Semester wrap up

Well, I knew it would be a sprint. Between trips to DSM and all the last second grading, and the myriad of holiday celebrations,whew. Contracting the flu, was not part of the bargain. Thankfully the worst if it was just one day of complete and pathetic helplessness, but the damage was done. I'll limp across the finish line with all things tied down, by Saturday.

Between now and then, Beaner comes home from KU, after her finals (of which one she declared she was going to "wing" - by my calculation, that would be a $5k + experiment - ugh).

Big Dawg celebrates #10 tomorrow, so we'll do family things then, and then launch into holiday decorating mode on Saturday.

Woofables has turned a new corner with online shoppers. Orders are coming at a very steady pace. Somehow through all of this, Sidetrack is managing to hold it all together. Maggot and Batty are pure teenagers, and sometimes I get caught trying to figure out what planet they are coming from. Note to self: stop trying to figure this out, it's a health hazard.

And finally, an editorial note. I am hugely disappointed in Paul Tagliabum's reversal on the penalties exacted against the bounty- hunting New Orleans Saints. He shows no spine and clearly indicates his commitment to money, not sport.

That should do it for now, and so it goes...

Final week of class

Final week of the semester. Lots of papers to grade, final exam, Big Dog birthday, and Beaner comes home from KU.

On Friday I start vacation until after the start of the new year.  When I return... I'll be on flex time, half time.  My role has been narrowed to recruiting mostly for the DSM EMBA program.

In my new found time, I plan to write, consult, and help a few start ups (including Woofables). 

As the holidays approach, take some time to enjoy the fun things.  Her we see the Iowa Brass holiday celebration on the steps of the Old Capitol.  Gotta love some good tubas! And so it goes...

Reunited

Sidetrack, Ick, and Maggot went to KC for a soccer tournament and to pick up Smelly for Thanksgiving break. (See pic). I was in DSM graduating the Exec MBA class. Batty was home tending to the hounds who proceeded to take over. They commandeered the couch, and tore Ducky to shreds. Ducky was the favored stuffed animal for Addison since she was a year old. She assures us that we will be able to repair it... We'll see.

Speaking mod ducks, I turn into a lame duck as we swing into the final three weeks of school. Once class finishes up, the holidays will be in full swing. As of January 2, 2013, I move into a flex-time schedule, pick up a second class, and will seek a retained part-time entrepreneurial business strategy gig. A new professional chapter will begin. And so it goes...

New Math?

Looks like Gumpa is helping Big Dawg with homework.  Of course we're not sure who I is schooling who.

Ellie comes home for T-giving this weekend. The DSM EMBA class graduates. Peanut is keeping the homefires burning while Sidetrack, Maggot and BD head to KC for soccer and Beaner.

This cat needs a break from the pace. Next up... urban chickens to be approved by the city council.  And so it goes...

Girls will be girls

Peanut had some friends over last night.  Chaos as usual.  No body got hurt, and nobody died.  Great kids, and so it goes...

Comings and Goings

Continue to travel. Am in NW Iowa right now, and here is a picture of a field driving to and from. Fall is in the air.

This afternoon I mow the lawn gets mowed for the llast times in 2012. 

When I return home, my father-in-law and brother-in-law will be there.  It'll be nice to have some extra testosterone around the house... if only for a few days. 

Big Dawg continues to do well in school, keeping up with his sisters. News from KU is good and/or not bad. We can tell Beaner is a bit homesick.  We look forward to seeing her in two weeks.

Woofables moved the bakery to a larger facility.  Still a few loose ends there, but at least we are scalable.  Lots going on here, and so it goes...

The power of Blogging

Like washing your car to bring on the rain. Blogging about not having a roof...  well THAT did the trick. Much h to the consternation of the hounds, roofers showed up at 7:00 a.m. And so it goes...

What Roof?

So they've had their crap in our driveway for a week. Yesterday was sunny and eighty ... today is cold, rainy and windy, they are predicting snow flurries this weekend.  I think the new roof in my driveway will not look quite as good with snow on it, than that same roof will look on top of my house.  Argh!  And so it goes....

Homecoming

It was indeed a Homecoming weekend. West High celebrated, and Maggie went to the dance with a date...Zach, I think.  And Smellie came home to balm the on-set of homesickness.  Here we see the Gals all together. 

One more intense month at the U. Looks like I may stay on for another year, but on a half-time basis. This will allow me to keep benefits, add anther class to my teaching schedule, and a few hours of consulting.  More money, less time, and flexibility to help out at the shop and at home. 
We'll see how it goes. And so it goes...

A Dad and Two Daughters

Marpy and Smelly were MIA, so it was left to Batty and Maggot to pretty-up this otherwise crusty picture.  Clearly, they did not get their good looks from me.

They were off to a wedding, while I stayed behind to hold down the shop. Once closed, it'll be back to DSM for this old bird.

Ellie continues to do well at KU, but sounds homesick these days. 

The pups are six months -80# & 70# respectively. Not small. 

We opened a kiosk for Woofables up in Cedar Rapids at Lindale Mall.  Seems like that will do well.  And on Campus, classes are in full swing, and I'm knee deep grading mid-terms, papers, and presentations.

Laura is orchestrating the move for our Bakery while balancing the family needs and some consulting.  We are but ships that pass in the night with no end in sight. It's crazy,  and so it goes...

Expansion

Ann Peterson, displays our new kiosk in Lindale Mall, Cedar Rapids.  Meanwhile, down in Iowa City, we've begun the long and slow process of moving into a larger baking facility.  Exciting times for our humble little business.