Weekly Preview and Review

I went to the dentist on Thursday and had my front chipped tooth's filling replaced and a molar's filling repaired. By Sunday, the molar ached. Still aches today and I am very thankful for ibuprofen and Tylenol. I did call the dentist on the 24th and I have an appointment set up for Thursday (the first day they are open) to check if something more needs to be done. The dreaded words (root canal) were mentioned.

Mellon Christmas rocked! Denise and Troy's new house was perfect for hosting and we felt very welcome. The kids loved spending the night there, and we were pleased that it worked out that way!

We are off karate for a couple of weeks - a nice break. When we go back on the 3rd, we will work hard preparing for our next test in February.

David had his first orthodontic check and all seems well.

12/23 Sunday - Visit grandparents and drive home, work 3
Monday - Work 5, Christmas Eve
Tuesday - Christmas Day
Wednesday - Work 5, Suzy to a friend
Thursday - Work 5
Friday - Work 5
Saturday - David turns 18!

On Sunday, Bob and I took my parents out to breakfast at Denny's. A nice bonus was the special Hobbit menu. Yum! Then we grabbed the kids and headed back to my parents' house for Christmas stockings and brunch. David got his last grandchild button; now he is done with grandma's stocking tradition!

My tooth was bothering me a lot on Christmas Eve (as I mentioned above) so I stayed home. I had planned to attend Christmas Eve service but thought it would be better not to do so. Bob took the kids out to see his mother, but I didn't go there either. I did work 5 hours on the 24th too, besides getting everything ready.
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Christmas Day was spent, as usual, here at home, with our usual traditions.

Today Suzy is going to spend the night with a friend and I will run a few errands before the storm.

David's birthday is Saturday and I may take the boys to see The Hobbit on the IMAX.

Weekly Review and Preview

House is all decorated, though we don't really do a ton of holiday decorating.

The doctor said I probably have tendonitis in my shoulder though she is sending me for an x-ray to check for arthritis.

The Hobbit was a lot of fun, though I think I probably should not have read the book immediately prior to watching it. Emily read it too and we both went with our book club.

12/16 Sunday - church
Monday - Work 5, karate, Orthodontist (D)
Tuesday - Work 5, Party (S)
Wednesday - Work 5, Bob Dr. appt
Thursday - Work 5
Friday - Work 5?, Dentist (L)
Saturday - Mellon Family Christmas

We are off lessons this week, but will spend some time doing some more holiday things. I still have a bit of shopping to do too. I do plan to take the boys to see The Hobbit at some point soon. Probably on IMAX.

Weekly Preview and Review - Dec 9

Emily and I met with the oral surgeon on Wednesday. This one does appear to take our insurance which is a relief after going to the other one who - SURPRISE - did not. He is going to consult with the orthodontist before making his recommendations. She is going to have her impacted wisdom teeth out for sure. The orthodontist and surgeon need to put together a treatment plan for the 2 impacted teeth in her palate. Hopefully we can get this on the calendar soon, so she can get her braces on.

Our rollerskating party was a blast. David opted out but the other 3 kids loved skating for a couple hours with their friends.

The SOF Leadership had dinner together on Tuesday night - our annual Christmas tradition. Lucky's Steakhouse is a fun place to meet. I had filet mignon - so delish! Also their sweet potato fries are very yummy. I also got to go out on Saturday night with a couple friends. We saw Playing for Keeps and then went to EG Nicks for dinner - apple orchard salad - very tasty!

Christmas shopping is still on the agenda. I have a lot done but still more to do. I will get some wrapped and under the tree tonight so I can make a list of what still needs to be accomplished. The kids put up the tree and decorated it yesterday.

12/9 Sunday - church, finish decorating
Monday - Work 5, karate, Lessons
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, Dr appt (L&E)
Wednesday - Work 5, Bob Oral Surgery
Thursday - Work 2, Writing Classes, Karate, Lessons
Friday - Work 3, Co-op
Saturday - Book Club (THE HOBBIT!)

I am SO EXCITED about The Hobbit coming out! I mean REALLY EXCITED! lol

Bob has oral surgery this week on Wednesday so he has that day off work. Emily and I have appointments at the doctor on Tuesday. Hers is a physical and mine is about my shoulder which has been bothering me pretty constantly since April.

Our last writing classes and our last co-op before Christmas are this week. We will also do some Christmas School activities, like gingerbread house making, gift making, shopping, Christmas cards, etc...

I really still can't believe it's almost Christmas and 2012 is nearly done.

Weekly Preview and Review - Dec 2

Oops never posted this..... Here's December 2nd's post.
We all finished our NaNoWriMo novels! I will post more about that on Cornerstone. What will we do with all our free time? Oh yeah, Christmas prep. lol

I went with friends to see the new remake of Red Dawn and then came home and watched the old one with the older kids. The new one was pretty much what I thought it would be - so my expectations were met. The old one was cornier than I remembered and, at the same time, more poignant and stark than I'd remembered.

Emily's oral surgery consult was moved from last Wednesday to this Wednesday, so hopefully we can get that accomplished this week and move on to scheduling that surgery.

We were promoted to red belt in karate which marks HALFWAY to black belt! The work will get more challenging, which will be both difficult (while learning) and enjoyable (when mastered).

My writing classes are going well this fall. I have two weekly groups - middle school and high school. Currently, the middle schoolers are working on book summaries and book reviews and the high schoolers are mastering the basic essay. We meet this week and next week and then we are off until January 10th. Teaching these writing classes is paying for things like Christmas gifts and our new karate doboks (uniforms).

12/2 Sunday - church, Nutcracker ballet with Suzy and friends
Monday - Work 5, karate, Lessons
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, SOF Leadership dinner
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Emily Oral Surgeon Consult
Thursday - Work 2, Writing Classes, Karate, Lessons
Friday - Work 3, SOF Christmas Party
Saturday - No plans?!

I am taking Suzy to see The Nutcracker on Sunday. We tried last year (or the year before?) but there was a ticket snafu and we ended up being turned away that day. A homeschool friend is dancing in this production. We are going with some good friends.

Wow, I have a Saturday with nothing planned?!

We are working on the "back room" to make it more of a usable space. I want to be able to practice karate back there and have the treadmill in a workable place. So we are moving things around and trying to get that set up. Yeah, it's ugly in there, but it can still be functional, right?

Weekly Review and Preview

Sunday was a write-in at my friend's house all day. James didn't go along, but the other three kids did. Suzy didn't write much, but Emily and David were quite industrious.

We didn't go to karate at all last week.

I had a dentist appointment in which I learned I have gingivitis but not the more serious periodontal disease. Flossing and mouthwash will be added to my already regular thorough brushing. I have just one cavity which is pretty good seeing that I haven't been to the dentist in several years. Now that we have dental insurance, I'm trying to get up to speed in the dental department. I will probably end up with a couple of bridges too.

Thanksgiving was quiet and low-key. The kids all pitched in and helped with the work. A lot of cooking for 30 minutes of dinner - I think it's over-rated. We may go non-traditional at some point.

James went to an airsoft birthday party today and had a great time. He took along his new gun (a pistol which he is very pleased with), which was a prize for finishing his NaNoNovel.

11/25 Sunday - church, see Red Dawn
Monday - Work 5, karate, Lessons
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons,
Wednesday - Work 5, Emily Oral Surgeon Consult
Thursday - Work 2, Writing Classes, Karate, Lessons
Friday - Work 3, Co-op, Last Day of NaNoWriMo 2012
Saturday - James turns 13!!

James is already finished with his novel! David is doing well - right on track. I am catching up. Emily is moving along well but I may have set her goal too high. Suzy is finding it a challenge to type her own and she is only about half done. I will have to help her a lot this week if she is going to finish. This is the last week!

Emily will see another oral surgeon this week. I found out it will be billed through our medical insurance not our dental, which gives us more options who to work with. After she has the extractions, she will have her braces put on.

We will get our red belts this week! I ordered new uniforms (doboks) for all of us with red trim. YAY!

On Saturday, we will have three teenagers in the house, something I've been anticipating for, well, THIRTEEN years now! James will turn 13! I've thought we will have three teenagers for a long time to come, but actually David will turn 20 before Suzy turns 13, so we will have 5 months with just two teens before we have three again.

Weekly Preview and Review

11/18 Sunday - write-in
Monday - Work 5, karate, Lessons
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, Dentist (L)
Wednesday - Work 5
Thursday - Thanksgiving here
Friday - Work 5?, Shopping?
Saturday - Catch up on work if needed?

This will be a week to catch up on my writing. I am way behind in NaNoWriMo.

Weekly Review and Preview

Well, I do believe we are now red belts in karate! Woo-hoo!!!! We will find out next week if any of us ended up on the retest list, but I don't think so. Promotion will be during our class this time. And now the REAL work begins....

I'm going to try to work 5 hours on Mondays from now on, so that I can have "a head start" rather than running behind.

