It was so awesome! I pulled up to the house with all the kids in the car, and informed them that due to their behavior, they were all getting coal for Christmas. Right on cue, Scott let puppy 'Coal' out of the house, and I said: "See? There's your Coal!" The kids were floored! Then they all started yelling! They are so happy! They have all been really good about helping. The puppy is really, really good. He is happy in his crate, and doesn't cry. He is happy with his collar and leash. It will take some time, but we will work on house-breaking. He shouldn't be too hard to train--labs are smart doggies.
Well, more later--puppy duty calls and the kids are having a lot of fun with the remote control train.
More later!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
!!!!!!!
HE IS SOOOOO CUTE!!!!!!!!! I should have taken a picture of him with my phone, but I was too enamored to think about it at the time.
We are going to pick him up Friday or Saturday.... this seemed the best way to maximize time to get used to each other, time that Dan and Susie will get to enjoy him and having him feel settled enough to travel with us after the New Year.
I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!! The kids are going to be so excited!
We got to meet the mommy and daddy dog--they were the nicest, best behaved dogs. The owner was very pleasant and very friendly. He was very helpful telling us about the dogs, and what to expect as they grow. It seemed like he had taken great care of them and had invested a lot of time and energy into them. He is going to be a BIG dog! You can tell looking at his head and paws (and dad--oh my!). But so gentle and pleasant. No yipping, nipping or tearing around. He was playful, but not obnoxious. He wasn't afraid of us, and came right over to play, and after awhile climbed right into my lap and snuggled with me.
While we were talking the puppy wandered over to the daddy dog and the daddy dog started to use his tail to play with the puppy. It was so cute to watch. The dad switched his tail back and forth to tease the puppy. The look of glee on the dad's face was hilarious.
Now.... for a name...... lol....
Any ideas? :)
We are going to pick him up Friday or Saturday.... this seemed the best way to maximize time to get used to each other, time that Dan and Susie will get to enjoy him and having him feel settled enough to travel with us after the New Year.
I CANT WAIT!!!!!!!! The kids are going to be so excited!
We got to meet the mommy and daddy dog--they were the nicest, best behaved dogs. The owner was very pleasant and very friendly. He was very helpful telling us about the dogs, and what to expect as they grow. It seemed like he had taken great care of them and had invested a lot of time and energy into them. He is going to be a BIG dog! You can tell looking at his head and paws (and dad--oh my!). But so gentle and pleasant. No yipping, nipping or tearing around. He was playful, but not obnoxious. He wasn't afraid of us, and came right over to play, and after awhile climbed right into my lap and snuggled with me.
While we were talking the puppy wandered over to the daddy dog and the daddy dog started to use his tail to play with the puppy. It was so cute to watch. The dad switched his tail back and forth to tease the puppy. The look of glee on the dad's face was hilarious.
Now.... for a name...... lol....
Any ideas? :)
The first snow arrives!
Well, it is about time. You in NY have had all kinds of snow, and we have only had rain, rain, rain. Last night we received about 3 inches, maybe only 2.5, it is hard to tell from where I am sitting. It isn't very pretty: it is wet, slushy and icy, but it is SNOW.
The kids just left for school after a 90 minute delay, I am so relieved they had school as you will see later in this note WHY. There are some things you just can't pull over on a 13 year old without being able to stuff them away at school whilst you PLOT.
The phone rang three times this morning, but I am glad that it was just weather alerts and not the sub lady calling. I hate saying "no" to her, but I don't relish teaching when I am feeling sick, either. I am battling a sinus thing. (yuck!) Illness is our other theme for the day, as is a "Thank God for the Internet" experience, which I will get to in a minute.
Illness is upon us--for me, a mild, but drawn out whole body experience that began with a stomach thing this past weekend and is ending (hopefully) with the sinus thing. I had to go get Aidan from school yesterday because she had the stomach thing. Alannah sounds like she should be singing the double bass line in a Barbershop Quartet with a deep chest thing. Scott is coughing and sneezing. We are quite the bunch! Susie, she tells me, went to the Dr. Monday and she has bronchitis. It may be that the White Christmas we have will be because the floor is strewn with 8 boxes of tissue!
But, like I said, all our things are mostly mild, so we are all functioning. Being home for a couple days is working wonders on my getting stuff done for the holidays. My sewing machine has been on fire, and all the Christmas cards are about ready to mail. Scott customized an ice storm photo to include, so I will pick them up at CVS today along with stamps. Alannah helped me address the envelopes, and she also helped with the sewing: pulling basting, turning casing and cutting threads.
Hopefully later today the germs will dissipate and we will brave doing some baking for teacher gifts. I found the cutest treat bags to fill with the M&M snack mix that everyone seems to like. I was thinking I would like to make caramel corn too.... we shall see!
At lunchtime (I am soooo excited!!!!!) Scott and I are going down to Torrington to see a (shhhh!) p-u-p-p-y that is for sale there. It is a 10 week old black lab. The owner is willing to hold the puppies until Christmas Eve--this little guy has a brother and sister who are waiting to surprise two other families. I hope that it works out, Dan (ok, and mommy) needs a puppy! The neighbors here got a puppy this Summer and it was so much fun to watch Dan playing with her. They were two peas in a pod.
Oh! Can't forget the Internet story! I was checking all my online banking accounts, and I realized that my Owego account was overdrawn by $300. Now.... I am not the most diligent detailist when it comes to banking, but I am pretty good about not over-drawing my checking accounts--especially not by $300!!!!! I went back through the transactions and realized that my NYSEG payment on the Church St. house was over charged by $400!!!!!! That is a BIG mistake!!! Lisa at Chemung Canal was very sorry and will take care of it and then-some, I am sure.
That woke me up, as I am sure it would anyone!!!!! But thank goodness for the Internet--in the "old days", this problem would have taken a long time to deal with. This just takes them a few clicks and phone calls to rectify as everything is recorded electronically.
Merry Christmas to ME!!!!
Ok--I need to get myself in gear--lots of stuff to do!!!!
(cough, hack, groan, moan, sneeze)
The kids just left for school after a 90 minute delay, I am so relieved they had school as you will see later in this note WHY. There are some things you just can't pull over on a 13 year old without being able to stuff them away at school whilst you PLOT.
The phone rang three times this morning, but I am glad that it was just weather alerts and not the sub lady calling. I hate saying "no" to her, but I don't relish teaching when I am feeling sick, either. I am battling a sinus thing. (yuck!) Illness is our other theme for the day, as is a "Thank God for the Internet" experience, which I will get to in a minute.
Illness is upon us--for me, a mild, but drawn out whole body experience that began with a stomach thing this past weekend and is ending (hopefully) with the sinus thing. I had to go get Aidan from school yesterday because she had the stomach thing. Alannah sounds like she should be singing the double bass line in a Barbershop Quartet with a deep chest thing. Scott is coughing and sneezing. We are quite the bunch! Susie, she tells me, went to the Dr. Monday and she has bronchitis. It may be that the White Christmas we have will be because the floor is strewn with 8 boxes of tissue!
