Why Building Codes?

These pictures were taken at my parent's house this morning. The only thing that alerted them from a potential total loss was a simple smoke detector within the garage area. You can see it just behind the garage door opener. Can you believe that this is NOT a building code requirement? The code states you must have one alarm on each level of the home and one within every sleeping room. This builder takes it upon himself to go above and beyond the code and adds one in every garage area. This little extra device probably saved my parent's life last night. The fire was around 10:30 PM. Had they been asleep, with no such detector in the garage, may have caused a different outcome. The fire started within the break light housing at the back of the vehicle while parked in the garage.

School Trips

I remember when we were in school and we went on trips. Mostly it was places like New York City or Philly. The band went to Florida and Mr. Rothrock did a trip to France. Did you go on any of them? All of them?
The school I work at is big on trips, and this year we have loads of them. Germany, Bulgaria (for skiing), New York City, two trips to Paris, an outward bound weekend in North Wales, sailing in Scotland, and Madrid. The Madrid trip is mine, and it was this past weekend. I took 20 kids (6 9th graders, 1 10th grader and 13 11th graders). I took 2 other teachers along with me, and we stayed in the most dire hotel I have ever been in. It was near a road called Calle de la Montera, or as my students liked to call it, "Hooker Lane." Of my 20 students, 17 of them were fantastic. Three of them were little shits who thought it would be a good idea to sneak out of the hotel on Saturday night. They also thought it would be a good idea to go out on the balcony of their room (which they weren't allowed on but went anyway) and dump a 2 liter bottle of Coke onto a woman walking on the sidewalk below. At 1:30 on Sunday morning, Rob (male teacher) came banging on my door and informed me that the police were upstairs in the room of these particular students and would I please come up and talk with them because my students were going to be arrested! They apologised to the woman and I promised her and the police that I would deal with them. The cops told me that if they had to come back my students would be arrested. None of them would admit guilt, so I spent most of the early hours of Sunday morning playing good cop/bad cop with Rob, trying to get information out of the kids individually. We finally managed to crack one kid, who fessed up and told us the whole story. Today I went back to work and had a meeting with the principal and assistant principal, who had the pleasure of giving out punishments. They all got a 5 day suspension, they're not allowed to go on any more school trips, and if they step one foot out of line for the remainder of the year, they're going to be expelled.

I love my job.

Looking for Contractor

Since my grandfather passed away last week, it appears that my grandmother is going to move in with my parents. In order for this to occur, my parents are going to have to build an addition onto their house so I am looking to see if anyone can suggest a good contractor. They live in Salisbury. They are looking for someone who can get the job done pretty quickly and not charge them an arm and a leg.

I thought about contacting Randy but thought this work. If you also know of a contractor that my parents should avoid, please let me know also.

THANKS!!!

who remembers 1986?

oh to be the innocent young lad who once hung a bunch of pics from this issue in his locker, them were the days. checkk out all the covers here.

here's one for the kids

Our every-third-year snow.

Per Rock's request, here is Benjamin and Lindsay in the Southern snow (and one indoors). We get a snow of actual accumulation about once every 3 years. These were taken in the morning; by the afternoon the snow was gone. I very much miss having snow every year.

Great Family Movie

Has anyone seen The Bridge To Terabithia yet? It is a Great movie for everyone. If you haven't yet check it out. Here's the link. It's a must see for all kids probobly 5 and up, and it's rated PG.

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/terabithia/

Catty Dips

Anyone have winter pictures? My wife and I took Ryan to the Three Dips Sunday afternoon. Talk about blasts from the past! Haven't been there in years. Probably since Rusty got a concussion! He won't remember! I thought my wife was going to have a nervous breakdown everytime Ryan went down the hill. Here are a few pix including his brushburn on his face. Take notice to the picture of "OLD CATTY HIGH" in the backround of the second picture!

Even after the brushburn he want's to go back tomorrow!

Peter Pan peanut butter recall.

You've heard about it. Now check your shelves. Peter Pan peanut butter recall due to salmonella. Don't overlook it. We've got 2 canisters with the "2111" on the lid, and one of them has already been opened. Ugh.

Be My Valentine.

what do you love?

Who needs doctors?

this info might get you through cold and flu season, or not.

that got me thinking, did anyone from our class go on to become a doctor or nurse? sorry if i'm forgetting somebody's bio.

Chorus Club meets Dre

warning: profanity.

video here, it's pretty cool.

