Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church
Monday - Spanish, WORK (4 hrs daily),
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK, Suzy Soccer Practice,
Wednesday - Lessons, WORK, Nature Center classes (J&S), Soccer Registration
Thursday - Lessons, WORK, Suzy soccer practice, Kickball game
Friday - Lessons, WORK
Saturday - SOCCER GAME, Soccer Registration

Stop the Merry-Go-Round!

Stop the merry-go-round!

I'm kidding.

Sort of.

But life is very very busy lately. I still make time for the fun things - garage saling (today), visiting friends (yesterday), watching DVD's (late at night usually), but other things have gone by the wayside. No more Word Twist. No reading (really!). Exercise has become so much less a priority that it worries me and I am trying harder to add it back in -takes a lot of thought to get it all fit into the day. No calorie counting (it's more work than one might imagine). Not as many DVD's despite my previous comment. And less structured school (but hopefully not less actual learning!).

Life is work and kids, kids and work, and soccer and then the occasional fun event. Like Wednesday we spent the day at Maryann's for the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration. Which was GREAT. We actually went over Tuesday night and stayed through Wed afternoon. But that meant 4 hours of work when I came home Wednesday (as well as squishing in 4 hours of work before we left on Tuesday).

Usually work gets done somewhere around 11pm. And who wants to go right to bed after work? I wanna relax! And have a snack! Like right now - off to make popcorn and watch an episode of Eli Stone. THEN bed.

Getting Fit with Lisa

My blog for getting fit - Getting Fit with Lisa.

I was tossing around the idea of having some guest bloggers there and we could encourage each other. Let me know if you are interested in blogging there occasionally or regularly.

Wait, One more.... No, Two More Things.....

Two things - 1 that I forgot and 1 that is a further development.

1 -I forgot to mention I dyed my hair quite a bit darker.

2 - Suzy's swollen eyebrow has turned into a bit of a black eye.

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church
Monday - Spanish (only 1 class this week), WORK (4 hrs daily), AYSO board meeting
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK, Suzy Soccer Practice, Keepers Ending Party
Wednesday - Cinco de Mayo party, WORK, James Soccer Game
Thursday - Lessons, WORK, Suzy soccer practice, David Dissection
Friday - Lessons, WORK, Rollicking Readers Movie Night
Saturday - SOCCER GAMES

This past week went by so fast! Can't believe April has turned into May and that I've already seen lilacs blooming.

I worked 24 hours this past week and taught two Spanish classes. They're ALMOST over - thank the Lord.

We went to a lovely homeschool park day on Thursday and on Friday I took the girls and two friends to see a ballet. A local dance troupe put on Cinderella and it was a very professional production, but LONG- nearly two hours. Suzy and her same-age friend were done after Act 1. lol After I dropped off the friends, we hung out at another friend's house. She's been working as many hours as me (or more) but for longer, and she needed a play day. So we scrapped and chatted and ate chocolate and watched Kate & Leopold and the kids ran around and socialized. (Ours are not the stereotypical unsocialized homeschooled kids, lol.) Then I came home and finished my hours for the week.

A thunderstorm early this morning required the 9:00 games to be rescheduled - James's game will be Wednesday night at 6. That's a bit annoying since we will be at Maryann's Cinco de Mayo party on Wednesday. Suzy's game was at noon today and it was not raining and was in the upper 60's and overcast. She played hard and, at one point, crashed heads with a big kid on the opposing team. She now has a nicely swollen eyebrow.

Right now we have two friends over - one for Em and one for J. I have laundry hanging on the line drying quickly in the brisk breeze. David is playing a library-borrowed game on his XBox 360. (yeah, I caved.)

I think David is going to play soccer again in the fall, thanks to Maryann who promised David that Alex would play if David played. AWESOME! I am considering putting Emily in the volleyball team the same sports organization sponsors. She is NOT thrilled about that. Of course, Suzy and James will play AYSO again next year. Both are moving up a division; he will be U12 and she will be U10 (and will have to learn the offsides rule!).

I am going to go get some things done - maybe sort through some stuff to get rid of. I have a TON of books that need a new home. Anyone want to look through them? At this point, I really just want them to go to a good home. I keep thinking I should call the two used bookstores in the area that take books on consignment, but I haven't managed to accomplish that.

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Lazy Day
Monday - Spanish (only 2 classes now), WORK (4 hrs daily)
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK, Suzy Soccer Practice, homeschool, meeting
Wednesday - Lessons, WORK, James Soccer Practice
Thursday - Park Day, WORK, Suzy soccer GAME
Friday - Lessons, Cinderella Ballet (E,S,L), WORK, swimming?
Saturday - SOCCER GAMES

Not much happening on this blog - is anyone still reading it?

Life is so hectic. On Wednesday, my neighbor came over and said he accidentally knocked the cable for our internet/phone down with his backhoe-loader. No internet. ACK! How do I work? Charter couldn't come out until Thursday morning. A quick review of my options showed that heading to a nearby library was the likeliest solution for still being able to accomplish my work that day. So, off I went, leaving David in charge.

The kids didn't think about James' soccer practice, so he missed it that afternoon. Oops.

And the next afternoon, while I was working, I forgot about Suzy's practice! Double oops. At least I remembered the games on Saturday, eh?

Um, what else? During the girls last Keepers meeting on Tuesday, Darlene and Maryann and Erin and I went to the park and walked a loop. I also did one Couch-to-5K with the kids.

On Thursday I stopped at a garage sale and got a brand new, still in the box food mill. $5

Our last co-op of the year was Friday. Always bittersweet to see it end.

Friday night Bob and I went to a fundraiser banquet at the Christian school where I taught briefly a couple years ago. The Calvarymen quartet was the entertainment - they are Bob's favorite. Unexpectedly, two couples who are friends of ours were there and we sat at the same table and enjoyed some nice conversation.

Can't think of much else and I have some paperwork to handle, so I'm going to close.

Weekly Preview

Have barely time to breathe anymore. LOL Life is: work, deal with kids, work, check email & facebook for five minutes, work, run, work, deal with kids, make dinner, work, check email & facebook, work, take soccer calls, work, eat way too much, etc....

Saturdays & Sundays are a welcome break from work! Today I am going to a movie with a friend. The kids have the goal of getting their rooms all tidy.

Sunday - Church
Monday - Spanish (only 2 classes now), WORK (4 hrs daily)
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK, Suzy Soccer Practice, Keepers (E&S)
Wednesday - Lessons, WORK, James Soccer Practice
Thursday - Lessons, WORK, Suzy soccer practice, David dissection class
Friday - LAST CO-OP of 2009-10, WORK, Banquet
Saturday - SOCCER GAMES, Rollicking Readers Book Club

Yes, Bob and I are going to a banquet! Can you believe it? A local Christian school is putting it on and having Bob's favorite gospel quartet as the entertainment.

Saturday is also a homeschool book sale, but between soccer and book club, I don't think I'm going to make it there. It's an hour away.

This week marks the end of the co-op year. The kids are always sad to see it end. Park Days & Beach Days will take its place, though.

OK, off to oversee some chores and then take Suzy to her game. She is SUPER excited!

Weekly Preview

Sunday - GR, driving home
Monday - Spanish (just 2 classes instead of 3), WORK (4 hrs daily)
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK
Wednesday - Lessons, WORK, James Soccer Practice
Thursday - Lessons, WORK, Suzy soccer practice
Friday - Lessons, WORK
Saturday - SOCCER GAMES

Weekly Preview

Sunday - EASTER!
Monday - Spanish (just 1 class instead of 3), WORK (4 hrs daily)
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK, Keepers
Wednesday - Lessons, WORK, Art class, James Soccer Practice
Thursday - Lessons, WORK, David Dissection class
Friday - Co-op, WORK, Co-op Program
Saturday - Heading to GR to visit family and taking just Emily & James along

Anyone who wants to come see the kids' co-op program is invited to join us Friday night. David will be singing (!) for his Star Wars philosophy class and so will Emily's choir class. The kids' other classes will mostly have displays.

