Today was the day ALL the furniture arrived. The guy arrived about 10:45am. They moved and assembled the boy's bunk bed and dinner table. The couch and chair was the last to brought in. They left about 1:15. Now, T and I have to clean and staighten the house. We ate dinner at the new table.
We had a couple of inches of snow last night. I shoveled it and put down some salt. They are calling for a couple of more inches tonight into tomorrow. Maybe I will get lucky and get a snowday. We did not have one snowday last year and so far none this year.


Good night from the Bayou.

I am trying to recover from the weekend. The wrestling team was at Rootstown on Thursday and at Austintown Fitch Friday and Saturday for the Hephner Tournament. We beat Rootstown but lost to Aurora on Thursday. Shayne finished 5th at the Hephner. It was a tough tournament. There were plenty of D1 schools there and most of the wrestlers had a ton more mat time then our guys. I think everyone wreslted well, but everyone needs to improve. We had a week and a half off til we go to South Range. I have added a picture of Matt in action during the match at Rootstown.
We spent most of Sunday getting ready for the furniture to arrive. T cleaned the carpets in the boys room and part of the family room. Our dinning room table is gone as well as the dresser. Scott "Moby" Dick took our old couch. I went to high school with him. I was in Austintown when he came and picked it up. His wife nows my wife, or something like that. It will be a hectic day Tuesday with the delivery of everything.

Til next time, See you Down by the Bayou.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow......That is a teacher's favorite song this time of year. The Lake Erie snow machine is kicking up tonight. The local weather guys are saying 4-8 inches of the white stuff between 4am to 4pm tomorrow for Summit and Portage Co. If the snow falls right, then no school tomorrow.
We received a call from Ashley's Furniture today. They can deliver the furniture tomorrow, but we schedule it for next Tuesday. I will take a personal day to help move everything. Now, we have to clean and move other stuff to get ready for the new stuff.
The neighbor's house sold over the weekend. They got close to their asking price. We will watch the paper to see the final selling price.

See you next time Down by the Bayou!

The flu/dehydration bug is still flying about our house. Jarret made his second trip to the ER this morning. They gave him an IV and a popsicile. He threw up about 11:30pm and that set into motion his trip to ER. He had not had anything to eat or drink since noon. Finally about 3:30am he was allow to go home. Mom took the kids to her house and then brought them home for the bus. Once the kids were gone, T and I went back to bed. J seems to be ok this morning so far.

Til next time, See you Down by the Bayou.

Last day of the semester today. I will get new kids on Monday. Tech Ed and Yearbook are the only two yearlong classes I teach. I had a meeting today about my new classroom. The darkroom was scratched from the plans. However, since the room was already built I will use the room as a digital photography center. Our Director of Technology will install 7 new computers in the room. The darkroom and yearbook room were going to be side by side, now they are combined into one room. It will still have room for my couch and a bookshelf. I was able to take a mini-tour of the new building. This included a close look at my rooms. The storage space is a little smaller than I thought, but will work just fine. The shop area is spacious. It will take some time before I get all the tools and equipment I need, but it will be just fine for now. I still have plans for the cornhole boards as the first project. I cant wait for spring break. The Project manager still has hopes everything will be done before then. I hope so. He even thinks the parking lot in front of the school will be done before graduation. That means the old school will have to be knocked down. It should be an exciting time at MHS.

Bayou is rooting for the Saints to defeat the Bears this Sunday. I think everyone outside of Chicago is rooting on the Saints to make it to the Super Bowl.

Til next time, See you Down by the Bayou


Here is a picture of K near the old entrance to the hallway that lead to my classroom. This picture was taken in April 2005. They knocked down my classroom shortly after this picture was taken. I will post another picture of what my classroom looks like today next week.

Last night was not good for the wrestling program. We lost to Ellet and Field. Nobody looked good. We have a week til Rootstown and the Hephner Tournament. They will need it.
This is exam week. 7.5 year at Mogadore. It is truely amazing I have been there this long.
I should have posted my blog on Monday. We went back to Ashley's and purchased a dresser for me and a kitchen table and chairs. We did manage to save the shipping charge. They will deliver everything together in 2-4 weeks. I dont think there is anything else we need to buy for the inside of this house.
Phase One of the great furniture move started today. The love seat went to my parents. They will hold it til I move into my new classroom. I would like to go into my yearbook office. One of T's friends is taking the dresser. So, I had to clean it off and out. There is so much stuff I should throw away, but I cant or wont. All of my clothes from the dresser are in clothes baskets til my new one arrives. Another one of T's friend will take the couch later. This all will end within 4 weeks when everything is delivered. We ordered: kitchen table and chairs, computer table, bunk beds, 2 dressers for the boys, 1 for daddy, sofa and recliner. This is all due to the fact Santa brought us a computer for Christmas. But, since we have never purchased furniture, it is a small price to pay.
We are starting to get interest from several people about the cruise in 2008. I would love to have 15-20 people go on this cruise. We will see. I know we are going and that is that.

