Weekly Preview and Review

Well, I didn't do any running this past week. My normal running days are Tue/Fri/Sun. I can't run on consecutive days - too hard on my hips and knees. So, Tuesday was too hectic and I didn't get time. And Wednesday, my foot hurt reminiscent of the way it hurt a couple years ago when I thought I had a hairline fracture. And so I didn't run Wednesday. Thursday was karate. I thought about running, but I didn't want to make my foot worse. And Friday and Saturday my knee hurt and I wanted to make sure I was at my best for karate testing on Sunday. So, this was an unplanned week off from running. :-(  I am sure some of that reluctance to run was a holdover from the horrible run last Sunday. Should have got right back on that horse, kwim? Oh well. I'm bringing my running clothes camping so maybe I'll do a couple short runs there and then do a long run on Saturday or Sunday.

Lake Huron was so fun! There were some biting flies and we started to worry that we would be swarmed! But they soon dispersed. The weather was not too hot nor too cold and the kids had a great time! There weren't any waves, which was disappointing, but the weather made up for it!

Co-op rosters are sent out. The room assignments are made. The Lit class I am co-teaching is mostly ready. Whew!

Sunday - Karate Testing with 2000 people!, Seeds of Faith Camp week begins
Monday - SOF Camp Week, Soccer Practice (D)
Tuesday - SOF Camp Week & Beach Day
Wednesday - SOF Camp Week
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Practice (J)
Friday - WORK 5, Soccer GAME (D)
Saturday - Soccer Practice (D)?,
Sunday -  Run 6 miles, Halo Party

Last year during Camp Week, I tried to maintain my regular work schedule. It was DIFFICULT to say the least. So, this year, I am actually taking a vacation. No work Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday. I will work 10 hours between Thursday and Friday. Bob is also taking a couple days off, but he will be working over Labor Day weekend, so his hours even out.

I am also doing NO co-op stuff and NO soccer stuff during the 4 days of camp. (David is going to one soccer practice, but not the other kids.) Also we are not doing karate on Monday. It's just going to be relaxing!

Our karate testing is tomorrow. TWO THOUSAND people are supposed to be testing together! That is going to be something! I am easily overwhelmed with large groups of people, so pray for me to be able to handle it. But this is something the kids will never forget! Not sure how many photos I'll get since I am supposed to be testing. Bob isn't going along as he is going to the campground to get our site set up. We'll go right to the campground after the testing.


David has his first soccer game this coming Friday. And so it begins.....


I had a few errands to run today. Most of them were because of someone's oversight.
1 - sporting goods store (David's new shinguards were missing a part.)
2 - auto parts store (they forgot to refund Bob the core charge for the alternator)
3 - Walmart (they didn't give me all my groceries the other day)
4 - thrift store (Emily and I both needed jeans for camping)
5 - Office store (joined teacher program and got a goodie bag and breakfast with a friend!)
Have a good week y'all!

Weekly Preview and Review

Well, last week, a lot of the activities I had planned to do didn't happen. I missed the Pampered Chef party and the SOF meeting because my work wasn't done. I didn't go to the fair because the girls hadn't gotten their room cleaned up. James went with a friend, though. (David didn't care to go.) I missed the scrapbooking weekend because Bob was sick with a horrible migraine. He was laid out in bed for 2 full days and even called in to work, which he hasn't done in almost 2 years.

Sunday - Church, Relax
Monday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Practice (D)
Tuesday - WORK5, Soccer Practice (S), Science Museum (J,S)
Wednesday - WORK 5, Nature Center (S-AM, J-PM)
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate
Friday - WORK 5, Beach Day, Soccer Practice (D), Soccer Practice (S), Nature Center (J)
Saturday - Soccer Practice (D)?, Book Club
Sunday -

James and Suzy have a couple Nature Center classes this week. Suzy starts soccer practice and David continues with his practices 3 times a week. Haven't heard from James' coaches yet. Emily isn't playing soccer this fall.

Suzy and James will probably go on Tuesday to the Impression 5 Science Museum with a friend. That's in Lansing. 

We are working hard at karate in anticipation of testing at the end of the month. The karate school is organizing a mass testing with all 26 of their schools, most of which are located in Michigan. The mass testing is August 28 and we will be tested at 12:30 in case anyone wants to watch. It's at Ultimate Soccer in Pontiac, an indoor, air-conditioned facility. The black belt recertification will be at 9 am and this is NOT usually open for people to watch, so we may head down to see that.

I am hoping for a Mom's Night Out this week at a friend's house. Her husband is out of town for work. Also maybe I can sneak away Sunday and go see a movie? I thought about going during David's soccer practice Friday night but that didn't end up working out.

I'm kind of addicted to Friday Night Lights on Netflix Instant. Yeah, I know. A show about high school football in Texas? Who would've guessed that Lisa would find that intriguing? LOL I've watched all 22 episodes of the first season and am into the second season. Of course, I found it only AFTER it was cancelled on regular tv. At least I can watch it on demand with no commercials!

Weekly Preview and Review

Sunday - Just relax
Monday - WORK 5, Karate, Sports Clinic (S,J), Soccer Practice (D)
Tuesday - WORK5,  Sports Clinic (S,J)
Wednesday - WORK 5, Sports Clinic (S,J), Swim w/friends, Soccer Mtg,
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Mtg
Friday - WORK 5,  Soccer Practice (D), Beach Day
Saturday - Lake Michigan???
Sunday - Lake Michigan?

Shakespeare in the Park was MAGICAL. Loved it! The night was PERFECT! Not too hot, but not at all chilly. Not humid, nor the least hint of rain. The acting was superb. Can't wait to go again next year.

I had my first massage ever last week and that too was wonderful. Can't wait to go back for that as well! There is a massage school here that does hour-long massages (by students) for $10. Appointments are hard to get!

James and Suzy had Soccer VBS - a yearly tradition at a nearby church. It was hot and neither child was 100% healthy this week. Suzy missed Monday because she just didn't feel well. David had soccer conditioning camp 4 nights last week and did it all without complaint - for which I was very thankful.

Last week was a hard hectic week and I am glad it is over. Soccer registration details - drops, last minute adds, training the Uniform Coordinator to order uniforms - those were driving me nuts! And my right hand hurts - mousing too much? It's been  bothering me a couple weeks now.