Dining Out

We've done pets, gaming and football.

What's your favorite restaurant or eating out food? We love Indian food. We get take out once a week. My department (Languages) has its Annual Christmas Curry with Math, History and Geography, but last night we threw caution to the wind and went for curry in February too. There's always too much choice on the menu, I'm very indecisive and so I end up asking a friend in Math to order for me. He's never steered me wrong and last night I had palak paneer samosa followed by murgh chana. Gorgeous! I think Indian food is underrated in the U.S. and we as a nation should eat more of it.

Gamers?

Any other video game players out there? I don't currently own the Playstation 3, but will eventually waste my money on it. It is just a matter of time. I know I can get one, it is just a matter of when I fork over the money.
I am a gamer from way back when. I remember going to the LV mall with Robb and wasting hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on Space Invaders, Defender, and other video games. Space Port was a place we frequented whenever we went to the mall (when we weren't hanging on the ramp, I really miss that ramp).
I've owned nearly every video console that has come out (not the XBox though - just never got into it - PS2 is my primary gaming console right now).
I play countless games online and currently own over 60 games, my favorite being Madden '07.
I waste too many hours with a controller in my hand, and was wondering what (if any) classmates also are "gamers". I even play my students (day before Christmas and Thanksgiving I take in my PS2 and others bring theirs and we play in my classroom - I know, what a waste of taxpayers' money). I usually get the "smack down" from them, but I learn a lot. Anybody out there play? If so, post the system and your favorite games.
PS - Kristen, I too remember when Space World opened (and I can't believe it is still Pies on Pizza), and also remember playing in Angelo's back room (Burger Time, Pinball) after dances at St. Paul's.

Muller was closest

As the time ran out on the Bears, Mike Muller had the closest pick (with the correct team). Mike Muller predicted 28-17, followed by Jeff Perdick who had 27-17.

I admit, I did not think Rex was such a wreck, and boy was he "Gross" man.

The game was full of firsts: 1- Tony Dungy was the first black coach to win a superbowl (but that first was going to happen if it were Dungy or Smith), 2- Hesker was the first to run back the opening kickoff (92 yards and barely touched), 3- it was the first Superbowl to be played entirely in the rain (that is hard to believe since it was the 41st Superbowl.

I was thoroughly entertained by the game, the half-time show, and the commercials. The game was entertaining (though, I wanted the Bears to win), Prince made me think I was DJing at the high school again (Purple Rain in the rain, how fitting), and for the most part, the commercials were great.

My favorite commercials (1-3) are: 1) Carlos Mencia teaching foreign men how to deal with Budweiser, 2) Blockbuster animated "mouse" commercial, and 3) the Doritos commercial where the girl butts head with the side of the car (have to admit, did not see THAT coming).

Well, for all you football fans, you still have the Pro Bore (I mean, Pro Bowl) next Saturday. And, of course, there is always the NFL network. And also, for those of you looking forward to Super Bowl XLII, it is in Arizona at the new 355 million dollar Cardinals stadium (where, if it rains, they will put the dome up).

Andrea, can you get us some seats and lodging?

Anybody know what these are?

My daughter and my neice found these behind my mom's shed, half buried. They look like eggs, and we've googled all kinds of things, but can't find anything to tell us what they are. I didn't think we had snakes this big in PA. Could it be my mom's neighbors had a gator for a pet and let it loose? Any thoughts from you hunter/gatherers out there?

Commemoration Basket

The Catasauqua Middle School Parent/Teacher Forum is selling An American Traditions Lincoln Middle School Commemoration Basket 1972-2006. This basket is made exclusively for the Catasauqua Middle School at a cost of $55 which includes a basket with some narrow brown weaving throughout, a plastic protector, a brown & white checkered liner & an engraved brass tag.

If anyone is interested you can make checks payable to CMS PTF and mail your check to: Catasauqua Middle School, ATTN: PTF Baskets, 850 Pine St, Catasauqua, PA 18032

Please include with your check your NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE #, QUANTITY, & TOTAL # OF BASKETS that you would like.

You will be called when the basket is delivered. They cannot ship the basket to you, so if you have someone in the area that will pick it up for you, great, if not, i would be more than willing to pick it up for you, but you will have to pay for shipping if that is the only way to get it to you.

It really is a nice basket,(sorry I dont have a picture to post) and would also make a great gift. All the proceeds benefit the Middle School PTF. The Catasauqua Middle School thanks you for your support.