This is the last week before soccer games start. Next Saturday 17th, James and Suzy will both have soccer games. I imagine Suzy will start practice this week, though I don't know when yet.

We took a couple days off last week for Spring Break and we'll have an easy week of lessons this week too, though we will still do lessons.

A new fridge is likely the next major purchase around here. The fridges (we have two) are neither one reliable and Bob's already tried repairing them. He's giving it one last shot.

I got my first paycheck!!! (Monthly pay schedule...)

Took the kids to see Where the Wild Things Are at the free matinee today. I liked it!

David and James have started a "business" reselling electronics on eBay. We shall see how that works out.

Bob has been working 4 days a week again. That's a plus.

Work Update

Taking a break from work, so I thought I'd spew a few words onto my blog. No guarantees of readability, however!

The hot water heater took FAR longer to install than I had imagined. Bob and David hauled it down there on Tuesday and unhooked the old one, which meant No Hot Water on Tuesday. He had to work Wed so no hot water Wed either, but I figured he'd come home and finish 'er up. Not quite. But tonight, seems like the installation has been completed. I'll find out shortly when I go try to take a shower, at the end of day 3 of no hot water.

Yes, 3 days with no shower. Bleh. I was avoiding people in the grocery store tonight. Saw one woman I haven't seen in YEARS and I turned the other way. I looked that bad. Then David told me I look the same as I always do. Well, how reassuring is THAT. lol

It was SO NICE out today. But we couldn't think of anything to DO outside. We are just inside people. Sad, right?

So, what do my days look like now that I am working about 25 hours a week?

I aim to get up at 7 or so and work for an hour before the day really gets underway. Then I get the kids moving and do some lessons with them for the morning. Anything they need me for has to be done before lunch.

Usually I have them make lunch and I've moved lunchtime up an hour to noon. Afterwards, I do another hour of work while they have quiet time from 1-2. They can read, write, or draw during this time. Mostly they choose drawing. LOL

After that, I shoo them through their chores and any leftover schoolwork (homework to all you traditional schoolers) and think about dinner and evening plans. If I know I'll be going out, I try to get another hour of work done in there somewhere.

I usually end up with half the work done before dinner and half the work still to be done afterwards. I can't work more than an hour or so in a row or my eyes start to cross.

So, that leaves me working the last hour or so in the evening. That's the part I'd like to change most. I am working when Bob is home and the kids are ready to spend some family time together. Oh well.

Every week I've worked thus far I have been able to pick up extra hours. They only allow us to work 5 hours in a day, so that's my limit. I've found it easiest to just add 15 minutes to each of the hours I work to make up the extra one. So in every case above, I'd work 75 minutes instead of an hour. Not so hard to do that way as it would be to add an extra HOUR at the end of my day. I also get 2 hours of administrative time per week - for answering and reading emails, reviewing reports, and computer maintenance. So, I can work anywhere from 22-27 hours a week.

Oh, maybe you don't know what I am doing for work - I am evaluating the effectiveness of a search engine by rating the results that turn up for queries. More challenging than it sounds, in some ways at least.

So, I'm off to shower in HOT water hopefully, send the kids to bed (they're watching a movie) and then do my last hour. Tomorrow I think the kids and I are going to a passion play.

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Sister Weekend!!!
Monday - Spanish, WORK (4 hrs daily)
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK, Keepers?
Wednesday - Lessons, WORK, Easter Egg Hunt, James Soccer Practice
Thursday - Lessons, WORK
Friday - Lessons, WORK
Saturday -
Sunday - Easter

Soccer practice starts this week for James. Haven't heard from Suzy's coach, but I am sure she will start in the next couple weeks. Games begin April 15.

I need to accomplish a lot of soccer registrar tasks this week. I think there's a board meeting Monday night, but I won't be able to attend it.

Weekly Preview

Saturday - Chores around the house, library?, movie w/friend, Book Club, groceries
Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)
Monday - Spanish, WORK (4 hrs daily)
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK
Wednesday - Lessons, WORK
Thursday - Lessons, WORK, teach make-up Spanish class
Friday - Co-op, WORK
Saturday - Sister Weekend!!!

Quickly now, Lisa, there's a lot to do....

-Foot feels better, haven't exercised on it yet.
-Yesterday's weather was gorgeous; today - snow.... Spring in Michigan....
-Took 3 of the kids to Cranbrook Institute of Science yesterday. Will post about that at Cornerstone.
-David stayed home by himself Monday because he was feeling ill and yesterday because I couldn't get him a spot on the field trip.
-We posted the popup on Craigslist and had a flurry of inquiries. One guy came to see it last night.
-A older class C motorhome would be our choice to replace the popup. We'll see what we can find.
-Working 20-25 hours a week pretty much eats up all my free time.
-Bob only has 3 days scheduled next week. Good thing I took the extra hours when I had the chance.
-Bob got his handicapped parking permit renewed.
-We still haven't replaced the water heater or gotten the sump pump. Argh.
-I have sister weekend questions to finish!
-I need to plan this week's and next week's Spanish classes this weekend since I will be gone next weekend.
-I taught my last essay class this week and I was really pleased with the students' progress. I heard good feedback from some of the parents.

OK, off to accomplish some tasks before I get to go have FUN!

March Half Gone, Playaway, Foot Pain

Somehow I hurt my left foot. It started hurting Saturday, but the last time I worked out was Thursday, so I don't know if or how that could be connected. I actually first noticed it after I stood up from sitting for a while. I had been wearing some shoes that I don't really like, so I tend to think it was that. HOWEVER, it still hurts now, 48 hours later. Wasn't so bad yesterday because I didn't go anywhere, but today I had to teach Spanish and I usually dress up for that.

I am hoping it isn't plantar fasciitis like my friend Dar is dealing with, and like Bob has dealt with in the past. Took some Aleve and will wrap it tomorrow to see if that helps. I am BUMMING since it is finally getting nice out!

Went to the Lapeer library today and they had Echo in the Bone on a playaway. That's a little MP3 player that just has one audiobook on it. They lend it to you like that and all you need is headphones (or something else to play it with, like car speakers). I have been waiting for this book for several months now, so I am geeked to have it. But when will I listen? LOL

Also got the new Fame DVD from the library. Hope to watch New Moon this week too since it comes out on DVD.

What else is new? Hmmm.... Bob's been working 4 days a week for several weeks now, so that's good. My job is going ok. I have to really watch the way I use my right hand on the mouse. There are a number of shortcuts I can do with my left hand, but I really have to force myself to do it since I am so much more efficient with the mouse. It's taking a toll on my wrist though.

I picked up 3 extra hours last week, and just signed up for 3 more extra hours this week too. Every little bit helps.

Bob's dad is in a nursing home now. Bob is going to go see him tomorrow for the first time there. He's nearly 90 and declining, I think.

David stayed home from Spanish today since he wasn't feeling very well. He seems better now. Several of us have fought a queasiness that thankfully didn't really develop into anything more serious. It's kind of nice to have a child old enough to stay home alone when ill. I did warn him that he was not to partake in any Ferris Bueller shenanigans. lol

I decided I am not going to teach any more essay classes this spring; I was considering scheduling two more. It's time-consuming enough just to keep up with the job. There's always time later. I do have two students that I think I will be tutoring in writing.

March is half-over! How did that happen?