I did ok with exercise - M - karate, T - ran w/Dar 3 miles, W - kickboxing, Th - Karate, F - off, Sat - ran 2 miles (w/out stopping). I plan to run tonight as soon as it cools off. My training schedule says FIVE MILES. Not sure about that one. And I am awfully tired. We shall see....

This afternoon I printed out all the soccer team rosters and put together the coach packets for the meetings this week. Then hopefully I am mostly done with the registration thing.

We are thinking about camping or getting a hotel room and doing Lake Michigan next weekend.

Weekly Preview and Review

Sunday - Relax, Camping
Monday - Camping, Breaking Camp, Fireworks
Tuesday - WORK 5, Kids sleeping in (but not Mom), Karate
Wednesday - WORK 5, kickboxing, church
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate
Friday - WORK5 , Beach Day
Saturday - Cousin Camp
Sunday - Cousin Camp

Return of the King in the theater was BEYOND awesome. I didn't even move from my seat once. It's a four hour movie, so that's sayin' somethin'! Just amazing!

Camping also was BEYOND awesome! lol  We camped with two families we like to spend time with and Maryann's family came to visit every day since they live very close to the campground. We had a nice shady spot to park the camper. The weather was PERFECTION for 3 days. Saturday was record-breaking heat and a hailstorm, but we had fun anyway! There was lots to do and the kids all had friends to play with. Bob had to work Monday, so he went home Sunday night and David and I packed up the camper. I towed it myself - never towed a trailer before this weekend! We want to camp here again, as well as camp again with our friends.

Last week's Beach Day was weird weather - very windy and getting colder as the day went on. There was a still a good turnout though. Hopefully, this week's Beach Day will be more agreeable weather-wise.

In karate last week, we worked on knife-fighting and disarming someone with a gun.

We went to the fireworks in Lapeer tonight, which we haven't done in a while. My friend told me where to go to park and watch and it was great! There was live music beforehand and a free bounce house. We played games and hung out beforehand as well as afterward, waiting for the huge traffic jam to disperse. Got home about 11:45pm. They get to sleep in tomorrow! But not me.....

I didn't work on July 4th, though I probably could have. Just needed a holiday! Will work 5 hours the rest of the days this week in order to make my regular hours.

Looking forward to Cousin Camp!

Weekly Preview and Review

So, last week was more relaxing than my spring weeks. That's so nice!

Seeing Fellowship of the Ring in the theater again was thrilling! Maryann and James and I went together. There were only about 30 people in the theater. Can Flint really have only 30 dedicated LOTR fans? Seems like too few. Anyway, every touching moment still makes me tear up, every funny moment still makes me laugh, every LOTR fan moment still makes me squirm with delight! Wonderful! Can't wait for this Tuesday to see Two Towers!

Beach Day last Thursday was switched to Park Day since we have not really had a good weather Park Day yet this spring. It really would have been warm enough for the lake, but Park Day was very nice. The kids had a great time and the weather was perfect! We went to a park they're always asking to visit but we never seem to have time for.

Bob and I have been married 23 years now. I meant to dig out the VHS of our wedding and show it to the kids. Maybe we will do that today since I forgot that until just now.

I went to kickboxing with a friend on Wednesday morning. I haven't been to class for a long while though I have done some Tae-bo in my living room. OMG my hamstrings have been killing me all week. They still hurt TODAY 4 days later! What an awesome workout. Gonna try to go once a week.

Completed Week 1 of the 10K training which meant three runs (2 miles each) and 3 cross training days (karate 2x, kickboxing 1x, and I also did a 3 mile walk.) Trying to drag some friends into the 10K thing with me. It's easier with people!

Pay period ended on Friday. Can't wait for the paycheck! Once a month paydays are greatly anticipated!

I actually weeded the back garden beds yesterday with the girls. I almost never do gardening. We planted some seed mix we got at the dollar store. We'll see if it does anything. Bob took the boys over to our vegetable garden plot at a church a couple miles down the road to weed and water.

Went to a few garage sales Saturday - got a couple shirts, a cute wooden box, and some origami paper. Something else too, but I can't think of it. Suzy bought some Polly Pockets and Emily bought a Jonas Brothers CD. lol James got some hot wheels cars out of a free box. Suzy needs some shorts, but I have yet to find a garage sale with her size clothes!

David spent one night at Alex's house and one night at Brandon's. And he got to go to youth group at Faith Tab, which he loves. So, a good week for him too!

I finally got all the soccer registrations entered into the computer. There are fewer this year - not quite 300. But it still takes a long time. Now I need to make the teams. But that can wait a couple weeks, I think.

The upcoming week looks a lot like last week! I signed Suzy up for a VBS this week, but I don't know if she'll actually be going.


Sunday - Relax, Church, Father's Day
Monday - WORK5, Karate
Tuesday - WORK 5, Lord of the Rings in the theater
Wednesday - WORK 5, kickboxing, church
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate
Friday - WORK 5
Saturday - Book Club!
Sunday - Relax!, Church

Weekly Preview and Review

Whew, that week blew past!
Mother's Day - didn't go to church. Suzy brought me "breakfast in recliner" since I got up before everyone else. LOL I got a Kindle!

Soccer - Registration was Monday night indoors for 2 hours and Saturday morning for 4 hours outdoors in the rain. Thankfully we had a tent. It went quite smoothly, I think. Numbers will come soon after the treasurer reconciles the monies.

Homeschool banquet - I got the kids' outfits all set, ordered the flowers last week, realized I had nothing to wear at all, but managed to get everyone to the banquet on time and looking fine! What a lovely evening - well-planned, lots of fun, and good friends! An icebreaker game got everything started around 6pm, then a buffet dinner of pasta, chicken, and salad. After that, the dance floor was open and the kids dove in full force - a mix of Christian music like dcTalk, popular music like Taylor Swift & Lady Gaga, classic music like Love Shack, and specialty music like Cotton-Eyed Joe and the Chicken Dance. Oh yeah, and Thriller. LOL Check my facebook videos. The dancing had to end by 11 but I think everyone had a wonderful time.

Soccer - Yeah, it keeps going! LOL SUZY SCORED A GOAL THIS WEEK! On Saturday in the rain. Did I see it? No, but David did.

Nature Center - James and Suzy had nature center classes Wednesday afternoon. The weather was warm and sunny, and they had a good time.

Karate - Going well. A couple intense workouts last week though! We are getting ready for testing the end of May.

