Pictures

Also known as creating blog traffic...

This was Saturday morning:



A Close-Up of the ice covering just about everything right now:



And so Pez doesn't feel so badly about her photo shoot.











I'll be using this one instead - the one Crafty Neighbor took!



Have a nice evening!

Back to the Grind

My week off was great! I read 4 books and ignored the housework. Heh.

However, this week is back to reality. Grace was back to school this morning and Tristan was working on some homeschool-type pages. I am starting on my LONG to-do list, since December is just a couple of days away. AACK!!

I'm working on the list of activities for the kids to choose from for the month. I haven't decided how I will organize them, whether to choose the day or let the kids choose. I like the paper chain idea and I am thinking about a clothesline with hats and mittens too. I need to get my ducks in a row, no matter what I end up doing.

I woke up with a migraine and despite taking meds I'm still not functioning at full capacity. It's a carry-over from yesterday and I'm thinking due to the weather this time. I'll be trying to get some rest this afternoon.

Anyway, I need to go make the kids lunch and do a craft with them.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Since I won't be here tomorrow to update.

I'm having a mellow week and it is wonderful! My big decision for this afternoon is whether to read a book or take a nap.

The laundry is mostly caught up. The turkey is defrosting. I don't have to clean the house. I finished all my craft projects that have a deadline.

It's like an actual vacation.

Have a great holiday!

Fellowship Committee

The potluck was a great success!

I am worn out, but it went so well that I'm not even complaining about it. *winks*

We served BBQ pork, sliced pork loin and baked potatoes, while people brought in sides, salads and desserts. We were expecting 80 people and the rough count had us at 112. We didn't run out of food, but there wasn't much left either. We even had to set up additional tables and used every bit of space we have available to us.

There were so many people helping out that the tables went up quickly in the afternoon and came down even faster after dinner was over. I was home by 8:30 pm, leaving the last of the clean-up to my new very favorite lady, who sees to the cleaning of the kitchen as her ministry for the church.

I spoke to the pastor's wife this afternoon (also helps on the F.C.) and she passed along the rave reviews of the evening. I am hoping that this will help me gain some loyalty and confidence that I do actually do know what I'm doing.

I alluded to the fact last weekend that there is some strife in our midst. Her name is Alice* and she has been going to our church forever. OK, not forever, but you get the idea. She has served on the F.C. for many years and she like things done *her* way, the way things have *always* been done. Unfortunately, I happen to be the chairperson right now and expected to be able to adjust and change things as I saw them needing to be done differently. This is being met with a bit of resistance. Hello Brick Wall.

My first big test was this potluck. If it had flopped, I wouldn't have had a hope in Hades for our next big venture - The Valentine's Banquet. Last year, Alice planned Prime Rib, some vegies, a soup and a fancy Chocolate Mousse Cake. I wanted to do something more simple - like a Lady and the Tramp theme, with Spaghetti and Meatballs. It didn't go over well.

I've heard mixed reviews on the evening and there are some things I just don't agree with. Like parents bringing their children to the childcare and the kids never being fed dinner. It was only PB&J anyway, but come on. It would have ruined my evening if I had to come home and fix something to eat for my kids before I put them to bed.

Anyway, it is safe to say we have some work to do with this. I have no idea yet how to deal with Alice in a positive way and I'll never make it through the next year if I have to battle her for every new idea.

I am willing to concede a battle in order to win the war though. We had managed to agree that an Italian Night could be done, with a dish other than spaghetti and I would do further research for ideas. I am slowly getting around to talk to all of the people involved in past years and I hope to come to a grand compromise before it gets really ugly.

So, with that going on in the background, I'm really pleased with the way last night turned out. There were a bunch of people that jumped in and helped out and we didn't have any major incidents.

Whew!

*Name Changed To Protect Me. :)

Brain Dump

I feel like all I've been writing about is what *has* happened in the last week(s) and today is no different. The good news though is that I'm finally feeling better and my nasty cough is finally gone.

Last Sunday - We went to Sunday School and church in the morning. Fishing Guy still wasn't home from work when we got home. I had a Fellowship Committee meeting at 5 pm and I came home so frustrated that I was ready to throw in the towel. More on my committee another day.