But, like I said, all our things are mostly mild, so we are all functioning. Being home for a couple days is working wonders on my getting stuff done for the holidays. My sewing machine has been on fire, and all the Christmas cards are about ready to mail. Scott customized an ice storm photo to include, so I will pick them up at CVS today along with stamps. Alannah helped me address the envelopes, and she also helped with the sewing: pulling basting, turning casing and cutting threads.
Hopefully later today the germs will dissipate and we will brave doing some baking for teacher gifts. I found the cutest treat bags to fill with the M&M snack mix that everyone seems to like. I was thinking I would like to make caramel corn too.... we shall see!
At lunchtime (I am soooo excited!!!!!) Scott and I are going down to Torrington to see a (shhhh!) p-u-p-p-y that is for sale there. It is a 10 week old black lab. The owner is willing to hold the puppies until Christmas Eve--this little guy has a brother and sister who are waiting to surprise two other families. I hope that it works out, Dan (ok, and mommy) needs a puppy! The neighbors here got a puppy this Summer and it was so much fun to watch Dan playing with her. They were two peas in a pod.
Oh! Can't forget the Internet story! I was checking all my online banking accounts, and I realized that my Owego account was overdrawn by $300. Now.... I am not the most diligent detailist when it comes to banking, but I am pretty good about not over-drawing my checking accounts--especially not by $300!!!!! I went back through the transactions and realized that my NYSEG payment on the Church St. house was over charged by $400!!!!!! That is a BIG mistake!!! Lisa at Chemung Canal was very sorry and will take care of it and then-some, I am sure.
That woke me up, as I am sure it would anyone!!!!! But thank goodness for the Internet--in the "old days", this problem would have taken a long time to deal with. This just takes them a few clicks and phone calls to rectify as everything is recorded electronically.
Merry Christmas to ME!!!!
Ok--I need to get myself in gear--lots of stuff to do!!!!
(cough, hack, groan, moan, sneeze)
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
ho! ho! ho!
The weather is weathering..... it was warm (no kidding--it was 60 degrees at 6am this morning!!!!!!!!) and drizzly all day today, and just in the last hour it has been getting colder.... and colder.... and COLDER. (last i checked it was about 40, and dropping fast) It is supposed to pour buckets with thunder, lightening and eventually turning into ice and snow over the next two days. (eeeewwwwwwwww) Why can't it just SNOW? A nice, fluffy Nor'Easter?
The kids were all speculating whether we would lose a day of school this week.... sounds good to me! :)
I did get a couple of days off this week and was able to take a breath and get some Christmas stuff done. The house is looking festive! I feel better having a few things stashed away now, with a better picture of what we are going to gift everyone this year.
Susie and Dan are coming this Friday! I hope the weather stays ok so I can get there ok. Then after that, they will be here for Christmas from the 19th until the 30th. (yay!!!!!!!!)
The girls and I went to the Christmas concert at the high school last night. It was very nice. The girls were impressed that a lot of the kids said hi to me. We were downtown shopping and a few kids said hi to me there, too! I always was impressed when I went places with mom and everyone said "Mrs. Gray!" "Mrs. Gray!"
Speaking of which, when I called Dan and Susie tonight, Dan sung jingle bells to me, sweet as can be. He doesn't always talk to me--it must be hard for a 4 year old to talk on the phone about anything in particular. He really loves music, and to sing, though, so it doesn't take much encouragement to get him to do that, at least.
Before I forget, a funny story:
I was dying laughing last night--at the concert, the band director and choir director had gone all out to be sophisticated and politically correct. The program was tasteful, ambitious. They had various students explain all of the pieces of music to the audience.
Winsted being the blue collar haven that it is, was tolerant, at best. It was obvious that most of the audience was not really paying attention to the explanations--they were all holding out for the CHRISTMAS carol sing-along at the end.
Anyways, one of the pieces played by both the choir and the band was Coventry Carol. The students explained that this carol was written about the infantacide Herod ordered in anticipation of Jesus' birth. The carol is supposed to be the mothers crying for their sons' short, doomed lives. It is pretty, but sad and tragic.
On the way out, I overheard a mother and daughter talking. The daughter asked the mother what her favorite piece of music was. The mother said that she loved the Coventry Carol, in spite of what "that teacher" said. "It's pretty!" she insisted. Then she asked her daughter: "What WAS he talking about, that it was about babies being killed?" The daughter tried to explain, again, the story of Herod and the babies. "Why would he do that?" the mother continued. The daughter told her mother Herod was actually trying to kill Jesus. "What?" the mother was confused. "Where did the teacher get this story?" The girl said, "The bible, I guess." The mother started laughing hysterically--"The bible? (hahahahahahaha) I never heard any such thing being in the bible!!!" Well, then they both started laughing, and the both decided that the teacher was "nice" but a bit off his rocker.
Hee hee!
The kids were all speculating whether we would lose a day of school this week.... sounds good to me! :)
I did get a couple of days off this week and was able to take a breath and get some Christmas stuff done. The house is looking festive! I feel better having a few things stashed away now, with a better picture of what we are going to gift everyone this year.
Susie and Dan are coming this Friday! I hope the weather stays ok so I can get there ok. Then after that, they will be here for Christmas from the 19th until the 30th. (yay!!!!!!!!)
The girls and I went to the Christmas concert at the high school last night. It was very nice. The girls were impressed that a lot of the kids said hi to me. We were downtown shopping and a few kids said hi to me there, too! I always was impressed when I went places with mom and everyone said "Mrs. Gray!" "Mrs. Gray!"
Speaking of which, when I called Dan and Susie tonight, Dan sung jingle bells to me, sweet as can be. He doesn't always talk to me--it must be hard for a 4 year old to talk on the phone about anything in particular. He really loves music, and to sing, though, so it doesn't take much encouragement to get him to do that, at least.
Before I forget, a funny story:
I was dying laughing last night--at the concert, the band director and choir director had gone all out to be sophisticated and politically correct. The program was tasteful, ambitious. They had various students explain all of the pieces of music to the audience.
Winsted being the blue collar haven that it is, was tolerant, at best. It was obvious that most of the audience was not really paying attention to the explanations--they were all holding out for the CHRISTMAS carol sing-along at the end.
Anyways, one of the pieces played by both the choir and the band was Coventry Carol. The students explained that this carol was written about the infantacide Herod ordered in anticipation of Jesus' birth. The carol is supposed to be the mothers crying for their sons' short, doomed lives. It is pretty, but sad and tragic.
On the way out, I overheard a mother and daughter talking. The daughter asked the mother what her favorite piece of music was. The mother said that she loved the Coventry Carol, in spite of what "that teacher" said. "It's pretty!" she insisted. Then she asked her daughter: "What WAS he talking about, that it was about babies being killed?" The daughter tried to explain, again, the story of Herod and the babies. "Why would he do that?" the mother continued. The daughter told her mother Herod was actually trying to kill Jesus. "What?" the mother was confused. "Where did the teacher get this story?" The girl said, "The bible, I guess." The mother started laughing hysterically--"The bible? (hahahahahahaha) I never heard any such thing being in the bible!!!" Well, then they both started laughing, and the both decided that the teacher was "nice" but a bit off his rocker.