David has his braces on and they hurt! :-)  I have to find Emily an oral surgeon that will take both our insurances - harder than it sounds, but worth it if I can accomplish it.

I am way way way behind in NaNoWriMo. I doubt I've ever been this far behind. Will I catch up? Stay tuned! James and Emily are moving right along!

11/11 Sunday - church and potluck
Monday - Work 5, karate, Lessons
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, massage (L), church
Thursday - work 3, writing classes, Karate, lessons
Friday - Work 4, co-op
Saturday - book club

This week is not as busy as last week. I hope.

Bob has several doctor appointments coming up this week too - an ultrasound, an MRI, and an ECG. I think.

I gave up my massage on Halloween and let Bob take that appointment. But I have one this week!

Suzy has an email address now. If you want it, let me know.

Weekly Review and Preview

I pushed really hard to work 5 hours (instead of 4) Monday-Wednesday, so I could take Thursday off if needed since it was supposed to be such a busy day.

Bob had the week off to work on the barn roof. However, Hurricane Sandy's far-reaching effects negated that effort and he spent the time off doing other things around the house. He also had a few doctor's appointments.

Suzy and James both had an eye doctor appointment. Turns out James needs glasses. So, we ordered him a pair he likes and he will have them on November 6th. Suzy's eyes were fine! (By the way, David also found out he needed glasses at age 12, the age James is now.)

I bribed David to take the kids trick-or-treating since the weather was unpleasantly cold and wet. It ended up that he took James and a friend of James' and the girls went with a couple other moms and some other girls. I got to stay home where it was warm. And I worked.

Thursday was a CRAZY-BUSY day but it went off without a hitch. Bob went one direction - a doctor appointment and a dentist appointment. David went another direction - off to a STEM (Sci/Tech/Engineering/Math) career expo with a friend and his parents. The other three kids and I went a third direction - to my writing classes and karate. Afterwards we met up with David and a bunch of NaNoWriMo homeschool friends and had a write-in at the new froyo place in Lapeer.

Friday was co-op - all went pretty well there. Afterwards the girls went to a sleepover at church and we had a friend over for James.

Saturday morning we all got up early and headed out to drop David off at the local airport for a field trip and pick the girls up from their sleepover. We ended up going back to the airport to see more of the planes taking off and landing. David was up in one of the 4-seater planes when we returned and my other  kids were offered a ride too. Only James was brave enough to go. I was really glad the boys both were able to participate in that!

11/4 Sunday - church & newcomer luncheon at church
Monday - Work 4, karate, Lessons, David braces on
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons, Karate (L), write-in
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, dentist (all kids), church
Thursday - writing classes, Karate, work 4, lessons, sports awards night (D)
Friday - Work 4, field trip, youth event (DEJ)
Saturday - karate testing

David got his braces on today. Expected to take about 24 months.

James will get his glasses tomorrow.

We went to a newcomer luncheon at church. There were about 5 couples at the luncheon - pretty nice.

David's soccer awards night is Thursday - his last one. That makes me sad.

We have our karate test on Saturday. If we pass, we are red belts. And that puts us in the advanced category. Time to really work hard!

Weekly Preview and Review

David took the ACT today for the second time. The goal is to improve his score enough to gain more financial aid for college. We will know in 2-3 weeks how that worked out. And then we will move on to some college visits and the FAFSA in January. His senior year is going by fast already!

My friend Gina took David's senior pictures on Thursday - gorgeous sunny skies and temps in the upper 70's, although a bit windy. Long hair doesn't co-operate in a stiff breeze! Gina is learning the ins and outs of her fancy camera and offered her services as photographer for David. We are very pleased with the results. He will have a few more photos taken after we all get our red belts in karate in December.

Emily had an oral surgery consult on Tuesday, but it turns out that this particular surgeon doesn't actually take our insurance. So, we are back to square one with that. There is ONE oral surgeon within 50 miles that participates in our plan. And he's in Detroit. I will have to call around and see if I can find someone closer that will work with our insurance.

Last Monday was David's last soccer event - a scrimmage with his teammates on one team and parents and siblings on the other team. James and Emily both played and it was neat to watch all three of them on the field together. I am a bit sad that he will likely never play organized soccer again. Twelve years of soccer has come to an end.

10/28 Sunday - church
Monday - Work 5, karate
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons, eye dr (J,S), Bob Dr
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, massage (L), trick or treating
Thursday - writing classes, Karate, David career expo, NaNoWriMo kickoff, Bob doctor, Bob dentist
Friday - Work 5, Co-op, Girls Church sleepover
Saturday - David Avionics field trip

Bob has this week off in order to install the barn roof - metal roofing. The weather forecast is not very promising. He also has a few doctor appointments - primary care doctor, cardiologist (check up), dentist.

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) begins on Thursday. I am so excited for my 6th year doing this! This will be David's 4th year and the other kids's 3rd year. We are kicking off on Thursday with a write-in at a new frozen yogurt place in Lapeer which is perfect for writing!

James and Suzy have eye doctor appointments this week, just for screening purposes, and Emily and I will order new glasses.

David has two cool field trips this week - one is a STEM (Sci/Tech/Engineering/Math) career expo and the other is an Avionics field trip in which he is supposed to get to actually fly a plane.

I get a massage on Wednesday which is good because there's a lot in the 2 days following that. Wednesday night is trick-or-treating (as long as the weather holds - otherwise we may go to an indoor event because I am wimpy). Thursday there are so many things going on that I can barely keep them straight. Good thing I don't have to be at all of them. I am planning to take that day off from work; thankfully my work hours are flexible like that! One of the things I love about my job. Friday is homeschool co-op - always fun, but always busy!

Weekly Preview and Review

The Shakespeare play ROCKED! I loved it. Emily found it humorous and David thought it was ok. James was bored. Or so he said. Oh well. That was his first exposure to Shakespeare and all he got in way of preparation was my nutshell version.

David's varsity soccer team, the FAITH Falcons, went to their first tournament ever - the State Homeschool Tournament - over the weekend. They played three games and won 1 of those. The team ended up 6th of 7 teams, but their one victory was over a team that had beaten them twice in the regular season. That particular game was very exciting, ended in two overtime periods and finally a shootout (in which 5 players from each team alternate shooting goals). The score ended up 4-3 after being tied 2-2. Bob and Emily and I drove to Lansing for Saturday's two games, but David stayed with his team overnight after playing their first (very rainy) game on Friday.

All the kids played their last soccer games last week, but David's team has a scrimmage this week as their final event. They would have had one more game but it was canceled due to injuries on the other team.

10/21 Sunday - church,
Monday - Work 4, karate, Soccer Scrimmage (D,E,J)
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons, Emily Oral Surgeon Consult
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, Church
Thursday - Work 4, Lessons, Karate, David Senior Pix
Friday - Work 4, Field Trip
Saturday - David ACT

No Soccer This Saturday!

Weekly Preview and Review

James played in the AYSO Fall Fest Tournament over the weekend. His team played 5 games. Only one goal was scored against them in all 5 games. They won the title!

The rest of the week seems like a blur right now! LOL

Except David and I went to the opera The Barber of Seville on Friday morning. The dress rehearsal performances are just $10 and the drive to the Detroit Opera House was easy at mid-morning on a Friday.  Neither of us had seen an opera before (unless you count Pirates of Penzance which I saw at about age 14?) and I fully expected not to like it much. I told David several times that we could leave at intermission if he wanted to. But we were enthralled for the entire two hours. Wonderful! Humorous! Thrilling!

Mom and Dad stopped by on Wednesday for a short visit. We had lunch and caught up a little then sent them off into the windy afternoon to drive to Bad Axe.

10/14 Sunday - church, Soccer Tournament (J)
Monday - Work 4, Shakespeare Play, Soccer GAME (J-away - LAST GAME)
Tuesday - Work 5 Lessons, karate
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Church
Thursday - Work 4, Writing Class (L), Lessons, Karate, Soccer GAME (S - LAST GAME)
Friday - Work 2, Co-op, Soccer GAME (D-tournament)
Saturday - Soccer TOURNAMENT (D- LAST GAME)

This is our last week of soccer. For David, it is his last week of soccer EVER, unless he plays as a college student or adult, which doesn't sound like the plan. Rather sad.....

Other than soccer, we don't have a lot going on this week. Co-op on Friday, writing class on Thursday, two karate classes....

Weekly Preview and Review

James' soccer team continues to win all their games. But the coach's win-at-all-costs attitude makes it rather bitter to me. James is happy though! Suzy made a couple goals in her recent games, but the team has only won one, I believe. David's team wins some and loses some. Their Friday night game was canceled due to injuries on the other team.

We've gone to church 4 weeks in a row now, I believe. That's something we haven't done in a couple years. We are both pretty pleased with the Lapeer Free Methodist Church, so we're going to settle in there, I think.

Writing class is going well and I'm getting good feedback from the parents.