Monday - The Princess had her Parent/Teacher conference in the afternoon. She is doing really well and her teacher was full of nice things to say about her. Always a good thing! I think we had dinner at Crafty Neighbor's, but I'm not sure.

Tuesday - I took the kids to school and then went to work (The Vendor Job) at Fred Meyer. My supervisor, Jeff, was in town for the day and we had a sit-down meeting with Fishing Guy and ordered T-Shirts, hats, Fleece jackets and glove sets for next year's cruise ship season. After our meeting, Fishing Guy went to get the kids from school and I kept working. Our freight wasn't in at Safeway, so Jeff got on an earlier flight home. I ended up working a total of 4 hours (instead of the predicted 8) and had a nice relaxing afternoon with Fishing Guy. I skipped the last Precepts class and made a nice ham dinner instead, to celebrate Fishing Guy going back onto the Day Shift.

Wednesday - Fishing Guy's crossover day, switching his body from nights to days. I had a bunch of craft stuff to get done, some for Cubbies and a scrapbook page for a going-away gift. Fishing Guy watched the kids most of the morning and I got a lot done! I did the shopping for the Potluck event in the afternoon and delivered 3 bags of potatoes and some roasts to the other ladies on my committee. We were off to AWANA in the evening and then I had to make two pumpkin rolls for The Prince's class feast. I crashed at 10 pm.

Thursday - I dropped the kids off at school and headed to Safeway, where the freight was now in. I worked until 10:45 am, missing the program at The Prince's Feast - Mommy Guilt! Thankfully, Fishing Guy was there on time and there were no tears. I made it in time to eat and visit, then got The Princess from her class and headed home.

Crafty Neighbor watched the kids for a couple of hours in the afternoon and I went *back* to Safeway for almost 3 more hours to work with their Photo Manager and get the majority of my stuff out on the floor. I got home about 4 pm, chatted with Crafty Neighbor for a little bit and then put the kids in the car and headed to The Prince's Parent/Teacher conference at 4:30 pm.

He is where he should be for his learning and I have no doubt that he'll be ready for Kindergarten in the spring. Fishing Guy took the kids home from the conference and I went straight to my Project Playground meeting downtown. (Crafty Nieghbor popped her head in the door and dropped off some dinner for me while we were in our conference.) After the meeting, I stopped at McDonald's and got dinner for the family and we put the kids in bed shortly after that.

Friday - I dropped The Princess at school and The Prince and I went shopping. My goal was to buy eggs and make it home to make brownies and a cake before The Princess' Feast at 10:30 am. We ran into Crafty Neighbor at Fred's and ended up buying brownies and bringing Crafty Neighbor and the kids to the feast as well. Fishing Guy made it too - Way to Go! Award for him. We were home about 11:30 am and I worked on my To-Do list. We made a trip to JoAnn's, Fred's (again) and then to the library. I called and cancelled for our Supper Six (7 pm) because we were just beat. I made a quick dinner and we shared Crafty Nieghbor's birthday cake and ice cream with her family. The kids were home and in bed on time, with Fishing Guy not far behind them. While everyone else was sleeping, I finished my making Christmas cards.

Saturday - So far, I've slept in until 8:30 am, made coffee and two phone calls. Our only plan for the day is to go to the Douglas Library for a Christmas Craft-aganza for the kids at 1 pm. They will have all the supplies and (I've heard) do a wonderful job.

So, tomorrow is my big debut as Fellowship Committee Chairperson. It's basically catering dinner for 100 people, from 4 different kitchens and not knowing what is coming for the side dishes or dessert. I'm trying not to stress yet. Fishing Guy has the day off and I'm counting on him being a huge help.

The kids are off of school this week, so I'm lining up playdates for the first part of the week. I am stocked in new library books and bought a new computer phonics game for the kids. I have scrapbooking to catch up on too. There is no AWANA on Wednesday - Whoo Hoo! A week off! We are spending Thanksgiving Day next door, I'm sure with the men playing video games for most of the day. I need to buy socks on Friday at the Big Sale and then Saturday afternoon, we decorate the church for Christmas.

