IT'S SNOWING!

It's snowing and it's April 4th!
It's very inspirational...thus the following haiku:

SNOW: always welcome.
I am happy when it snows.
Winter FOREVER!

Happy April and Blue Man Group!

Happy April! We went to see the Blue Man Group in Toronto today with the 8th grade band. We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe before hand at the Rogers Center and also went shopping at the Eaton Center. The Blue Man Group was outstanding...we had a blast!

We got a GIG!

Did I tell you I was in a band?

We are playing at the Boulevard Mall on April 7th. We're playing "La Bamba," "The Pink Panther," and "The Flintstones." I'm playing the saxophone and we're pretty good. Liz is playing "The Kazoo" after her preferred instrument, HER HANDS, was nixed by the bandleader. It took several times for me to get used to her musical stylings, as she doesn't just hum into the kazoo, she full out sings into it. She also makes faces at me while she's playing and renders me unable to blow into the saxophone. I have to keep my music stand at eye level just to get through practice!

I Guess The Ducks Are Staying...

I've named them Bill and Monica. He roosts alone in the backyard and we rarely see her. Plus, there's all those stains on the pool cover. If the squirrel in the attic doesn't die from "Operation Poison Storm," then I'm going to name him Kenneth Starr. Additionally, there is either a skunk or raccoon digging up the back garden that I will be naming Rush Limbaugh.

I'm changing my last name to Doolittle.

#1 H.I.T.S.: High Interest Teaching Strategies That Affect Student Achievement Through Connections With Popular Music

That is the title of my 93 page behemoth Master's Project that I finished today. My parents keeping wanting another grandchild...and this is it, 'cause I completely feel like I've given birth. Just thought you'd all like to know.

An update on the Squirrel situation...

So, there is STILL a squirrel going in and out of the attic, but he is not acting alone. We seem to also have a mouse. It has to be something small enough that can get in and out of the small animal trap we set, unless the squirrel is reaching his tiny little paws in there. At any rate, I've had enough of the "Snow White" method of capture and release. I decided my new strategy--"OPERATION POISON STORM" would be much more effective. In fact, I've not heard ANY scratching in the last couple of days. Hopefully that is a good sign.

Harry Potter and the Mystery of Discussion

I volunteered tonight to lead a retired teacher's discussion group on the first Harry Potter novel. None of the folks in the group had read it before. I took them letters from Hogwart's just like Harry got and I also took in Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans to share. We had a great discussion and many of the people reminisced about how things were when they were young and how Harry Potter spurred some of their favorite memories. I look forward to doing it again soon!

GRADUATION!

Finally!

I got a postcard today saying that I "SHOULD" graduate in May, though I won't be getting my degree until August because I have 2 summer classes to take. Since this FAKE graduation is highly reminiscent of my undergraduate graduation, I'll not be inviting people. In fact, I'm not planning to attend myself. You would think that for $18,000, you could look forward to something more than standing in line for six hours in a dress. (With an ugly square cap on.) Unlike the undergraduate degree, though, I will graduate in the year intended. Buff State offers no graduation ceremony during the summer or in December...so everyone has to "WALK" in May. I'm so excited I can't stand it. (Insert your own sarcastic comment here.)

I just want the piece of paper that says I'm done so that I can get a raise at work. (The real motivation for going back to school!)

Someone is quite full of themselves. 

We took some Easter Eggs over to Siobhan this morning. She spent a solid hour dumping out the Easter Basket and quickly putting the eggs back in.  

Well, there WAS a FULL MOON this week!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

SARS

Don't jump to conclusions! (Like I did, initially...)

SARS = Subject Area Representatives

I found out today that I am going to be a SAR for the New York State Science Teacher's Association. I'm not sure what it means yet until I go to the conference next weekend, but the name seems unfortunate.

SQUIRREL!

. We have a squirrel in the attic who seems to know EXACTLY which room we sleep in. Do any of you have a gun we can borrow?

