So here's the short of it, 
Today Jesse Matthews pleaded guilty.

And here's the long.

In 2011 Chattanooga lost police officer Tim Chapin.  I didn't know Officer Chapin, but from all that I've heard about him, he was just a wonderful person. He responded to a burglary in progress that April day, and Jesse Matthews shot him to death.

Jesse Mathews in front of Judge Barry Steelman 
- photo by Brent McDonaldtion

Chattanooga has spent the weeks and months following preparing for a trial.  The prosecution had planned to seek the death penalty.  Today Matthews was sentenced to life plus 15 years ensuring that he will never get out of jail.  He has given up all rights to any kind of appeal.

I hope Matthews lives a long life.  I hope that during his time in jail he'll become stone cold sober and that the chaotic ranting of an outlaw brain ceases.  And then in that time, within the setting that he's in, it's my sincere hope that he finds a way to turn from the life that he has led so far and make one step and then another in the right direction.  Nothing he can ever do will bring back Officer Chapin, but perhaps he can do some good where he finds himself if he wants to do that.  I hope he will. If not, I hope that he will come to know that he chose his life.

And I'm glad that Officer Chapin's family and our community don't have to continue reliving that awful day.

So here's the short of it, 
Sleep didn't come very easily last night and morning came mighty early.

And here's the long.

I imagine that I would have gone to work even if we had won the lottery - at least for today. But we only had one number so it was off to work!

I ended the day on the north side of the river so I decided to visit the Chattanooga Area's last remaining K-Mart.  I picked the name of a young girl in the family that our department has adopted for Christmas gift giving.  I had lots of fun shopping for her. I sure hope she likes the "outfits" I put together for her.  I'd sure have liked to just taken her with me and let her pick out some things.

I'm excited that tomorrow is Friday!  Can't wait to finish up this week of work and get thinking about a wonderful weekend!

So here's the short of it, 
Sand Man...where are you!!

And here's the long.

I've got a really early morning tomorrow, but I'm not sleepy enough to go on to bed tonight -- at least not yet.

Everyone else is snoozing away.  The dog is lightly snoring, the cat just woke up enough to stretch and change positions and go back to her sleeping.  Alan has been asleep for quite awhile.  I'm still sitting here.  I think I need to get my brain to slow down.  Last year, someone gave me advice to put a cool towel over my head - maybe I should try that again!

Or maybe I should try counting sheep.

So here's the short of it, 
Is it only Tuesday!

And here's the long.

HaHa.  Today was a long work day.  We had a teacher help session that lasted until 6:00 pm.  I suppose that's why it seemed so much longer than it really was.

I work with some of the greatest folks.  They know what they're doing, they are open to sharing, and they are darned fun to be around most of the time.

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Shelley got away just fine with the guys this morning.  Alan took her to the airport.  And Alan heard from her just awhile ago saying that they were home safe and sound.  It was such a good time to have them here for a visit.

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So if today really is Tuesday, I suppose I'd better get myself into bed since that would mean that tomorrow is Wednesday and another work day that will get me out of bed early!

So here's the short of it, 
Back to work and then our last visit with the Steins.

And here's the long.

Well, I'm back at work. Today was a rev it up and get moving day. But that's as good a way to get started back to work as any.

This evening we went over to Marjorie and Issi's and brought dinner in - we had a great visit.  We sure will miss Shelley, Max, and Caleb.  I know they are eager to get home and get settled back into their routine again. But it was really so much fun to have them in town.

I've stayed up later than I expected, so I'm going to head off to the bed so I'll be ready for the second day back on the job!

So here's the short of it, 
We sure had a great day with Max. 

And here's the long.

Today was a great day with Max.  We did the Creative Discovery Museum, Tried to take a nap, played with Poppa and Mama Lynn's "stuff", and helped out with supper.  The Sophie issue was solved with a benydryl and having her stay in the back room.  The benedryl kept her drowsy enough not to be barking all the time.




One of the fun spots at the Creative Discovery Museum was the face painting station.

Every time he added a line, he asked, "What do I look like now!"  The paint stayed on (well mostly) until we got home and washed it out before we attempted to nap.








Later in the afternoon Max helped out by "cutting" some cucumbers.  After this job, he said, "I'm done with this".  He wasn't up for much helping after that!  But it was fun to watch him cut the cucumbers.  He ate a piece for every three or four pieces that made it to the bowl for the table!






We sure are going to miss them when they head home!

So here's the short of it, 
I'm a happy person today. 

And here's the long.

Not in the order that they happened but here are three things that really made my day.

...Mom arrived home from her time with Steve and Pat in Destin.  She had a wonderful time. And she seemed glad to be back home.  It looked like she really did well on the flight back home. I'm glad she went and had a great time, and I'm glad she's back home!

... Alan got our kitchen TV mounted so that it's no longer sitting on the counter!  There is so much more room. And I got really motivated to rearrange a couple of things and get that counter space I've been wanting!

...I spent an hour with Kelly!  She worked on my left side a bit today, and spent some time working that soreness out of the front of my right thigh.  I always feel tons better after Kelly's magic touch.