Sunday - Headed up to Maryann's. The initial plan was to bring home a bed she is selling me, but I realized it wouldn't fit in the van with the kids in there too, so that plan was postponed. She and I watched a Viggo movie we'd both been wanting to see. Alatriste was a Spanish movie; yes, Viggo is fluent in Spanish (and 5 other languages apparently). Good movie. Emily went to youth group with Gabby and David played video games with Alex; Suzy and Kathleen hung out. Lovely relaxing day.

Sunday - Relax, Spend day at McDowells
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Lessons, Karate, Soccer Meeting
Tuesday - WORK 5, Park Day, Soccer Game (S), Soccer Practice (E,J)
Wednesday - WORK 5, Lessons, Running Class
Thursday - WORK 5, Lessons, Karate, Soccer Practice (S,J), Essay Class, SUZY'S BIRTHDAY!
Friday - WORK 5, INCH CONFERENCE, Soccer Game (E, but I think she's missing it)
Saturday - Soccer Games??? (S,J), INCH CONFERENCE
Sunday - Relax!, Church

The state homeschool convention is this weekend and I am going with friends. We are going to have fun! And maybe even go see POTC4 while we are there. If not, then Sunday for sure!

I am also going with friends to a free running form class on Wednesday night. Gotta fit in 3 running sessions this week. Should have done one today. Bleh.

More soccer, karate, soccer, karate, soccer, essay class. And work work work - 5 hours a day.
CANNOT WAIT FOR SUMMER!

Weekly Preview and Review

Too wet for the egg hunt - rescheduled.
20 teens in a room learning to write essays - went well.
Karate class - I think I have my form memorized and so do most of the kids. We are also learning a bowstaff form.
Soccer - All the kids had their first games - Emily's team won, though I did not go to the game. James's team also won. Suzy's team played hard but lost. I went to a board meeting and talked things through for registration. Also brought an Assistant Registrar on board with the goal of him taking over for me next year when I am done.
House - We got the rooms moved but lost momentum and stuff isn't put away yet. We bought some furniture from a friend who is moving - a couch, 2 desks, a dresser, and a shelving unit thingie. Finding a place for all of that and getting it into place took a while. Next is getting the landing all organized; it also needs to be painted but that may wait until soccer is over.
Easter - Went to the Vineyard church this morning - nice service. My friend Donna and her daughter participated in the worship dance. Had ham dinner afterwards at home, then had a nice afternoon. We dyed our eggs today and had an egg hunt and a jellybean hunt. The kids watched a movie. Bob and David took a long nap and Suzy put on a play for me.

Sunday - Relax, church
Monday - WORK 4 hrs, Lessons
Tuesday - WORK 4, 1/2 day Lessons, Soccer Practice (E,J,S), karate, SOF leadership mtg
Wednesday - WORK 4, Lessons, Youth Group/Church (D,J), Soccer Game (E)
Thursday - WORK 4, Lessons, Karate, Soccer Practice (S)
Friday - WORK 4, Egg Hunt, Soccer Game (E-away)
Saturday - Self-defense (D), Soccer Game (J,E)
Sunday - Relax!, Church

Still looking for a van and a couple of recliners. And I wouldn't sneer at a reasonably priced treadmill.

Gonna go get my jammies on and kick David off the TV so I can watch a movie. Have a great week, everyone! And I hope you had a blessed Easter!

Weekly Preview and Review

Oops, forgot to post this. Sorry!

Sunday - Relax, church
Monday - WORK 4 hrs, Lessons, Karate, AYSO board mtg
Tuesday - WORK 4, Lessons, Soccer
Wednesday - WORK 4, Lessons, Youth Group/Church (D,J), Soccer Game (E-Away)
Thursday - WORK 4, Lessons, Karate, Egg Hunt, Essay Class (D,E), Soccer Practice (S)
Friday - WORK 4
Saturday -Clean house!
Sunday - Relax!, Church

Weekly Preview and Review

So, we went to church on Sunday AND Wednesday this past week. I don't even recall the last time we did that. We have not participated in Wednesday night church in a couple of years.

After church Sunday, we went out to eat at Cici's Pizza (buffet) with a couple of families. We stayed for a long time while the kids played and chatted.

Karate is going well; we started the regular session so we are now working on earning our yellow belts. This is the form we are learning, though we are doing more (MUCH more) than just this in class. (Just the first 45 seconds of the video shows the form. The rest is instructions.)

David was invited to attend an adult self-defense session at the karate studio on Saturday mornings which sounds intriguing. After a bit of persuasion, he decided to attend and see what it's about. Sounds like he liked it. Bob took him today since I wasn't feeling well. In future, I may go running while he's at class. There's a nice paved 1 mile loop just a mile up the road.

Let's see.... What else? Oh, the girls' NEW room is now half lilac, half bright green. That's the big room over the living room. We are moving the girls' stuff in there right now. Their old room is a COMPLETE PIT. Disgusting. The boys are helping clean it out and then they will paint their rooms this weekend.

Everyone is getting new beds. Eventually. And we are looking for some good used furniture for the living room - preferably two recliners and a coach.

I decided to teach a repeat of the essay class I taught last February and March. It will meet four Thursdays after karate, every other week. I have about 15 teens signed up for it. The proceeds from that will help pay for next year's curriculum. This starts on the 21st.

Sunday - Relax, church - where?

Monday - WORK 4 hrs, Lessons, Karate

Tuesday - WORK 4, Lessons (1/2 day), Homeschool Rollerskating, Soccer Practice (E), Movie Night?

Wednesday - WORK 4, Lessons, Youth Group/Church, Meeting for Co-op,

Thursday - WORK 4, Lessons, Karate, Soccer Practice (E)

Friday - WORK 4

Saturday - SOCCER GAMES (J&S), Book Club!
Sunday - Relax!, Church

I imagine that James and Suzy will also have soccer practice this week, but I have heard NOTHING from their coaches yet.

Tuesday is busy, so it's likely that the Movie Night won't happen. But the local theater is showing Sound of Music on the big screen for FREE. I'd hate to miss it!

Weekly Preview and Review

This week was mostly about getting ready for the program on Friday night, which turned out GREAT! You can look at some photos and vids on facebook, but I'll give you a quick overview of what each of my kids did. (Not all the vids are up yet, but they will be.)
David - wrote a program in Visual Basic Script and it was displayed on the big screen. He also ran the computer for this part of the program
Emily - danced in a worship dance and played Charlotte Lucas in our Austentatious skit - Pride and Prejudice in 100 Seconds. She also received a special award for reading all 6 of Austen's novels.
James - demonstrated a Lego Robotics concept
Suzy - participated in a cheerleading performance and went on stage to receive a certificate from one of her teachers.