Weekly Preview

Saturday - Pick everyone up from sleepovers, chores, and Halo3 Party
Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)
Monday - Spanish, WORK (4 hrs daily)
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK, Keepers group (E,S)
Wednesday - Lessons, WORK, Teach Essay class
Thursday - Lessons, WORK, HS support meeting
Friday - FIELD TRIP, WORK
Saturday - Book club

I did two runs and a tae-bo session this week. No movies except Friday night I watched The Proposal (again! LOVE IT) with some friends. I finished Wuthering Heights and started another Thursday Next book, which I am enjoying.

Bob is cementing the basement floor and we need to get a water heater and a sump pump in there this week. Defrosted the big fridge and hopefully now it will stay cold. Otherwise, we'll have to deal with that issue.

Gotta go chase the kids through their chores and make a fruit plate to take to a party. Then we're off for the evening. Oh yeah, I have some Spanish stuff to tend to before that.

More later....

Wednesday Wherefores

Wednesday already? How'd that happen?

Work is going well. After an initial sharp learning curve, I think I've settled into a good understanding of the tasks involved. I am clicking past user searches and evaluating the relevance of the results that came up. Sounds fairly simple, until you see the intricacies of it. A small percentage of my work is reviewed by another annotator and the overlap rate has to be pretty close. I picked up three extra hours this week, so that's serendipity.

Spanish class has been a little frustrating lately. It seems the expectation is that the students can learn the language in the one 80 minute class we have each week, spending the least possible amount of time on homework. Obviously many traditionally-schooled students have 5 hours of foreign language weekly and still don't manage to come out with any fluency, so I don't think too many of my students can manage it on one class per week and no effort. I guess I need to reiterate the concept of spending time OUTSIDE of class on Spanish in order to achieve mastery.

Monday night I could have gone to the movies with friends, but I didn't. Worked instead.

Last night read some of Wuthering Heights - nearly done. Probably could finish it tonight, although I don't know if I will make the effort. Did finish the Trigiani book last night. Pretty good.

Last Monday was the long long day where I had to drop Bob at work and pick him up. So I took advantage of dropping some materials from other libraries in my local library's drop box. The library courier takes them back to the proper libraries. I've been told it usually takes a day or two. Well, on FRIDAY, several DVD's still had not made it back to the home libraries, and therefore they were QUITE overdue by that point. I don't make a habit of keeping library materials past their due dates, so I was pretty annoyed. Saturday they were still not showing up as returned, but it was past library hours when I checked the computer. So on Monday, I was determined to call and track them down, wondering by this point if they'd been stolen from the drop box or something. However, they checked in as returned on Monday morning - A WEEK LATE. Argh. So now I have huge fines at one library where I had 3 DVDs out. I need to go beg mercy from them. I could have returned them myself on Tuesday or Wednesday and owed less money. Plus one of my children has a terrible habit of keeping books under the bed or in piles around the room and has had a number of items out late recently, racking up some fines. So I am taking a moratorium from library materials for a little bit. We still have lots to read around the house, and the kids will just have to deal with no movies out for a while. I don't really have TIME to watch anything right now anyway.

Wanted to run yesterday, but I had a meeting that went for about 4 hours instead of the two I'd imagined. So since something had to give, it was running. The weather was gorgeous and I was actually REALLY looking forward to running at a path in Lapeer. Ah well, I will go running in a little while today. It's overcast but it's 50 degrees!

Weekly Preview

Saturday - Taking the kids to the pool
Sunday - Church, Youth Group? (D,E), Running?
Monday - Spanish, WORK (4 hrs daily), SOF movie night??
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK, Meeting with SOF Committee
Wednesday - Lessons, WORK
Thursday - Lessons, WORK
Friday - Co-op, WORK, Keepers Sleepover (E,S)
Saturday - Halo3 Party

I went running yesterday! (cue the confetti!) I used the MotionTraxx podcast for the first time. My choice was the Big Time Episode #5 “Big Time” at 160 BPM. The music is techno, but very upbeat and repetitive - perfect for exercising.

According to the DJ, this podcast is an 11:00 mile pace, a little faster than I am used to running. I believe I have been mostly running around a 12:00 mile. So, I ran faster and alternated with walking when it got overwhelming. I didn't measure my distance, but was out for about 40 minutes in the chilly sunshine. I expect to run again tomorrow. I am going to experiment with some of the other podcasts over the next few weeks to find out what pace I am comfortable with and which ones will challenge me.

I spent the morning sleeping in and working on the Lightning Thief unit study. Bob is at work today 12-5. They are having a half-off clothing sale.

If I am going to take the kids swimming, I better get them some lunch! We need to leave at 1.

A Little Free Time - finally....

Well, there is no work for me to do right now, despite me sitting down to do it. The client needs to upload some more for us. So, while I am waiting, a quick blog entry can fill the time.

My cable was out this morning, so no internet or phone. Therefore I could not work then either. So far today, I've managed 40 minutes of work between the cable outage and the no-work problem.

I took Emily out for her 13th birthday today - we had lunch at the Chinese buffet and then went to the thrift store and tried on clothes. She got 3 shirts, a pair of leggings, and a skirt and I got a shirt. Then we stocked up on groceries at Walmart. As a new teenager, we gave Emily permission to wear one item of makeup outside the house. She chose lipstick, so we bought her one of those and some hair stuff.

A new battery got my van going again, so I have wheels.

I have not managed to work out lately. I want to, but I just haven't made it a priority. Can't WAIT for warm weather so I can just go running in the AM's again.

All this working is quite stressful, to be honest. I can do it, but it's going to require a bit more restructuring than I had imagined. Hopefully the kids all step up to the plate and help out, or they'll be in school. The job is a necessity. When I worked before, Bob was home all the time. Now he's working 4 days a week too. Thankfully I can set my own hours.

Homemade pizza is being created now (not by me, you notice!) and soon we will have some gifts to open and cake and ice cream.

Bob is working at the homeless shelter tonight and I think the girls are going along with him.

I finished reading Remarkable Creatures and started Wuthering Heights.

I'm sure there's more I could say, but I better go do some other stuff so I can work later.

Sunday night - change in plans

Oh crud! I meant to work out today and am just now thinking of it!

I didn't end up going to Grand Rapids because my van is not in working order. So, I missed out on the fun time my sister Janet had planned for us. And Emily was sorely disappointed at not hanging out with her grandma. But there's always another time, right?

Bob thinks the van needs a new battery which we SHOULD be able to buy tomorrow. In the meantime, I have to drive him to work tomorrow and kill 2-1/2 hours waiting for my class to start. Hours that I should be at home working. I could drive back home and do that, and I still might, but since my class and his store are in the same town, it seems pointless.

My nails are no longer painted. Too much work!

Made brownies again tonight and they didn't turn out right. Still yummy though.

Since I have to drive Bob to work, I am planning to get up early and work at least one hour, preferably two before we have to leave. Then I'll only have two hours more to work when I get home at about 7:15pm. Looooong day for my first real day on the job.

Book club was awesome as usual. I always say it was the BEST meeting EVER. And it was! I made quiche and it was yummy. And the discussion was lively and insightful. We rollicked through the movie as always.

So, off for a shower and a few chapters of my book - Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier. Then early to bed. I'm a working girl now.....

Weekly Preview

Saturday - Veggie Tales Premiere, Book Club
Sunday - Dreamcoat w/Janet
Monday - Spanish, START New Job (4 hrs daily)
Tuesday - Lessons, WORK
Wednesday - Lessons, WORK, Teach Essay Class, Art class (E,J)
Thursday - Lessons, WORK, Emily turns THIRTEEN!
Friday - Lessons, WORK
Saturday - ????

I am way behind on blog reading and SLEEP. LOL At least my Spanish lessons are already planned.

Gotta figure out Em's birthday plans.