Hee hee!
Monday, December 8, 2008
:)
Hi everyone! It was a busy cccooooolllllllddddddd day here in Winsted. I think it was around 9 degrees this morning with a wind chill factor of -15. My car felt it--it coughed and sputtered trying to start.
Today I was teaching PE/health. It was fun for me, seeing that subject puts me much more into my "element" than algebra. I taught sleep deprivation, mental illnesses, badminton (ok, so that one was a stretch) and food labels to freshmen, juniors and seniors.
A lot of the kids I have had already, and they greeted me enthusiastically. As I walked down the hall many of them called out to see who I was in for today. There were shouts for kids that would be in my class, and groans for those who wouldn't be. A few of them helped me find my room, and went to get someone to unlock it for me. The kids that haven't had me were quickly informed that Miss Hall is a cool sub..... (help me out here, is that "good"? or.....?) Hahahahaha! I teased them back--were they happy they had a sub, or were they happy that I was their sub? There were a few guilty looks and giggles, but they all assured me that it was ME. (wink!)
Later that morning the teacher I subbed for on Friday tracked me down all the way across the school to thank me (profusely!) for doing such a great job for him. Not only that, he passed along the compliment (glowing!) to the sub-lady in the main office, the principal and the superintendent and all three made a point to mention the compliment to me throughout the day.
I love compliments, don't we all? But I know all too well that there will be at least one day that things won't go so well and I'll get a bad report--good thing the good ones came first this time!!!!! :) So much better to glide (safely) along in anonymous mediocrity? It felt really good, though. I don't think grown ups get enough compliments.
Everyone seems amazed that I do so well with what they consider the "bad" kids. First of all, no kids are "bad". Second of all, no kids could possibly be as "bad" as the ones I had in the alternative high school in Binghamton...... and they weren't THAT bad-even the ones who had parole officers! Besides, what is more important? Behavior, or learning? Do you have to be perfectly behaved, as in silent and still, to learn well? I believe that I am more effective when I let kids be kids, with certain expectations about general respect and behavior. Teenagers need some space, and some air. If I can be realistic, give them a little, they will soon give me 1000%.
In other news, we got the Christmas decorations out today and began decorating a bit. Alannah starts Art Club tomorrow. The high school winter concert is tomorrow night, and we will try to go. We are all excited to have Susie and Dan this weekend!
btw.... gas is down to $1.65....... the Steelers won..... life is good! :)
p.s. give a grown up a compliment tomorrow!!!!!!!
Today I was teaching PE/health. It was fun for me, seeing that subject puts me much more into my "element" than algebra. I taught sleep deprivation, mental illnesses, badminton (ok, so that one was a stretch) and food labels to freshmen, juniors and seniors.
A lot of the kids I have had already, and they greeted me enthusiastically. As I walked down the hall many of them called out to see who I was in for today. There were shouts for kids that would be in my class, and groans for those who wouldn't be. A few of them helped me find my room, and went to get someone to unlock it for me. The kids that haven't had me were quickly informed that Miss Hall is a cool sub..... (help me out here, is that "good"? or.....?) Hahahahaha! I teased them back--were they happy they had a sub, or were they happy that I was their sub? There were a few guilty looks and giggles, but they all assured me that it was ME. (wink!)
Later that morning the teacher I subbed for on Friday tracked me down all the way across the school to thank me (profusely!) for doing such a great job for him. Not only that, he passed along the compliment (glowing!) to the sub-lady in the main office, the principal and the superintendent and all three made a point to mention the compliment to me throughout the day.
I love compliments, don't we all? But I know all too well that there will be at least one day that things won't go so well and I'll get a bad report--good thing the good ones came first this time!!!!! :) So much better to glide (safely) along in anonymous mediocrity? It felt really good, though. I don't think grown ups get enough compliments.
Everyone seems amazed that I do so well with what they consider the "bad" kids. First of all, no kids are "bad". Second of all, no kids could possibly be as "bad" as the ones I had in the alternative high school in Binghamton...... and they weren't THAT bad-even the ones who had parole officers! Besides, what is more important? Behavior, or learning? Do you have to be perfectly behaved, as in silent and still, to learn well? I believe that I am more effective when I let kids be kids, with certain expectations about general respect and behavior. Teenagers need some space, and some air. If I can be realistic, give them a little, they will soon give me 1000%.
In other news, we got the Christmas decorations out today and began decorating a bit. Alannah starts Art Club tomorrow. The high school winter concert is tomorrow night, and we will try to go. We are all excited to have Susie and Dan this weekend!
btw.... gas is down to $1.65....... the Steelers won..... life is good! :)
p.s. give a grown up a compliment tomorrow!!!!!!!
Friday, December 5, 2008
I am so TIRED!!!!
But I am so happy!!! :)
I can't remember the last time I worked (almost) a whole week outside of the home. Not that housework is less work than work outside the house, but when I work at home, I can take a NAP!!!!! (hahahahaha)
So far so good with the subbing, by-the-way. The charm of Miss Hall hasn't worn off yet. In fact, one boy let me know, in confidence, that I was doing a really good job. That totally made my day.
The weather here in Winsted is not very December like. It is difficult to get in the Christmas mood when the weather swings from deep-February frigid to balmy April. The stores here are just starting to get decorated for the holidays. I think one store keeper said that their "big" weekend was next weekend, and that everything should be set for then. It is kind of nice seeing that the rest of the world has been going Christmas full swing since Halloween.
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. This is the season of the church where we are supposed to contemplate what life was like before Jesus. We wait, patiently, and expectantly for his arrival at Christmas. At home, we have a wreath of candles that we light. The girls have special devotionals they do each day. Every Sunday my mom has a small gift for us to open. It is fun, but hard to see that bag of gifts every day waiting until each week is over to open another one!
I like what our church here in Winsted is doing. The church had a few simple decorations: Two long, plain pieces of cloth hanging up front and twenty plain green wreaths hanging around the church. The minister asked that each week we bring a decoration or two to fill up the wreaths. That way we are taking our time thoughtfully preparing. By Christmas time the church will be fully decorated by a diverse number of decorations. I think that is a great idea.
When we get back from the game this weekend the girls and I will start getting all the Christmas stuff out of the attic. They need to update Sponge Bob for Christmas--he has a nice big Santa Hat!
I have a bunch of new pictures from Thanksgiving.... I will try and get them up there soon.
Go Pitt!!!!!!!!
I can't remember the last time I worked (almost) a whole week outside of the home. Not that housework is less work than work outside the house, but when I work at home, I can take a NAP!!!!! (hahahahaha)
So far so good with the subbing, by-the-way. The charm of Miss Hall hasn't worn off yet. In fact, one boy let me know, in confidence, that I was doing a really good job. That totally made my day.