ZZZZZZZZ.....

I'm skipping church this morning. I need the time to do laundry, clean up the house and rest. I'm still feeling horrible (cough, stuffiness and headaches) and now I can't seem to get enough sleep.
Bonnie was just diagnosed with mono, so I guess I'll be getting tested if this crud hangs on much longer. Everyone else in the family still has a nasty cough, so I'm not getting worked up yet. The Prince's fever was an overnight thing, he was back to normal in the morning.

We had a birthday party yesterday morning and I took another nap in the afternoon while Fishing Guy stayed up with the kids. I took the kids downtown with me about 4 pm, to pay the rent and play for a few minutes at the toy store. I got something together for dinner and we watched two movies before bed. I was asleep by 10 pm and still didn't feel rested by the time I crawled out of bed this morning at 8 am.

Anyway, before we get hit with the first winter storm of the season, my big goal is to get the house back in order. There was a large toy explosion in the living room, followed by aftershocks of stuffed animals and Halloween candy. The kitchen is covered in scraps of paper and crayons. I don't have the energy to pick it all up myself, so the kids are whining and complaining about having to pick up their own messes. Oh the injustice!

I also need to dig out the shovel, ice melt and sleds this afternoon. I might need to take a nap first...

Barely...

I made it through last week and this week, but I'm still hanging by a thread.

The brief update:

Last Week - Fishing Guy's schedule was changed and he started working nights on Thursday night, after already working his full 14-ish hour day. Friday was long. I took The Princess to school, The Prince and I went shopping for retreat supplies and a birthday present for the neighbor boy. We picked The Princess back up at school and headed to a Halloween party until 2:30 pm. Then, I raced home and packed the car. I left for my retreat about 4:20 pm and Fishing Guy took the kids to the birthday party at 4:45 pm.

Small vent: When you schedule a kid's party from 4:45 - 6:45 pm, you better serve more than just cake for food. At least that is how I was brought up.

The retreat went really well. I laughed a lot and I've heard that it was a huge success. More on that later.

Sunday, I helped in Children's Church. Lord help me, if I have to do that more than once a month. The older kids will give me my first grey hairs.

Monday was Halloween. Crafty Neighbor and I took the kids to the retirement home for the kids to Trick-Or-Treat and then to one of her friend's houses. The evening was spent at crafty Neighbor's church's Trunk-or-Treat and our church's Fall Carnival, with a quick stop at the 4 houses in our cul-de-sac with their lights on when we got home. I have to get a picture from Crafty Neighbor of the kids in order to post it.

Tuesday, both kids had school and I had a meeting with my supervisor for my vendor job. I spent the afternoon putting off writing the video notes for the Precepts study. I was printing them out about 20 minutes before the class started and still had to make another trip home to get the video, still in the VCR. Doh!

Wednesday is AWANA day. I made it through the class this week, but finally asked for a leader guide. I really don't like having to guess what the story is supposed to be and was surprised at the suggestions in the guide. I should have had one from the very beginning. Anyway, I'm still getting used to the fact that I am the lead teacher in my room and it's still a lot more commitment than being the craft person.

Thursday (yesterday) both kids had school and as soon as we got home, The Prince curled up on the couch with a fever. I put him to bed last night with a temp of 100.6, down from 102.2 earlier. I had a Parks and Rec Advisory Board meeting to go to for Project Playground, so Trooper watched all the kids for us. As far as we know, we got approval for the park we want to build at! I was home about 7 pm, carried The Prince back across the yard and tucked him in bed. The Princess took a bath and finally went to bed about 8:45 pm.

We also got our first snow yesterday! It's still on the grass, but not on the streets. There is nothing like taking a nap on the couch, knowing that it is snowing outside.

Today, I am up early because I'm still worried about The Prince. I didn't sleep very well, waiting and listening for any sound he might be up. Which never happened.

I need to get The Princess up in about 5 minutes, so we have enough time to cook breakfast. With the time change, she has been rolling out of bed about 10 minutes before we have to leave for school.

I have a list a half mile long to work on, providing that The Prince is feeling better this morning. If not, I've got a list at least as long to work on and never leave the house.