Must write two (easy articles) today, do Tae-bo, put together some quiche, some laundry, get the kids moving on chores, get a (hot, hopefully) shower and get ready to head out to Veggie Tales and Book Club!

Thursday Night Thoughts

Thursday night = time for more blogging!

So, I discovered the Flip video camera in a non-operative state the other day and David confirmed tonight that it is indeed non-repairable. DANG IT. I told the kids whoever took the last video on that camera would have to pay for it, since they have a BAD BAD BAD habit of snatching it and recording things and just in general treating it carelessly.

Printer also not working. Think it is because of the darn refill cartridge not being read properly by the printer. HP has a known issue, due to their policy of the printers reading the cartridges and deciding if/when to call them empty. They don't want you to buy refills. Well, I think that ought to be my perogative!

(So, in case you aren't keeping score like I am, we've had issues with the following items in the last week or two: my van, hot water heater, printer, flip video camera, television, oh and David's iPod keeps freezing up. Argh!)

Made huge pot of chili tonight and cornbread. And made the BEST BROWNIES yesterday. Ohhhh man.... WANT MORE.

Training is going well. My scores have consistently been above average, so I think I am getting the hang of things. Next week, my training group will move into production. We are evaluating local market search results for a search engine. That's it in a nutshell, but my guess is that most of you still don't quite comprehend what I am going to be doing. No problem, just know that it's 4 hours a day of using the laptop and getting paid!

Co-op tomorrow. Veggie Tales and Book Club Saturday. Sunday Emily and I are driving to GR for a nice visit, though short. We have some awesome plans. Then early Monday morning have to HIGHTAIL it back to Dryden to pick up the rest and get to Spanish on time. Fun weekend but it'll be go-go-go!

Must spend some time Friday/Saturday thinking of unit study stuff for next week. Won't really have to start it before Tuesday though.

Better get a shower, do something with my nail polish, oh yeah - dye my hair (new shade!), and do my homework for training.

Better Score, Broken Player, Bob's Hours

Quick post, then off to bed. Yeah, it's late.

See Cornerstone for the Winter Break Highlights for Tuesday.

After sledding today, the car wouldn't start. Just clicked repeatedly. Called Bob, he said get someone to jump it. That worked! I was amazed as I really didn't think that was the problem. So, hopefully all will be well with the van.

Got the taxes e-filed today. Finally. I don't know why I put it off so long, when we get money back! I just hate dealing with numbers.

My job training went better today. Attended the first live meeting session online this morning for some more training and then took another "test" tonight. Did much better than yesterday's. And I felt better today when I found out my poor score from Monday was still better than the average score. I think I will like the job.

Touched up my nails and cut my own hair. Like the hair, but the nails look patchy. They need to be redone. I like how they look and since I will be typing a lot, I figure it will give me something to look at. lol

Didn't Tae-bo today. Too busy and too tired. Didn't go to the Pampered Chef show either, though I wanted to.

Bob got the schedule for next week and he has FOUR days instead of three! YAY! I guess a couple people quit.

Suzy was carrying Emily's CD player up the stairs tonight and forgot the handle was broken. It fell down the staircase all the way from upstairs and busted apart. David to the rescue! He fit it all back together and duct taped it, so that it works. Well, the CD player works anyway. The cassette deck door broke off and was unsalvageable.

Made chicken potpie (Bisquick crust) tonight and it ALL vanished. LOL Also made blueberry crisp with the last of the blueberries from summer. It wasn't as well-received. What will I make tomorrow????

I don't have to go anywhere at all on Wednesday or Thursday, though I imagine I'll need to go at least to the store and library at some point before co-op on Friday.

OK, that wasn't as short as I had predicted, but now I am going to bed. Morning comes early.

4 Miles, 7 Inches, 2 Tests

Did not run on Saturday, but did go out and jog 4 miles on Sunday. It was actually alternating jogging and walking and that's the longest I've ever done. I went two miles down the road, so I had to come two miles back. lol It's a hillier route than I am used to also. The weather was about 41 and sunny when I left, though it was overcast by the time I returned.

I'm feeling it today! My legs are SORE! No workout today (Monday is usually a rest day.) but I will do Tae-bo Tuesday, unless I actually go sledding myself, which I doubt. I'm more of a stand-and-watch kind of mom.

Did my nails bright PINK the other day - 2 coats with a clear top coat and it lasted 3 days without a chip. They need to be redone, and I am debating whether or not to put in the effort. I like how they look when they are painted, but I don't like constantly thinking about my fingernails.

My grey needs to be touched up and I need a haircut. Maybe I can get myself all pulled together before the weekend!

We have a lot of snow. Seven inches maybe? Bob left for work this morning and had to backtrack since someone hit a pole and there was no way through. He ended up getting there late and thus working an hour late. But they asked him to come in tomorrow for 5 extra hours!

Reading a Chris Bohjalian book, but not feeling like I want to keep reading.

Took two "tests" in my training today. One I did well on, the other not so much. Hopefully I can clarify some of the concepts during the live web meetings we will have this week.

Weekly Preview

This week I start training for my new job. I have some self-study items to complete by Monday night and a training session each day Tuesday-Friday.

Sunday - Church, Persuasion on PBS (but my TV died!)
Monday - Lessons, Spanish, Self-Training for New Job
Tuesday - Lessons, Job Training, Sledding Day, Pampered Chef Party (if I can make it)
Wednesday - Lessons, Job Training
Thursday - Lessons, Job Training
Friday - Co-op, Job Training
Saturday - Veggie Tales Premiere, Book Club
Sunday - Dreamcoat w/Janet

A friend is having a Pampered Chef party Tuesday and I would love to go. It's been forever since I've been to one of those. I'd love to get a pizza stone or two, since we are starting to make our own pizzas again.

This week is not as busy as last week, but I do have some odds and ends to work on - soccer stuff, taxes still aren't done, some painting I'd like to accomplish.

I'll be heading to GR with Emily either Saturday night or Sunday morning early. Probably Sunday AM. Janet and I are going to paint the town TECHNICOLOR and Emily is going to spend some quality time with Grandma.

I only did one Tae-bo this past week - forgot to work out one day, was so busy the others that I just kept putting it off. And then last night, when I headed to do it, the TV wouldn't co-operate! Argh. I think I'm going running later today - it's sunny and supposed to hit 37 degrees! It's been a long time since I've gone running. And, no, the scale did not show a loss this week. Maybe the two paczkis I ate had something to do with that too. And all that laffy taffy. lol

I'm not giving anything up for Lent, but I am going to make a concerted effort to get to bed before midnight and get up and get started on the day.

Thoughts on Therapeutic Thursday

Today is a True Therapeutic Thursday.

Slept in since I didn't sleep well and kids went to bed late. Bob was gone as he had a sleep study last night at the clinic to check if his settings are right for his C-PAP machine.

Nails still red. Man, keeping a manicure nice is a lot of work!

Finished book club book (Tenant of Wildfell Hall) and located discussion questions. LOVE MY BOOK CLUB. Had an interesting discussion about it the other night at the support group meeting. Seems a number of women were/are intimidated by the thought of the book club and/or the people involved. We are NOT all that academic, people. Please. We pick the books because we like the movies or the actors in the movies. We are kinda shallow, and we admit it. So come on out to the book club and join us in our rollicking journey toward a better acquaintance with classic literature and film fun. OK, that unintentionally turned into a commercial for book club. We meet on the 27th, if you want to try it out!

Waiting to hear about training next week for the new job.

Going out tonight to see a movie and then grab a bite. Can't wait!

Went to soccer board meeting last night and nailed down some details about the spring season and registration for 2010-11.

On my 3rd cup of coffee for the day.

Dragged a new facebooker into Word Twist. She's pretty good at it!