We woke up to quacking this morning as two ducks settled in to our backyard "pool within a pool." There's quite a bit of water on top of our pool cover (I know what you're thinking...we're buying a pump to get it off as soon as it thaws...), but it's still partially frozen. I guess the ducks were thinking it looked like a good place to set up shop. We've all kinds of other critters...why not add ducks to the list? (Read previous postings...) I went out to photograph them, getting just one decent shot before they flew off (which I also captured!). I have a feeling they won't be back.

...

Dustings...

We've had little bits of snow here and there over the past few days, sandwiched between days in the 50's and 60's. The weather has inspired a new haiku:

Spring is a disease
Infecting my happiness
Winter, only cure.

I'm not quite ready for the warm weather yet...we didn't have much of a Winter and I don't want to give up hope!

POUTINE!

Well, I guess there's a first time for everything. We drove over to Canada today to get some meat pies and sausage rolls, and stopped at a restaurant over there to have some fish. The waittress gave us the menus and the first thing on it was POUTINE.

You know I laughed out loud.

Upon further inspection, I discovered that POUTINE is a dish consisting of French Fries drizzled with gravy and melted mozzarella. Evidently, it is very popular in Canada; if for nothing else than because people probably just like saying the name. (I've said it quite a bit since the discovery!)

So, of course, we had to order some.

I kid you not, it was the best thing I've ever eaten. The french fries were thick, with beef gravy, and tons of cheese. They served it on a trough-sized plate and we all shared it. The plate was spotless when the waittress came back to remove it. It was SOOOOO good!

Afterward, we all had emergency bypass surgery to unclog our arteries. They do it right there in the restaurant. It's called "The Poutine Routine" and you just lay back and watch Canadian TV while they vacuum you out. It's only $12.95 extra. (But that's Canadian money...so it's really only like $3.50)

Anyway...if you have the chance...try it. It's delicious! It makes me wonder what else would be good with gravy and cheese. It's a combination I hadn't before now considered, but now see a plethora of possibilities with.

Happy March!

This one is definitely IN LIKE A LION! We had four inches of snow today in a two hour period! The normal 20 minute drive home from work took almost 40. The flakes were gigantic and were just pouring out of the sky! It was incredible, and sadly, I believe it is to be the end of our Winter. (which was very disappointing this year.)

Goodbye Don Knotts...

I got a little inspired reading about Don Knott's death today:

Funny Man,
We understand
You had to go.
For the fans,
A lifetime spanned
Among the TV shows.
Though it’s not funny now
You sure showed us how
To laugh.
We appreciate that.
Through the years
We’ve fallen out of favor
But what you’ve left
Will allow us all to savor
Every moment and smile
We’ll relax for awhile
And remember the applause
If only just because…
You’re a Funny Man.
I understand
You had to go
Into the sky
Where every night
You’ll go on with the show.
So we’ll say this short goodbye
You’re an Icon in our eyes
You’re a Funny Man.
You’re a Funny Man.

Happy Birthday PAULA!

We celebrated Paula's birthday tonight at Don Pablo's. The waiter came out and announced that she was "21" to the entire restaurant, but they didn't put the big sombrero on her that I asked them to. I was also hoping that all of the waitstaff would come and sing to her in Spanish, perhaps with a mandolin, but that didn't happen either. We had a good time though, AND it started snowing just as we were leaving - so you know I had a good night!

Anyway...Happy Birthday to Paula! (We know how old you REALLY are!)

(Also, note to Paula: I was going to put a certain picture of you up on the weblog here. You know the one...Ms. Stewart-Baxter...your birthday present is that it will not be appearing here...yet.)

Meet Your New American Idol...

I hope you were watching American Idol tonight. Paris Bennett BLEW it OUT OF THE WATER! Her performance tonight just won her the competition. She sang "Midnight Train To Georgia," and I bet Gladys Knight herself was shaking in her boots! INCREDIBLE!

