Shaler Invitational

Claire's race got rained out even though the Open Race was shortened to the length of the Novice Race. The JV and Varsity Races were going to be the shortened length too, not before the thunder and lightning cancelled things. Claire was counting the finishers and said I came in 25th for among both men and women, so if there were awards, I would've got one. Of course, like Paul says, I have to keep running this race of life like I have not yet finished. My pace over 1.13 miles was 7:20/mile.

First Day of School

My first day of school was uneventful because I had already completed the required training and so was given "fillers" to occupy my time at the high school. Tomorrow, I will be at my junior high and be able to get work done between sessions. Those sessions are usually more relevant than the ones at the high school anyway.

The state-of-the-district address was amusing because so many administrators are taking off. A consulting firm is taking over for the Director of Special Ed, who got the job in Shaler. The elementary principal, Mister Stephans, is at the high school as interim principal since he was an assistant there previously. The moved our assistant, Mr. Hadley, back to elementary principal. Mr. Szarmach will cover for one of the high school assistants, while they look for a second, although they probably have to find another interim superintendent since Dr. Rossi is leaving. Mr. Gray welcomed back all the teachers and "administrators who couldn't find employment elsewhere" in his address, which was hilarious. Mr. Fishell followed that with saying he'd make his address quick since he has an interview at 11 with Penn-Trafford, which was funny.

It was all much better than Diversity training. The professor is very smart and acknowledged all kinds of biases, but nevertheless focussed on the black/white racial issue, even when other factors could have been in play. He once wasn't hired for a job because he didn't have the right experience and couldn't get the experience unless they gave him the job. He feels it was because he was black. Another woman waited for another elevator instead of getting on alone with him because he was black, even though I know women who don't get on elevators alone with strange men of any race. One white woman even said she would try harder to get on with a black man because he might make a big deal about it.

Then technology training for iPads and Smart boards, neither of which I get, took 1 hour instead of 2.5 hours. It was another session that some people got to miss like Diversity for ALICE training. Although I didn't like two filler sessions today, I liked them better than ALICE at least.

Fortunately, my girls loved their first day of school. Emily and Sarah have teachers they had before and Claire has a teacher that knows her well too. It should be a great (last) year for them at St. Bonaventure.

Helpers

When I was walking out of PNC Park with Emily, a woman came up to me asking for help and I told her, "Not today." When we got to our car, Emily asked me why I didn't help her. I told her that adults should know that they should ask the workers if they need help and that they shouldn't ask other adults that are busy watching kids. We had already talked about why I don't give money directly to beggars because some of them make bad choices on what to spend it on and that we do give money to places that will give them food, clothing, and shelter if they need it. I also added that I did say a prayer for that lady and the others we passed on the street. That's something you can always do and God knows what they really need better than I do anyway.

Like riding a bike

Claire got a hand-me-down bike from Pap-Pap Mackin, which is the right size for her compared to her old one, which is too small. The only problem seems to be teaching her to ride without training wheels. She's a lot bigger than most kids who learn to ride a bike without training wheels, so she was tiring me and Nancy out quickly. At least she didn't fall.

Practice Race

XC had its first ever practice race against each other, which was a lot of fun. Sarah was the 2nd girl in the 4th grade and under race. Emily was about 5th. Claire was about 5th (but would be 2nd in 6th grade and under). Both of our girls' teams won the race. Although Sarah's lost the relay, but that gave everyone something to be happy about. I like how Christian this competition is.

Fantasy Football

I missed this year's fantasy football draft again because I went to Idlewild with my family. I missed another because I went to Disney World with my family. My father-in-law was there as always to make the picks for us, but he had asked me to join the team in the first place because he thought I knew more about fantasy football than he does. I had more time to learn, so I guess that was true, but it's becoming less so now. Especially since I rely on experts projections, and those projections are always changing, so the list I made on Wednesday, was already outdated Friday. Oh well, there's always good food and friends at the draft, so my father-in-law still got that out of it.

Shoes

After getting blisters from my 18-month old running shoes, Nancy got me some cheap ones, which are great. I can still use the old ones for walking with good socks. Next, I may have to pitch my old sandals that started giving me a blister after tightening them, trying to wear the soles more evenly than walking on the outside of my foot so much. The money I save can go towards those who need it more.

Out of nowhere

I was thinking about how to write Agent Hotchner out of the Criminal Minds scripts, when it occurred to me that it doesn't have to be something that was foreshadowed because life doesn't always foreshadow events for us. Something like a car crash can take a life just like that. Although not as traumatic, we were waiting for a landscaping company that we picked to build a retaining wall for us when they missed an appointment, so we emailed them and got a reply that they are bankrupt and going out of business. Of course, that's inconvenient for us, but it's also not as difficult as what they must be going through.

Likewise, the Spaghetti Warehouse is ending operations in its building in the Strip District. An apartment complex took the parking lot they used. They tried to stay put by using a free valet service, but it wasn't the same, so they are cutting their losses and looking to relocate, but haven't found a place yet. We just bought a gift card, so we went down there yesterday for lunch and both noticed and overheard how unusually crowded it was and has been the last few days since they made the announcement. The meals were still good and I think it helped me run 7 miles in 67 minutes last night, while the girls were having their own XC practice.

