Weekly Review and Preview

Well, here's last week's schedule, since I never posted that.

9/18 Sunday - Family Reunion
Monday - Work 4, Lessons, Karate
Tuesday - Work 4, Lessons Soccer GAME (D away), Karate Belt Promotion Ceremony
Wednesday - Work 4, Lessons, Church
Thursday - WORK 4, Lessons, Writing class, Karate, Soccer Practice (J)
Friday - WORK 4, Co-op, Soccer Game (D @home), Soccer Practice (S)
Saturday - Soccer Game (J,S), Soccer Practice (D), Teen Event (E,D)
Sunday - Church, relax

Our family reunion was lovely. Beautiful weather, gorgeous park, nice and relaxing. It was warm enough for the kids to wade in the stream. We drove over just for the day. It's a lot of driving in one day.

We are now Orange Belts in Tang Soo Do. Our belt promotion was Tuesday night at 6:30. Bob took the 3 younger kids and I took David to his 5pm soccer game. We rushed back and arrived at 7:30 just as our class was getting ready to promote. Excellent timing! We are now working hard on the orange belt forms and basic actions.

David LOVED the Robotics competition at Kettering. He is looking forward to being part of the robotics team. 

Here is the upcoming week's schedule:
9/26 Sunday - Church, relaxing
Monday - Work 5, Lessons, Karate, Soccer GAME (D away),
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons  Practice (J) Soccer GAME (S),
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Church
Thursday - WORK 5, Lessons, Writing class, Karate
Friday - WORK 5?, Soccer Practice (D,S), Robotics Welcome Event
Saturday - Soccer GAME (J,S)
Sunday -Church, relaxing

I love watching soccer games still, although we've had a couple of cold rainy game days that sort of try my patience. I am sure in a couple weeks, I'll be tired of it all. LOL

Today is the fall festival here in our little village. Since we live right in town, that means lots of extra traffic down our street because they close the main road through town. It also means loud music from the stage 2 blocks away and a parade going past our house. :-)

Weekly Review and Preview

Finally I'm feeling back to normal health - that took a long time to recover! I got a cold toward the beginning of last week, but it was gone by Friday. Still haven't done any running. Karate on Thursday the 8th was the first real physical activity I'd done since the karate testing on the 28th.

This week will mark the beginning of lessons for us this year. I had intended to begin on the 6th but my poor health decided that for me. So we jump in Monday at a full schedule!

Sunday - Church, relaxing
Monday - Work 5, Lessons, Karate
Tuesday - Work 5, Lessons Soccer GAME (D), Practice (J,S)
Wednesday - Work 5, Lessons, Church
Thursday - WORK 5, Lessons, Writing class, Karate, Soccer Game (J,S)
Friday - WORK 5, Soccer Game (D), Soccer Pix (S,J)
Saturday - Soccer Game (J), Robotics @ Kettering (D), Book Club
Sunday - Mellon Family Picnic in GR

This week our karate class moves back to its earlier time in the afternoon on Mondays and Thursdays. We've been at 3pm all summer. On Thursdays, I will be teaching a writing class right before the karate class, taking advantage of being in town (one trip saves gas and time), and earning some extra money for Christmas and toward a new work laptop since I will be giving this one back to the soccer league in the spring.

5 soccer games this week but only 2 practices.

David is going to be on a First Robotics League team at a local high school. He will be going to a Robotics competition showcase on Saturday all day, with the team, as a spectator. In October, the team will start working weekly and after the new year, they'll meet almost daily preparing for the competitions. I've been wanting him to participate in this league for a long time and the opportunity presented itself. He'll be one of the oldest on the team since many of them graduated last year.

I have book club on Saturday and on Sunday, we'll be driving over to GR to have a family reunion picnic.

Weekly Preview and Review

Wow, never sent this out last week. Back-dating it, though.

