Carport Rehab

Stephanie's dad got into town from Billings last night. This morning we got right to work dismantling the carport roof. It was leaking and poorly built. We took it apart all the way back to the original eves. Lots of muscle and mess, but it was done at the end of the day. Tomorrow we shop for materials and begin the rebuild.



Great...the hired help

Kitchen Remodel, Day 2

On Sunday, I had some help when my friend John and my dad came over to help a bit. I've never built a wall before, and just didn't know where to start. We ended up tearing more of the existing wall out. The new wall was mostly framed and put into place. I needed to run electricity in the wall for a switch and outlet, and that took a fair amount of time Monday. Today, I will run the wire for the dishwasher and put up the drywall.

Kitchen Remodel Begins

After an 11 mile run with some members of our relay team, the kitchen renovation process finally began. We are moving a wall, installing new cabinets, countertop, and floor. A wall was removed today, and a new wall will be built tomorrow. Stephanie's dad is coming out from Billings to help out with the base cabinet installation and countertop. We have a pile of cabinets in our dining room right now, but the cat is taking good care of them.

89 Toyota

It keeps on running! During a routine oil change this weekend, I noticed oil on the top of the engine. Not a good sign. After consulting with the helpful guy at Shucks, I bought a valve gasket kit, and got to work. I'm not too handy with automotive repairs, and started with a fair amount of trepidation. Would my car ever run again? After several hours, everything was back together and I turned the key. The trusty old Toyota rumbled (well, maybe that is too strong) to life. It still runs, and now I know how to remove the valve cover and replace seals. An overall easy job!

Bloomsday 07

Bloomsday in Spokane has been a goal since I ran in high school. This year, with the support of my wonderful wife, I was able to compete in a field of over 40,000 others! It was truly a remarkable experience. At the starting line, crowds stretch back for over 6 blocks! When I finally started, the rush and camaraderie of the moment was almost overwhelming. The first few miles were easy, and my pace picked up speed as the crowd thinned out. During the race "Doomsday Hill" kept creeping into my mind. I'd seen photos of the 0.7 mile hill and knew it would be tough. As I crossed the Spokane river and began my ascent, my goal was to run the entire length. I just put my head down, pumped my arms, and did it. I passed the "vulture" and many other runners (read, walkers) going up. When I reached the top there was a cheering crowd and an unbelievable feeling of accomplishment. The final two miles were cake, and the final turn and run to the finish was exhilarating. I finished in 1:04:59. My goal was to be under 1:15, and I did that easily with energy left over. I walked with my crowd to get the coveted finisher's T-Shirt. I'll be back next year, and be under 60 minutes. Next on the running agenda - Sound to Narrows - another 12K, but more hilly.

Cushman Trail 5k

Today I ran a 5K race in Gig Harbor. It followed the Cushman Trail, along Highway 16. This was the first race I've ran since high school, twelve years ago. I forgot how different it was running with a big group! Overall, I am very pleased with the experience and the times I achieved. I finished in just over 24 minutes, with my fastest mile being 7:47. Several others from our "Sole Mates" group also participated. This summer, 12 of us are going to run the first "Northwest Passage" relay, from Blaine to Langley.

About a month...

It has been about a month since I've posted anything. Since the end of March, we've had spring break, been really busy at school with the WASL and meetings, and have made plans for some household renovations this spring/summer. I've been regularly running in preparation for some upcoming races. This morning, I ran in my first race since high school - 12 year ago. Read about that in a separate, upcoming post.

12.7 Miles

This morning I ran 12.7 miles with my friend Chad. It is the farthest distance I have ever run. We took it pretty easy, averaging a little under 10 minutes per mile. This was a major accomplishment for me - not only physically, but mentally. I've been able to set a goal to run consistently, and I've pretty much done that. I've had a few off days, but more on than off. When I began several months ago, even 1 mile seemed daunting. I've begun to think of miles as something I can just eat up now. A few months ago 12 miles would've seemed truly impossible. Now, I know I can do it.

OPI 2007

I returned today from a week at outdoor education with 98 sixth graders from Sidney Glen. I am tired and ready to fall into bed, but it was one of the best experiences of my teaching career.

The highlights of the week were so numerous for me. The moments of reflection, laughter, pride in my students, working with my incredible colleagues will stay with me forever. One of the most valuable aspects of the week is the chance to build relationship with students whom I do not usually have contact with. The context of the relationship is different from that in the classroom.

