HECTIC WEEK

Good day to all:
Haven't had a chance to write this week. Little hectic. 2 wakes, one school Open House, and the project continues. How bout you? How did your week go? You now have the weekend to decompress. Have at it.

The Bathroom project continues to progress. We've lost a bunch of days to weather, illness, and emergency. Was hoping the project would be completed by 9/5. Now it looks like 9/25. You never know how things are going to go when laying piping. It's not so much the supply water (to the sink, shower and toilet), but the discharge, or soil pipe. If it's not layed correctly, with the correct downward angle, you end up with a drainage and backup problem. So, when you're cutting into existing rafters and joists, you might not be able to lay the pipe exactly where you wanted. This causes delays because now you have to take time to figure angles, etc... and plan it so it all works correctly. Do it right the first time.

GOODBYE MISS ANNA
This week, our family lost a good friend. Anna Gareau was the Pre-School teacher at Blessed Sacrament School where my wife used to teach and my kids used to go. We should all be so lucky as to have a loving, caring, talented teacher as Anna. She helped both of my sons get through a couple of difficult times while in her class. She treated every kid as if they were special, always taking time to listen to what they said. Every kid who went through her program over 17 years was much better off for it, and they were all lucky to have been a part of her life. I've often said that one of the Secrets of Life is to make a Positive Impact on those around you. Anna lived this every day. She always greeted you with a smile, took time to talk with you, was always friendly and caring. Her colleagues at the school will miss her dearly, as well as all the parents and students who knew her. She had beaten cancer twice before, but 3rd time's the charm, as they say, and she started going downhill this summer after a 3rd occurance. Anna passed away on Monday night. The church was full for her funeral, attesting to the fact that she was important to alot of people. Rest in Loving Peace, Anna Gareau. May your Spirit be quickly led to its final destination, in whatever Paradise you envisioned. We love you and will miss you.

UNHAPPY JACKSON
Jackson's school year began on a down note, when he walked in to school on the first day of 4th Grade. Facing him was Miss Cummings, a near-retirement teacher, who is known as the meanest teacher in the school. She IS a bit of a Battle-Axe. She yelled alot on the first day and Jackson came home in tears. This caused Mommy to make an immediate conference appointment to see what was up.

She's not as bad as originally believed, but she ain't all that great either. It's clearly time for her to retire, so as to infuse some newer, more modern thinking into that class. Mommy wasn't convinced, but for now, Jackson will remain where he is and have to suck it up. Plus, his best friend, CJ, is in his class, so we don't want to break up two Goobers just cause the teacher is crappy. You just have to be here to see Jackson put on his "Rumplestiltskin" face when he gets mad. You'd think he was going to stomp himself into the ground.

FOOTBALL BEGINS
NFL first week. Chiefs lose. Assassins (my fantasy football team) lose. But football is back, baby. And although it signals the end of summer, we got football!!

KIDS' BOWLING BEGINS
Bowling started for the kids this week. Connor is in his first year of bowling with the older kids (up to 17). He averages around 100 or 105, and got off to a rough start with a 60 (not warmed up). But then he threw a 125 and a 126, so he felt better. However, you can't believe how good some of the kids in the league are. On one set of lanes, one team got a 247 and a 278 out of two of their guys. And on Connor's lanes, the opposing captain shot a 253. Connor's captain has a 201 average. Con's just going to try and improve this year, knowing he can't chase these guys yet.

Jackson is very erratic, averaging 83 in his second full year. He thinks he's the King of Bowling if he does well and cries and whines and wants to quit if he does poorly. I try to help him out, but at the age of 9 1/2 he is an expert in ALL fields and knows it all. Good luck to him this year.

Alright, that's it for today. Next time I will try to give advice on how to build the perfect taco. And you know it will be perfect (to me), because LEN IS RIGHT.

I am,
Len Tollerton