We went to karate twice and are enjoying it more and more. Our homeschool session is going to have some distinct advantages over the regular sessions, but we do have the option of going to the evening class if we need to miss our regular session.

I finished all my work hours by Thursday night, save for 45 minutes which I finished before co-op Friday morning. That took the pressure off on Friday!

The kids and Bob did one coat of paint on the girls' new room - half lilac and half spring green - their choices. Today will see the second coat of paint and maybe the trim?? The boys are deciding on their colors and how that long room will be divided.

David and Emily went home with friends after co-op Friday. (I had intended not to let them and in fact David said no to at least one request, but I'm a sucker for the right plea! lol) So, I just had James and Suzy. I took them out to Taco Bell, and while we were out, James got his hand slammed in the car door. He was pretty stoic about it and doesn't seem to have any lasting effects. I grabbed some snow and stuck it on there right away. (So, there's one advantage of having snow still in April!) THEN, we stopped home before the program to get something that was forgotten and the car keys got locked in the house. A few minutes of panic before I realized that keys to the FRONT door were in my purse which was in the van which was not locked. Whew!

Program went off without a single noticeable hitch! So great! The church sanctuary was packed! Lots of great comments. The table displays were lovely and creative!

Oh, and David was baptized in the Holy Spirit Wednesday night while visiting a friend's youth group! Praise God! He's wanted to go there regularly for a while, but it's kind of far from our house. But maybe I should make the effort, eh?

Sunday - Relax, church - where?
Monday - WORK 4 hrs, Karate, Support Meeting
Tuesday - WORK 4
Wednesday - WORK 4, Transcript workshop, Youth Group/Church?
Thursday - WORK 4, Karate
Friday - WORK 4
Saturday - NO PLANS!!!
Sunday - Relax!, Church

Because of the weather (still cold and we still have snow on the ground!), soccer practices have not started. I know Emily will begin the second week of April and I assume Suzy and James also will, because they have games on April 16. But that gives us a reprieve from the busy schedule that will entail.

So, we are entrenched in the bedroom redesign/changing around project and we need to get a move on!

Have a great week!

Weekly Preview and Review

I've got the costumes for the Regency Ball just about done - have to mend a seam and starch a cravat.

Gymnastics is over for us. We are starting homeschool karate and soccer will be starting soon. Will probably try to do gymnastics again in the fall after soccer ends.

Only 1 more homeschool co-op before summer! I can't believe it's almost done.

We haven't made ANY of the free movie nights in Imlay City, nor any of the free weekend matinees yet. Maybe we can do some yet this spring. There is a free Veggie Tale premiere this week; I'd like to take the little ones to that.

We are having spring break this week - a little earlier than I would like, but since I am trying to do 5 days of work in 4 and there are several other commitments, this is best.

Bob changed his work schedule around so he has Friday off instead of a different day. That way I don't need anyone to help with the kids while the big kids and I are gone this weekend.

Sunday - Sister Weekend ends, Bday party (S)
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Karate, Movie Day, Hairstyle party
Tuesday - WORK 5, Portrait session, Soccer meeting
Wednesday - WORK 5, Free Veggie Tales Movie Night
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate
Friday - Regency Ball trip
Saturday - Regency Ball trip
Sunday - Relax!

Weekly Preview and Review

Something planned every single day makes for a very busy week! And that's what we just finished.

Suzy had her cavities filled and the boys had good reports from the dentist.

We had fun at homeschool skating, and the turnout was about TWICE what it was last month. There is one more in April.

The field trip was to the Detroit newspaper printing facility and it was rather interesting. I wish they'd actually been PRINTING the paper though.

We wanted to see Jane Eyre at our book club night, but the movie was only released in LA and NYC. So we saw The Adjustment Bureau instead - good movie - and then went out to eat. Yummy!

I worked 4 extra hours, though my goal was 5.

I spent quite a bit of Saturday sewing with my friend Darlene. Got a lot accomplished and when my 'new' sewing machine messed up, I (finally) figured out what was wrong with it.

I am really really ready for spring. I mean, REALLY.

Sunday - Sewing, Pick up S
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Lessons, Gymnastics
Tuesday - WORK 5, Lessons, Movie Night?
Wednesday - WORK 5, Lessons
Thursday - WORK 5, Lessons, Dance Class
Friday - WORK 4, Co-op, SISTER WEEKEND!
Saturday - SISTER WEEKEND!
Sunday - SISTER WEEKEND!, Bday party (S)

We plan to start karate next month. We will probably skip the last session of gymnastics since karate is the same day. I think we'll do karate in April, but maybe skip May because of soccer.

I need to focus on the soccer registration preparation now that the yearbook is done.

And did I mention? I am READY FOR SPRING!

Weekly Preview and Review

Cirque Shanghai was FABULOUS! Suzy and I were amazed. Chinese acrobats - 10 young men and 6 young women skillfully entertained us with feats of balance, strength and beauty. Afterwards we went to Cici's Pizza Buffet, which I like very much. First time we went, but not the last!

Dental visits for the girls this week. Emily - no cavities. Suzy - two cavities. Hmmm.... The boys have their turn this coming week.

David finished his drivers ed makeup classes and passed both the tests in class. Now we visit the Secretary of State. He first needs to connect with his teacher and get his certificate.

Took Emily and some friends bowling today to celebrate her birthday. Had the party room at the bowling alley beforehand for cake, ice cream, gifts, and a craft. Then two games of bowling with 7 girls. I bowled too. One strike, lots of gutter balls for me. No gutter balls for the girls because they all used the bumpers. lol

After the party, Suzy, Emily, and I went out to eat and then shopping for Regency Ball shoes and then to the thrift store. Then a white-knuckle ride home in the blowing snow and on the untreated roads. Man, that was awful. The blowing stuff kept freezing on my windshield and I could not see.

I've been working hard on getting the yearbook done for Seeds of Faith and it's just about finished. Hopefully we can get it delivered before the next co-op. I want to get it ordered tomorrow.

Thinking about signing up for homeschool karate. We are about done with gymnastics, I think. Just this month left. But we are gearing up for soccer which should begin mid-April and run through the beginning of June. Do I want to do karate too? Well, since I can participate in the karate for free, I think maybe so. They are having a signup special, so I probably will take advantage of that.