The weather here in Winsted is not very December like. It is difficult to get in the Christmas mood when the weather swings from deep-February frigid to balmy April. The stores here are just starting to get decorated for the holidays. I think one store keeper said that their "big" weekend was next weekend, and that everything should be set for then. It is kind of nice seeing that the rest of the world has been going Christmas full swing since Halloween.
Last Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. This is the season of the church where we are supposed to contemplate what life was like before Jesus. We wait, patiently, and expectantly for his arrival at Christmas. At home, we have a wreath of candles that we light. The girls have special devotionals they do each day. Every Sunday my mom has a small gift for us to open. It is fun, but hard to see that bag of gifts every day waiting until each week is over to open another one!
I like what our church here in Winsted is doing. The church had a few simple decorations: Two long, plain pieces of cloth hanging up front and twenty plain green wreaths hanging around the church. The minister asked that each week we bring a decoration or two to fill up the wreaths. That way we are taking our time thoughtfully preparing. By Christmas time the church will be fully decorated by a diverse number of decorations. I think that is a great idea.
When we get back from the game this weekend the girls and I will start getting all the Christmas stuff out of the attic. They need to update Sponge Bob for Christmas--he has a nice big Santa Hat!
I have a bunch of new pictures from Thanksgiving.... I will try and get them up there soon.
Go Pitt!!!!!!!!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Yes, I am still here!
Hi everyone! We had so much fun on Thanksgiving. What a great time! Playing hostess for the first time was GREAT, and very rewarding. Mom and Andrea were very gracious to not miss doing all the work for the first time. We all helped each other and everything turned out WONDERFUL.
It was so much fun having Susie and Dan here all week. They were so happy here with their sisters. I can't begin to tell you all the things we did, and we basically didn't do anything special at all--just hung out as a family. It went too fast.
I have been called in to sub just about every day this week and next. I am so tired! But it is fun. The kids are great. The school is so small! Only 400 kids 9-12. I basically know all the 9th graders already since that is where I have been subbing the most. I have been in history, english, math and ceramics. Next week I get to try out PE and another English class.
I guess I am doing ok--the kids seem happy, and they do the work, more or less. The principal came in to say hello to me the other day. About halfway through the conversation I realized he was interviewing me, and I was sort of mindlessly shooting the breeze. Later I kind of freaked out about that but figured I had more or less been intelligent and thoughtful in my answers.
Next week Aidan is going to try out for cheerleading. Alannah came home very excited about playing volleyball in gym--I think she really liked it, and was suprirsed she liked it. The kids in Winsted are very into sports and extracurricular activities. The girls' friends are inspiring them!
This weekend Scott and I have a very rare date day. We have tickets to the Pitt/UCONN game. Dad is meeting us at Andrea's in Albany Saturday morning and is going to spend the day taking the girls around Albany and to Howe's caverns. We will pick the girls up and Andrea's on Sunday. I can't remember the last time we had a free night without kids!
Christmas is hurtling toward us now. It is hard to believe that 2008 is almost over.
More later......
It was so much fun having Susie and Dan here all week. They were so happy here with their sisters. I can't begin to tell you all the things we did, and we basically didn't do anything special at all--just hung out as a family. It went too fast.
I have been called in to sub just about every day this week and next. I am so tired! But it is fun. The kids are great. The school is so small! Only 400 kids 9-12. I basically know all the 9th graders already since that is where I have been subbing the most. I have been in history, english, math and ceramics. Next week I get to try out PE and another English class.
I guess I am doing ok--the kids seem happy, and they do the work, more or less. The principal came in to say hello to me the other day. About halfway through the conversation I realized he was interviewing me, and I was sort of mindlessly shooting the breeze. Later I kind of freaked out about that but figured I had more or less been intelligent and thoughtful in my answers.
Next week Aidan is going to try out for cheerleading. Alannah came home very excited about playing volleyball in gym--I think she really liked it, and was suprirsed she liked it. The kids in Winsted are very into sports and extracurricular activities. The girls' friends are inspiring them!
This weekend Scott and I have a very rare date day. We have tickets to the Pitt/UCONN game. Dad is meeting us at Andrea's in Albany Saturday morning and is going to spend the day taking the girls around Albany and to Howe's caverns. We will pick the girls up and Andrea's on Sunday. I can't remember the last time we had a free night without kids!
Christmas is hurtling toward us now. It is hard to believe that 2008 is almost over.
More later......
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Whoooo Hooooo!!!!
I bought gas today for my car!!!!!
$1.93 a gallon!!!!!!
I can't remember the last time it was that low!!!!
:) We get Susie and Dan tomorrow! Yay!!!!!!
$1.93 a gallon!!!!!!
I can't remember the last time it was that low!!!!
:) We get Susie and Dan tomorrow! Yay!!!!!!
She shoots, she SCORES!!!!
Ahhh.... I made it! Getting my butt back in the classroom again was just what the Dr. ordered. I thought to myself all day: "Oh yeah! I like this!"
When I arrived at the high school, the sub lady warned me that although I was going to sub for a department head with a short work schedule, that I would have one of the toughest classrooms in the school. The principal was walking by right at that moment, and he shook his head and told me that if any of the kids made one peep of trouble to just shoot them right down to him at the office. "DIAL ZERO" he said, very seriously. As we toured the school, the teachers I met along the way all tsk-tskd to me about "THAT CLASS". So all day I had this hanging over my head.
Well, they weren't as bad as the worst class I have ever had, but they were bad enough. It always seems that there is ONE kid that shakes things up--you get rid of him/her and the rest of the class is great. This class had about five of them. Which, in contrast to the worst class I ever had at West Middle School in Binghamton, was NOTHING. (hahahahaha) Although they reminded me of the felon-class I used to sub for at the alternative high school. So.... another example of how past opportunities prepare us for the future?
BUT--I was again reminded, that within ANY kid, (or person for that matter), is a good kid, and a smart kid. Behavior is not an indicator of intelligence or potential. In fact, I thought that some of the badder kids were probably pretty darn smart--they were funny--and although some of their comments were not delivered respectfully, they were pretty insightful for 15 year olds. (we were discussing the election and the transitional period of the presidency). They came across as being smart-mouthed, but I pointed out to them that they had some very interesting observations--especially interesting was a lively discussion about the safety of Obama--that he was at serious risk of being assassinated before the election. Of course, this discussion eventually deteriorated with the observation of the four letter word that is repeated in assassination....but....I'll take whatever I can get!!!!!
Hahahahahaha......
While I was leaving, many kids (even ones I didn't have) said "Goodbye Miss Hall!" And everyone was whispering and staring at me. That was the kids--when I got back to the office, the administrative ladies were more nervous--would I come back in spite of having to kick five kids out of class?
"Of course! They were (mostly) darlings!" I smiled...... The relief was palpable.
Ahhhh, I passed! :)
When I arrived at the high school, the sub lady warned me that although I was going to sub for a department head with a short work schedule, that I would have one of the toughest classrooms in the school. The principal was walking by right at that moment, and he shook his head and told me that if any of the kids made one peep of trouble to just shoot them right down to him at the office. "DIAL ZERO" he said, very seriously. As we toured the school, the teachers I met along the way all tsk-tskd to me about "THAT CLASS". So all day I had this hanging over my head.
