Sigh!

Just when I felt like I could get into a routine, all heck breaks loose in the household. Betty Jane, my husband's grandmother, ended up in the hospital. We ended up spending a majority of our time with her during her last month. She died on the 13th of September... from complications of lung cancer, congestive heart failure, and stage 5 kidney disease. From what we have been told, it was the kind of dying that we all dream about. She was finishing dialysis, turned to the nurse and told her she felt sleepy. She appeared to fall asleep, her heart stopped, and they couldn't revive her. The nurses assured us that it was about the most peaceful and painless death in the ICU that they have ever seen.

We have been trying to help Bill and his brother Dick get the house packed up. It is hard to watch both of them in their stages of grief. I wish both of them peace of mind... but I fear it will be a long process.

I am hoping, after my trip to Orlando in October, I can make it to visit my parents in Ohio. I would really like to spend some time with my own family since our trips had to be put off since Betty Jane was so ill. I don't regret putting off my own trips, but I miss my family and hope to see them soon.

I will try to post on a regular basis now that I have no really great reason for not doing so.

Meet Luna!

I know! I know! Two posts in a week. Must be a record.

I just wanted to post a photo of the potential newest member of the Wenzel household, Luna (AKA: Moonshine). Our other cockatiel is called Sunny (AKA: Sunshine). When my sister in law found little Luna, he/she was in a tree outside. Kristen has placed multiple ads up in a variety of places, but to no avail. No one has claimed this baby. If no one claims her by the end of the week, it appears she is going to come and live with Stephen and I. This bird would join the circus of the three cats (Katie, Ty, and Boomer), the snake (Blitz), AND Sunshine the Cockatiel. I hope to be able to post a better picture when he/she gets here.

Life.... It just keeps updating all the time

For those of you who don't know, my husband's grandmother (Betty Jane) got ill early in the calender year. Between my work writing customer reviews and helping out around the two houses we were trying to keep going, there was very little time to sit and update. Since I had the time this evening, and I've been getting grief for not doing so, I decided to blog a little.
Betty Jane (Stephen's Grandmother) had been doing fairly well after a brief decline at the beginning of the year. In April, she took a fall in her home and ended up, after a brief hospital stay, in a rehab unit at a nearby nursing home. We (all Wenzels) were trying to keep her house going as well as our own. It just wasn't working and we had Betty Jane move in with us when she was released from the rehab unit. The above photo is of BJ and her two great nieces on one of her better days.

I have been trying to get jobs in here and there when I am not being the co-caretaker. This is from one of my jobs recently. It was a very good lunch!!!We were also very lucky to have taken a vacation job to Saratoga Springs Resort at WDW! In October, I will be completing phase two of Universal Studios Orlando's evaluation. So, all in all, it has been a very busy travel year.

I will make every effort to update weekly (on Fridays). Thank you for your patience!

Request - Yes... For you... I will put all my night shots up!

What do cats do while you work? Watch, of course!

More Photos! Part 2

This Morning... The outlook didn't look any better. Part 1

After waking up this morning, I decided to take some better photos. After the electric returned, 15 hours after going out, I get to post them. I tried to use a pen to show a size gauge. It didn't work very well. But... here are the photos.
#1 - Shot from the end of the driveway towards the house.
#2 - Aftermath of the chainsaw!
#3- One of the logs. Note that I placed a Bic pen on the log on the left side to give size idea. This is one large piece of log.
#4 - Another piece of log with the pen for size indicator.
#5 - Looking into the hole in the tree. This is where that branch once was. (CLOSEUP)
#6 - Better shot of the hole in the tree.

OK!!!! I admit it, Mother Earth! I was WRONG!

Snow Daze

Once again, the DC/Annapolis/Baltimore area is facing *Imagine a loud, echoing voice inserted here* THE SNOW STORM OF DA CENTURY!! *drum roll please!!!!!* Ok. So I'm not being totally serious here. But, from weather men on the local news stations, you would think we were expecting 20 feet of snow instead of 4 inches. So far, with a break in the snow until afternoon, we have a inch or so of a slushy substance that is melting fairly quickly. Or at least it is dipping off the trees like rain. I am so not impressed yet.