Steve Smith and Ray Neas

Steve Smith Called me Wednesday morning and said that he was going to be in Kansas City that afternoon and staying the night on business. So we got together for dinner and drinks. We had some good old Kansas City BBQ and continued the evening at The Fox and Hound for drinks and pool. Which is where this photo was taken. We had a great time and drank a lot of beer, hope Steve caught his 6 am flight Thursday morning!








This is Steve's reaction to the thrashing I gave him on the pool table. We could consider this a lesson in pool playing and it only cost him 8 bucks an hour. We got all caught up on what's been going on with the two of us and also gave Ray Neas a call to see what he was up too. I am not going to divulged all of their information, I will let them do it when they get involved in the blog. But in short Steve is married with 2 kids and lives in Ohio and Ray is married with a couple of kids and lives in Philly. I have sent their e-mail addresses to the catty class e-mail address so hopefully they will get the invite for the blog soon and get everyone caught up.



Of course Steve had to stop by the house and see the bike. It almost makes him look like a real man sitting there on that beast but not quite....LOL The three of us are already planning a golf outing later this year, should be a good time!

So cross off 2 more class mates from the need to find list!

Back Home!

Well, I go away for a few days and you all just keep blogging without me! I have so much catching up to do!
We arrived home this morning. My mom was stable enough that I felt comfortable coming home. I'm going to try to get back again at Easter if possible. The short version of the story is that what should have been a routine surgery with very little risk turned into a medical nightmare. She is still in the CICU at HUP and will remain there for some time. After that, they'll move her to the Cardiothoracic Unit where she'll stay until she's ready to go home. She's off most of the equipment and meds that were keeping her going, and when I saw her yesterday, she was sitting up in bed, fully awake, nodding and squeezing my hand. She looked like herself, with the exception of the big ventilator tube sticking out of her mouth. Her doctor told me they were planning on removing that yesterday afternoon, and I'm going to call my brother shortly to find out if they actually did. I might get to speak to her on the phone and I'm excited about that.
To all of you who posted comments and messages, sent e-mails and called me, thanks for the support and cyberhugs. You got me through what has been the hardest 10 days of my life.
Steve, I thought about you every day as I drove past Lincoln Financial Field on my way to the hospital.

Spousal Sensitivity

emailed to me by Kim...

I never quite figured out why the sexual urge of men and women differ so much. And I never have figured out the whole Venus and Mars thing. I have never figured out why men think with their head and women with their heart.

FOR EXAMPLE: One evening last week, my wife and I were getting into bed. Well, the passion starts to heat up, and she eventually says "I don't feel like it, "I just want you to hold me."

I said "WHAT??!! What was that?!"

So she says the words that every husband on the planet dreads to hear... "You're just not in touch with my emotional needs as a woman enough for me to satisfy your physical needs as a man." She responded to my puzzled look by saying, "Can't you just love me for who I am and not what I do for you in the bedroom?"

Realizing that nothing was going to happen that night, I went to sleep.

The very next day I opted to take the day off of work to spend time with her. We went out to a nice lunch and then went shopping at a big, big unnamed department store. I walked around with her while she tried on several very expensive outfits. She couldn't decide which one to take so I told her we'd just buy them all. She wanted new shoes to compliment her new clothes, so I said lets get a pair for each outfit. We went onto the jewelry department where she picked out pair of diamond earrings.

Let me tell you...she was so excited. She must have thought I was one wave short of a shipwreck. I started to think she was testing me because she asked for a tennis bracelet when she doesn't even know how to play tennis. I think I threw her for a loop when I said, "That's fine, honey." She was almost nearing sexual satisfaction from all of the excitement.

Smiling with excited anticipation she finally said, "I think this is all dear, let's go to the cashier."

I could hardly contain myself when I blurted out, "No honey, I don't feel like it."

Her face just went completely blank as her jaw dropped with a baffled----WHAT?"

I then said "honey, I just want you to HOLD this stuff for a while. You're just not in touch with my financial means as a man enough for me to satisfy your shopping needs as a woman." And just when she had this look like she was going to kill me, I added, "Why can't you just love me for who I am and not for the things I buy you?"

Apparently I'm not having sex again tonight.

Catty News

Catty adds new class to Hall
Catasauqua has always been a tight-knit community passionate about its sports. If you make it as a Rough Rider, the town never forgets you. Here is the picture like i promised. Hall of fame inductees. Superka,Young,Csensits,and Patti Heffner.