Well, they weren't as bad as the worst class I have ever had, but they were bad enough. It always seems that there is ONE kid that shakes things up--you get rid of him/her and the rest of the class is great. This class had about five of them. Which, in contrast to the worst class I ever had at West Middle School in Binghamton, was NOTHING. (hahahahaha) Although they reminded me of the felon-class I used to sub for at the alternative high school. So.... another example of how past opportunities prepare us for the future?
BUT--I was again reminded, that within ANY kid, (or person for that matter), is a good kid, and a smart kid. Behavior is not an indicator of intelligence or potential. In fact, I thought that some of the badder kids were probably pretty darn smart--they were funny--and although some of their comments were not delivered respectfully, they were pretty insightful for 15 year olds. (we were discussing the election and the transitional period of the presidency). They came across as being smart-mouthed, but I pointed out to them that they had some very interesting observations--especially interesting was a lively discussion about the safety of Obama--that he was at serious risk of being assassinated before the election. Of course, this discussion eventually deteriorated with the observation of the four letter word that is repeated in assassination....but....I'll take whatever I can get!!!!!
Hahahahahaha......
While I was leaving, many kids (even ones I didn't have) said "Goodbye Miss Hall!" And everyone was whispering and staring at me. That was the kids--when I got back to the office, the administrative ladies were more nervous--would I come back in spite of having to kick five kids out of class?
"Of course! They were (mostly) darlings!" I smiled...... The relief was palpable.
Ahhhh, I passed! :)
Monday, November 17, 2008
!!!!!
I have my first "job" subbing at the high school on Wednesday morning! Aiiigghhh!!!!!
We are all recovering from a whirlwind trip to Pittsburgh this past weekend. We went down to visit Scott's mom and stepdad and dad and stepmom. We have met them several times before. We enjoyed a trip downtown on Saturday even though it was rainy. We took the kids up the "incline" so they could see Heinz field and the hockey arena. Then we went over to Oakland, with a tour of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon--Scott's neighbor growing up was the football coach there. (Scott got me making this guy's key lime pie) We ate the most amazing rainy-day hot dog lunch at Essie's Original Hot Dog Stand. I can see why this resturant has repeatedly won awards for thier french fries. We have a picture of the HEAP of fries before we ate them--I will post it soon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essie's_Original_Hot_Dog_shop
Other highlights were Elaine and Denny's (Scott's mom and stepdad) dogs Seiko and Sammy. Seiko is a Malamut and Sammy is a Newfoundland. They are great dogs--LITERALLY. The girls spend hours brushing and brushing Sammy's long bear fur. He just laid there loving every minute of it. Seiko is a darling girl. She and Dan became great buddies. Anytime he was in the house she perked up and followed him around. It was sad to leave them especially!
Pap and Rose (Scott's dad and stepmom) enjoyed seeing the kids and we watched the Penn's game at their house Saturday night. They took us out to King's Sunday morning for brunch. http://www.kingsfamily.com/ We had the BEST waitress--I think that she should go out and train all other waitresses in the whole world. It would solve all our problems!!! This resturant hosts many parisheners from two Catholic churches nearby. We got there early to get "the big table" before mass let out. It was a good thing! Many of Pap and Roses' friends came by to say "hello". (and to check me out, i am sure! :) ) The children were (phew!) very well behaved.
We met up with some nasty weather on the way home. I heard from Eva that Owego woke up white this morning. It was gorgeous and sunny most of today, and only down into the upper 40's. We will "get ours" later on this week, have no fear! I can tell that it is getting colder out by the minute.
The girls and I went and picked up a birthday present for Kennedi. (Scott's daughter who will be 6 on Thursday) We will be going down to see them Wednesday night. Just last week I had seen the cutest Barbie display at the Walmart here that had Barbie dolls dressed in the same little girl clothes that were for sale in the display. We went back to get one set for Kennedi only to find out the whole display had sold out in a couple of hours! Well..... never say never to a girl of Gray descent! We went through the entire store looking in all the nooks and crannies and we managed to find not only a doll, but the entire outfit (with the purse)!!!!!! http://kidsfashion.about.com/b/2008/11/13/holiday-gift-idea-barbie-and-me-fashions-for-girls-and-barbie.htm My favorite one was the red one, but we ended up with the pink satiny jeans/jacket one. She will probably like that one better anyways.
I am off to watch Monday Night Football! :)
We are all recovering from a whirlwind trip to Pittsburgh this past weekend. We went down to visit Scott's mom and stepdad and dad and stepmom. We have met them several times before. We enjoyed a trip downtown on Saturday even though it was rainy. We took the kids up the "incline" so they could see Heinz field and the hockey arena. Then we went over to Oakland, with a tour of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon--Scott's neighbor growing up was the football coach there. (Scott got me making this guy's key lime pie) We ate the most amazing rainy-day hot dog lunch at Essie's Original Hot Dog Stand. I can see why this resturant has repeatedly won awards for thier french fries. We have a picture of the HEAP of fries before we ate them--I will post it soon. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essie's_Original_Hot_Dog_shop
Other highlights were Elaine and Denny's (Scott's mom and stepdad) dogs Seiko and Sammy. Seiko is a Malamut and Sammy is a Newfoundland. They are great dogs--LITERALLY. The girls spend hours brushing and brushing Sammy's long bear fur. He just laid there loving every minute of it. Seiko is a darling girl. She and Dan became great buddies. Anytime he was in the house she perked up and followed him around. It was sad to leave them especially!
Pap and Rose (Scott's dad and stepmom) enjoyed seeing the kids and we watched the Penn's game at their house Saturday night. They took us out to King's Sunday morning for brunch. http://www.kingsfamily.com/ We had the BEST waitress--I think that she should go out and train all other waitresses in the whole world. It would solve all our problems!!! This resturant hosts many parisheners from two Catholic churches nearby. We got there early to get "the big table" before mass let out. It was a good thing! Many of Pap and Roses' friends came by to say "hello". (and to check me out, i am sure! :) ) The children were (phew!) very well behaved.
We met up with some nasty weather on the way home. I heard from Eva that Owego woke up white this morning. It was gorgeous and sunny most of today, and only down into the upper 40's. We will "get ours" later on this week, have no fear! I can tell that it is getting colder out by the minute.
The girls and I went and picked up a birthday present for Kennedi. (Scott's daughter who will be 6 on Thursday) We will be going down to see them Wednesday night. Just last week I had seen the cutest Barbie display at the Walmart here that had Barbie dolls dressed in the same little girl clothes that were for sale in the display. We went back to get one set for Kennedi only to find out the whole display had sold out in a couple of hours! Well..... never say never to a girl of Gray descent! We went through the entire store looking in all the nooks and crannies and we managed to find not only a doll, but the entire outfit (with the purse)!!!!!! http://kidsfashion.about.com/b/2008/11/13/holiday-gift-idea-barbie-and-me-fashions-for-girls-and-barbie.htm My favorite one was the red one, but we ended up with the pink satiny jeans/jacket one. She will probably like that one better anyways.