I have an appointment with my audiologist tomorrow at 9 am. Jane is thinking I should cancel today. I am perplexed. I know we are expecting 4 inches of snow in the next 24 hours. However, with the number of times the weatherman is wrong and you get dramatically less snow, do you cancel in advance or do you beg off when you really cannot get out to get there. I wish I knew the answer.

First Class Flight

As some know, I just returned from seeing my parents in Dayton, Ohio. I will be the first person to admit, I do not enjoy flying. However, it is usually cheaper and faster than driving. Think of it this way, for the $70 one way ticket (and that is with tax) on Airtran, I am not having to pay for a full tank of gas and two times eating out on the road. For a single rider, it is the far better choice. Unless you have a trip like I just finished.

When I bought my tickets, Airtran's baggage policy was $15 for your first bag. I begrudgingly decided not to fly Southwest (with their 2 free bag policy) into Columbus for two reasons: (a) convenience and (b) I missed my two week window after trying to deal with the details and the price nearly doubled to $110 each way. So, the night prior to leaving, I got an email from Airtran explaining their new policy change. It was now $20 to send the first bag of up to 45 lbs. ! Alright, Airtran. You win this round.

Well, I made it to Dayton, had a great time seeing the family, and prepared to leave. I logged onto my account and there was yet another notice. Because my bag was 45 lbs. EXACTLY, the suspected that my bag was going to be overweight. I could either agree to another increase, which would be between $25-$30 for my bag depending on the rate, or I could upgrade to a business class ticket for the cost of having two bags. I gritted my teeth together and went to find my dad to ask his opinion. We decided to go for the upgrade to business. Why? Two bags, bigger seat, more leg room, and... free alcohol! Ok. I don't drink much, so the last one wasn't the selling point. The increased leg room was really the kicker for me. Airtran, unlike Southwest, really does have reduced knee room. I end up with major purple knee bruising every time I fly Airtran. So, I booked my new ticket and got ready to leave.

The day I left was the day Dayton ended up with 5 inches of snow before 6 pm. My flight should have left at 5:55 pm. The flight was late arriving and we weren't even starting to board until 5:40. At scheduled lift off, we were being prepared to be de-iced for the first time. 25 minutes later, we are still sitting at the gate. At the 40 minute mark, still sitting at the gate waiting to be de-iced a second time. We started to roll around the 50 late minute mark and, right before we were "assigned" to take off, we had to call for another de-icing. When we finally got to Baltimore, we were over an hour late arriving. The flight only took 45 minutes... much shorter than normal hour and 15 minutes. Pilot said we had a good tail wind. Whatever! I just know I got home in one piece.

My adventure with business class, however, was interesting. Upon being seated, I was immediately asked what I wanted to drink. I had decided to use my alcohol credit for a rum and Coke since I was feeling a little more than apprehensive about flying. The attendant told me he brought me enough rum for two fair sized Rum and Cokes. I thanked him and thought in my head, "I'm going to be good and tired tonight."

After the first de-icing, the flight attendant brought most adults in both coach and business a free alcoholic beverage. They brought me another get two Rum and Cokes from this bottle of rum bottle. I thanked the attendant and said to myself, "Two more really won't be too bad." I very rarely drink and this may seem lightweight to some, but this was more than I would do normally. I enjoyed my second set of two R&C. Then, we started to move. Then the co-pilot comes back to check the wings as we are told we are next in line to takeoff. As he comes back through after his check, he says, give everyone another free round. We are going to have to call to be de-iced again. So, here comes another bottle of rum good for two R&C. At this point, I really don't care. If they give it to me, I'm gonna drink it because all I want is off this d*&^ flight already. However, this time they bring it with a box of millano cookies! With 6 cookies in a box! I decided I am going to drink R&C 5 and 6 very slowly. And eat these cookies. Well, they brought another box for all of us as I was finishing 5. As I finished 6, the guy next to me said, "Am I ever glad to be in the air." I looked at him and suddenly realized we had already taken off and I missed it. I asked him how long we'd been airborne. He said he thought about 5 minutes. He said he missed it, too. The lady across the aisle from me, with her 2 year old son, looked at me and stated she missed it, too. Last she knew, she'd been given a tenth chocolate milk for her son and a 5th and 6th gin and tonic for her. The attendant came back one more time to get the real drink orders. I opted for a Sprite. They brought me more cookies, though.