James and Bob went to a Royal Rangers campout this past weekend. It was rainy on Friday and cold the entire weekend - down into the 30's at night. But James had a blast and I'm glad Bob is able to go with him.

Friday night I spent some "girl time" with Emily watching a movie and pigging out on candy. And Saturday night I got to have dinner and some fun conversation with a couple of good friends. Needed that!

Am now up to running 1.5 miles and walking 1.0 mile. Need to get up to running 3.1 miles (with intervals) by the end of the month. James, Suzy, and I are planning to run a 5K the last weekend of October. THEY need to get training!

10/7 Sunday - church, Bob and James return from campout
Monday - Work 4, Lessons, Karate, Soccer GAMES (D-home, J-home)
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons, Soccer GAME (S), practice (J)
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, Church
Thursday - Work 4, Writing Class (L), Lessons, Karate, Soccer Practice (S), GAME (D-away)
Friday - Work 4, Opera with David, Church Directory Pictures, Soccer GAME (D-home)
Saturday - Soccer TOURNAMENT (J), GAME (S), Practice (D) & Book Club (Lisa)

Lots of soccer this week, but only a couple more weeks of this craziness! David has 3 games - one is away. I will be able to attend only Friday's game. Suzy has two games this week. James has a home game Monday and a soccer tournament this weekend - 3 games on Saturday between 7am and 7pm. Still not sure how that's going to work out. Probably will have to throw myself on the mercy of some of the other parents. He will probably also have games on Sunday - THOSE I can attend.

David wanted to go to an opera, so he and I are attending the dress rehearsal of The Barber of Seville on Friday in Detroit. We shall see how that goes.

Other than those (soccer and opera) and the pictures for the church directory, the rest of the week is pretty normal. Heh! HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Weekly Review and Preview

Didn't write a post last weekend, I guess! (And this one never got published. I'm slacking! posting it a week after the fact....)

Been going to lots of soccer games and trying to keep up with everything else.

We've been going to the Free Methodist church in Lapeer. My friend Gina's husband Bruce is the pastor there. We all went to college together back in the day.

My birthday was yesterday. I had planned to work in the AM, but there was no work loaded. So I did lesson plans for October instead. The other kids and I went to David's game at 5 and then we met Bob and had dinner out. Once we got home, we gathered around to watch The Avengers (everyone's new favorite movie). We were too full to eat cheesecake, so that will happen Saturday instead.

9/30 Sunday - church
Monday - Work 4, Lessons, Karate, Soccer GAMES (S-home, J-away)
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons, Soccer GAMES (S-home, D-away)
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, Church
Thursday - Work 4, Writing Class (L), Lessons, Karate, Soccer Practice (J,S)
Friday - Work 4, Co-op, Soccer GAME (D-away),  J&B- campout
Saturday - Soccer GAME (S), D-field trip, J&B- campout

I am sending James and David to their away games this week instead of traveling to them. Hopefully this will allow me to get caught up on work and everything else.

Weekly Preview and Review

James' team is doing great! They've won all their games by a landslide. David's team is winning some and losing some; David starts every game and he plays 'stopper' which is a defense position. Suzy's team tries hard. Suzy has played forward and goalie in the games I've watched.

In karate, we started learning our new form and basic actions for our Green 2 test in November.

The Renaissance Festival was great fun; will write about that more on Cornerstone.

Our lessons are moving along swimmingly.

We've gone twice in a row to the Lapeer Free Methodist Church; my friend Gina's husband is the pastor there. Two of the kids have friends that go there. It's a small church but seems active.

9/16 Sunday - church
Monday -  Work 4, Lessons, Karate, Soccer GAMES (D-home, J-away)
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons, Soccer Practice (S)
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, Church
Thursday -  Work 4, Writing Class (L), Lessons,  Karate, Soccer Practice (J,S)
Friday -  Work 4, Co-op, Soccer GAME (D-home)
Saturday - Soccer GAME (S), Soccer Practice (D), Teen Bonfire

More soccer - 4 games, 4 practices. 2 Karate classes, 20 hours of work, 4 days of lessons and one day of homeschool co-op. A bonfire to end the week for the teens.

Thinking about James' birthday; he wants to celebrate early with a paintball party. December isn't a great month for paintball.

Weekly Preview and Review

Co-op went smoothly the first day. The kids had fun and no difficult issues arose.

David's team got whomped at their first game 6-0, but won their second game 4-2. David usually plays defense.

Our first week of lessons went well - half-days. The full schedule begins on the 10th.

9/9 Sunday - church
Monday -  Work 4, Lessons, Soccer GAMES (D-home, J-away),
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons, Soccer Practice (J,S)
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, Church
Thursday -  Work 4, Writing Class (L), Lessons,  Karate, Soccer GAME (S)
Friday -  Work 4, Lessons, Renaissance Festival, Soccer GAME (D-home)
Saturday - Soccer GAME (S,J-home), Soccer Practice (D), David massage appt (Bob too?), Book Club


This will be a busy week! Six soccer games spread over four days and an additional 3 practices makes soccer a five-day commitment this week. Only one of those games is out of town, thankfully!

I start teaching a middle school writing class on Thursday; I believe I have 12 students interested. This is a class I am paid to teach. :-)


We are GOING to go to CHURCH this weekend. 

And I have a Renaissance dress to make, two brown cloaks to dye black, and a Renaissance dress to accessorize. We are going to dress up for the Faire for the first time.

Weekly Preview and Review

Park Day turned into "WATER Park Day" because it was supposed to be 90+ degrees - hot! Perfect for the water park we've been trying to get to all summer. This is their last weekend for the summer. Nice time at the park with friends!

Suzy started soccer practice this week and James and David continued with their practices. Games begin next week.

We've had two weeks off karate, since our belt promotion.

The highlight of my week was meeting one of my favorite actors, Richard Armitage. I haven't typed out the story anywhere, so I will put it here for now. Who is he? Well, he had a small role as a bad guy in Captain America, so that's the likeliest place you've seen him, if you aren't a BBC watcher. He's a British actor, so he has been in relatively few American productions. My favorites are the BBC Robin Hood (in which he plays Guy of Gisborne) and the BBC North & South. He will be the dwarf king, Thorin Oakenshield, in the Hobbit movies, the first of which will be coming out this December.

Mr. Armitage has been in Southeast Michigan filming a tornado movie called Black Sky since late July, but I haven't had a free day that I knew the filming location in advance. My friend Tarla happened to drive by the set on Thursday and texted me to tell me where it was. Emily and I quickly made plans with my friend Darlene and our friends Skylar and Haley and hopped in the van. Tarla had other plans so she couldn't join us.

The filming was only about 40 minutes from my house, near the Palace of Auburn Hills. The set was located in an empty field behind a strip mall. We wandered into the area thinking it was best just to start asking for what we wanted - to meet Mr. Armitage. We asked a couple different employees and they directed us to where they knew we could stand and be out of the way. Soon, an assistant who seemed to know what was going on came by; we asked if Richard was anywhere we could see him. She told us to hang tight and he'd be coming out soon. But NO PICTURES were allowed since he "is in costume".

So, we stood behind this strip mall in a little clump in the shade waiting. We were near an open door and inside we could see a buffet set up and employees eating. But we didn't wait long! Maybe 15 minutes later, Mr. Armitage came out of the open door. Darlene shrieked aloud and I think she startled him a bit, but he regrouped and came over to us, escorted by the helpful assistant. He shook each of our hands and introduced himself. "Hi, I'm Rich." We had brought things for him to sign, so he did that very kindly and then he was off to film his scenes. By the way, his "costume" was a blue dress shirt and dress pants (I think brown"?). He plays an American high school teacher in this film. He was tall, very handsome, and pleasant, although clearly in a hurry. He spoke in his British accent, which I was happy about.

From there we decided to head up the hill to a building that seemed like it would have a good view of the filming since from where we were, the view to the set was blocked by some partitions. Once we were up there, we gazed across the open field to where the filming was going on. Large platforms were hoisted up to provide some shade (making it look overcast in the filming) and rain machines were squirting water on everything. The scene was being filmed in a large culvert, so there wasn't much we could see. The teens ran down into the valley between where we were and where the filming was and they had a better view. Emily took some pictures I think.

Since we weren't allowed pictures with "Rich" (lol), I never got my camera out. The filming will continue, so maybe we'll get another chance!? OK, fine, I am a fangirl!

9/2 Sunday - church?
Monday - Labor Day
Tuesday - Work 5, Soccer GAME (D), Soccer Practice (J,S), First Day of Lessons
Wednesday - Work 5
Thursday - Work 5, karate, Soccer (J,S)
Friday - Work 5, Co-op, Soccer (D)
Saturday - Soccer GAME (S,J), Soccer Practice (D)

Bob has to work on Saturday 9/1 and on Labor Day this weekend, so for us, it's not a holiday weekend really.

Ice cream sundaes will celebrate our first day of lessons on Tuesday. David also has his first soccer game of the season that day.