A little lingering cough and wheezing is all that's left of my illness. The kids too are doing tons better. Only James seems to have a lingering cough.

On Monday, there wasn't enough work loaded, so I spent some time typing in some books I had set aside for sale. And I sold about $90 worth. So that was time well spent.

I finished reading Persuasion for my Austentatious class. Loved it this time through. Funny how the Austen grows on me. I disliked reading my first Austen a lot; it was Emma. I've since read it twice more and now I love it. Book club is reading another Gaskell - Wives and Daughters. I've started but I am still in chapter 1.

Sunday - Church?
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Lessons, SOF meeting
Tuesday - WORK 5, Lessons, Homeschool rollerskating
Wednesday - WORK 5, Lessons, Dentist-D,J,S
Thursday - WORK 5 Lessons, Mammogram-L (funfun)
Friday - WORK 5, field trip
Saturday - Book Club Movie Night (Jane Eyre)
Sunday - Church, Contra Dancing!

Gotta work 5's this week to make up for 2 weeks ago when there wasn't enough work to keep me busy. And this is a busy week with something every day! Better take a deep breath on Sunday night. (And maybe start with a little extra sleep, eh?)

I also need to get moving on the soccer registration plans. It'll be here before we know it. Oh, and SOF co-op stuff for NEXT year already too. And make sure everything is in order for the Regency Ball.

Quite a few Regency Ball-related activities are on the calendar for March.
March 13 - Contra dance at Flint school
March 17 - Dance practice
March 21 - Persuasion Movie Day & Regency Hairstyle Practice (girls)
March 22 - Regency Portrait Day (wear your costume and do your hair!)
March 25-26 Regency Ball trip!

So, you can see, there's a lot involved. David and Emily and I will be attending, along with about 20 other people from our homeschool group. And it's in South Bend, so we're spending the night.

We'd love to see any of you at our co-op program on Friday, April 1st in the evening. David will be sharing a computer script he wrote. Emily will be dancing and in a skit. Suzy is doing a cheerleading routine. And James will have a very nice art exhibit. There will be other stuff too, but I'm not sure what all. And you won't want to miss my Austentatious class; they are doing Pride and Prejudice in 100 seconds. I get to play Lydia. LOL

Weekly Preview and Review

So, a lot of our plans changed from last week due to the "blizzard". Not sure I'd actually call it a blizzard, but it certainly was a lot more snow, wind, and bitter cold than I'd prefer to have. I think we got about 8-10 inches of snow. It was hard to tell since it blew around so much.

The movie night was canceled on Tuesday.
Bob did not have to work Wednesday and wasn't scheduled to work Thursday anyway.
Art class was canceled Wednesday.
David's driver's ed was canceled Wednesday & Thursday since school was called off.

Since I don't drive to work, my work scheduled went forward as usual. I worked 4 hours each day. So that's 2 weeks in a row of normal work and my schedule just seems so much more open. Of course, that's probably because just about everything was canceled last week! LOL

We did not have snow days when school was called off. I prefer to take our days off when I actually like to go outside.

David and I watched all of Firefly and then followed it up with the Serenity movie, which is a followup to the canceled series. And I keep finding myself wishing I could watch a new episode. Something about it just draws me. What's funny is that I watched the Serenity movie a few years ago and it didn't interest me too much then. But having watched all of Firefly (which is only 14 episodes, as the show didn't last too long) sure gives me a different perspective!

We've also started watching Psych on Netflix Instant. Well, David is rewatching it since he has seen most of them already. I like it more than I thought I would, but I was under the impression it was a sitcom.

Co-op on Friday went really well. We are starting to prepare for next year, gathering class proposals and organizing the leadership team. I will be Assistant Coordinator next year. My Austentatious class is the most fun class I've ever had the pleasure of teaching. We are practicing a skit for the End of the Year program and this month we will have two dance classes to prepare for the ball we are going to in March. My kids like their classes and love seeing their friends.

I did the taxes yesterday. That's a load off my mind - 1) to have it done and 2) because I don't owe anything, which I was worried about as an independent contractor.

The co-op yearbook is going to be my focus for the next few days. I am in charge of collecting the pictures and pages and compiling it on a self-publishing site (lulu.com). I have the bulk of everything turned in now, so it's a matter of getting it all onto pages (digitally) and uploading.

This afternoon I think I'll be doing some sewing. Didn't get to any yesterday.

I redid the job chart and instead of rotating jobs daily, we are now rotating weekly. Each child has two rooms they are "in charge" of keeping tidy and daily jobs in those rooms. They each also have a meal prep or meal clean-up chore.

Sunday - Church, James to a friend
Monday - WORK 4 hrs, Lessons, SOF meeting
Tuesday - WORK 4, Lessons, D-drivers ed, Rollerskating
Wednesday - WORK 4, Lessons, D-drivers ed
Thursday - WORK 4 Lessons, D-drivers ed
Friday - WORK 4, Valentine bowling party, D-youth retreat
Saturday - D-youth retreat

Looks like another cold week in store! I am really ready for this to be done.

Oh yeah, I am hoping to run a 10K in June on Mackinac Island. That's 18 weeks away. I can't really start training until the weather is a bit more cooperative. Hurry up, nice weather!

I do want to do kickboxing three times this week. But if I make it twice, I will call that a success. I haven't done any exercising in a couple months. I know I keep saying I want to start, but really all I want to do is huddle on the couch and watch TV. Getting the kickboxing going again will help me when I step outside and start running.

My goal for the next few months is to replace our living room furniture with nicer (but still used) items - two recliners and a couch to begin with. I also want to get the kitchen counters replaced since the old-fashioned stuff on there now has been covered with contact paper for years and years. And the barn roof needs to be replaced, but that will wait for spring, as will that second long-overdue coat of yellow paint on the house. And the first coat on the barn. Sigh, there is sure a lot to do.

Weekly Preview and Review

Last Sunday Suzy was invited to a birthday party that included several hours of swimming at the rec center. When I picked her up later that evening, I hung out for a while and watched #3 of Downton Abbey on PBS Masterpiece theater. I missed #2 so I was a little lost, but it was good to hang out.

David had two drivers ed sessions this past week and he was supposed to drive Saturday morning. That was canceled at the last minute due to snow, so he has yet to actually get behind the wheel. I think he will be doing that this week.

