Wednesday, March 31, 2004

Last Friday while driving down to the school to pick up Steven, I noticed that everything had turned all green. And a rabbit has taken up residence in our yard. Also, the hundreds of crocus bulbs I planted last fall are finally coming up, and a few even have buds on them. Spring is definately on the way!

Last night my head hurt so bad I ended up leaving work early...it was a nasty one, hurt so bad I was feeling dizzy...still had one today, but it is better, so was able to make it through my whole shift. Went out for a healthy lunch at Panera Bread before work (met Dan there), in hopes that eating a healthy meal would help me feel better. I also picked up a CD of highlights of Don Giovanni at Barnes & Noble...will probably listen to it tomorrow.

Have been reading some Roger Zelazny again lately. Finished his novel Eye of Cat, set in the desert Southwest yesterday. Really makes me look forward to seeing Canyon de Chelly National Park in June!!! Started reading This Immortal today, but didn't get very far into it yet...

Saturday, March 27, 2004

Went out to eat last night with Dan. We went to the Raja Rani, one of the best Indian restaurants i nthe area. It is in a huge old Victorian house, and filled with Indian artwork...and man, the food was great, but it burned my mouth it was so spicy. :)

After we went to the opera Don Giovanni at the Lydia Medholsen theater at the Michigan League...the music was superb and enthralling...the singers were very gifted...the orchestra was excellent. :)

Today I am just chilling at home with the kids...just took the dog out for a walk of a mile or so...have been getting caught up with the housework a bit...its so good to not have to go into work, though...

Friday, March 26, 2004

Got to pick up Steven this morning, upon the return of the sixth grade from camp. Took him right out for breakfast. He was so sleepy! :) At camp this week he learned to ride a horse, make a shelter from downed tree limbs in the woods, and they climbed towers with ropes and such...he had fun, and is all scratched up and exhausted...has a bit of a cold...it was a pretty rainy week...

It's so good to see the little man again! :)

Had a meeting with the union, along with the rest of my shift, for over an hour today...hopefully something good can come out of it...

Steven will be home tomorrow, which is good...miss the little fellow.  I will pick him up at school and take him out to lunch. :)

Tomorrow Dan and I will eat at the Raja Rani and then see Don Giovanni, which I am looking forward to...

I am so glad I will have two days off...I am so filled with stress these days... :(

Thursday, March 25, 2004

Rained all day. Kept thinking of little Stevie outside in the rain and chill all day long at camp.

Had to replace our printer today -- one of the cats vomited in the old one, and it just wouldn't work right, no matter how much we cleaned it...got to eat lunch with Dan, went out for soup, which hit the spot on a day like this...

Am very tired, very glad the work week is almost over...  :(

Wednesday, March 24, 2004

Is this thing working yet?
Yay, its back up! It keeps going down for a day or so here and there...

Last Friday Steven took a first in the tournament at Brooklynn Columbia Central and qualified to go to the nationals...but it is in April in Iowa, and we just can't do it...

On Saturday Dan and I finally got our date. We went out for spicy Chinese food and then saw Master and Commander, which was a very good movie, and very true to the spirit of the books.

This Friday we will get another date, which

will be a new record for us. We will go out for spicy Indian food and then see an opera, Don Giovanni.

In 16 years of work, I will have my first meeting with the union on Thursday. :( Not looking forward to it, and wish my complaint was not necessary. :(

Oh, with this thing being down, it is hard to remember what I last said.

Steven is away at science camp with the rest of the sixth grade this week. He is greatly looking forward to learning how to ride a horse. :)

Bill's wrestling banquet was tonight. I had to work and Dan went with him. With the coach losing his job right before the end of the season, things have been very stressful and difficult, but Dan said the banquet went well...

 

Here is a letter to the editor about my father, from the little paper in the little town where I grew up:

Quote: Opinions
Letter to the Editor
Robinett cared about his students

I read with dismay about the death of William Robinett in The Review. Even more disappointing, though, was that neither The Review nor the school system had anything to offer about a man who was dedicated to his community and to teaching its kids chemistry.

Mr. Robinett was an eccentric man who cared more than anything that his students learn chemistry. A marathon runner at 61, he would run precariously out of breath when students couldn’t come up with the right answers and begin to “flail.”

He taught chemistry at the high school before advanced placement classes were available. His class was College Prep and his goal was to ensure that kids would succeed in their chemistry classes in college and in life beyond.

Neither praise nor A’s came easy in his class, but we all knew he cared.

In 1984, when Lake Orion was still considered a hick town out in the sticks, he taught us well.

In my class of 30 or so in College Prep Chemistry, I know this -- at least four went on to become chemical engineers, five mechanical engineers, one electrical engineer and a medical doctor. And probably more that I’m not aware of -- not bad.

Mr. Robinett alone didn’t do all of this for us, of course. But I believe he taught us about chemistry and how to work hard, really hard, to get what we wanted in life. Kibby, Cronin and Pung-you had something to do with it too.

Kendy Ball Kutchek

Saturday, March 20, 2004

Well, Steven took first place at Brooklynn Coumbia tonight and qualified for the USA National Folkstyle Championships which will be in Iowa in early April.http://www.mwfonline.org 



He's having quite a season so far, as he also quallified twice to go to the Ohio Tournament of Championshttp://www.ohiotofc.com 



We probably won't have time to take him to either, sadly...