Sunday - Halo Party
Monday - Labor Day, Work 5,
Tuesday - Work 5, Soccer GAME (D), Practice (J,S)
Wednesday - Work 5, Art Class?
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Practice (J)
Friday - Co-op, WORK 5, Soccer Practice (J,D)
Saturday - Soccer Practice (D)?, Game (S), NOT Back to School Picnic
Sunday -  

Weekly Preview and Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

Weekly Preview and Review

James and Suzy had a great time at the nature center, despite an initial unwillingness to go. (I've learned to ignore my kids when they say they don't want to do an activity.) They also got to go to Impression 5 Science Museum with a friend and that was a fun day for both of them.

Soccer practices for all three of my soccer players have started. David practices Mon, Fri, and Sat. James practices Tues and Thurs while Suzy's practices are Tues and Fri. Emily is not playing soccer this fall.

Sunday - Church, Relax, Run 6 miles
Monday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Practice (D)
Tuesday - WORK5, Soccer Practice (S,J), Lake Huron
Wednesday - WORK 5
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Practice (J)
Friday - WORK 5, Soccer Practice (D,S)
Saturday - Soccer Practice (D)?, Run 6 miles
Sunday - Karate Testing, Camp Week Begins

We have our last "normal" week of summer this week - karate and soccer practice will keep us hopping and we are also making a trip to Lake Huron. I'd like to fit in a visit to the local waterpark since I have a gift certificate. Maybe Thursday or Friday would be good for that. I'll try to fit in 25 hours this week since next week I am taking off 10 hours for camp week.

Our karate testing is Sunday - all of you are invited to watch if you like. It's in Pontiac in the afternoon, so let me know if you plan to come and I'll give you the details. It should be quite a spectacle with hopefully hundreds of karate students testing all at once.

We are gearing up for our annual homeschool camping week next week Sunday through Thursday. Should be lots of fun, with swimming, activities, potluck, campfires and friends. We always have a great time; it's the highlight of our summer! If you're a local homeschooler, you should consider joining us!


Today I will run 6 miles for the first time. I think I'll be trying a 7-1 interval (run 7 minutes, walk 1 minute). My friend Jennifer is training for a marathon and is doing that in her training. So, I'll give it a try. 6.2 miles is 10K so once I've done 6 miles, I think I'll really be ready to register for the race!

Weekly Preview and Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Weekly Preview and Review

Sunday - Visit family, drive home
Monday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Practice (D)
Tuesday - WORK5,  Pampered Chef Party
Wednesday - WORK 5, Fair,
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate, SOF meeting
Friday - WORK 5, Scrapbooking, Soccer Practice (D)
Saturday - Scrapbooking, Soccer Practice (D)
Sunday - RELAX (see a movie???)

Weekly Preview and Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sunday - Just relax
Monday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer VBS (S,J), Soccer Camp (D)
Tuesday - WORK?,  Soccer VBS (S,J), Co-op Registration Day, Soccer Camp (D)
Wednesday - WORK 5, Soccer VBS (S,J), Massage (L)
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate,  Soccer VBS (S,J), Soccer Camp (D)
Friday - WORK 5,  Soccer VBS (S,J), Soccer Camp (D)
Saturday - Book Club (Shakespeare in the Park!)
Sunday -

James had a good time at his nature camp. He liked the canoes the best. The class was small and he knew several kids from co-op and soccer. He reconnected with a boy that was in Spanish class and they'd like to get together sometime.

James and Suzy wanted to go to VBS this week at the church we sometimes attend and it turned out to be a very nice VBS, although very small. So they were there 3 hours each night. Suzy missed the last night because she was invited to spend the night with a friend.

David and I went on Saturday afternoon with friends to see Captain America -a GREAT movie! We went out to dinner afterwards and had a nice time.

Karate on Monday was "ninja training" - kind of a fun day instead of training. But Thursday, headquarters canceled classes due to the Excessive Heat Warning. So we only had karate one time. We skipped the karate picnic in favor of getting some things done around the house. It's not often we have a Saturday free and so we completed some long overdue chores. We need to work hard through the next month to get ready for testing at the end of August.