Some forever memories are:

Walking along the shore of Lake Crescent shortly after dawn, realizing the potential of the educational experiences that would be conducted along the shore that day.

Quickly walking through old growth forest on my way to do an errand, and stopping, realizing I was standing amongst trees that were hundreds of years old. I slowed my walk and continued in awe of my surroundings.

Helping one student through the week, and realizing that this might have been his best experience in his entire life.

Listening to the laughter and giggling coming from the girls' cabins WAY past lights out!

Running along Highway 101 at 4:45 AM with Chad. Logging rigs rumbling along side us, snow creating tunnel vision in our headlamps, and returning to camp just as the sun began to grey the sky.

A Northern Harrier gliding slowly past us at Dungeness Spit.

Reconnecting with a friend from high school, who is now an educator at Olympic Park Institute.

Realizing that I have begun to create an expectation of outdoor education, when a parent chaperone said, "I'm going again in three years when my other daughter goes."

Singing the Banana Slug song with all of the students.

OPI

Check out the camp blog at http://sgopi.blogspot.com/

That Darn Cat (but we love him!)

Mr. Sophie, our lovable cat, has had a rough few days. He developed a urinary blockage last week, and had a reoccurrence this morning. Our vet is wonderful and has worked hard to solve his problem. Unfortunately, Mr. Sophie isn't the best patient. His file has a large, orange CAUTION sticker on it. He has a major case of "stranger danger".

Animal health problems are so difficult to deal with. The question of "when is enough enough?" always comes up. As I paid for his care today, I felt fortunate to be able to provide good care for my pet, but also some guilt over spending that much on our pet. There are so many humans who don't have their basic needs met, each day.

We love our little cat so much, and are hoping for some improvements in the next few days.

Encouragement and Support

During school conferences in October, a parent offered to support my classroom financially. He insisted, and told me that he expected to hear back from me. I wasn't sure how to react, and it took me several months to assemble a wish list of classroom equipment. No parent has ever offered financial support before. Last week I sent a letter and the wish list home with his daughter. The items ranged from $10.00 to $250.00. Shortly, I received an email. It was the most encouraging feedback I've ever received from a parent. In addition to the complements, he donated money to purchase a large number of the items on the wish list. With his help, I'll now have several expensive pieces of equipment that will allow me to expand the science and math learning opportunities in my classroom.

The supplies and equipment will be amazing, but the support and encouragement voiced in the email, and proven by the funds means so much more. So often, the result of my teaching and interactions with students is largely unknown. I hope that I've built a positive relationship, helped instill a love of learning, and built their confidence. The rewards of teaching are always so intangible, but this simple and generous act by one parent let me know I'm doing things right. Instead of a parent saying, "Why aren't you..." This parent said, "Let me help you..." Wow, thank you.

Poundin' the Pavement

In high school, running was part of my life in the form of cross-country and track. It is now over 10 years later, and I am starting up again. Motivation is a problem for me, I just haven't been able to make it a habit - but now I am on the way. Two things have helped: A friend's invitation to run a team relay this summer, and the Nike+ kit for my ipod. Accountability from a friend and fellow runner is very powerful. There is nothing like the question, "So, how did your run go?" The Nike+ kit is also very cool. It has allowed me to set a goal, and track my progress, plus it is a pretty hip techie gadget. Lance Armstrong HIMSELF congratulates me on my effort! It is worth every penny of the $30 price tag. I don't have a lot of endurance and speed yet, but I will get there.

Hit & Miss

While over at my brother Nick's house today, I got a chance to feed my nephew. He is almost 6 months old now, and just about one of the cutest babies around. He really liked eating the mushed up pears the best. Together, we managed to get most of it into his mouth, and the rest was in the general vicinity. At one point I had to sort of get some out of a nostril.

Learning NXT

Since I received the Lego NXT set from a small grant, I've been trying to become more proficient with the engineering and programming required. It has been challenging, and as a result, i haven't utilized it in my classroom the way I've envisioned yet. Just building something strong enough is difficult enough. Over the past week, I've been able to build somewhat original robots. The first has tread like a tank and uses the ultrasonic and light sensors. The programming for this was fairly simple, and it was able to turn in a 360° due to the treads being used. The second robot was inspired by one I saw on an NXT blog I read. It is an "inchworm" type design. I beefed it up a bit by using two motors. It took some tweaking of the design and program, but I was able to make it start with a clap, and stop with a clap. It is pretty cool watching it inch its way across the floor.