UPDATE - David mentioned to me sometime on Saturday that he was signed up to drive on Sunday! lol So, yes, he had his first 'behind the wheel' session on Sunday afternoon. And he loved it!

This was a nice quiet week here. I worked just the normal 20 hours and had a lot of time to get a few things done. I visited a couple thrift stores - found those gorgeous bowls I posted on facebook, a few shirts, some glass custard 'cups' and a lovely long skirt that I will add to Emily's costume as an overskirt for her gown.

Thursday night, Emily and I went to movie night for our Austentatious class. We watched the 1999 Mansfield Park (Frances O'Connor as Fanny, Jonny Lee Miller as Edmund and James Purefoy as Tom) which I like much more than the 2007 version with Billie Piper as Fanny and Blake Ritson as Edmund. Neither one matches the book exactly, especially in their characterization of Fanny, but we enjoyed ourselves. I am so happy with how this class is turning out! We have moved on to Emma now, and just have Persuasion left after that!

I planned to spend Saturday working on getting to know my 'new' sewing machine and starting the alterations for the kids' outfits. But the sewing machine needs a bobbin case holder that should have been in there. It's not there. So, the bobbin case just rattles around inside. Dangit! So, I've done some hand sewing instead of starting with the long seams I planned to do. A friend is lending me a machine so I will have that to work with and I think we'll try selling the machine with the missing part.

James went on a field trip Friday to the chocolate factory. I've been on that field trip 3 times and didn't really want to repeat it a fourth time. The other kids didn't care about it, so I asked someone to take James for me. He was thrilled and then he spent the night and all day Saturday with his friend.

We had a few inches of new snow that made everything look pretty. I guess we're in for a blizzard tomorrow night and Wednesday. We shall see if that comes to pass. If so, Tuesday night and Wednesday's plans will look a lot different than they do here.

Sunday - Church, Suzy to a party
Monday - WORK 4 hrs, Lessons, Gymnastics, D-drivers ed
Tuesday - WORK 4, Lessons, Movie Night (FREE at the theater! to see Sound of Music)
Wednesday - WORK 4, Lessons, Art class, D-drivers ed
Thursday - WORK 4 Lessons, D-drivers ed
Friday - WORK 4, Co-op
Saturday - No plans!

Stay warm and safe during the blizzard if it affects you!

Weekly Preview and Review - DOUBLE edition

Well, I didn't get a post up last week, so this is a double.

LAST WEEK:
Saturday - SCRAPBOOKING!
Sunday - SCRAPBOOKING!
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Lessons
Tuesday - WORK 5, Lessons, E-eye dr., D-drivers ed
Wednesday - WORK 5, Lessons, D-drivers ed
Thursday - WORK 5, Lessons, Bob dr., D-drivers ed
Friday - WORK 5, Co-op
Saturday - Book Club, D-painting

This was the last week of being able to work 5 hours a day. I was able to earn quite a bit extra during these last two months when we were able to work extra without having to speak up for the hours.

David started drivers education. I made him pay for it himself, which he mostly did by ebaying stuff. He was apprehensive about this, but has settled in, I think. He will begin getting behind the wheel probably the week of the 24th. His is a large class, so maybe it will be the week after. His class goes 2-3 nights a week until Feb 10th and then I can take him for his learner permit. He has to rack up hours behind the wheel before taking Segment 2 of drivers training later in the summer.

To earn the last of the money to pay for his drivers training by doing that for me, David did some painting in the kitchen on Saturday and Sunday. Eleven hours got most of the cabinets and all of the trim. I think there are a few more hours in that job and I will pay him cash for that. I don't know when I would have found the time and I KNOW he did a better job than I would have! James wants to paint for money too, but I am not sure he's ready for that. We do have lots more trim to paint!

Scrapbooking weekend was lovely! I organized it with my friend Darlene as a fundraiser for the Regency Ball. Emily earned the money to cover her hotel room and gas money. We had 13 women come for all or part of the weekend and 5 girls to help with the meals and carrying things. We are already thinking about repeating the weekend next January!

THIS WEEK:
Sunday - Church, Suzy to a party
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Lessons, D-drivers ed
Tuesday - WORK 4, Lessons
Wednesday - WORK 4, Lessons
Thursday - WORK 4 Lessons, Bob dr.
Friday - WORK 3, D-drivers ed
Saturday - No plans?

I have yet to manage adding any exercise back into my routine. I guess that the extra hour of work each day sort of eats that time. But I have been successful at eliminating sweets from my diet. I have had no desserts or candy or anything sugary in the last 3 weeks. It hasn't been too hard. I don't plan to eat like this forever, but I felt something drastic was in order to break the habit and to jump start the weight loss again.

Maybe if I only get my normal 20 hours this week, I will be able to add in some kickboxing. It's WAY too cold to do anything outside. I have not had any regular exercise since maybe November. I do still plan to train for a 10K, but I don't think I will be able to commit to that training until we have warmer weather and no slippery roads. Maybe next winter I will have a treadmill....

Bob had his pain doctor appointment again last week and they did a different sort of injection. It's outpatient at the hospital and I have to go since he is not allowed to drive home. If this works, then the doctor will explore further. The first two kinds they tried didn't help his pain.

Emily and James had friends over after co-op, Suzy went home with a friend for a couple nights and David spent Friday night at a friends' house too. Busy social night on Friday.

I've been doing a lot of swagbucks stuff lately - searching and surveys. I've earned enough for $30 of amazon gift certificates and have started redeeming them. I will just let them pile up in my amazon gift card balance and use that for Christmas gifts. If you aren't earning swagbucks, you really should be! It doesn't really add anything to your day, if you are already on the computer. And if you sign up under me, I get bucks for each buck you earn, too.

I cleaned out the back room on Saturday; that was satisfying. I've reduced my stuff back there by a whole file cabinet full! Downsizing! No point in keeping all those files since I always look online first nowadays.

Weekly Preview and Review

A Day Late and a Dollar Short

So here this is a day late. Or two, depending on how you are counting. But maybe you're not counting at all!

Actually I had the dollar. But I needed $4 since I was sending David up to the gas station for a gallon of milk. Since I went out TWICE and neither time remembered to get milk. So, I raided the stash of quarters and sent him out into the cold. Fresh air is good for him, right?