I am off to watch Monday Night Football! :)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
On the first day of hunting season....
...my true love gave to me, a Turkey in an old oak tree!
There were about six big huge turkeys at the top of this ancient oak tree at the back of our property this morning!!!! This has to be at least 50-60 feet up in the air!!!! I have never seen a turkey fly before. I didn't even know they could fly! They are actually quite graceful. They were just hanging out up there catching the first sun beams.
There is quite the rafter of Turkeys in the woods there--I've seen about 20-30 of them most days.
Amazing. Tomorrow we will try and see if they are there again, and try and get some pictures. The camera wasn't charged up this morning.
We had a fun day off for Veteran's Day. We did sew wool newsboy caps from the wool fabric Joan O. sent. They came out really cute! We will get some pics tomorrow. Alannah is working on a diorama and research project about the man who designed the first sewing machine. I am having fun giving her additional research ideas. I remembered that there was a neat conversation about the new sewing machine in one of the Little House on the Prairie books.... We found it and Alannah is going to copy it for part of her project. How's that for a text set /literacy addition?
Aunt Andrea came with Stephanie and we had a great time gallivanting around Winsted and East Hartford. A new goal on our list is now New Hartford--there is a tea house and shops there that look fabulous. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/30qbitect.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
I have been banished from the living room because when I went in there the Pens started losing. (hockey) oops.
Tomorrow I go apply for my criminal history to be done at the Litchfield County Center for Education--I think this is their version of BOCES or a Teacher's Center for my county. I think I will drop my resume there too since that is where the adult ed programs are run. Hmmm?!?!
Scott keeps trying to talk me into going to work at Fuel Cell Energy where he works. I think this is very funny!!!!
Ok, back to Turkeys:
Dad--I think we should attempt to deep fry a turkey for Thanksgiving--at least as a supplement to our traditional beast. What do you think?
There were about six big huge turkeys at the top of this ancient oak tree at the back of our property this morning!!!! This has to be at least 50-60 feet up in the air!!!! I have never seen a turkey fly before. I didn't even know they could fly! They are actually quite graceful. They were just hanging out up there catching the first sun beams.
There is quite the rafter of Turkeys in the woods there--I've seen about 20-30 of them most days.
Amazing. Tomorrow we will try and see if they are there again, and try and get some pictures. The camera wasn't charged up this morning.
We had a fun day off for Veteran's Day. We did sew wool newsboy caps from the wool fabric Joan O. sent. They came out really cute! We will get some pics tomorrow. Alannah is working on a diorama and research project about the man who designed the first sewing machine. I am having fun giving her additional research ideas. I remembered that there was a neat conversation about the new sewing machine in one of the Little House on the Prairie books.... We found it and Alannah is going to copy it for part of her project. How's that for a text set /literacy addition?
Aunt Andrea came with Stephanie and we had a great time gallivanting around Winsted and East Hartford. A new goal on our list is now New Hartford--there is a tea house and shops there that look fabulous. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/30/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/30qbitect.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss
I have been banished from the living room because when I went in there the Pens started losing. (hockey) oops.
Tomorrow I go apply for my criminal history to be done at the Litchfield County Center for Education--I think this is their version of BOCES or a Teacher's Center for my county. I think I will drop my resume there too since that is where the adult ed programs are run. Hmmm?!?!
Scott keeps trying to talk me into going to work at Fuel Cell Energy where he works. I think this is very funny!!!!
Ok, back to Turkeys:
Dad--I think we should attempt to deep fry a turkey for Thanksgiving--at least as a supplement to our traditional beast. What do you think?
Monday, November 10, 2008
:)
The girls received a glowing report from the 6th and 8th grade special education teams at their new school. I was extremely pleased with my reception at the meeting. The teachers were sincerely thrilled to meet me! No one was in a hurry to get out of there. They asked me many questions about the girls, and came up with many creative ways to provide them support.
The teachers assured me that Aidan and Alannah are transitioning beautifully into their new school. They are keeping up with the work. They are making new friends that are GOOD friends. This seemed to be very important to everyone there--I guess there are not so good groups.... I would think that most schools have not so good groups? But.... a big hang up here for some reason. I wasn't that surprised. Aidan and Alannah have had a great attitude about the move and have been very excited about meeting new kids.
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day and we are off from school. We are excited that Andrea is coming to visit with baby Stephanie! We have a whirlwind afternoon planned--lunch at Kent Pizza, a shopping spree to Farmington Shoppes with a stop at Aerie Mountain shop at some point along the way. I had hoped to take them to The Planted Feather Farm for lunch, but I remembered at the last minute that they were only open Thursday-Sunday. http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Planted.Feather.Farm.And.Bakery.860-379-8664 We stopped there once this past Spring when we first visited Winsted. Their menu is to die for... yummy breads, sandwiches, soups and all kinds of delicious desserts. Oh well..... maybe over Thanksgiving?!
Ok--off to bake Chocolate Chip Cookies with Aidan and have our Susie and Dan party!
The teachers assured me that Aidan and Alannah are transitioning beautifully into their new school. They are keeping up with the work. They are making new friends that are GOOD friends. This seemed to be very important to everyone there--I guess there are not so good groups.... I would think that most schools have not so good groups? But.... a big hang up here for some reason. I wasn't that surprised. Aidan and Alannah have had a great attitude about the move and have been very excited about meeting new kids.
Tomorrow is Veteran's Day and we are off from school. We are excited that Andrea is coming to visit with baby Stephanie! We have a whirlwind afternoon planned--lunch at Kent Pizza, a shopping spree to Farmington Shoppes with a stop at Aerie Mountain shop at some point along the way. I had hoped to take them to The Planted Feather Farm for lunch, but I remembered at the last minute that they were only open Thursday-Sunday. http://www.merchantcircle.com/business/Planted.Feather.Farm.And.Bakery.860-379-8664 We stopped there once this past Spring when we first visited Winsted. Their menu is to die for... yummy breads, sandwiches, soups and all kinds of delicious desserts. Oh well..... maybe over Thanksgiving?!
Ok--off to bake Chocolate Chip Cookies with Aidan and have our Susie and Dan party!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Lol alissa just emailed me, and she said: awww cuz i saent her this pic:
http://lolcats.com/view/9108
i can't copy and paste the pic but it's called rex and tom!!!! sooo funy: and no it won't spam you it didn't spam me so i dont think it will spam you.
~lana~
http://lolcats.com/view/9108
i can't copy and paste the pic but it's called rex and tom!!!! sooo funy: and no it won't spam you it didn't spam me so i dont think it will spam you.
~lana~
Friday, November 7, 2008
Step 1....
