Part 2: The Return

So, we were at Death con 3 when I last left off. My sister came down to the cars and pulled her truck up next to mine. We jumped the van, and sure enough it started right up. (I had called my dad and told him what it was doing. He said it was probably the battery or alternator.) We were going to head on out when I noticed that I needed fuel. I told my wife and sister that I was worried about turning off the van because it may not start again.

"Well, turn it off," my sister said. "And see if it will start again!"

"Are you sure? You just moved your truck back."

"Do it! I can move it back!"

And so I turned the van off. And guess what!



Yep, that's right- it DIDn't start! So she pulled back over, we jumped it again and went straight to Checker Auto so they could check the battery and alternator. After a brief test (that left me wondering if he truly knew what he was doing), he said the battery was D-E-A-D! So, we went to Firestone to see what they would charge to replace it. With labor it was $112! That would have been almost $50 in labor. My sister's husband had just got off work and said that he would replace it with me. (okay, okay. You all know me well enough. He said it would replace it FOR me!) So I watched (and helped a little) as my sister and her husband took out the old battery. Me and my brother-in-law took it to Wal-Mart (hated having to do that!) to got a new one (batteries are VERY expensive if you had forgotten that). Got the new battery in the van (4 hours now, from the time we had planned to head to Idaho) and took it BACK to Checker Auto. They checked and said that the alternator WAS charging, and that everything looked good to go. YEA!

We went to the gas station, gassed up, and headed out. We made it 30 minutes after the viewing. That was the only sad part. We got there, got our room, and settled in. The kids loved the bunk beds.

Tuesday morning we went to the funeral. It was very uplifting. It was nice to think about grandma and remember all the good times with her.

After the funeral and luncheon, we went to grandma's house and changed. My wife took pictures of lots of things in the house that she remembered from growing up. Then we headed home.
After 6.5 hours of STRAIGHT driving (well, we stopped for fuel and snacks) we made it home. We left Idaho @ 3:20pm and got home about 10:15pm. We got unloaded and made it to bed. It was nice to also have our oldest son home with us.

Today went ok. We had our guest author in class today. Writing went well. I enjoyed visiting with her and having her help me teach my class about writing dialogue correctly. I get a little nervous to teach with her listening. I am teaching something that I feel I am good at, but don't have all the technical skills to be perfect at it. I guess teaching 6th grade, I don't need to stress too much. The High school teacher can panic over those things!

The musical practice is getting much better. I am excited for this musical. The kids are energized, and it really lifted my spirits to work with them.

That about wraps up my day! Thanks for reading.

Later...

Another day has ended, where does the time go?

Greeting Readers,
Today was a GREAT day! I was able to do my presentation for my district. What made this even more challenging is that the district supervisor of elementary education came into watch and brought a bunch of other higher level administrators with him to watch. That was interesting. I enjoyed teaching the teachers, and I am glad that it is over and I get the chance to just attend this 3 day event as a participant now, and relax a little.
We had a great moment here in town today, the phones all went out- no credit card transactions in a tourist town- think about that. When I went to gas up the district car at the West Winds Truck Stop Several truckers were unable to pay for the fuel, but needed to get back on the road. It was causing LOTS of problems. My internet was also down- so that is why this is so late tonight.
My wife leaves in the morning. We got our van back. The mechanic said the car gave a code this time. It will require a $70 part, and he wants to be sure, so he said drive it this weekend and see if it does it again. Then he can check the code again and make sure it really is the correct fix for the car. I hate when cars do this. I stress out anyways, and don't need the extra stress- so I hope it gets figured out soon.
Well, since I have to be up and gone in 6 short hours, I better get some shut-eye. Have a great night-

Home Again, Home Again...

Seriously- NOTHING, and I mean NOTHING beats coming home. We made it home around 7pm and I set up the new lawn pump and watered our lawn. I am frustrated in that I fertilized and now the lawn is acting like I poured gasoline on it or something. Good Grief! Anyways, got the lawn watered, and am currently working on watering the garden. Visited my parents and got the low down on the family.
My presentation today was okay. I don't think it was the best but it was far from the worst. My facilitator (the lady who works with the teachers before they come to my presentation) jumped in at the end of one of my activities and basically invalidated what I had just said. That was awkward! I was upset, but went with it. I can't believe that after tomorrows presentation (in my own district-scary) I will be almost 1/2 done. WOW! The downside is that my summer is about 1/2 over as well.
Our van is heading back to the shop in the morning (my wife has to take it as I have to be gone by 6:30am-YUCK!) She is also leaving for a reunion Thursday morning so we have to get her ready to leave.
I am getting anxious to start working in my classroom and share the funny things are I am positive will happen- not to mention, next summer you will get to live through my masters in admin with me. Lucky you!
Well, off to move the water in the garden (The plants got HUGE while we were gone- Miracle Grow REALLY works!) and then go to bed! I promise to do a podcast this week- so look (or listen) for that. Happy day and evening to all!