Til next time, See you Down by the Bayou

How easy is it to spend 2 grand or more? Ask my wife. We went fuirniture shopping today. Santa Claus brought us a computer for Christmas. We need to makes some room for it. So, follow along, the train table will move to the boy's room. The crib will come down. The boys will get bunk beds. We purchased bunk beds today. Also, the boys get matching dressers as well. The dresser they have now will return to T's parents. The space left open by moving the train table will now have the new computer table we purchased tonight. The couch and love set will be finding new homes soon. The love set will find its way to my new classroom. We are planning to donate the couch. I got the couch, loveset and chair as a gift from a co-worker at Marhofer in 1991 or 1992. We bough a recliner-sofa and recliner for the family room. They should arrive in 2 to 4 weeks.
In other big news.....J used the potty tonight. He has sat on the potty before but today he used it! I hope he keeps up using it and is potty trained soon.

That is all for now, See you Down by the Bayou!

We wrestled at Garfield tonight. So close but yet so far. We last the Kenmore match by 2 matches and the Garfield match by 1. We still need to improve in so many areas. Other than that, not much else going on. Till next time, see you down by the Bayou.

I am still recovering from Monday night. I could go on and on about what I thought about the game, but it is over and done with. All I have to say is it took a coach born in Ohio and an alumni from THE Ohio State University to win the National Championship. We finally got the new computer up and running. I took several call to get the internet working, but it is working now. Guess what? We had snow today. Not much, but it was snow. We had to go back to the fish store yesterday due to a death in the fish tank and followed by another trip today. We had our water tested and have made the needed changes and hopefully, all the fish will be ok. Til next time, See you Down by the Bayou

Thankfully, the Cowboys season ended last night. Now, I will not have to watch them play football again this season. Hopefully, Tony Romo will be more worried about being the QB of the Cowboys and not dating Jessica Simpson or Carrie Underwood.

The wrestling team did OK at Northwest. Joe and Josh Bailes placed. I would have like to see Shayne place. Bretton should be back for Garfield this week.

I heard we might have snow on Tuesday. Maybe Terry will call offf school since the Buckeyes play tomorrow night. We are heading to the Moores for the game. We will stay til halftime. The kickoff is at 8:30. I dont know why they did not play it on Saturday night. I would have rather watched the Bucks play then Cowboys. I am on record say THE Ohio State Buckeyes will win 38-28. Jared put $20 on them minus 7, in Las Vegas last week.

GO BUCKEYES

Beat the gators!

Did anyone see the Bayou Bengals beat down the Irish last week? The Bayou area is proud of them!

See you Down by the Bayou.

Back to school yesterday. Break was fun, but it was time to get back to work. We have about 100 days left of school, not that I am counting.

We booked airline tickets to Texas today. It was only $144 per person on United. That is dirt cheap!. We will fly out of Pittsburg, change planes in Chicago, and arrive in Dallas on June 12. We will return on June 20. Hopefully, the San Angelo Colts will be playing at home that week. I am not sure what fun and stuff we will do in TX, but the kids will have fun playing with their cousins.

Tomorrow the wrestling team will travel to Northwest HS. It is a 2 day tournament. We will be tested by some bigger schools. I would like to see 4 guys place in the top 4 and at least 1 more in the top 6.

The fish seem to be doing well in their new home. The kids even have a feeding schedule for them. I think we need to get some more "stuff" for the tank, but that will come in due time.

The bear is starting to say words. He told mommy "cookie" today. He can say "please", but it sounds more like "peases". He not only will smile "cheese", but give you the cheesiest smile you have seen. He is thinking about starting to go on the potty. This is a big step. I hope he catches on quickly.

Til next time,

See you down by the Bayou!

Happy New Year!