So my application is officially on file at The Gilbert School here in Winsted. http://www.gilbertschool.org/
After speaking to the Substitute coordinator I decided to wait and see how much work they would be able to give me--she thought as long as I was fairly available I could probably get 3-4 days a week. That is, she said, with a dramatic pause, if you can handle the kids. I'm not sure she was kidding. Now I handled Binghamton City alternative high school where the felon/probation kids went....how much worse can this be? (hahahahaha)
It is always a trick, substituting. Do you put your name into a bunch of schools, or just one? If you get on too many lists you run the risk of getting called too often and having to say "no"--not a good word for the sub coordinator to hear too often if you want good work. But limiting yourself to one school is risky too.... arrrghhh! The nice thing about Binghamton Schools was they had one sub coordinator for the entire district. Here each school has their own.
I did drive up to find the other high school today--Northwest Regional #7. It is an impressive building. That will be my next stop if I don't get more than three days a week from Gilbert by the end of December.
We are all glad it is the weekend again. We are going to work on finishing the new mudroom/laundry room this weekend. The plumbing is done (YAY) and the washer and dryer are moved and functional. (yay, but, blah!) There is one more piece of trim to put up, and then I have to fill in all the nicks with wood filler and give everything a new coat of paint. Then the new curtains need to be hung, and a new cover and bolsters made for the futon. Here is where inspiration has kicked in-I am going to use the unfinished quilts from Grandma GG! I think it will look neat--I think I will frame some of them in vintage frames like I did for mom for Christmas last year.....
Scott definitely says I need to GET OUT. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Tonight is "movie night", so we are just finishing up some odd jobs before we find a movie either on TV or On Demand.
Enjoy your weekend too!
After speaking to the Substitute coordinator I decided to wait and see how much work they would be able to give me--she thought as long as I was fairly available I could probably get 3-4 days a week. That is, she said, with a dramatic pause, if you can handle the kids. I'm not sure she was kidding. Now I handled Binghamton City alternative high school where the felon/probation kids went....how much worse can this be? (hahahahaha)
It is always a trick, substituting. Do you put your name into a bunch of schools, or just one? If you get on too many lists you run the risk of getting called too often and having to say "no"--not a good word for the sub coordinator to hear too often if you want good work. But limiting yourself to one school is risky too.... arrrghhh! The nice thing about Binghamton Schools was they had one sub coordinator for the entire district. Here each school has their own.
I did drive up to find the other high school today--Northwest Regional #7. It is an impressive building. That will be my next stop if I don't get more than three days a week from Gilbert by the end of December.
We are all glad it is the weekend again. We are going to work on finishing the new mudroom/laundry room this weekend. The plumbing is done (YAY) and the washer and dryer are moved and functional. (yay, but, blah!) There is one more piece of trim to put up, and then I have to fill in all the nicks with wood filler and give everything a new coat of paint. Then the new curtains need to be hung, and a new cover and bolsters made for the futon. Here is where inspiration has kicked in-I am going to use the unfinished quilts from Grandma GG! I think it will look neat--I think I will frame some of them in vintage frames like I did for mom for Christmas last year.....
Scott definitely says I need to GET OUT. HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Tonight is "movie night", so we are just finishing up some odd jobs before we find a movie either on TV or On Demand.
Enjoy your weekend too!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Guess what I did today!
I took a big, brave step and went back to my natural hair color today. I have been blonde for the past ten years! Wow! Actually, I went a little darker brown and a little golden--It turned out really nice. I met the stylist while we were watching the fireworks around the lake this past July 4th. She was very good--very professional. Salon services seem to be a bit more sophisticated here. Getting my eyebrows waxed was a three part artistic adventure. They are now shaped, arched and plucked to perfection. She explained that had I stayed blonde she would have highlighted my brows to match my hair as part of the service. (oh my!)
I look very "teacher-y" now, which is good, because tomorrow I am jumping in with both feet and going around with my resume. I recieved an application for subbing in Winchester City Schools. I have to apply for a criminal investigation in Litchfield County, which is fairly routine. There are three schools I am putting my name in for subbing--Gilbert High School, Northwest Regional High School #7, and Hinsdale Elementary. That should keep me busy!
I love working, and I have loved every job I have ever had. It is the GETTING the job that always gives me the willies. I don't know why, I just always have a hard time with that first (hugegiantscary) step.
Wish me luck!
:)
I look very "teacher-y" now, which is good, because tomorrow I am jumping in with both feet and going around with my resume. I recieved an application for subbing in Winchester City Schools. I have to apply for a criminal investigation in Litchfield County, which is fairly routine. There are three schools I am putting my name in for subbing--Gilbert High School, Northwest Regional High School #7, and Hinsdale Elementary. That should keep me busy!
I love working, and I have loved every job I have ever had. It is the GETTING the job that always gives me the willies. I don't know why, I just always have a hard time with that first (hugegiantscary) step.
Wish me luck!
:)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Check out pics below!
Good Morning! Scott and I were so bummed that our neighbor, Mr. Nader didn't win. We were considering just staying in bed and hiding for the next four years...... (hahahahahaha)
Check out the Halloween pics at the bottom of the blog. They are so cute!
Dan and Susie are having a Grandma and Grandpa Gray day today-- Yay! Have fun!
Check out the Halloween pics at the bottom of the blog. They are so cute!
Dan and Susie are having a Grandma and Grandpa Gray day today-- Yay! Have fun!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Hey!!! It's Lana
Hi everybody! I had an awesome Halloween I went to lake compoundce(i think that's how you spell it) and then went to a ''Haunted Graveyard'' I'm not easily scared so it wasnt that scary to me... There was this section (the Graveyard was divided into sections) and this particular section was a ''Butcher shop'' and you got to WALK THROUGH GIANT PLASTIC MEAT!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was awesome!!!!! I liked that part because walking through GIANT PLASTIC MEAT is on one of my life ''to do'' lists. So one less thing to do before I die...
MY SISTER IS SO STUPID!!!!! I HATE HER SHE HOGGED ALL OF THE POLY POCKETS!!!!!
I love you all!!!
~Lana~
It was awesome!!!!! I liked that part because walking through GIANT PLASTIC MEAT is on one of my life ''to do'' lists. So one less thing to do before I die...
MY SISTER IS SO STUPID!!!!! I HATE HER SHE HOGGED ALL OF THE POLY POCKETS!!!!!
I love you all!!!
~Lana~
Hey! There's a house under all this....love! (hee hee!)
Spent most of Monday digging out from under the weekend. We all made a pact that we would not touch the phone, mail or computers all weekend. We had such a good time with Susie and Dan! We have such a happy home! Yesterday we paid for it in time trying to catch up--but, it was so worth it.
Halloween was a blast. We were going to come to Owego to trick or treat, but Susie begged and begged to come here to Ct. We got here around 6pm, just in time to host the first of our (only!) two sets of trick or treaters before I took the kids out. Scott was so excited to have trick or treaters. He was all dressed up in his orange vintage Peanuts Halloween shirt and a orange camo bandanna. Even though we only had four kids come by, he was so enthusiastic. We were out when the other set of kids came, and he had to call me on the cell phone to tell me all about it! He took a lot of pictures, but he couldn't find his card reader as of yesterday, so.... be patient.