Woke up the next morning feeling great. But, I don't think I ever want to fly Airtran again. I want a set baggage fee that isn't set to screw the consumer.

Clarification - Yes I know it was 1492, not 1942.

The kids are amazingly annoying with factual information. They reverse numbers. The mnemonic the student used in her demonstration was wrong - so, I used it.

Thank you for your time and attention to the detail, detail checking family members.

Reflections of a Science Fair 2011

Jane and I spent some time at the local middle school Science Fair as greeters and judges. As like book fair, I have some real issues with some of these "projects". Here are just a few of my thoughts that I wish I could have written down when judging the projects.

Thought #1: "Exactly when did you start your project again?" Of the over 50 projects I looked at, a overwhelming majority of them had less than a week's worth of data. This suggests to the judge or audience that your project was started no more than a week prior to the Science Fair. There are certain things that do not work well in a very short experiment. For example, you are not going to get a good idea of how talking to your plant helps it grow in one week. You are not going to be able to get a good deal of mold to grow in less than a week. You may not be able to get your rock candy to form in one week. You could tell the students who placed a lot of time and effort (as well as thought) into these project and you could tell who got up the weekend before and said, "Oh, yeah. Science Fair project is due Friday. Should do something, shouldn't I?" Students of the world - you aren't fooling anyone!

Thought #2: "Sample size matters!" Polling your family to see which cookie they preferred is nice. However, to get a better result, your sample size should probably be more than 3 people. The larger the sample, the better you can defend you findings. I'm sure your mom loved letting you stay up for 72 hours straight so you could play XBOX. However, how long you personally can go or how much sugar you eat (to make you "hyper") is an individualized thing. I personally doubt you can recreate your results and validate your answers.

Thought #3: "If you go on vacation, ask someone to water your Science Fair project." It is not a good excuse, nor does it look good, when your project is ruined because you went to Knott's Berry Farm for a week and forgot to ask someone to water your plants. They died because of that! Plant Killer!!!!

Thought #4: Every year we have this one - "Your banana is not rotten! You put it in the fridge and it got black. That happens when you place a banana in the fridge. You will learn this with life experience. But don't tell me the banana rots faster in the fridge cos it simple ain't so." Self explanatory. The number of years I've seen this exact project and they all seem to think a black refrigerator banana is rotten. Never had a frozen banana? Try it, student Science Fair participant.

Thought #5: "If you take the whole project, word for word, hyperlink for hyperlink, off the Internet, I just might notice it." - Come on! At least make it look like your own work!!! I will admit there was only one this year where there were more last year. But, dang! Click here for photo should not be in the project. I don't care if the idea comes off the Internet, from a book, from your own mind. That's fine. But, make the work your own.

Thought #6: "Sweetie. Honey. Darling Child. If you learned something in 2nd grade, it makes a really bad Science Fair project for an 8th grader." This year, I noticed there was a trend for going back and doing projects that confirmed 2nd grade Science. A student actually hypothesized that adding salt to a growing plant was going to help it grow. This child was heartbroken when it not only didn't make it grow, it killed the plant! SURPRISE! Let's see what salt water does to your goldfish, child! Another student decided that plants die if you don't water them. Science rule #1: All living things require water. It is one of the four basic needs of all living thing (water, food, living space, and homeostasis.) .

Thought #7: "Remember to add seeds" - One of the project involved growing plants in various different fertilizers to see which one grew fastest. The constant was the water amount and the original soil. Variable was the fertilizer. After 4 weeks, nothing had grown. I read the report from start to finish and not once did this child identify the plant or if there was a plant/seed added to the soil. I suspect, as did Jane and another judge, that the child never added seeds or a plant to grow. They just added fertilizer and dirt and waited for something to sprout. This is a sad moment for me as an ex-educator. I would have hoped that, by 8th grade, the concept of spontaneous plant growth would be a myth.