My baby boy is a senior this year!!!! Oh my goodness....

Weekly Preview and Review

Our camping trip was wonderful. The campground was clean and in a stand of pines. Our site was about half a mile walk from the beach, maybe a little less. The sun shone during the day, making the days warm but not hot. By evening we all wanted our sweatshirts and to sit 'round the campfire - also just perfect!

Monday found us heading out to Michigan's Adventure, a small amusement park about half an hour away. Bob really wasn't expecting to be able to ride much, but we found a couple things he could do. The rest of us all rode a scary wooden rollercoaster called Shivering Timbers and James and I rode the Corkscrew. The little kids rode the most rides because they don't mind the spinning ones that the rest of us can't tolerate. Warned ahead about expensive food ($18.99 for a pizza?) inside the park, we brought a cooler for tailgating. After we ate, we headed back in clad in swimsuits for a go at the water rides and wave pools, which we all enjoyed!

Lake Michigan was our focus on Tuesday and we spent the afternoon on the beach. My sister Janet came to join us and spent the night with the girls in the tent. In the evening, she and I took the kids to the drive in theater where we saw Paranorman (way better than I expected) and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (about what I expected).

Packing up took all of Wednesday morning and then we struck out for Grand Rapids where we stopped for a couple hours to visit with my parents. Then home again, home again, jiggedy jig.

We passed our karate test and received our new stripes last night at belt promotion! Pix on facebook.

Thursday and Friday the kids started painting the barn. They've already used almost 5 gallons of paint! Ack! Gotta get more, I guess.

David still feels sore, but he's going to try soccer practice tonight.

8/26 Sunday - church?
Monday - Work 5, Soccer (D)
Tuesday - Work 5, Soccer (J,S), Co-op Orientation for new families
Wednesday - Work 5, church?
Thursday - Work 5, Soccer (J,S)
Friday - Work 5, Park Day, Soccer (D)
Saturday - Work 5, Soccer (D)

No karate this week! I will spend most of the week getting ready for lessons to start the day after Labor Day. James will jump back into soccer practice and Suzy will have her first practice. Games start September 8th. I'm also going to try to pick up some extra hours.

Weekly Preview and Review

Karate testing is over! Whew!!! I wasn't nervous, but neither did I feel overly prepared. I messed up a couple of SIMPLE things. @@ Silly me. The kids said they all did well. I can't watch them test as I am testing at the same time and it takes all my focus.

We spent an idyllic afternoon at Lake Huron with some homeschool friends. The weather was not too hot nor too chilly. No waves, but the kids didn't seem to mind too much.

On the way TO the beach, I started feeling very very sick. Enough that I stopped the van and got out, trying to decide if I needed to throw up or go home. But after a few minutes (10?), the queasy awful feeling just went away. I felt 90% better all at once, having done nothing. I said to the kids, "Who was praying for me?" They all said, "ME!" Thanks kids! And praise God for healing me. I felt fine the rest of the day and since.

James had his first soccer practice, but due to karate test & promotion, as well as our vacation, he won't be able to go to another one until August 28th. Suzy starts practice that night as well. She has a coaching team she has had before. She will be U12 this year and James is U14 (which is a TRAVEL LEAGUE). So now I have three kids on travel teams, although thankfully David only plays fall and Emily only plays spring.

Have you ever had a therapeutic massage? It is not the same as a relaxation-type massage, but is more like physical therapy. The goal of a therapeutic massage is outcome-based, either to maintain wellness or to improve or solve physical issues such as carpal tunnel. I had my third therapeutic massage yesterday; Bob also had a massage. We go to a local massage school and pay only $10 for an hour treatment. Best deal around! I made appointments for both of us and for David too, to go back in September.

David took a shoulder to the chest at soccer practice Friday night. Bob took him to the doctor Saturday morning for X-rays because he was still complaining of pain and not being able to draw a deep breath. The doctor said no broken bones, but he has internal contusions and he should take it easy until he feels better. So he did not go to Saturday practice. He will miss Monday practice since we will be camping so hopefully he will feel better by Friday.

8/19 Sunday - heading to Hoffmaster
Monday - Michigan's Adventure!
Tuesday - Lake Michigan & Drive-in Theater!
Wednesday - Visiting Grandma and Grandpa and then heading home
Thursday - Work 5, karate, Karate Promotion!
Friday - Work 5, Soccer (D)
Saturday - Work 5, Soccer (D)

Camping time again! This is our second camping trip this summer and we are heading to Hoffmaster State Park for the first time. We also plan to visit Michigan's Adventure and the local drive-in theater while we are on the west side of the state. On our way home, we hope to spend a little time with Grandma and Grandpa. We have never camped on Lake Michigan before. Feel free to come out and visit us!

We should receive our 2nd stripe on our green belts at Karate Promotion on Thursday night.

And, um, I have to work hard Thursday - Saturday to make up for missing Mon-Wed. I also need to get cracking on some lesson planning. I just can't get excited about that this year.

Oh, and one more thing. David has decided that he doesn't want to do Robotics this year. Tough decision. And we left it up to him. It is his senior year, after all. He still has a few days to change his mind.

Weekly Preview and Review

Suzy LOVED the three days of sports clinic; she did volleyball and track & field. Emily ended up hanging out there and "helping".  I went to the ending program and was very impressed!

Rain prevented us from going to the water park, so we hung out with some friends that day instead. The moms watched The Bourne Ultimatum and discussed plans for a ladies-only trip we want to take. The big question - a cruise? or Las Vegas? (or somewhere else?)

Bob put up mini-blinds in the living room. Our roller shades were completely destroyed in there. Just old and torn. Looking good now!

I mended a couple sleeping bags. 

Since our Shakespeare in the Park ended up rained out last Saturday, Emily and I tried again THIS Saturday. Weather stayed clear and the performance was WONDERFUL!

Everyone here is feeling better, except for some nagging lingering coughs. 

I started the Body for Life fitness & nutrition program last Sunday. Week 1 of 12 is complete!

8/12 Sunday - relax
Monday - Work 4; karate, Soccer (D)
Tuesday - Work 4,  Soccer (J)
Wednesday - Work 4, Lake Huron
Thursday - Work 4, karate, Karate TESTING
Friday - Work 4, Soccer (D)
Saturday - Soccer (D), Massage (L,B)

James starts soccer practice this week; looks like it will be Tuesdays and Thursdays. David practices on Mondays and Fridays. Wonder if Suzy will be Wednesdays again. LOL James can only make it to one of the first four practices though. Oh well.

We're going to try again for Lake Huron this week; our last scheduled trip ended up canceled due to weather.

Karate Testing is this week; we are testing for Green 2 (our second and final stripe on our green belt). We will be testing for red belt in November and that marks a new level of learning. Still two+ years to black belt though.

Bob and I both have a massage scheduled at the massage school on Saturday. I called and got the last two appointments, I believe. YAY! Saturday will also be filled with packing since we are going camping at Lake Michigan August 19-22.

Weekly Review and Preview

I didn't end up taking David to the Maker Faire. When I weighed all the options, it didn't end up being a good choice. But maybe next year....

The highlight of our summer - we just finished 5 days at homeschool camp - always a favorite for everyone! Will post about that more on Cornerstone.

Missed three karate classes in a row - one was canceled (no power) and two due to camping. So, now we need to buckle down and work hard. Just four classes until testing on the 16th! We are going for Green 2 - just one more test before red belt!

Soccer VBS for Suzy went well. She attended with a friend and they had a blast. Except she did come home telling me that the Bible says wives are supposed to be submissive. Hmmm.... Yes, it does, but.....

I didn't miss any work hours due to homeschool camp. I worked extra the previous week and will make up the rest today. But I got to have four days in a row without any work - refreshing! 

I did well at the book sale - made about $100. Pretty happy with that, and the now-smaller stack of books. I have it consolidated into two large boxes now. 

8/5 Sunday - Church, relax
Monday - Work 4; karate, Sports Clinic (S), Soccer (D)
Tuesday - Work 4, Beach Day, Sports Clinic (S)
Wednesday - Work 4, Sports Clinic (S)
Thursday - Work 4, karate,
Friday - Work 4, Water Park outing, Soccer (D)
Saturday - Soccer (D)

David has started soccer practice.... And so it begins....

I didn't do a post last week, but tonight I am going with my book club to Shakespeare in the Park for a performance of Henry V. I am SO EXCITED! (OK, call me geeky.)

Suzy has sports clinic three nights at the church where she does Missionettes. Kids get to choose two sports to try; she chose Volleyball and Track & Field. 

James was diagnosed with whooping cough (Pertussis) on Tuesday. I had a heads-up from a friend whose son was diagnosed last week, so James was already on antibiotics by the time I got the call. His case is nowhere near as severe as his friend's condition. Yes, James was vaccinated but he did not have his 12yo booster yet. (He's 12.)  The other kids started antibiotics on Tuesday as a prophylactic and will finish the course today.  A course of antibiotics is supposed to kill the bacteria, so they would not be contagious even if they do have pertussis. Prayers appreciated, especially for Bob and me not to get it. (We are not on the antibiotics.)