It has been a nice week around the household. We went back to the in-laws for Christmas for the cousins on T's side of the family. We went to Christie and Mike's for an evening. We also did some running around. We bought a fish tank for the kids. It is set up and waiting for the fish to move in. B spent more night away from home than home this week. She stayed with grandma and grandpa for a couple night and last night at a friends house.

We got word today that Dawn lost her baby early this morning. She was so happy on Christmas with the news and now this. I wonder if they will try again.

The wrestling team did well yesterday at Waterloo. A 2nd place, two 3rds and a fourth. Sixth place as a team, not too shaby. Hopefully, we have turned a corner and will continue to improve the rest of the year.

Til next year,

See you down by the Bayou!

Merry Christmas!

The family had a wonderful time today opening and exchanging gifts. We were up at 7:30am to open the gifts from Santa Claus. He brought us a new computer. Everyone was glad he brought it to us. Then it was off the Nana and Papa's house for the gathering of the Brackens. It was announced by Nicholas's shirt that Dawn was pregnant. She is due in late August. Then it was off on the task of unwrapping every gift in sight. When the dust settled, everyone was happy with the gifts they received. Then on to grandma and grandpa's house. Grandpa had the drinks ready when we arrived and we start off on another round of unwrapping gifts. Again, we all loved what we received.

On a side note, the Bayou Steelers won MNFFL Super Bowl VIII over the Donut Holes 70-39. It was the first time since MNFFL II that the Steelers won the big game. Congratulations to me!!!!!Now I will have to go order my Championship ring.

Til next time,

Merry Christmas from the Bayou!

What a week. There are things they cant teach you in school, and one of them is how to deal when tragedy hits your school. I did not hear about it til Wednesday morning on the radio while I was driving to school. One of Mogadore's graduates raped his ex-girlfriend, who is in one of my classes this year. She is 17, so I will not write her name. Once he left her house, he was chased by police. He ran his car off the road. Before the police could reach him, he shot and killed himself.
The school was shaken up, but relieved that she was going to be ok. She was treated and released from a local hospital the same night. She was not in school either wednesday or thursday. My prayers are with her this Christmas season. Also, my prayers go out to Doug's family. He was one of my first 7th graders I had in class as a teacher. He was always kind and polite towards me. It was truely a sad day in Mogadore.
So, Thursday had to be better right? Well, it was not on the scale of the day before, but the day was weird. I had been getting the idea from Chris Adams, Mogadore's treasurer, that we would be getting new mats for the wrestling team. Well, Rich shot that down again. I got word that Bretton was in a fight. He will be out of school for the first three days of the new year. That means he can not wrestle in the Northwest Tournament. Then Josh quit the team, saying he does not have fun anymore. So, the team went to Streetsboro and got waxed by Streetsboro and Salem. What a way to start Christmas break.
Yesterday, the coaches talked Josh into stay on the team. We had a team meeting and got something cleared up. Hopefully, thing will be better for the Waterloo Tournament next week. After practice I did finish Christmas shopping.
Tonight, we are going out with the Yosts. We will meet them somewhere near Chapel Hill. It should be fun. Also, we are the two teams left in the MNFFL Super Bowl VIII. It would be the Donut Holes' first championship or Bayou's third. We will have a fun night.

Merry Christmas from the Bayou

Its beginning to look a little like Christmas......NOT. It is nearly 60 degrees again today. THe mild weather has been with us most of the week.

The wrestling team faired well at the Hornet Holiday Classic. We finished 6th as a team. Joe Bailes, Josh Bailes, Shayne Stewart, Zack Glagola and Phil Everett all placed in the top 4. We will battle Streetsboro and Salem on Thursday.

We are going to put up Christmas decorations today. I would like to have them up for a nice long time, but Jarret's little hands would get them. Next year we will be able to have them up longer.

We are also looking into a cruise next year. It would be on Carnival. However, we are running into issues with the cruiseline. Most of the ships only allow no more than 4 per room and those rooms are the pricer suites. The good price on the cruise would be offset by booking multiple rooms.

We probably will wait til our "08 Crusie" for our next cruise adventure.

What happened to winter? It was back into the upper 50's yesterday and today. The 8 day forecast does not have 1 day in the 30's. Santa might have to use a delivery truck this year instead of a sleigh.

The wrestling team is at Malvern Hornet Holiday Classic this Saturday. Last year, Bretton, Shayne and Josh all placed. We should have those 3 plus Joe place. Zach and Zack might make some noise. The coaches should be busy going from mat to mat.