A Good Dog

I just finished reading A Good Dog, by Jon Katz. I love dog stores, and have read many from James Herriot to Farley Mowat, but this was truly a story about the deep and unique relationship that dogs and humans enjoy. Katz adopts a troubled border collie named Devon, whose name is eventually changed to Orson. Orson is has his fair share of problems in life, and so does Katz. They form a unique relationship, each helping the other to reveal and accept their own place in this world. Katz doesn't anthropomorphize dogs as many authors do, he sees them as the animals they are. I believe that many dog-owner problems result from treating dogs like humans. Dogs are dogs, and we've shared a special relationship with them for millennia, but it is a folly to begin to treat them like little people. Katz made some tough decisions about Orson whose problems got out of control. People have judged Katz harshly for his decisions and actions. He utilized a holistic vet, a shaman, and an animal communicator to help Orson, but finally, the decisions were his own, shaped by his unique relationship with a dog and his understanding of ethical pet ownership. It was a funny, heartwarming, and tragic story that spoke to me personally about the special relationship that I have with our dog Toby.

A crazy few days

The past four days have been a bit wild for Stephanie and I. Both her sister and my mom had to go to the hospital for emergency surgical procedures. Thankfully, both are doing fine now, but the recovery will be a long one for my mom. We both ended up missing a day of work this week due to the emergencies. I took Wednesday off to be with my mom and help out my dad. I brought their two dogs back to Port Orchard with me, just ahead of the snow storm. I listened to the radio as the storm swept in from the north and snarled traffic in the whole area. It began to snow in earnest as I got to Port Orchard, and was sticking when I pulled into the driveway. I just beat it. This district couldn't seem to make a timely decision, but finally cancelled school at 8:40 on Thursday. Friday was also cancelled. Together with the half-day we missed before Christmas, we will definitely be going to school into another week in June. Darn it. With the day that I took off, I'll have a six day break from my class. What was going to be a very productive full week in class was demoliished. The three dogs, Toby, Emily, and Holly are having a good time, and settling into a routine at our house. They love the snow and race around like maniacs.

The Arrival of the SMARTboard

Today the SMARTboard that I was awarded through a grant arrived at school. I've been waiting for the past three days, and was getting anxious. The boxes were huge, but I quickly had them unpacked and the equipment assembled. Students were able to use it right away, and everyone got a chance to draw on it using "digital ink". We were even able to use it for a math lesson today! The students and thrilled to have a new toy, and I am excited to have an incredible tool that will help enhance my teaching - plus, it's fun!

Christmas

Stephanie and I had a wonderful Christmas. We both so feel so blessed and fortunate to have family and friends around us. Stephanie's parents were able to come over from Billings to spend some time with us. Rick and I were going to repair to roof on our carport, but it turned out to be a bigger job than either of us expected, and will wait for this summer. We were able to celebrate Christmas a few days early with Rick, Elaine, Isaac, Jeff and Michelle. Isaac is an expert at opening gifts. Wrapping paper doesn't stand a chance! It is so cool to watch him grow up.

On Christmas Eve, we had dinner at Jeff and Michelle's, than went to my brother Nick's house for desert and presents with them. Mostly, we took turns holding and playing with Jacob. He had a little santa outfit on, and is just the happiest little baby. He got a jumping swing thing, and loves it.

Christmas day was spent at our home in Port Orchard. Tim, Mom and Dad came over, and we did presents with them. The rest of the day was spent playing with the three dogs, eating a wonderful ham dinner, lounging around, and just plain enjoying each other's company.

As I finish writing this, I can't help but think how blessed our family is. Everyone is healthy, safe, and loved. I can't ask for anything more.

Wow, wind

The windstorm knocked out our power for almost 24 hours starting Thursday night. The wind woke us up and I watched nearby trees sway at impossible angles. The gusts were incredible. We could hear them coming through the trees, and then feel as they slammed into our little house. We feel very thankful and fortunate that our home wasn't damaged, no one we know was injured, and that our power is back on again. Thanks PSE! Around Port Orchard, we saw many fallen trees. The photos show one near our home, and the power lines it took down.