Saturday - Baby Shower & Thrift shopping
Sunday - Go to church, SOF planning meeting, and watch Downton Abbey
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Lessons, Gymnastics
Tuesday - WORK 5, Lessons
Wednesday - WORK 5, Lessons
Thursday - WORK 5, Lessons
Friday - WORK 5, No Lessons, SCRAPBOOKING
Saturday - SCRAPBOOKING!

Everything is all back to normal - no Christmas decorations in my house. The lights are still up on the porch, but that's not my domain. I love getting it back to normal.

Last week I went to Bob's doctor appointment with him. I used to do this regularly, after his accident. But once he was able to drive, I didn't go anymore. Maybe I should though. He never seems to know what the doctor told him. So, this time I went and asked her to give him some dietary guidelines for his high blood pressure. She said, no more than 4000 mg of sodium a day. Try counting that yourself sometime. lol

The kids had art class on Wednesday and after I dropped them off, I hit the Christmas clearance at Rite Aid. Got some LED lights we'd been hoping for and a few other odds and ends. I always look for clearance wrapping paper that doesn't look Christmas-y. I scored a few rolls of that.

Friday was co-op, but my co-teacher (and good friend Darlene) was teaching this week so I didn't have to prepare anything. We are reading Mansfield Park and it is SO MUCH BETTER the second time reading it. I enjoyed it! The girls like reading Austen too, which is so gratifying! We are well underway in planning the Regency Ball.

Saturday, I went to a baby shower for a book club friend. Suzy and Emily went with me and some other friends were there, so that was a nice time. And I didn't eat any cake.

I have not eaten any sweets in a week! That's amazing. And I lost 5 lbs from my high on New Year's Day. ACK - that was a shocker on the scale, seeing the number so high! LOL I still need to lose 20 to get back to my lowest weight. I hope to get back into the exercise routine this week.

I got all my pictures printed out for scrapbooking - the year of 2007 should be all scrapped after this weekend. I am working on powerplanning it right now to make it smooth as silk! Emily is going along as a teen worker - she gets to scrap too and she is over the moon with excitement!

Re-visited a church on Sunday. The kids all like it. I'm not so sure. Bob is probably going to take a while to acclimate wherever we go.

David has made dinner - brats and rice, so I better go eat it! Suzy set the table and picked a veggie. Wonder what it is? And James and Emily get to clean up! LOL

Weekly Preview and Review

Saturday - New Year's Day & Thrift shopping
Sunday - Relax & De-Christmas the house
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Lessons
Tuesday - WORK 5, Lessons, go to dr. with Bob
Wednesday - WORK 5, Lessons, Art Class
Thursday - WORK 5, Lessons
Friday - WORK 5, Co-op
Saturday - Baby Shower

Let's see - I posted about Christmas, so let's move on, shall we?

Monday my friend Darlene hosted a movie day for our Austentatious class of teen girls. We invited our book club ladies too, so we had a good turnout for watching the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice. It's a long movie - almost 6 hours, so it is definitely an all day event. We had a great time! I got up at 5:30 to get a jumpstart on my work hours, so I was able to still fit in 5 hours of work - before and after the movie day.

Tuesday I also got up at 5:30, though I didn't need to. I kinda liked getting so much done so early. So, when Darlene invited people over for an impromptu sledding day, we were able to take advantage of it since I had a head start on my work hours again. We spent the afternoon there - the kids did some sledding and some socializing, and the moms mostly just hung out around the dining room table and chatted. Alex came home with David and spent the night.

David turned 16 on Wednesday! Can you believe my baby is now 16? He invited a few friends to come over and watch the 1982 Tron movie and have pizza before we headed out to the Imax theater to watch the new Tron: Legacy movie. I was rather unenthusiastic about watching this movie. 1 - I haven't enjoyed 3D movies. 2 - The 1982 movie was very cheesy with dumb dialogue. 3 - I didn't have good expectations for the music and sound.

BUT - I loved the movie. The 3D was ever-so cool and the soundtrack was AWESOME and the sound was not too overwhelming. I did have trouble with my left eye. I don't think my prescription is correct as I have trouble with it daily. But that's not the movie's fault, nor the fault of the 3D effects. Anyway, I loved Tron: Legacy and I will see other movies in 3D, I think.

I had to work very late on Wednesday to get my work hours in, around David's activities. And I was not able to do my extra hour. Bummer, eh?

Dinner out with the leadership team of SOF was on the agenda for Thursday night. I got my hours done easily during the day since the kids had no lessons to work on. We were supposed to meet at the nearby steakhouse, but there was a long wait. So we went to a family restaurant instead and it was not a good experience overall. I had a really tasty chicken quesadilla, but the appetizers were cold and several of my friends got cold fries. The room was freezing too. But we had good conversation!

Friday was New Year's Eve. I slept rather later than normal - feeling the effects of three 5:30 AM days this week. Got the work hours in and then headed to Maryann's with the kids and one extra friend for a New Year's party. We had a very fun evening - games and movies and food! Stayed up very very late chatting with Maryann, but had to turn around and get up at 8 am on Saturday to drive home because I had plans to.....

Go thrift store shopping with friends to take advantage of the 50% off sales! We are all going to the Regency Ball in March and we hoped to find appropriate dresses in the Regency style - empire waist, floor length, sleeves. All of us were successful! I love my dress - it's plum colored and I like the neckline, though it's not square as it probably should be. I may end up modifying it somehow with ribbon. It's also quite lowcut, so I'll probably use some lace as a coverup. Now on to the accessorizing! I still have to find a dress for Emily and some appropriate clothing for David.

Today we slept very late and then de-Christmas-ed the house. THANK GOD! That's pretty much all we did, except try to eat all the sweets left from the holidays.

Because.... I am going on a No Sweets fast until Valentine's Day. And since I am on the fast, pretty much everyone else is too, at least while they are at home. I'm not making them promise to follow it, but I'm not providing any sweets during the next 6 weeks. :-)

Weekly Preview and Review

Saturday - Christmas!
Sunday - Relax
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Pride & Prejudice Movie Day
Tuesday - WORK 5
Wednesday - WORK 5, David's 16th b-day, Go to see Tron
Thursday - WORK 5
Friday - WORK 5, New Year's EVE!
Saturday - New Year's DAY! (Thrift store 50% off clothing sale! YAY!)