B and I are going around about homework again tonight. T has a dinner tonight, so she is missing out. B doesnt want to do the homework for me. T gets to help her in the morning. Most days she wont do her homework until I get home. I dont understand her at times. She will fly off the handle when she doesnt get her way.

Anyways, until next time,

See you down by the Bayou

Sorry it has been so long since my last blog. I wish I could update this blog at school.

I did manage to attend all 6 state championship games last weekend. Keith did not attend 1, so I have that hanging over his head. He will hear about this all next summer. I did save some $$ along the way. I bought a ticket to the D4 game ($7) and 2 tickets to the D6 game and 1 to the D2 game for $25. I paid for parking at PBTS for the first game ($3) but not at Fawcett or the night game at PBTS. I sold my extra D6 ticket ($7), so day one cost me only $28 for 3 games and parking. Saturday was even cheaper. I paid to park at Fawcett for the early game ($3). A guy gave me a ticket to the D5 game. I sat with someone I meet walking to the stadium. He had a group of friends to sit with, so I joined them. He ended up giving me tickets to the D3 and D1 games. I paid for parking at PBTS ($3) for the afternoon game. I avoided the pay lots for the night game back at Fawcett. So, I spent $34 and tickets and parking, and $6 on food....$40 for 6 games, not too bad.

The wrestling team finally had a meet this week. We wrestled at Waterloo on Thursday. The weather turned bad on Thursday but we had school. The team lost to Woodridge but beat Waterloo on a tie-breaker. Zack Kittle pinned his kid from Woodridge in his first ever wrestling match.

The team was at Conventry on Saturday. The beat Conventry and Ellet. 3-1 on the year....not toobad. The junior high was at Northwest Tournament. Joe Scarlaro placed 4th.

The Buckeyes finally know the Gators will be in Glendale, AZ on Jan. 8th. Good Luck Bucks!

Til next time, hopefully sooner than later,

See you down by the bayou.

Winter starts tomorrow, but the preview is tonight. The temp has been in the 60's all week, until shortly after 3pm today. The temp is dropping and the wind is picking up. The forcast includes thunderstorms, rain, ice and snow over the next 48 hours.'

The state football finals start tomorrow. There are 3 games tomorrow and 3 games Saturday. The change in weather will effect how the games are played. I will be at all 6 games. I will be able to rub it in Big Keith face that I went to all games while he was off picking up a door in Amish country.

We went out to the Olive Garden tonight. We had some gift cards to use and T did not want to cook dinner. She will be cooking chilli tomorrow for me. I will grab a bit to eat between games. I might need dry clothes as well.

It was a tough week for my brother and brother in law. Both spent time at Aultman. Jeff went to ER with a heart thing. Its wasnt a heart attck but he should see Dr. Rowley often to get checked out. Tim had a blood clot in his lungs. He is now out, but got a 3 day stay at Hotel Aultman.

B went to her first othodonist appointment today. She will go back in 6 months. They dont seem to be in a rush to do anything to her mouth yet. I cant relate to any of this because I never had braces.

Til next month.....See you down by the Bayou.

The season ended for the Cats friday night. They looked bad. No running game. No passing game. Good Luck to Shadyside next week. I cant wait to go to all the games. 6 games in 2 days...not much better in high school sports. I will miss talking football with Big Keith. He will not be able to go to all the games. I will go solo, but I bet I hook up with some others fans.

We had a good Thanksgiving. We split time between Dawn's and the in laws. Too much food, but that is what the day is all about. Plus, the Cowboys won!

I got the lights up on friday. The weather has been in the upper 50's since wednesday.

My brother in law is in the hospital. He is having trouble with blood clots. This not the first time, but still serious heath issue.

I hate the fact Mogadore blocked blogger.com. The kids today watched "Kramer" yell the "n" word on youtube.com but we have to block blogger.com

Anywasy, tonight was part 2 of parent/teacher conferences. I had 3. That is the most I have had in one night in years. I am glad parents take time to come in a check on their students.

Wrestling season is underway. We will have to wait until football season is over to have a full team. We should have 9 varsity and 3 junior high. That is a tad bit down from last year. Our first meet is at Waterloo with Woodridge on Dec 7. The football player might only have 3 days of practice if they make it to the state game.

Eddie Roberts might have me take pictures at the Mogadore game this friday. He doesnt want to drive to New Phil for $20 a picture. It would be nice to see my work in the newspaper.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone from the Bayou.