Have a lovely week!

Weekly Review and Preview

The big kids only ended up doing 2 of the 4 soccer camp sessions. I just felt like it was too hot on Monday and Tuesday so I didn't make them go. They did 2.5 rainy hours on Thursday and again on Friday when the weather was PERFECT.

Suzy was invited to spend a couple days camping with a friend, so I took her up there on Wednesday night and she came home on Friday night.  Emily spent the night with a friend on Thursday and James did on Friday.

I went to the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises on Thursday night (Fri AM) with a couple friends. We stopped for coffee beforehand and I had a double espresso. LOL Great movie. I was really saddened to hear of the tragedy in Colorado; how terrible.

We did not end up going to Port Huron because the weather did not cooperate. That trip was rescheduled for mid-August. Instead James spent the day with a friend, David hung out at home, and the girls & I visited with friends.

James has a cough that seems to be getting worse. If it's not better on Monday, I will make him a doctor appointment.

7/22 Sunday - Church picnic?
Monday - Work 4; karate, Soccer VBS (S)
Tuesday - Work 4, Beach Day, Soccer VBS (S)
Wednesday - Work 4, Book Sale, Soccer VBS (S)
Thursday - Work 4, karate, Soccer VBS (S)
Friday - Work 4, Soccer VBS (S)
Saturday - Makers Faire (D)

Suzy has VBS this week every night; this is the soccer-themed VBS that she enjoys. She told me she wasn't going to participate in any other VBS this summer. She had several opportunities that she declined so I guess she was serious. She also didn't choose to do Field School at the Nature Center, nor swimming lessons. James also declined all those activities.

I need to get some books ready to drop off at a book sale on Tuesday and then go pick them up on Wednesday after the sale. Hopefully I won't have many left to pick up. I'm getting tired of walking around the pile, so they will be PRICED TO SELL.

I am planning to take David to the Maker Faire at The Henry Ford on Saturday. This was recommended to him from a couple of sources and I think it will be right up his alley.

We'll also be getting ready for camping throughout the week since it begins on the 29th.

Weekly Preview and Review

Well, THAT was a busy fun-filled week! Three of my kids were off to camp (and I think I'll have them write a bit about their own adventures), so I just had Suzy at home all week. We had a blast together! And twice during the week, I ended up staying up until 3:30 AM which just isn't as easy as it was when I was younger! (Suzy did not stay up that late.)

Suzy also had the opportunity to become better friends with one of her acquaintances, something I had been hoping for her over the past year. Especially since two of her best friends moved away - one a couple years ago and the other just last month, she has been feeling lonely. So I am glad she's made a couple new friends who she loves spending time with!

Some of the things she and I did on our Mom & Suzy Week:

• Went to the beach with the homeschool group (we brought her friend along)
• Hit some garage sales with a friend and a couple of her kids
• Took in a showing of Brave and we LOVED it!
• Made truffles
• Trekked to Claire's in the mall for ear piercing!
• Slept over at a friend's house (yes, both of us!)/li>
• Painted each other's nails

Picked up David and Emily at noon on Friday and they were full of exciting tales! By that evening David was running a fever and throwing up. :-( He's better today (Sunday).

James wasn't due to arrive until 2 am early Saturday morning, so I hung out at a friend's house (yes, with Suzy) watching movies until her husband brought him back to me. He was beyond exhausted, but still found the gumption to ask me how far I'd gotten with Harry Potter. LOL

7/15 Sunday - Recuperation Day! We all slept in and are taking it easy.
Monday - Work 4; karate, Soccer camp (DE&J)
Tuesday - Work 4, Soccer camp (DE&J)
Wednesday - Work 4, Go to Lake Huron with friends
Thursday - Work 4, karate, >Soccer camp (DE&J)
Friday - Work 4, Soccer camp (DE&J)
Saturday - Nothing!

This week brings soccer camp for the older three, which they are EVER-SO thrilled about. NOT! But they will be doing it anyway. Going to be Very Hot at least at the beginning of the week.

Lakeport State Park on Lake Huron is our destination on Wednesday. We try to head over there at least once every summer and it's always more fun with friends!

Other than those two things, the rest of the week is pretty normal. Maybe I'll even get some of my cleaning projects done that keep getting pushed off - like cleaning out the closets.

Weekly Preview and Review

Heat wave! We have been staying close to home since my van has no A/C. Driving around in a broiling vehicle with 4 kids just doesn't appeal. And since it was a relatively commitment-free week, that was fine.

Cousin Camping report: Ten cousins + three aunts + really hot weather + swimming pool + lots of space = a lot of fun! The kids all had a blast, from age 6 to age 17. We got there just after lunch on Saturday and stayed until just after lunch on Sunday. The fun included swimming, crafts, ice cream cake, video games, movies, running around with glow sticks, sleeping in the basement (boys), camping in a tent (girls), trying out David's katana (sword) and samurai armor, and more I'm forgetting at present. I am really glad that Christy invited us again this summer and I hope we can make this an annual event. We missed those who weren't there this time so maybe next year there will be more than 13 present for all the fun! (Hint: my kids really missed Grandma and Grandpa! So, I guess we'll need to find a time to come and visit.)

On the Fourth of July, Bob had to work, but I had big plans to go here and there doing patriotic summery things. But the heat changed my mind and we hibernated inside watching movies instead. The girls walked uptown to watch the children's parade, which was basically two fire trucks and a bunch of kids on bikes. Oh, and some strollers. They were disgusted. lol My friend called and invited us over to see some fireworks in their backyard, which was fun!

Bob had Thursday - Sunday off since he had worked Sunday and the 4th. So he has been working on the van replacing the transmission solenoids and doing a few other things. Yes, even in this horrid heat.

Speaking of my husband, Bob has been working out, lifting weights and doing ab work. He is looking more muscular and his weight is the lowest it's been since I've known him! He turned 51 in May, you know! So, I'm really inspired by his level of fitness. Now, I'm directing my prayers toward that cane.

7/8 Sunday - Sending 3 kids off to camp for the week!
Monday - Work 4; karate
Tuesday - Work 4, Beach Day
Wednesday - Work 4
Thursday - Work 4, karate, garage sales
Friday - Work 4
Saturday - Book Club

James has had plans for months to go with the Royal Rangers to Camporama in Missouri and the time has finally arrived! He leaves Sunday and will be back in the wee hours of Saturday morning. They'll be tent camping and having their meals cafeteria-style. He'll be able to swim (in a pool) and do paintball and tons of other exciting activities. I'm really glad the weather will be cooling off a bit since it's been over 100 for days where they are going and the area is in the midst of a drought.

More of a last minute idea is David and Emily going to youth camp with the church we go to on Wednesday nights (the youth group church). I had been tossing it around in the back of my mind since I heard about it. David wanted to go; Emily did not. A variety of reasons made me decide not to pursue it and I knew we'd missed the deadline. But then on Monday, I decided to contact the youth pastor and see if it was a possibility for them to still attend. And he worked it out! So, I made the decision for both of them.

So, they're off to camp on Sunday as well and will return on Friday. They are going to the campground where we camped three times for Family Camp and David has attended youth camp there twice (with a different church).

So, Suzy and I have the week home together! Come back next weekend to see what she and I did for some special times. :-)

And BOOK CLUB on Saturday!

Weekly Preview

7/1 Sunday - Cousin Camp
Monday - Work 4; karate,
Tuesday - Work 4
Wednesday - Work 4, Parade? Fireworks?  (Bob has to work)
Thursday - Work 4, Bob Dr. appt
Friday - WORK 4
Saturday - Hamlet?

Empty week!

Weekly Preview and Review

Father's Day was low-key at home all day - just how Bob likes it! I talked to my dad for a little bit too.

Monday was our anniversary. We dug out our VHS tape of the wedding ceremony, which the kids had not seen, and sat down to watch it together. The kids marveled over the changes 24 years have wrought on everyone who was there. EXCEPT my friend Gina; they said she looks just the same!

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were SO STINKIN' HOT! Yuk! I don't mind being at home, but driving in vehicles with no air conditioning is yukky.

Tuesday the kids had soccer clinic at night; they took a young friend along. Afterwards, we went to the pool. An Elvis impersonator was performing in the park next door. Good songs, but I don't think he sounded much like Elvis, to be honest.

Wednesday I went to my last board meeting for soccer. I am still helping the new registrar. She is feeling overwhelmed. I'm sorry for that, but I will help her how I can and then I have to stop. A perk of the board meetings is that I can order dinner, so I did. A tasty club wrap. Yum.

I still have been sitting out for karate, so I have missed all the new instruction - forms, basic actions, self-defense. I watch, but it's just not the same. My shoulder is really not much better, but I do plan to participate again starting next week. They did squirt gun defense in class yesterday, which they all loved!