This week brings more VBS for James and Suzy. It's the annual Soccer Camp/VBS that we have done for a few years now. David also has soccer camp 4 nights this week - it's soccer conditioning and not so much fun, really; so keep him in your prayers as it's going to be very hot and probably humid.

Our homeschool co-op registration is Tuesday - a full day for me as I will be there the whole time working. It's nice to see all our friends from co-op, many of whom we don't see during the summer. Plus we get to meet the new families and see what classes everyone is choosing.

And Wednesday - I get my first massage ever! There's a massage school in Lapeer and they charge just $10! Bob has been there twice.

I completed week 5 of my 10K training, though the heat meant I didn't do as much exercise as I intended. I did my first full 4 mile run though with a few bits of walking. I'm getting there! I picked a 10K the first weekend of October, so I am on track with training and I will probably give myself another week or two of repeats so I am ready at the right time.

We're considering a trip to Lake Michigan - will it be camping or a hotel? Or will we decide on Lake Huron instead? Or Mackinac? Gotta nail that down here soon. We have one free weekend before the end of summer. It actually wasn't free, but I un-committed myself from something I didn't really need to do and made it free. So we will travel SOMEPLACE that weekend!

Weekly Preview and Review

Sunday - Movie Night
Monday - WORK 5, Karate, VBS (S,J), Soccer Meeting
Tuesday - WORK 5, Nature Camp (J), VBS (S,J), Beach Day
Wednesday - WORK 5, Nature Camp (J), VBS (S,J)
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate, Nature Camp (J), VBS (S,J)
Friday - WORK 5?, Nature Camp (J), VBS (S,J)
Saturday - Karate Picnic
Sunday -

David had a BLAST at his Defense and Tactics camp - lots of paintball, crawling through the woods, and sitting by the fire. He wants to go again next year!

Suzy enjoyed her Nature Center day camp last week and James is going this week. David and James had soccer camp which was a lot of drilling and scrimmage. Emily had a great time with her grandparents and Aunt Janet. She got to see Cars 2 which she has been waiting three years to see!

My scrapbooking weekend was wonderful, as always. Maryann was a gracious hostess and I got a TON of work done on my digital scrapbook.

I am doing terrible at returning library books lately. The kids are the worst offenders. I should just STOP borrowing things from libraries for a while.

Getting overwhelmed with soccer stuff. Gotta get those teams made and get the new website up. THEN I can relax and start training my replacement so I can be DONE with it all.

I am way behind on blogging too, so I just need to PUBLISH this and move forward!

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Cousin Camp Ends, Relax
Monday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Camp (D,J)
Tuesday - WORK 5, Soccer Camp (D,J), Leadership Mtg (L), Nature Camp (S)
Wednesday - WORK 5, kickboxing?, church, pick Emily up, Nature Camp (S)
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate, Soccer Camp (D,J), Nature Camp (S), Book Sale
Friday - WORK 5?, Scrapbooking, Martial Arts Camp (D), Nature Camp (S)
Saturday - Scrapbooking, Martial Arts Camp (D), Massage (B)
Sunday - Martial Arts Camp (D)

Hectic week ahead! Emily is at her grandparents for a few days. I have soccer teams to finish making and rosters to print. I will be selling curriculum at a book sale on Thursday. I will miss karate for that.

Suzy has field school at the nature center.
David and James have soccer camp 3 nights. (They will miss the 4th night.)
David has a martial arts tactics camp this weekend with his friend. They will be "roughing it".
I get to go scrapbooking this weekend.
I will do my regular 20 hours of work. Maybe add 5 hours?

I will get through it! And it will be FUN!

Camping Pix and Fireworks

Pictures from our camping trip and fireworks

Weekly Preview and Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Looking forward to Cousin Camp!

July is the Busiest Month...

So, we're camping this weekend - first trip of the year for us and camping with friends! YaY!

And today is the end of June, so I am looking ahead to July and I am a teensy bit overwhelmed!