Thought #8: "When taking data and making an assumption based upon the data, make sure the data itself seems logical." One of the projects was comparing earthquake data and volcanic activity. The child came to conclusion that there is no connection between the two based on data for large earthquakes for the time period around volcanic activity. Whuuuuuh???? If the child had done a little more research, they would have found that one of the indicators for potential volcanic activity is to record seismic activity. And, it doesn't have to be right in the area, either. A earthquake halfway around the world can have effects. This child suffered from lack of research. It is hard to compare two things and, without doing added research, make them fit together.

Thought #9: "How exactly do you identify who can tell a fake smile from a real one for your sample?" Although I am not an expert on the topic of "fake smiles" or the Duchenne Smile (named for Benjamin-Armand Duchenne de Boulogne - a man who shocked people to cause muscles to react), I happen to know that most people cannot tell a difference because that is what research says. Your friends, small sample although they are, are either lucky at guessing or they know you better than you think. Because 75% of people cannot tell the difference, according the 2005 study at Minot State. And, how did you decide which of your photos was a real smile and a fake smile. Did you have a camera person taking photos all day? Candid shots or something like this. I'm just curious.

Thought #10: "If something is already highly studied or researched and already a part of common knowledge (and is a commonly used educational tool), it is probably not your best choice for a Science Fair project." Teachers and students alike make use of mnemonic devises in every day learning. Making the question "Does a mnemonic devise really help students learn?" really isn't a question anymore. My generation of learners can tell you the colors of the rainbow have something to do with a dude called Roy G. Biv. And don't ever forget order of operations is controlled by My Dear Aunt Sally... much less remembering to Please Excuse her on occasion. If it didn't work, my darling, it wouldn't still be a teaching tool. In 1942, Columbus sailed the ocean blue? And, my mom's technique for for remembering the Pomo tribe in California, although not repeatable, is a mnemonic I will remember for a lifetime. And, placing something to song works too. I can list almost all the states because I learned them by putting them to song. My mother in law does the same with the presidents. Devices work.

Please send me some good project next year. Then again, I love the entertainment.

Goals 2011, Part Two!

I know I promised this actual blog entry several days ago. However, my boss has kept me fairly busy with working these past few days. Since I decided this morning I was going to take some "ME time" and drink a cup of caramel flavored latte, I decided I'd also write my blog entry.

Goal: Drink more water - I absolutely hate water. It tastes very metal-ly to me. Anything I put in the water taste like flavored metallic water. However, I know that it is important to stay hydrated since I keep getting SEVERELY dehydrated. So, I need to force myself to drink liquids. I think this means reducing soft drink consumption, too.

Goal: Eat less beef - Stephen has been on a crusade to only eat beef every other week for his health for a little over a year now. It has been a major pain because he is so blasted picky anyway and taking a category away caused issues. But, over this year, I have watched my husband look better and have increased health benefits. I think I will be joining him this year in the less beef category. If only Five Guys wasn't one of my best clients. :)

Goal: Learn to like tea - When going through college, prior to student teaching, professors told us to learn to like either coffee or tea. I cannot stand straight coffee. It has to be at least 3/4th milk and flavoring to get me to drink it (which I adore, by the way). However, I have yet to find tea that I can tolerate. At the Alice In Wonderland Tea (which I enjoyed, by the way), I drank a whole pot of raspberry tea, but I didn't enjoy it. I watch my mother in law drink tea at mid afternoon and wish I could stop and share a cup, too. I need to learn to like tea - would also be nice when feeling sore throat-esquish. I see this as a crusade.

Goal: Cut down - In general, I just need to cut back on everything. Stephen doesn't like to cut back and doesn't seem to like budgeting. I, on the other hand, have always liked a good budget. I think this is why I was able to be a home owner at age 25. I always knew how much I had to spend and paid credit cards off each month. Until I lost my job, had outrageous medical expenses, and married a man who thinks processed is a food group. I think I am going to make the new rule "You may only splurge if you have a good coupon and it is planned."

Goal: Live in Peace, Love, and Harmony with my In-Laws For Another Year - I don't see 2011 being the year we relocate. Therefore, I need to make a greater effort to get along with the FIL and MIL. I adore my MIL and I appreciate all the help and assistance she gives us every day. She makes sure I get to doctor's appt., to my jobs, and pretty much anywhere I want to go. But, this this not a happy house. We don't live in harmony with one another. So, for my part, I want to be more friendly, more helpful, and more accommodating. After all, I am a long range "house pet" in this household. Best to make the best of it!

