Summer Vacation Coming To An End

Like my good buddy, Durango, posted about an hour ago, it's going to be another hot day here in West Texas. The boys are practicing for football, my youngest will have a guest for the weekend and we are planning on staying around the house and maybe doing a little swimming up at the school pool.

I always get semi depressed at this time of the year. School is about to start, and although I love my occupation, I love the time off just as much. This is the first time of my teaching career that I'm not totally dreading getting back into the classroom. That lack of dread has everything to do with the district I am now employed with.

It will be slightly different this year, because my principal is now at the elementary, and the elementary principal is now at the junior high, my campus. Why was this change made? From what I gather, it's because the junior high campus has it's act together. Well, at least, that's what they tell us.

This is my son's last year in high school and my daughter's last year in elementary. We have a few more things planned before school gets underway, Summer Mummers and the Midnight Cellar Dweller Movie. And before that, I am making a solo trip to Louisiana to pick up a 1965 Ford Mustang.

Some interesting news has been coming down the pike about a correlation between fracking and ground water contamination. The article is easy to read, but just don't stop there...the comments are priceless.

Final Home Football Game End Of The Pre Game Meal

Since Justin started on Varsity this year, I wanted to commemorate the first year of varsity football in a special way. Every home game, I prepare a pregame meal and send an open invite to all the football players. Our first pregame meal had twelve of the fellas showing up. We've had as many as twenty two and as few as nine, but regardless of how many come, it's always been a lot of fun.


Tonight is not only the last home game of the season, but it's also parents'
night. Parents will be escorted by their football player from the field into the stands. It's a long honored tradition in Wink Football. This evening's game is being played against our biggest rival, Iraan Braves. I happen to work for the Iraan School District. But don't you worry, I know exactly where my loyalties lie...GO WILDCATS!!!


Whisky has been missing now for two weeks. Whisky was our new kitty and while we were away for a few days, Whisky went on his own vacation and hasn't returned. This year's jack'o'laterns are all themed around cats in honor of our missing beloved Whisky. We didn't have him long, but he definitely made a huge impression on this humble family.

Feeding Twelve Hungry Varsity Football Boys

It's the day of the big game against the Jal Panthers and this morning I told my son to invite some of his friends over for a pregame meal. I knew the boys wouldn't go for the usual organic healthy food I usually prepare, so I made what any proper West Texas mom would make, fried chicken strips, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls...I did whip up a salad and some steamed broccoli just in case there were a few health conscience boys in the mix.

After the pep rally, I asked my son how many of his friends were coming over and he said he hadn't gotten around to ask, so I figured maybe the usual 4 or 5 would be coming. I got home and started preparing the meal when a group of 4 came strolling in the door. I smiled asked them if they wanted a soda and continued cooking. Then another group of 4 came in the door. Okay, that's fine I can handle it. Then there was a knock at the front door, and 4 more boys came in. (YIKES!) So, there were a total of twelve hungry boys!

They dual linked the XBOX 360s, had 6 boys in my bedroom, with another 6 in the living room all playing HALO. There was a lot of hooting and hollering back and forth between the rooms, but I didn't mind, it was nice to hear them all having a good time. I busied myself in the kitchen frying up the chicken strips, boiling potatoes and whipping up gravy. A first batch was done and I called out the dinner bell. Within minutes the plate of strips were gone, I told them not to worry more was on it's way.

Annie, my daughter, was also in on the fun and commented that having them all there was better than watching television. I had 12 boys all calling me mom and saying thank you for letting them all come over. 64 chicken strips, 24 potatoes, 24 dinner rolls, a large pot of white gravy and 3 12 packs of soda...devoured in less than 30 minutes! They all had to be up at the stadium for 5:30, and within 5 minutes the house was clear and quiet once again.