So, we will spend the first 4 days of July camping. Which meant I spent the last day of June preparing for it and I'll spend several days cleaning up from it! And then cap it off with a Beach Day.

What else do we have in store? Oh, you just wait.  Keep in mind, of course, that I work 4-5 hours every day. We have our regular twice-a-week commitment to karate. I am trying to work out 6 days a week. This is usually enough to fill my days.

But no! There's more!

The second weekend of July is more camping - Cousin Camp, which sounds SO FUN!

The second week of July brings soccer camp for the boys - 4 evenings that week. Suzy is doing Field School at the nature center that week Tues-Fri from 9-2. I am selling books in a used book sale that Thursday, which means I have to drive down to drop the books OFF on Wed. David is going to a martials arts tactics camp that weekend and I am going scrapbooking.

That throws us wildly into the third week of July. This week is James' turn at the Nature Center Tues-Fri from 9-3. He'll miss Beach Day that week. James and Suzy want to go to a VBS in the evenings this week. That weekend is blessedly FREE ... for now.

So I get a little breather before jumping into the fourth week of the month, which holds four more nights soccer camp for David and James, a soccer VBS at night for Suzy, CO-OP registration (which somewhere in there I have to help prepare for and spend a day working at). I get a $10 massage this week too, which I have a feeling I am going to really NEED!

The month ends pleasantly with a Book Club trip to see Shakespeare in the Park and go out for GELATO. And I already read the book!

By the end of July I will be running 5 miles easily, according to my training plan. 

Whew! Thankfully, August isn't so busy!

And did you notice? Emily has NOTHING TO DO! Anyone want to occupy Emily?

Weekly Preview and Review

Two Towers in the theater was GREAT! Can't wait for Return of the King this coming Tuesday! After the movie, we stayed at Maryann's again that night and then spent all of Wednesday at her house. Wednesday night both she and I took our kids to church at the church David likes that's far from our house.

On the way home, we saw GORGEOUS bright rainbows. Amazing! The kids were enthralled, even the apathetic teen!

This was kind of a quiet week.

I did get in all my workouts - Sun: 2 mile run, Mon: karate, Tues: 2 mile run, Wed: rest day (unplanned), Thur: light workout at karate & 2 mile run; Fri: intervals class (40 min cardio, 20 min abs), Sat: rest day. After my run on Sunday, I will have 2 weeks of my 10K training plan completed.

I've been looking into getting my master's degree. Not for any real reason. I just miss going to school. It's kind of expensive and I missed the June 1 deadline for scholarships, so I probably won't apply until next spring. If I want Library Science, Wayne State is really the only option. Really I am thinking more of Literature and/or Composition. With a MA, I could teach at the college level. It may come to nothing, or maybe next year, I'll be back in college. What I really need to find out is if any of the 20 hours I already did at the graduate level would still count. That was back in 1991-92, so probably not, but I need to find out.

We are camping with friends this coming weekend at a new campground. It's near Maryann's house, so she'll come hang out with us, I think. Gotta consider how to fit in the workouts while I am camping. Can't take the time off or I will lose my momentum. We did buy the popup that we borrowed last year (can't remember if I mentioned that or not), so we do have a camper.

Sunday - Relax, Church,
Monday - WORK5, Karate, AYSO meeting
Tuesday - WORK 5, Beach Day, Lord of the Rings in the theater
Wednesday - WORK 5, kickboxing, church
Thursday - WORK 5, Karate
Friday - WORK? , Camping
Saturday - Camping
Sunday -Camping
Monday - Camping

Weekly Preview and Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

Weekly Preview and Review

Well, I skipped a week and I didn't even realize it!

Soccer is over! The last games were June 4th. I am still working on processing the soccer registrations for next year. Then I will make the teams. I have an assistant this year that will handle the uniform orders - whew! This is my last year as Registrar, so as the year goes on, I will teach my assistant how to do the registrar tasks and then hand it over to him when he's ready. I am really thrilled to be finishing up with that. I actually do like the registration stuff, but I am already on the computer 5 hours every day and adding those tasks, which are mostly computer-related, is just too much. 

