and it appears they are using my grass for a litter box. Grrrrrr.....

I cleaned it up. Got the lawn mowed (it is looking SO good. I think we finally got rid of what ever was killing our lawn (aside for the pooping cats)). It is greening up well. YEA! I spent 2 hours watering the lawn, killing squash bugs, picking cucumbers (talk about WAY TO MANY- If you are in the area and need some- please, come and get them), and getting the yard back in line.

Came inside and worked on Back-2-School Night materials and handouts, and yep-

You'll never guess what happened:

Major Rain Storm.

Yep, rained for about an hour. Thunder, Lightning, the whole nine yards. Makes you wonder why you watered the lawn. Oh well. Life moves on.

School went okay. I found the plan that I am going with. Names on the board with check marks.

It was like magic. The kids simply stopped talking when I had the marker in my hand. We'll see how long it lasts. I really like the kids. I hope they understand that really soon. I think they are so used to being yelled at that they don't think I am serious because I refuse to yell at them. Believe me, I have wanted too, but I simply refuse to do that. It won't change of fix anything.

My daughter had a great day. She had kids following her around today wanting to play. I hope that she really can find a niche. She is such a sweetheart.

Well, faculty meeting at 7:15am. Should be exciting. Better head to bed. Thanks for reading,

Later...

Celebrating My 81st Post

Yea Me! I think this is a time to celebrate. This will be my 81st post. I have loved every moment of blogging. The excitement of 31 subscribers followed by the low of dropping to only 15. The humor, the feeling of calm after posting my frustrations. Thanks to those who have enjoyed the journey with me.

Today was an interesting day. School was not my favorite today. I feel like the kids have already slipped into the non-listening mode and I am trying to figure out the best way to proceed. I tried so hard to set my expectations and make clear what I need them to do. I think where I fell short was on the consequences. I have been studying how best to proceed, and I still haven't quite got what I want ready to go. I will keep you posted on that one.

This evening was wonderful. I love doing service. For Family Home Evening, our family and two other families in our ward, meet at the church and stamped the ward name in over 100 new hymn books for the chapel. We pulled all the old books, set aside all the books that were in need of some loving care, and put new books out and those that were still usable.

Afterwards, we all came to our house and had brownies and ice cream. It was also nice to sit down and visit afterwards. It was also nice when everyone went home. We were able to get the kids in their jammies, brush teeth, scriptures, prayers and into bed. Peace had fallen in the house at last.

My daughter had her first day of school today. She came home sad because all her friends played with other kids and she"played with two kids. I didn't know their names." My heart broke for her. I don't want school to be a social fight. Even her cousin had someone else to sit by. These are things that make me want to relocate so my kids can start out in a town where everyone isn't related to everyone else. Ah, such is life. My wife and I were talking about this today. We feel like we are always on the outside looking in. We have tried to have friends here in town, but it seems that we do all the inviting without having it reciprocated. That gets tiring and old. We don't need friends that bad. I am glad that I am close to my family. They are sweet and supportive. I have always felt that way- even in high school. I was far from popular and I didn't have many friends. But that is okay. I have a wife whom I love and is truly my best friends. But enough of this line of thought!

Tomorrow is promising to be a great day. I need one of those.

Later...

Nice, But A Little Disappointing

As we are sitting here watching the closing ceremonies, I can't help but be a little sad that they are over. It doesn't seem like it has been four years since the last ones and 17 days since this one started.

The closing ceremonies have been a little disappointing for me. They had such a spectacular opening ceremony I guess I just expected a little more out of it. They really didn't do a whole lot. Oh well. I am proud of our American competitors and the outstanding job that they have done!

Here was out final results:

United States Medal Count
Gold 36
Silver 38
Bronze 36
Total 110

Way to Go!

As far as the rest of the day, I was able to make it to my morning meeting (and I wasn't even really late- Shocking). My mom did call at 2:30am to tell us the men's basketball team had won. We were sleeping, but appreciated her thoughtfulness.

Church was nice (See http://ldspointofview.blogspot.com/) for more about how that turned out.

I was able to come home and relax. I was supposed to teach a voice lesson at 4:30, but shockingly enough it was a no show. My wife and I are going to be taking on a lot of voice and piano students in the near future, and we are going to be composing a letter that states if you miss a lesson without 24 hours notice, you will still get to pay for it. We are tired of waiting around or cancelling other things we could do to sit and wait and have students not show up. I think that it might help with the problem.

We came and had dinner with my parents which turned out nice. After dinner we watched the replay of the men's volleyball gold medal match (since it wasn't live) and the closing ceremonies.

Now we are home and the sewer smell from the man hole across the street is SO STRONG we can't even open our windows. I guess that is okay seeing as it is still 88 degrees outside and only 83 inside.

I feel grouchy today. Which is really too bad seeing as how church went well. I think that my biggest problem is that I am run down after staying up to watch the Olympics the last 2 weeks. I still can't believe that they are over.

Well, my daughter starts Kindergarten in the morning and is very excited and a little nervous. I am nervous for her. She can be extremely shy and has a hard time speaking up if she is scared. I think she will get into it and be okay. I guess you will get to know as you follow along with the saga of the Hughes family!

Goodnight-

Later...