On Friday, David left for a robotics tournament - off-season, so fewer kids and more of a chance to be on the drive-team. He stayed there in a hotel and went back for Day 2 Saturday. Wow, he's getting so old! Look how independent he is. I had actually planned to go along and probably take all the other kids, but this is so much easier and nicer!

The other three kids went with a friend to Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad Friday - very nice of her to invite them all! So, I was home alone from 9 am to 6pm. Really nice and quiet! I cleaned out the fridge and worked for 5 hours. Walked to the library by myself on a beautiful sunny afternoon. This is what it would be like if they were in school, isn't it?

Then Friday night I went out to dinner with friends and watched a DVD after. James slept at a friend's house.

I didn't have any Saturday plans except get David back from the tournament. Slept in. I did a couple extra hours of work and went to some garage sales with the girls. Now I'm leaving to take them to see the Avengers again, with friends, and hang out afterwards.

6/24 Sunday - Renaissance Festival
Monday - Work 4; karate,
Tuesday - Work 4; Beach Day; last Soccer clinic (EJS)
Wednesday - Work 4, church
Thursday - Work 4, karate
Friday - WORK 4, party for a friend, James sleepover
Saturday - Cousin Camp

Going Sunday to a small Renaissance festival. David has been working for a couple weeks on a costume, so he can wear his sword there.

Beach Day Tuesday as well as the last free soccer clinic. 

Going to a party Friday night and sending James off to a sleepover, then hopefully heading out on Saturday for Cousin Camp. 

Weekly Preview and Review

6/17 Sunday - Father's Day
Monday - Work 4; karate, Our 24th Anniversary
Tuesday - Work 4; Soccer clinic (EJS)
Wednesday - Work 4, my last board meeting for soccer
Thursday - Work 4, karate
Friday - WORK 4, Robotics tournament
Saturday - Robotics tournament

Weekly Review and Preview

Since most of you who read here were AT the Family Reunion picnic on Sunday, there's probably no need for details. Hot weather, but sunny and lovely. Beautiful park. Great food and seeing family.

Co-op registration went well. Now the paperwork!

We were promoted to Green 1 last week. I have been sitting out during karate hoping to let my shoulder recuperate. My foot started bothering me again last week during a run and I had to stop running at that point and go home. Made me MAD. And I haven't run since; trying to let THAT heal. Argh.

Emily got her varsity letter at the spring sports awards night last week. She was so excited!

David took the ACT on Saturday along with about 40 other teens. He was nervous. We will hear the results in 3-8 weeks.

6/10 Sunday - Family Reunion
Monday - Work 5; karate
Tuesday - Work 5; Beach Day, Soccer clinic (EJS)
Wednesday - Work 5, Awards at Church
Thursday - Work 5, karate, Suzy Missionettes Camp
Friday - WORK 5, Suzy Missionettes Camp
Saturday - Suzy Missionettes Camp, PKSA Car Show & Demo, Book Club

I am trying to get 5 extra hours this week. First time in months I have been able to even consider it.

We had our first homeschool beach day yesterday. PERFECT weather; great turnout; sunburned kids!

Suzy will be going to her first Missionettes camp this weekend for two nights. I am sure she'll have a blast.

Weekly Review and Preview

Well, this was a rather empty week EXCEPT that Suzy woke up sick on Tuesday and ran a fever for 3 full days. Now she has sniffles and a cough. I did take her to the doctor - why, I don't know; they said what I thought - rest, fluids, Vitamin C. How helpful. My best guess is flu. Since she was sick, she missed her dental appointment, so she will have it this week instead.

This was also our first week off school. We "finished" Friday the 25th of May. Except we aren't REALLY finished. So June 4th will see us continuing to finish some leftover things and working on our summer lessons.  But anyway, this week I let the kids sleep in as late as they wanted and I didn't make them do any "learning". They had to do their chores, though.

Monday was fun - I took the three younger kids to a local camp for their free Fun Day. Mostly they swam and we had a free lunch. Record-setting heat that day! David left to spend a couple days at a friend's house.

I have yet to actually meet with the new registrar. She keeps rescheduling on me, yet she assures me that she is not bailing.

6/3 Sunday - EMPTY CALENDAR SQUARE!!
Monday - Work 4; karate
Tuesday - Work 4; Co-op Registration, Soccer clinic (EJS)
Wednesday - Work 4, Dentist (S)
Thursday - Work 4, karate, Spring Soccer awards program
Friday - WORK 4, Park Day, Campout (S), Karate Belt Promotion
Saturday - David ACT test


At this point, I don't plan to go to the DIA on Sunday as I wrote last week. But I could be persuaded.

Co-op registration is this week for next year's classes. We are doing it much earlier than we have in the past in the hopes that we can take July COMPLETELY off from co-op stuff!

Emily's soccer awards are Thursday night; she will receive her varsity letter. Karate belt promotion is scheduled for Friday night.

David will take the ACT on Saturday. He is nervous. I hope he does very well since he is now looking at Kettering University as a possibility for next year.

Weekly Preview and Review

Emily's soccer games are over! We have a whole WEEK with no soccer. Then next week, James and Suzy (and maybe Emily) will be doing a once-a-week FREE soccer clinic on Tuesday nights in June. The local high school is putting it on, so it's right here in Dryden. Not quite a week after Suzy's last game, she sighed and said wistfully, "When will I do soccer again?" So, I know she's missing it already!

I did a few things for myself this week since I have been neglecting ME for all the urgent/important things for the past month.
1 - Went to the chiropractor (hoping he can help with my carpal tunnel and my sore shoulder
2 - Had a therapeutic massage ($10 at the massage school and it was GREAT!)
3 - Started running again; doing Couch to 5K - First week is completed
4 - Got a haircut; was looking really shaggy
5 - Colored my hair; was looking really GRAY, lol
6 - Bought some new tops since I didn't have much in the way of short-sleeved shirts

James did his karate test on Thursday night since he missed the regular test. He did well. We should all receive our stripes for Green 1 on June 8th.

David's robotics team hosted a BBQ for the team sponsors (mostly businesses, some small & local, some larger, some international even!). The team mentor called me ahead of time and let me know David would be receiving an award (and David was unaware of it). So, we were there to see him receive the Technology Award from Kettering University, which goes to one qualified high school junior on the team and now, of course, he wants to go there. The tuition? $29,000 a year + room and board. It is a co-op school where students attend classes 3 months and work for 3 months, so he could earn money while attending. We'll visit the school and talk to a recruiter and see what we can work out. They have the perfect degree for him - a combination of computer engineering and electrical engineering.

5/27 Sunday - EMPTY CALENDAR SQUARE!!
Memorial Day - Family Fun Day @ MCYC, Bob has to work (I can work too, but only if I WANT to), EMPTY CALENDAR SQUARE!!
Tuesday - Work 4; EMPTY CALENDAR SQUARE!!!
Wednesday - Work 4, Dentist (SD)
Thursday - Work 4, karate, meeting with the new registrar (and giving her all the stuff!!!)
Friday - WORK 4, See Nunsense (L)
Saturday - Karate tournament (LDJS), Homeschool "banquet" (DE)
Sunday - Church, Jane Austen meeting at the DIA

This week is the least committed for MONTHS! YAY! I do, of course, still have to work, and Bob does too, though he has Friday off. But we "finished" our school year on Friday. So, that's nice! Except that most everyone still has stuff to finish, so we are not quite done. But at least my regular schedule will ease up. Suzy will continue her reading practice all summer and needs to finish her math book. David will finish Algebra 2 and Emily will work on math all summer. James, however, is already working ahead in Math, so I may just let him be finished. He actually should work on writing, so maybe that will be his summer assignment.

David and Suzy have a dentist appointment for fillings on Wednesday. 

My friend Sally is directing the local community theater production of Nunsense, so I bought a ticket to see it on Friday. I love musicals and I've wanted to see something of hers for a while  now. Hopefully some other ladies will join me and my new book club friend Joanne. We'll do dinner beforehand.

The plans for Saturday are still up in the air. David and James are going to compete in a karate tournament in Garden City. If I take them, I will compete as well. And I think Suzy should compete but she is resisting. (We all have to do two tournaments before qualifying as black belt.) The same evening, however, is the homeschool banquet which David and Emily are attending. I don't think we'll be back in time for Emily to get ready; it will take her longer to get ready than it would take David. So, Bob and I are currently discussing who will drive to Garden City and who will stay here and get Emily ready.

Have a wonderful week!

Weekly Review and Preview

James and Suzy had their last soccer games Tuesday night. I had soccer registration so I could not go, but Bob took them. They both scored a goal!