Happy Birthday to Doug!

Today is Doug's birthday, so in his honor:

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Even though you are English,
We all still love you.

New Pics of the baby: Perhaps the cutest picture ever taken! Siobhan stayed over yesterday and we had a great time! 

New Pics of the baby: Siobhan thinks to herself, "After I eat these coasters, I think I'll take all of the books off of the shelf behind me!" 

New Pics of the baby: Siobhan just playing! 

New Pics of the baby: A little wave. 

New Pics of the baby: Siobhan having a good time! 

New Pics of the baby: What a face! 

New Pics of the baby: Siobhan "reading." 

New Pics of the baby: Siobhan playing the piano she got from Aunt Patty. 

New Pics of the baby: Siobhan having a snack. 

New Pics of the baby: Siobhan in her fur coat! 

SNOW DAY! (almost)

We WERE out of school today, except it wasn't for snow. We had a "High Wind" day instead. Winds were 40 to 50 miles per hour, with gusts up to 65 mph. Our school was the last one in the entire area to close, but it DID happen! We're off Monday as well and are able to enjoy a four day weekend instead of a three day one! We didn't have any damage, but the wind was blowing pretty good this morning. South of us, there were lots of downed trees and power lines, and Route 5, which runs beside Lake Erie, was underwater at times as the wind pushed the lake water to above flood stage. I don't know what in the world is going on with the weather up here, but I do know that since I've been here it's been at least "unusual."

Various Bits and Pieces...

Downloading...

Liz called Doug the other day and had the following conversation:

*Ring*Ring*

"Chello?"

"Hi Dad!"

"Hi - How are you? What's going on? How was your day? Did you talk to anyone?"

"Everything's good, Dad. What are you doing?"

"Downloading."

"What do you mean 'Downloading?'"

"You know, downloading."

"Dad...where are you?"

"In the basement."

"How are you downloading if you're in the basement?"

"Well...I'm 'down-loading' the clothes in the washing machine." (Hysterical English laughter here...)

"Oh My God! Where's Mom? You are crazy!"

"Well, she's not down loading, that's for sure. Why do you think I had to do it?!?"


Disney...

We got a postcard in the mail today that Disney received my stuff and that we will have to wait until May to find out any results. Keep your fingers crossed!


Blizzard...

We drove around in my first Blizzard last night. I was so excited that I called my parents as well as Barb and Doug. The wind was blowing and the snow was just COMING down and you could barely see 40 feet in front of you. I loved it! We ended up getting about 5 additional inches of snow, but the rain is moving in tomorrow so it will all be melted soon. This weekend, though, is shaping up to bring a little more of winter our way! I can't wait!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day to you all!

Kelly Clark and Bode Miller

Why are these two being celebrated as National Sports Heroes?

Bode is an alcoholic and brags about skiing drunk, and Kelly walks into the Olympic arena - where MILLIONS of people are watching her- ON THE PHONE! Neither one should be representing America.

It bothers me very much that those two get to stay and compete, and the guy who took Rogaine 6 months ago was disqualified...at least he was trying to improve his appearance, not destroy it!

Finally...WINTER arrives!

This time last year, I did nothing but talk about the snow. This year...there's been none--until now. We finally got a few inches and I am a happy camper. We're due for some more later in the weekend, but nothing like what New York City and Boston is supposed to get.

Why can't I have a blizzard? I don't think Mother Nature (or most of Buffalo for that matter) is on my side.

5000 HITS!!!!

WOW! I've hit over 5000 hits on the blog since it started 1 1/2 years ago in September 2004. I have posted more than 560 individual messages and at least that many pictures. This has remained a great way to stay in touch with everyone and let them know what's going on with the New York Fisher's!

Keep checking in! There's more good stuff on the way!

Happy February!

and Happy Groundhog's Day too.

Supposedly, if the groundhog sees his shadow in Buffalo...there's SIX MORE YEARS of Winter.

It's sunny...so I'm excited!