Changing things up in home education. Stay tuned for that.

Made fish last night which I hardly ever do. I thought it was barely OK, but Bob and James loved it.

Essay class went well. I had been kind of nervous ahead of time, but one of my students told me, "I don't despise this class as much as I thought I would." So, I guess it must be going ok. LOL

Have to run to the library. They are holding two DVD's for me - Whip It and Time Traveler's Wife. YAY! May also stop at Kohl's to see if I can find something to buy with my gift card.

Valentine Monday

Did my nails red last night in honor of Valentine's Day. Yeah, a little late, but that's ok. I NEVER do red on my fingernails - totally out of character. Suzy's first words to me this AM were, "Oh, you did your nails!" in such a shocked tone. lol Then she promptly asked me to do HER nails.

Valentine's Day Bowling party was nice. LOTS of people. Will post pix of the kids' Valentine boxes on Cornerstone as soon as I have a chance to download them. James won first prize. I got to sit and talk to my friends!

Afterwards we went to Walmart and 3 libraries. So, no lessons were accomplished today. When I made out the February lesson plans, I didn't know about the V-Day party (though I should have guessed it would be today), so I made today a regular school day. Today's work will move to tomorrow and so on. Which totally messes us up unless we do lessons on Saturday, which we likely will not.

Signed the contracts today making me officially an independent consultant, subcontracting through the Butler Hill Group. So, there you have it. I start training on the 22nd.

Weekly Preview

This week is going to be a busy one! Something every day, but at least some of them are relaxing events.

Sunday - Valentine's Day, Church, Northanger Abbey on PBS!
Monday - Lessons, Valentine Party (no Spanish)
Tuesday - Lessons, Keepers field trip (E,S), Homeschool Support Meeting (L)
Wednesday - Lessons, Essay Class (D,L), AYSO Board meeting (L)
Thursday - Lessons, Movie with a friend (L)
Friday - Lessons, Youth Game Afternoon (E,D), RR Movie Day (S,J)
Saturday - Something together as a family!
Sunday - Church, Youth Group (E,D)

For Valentine's Day, I bought candy for the kids and will give them Valentines. We will attempt to make it to church. For dinner, we will create heart-shaped pizza. We did that once before and it was fun. There is no youth group and Northanger Abbey is on PBS - one of my FAVORITE movies.

Monday is the homeschool group's bowling party, which seems to have a low turnout this year. Hmmm.... I wouldn't bother with it, but the kids have been looking forward to it for WEEKS already and the three youngest have created Valentine boxes. Pix coming soon!

Since I now have a job (!), I think my friend and I are going to go see Valentine's Day on Thursday. My self-imposed moratorium on spending money on entertainment is over! I really want to see Sherlock Holmes, but that's only playing in one nearby theater and it's not so nearby. Maybe when it comes to the cheap place?

This past week, I once again did 3 Tae-bo workouts - one long, two short. I find it's too hard on my knees to do any activity two days in a row. I am ok with alternating running with tae-bo, but I can't do either one on consecutive days. And since I can't go running.... Well, I guess I COULD, but I am not inclined with the weather and the snow.... Wish I had a treadmill. I lost two pounds since I weighed in last week!

Working twenty flexible hours a week shouldn't be too much of a challenge, but I will need to streamline things around here a little. Meal prep can be handed over to the kids and Bob will have to take up the slack on his days off. Hey, maybe I can teach the kids to do laundry this week!

Got the job!

Just got an email - they offered me the position!!! WOO-HOO!!!!

Starting Feb 22, I will be training to be a freelance consultant annotator, or something like that. :-)

Interview report

OK, now that the interview is over, I can breathe. I was really nervous beforehand! I think the interview went well and once I was talking to the interviewer, I relaxed and was able to focus easily on the questions. He complimented me on my cover letter even. :-)

The company provides "linguistic technology services" and I would be working on evaluating how well a certain search engine works. It would be 20 hours a week (M-F) and it's work-at-home via internet. Please pray this works if it's God's plan!

They have more interviews today and Monday, but they want to start (paid) training on the 22nd, so I should hear either way sometime next week. He said they won't leave me hanging. I told him I appreciate that!

I left the kids at co-op under the care of a friend while I came home for the interview and she brought them home for me. (Thank you, Sherri!) She even took James to his science club, even though her OWN son is missing it due to illness.

Now..... to finish the 08-09 SOF yearbook on lulu.com and get it ordered. Then what? A quiet night at home? Do I want to take the kids sledding? Do they even want to go? Bob won't be home til after 7. I don't even have a good movie to watch; can you believe it? Oh, and I have to work out either tonight or sometime tomorrow.

Thoughts for Thursday - not so therapeutic

Thinking all those late nights have finally caught up with me - headache! And Bob drank more than his share of the coffee today, so I've made another half a pot all for ME!

Gave James a hair cut because he was starting to resemble a Q-tip.

Was thinking of going to the children's museum because it's Dollar Day. However, the girls room is not clean, aforementioned headache precludes me wanting to drive an hour, plus only James is done with his lessons for the week.

Need to run to the grocery store, though, because our last roll of TP is on the roller! While I am there, need to get some stuff for co-op lunch and to make Valentine treats.

Speaking of Valentine treats, have you tried the nasty new candy hearts from Necco? Blech! Only the green ones are worth eating. The rest tasted like perfume. Ew.

Renewed all my library movies so I don't have to return them, especially the ones that have not been watched.

Skype is pretty cool - do you have it?

INTERVIEW!

Got the email scheduling me for a phone interview for the work-at-home position. It will be Friday at 11am Pacific time. If I figure that right, it's 2pm my time. Right at the end of co-op. LOL Gotta figure THAT out.

Snow shoveling, Essay grading, and Ink flowing

Bob got called off work today. They said come in tomorrow instead, due to the snow. They are expecting fewer shoppers.

That was good since he could take David to the dentist instead of me. David had a tooth extracted today, so now he's laying down. Which means he'll be behind in his lessons. Which I warned him about earlier in the week, so he could consider working ahead. But did he? Noooo....

I think we got about 6 inches of snow. Anyone know how to check that? Is there a website with that info? David and James were sent out to shovel and Suzy did of her own accord. I'll make Emily do some shoveling later, no worries, ok?

Thinking of taking the kids to the children's museum tomorrow since it is $1 admission day. Of course, the older two are a bit too mature for it, but we hope to visit friends after and they won't want to miss that. They can take lessons to do if they get bored in there.

Got an email last night about a work-at-home job that would be WONDERFUL. I had to do a sort of "test" and submit it, so I did that right away. Hopefully that will put me ahead in the queue and they'll call me for a phone interview. It would be soooo great, so please pray that works out.

Essay homework is trickling slowly into my email inbox. We don't have class this week, but I asked the students to submit an essay by email so I could grade it and get it back to them for next week.

I already need another black ink cartridge! Dang, the ink goes fast.

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church, Baby Shower, the last Emma, Youth Group (D,E)
Monday - Lessons, Spanish
Tuesday - Lessons
Wednesday - Lessons, Dentist (D)
Thursday - Lessons, Children's museum?
Friday - Co-op, James Science Club
Saturday - Something together as a family!
Sunday - Church, Valentine's Day

Last week, I did two short (25 min) Taeb0 sessions and one long one (60). I'd intended to do a run too, but I just can't make myself go outside. Even if the weather isn't frigid or windy, there's still snow and ice all over. DANG IT! I want SPRING. This whole week is supposed to be in the 20's and snow at least two days. DANG IT! SPRING!!!!

Let's see, what else? Bob is still working 3 days a week. Until "things pick up" whatever that means. He's applied to some jobs, but isn't getting any calls. If you all wouldn't mind stepping up the prayers.... that'd be great. Otherwise, this time next year, maybe I will be posting from Abu Dhabi.