These are the goals for this year. I have much to look forward to this year. In February, work is sending me to Orlando to repeat my job from August (WDW... here I come!!). In October, work is sending me back to Orlando to do the other half of the August trip again (Girls trip!!!). I meet with DORS rep. tomorrow (Thursday) to see what progress we can make on accommodations that might make this hearing loss easier to deal with. Have a couple of volunteer experiences lined up at MacArthur Middle (Science Fair, Spring Book Fair, Fall Book Fair). Maybe it will bring me or Stephen a new job, cheaper health insurance, or even a more healthy lifestyle. I welcome you, 2011. May it be a great year.

Mighty Boomer and the Shake-In-Bake Cat or How Boomer Caught A Mouse and Ty Helped

I know I promised more of my New Year's Goals yesterday. However, I kind of got caught up in the Twilight Zone marathon on SyFy. Sorry.

But, by doing so, I get to exercise my inner Thurber. So, I proudly present, Mighty Boomer and the Shake-In-Bake Cat.

I've never said I have a normal family. With four adults, 3 cats, and a snake, chaos is bound to occur naturally on occasion. But, this morning will live on in Wenzel family lore for years to come. It was the day that our 1 1/2 year old cat, Boomer, caught his first mouse and turned the house upside down in the process.

From what I've been told, since Stephen and I slept through it, the whole process began quite innocently. Jane spotted a small streak of blood on the floor in front of the pantry. She figured the boys (Ty and Boomer) had gotten a little rough last night and she really didn't give it a second thought and drank her coffee. That is, until she opened the pantry door. Out shot a adult mouse! Mighty Boomer and the Shake-In-Bake Cat (Ty - 15 lb tub of lard cat) gave chase around the kitchen. And the Mighty Boom caught him and refused to let him go. He was holding the mouse like he does a twist tie. He knows he isn't supposed to have it, but be darned if he is going to let you take it.

As Jane continued her tale, she explained than she didn't want Boomer to eat the mouse, so she was trying to get it from him. He kept doing the low warning growl and coveting his mouse. Every once in awhile, he'd release and he and Ty would corner and pounce on Mouse. However, it was always the Mighty Boomer to catch the Mouse. Soon, Boomer decided that Jane was trying to get his new toy and took off with him. Jane, in close pursuit, for she really didn't want to loose a dead or hurt mouse in the house, followed in chase.

Boomer went into Jane and Bill's bedroom and went under the bed. Ty followed. Jane decided that trapping them was the best she was going to do. She turned the light on, explained the situation, and closed the door. She went and got some wet cat food to lure the Boom and Ty away from Mr. Mouse and went back to the room. Unfortunately, the bedroom lock had trigger and she locked herself out of her own bedroom!!!

Unfortunately for Jane, she seems to be the only person in the house capable of unlocking the door. She was trying to give Bill instructions on how to unlock the door, to no avail. Finally, with one more direction to push and twist the door knob, the door opened. Bill had gotten the cat into the bathroom and closed the door in an attempt to further segregate our Mighty Mouse Hunter Boomer and his toy. Jane opened the door. In the farthest corner, mouse in mouth, was Boomer. Low and deep was the growl at the thought of giving up his pray. Jane placed the food pan on the floor and Boomer dropped the mouse. He was, of course, dead from the massive trauma of being run throughout most of the first floor of the house and repeatedly pounced upon and concussed. Boomer strolled over to his food like a lion who had taken down a zebra and proudly ate his wet food, which I can only assume smelled slightly better than the mouse. Jane grabbed tongs, went back into the bathroom, and grabbed the recently concussed and not so bloodied mouse body and prompt disposed of his body in a dignified mouse removal ceremony which involved the outside trash can, a Washington Post newspaper cover, the tongs, and a ceremonial drop.

Now our Boomer, king of the house, is looking for more. Unfortunately, there are mostly likely more. At least we have Mighty Boomer to save us. And his 15 lb. sidekick, too! Heaven help us all!