Mother's Day was nice. Suzy treated me to breakfast-in-the-recliner as well as a Mother's Day treasure hunt to look for my card. That was a first! We met Mom and Dad in Perry to hand over David for his grandchild time and spent some time visiting with them. They brought Suzy's birthday gift and she opened it there and was THRILLED! I wish I'd gotten a picture of me with Mom (and Dad); that was my plan. Ah well. We meandered home via Grand Blanc, stopping there to eat at Cici's Pizza. (Yes, I am a high class lady. lol) We took the scenic route from there and stopped at a cute little dollar store in downtown Hadley.

Emily's Monday game was an hour away; it was a lovely hot day. However, she didn't play at all, not even a minute. We were really disappointed for her. Her coach said he'd for sure play her on Friday and he did.

Karate testing went well! James did not test, as I told him he could stay at his campout. (It was so close to the karate school that I'd planned to have him come to test anyway.) So he will have to make it up at the retest day. I felt more confident than I have ever felt for karate testing and I am sure I did well. I have no idea how the kids did, because I can't watch them. We do everything at the same time and I can't manage to spread my attention that thin. But they seem happy with their performances too.

I went to the local homeschool group's Commencement exercises Thursday night. Out of the 26 students graduating, I knew about half, including a couple of David's friends. What a lovely ceremony! Next year will be David's turn. Now all I have to do is convince him he should participate.

5/20 Sunday - Campout Ends (JB), Soccer board meeting (L)
Monday - Work 4, karate, Soccer Game (E-away)
Tuesday - Work 4, Leadership meeting (L)
Wednesday - Work 4, Massage (L), Robotics (D)
Thursday - Work 4, karate, Robotics (D)
Friday - WORK 4, Soccer game (E), Park Day
Saturday - Open house
Sunday - Church
Memorial Day - Bob has to work

Look how empty the calendar looks without James and Suzy's soccer practices and games. And no Wordsmith class; it's over!! This is Emily's last week of soccer. You may have notice Robotics has snuck back onto the calendar. The team has some off-season competitions in which to participate. David is happy. 

I am going to try to keep Memorial Day weekend open. Shall we see how successful I am at it? I need some unscheduled time to just be home. The house is extremely neglected.

This week I plan to do some stuff for ME! I need a hair cut and color. I was able to snag a massage appointment at the massage school ($10!) so that's coming this week. And maybe I can go see a movie over the weekend. AND I am going to start Couch to 5K again. It's been so long since I did any running that I will start at the beginning, though maybe it won't take me as long to get to 5K as it did the first time. And since the weather is nice, I can run outside. And the lilacs should be out soon!

Have a lovely week!

Weekly Review and Preview

Bob's dad's funeral was Tuesday and seeing lots of his family was a good thing. Something strange was that the village sexton had dug the grave in the WRONG PLACE, if you can believe that!

Book club was great as usual on Saturday - the highlight of my month, EVERY month.

Several rainy soccer games were played this week.

Mother's Day was nice and relaxed. We did not go to church. (I dislike Mother's Day sermons.)  I got up before Suzy, who was planning breakfast in bed, which then ended up being my much-preferred breakfast-in-the-recliner. LOL  We met Mom and Dad in Perry so they could take David home for his grandchild time. Then the other kids and I went to Cici's pizza for lunch. Love their macaroni and cheese pizza! Then we took the long scenic route home, stopped at a quaint dollar store, had Klondike bars and push-ups and came home to a relaxing evening.

5/13 Sunday - Mother's Day; David to GR
Monday - Work 4, karate, Soccer Game (E-away)
Tuesday - Work 4, Soccer games (JS), Registration (L), David back
Wednesday - Work 4, Dentist (ES), Soccer Prac (S)
Thursday - Work 4, karate, Soccer prac (J), Wordsmith (LJE)
Friday - WORK 4, Soccer game (E), Campout (JB)
Saturday - Karate Testing (LDEJS), Suzy's Birthday, Campout (JB)
Sunday - Church, Campout (JB)

This is my last really BUSY week. If I can make it through until Saturday night, I'll be good!

My last Wordsmith class is this week. We will have an awards ceremony and a celebration. And within a couple weeks, I will be done grading those papers!

We will test for our Green stripe on Saturday, which means Suzy will have to miss her team's last game. She and James will both play their last games on Tuesday night, which I will miss since I have to do soccer registration that night. (which is MY last registration! yay!)

James and Bob will be going to a Royal Rangers campout. James is registered to go to Camporama with the Royal Rangers in July, which is in MISSOURI! A big trip for James!

Weekly Preview and Review

Bob's dad passed away on Friday. He was 91 and very frail. It's been a couple years since he's been declining, so this was expected. But still a sad event. All of us will be attending the funeral, which means I have to spend Monday making sure we can  all look presentable on Tuesday - in between all the other things I have to do Monday. The service will be in Imlay City and he'll be buried at the cemetery in Dryden.

Soccer registration went well. Now just one more two-hour evening registration to get through. Then I can turn over the keys (so to speak) to my replacement.

We had church at home this morning - a different experience.

5/6 Sunday - SHERLOCK!
Monday - Work 4, karate, Soccer Game (E), sword seminar (D)
Tuesday - Work 4, Funeral, Soccer games (JS)
Wednesday - Work 4, Dentist (DS), Mother-Daughter Event (SL)
Thursday - Work 4, karate, Soccer prac (J)
Friday - WORK 4, Park Day, Soccer game (E),
Saturday - Soccer Game (SJ), Soccer Prac (E), Book Club (L)
Sunday - Church, David to GR, Mother's Day

Just a couple more weeks of soccer.

We have karate testing on May 19th, so just this week and next to get everything ingrained enough to pass our test for Green 1. There are two stripes on green, so we won't change belt colors until the test in November. Then we will be red belts and we'll get new doboks (uniforms) for Christmas - with red trim!

David is going to have his grandchild time with Mom and Dad starting next Sunday. He's looking forward to that.

Two dental appointments this Wednesday and two next Wednesday. I prefer to spread them out. We can walk to our dentist. It's a block and a half away! LOVE that!

Weekly Review and Preview

Book club was great as usual - 14 women this month and a lively discussion about a book that only about half of us read. LOL

Soccer games were chilly. Emily's team won one and lost one; James' and Suzy's teams didn't win - but they played well.

I found a new registrar to replace me! YAY!

Finished a writing class - now just to catch up on that pile of papers that need to be graded.

David had a wrap-up robotics meeting at which they decided.... it's not wrapped up! Argh! They are going to meet once a week, alternating Wed & Thurs, and participate in some off-season competitions. David needs to get his license, and a job, then a car, and then drive himself to this stuff.

4/29 Sunday - Free Movie
Monday - Work 4, karate, Soccer Game (E), sword seminar (D)
Tuesday - Work 4, Henry Ford museum for Titanic exhibit!, Soccer games (JS)
Wednesday - Work 4, art class (EJS), Yearbook meeting (L)
Thursday - Work 4, karate, Soccer prac (J)
Friday - WORK 4, Soccer game (E), Teen movie event (EDL)
Saturday - Soccer Game (SJ), Soccer Prac (E), Soccer Registration (L)
Sunday - Church

Lots to do! Soooo excited to go see the Titanic exhibit at the Henry Ford museum. Soccer registration is this coming Saturday. Gotta get my ducks in a row. Only a month left as registrar.  Going to see The Avengers Friday morning.

Weekly Preview and Review

The conference was AWESOME!!! Had a lovely time - 3 full days in Cincinnati with two great friends. Left early Thursday morning, came back at midnight Saturday. Took 47 pages of notes in nine wonderful seminars, shopped in a huge vendor hall, had lots of laughs and deep discussions. We even went across the river in a trolley into Kentucky to see The Lucky One. Can't wait for next year!

Suzy was sick Monday night into Tuesday. The poor child threw up 13 times. She didn't even wake me up for most of it. By Wednesday afternoon she was feeling fine. I felt somewhat sick on Wednesday night and Thursday, but headed off for the convention anyway. I didn't end up getting sick like Suzy, thankfully.

David needs to re-take his drivers test. :-(  Not sure when yet.

4/22 Sunday - re-acclimating, Improv (D), Soccer meeting (L)
 Monday - Work 4, karate, Soccer Game (E), sword seminar (D)
Tuesday - Work 4
Wednesday - Work 4, essay class, Soccer prac (S)
Thursday - Work 4, karate, Soccer prac (J), robotics (D), HS Mtg (L)
Friday - WORK 4, Soccer game (E)
Saturday - Soccer Game (SJ), Soccer Prac (E), Book Club (L)
Sunday - Church

Tuesday is empty and I want to keep it that way. Otherwise, we have all our normal things this week and only a couple extra things. Nice week!

Weekly Preview and Review

Whew! That week was a wild ride!

Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum in Farmington Hills was a hit with all eight of the kids that went. Really more of an arcade, the kids, who ranged from age 8 to 17, took their stash of quarters and went from machine to machine, trying out the unique and quirky coin-operated treasures. My friend and I wandered around looking at all the keepsakes and we even tried (and FAILED miserably) at a dance mat game. Afterwards we had an hour or so to kill, so we headed over to Great Lakes Crossing and just strolled around looking at everything. That was Monday.