The essay class went well and I am hoping to schedule two more similar classes. Teaching the same thing several times cuts down on planning! Love that! After this class is done, I think I'll continue with an "Advanced Essay Writing" class and see how that goes.

For a week now, I've been writing these web content articles. I get paid per article, so there's no clicking to make me more money, but that's ok. They're fairly easy to write and I can make about minimum wage just sitting here, if I work efficiently. (I tend to get distracted doing the research, since I love to learn new things! lol) I've been doing about two articles a day, and hopefully, as I improve, I can write more. If the work continues. I have a friend who has been doing it since before Thanksgiving and she's been working steadily along.

I need to get my days and nights turned back around, so I better get off here and finish my evening plans.

Mid-week Matters

Haven't had much time to blog, but not trying to ignore y'all!

Dryer working well!

Have Tae-bo'd twice - 25 min each. Hoping for a run Thursday. Maybe even with the running club in Lapeer. Have been logging all my calories too.

Essay writing class - first session went great on Wednesday. Thirteen students and a variety of writing levels and abilities, but I feel confident they will all be able to improve!

Bob's been volunteering in the middle of the night at the Refuge homeless shelter this week. Last night he took James along. David wants to go tonight, but we'll see if he can wake up.

I am watching Castle, a TV show Maryann lent me on DVD. It's OK. I wouldn't buy it though, like she apparently did. Maybe I've lost my taste for normal TV? Tried to get hooked on NCIS, but couldn't manage it either.

Have been doing the web content writing steadily this week, completing a couple articles a day. It's mostly research and compiling. Not too much thought goes into it, but it pays a little, which is better than sitting here doing facebook, right? I have gotten good feedback from my boss.

A little snow on the ground here.

Loving Audrey Niffenegger's new book Her Fearful Symmetry. She is the author of The Time Traveler's Wife. I am listening to Symmetry on audio, but grabbed it in hardcover too and have read ahead. LOL

Taking Em out to lunch tomorrow to do some mother-daughter bonding. Have been promising her that for months, and I am just going to do it. NOTHING else on tomorrow's schedule - my Therapeutic Thursday!

Suzy fell on Tuesday while "sledding" in our yard and cut her mouth, rather deeply, in one corner. When she woke up Wednesday though, it was healing nicely already. I had told her mouth injuries heal quickly, so was glad to have it happen that way!

She's been invited to a birthday party on Saturday, so I don't know what we'll do on Saturday as a family or if we will change our plans.

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Install Dryer, Watch Emma
Monday - Lessons, Spanish
Tuesday - Lessons, Keepers (E,S)
Wednesday - Lessons, Art (E,J), Essay Workshop (L,D)
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Lessons
Saturday - Something together as a family!
Sunday - Church, Baby Shower, the last Emma

Oh, look! A week with Lessons every day! I am adding teaching the Essay Writing Workshop this week. I am also hoping to schedule another one.

Bob works three days this week - 2 eight hour days and 1 six hour day. Yep, that's ANOTHER cut of hours. At least he only drives in 3 days. This week, he is also volunteering at the homeless shelter in the middle of the night, so he'll be running on caffeine all week.

I sent in my resume to be considered for teaching in an English immersion school in Abu Dhabi. What do you think of that? LOL If we're gonna move, we may as well really MOVE, don't ya think?

I've also started writing web content articles for pay. It pays peanuts really, but it's real money for writing.

Workouts. Hmmm.... I only managed two Tae-bo workouts last week, one 30 min & one 60 min. But the scale has me almost back down to my lowest weight. Another couple pounds and I'll be there. I did fine through Christmas. It was AFTER Christmas that I fell off the wagon. Sigh. And not having hot water and a dryer really made it challenging. Who wants to get all sweaty if you can't have a nice hot shower after? Especially when it's 64 inside?

But this week, I've already done one Tae-bo (30 min) and it should be warmer this week, so I think I can run outside.

We now have a dryer that works. YAY! And the timer works too, which is a change for the better. Thank the Lord that my husband knows how to install this sort of thing!

Kids are getting restless so I better go teach them the new hymn for this month. I can hardly believe January has gone and February is here!

Um, blogging every day? CAN'T DO IT! LOL It left me no time to go read and comment on other people's blogs. Hoping to catch up on that this week.

Fantastic Friday & Satisfying Saturday

Homeschool Co-op is held every other Friday and yesterday was the occasion. Since I am one of those in charge, each co-op date brings challenges and joys. I got to walk around and take some photographs during one of the hours and had to work through a couple issues during another hour. Ate lunch with my good friend and chatted with many nice people. Saw some cute babies!

Sent James home with a friend and packed up to head out to Maryann's house for the night. We got there earlier than I had thought we would, even with stopping at a new bread thrift store on the way. Another friend arrived, unexpectedly to me, bringing her sons ages 9&10, making me rather wish James had come along. I try to find him some other activity when we go up there because there is no one for him to play with at her house. Usually.

We watched a movie & some Doctor Who on DVD (Maryann's new obsession), while having yummy food and stimulating conversation. We always solve all of our problems in chatting. LOL The kids had an awesome time together.

Slept in on Saturday then relaxed over coffee and more Doctor Who and a couple other movies and eventually moved on to some lesson planning and curriculum chatting. Such a nice relaxing day.

Bob had to work Friday and Saturday so he wasn't missing us, and James had a great time with his friend, as they went to a couple AWANA events and played together all afternoon.

Came home a little later than we had planned, but with my Spanish lessons and Essay writing class plan done!

Oh, and Bob bought another dryer at work, so maybe this will be the one that does the trick for us. Tomorrow we will find out!

Therapeutic Thursday

There, did you guess THAT post title? ROFL

Thursdays are generally therapeutic since I try not to schedule too much on that day of the week. We have no re-occurring events on Thursdays and I'd like to keep it that way. A nice empty column on the calendar, if you will....

Bob took 3 more loads of laundry out to his mom's house, so at least we're not buried under mounds of dirty clothes. We'll have to figure something out. And apparently, no - a new belt for the old dryer is not gonna solve this one. The old one is in pieces in the yard. The timer didn't work on it either, so it wasn't a trouble-free appliance to begin with.

Bob had today off and now he and David have left. They are going with a group from our church down to the inner city to work with a meal ministry there. I basically had to order David to go, so don't go thinking he's all altruistic. LOL

I am soooooo cold! In my own house, I am wearing sweatpants, socks, slippers (and my feet are still cold so I may get a second pair of socks), a tee, a long sleeved tee, and a hoodie. And earlier I was wearing a HAT. My fingers are cold. Temps outside are hovering around 15. Just too cold for this girl, even if I am a Michigander through and through.

When I got ready to go to the library last night, I realized it was Wednesday and the library closed early. So I missed it. Unfortunately too, since now I have to go out tonight in this frigid weather.

I did do Tae-bo last night though - the long video, 60 min - and I tried to go the extra mile, so to speak. I am sore today! lol Then I took a hot shower (a luxury nowadays, since our hot water is usually more like tepid) and read for a while in our book club book. Our choice is by Anne Bronte, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, and so far I like it!

I worked on a project for the homeschool group - the yearbook from LAST year, and I think I was able to solve the problem that was preventing anyone from getting it finished. That's a good thing.

The taxes were what I SHOULD have done last night and today, but there's time.

So, now for some dinner (something warm so I can turn on the oven!) and a library trip. And we should bake too, another reason to keep the oven on!

Wednesday Wherefores

Well, didn't get the job. Apparently I was in the top 5 of 500 candidates. But not the top choice. Which is ok. I am good with it. So, now I have no prospects.