Thanks

From listening to the readings at church and those from the Divine Office the past few days, I am reminded to be thankful for everything I have. I was stressed about all the work I have been doing, but I am thankful for the job. I am stressed by a lot of the people in my life, but I am thankful they are in my life. I won't get to go to the Dentist until school starts again even though I could have gone before school ended last year and waited until summer because I thought I'd have more time. God must have been laughing hard at those plans.

Katie's Clay Studio

Sarah had her party this weekend at Katie's Clay Studio where the girls got to decorate their own plates, bowls, or cups. Katie adds the glaze and has them ready later in the week. The girls really loved it. It reminded me of a story I heard about refining silver. Silversmiths often melt the silver down several times to get more and more debris out. When asked how does he know when he's done it enough, he answered, "When I can see myself in it." The reason I remember that story is because it was told in the context of how God handles us: we are often put into the fire again and again until God is reflected in us.

The Goblet of Fire

Yesterday, Katie came over to watch the fourth Harry Potter movie with Claire. We were going to wait until 13 since it's PG-13, but it seems like everyone in her grade watches PG-13, so we decided to let her too. Since Sarah and Emily couldn't, I watched VCR tapes with them upstairs, ate Lay's Stacks (like Pringles), and made the tent in Sarah's room for them to sleep in. We still have to finish watching Ghostbusters today. Emily wanted to watch Ghostbusters because it's a little bit scary and a little bit funny like Scooby Doo.

Rollo-Coaster

It's been a filling few days. Thursday, I took the girls to Hoss's after putting some time in at my library because we had a coupon. Yesterday, we went to Golden Corral because Sarah had a coupon. Normally, we would have been at Idlewild yesterday because Nancy didn't have work, but the weather looked bad, so we were thinking about using up our Children's Museum coupons instead. Then a 3-year-old fell off the Rollo-Coaster Thursday, so that sealed the deal for us. Although, Nancy still wants to go back one more day this season.

River Walk

The River Walk (Trail) in Pittsburgh is a favorite of mine because parking is free and it is easy access to Pirate games, the Mr. Rogers statue, and the Carnegie Science Center. I did that yesterday with Sarah and Emily, while Nancy and Claire were working. I got some sun, but they're fine, of course. Besides that walk, I also got 5 miles in 54 minutes at XC practice. It was still 84 degrees at 8:30 pm driving home from practice. That got me to within 5 pounds of my goal of 143 (which represents the number of letters in the words "I love you" like Mr. Rogers.

Blood

I literally gave blood yesterday. Trump metaphorically gave blood suggesting Second Amendment people can take care of Clinton. Although some people are going to take offense at that, I doubt Clinton or other pro-choice people would take offense at something like that since they are much more explicit in their support of killing unborn people.

Popsicles

Yesterday's XC practice ended on a nice note because Nancy brought popsicles for everyone to celebrate Sarah's birthday.

Even the kitchen sink

So, I got up early to start and finish Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which Claire borrowed from Katie Thursday at XC practice. She read it yesterday before we got to Idlewild and will return it at practice Monday, so I did that. It took longer than I planned because while I was reading by the kitchen window this morning, I noticed a leak with the kitchen faucet. I thought I just needed to put a new washer in, but I needed a whole new stem. I had washers, but I didn't have a stem, so I put everything back together until I could get a stem. I turned the water valve back on and there were no new leaks, so I thought that was it. However, when the water handle was turned on, the water wouldn't stop completely, so I had to shut that valve off again and go our for a new stem. Ace didn't have the right one. Lowe's didn't have the right one, but recommended Plumber's Equipment on Babcock. Home Depot didn't even come close other than recommending contacting Delta directly. Plumber's Equipment closed at noon, so it will have to wait until Monday. Hopefully, they have it and I don't have to wait for Delta to send me one.

Happy Birthday, Kat!

Kat's birthday was yesterday, so we called her while she was at my mom's house to sing "Happy Birthday" to her. Then we found out she had a party Wednesday that she was expecting us at, but we never remember getting a day or time, just where she thought she was going to hold it. Either way, we'll see her Sunday at my parents' house for her family party.

I didn't run yesterday because I was tired from the day before. Instead, I worked on identifying AR books in Destiny. It looks like it will be a 3 day job. The only real break I took was buying gift cards for Nancy while the girls (Claire and Sarah) were practicing cross country. Emily sat out today because she looked tired yesterday even before she had blood taken.

Yard Work (Out)

I went over to my in-laws to fix the yard because my father in law, who is already a deacon, is too busy to do it any more like he used to. His birthday is coming up soon too, so it also served as a birthday present. It was a good workout, but I also jogged another 11 miles afterwards in under 2 hours.

Pizza Hut

We still have left-overs from the family birthday party on Sunday, but we bought another two dinner boxes last night to take to my parents and they sent those left-overs home with us too. There wasn't much more to talk about besides the trades the Pirates made recently. We traded Melacon for two left-handers: one that can help out in the 7th and one that may be better than Melacon in a few years (or who we buy with the money may be better). That's OK because Watson is cheaper now and just as good in the 9th (and Feliz is just as good in the 8th). We traded Liriano and two minor leaguers (a catcher who was at least 5th on our depth chart and an outfielder who is not going to start for years because of the long term contracts for McCutchen, Marte, and Polanco) for a major/minor league pitcher (with similar numbers as Liriano) and more cap room.

JCTCF!

I have enough in mutual funds to be safe. By safe, I mean I don't put more than 5% into any one stock. I started investing in stocks at the beginning of 2013 and my first pick, JCTCF, just doubled. It comes out to about 20% a year, which is pretty good.