Last week I was quite sick on Sunday and Monday and still recovering on Tuesday and Wednesday. Emily was sick before me and David, after me. The others didn't get it - thank God!

Tuesday I went with a friend to a homeschool used curriculum sale and then out for lunch. Got a few things that will be useful, most importantly Suzy's new math.

Belt Promotion happened Wednesday night - it was SO HOT that day! We had no idea what to expect, but it was very cool. Several of the red and black belt students gave demonstrations, including our instructor, and those were very cool. Then there was a quiz time for prizes and then finally the belt promotions. Our group (the beginners) went first and the instructors tied our new belts on us and then presented us to the audience. Then we watched the other classes get their belts. Very inspiring! Someday, we'll invite you all to see us get our black belts! :-) It takes about 3 months to progress to each level. We moved from 10th to 9th "gup" (level), so it will be a while.

Friday was supposed to be Park Day, but once again the weather was uncooperative. After Park Day, I had scheduled Suzy's party at the mini-golf place, thinking it would be easier for the moms since they'd already be out. But then I was in a dilemma. The weather wasn't so great for mini-golf either! But we pressed on and the party turned out wonderfully! I put up some pix on Cornerstone and if you care to see the whole slew of pix, you can email me for the link. I think this was the easiest party! I brought a cake, but other than that, all we had to do was show up and pay! And it was a fair price which included hot dog, chips, pop, and ice cream.

Maryann's son's graduation open house was Saturday and we stayed for the whole thing, then headed over to their house for the "after party". James stayed home with Bob but the rest of us spent the night and most of Sunday just hanging out. Alex (Maryann's son) will be going to Aquinas in the fall and David will miss him terribly.

This week our karate class starts the summer schedule, which moves it later in the afternoon. (3pm instead of 1:30) We do plan to continue through the summer.

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

I actually looked at the week ahead on my kitchen calendar and wondered if I forgot to write anything on there. It looks so empty! LOL  Nope, it's a nice empty week. PLEASANT CHANGE!

Maryann and I are going to see Lord of the Rings in the theater this week (and probably the next two Tuesdays as well). I think I'll be taking James along. He has been asking and asking to see the movies.

We are picking up our "new" camper this week. It's the one we borrowed last summer. The family isn't going to use it anymore and offered to sell it to us at a good price. So, even though we really wanted to move up to a larger camper, this is what God is offering to us. So, we're taking it! And so once again, we'll have a camper. And our "new" van has a hitch, so we're all set there.

Since we will have the new camper, we may go camping this weekend. I had considered it, but the weather looked like it wouldn't be great camping weather. Now, however, the forecast looks more promising, so maybe we'll do it.

10K training will commence this week. I will run on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. So, there. :-)
(Karate is Mondays and Thursdays and I will try for kickboxing on Wednesdays.) That gives me Saturdays off (or as a make up day, I guess).

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Relax, Feast of the Ste. Claire (re-enactment/encampment), Stand Strength team
Monday - WORK?, Memorial Day 5K, Family Fun day at a local camp
Tuesday - WORK 5, Soccer Practice (E,J,S)
Wednesday - WORK 5, Lessons, Soccer Game (E), Art class
Thursday - WORK 5, Lessons, Karate Class, Essay Class
Friday - WORK 5,
Saturday -  Soccer Games (S,E,J-2), Historical Writing Workshop
Sunday - Relax!, Church

Weekly Preview

Sunday - Relax, Monday - WORK 5 hrs, Lessons, Karate
Tuesday - WORK 5, Soccer Game (J), Soccer Practice (E,S)
Wednesday - WORK 5, Lessons, Soccer Game (E), Bob's 50th Birthday!
Thursday - WORK 5, Lessons, Karate Class, Belt Testing
Friday - WORK 5?,  Park Day
Saturday - Book Club
Sunday - Relax!, Church
Monday - Memorial Day, 5K

Weekly Preview and Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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