I have, however, just scheduled an essay writing class and am busily signing up homeschooled high schoolers. The class will begin next week and run every other Wednesday in February and March.

Can you believe January is nearly over? YAY YAY! YAY!!! Winter is slipping away.

Worked on the taxes last night. Hope to have them done by the weekend.

The dryer did not work and Bob had to return it. So now, we are dryer-less. Not a good thing in the depths of winter. Hopefully we can come up with something affordable and functional.

Bought Suzy a cute coat at the thrift store yesterday. Her coats have nearly broken zippers. She likes the new one and it's big enough that it ought to fit her next year too.

The sun shone today! I was soooo glad to see it!

Now for a quick library trip and some tae-bo before I settle down to watch a movie and do some paperwork.

toodles on tuesday 2

Wore sapphire blue tailored shirt and grey pinstriped pants to the interview. The director was wearing the same blue in a jacket! It's my favorite color and I think I look well in it. The interview went well. I wasn't nervous and feel like I answered the questions pretty well.

New Dryer: Not working. Bob will be taking it back. They have another one he is going to try. We are getting behind in laundry. Bob took two loads to his parents' house this evening.

Don't like the weather change. Brrrr!!! I am cold right now.

Girls have dental appointments in the AM. Boys had no cavities when they went a couple weeks ago. Hoping for a great outcome from the girls too.

Muttering on Monday

Today I taught all 3 Spanish classes in a row, but a friend watched the 3 youngest kids during the first one so I didn't have to take them to that class. Then another friend kept an eye on them during the second class (different town), so I wasn't worrying what they were doing. That was a load off my mind.

This is what the schedule looks like:
11:45 Leave home (earlier if I need to stop on the way)
12:15 arrive in Oxford
12:30-1:55 Teach Oxford class (5 high schoolers)
1:55 pack up and head out
Drive to Lapeer (25 minutes or so) - maybe do some quick errands on the way
2:45 set up for first class
3:00-4:20 Teach 1st Lapeer class (16 high schoolers)
4:20-4:30 set up for second class
4:30-5:00 Teach 2nd Lapeer class (19 elementary students)

Teaching all three classes in a row is tiring, and today they were all loud! I just wanted to be in a quiet place, but instead I came home with 4 loud children. I had intended to go to Walmart, but my helpful eldest child reminded me that I hate taking all the kids along to get groceries, so I didn't do it. I will stop tomorrow after my interview.

Interview is scheduled for 10:25 Tuesday AM and I am not at all nervous. That's probably because I really don't care too much if I get it or not. It would be fine to get it, but I am OK without getting it too. Well, at least mentally ok. Financially it would be good! lol Trying now to decide what to wear.

The dryer belt broke on Saturday. Bob took it apart and realized he didn't have a replacement. I called around and found one in stock at a place in Flint for $25 +tax (and gas). That's not so awful, but Bob found a dryer at his workplace for sale. With his discount, it was only $3 more than buying the belt (not counting tax and gas, especially since he was already AT the store). He's hooking it up now. Hopefully it works. Can't test a gas dryer in the thrift store. He found 75 cents in the back. LOL

I am really behind on reading and commenting on blogs, so if yours is one of them, please don't despair. I will get there eventually.

David and I have an interesting idea for a new blog. More soon.

Off to accomplish something before bed....

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)
Monday - Lessons, Spanish
Tuesday - Interview (L), Lessons
Wednesday - Lessons, Dentist (S,E)
Thursday - Lessons
Friday - Co-op
Saturday -
Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)

My workouts this past week were:
T - Tae-bo 8 minute workout (yes,that's a real workout tape, lol)
W - Tae-bo 60 minute workout
Th - 2 mile run/walk with Suzy
Sa - approx 30 minute run (2.5 miles?)

I managed 4 workouts, even if one of them was only 8 minutes long! None of them happened in the morning though. Except the 8 minute one. Thankfully the weather was warmer than it has been so I ran outside twice. Aiming for 4 proper workouts this coming week. Maybe I can manage to get up and do Tae-bo in the mornings before lessons.

Staying up late has been my downfall this past week or so - usually 2 am before I hit the sack. (Like right now! lol) But I've managed to get up each day and get lessons going at 9 am. I can't keep doing that though. Need to get to bed earlier this week.

I had friends over on Friday since our sledding day was canceled - lack of snow on the hill. We scrapbooked for a couple hours in the afternoon while the kids played inside and out.

More to type, but I'm drained and so I'm off to bed. Maybe I can post a couple quick entries during the week.

The Scrap Report

Scrapbooking Weekend has come and gone. Once again, I'd call it the best Scrapping weekend ever! Every one seems better than the one before. The last one I went on was just about a year ago.

We gathered at Maryann's house on Friday night to start our fun. Maryann's garage was converted into a room several years ago and it's called "The Scrap Room" although it's used for other things too. However, scrapping was one of the main uses and every now and then, we take it over for that again. Here are a couple photos of how we had it set up. I had intended to take a photo mid-scrap so you could see how messy it gets! lol But that photo never happened so all you get is the beginning photos.

Six of us (Lisa, Maryann, Darlene, Carrie, Donna, and Ann) were there to start off and a couple (Jen, Marla) more joined in that evening. Some (Marla, Donna) had to leave Saturday and we missed them terribly. One more friend (Linda) joined us for a while on Sunday. Did I miss anyone?

Maryann's daughter Erin turned 21 Saturday and she commemorated the day in the usual way. A couple of her friends came over for dinner and very tasty cake and then they went out on the town. We joined Erin in a margarita. Happy 21st, Erin!

Each of us signed up for a meal to cook up for the weekend and we had lots of snacks available all weekend. My meal was Taco Pie and salad.

I scrapped 37 pages (mostly two-page spreads) and was stymied by the poor printing job Meijer (Snapfish) did on my photos. I have to return a large stack of them. We shared ideas and Cricut cartridges and paper and stickers and quips.

Movie-watching goes hand-in-hand for my scrapping crowd. Twelve movies found their way into the DVD player this weekend. If you can't imagine scrapping while watching movies (or talking through the films), you would probably not enjoy our weekends! LOL

How do we pick what to watch? Well, anyone who wants to brings a stack of movies they think would be good and we usually take turns choosing. If someone has strong negative feelings about a movie, they get veto power (usually, lol). We often search for films featuring our favorite actors and actresses and pop those in.

These are the films we chose this weekend:
Adam (Hugh Dancy)
The Proposal (Ryan Reynolds)
Confessions of a Shopaholic (Hugh Dancy #2)
Someone Like You (Hugh Jackman)
School of Life (Ryan Reynolds #2)
Australia (Hugh Jackman #2 - notice a pattern? lol)
North and South (BBC, Richard Armitage)
Robin Hood Season 3 - episodes 4 & 5 (BBC, Richard Armitage #2)
Lars and the Real Girl (Ryan Gosling)
Juno (Ellen Page, Michael Cera)
Easy Virtue (Colin Firth, Ben Barnes)
The Hangover (Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha - rated R & not for the easily offended, or even the not-so-easily offended)

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Scrapbooking Weekend Ends (L), Youth Group (D,E)
Monday - Lessons, Spanish
Tuesday - Lessons, Keepers (S,E)
Wednesday - Lessons
Thursday - Lessons, Homeschool Meeting (L)
Friday - Lessons, Sledding
Saturday - Book Club (L)
Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)

I managed to get a run in last week, about 3 miles - maybe a little less. I also did one short Tae-bo and one long Tae-bo. So, still only 3 workouts. Aiming for 4 workouts this coming week. Must do in the AM's.

Haven't heard back about the rescheduled job interview yet. Bob hasn't heard back from any of the jobs he's applied for. He works four days this week, but they are SIX hour shifts. So he has to drive in FOUR times instead of three, but has the same number of hours. Sigh.