Emily's first soccer game was Monday night. They won 1-0 and she even played a bit. It's a varsity team and she's a freshman, so I don't expect she'll play a lot.

Tuesday night, the Brit Lit class gathered for our last movie night - The Scarlet Pimpernel. NOT a hit, sadly for me, since it is one of my TOP TEN FAVS of all time! But hey, guess I'm old which makes the movie old too. We also practiced our skit for about an hour.

Wednesday we skipped the Michigan museum trip so we could head out earlier to Canton. Since Bob couldn't go along after all (he had to work Thurs), we didn't have to wait for him to get out of work. When I realized that our hotel was (literally) across the street from the only IKEA store in Michigan, I knew we had to go.

I LOVE IKEA! We browsed through the store, looking at everything and testing the mattresses. (Except for David, who found a comfy couch and took a nap, lol) We had dinner in the cafe. I tried the meatballs - their signature dish, but I thought they were on a par with the frozen meatballs-in-a-bag from Walmart. James had the ribs which he cannot stop raving about even now. The other three all had chicken tenders and fries - both yummy! Suzy and I tried the lingonberry juice - tasty!  I bought a few things - some cheap glasses, a stockpot, some bag clips, etc. We finished off with frozen yogurt cones for $1. I will go again to IKEA!

Our hotel was nice and the kids swam Wednesday night and Thursday morning. The breakfast spread was yummy with a waffle maker and Japanese breakfast! LOL Only Suzy tried that - fish! Rice!? I dropped David off in Ypsi at the EMU Convocation Center and then went back to the hotel to try to work. Internet there was NOT fast enough, sadly. We spent the afternoon watching the state robotics competition and then headed home leaving David there until Saturday.

Friday was our last co-op for this school year and Friday night was the ending program which went off very smoothly and was so impressive. Suzy didn't perform at all and David missed the program due to robotics. James performed with his karate class and broke a cement brick! He also participated in a "Stomp" performance. I hope someone got a video. He and Emily both earned their babysitting certificates. Emily performed in our Brit Lit skit; she had one line and gave it with gusto!

Saturday James and Suzy's soccer teams were both CRUSHED in their first soccer games of the season, but it didn't rain! And then Bob headed to Ypsi with them to see the end of David's competition. I took Emily for her soccer pictures and practice Saturday afternoon, then *I* headed out for an evening of fun with my friends.

Whew! After all that, we just sat around on Sunday and got the house back in order!

4/15 Sunday - sitting around
 Monday - Work 5, karate, sword seminar (D), driving test (D)
Tuesday - Work 5, Soccer Prac (J)
Wednesday - Work 5, essay class, Soccer prac (S)
Thursday - Work?, Cincinnati (L), karate, Soccer game (J)
Friday - WORK?, Cincinnati (L), teen event (E,D), Soccer prac (E)
Saturday - Soccer Game (SJ), Soccer Prac (E), Cincinnati (L)
Sunday - Church

I have a meeting this week with a possible registrar replacement! YAY! Hope she decides to do it!

We have a pretty normal beginning to the week, but Thursday I am going to Cincinnati with friends to the homeschool conference there! We will be back Saturday. CANNOT WAIT!

101 Things I wanted to complete in 1001 days

My friend Gina posted about the 101 in 1001 challenge and it reminded me I should take a look at my list, which I've been avoiding looking at since I turned 45. So, here's the lowdown. (It probably doesn't add up to 101 either. I tried hard, but I don't think I ever managed 101 goals.)

101 Things I wanted to complete in 1001 days

January 1, 2009 – September 28, 2011 (which was my 45^th birthday)

Stuff I decided not to do (Intentionally did not do)

1. Tag all my photos in Easy Share (not using Easy Share any more)
2. Revisit the list on a monthly basis. (Did not look at the list much)
3. List DVD's on DVDswap (Decided to sell instead)
4. Use my Coke rewards points for something nice (stopped using Coke rewards)
5. Figure out how to use the music feature on my phone. (It wasn't possible.)
6. Grow flowers (Not my thing.)
7. Keep my nails done for 30 consecutive days (Don't like the maintenance.)
8. Get contact lenses (though I still may change my mind)
9. Go camping 5 times in 5 new places (just more than I can manage the way things are)
10. Teach children how to sew (not going to happen)
11. Sew doll clothes (see #10)
12. Decide on and complete a reading challenge for 2010 (couldn't keep up that year, started working at Butler Hill)
13. Attend SOF support monthly (didn't fit my schedule)
14. Plan monthly family game days (with another family???) (put this in the dream category; too much bickering!)
15. Take each child out alone 1x per month (This ended up being too frequent and too expensive. But I do try to find alone time with each one as often as I can.)
16. Visit in laws 1x per month 
17. Write 2000 words a day 6 days a week (No time once I started working)
18. Type the kids' novels (They can do it, if they want them typed.)
19. Keep the checkbook balanced 6 months in a row (more than I can handle. Maybe Bob will decide this is HIS personal goal. lol)

Stuff I did! YAY me!

1. Prayerfully consider options for external activities before committing. (just because everyone is jumping off the bridge doesn’t mean you have to.)
2. Say no to a request that I really want to accept, but would be better if I didn't
3. Decide if I am going back to work full time or writing part time
4. Work on the 101 in 1001 days list
5. Pack up Christmas stuff - 1-4-09
6. Redo the job chart - 1-1-09
7. Redo the schedule - 1-1-09
8. Clean out car weekly
9. Get rid of 101 things that we no longer use or need
10. Wrap the Christmas books before I put them away. (but then we never read them! lol)
11. Plan a healthy lifestyle eating program
12. Find a new breakfast (1/2 cup Kashi, 6 oz light yogurt) 1-2-09
13. Lose 5 pounds 1-17-09
14. Lose 10 pounds (cumulative)
15. Lose 15 pounds (cumulative)
16. Lose 20 pounds (cumulative) - but gained back 20 lbs
17. Lose 25 pounds (cumulative) - but gained back 20 lbs
18. Lose 30 pound (cumulative) - but gained back 20 lbs
19. Lose 35 pounds (cumulative) - but gained back 20 lbs
20. Follow exercise plan for 30 days. (3x/wk, low impact aerobics) 1-31-09
21. Follow exercise plan for 60 days. (running)
22. Follow exercise plan for 90 days. (running)
23. Paint the final yellow coat on house exterior (with my family)
24. Learn to like three new healthy foods
25. Learn how to utilize Sparkpeople to its full capacities
26. Take my vitamins every day for 6 weeks
27. Paint the white trim (or make Bob do it) - we did one coat; it might need another
28. Be able to take my wedding ring off (either naturally or get it resized) - got it cut off
29. Find a purse I really like that holds my stuff well
30. Find an outdoor hobby to do with all the kids - found an active hobby (not outdoors): karate
31. Walk with children 3x per week for 4 months
32. Rewatch the LOTR trilogy (but did not manage ALL the extras like I originally planned)
33. Be more intentional about computer time 
34. Get my sewing machine fixed or replaced
35. Obtain a larger TV
36. Take the girls to the ballet
37. Complete the 999 Reading Challenge in 2009
38. Reconnect with a certain friend - done via facebook 
39. Make an effort to call people on the phone - but not enough
40. Participate in NaNoWriMo 2009
41. Participate in NaNoWriMo 2010
42. Work on Part 2 of Forget me not (my first novel)
43. Tweak budget until it works - Bob did this via Dave Ramsey
44. Become debt free - done! Thanks, Dave Ramsey!
45. Read the Bible from beginning to end
46. Focus on getting to know God through prayer

Stuff I didn't get to, but are still personal goals

1. Redo my recipe book (1 recipe per day)
2. Get caught up in scrapbooking (getting there!)
3. Plan weekly for menus and shop accordingly
4. Make a plan for keeping kids rooms clean
5. Organize an emergency kit including flashlight and candles
6. Get important papers in order
7. Clean out my facebook in box
8. Catalog all my books on computer
9. Buy an album for the 8x10 baby photos
10. Do monthly breast exams
11. Lose 40 pounds (cumulative – be at goal weight)
12. Donate blood
13. Learn to drink coffee black
14. Make my house someplace I love to be
15. Repaint each room inside the house
16. Replace all window shades with cellular shades
17. Have a nice family portrait done
18. Find a hobby to do with Bob
19. Go to a circus with the kids
20. Sew denim Christmas stockings - in progress now!
21. Go horseback riding
22. See Mamma Mia on stage
23. Take the kids to see Fiddler on the Roof
24. Go someplace special on our anniversary each year
25. Write to my mom once a month
26. Write a letter to someone who has helped me each month
27. Write a letter to each of my siblings
28. Edit Mystery Valley Ranch
29. Send 3 query letters a week
30. Find something to sew my NaNo patches on
31. Complete a Bible study – either a group study or personally