Last week Suzy stayed with my parents when we were in town for Christmas. She had a great time visiting Suzy's donut shop, scrapbooking, seeing Megamind with Aunt Janet, and much much more. We met up with Mom and Dad on Tuesday afternoon to get her back. She was SO TIRED! lol

We went on to Maryann's for the evening. On the way we stopped at Kmart and bought a wafflemaker since I had the bright idea of making waffles for Christmas. We also stopped and bought a used Singer sewing machine I'd seen on craigslist for $30. The person lived only a mile or so from Maryann, so that worked out great. The sewing machine needed a bobbin case, but I found one on ebay for about $5. So for $35 I now have (hopefully) a working sewing machine. When the part comes, I'll let you know for sure!

Weeks have passed, maybe months, since we'd spent any time at the McDowell's, so it was great to visit there! We just hung out, made dinner, chatted, and then watched Knight and Day. Well, that was Maryann and me and Erin (her adult daughter). The kids played with toys and video games, and outside in the snow! So fun! I knew I had to work the next day though, so I cut it off earlier than I'd have liked and brought the whole crew home.

Christmas cookies took up most of Wednesday. I didn't make bunches, like last year. Just some sugar cookies - all for us! LOL

I think it was Thursday I went to the grocery store and it was already pretty crowded. Can't imagine what the lines and parking lots were like on Friday (Christmas Eve) since I didn't go anywhere! We had thought about going to church Christmas Eve but we pooped out. Wish we'd have gone though.

Our Christmas dinner was a non-traditional nibble tray feast and it was a HIT! I think we'll do this from now on. I did cook a ham on Thursday since we got one unexpectedly as a gift. But on Christmas Day, I did trays of: cheeses, summer sausage, deli ham, cut-up veggies, pickles, shrimp, chips, fruits, jello, cookies, candies, etc... I changed up some of it as the day went on. Most of the food was left out all day and the kids just ate as they wanted. Next year, I'll prepare it all on Christmas Eve day rather than waiting for Christmas Day and then all I will have to do is pull it out of the fridge! Everyone loved it and there was virtually no cleanup. I did make cheesy potatoes because *I* wanted them. But those are easy anyway. So, I think we have a new tradition! And I'll be thinking all year things to put on our nibble trays.

I had planned to make waffles on Christmas morning, but we had some muffins and fruit first thing and no one was hungry for waffles at the time we'd planned them. So I figured we'd do it much later in the day. But still no one was hungry - nibbling all day! LOL So, we had it for breakfast today instead (Boxing Day).

This is how our Christmas Day looked:
Sometime between 7-8 am James got up, but no one was up so he went back upstairs, I guess.
Sometime before 9, I got up and made the coffee. James heard me and came down. The rest came down eventually, except David who had to be pried out of bed with a crowbar, almost. Once everyone was upright, we opened our stocking gifts - youngest to oldest (kids only).

We'd planned waffles after that, but as described above, that didn't occur. So I got dressed and Bob too, and then we moved on to the gifts. We decided to have everyone open 2 gifts and then move to the next person, youngest to oldest. (We don't do a chaotic tearing-into-the-gifts thing, here.)

So, that took a while, to get through all the gifts. What a blessing that I was able to buy so much this year. All those extra hours paid off! It's been a long time since we've been self-reliant at Christmas.

After the last present was opened, I put out the food and people began nibbling. Bob napped, the kids played with gifts, and eventually we played Apples to Apples. (We did that on Christmas Eve too.) In the evening, we read the Christmas story aloud from the Bible, sang some Christmas hymns and had our birthday cake for Jesus. We take it outside and He "blows out the candle".

We settled down to watch a Christmas movie. I was hoping for It's a Wonderful Life, but the kids had the idea of watching the new Veggie Tales, It's a Meaningful Life, so we watched that on Netflix instant. It's kind of a take off on the Frank Capra movie, but also with elements from A Christmas Carol and The Polar Express. My verdict? Not a movie for repeat viewings, sadly. Too much sappy singing, and not funny enough, though it was explicitly Christian unlike some of the more recent Veggie Tales. After that we watched another Netflix instant movie - The Missing Lynx. Stupid. Don't bother.

The kids settled down in the living room to sleep "under" the Christmas tree. This was the 1st year that David asked if he could sleep upstairs instead. :-( Made me sad, and I said NO! It's tradition! Sleep in the living room! They had a bit of fun with some lighted glow sticks I'd purchased and then settled down to sleep. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Can you believe David will be SIXTEEN this week!?

Weekly Preview and Review

Saturday - Family Christmas in GR
Sunday - Come home from GR (without Suzy!)
Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Do Christmas Cards? Wrap gifts
Tuesday - WORK, Go pick up Suzy and then errands and visit a friend
Wednesday - WORK, Christmas cookies and go look at lights?
Thursday - WORK, Last minute Christmas stuff
Friday - WORK, Christmas EVE!
Saturday - Christmas DAY!

Mostly family reads this blog so I won't rehash Mellon Christmas. (Unless someone out there really wants me to.) Suzy stayed in GR with Mom and Dad for some special grandkid/grandparent time. I will get her on Tuesday.

Last week was a blur of work and Christmas preparations. I went shopping (online and in person). I much prefer online shopping. How easy is that!? And some really great deals! I worked almost 5 extra hours last week, which as I have mentioned really taps me out.

We did lessons a couple days last week and then moved to Christmas gift preparations. Each of the kids made some. David created a lovely watermelon pencil sketch for my parents, James made fudge, and the girls made ornaments.

Monday and Tuesday last week were very snowy, windy, and cold, so all of our activities were canceled and we stayed home. That was nice and relaxing.

I have traditionally served ham on Christmas Day, but this year Bob asked me to serve something else. No religious reason (lol) - he just wants some variety. I thought of a beef roast, but when I went grocery shopping last night at Walmart, I checked their beef roasts and some
of them were $50+! Of course, I could choose a regular chuck roast or something like that. But I went online to a Christian moms forum I am a part of and posed the question to them. One of the moms says she always just does snack-y trays of salami, cheese, crackers, veggies, fruits, sweets, etc.... When I mentioned that to Bob, he really liked the ideas. So I think that's what I'll do! EASY! Love that part. I will cook some pierogies my friend is selling at some point that day, or maybe Christmas Eve. And I want cheesy potatoes. So I will make that.

Also, I want a waffle maker. Walmart has one in their ad for $14.88 and Kmart has one for $20. I looked at the local Walmart but they didn't have that one. Thinking we will have Belgian waffles on Christmas morning.

I can't think of much else and I want to go get the Christmas cards done and watch a movie.

I miss my baby!