Scrapbooking was awesome! I will post about that separately.

toodles on tuesday

My interview for Thursday is being postponed. She assured me that it WOULD be rescheduled; they just didn't know when. So, I wait.

At least that frees up my week a little! There were a lot of little things to do to get ready for that (dye roots, outfit, etc.) that I can put off now so I can focus on my can't-wait-for-it-because-it-will-be-delightful scrapping weekend.

All 4 kids had doctor visits today - well child visits at the new office. An old friend works there, which I didn't know; that was a nice surprise! Three of the kids are seeing a PA there (physician's assistant). He was REALLY YOUNG. I mean REALLY YOUNG. Oh wait, I guess that makes me not-so-very young, doesn't it? LOL But he seems very nice and knowledgeable. Emily is seeing a female doctor instead, the same one I will be seeing. She and I both felt more comfortable that way. All the kids got healthy reports.

David and Emily have their new glasses. Whew! Emily was so pleased to have them before she had to go to Spanish, since her others were taped.

I've agreed to speak at a homeschool support meeting next week on the topic of Writing Evaluation. I think I will post about that over on Cornerstone, once I get myself all organized.

Have my Spanish lessons just about ready for Monday, since I won't be able to work on them over the weekend like I usually do. I have the ten weeks outlined, but getting everything printed out and supplies ready for each class does take a bit of time. I do still have to get the homework packets photocopied.

My photos are ordered, my adhesive is purchased, I have some new scrapping idea books from the library. Going to go watch a movie and try to do some power layouts. Might be hard since I don't have the pix yet, though I could go pick them up tomorrow afternoon, if I like. Since I do need to get groceries, I may do that. Oh, and I can do the photocopies at Office Depot. They're having a sale on b/w photocopies - 5 cents!

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)
Monday - Lessons, Spanish
Tuesday - Lessons, Dr. Appts (D,E,J,S)
Wednesday - Lessons, Dentist Appts (D,J)
Thursday - Lessons, Interview (L)
Friday - Co-op, Scrapbooking (L)
Saturday - Scrapbooking (L)
Sunday - Scrapbooking (L), Church, Youth Group (D,E)

I got called back for a second interview for the Assistant job. I guess they liked me enough to have me come back again. That will be Thursday. I think I'll need to buy something to wear. And do my roots.

Spanish is supposed to start this week, but the co-op class I teach is being postponed a week. That's annoying because I wanted my two classes to be on the same schedule. Argh. The co-op one could end up being canceled, I suppose.

David and Emily ordered glasses and hopefully those will come in toward the beginning of the week. They told me they would be in YESTERDAY, so maybe Monday? James and Suzy were both found to have 20/20 vision, so no need for spectacles!

Birthday sleepovers kept James and David busy Friday night. David was invited to an airsoft birthday "sleepover" (although apparently no one actually SLEPT). So, I took the opportunity to schedule James's belated birthday celebration. He had his two best friends come sleep over (and yes, they DID sleep). I took them twilight sledding (time of day, not literature theme) and we made mini pizzas.

Bob is going to have a new work supervisor. The current one is being transferred to a different store. Changes. Hmmm....

I've got to get ready for scrapbooking and I am hoping to get a lot of Spanish stuff finished. I may have to just settle for making sure I am ready for Monday, at this point. LOL

I did Tae-bo twice this week (60 min and 45 min) and will do it again this evening (probably the short one). No running again. Guess I need some yaktrax if I plan to run outside before March. Wish the treadmill had not blown up. At least I can do the tae-bo. It's an intense workout and it will keep my endurance up.

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Church
Monday - Start Lessons
Tuesday - Lessons, Eye Appts (D,E,L)
Wednesday - Interview (L), Lessons
Thursday - Lessons, Eye Appts (S,J)
Friday - Lessons, Sci Club (J)
Saturday - No plans?
Sunday - Church, Youth Group (D,E)

We will be starting back to our lessons in earnest on Monday - enough of this vacation and relaxed schooling. ROFL Guess that means I better write out some lesson plans, eh?

I have an interview on Wednesday. (Yes, this is the one I told some of you about that I left a voice mail and she never called me back. She called me. lol) It's a part time job in Troy - long drive, but pays good for part time. And flexible hours. Or at least not a fixed schedule.

The kids and I have vision appointments this week. Both David and Emily broke their glasses in December and will need new ones. I need bifocals, I think and this current pair (not bifocals) is at least two years old, probably three. James and Suzy are having a screening. They've never had their eyes checked except for the vision chart at the pediatrician.

Speaking of ped, I need to get them into the new doctor for appointments. More paperwork to fill out. And we are changing dentists too - the old one, a pediatric dentist, was quite a drive and I'd rather stay closer to home now that none of them is a preschooler. The six-month checkups were due in November, so I'd better get those scheduled!

Bob works 3 days only this week - M, W, Sat. Not good. Ends haven't been meeting already and a smaller paycheck is NOT going to help. A friend and I have a business venture idea percolating in our minds. (It's the one my dad told me about, if any of you remember that..... Hehe)

I don't plan to jog this week, since it will be very cold. Unless a day comes along that is sunny with no wind. Then I may chance it. I didn't exercise at all this past week - took the week off. I will do Tae-bo this coming week. And maybe I can find a treadmill to run on.

Today (Jan 2), we are "un-decorating". Enough of the Christmas stuff. Ready to have my house back in order. I think we will have some Chex Mix and sparkling juice tonight to celebrate (since I forgot to take it to Maryann's for New Year's, lol).

Also must work today on lesson plans for our week ahead and for Spanish classes which begin again on Jan 11. And have to make a library run. Don't wanna go outside since the temp is in single digits and the wind chill is below zero.

Remind me why I live in Michigan? No good reason, right? I could teach school in Florida. Or Costa Rica, for that matter!

Don't miss last night's post below this one.....

Between Christmas and New Years

Er, um. Been rather silent, haven't I?

The kids had no lessons this week and I was busy writing on my Egypt story. Which I mostly finished. I read a couple books. And I spent time with friends. Oh and I ate whatever the heck I wanted and didn't exercise, not even one abdominal crunch or roundhouse kick.

Wednesday night I went over to a good friend's to watch movies - just her and I. First up was Adventureland. Then we chatted for a while and had naughty snacks. lol Then we watched (500) Days of Summer. We liked both movies, despite one being R-rated (and a tad out of our normal comfort zone and the other being NOT a love story (even though it looked like one). Came home REALLY late and then read the rest of one of my books.

Bob had to work Thursday and Friday, so I made plans with another good friend. I took the kids and we headed up to spend Jan 31 there and then sleep over. Sleepovers aren't just for kids, you know. Our New Year's Eve was rather low-key, or as low-key as it can be with three women, 4 teenage boys and 5 children in a house. We watched some BBC Robin Hood and some other movies, chatted long into the night. Also graded some papers! Yes, really. And I planned out 10 weeks of my high school Spanish class. Hit the hay really really late.

New Year's Day I had planned to go half-off shopping at the thrift store, but instead we just spent time with our friends. Finished watching the 3rd Robin Hood season, including the finale which was quite something. All we could say was "wow". Arrived home in time for the kids to head to bed and me to put in Julie and Julia.

Tomorrow someone is supposed to come look at our camper. We're trying to sell it to pay some bills. Bob is off tomorrow and maybe we'll take down the tree.

The week between Christmas and New Years is so relaxing. And New Year's Day is my very favorite holiday!

Tomorrow.... some resolutions and the progress on my 101 in 1001 challenge.

Updated the blog layout tonight too. You like?

Oh and A HAPPY PROSPEROUS AND BLESSED NEW YEAR to you!!!