We had hit a few neighborhoods around the lake, but discovered the mother lode over on Holabird Ave. by the middle school. All the houses over there were decorated beautifully and the families were handing out elaborate treat bags full of candy. ("the good stuff!!!" Aidan said!) It was fun to see all the neat costumes, and reassuring to see that all the kids out were polite, well behaved and well supervised.
Alannah had a great time with her friends at Lake Compance. She cracked us up with her very cynical evaluation of the haunted house featured there. "It was ok", she said, "so predictable." (emphasized with eye rolling in sophisticated disgust). She came back with a flashlight souvenir that was really eerie--a orange and black day-glow skull with fiber optic "hair". Dan's eyes got so big when he saw it. It ended up laying on the floor in the living room the rest of the weekend, and he gave it a very deliberate and wide berth anytime he walked by.
Saturday Dan helped Scott with the tractor and the plumbing. FINALLY we are down to one slow leak in the cold water pipe going out to the new washing machine in the new mud room! (down from....) We did two loads of laundry and all seems to be working...... whoooo wheeee!!!! Dan carried the tools under the porch for Scott, and handed him the solder. It was so darn cute! I was dying standing in the new laundry room right above them listening in on the "manly" conversation.
Later, Scott was still grappling with the plumbing and had Dan set up on the couch watching the Penn's football game against Notre Dame. Dan was shouting out plays so Scott could keep up with the game. How do boys catch on to that kind of stuff so fast? It was an exciting game, going into triple overtime. It was so cute when the Penn's made a good play and Dan jumped up and down on the couch shouting "Hey! They did it! They did that....what do you call it? That...DOWN THING!" Dan was disappointed that he was going to miss the Steelers who didn't play until Monday night. He wanted to stay so he could see it. :(
On our way home from the lunch supply run I took the kids to the library so they could see the cool kids room. There is a big wooden castle in the children's room you can go in and play. We read books and gave each other a puppet show. About that time Susie started to act funny and said she didn't feel well. By the time we got home she had a fever of 103. It was a good thing I didn't realize they had a story hour at 10:30.... we would have exposed a lot of children to whatever it was that was affecting her. The rest of the day I spent curled up in bed with her keeping her warm, or trying to cool her off. Poor thing!
On Sunday we enjoyed visiting with Andrea, Christian, Stephanie and Mom and Dad in Albany before we had to say goodbye to Susie and Dan. Susie was feeling better, but still wasn't eating. I called William last night and she went to the Dr. and was fine--and was eating ALOT. Good news!
The girls do not have school today, so we have to decide what to do today! They are having fun making Christmas presents--thank you Joan O. for all the goodies!
Happy election day!!!!!
Halloween was a blast. We were going to come to Owego to trick or treat, but Susie begged and begged to come here to Ct. We got here around 6pm, just in time to host the first of our (only!) two sets of trick or treaters before I took the kids out. Scott was so excited to have trick or treaters. He was all dressed up in his orange vintage Peanuts Halloween shirt and a orange camo bandanna. Even though we only had four kids come by, he was so enthusiastic. We were out when the other set of kids came, and he had to call me on the cell phone to tell me all about it! He took a lot of pictures, but he couldn't find his card reader as of yesterday, so.... be patient.
We had hit a few neighborhoods around the lake, but discovered the mother lode over on Holabird Ave. by the middle school. All the houses over there were decorated beautifully and the families were handing out elaborate treat bags full of candy. ("the good stuff!!!" Aidan said!) It was fun to see all the neat costumes, and reassuring to see that all the kids out were polite, well behaved and well supervised.
Alannah had a great time with her friends at Lake Compance. She cracked us up with her very cynical evaluation of the haunted house featured there. "It was ok", she said, "so predictable." (emphasized with eye rolling in sophisticated disgust). She came back with a flashlight souvenir that was really eerie--a orange and black day-glow skull with fiber optic "hair". Dan's eyes got so big when he saw it. It ended up laying on the floor in the living room the rest of the weekend, and he gave it a very deliberate and wide berth anytime he walked by.
Saturday Dan helped Scott with the tractor and the plumbing. FINALLY we are down to one slow leak in the cold water pipe going out to the new washing machine in the new mud room! (down from....) We did two loads of laundry and all seems to be working...... whoooo wheeee!!!! Dan carried the tools under the porch for Scott, and handed him the solder. It was so darn cute! I was dying standing in the new laundry room right above them listening in on the "manly" conversation.
Later, Scott was still grappling with the plumbing and had Dan set up on the couch watching the Penn's football game against Notre Dame. Dan was shouting out plays so Scott could keep up with the game. How do boys catch on to that kind of stuff so fast? It was an exciting game, going into triple overtime. It was so cute when the Penn's made a good play and Dan jumped up and down on the couch shouting "Hey! They did it! They did that....what do you call it? That...DOWN THING!" Dan was disappointed that he was going to miss the Steelers who didn't play until Monday night. He wanted to stay so he could see it. :(
On our way home from the lunch supply run I took the kids to the library so they could see the cool kids room. There is a big wooden castle in the children's room you can go in and play. We read books and gave each other a puppet show. About that time Susie started to act funny and said she didn't feel well. By the time we got home she had a fever of 103. It was a good thing I didn't realize they had a story hour at 10:30.... we would have exposed a lot of children to whatever it was that was affecting her. The rest of the day I spent curled up in bed with her keeping her warm, or trying to cool her off. Poor thing!
On Sunday we enjoyed visiting with Andrea, Christian, Stephanie and Mom and Dad in Albany before we had to say goodbye to Susie and Dan. Susie was feeling better, but still wasn't eating. I called William last night and she went to the Dr. and was fine--and was eating ALOT. Good news!
The girls do not have school today, so we have to decide what to do today! They are having fun making Christmas presents--thank you Joan O. for all the goodies!
Happy election day!!!!!
Saturday, November 1, 2008
The Ghost, by Susie Hall and Mommy
once upon a time there was a ghost who loved to eat children. one day the ghost found a gril named susie. she tried to kill the ghost but...she couldnt.she accidently hit her glass dolls. The dolls fell everywhere they shattered! susie cried, those where here only dolls. the ghost said
he was sorry .then he bought susie new dolls.
the ghost went outside. he went nextdoor. He looked for a kid next door. He found one. He saw she was sleeping in her bed. He gobbled her up. When she woke up, she saw herself in slimy goop. She screamed "help!" Then her mother and father came running in to see what all the screaming was. They saw the ghost throw up and their child fell out. She was covered in slime.
Susie heard the noise and came running over. She yelled at the ghost: "How dare you eat my friend? I tried to kill you, but I couldn't. Then you helped me. You tried to eat someone, and you couldn't. Doesn't that show us that we should stop trying to eat and kill? Let's all be friends!"
The girl's parents took Susie, the girl and the ghost to Dairy Queen. They all got the same thing: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. Yum!
The End
he was sorry .then he bought susie new dolls.
the ghost went outside. he went nextdoor. He looked for a kid next door. He found one. He saw she was sleeping in her bed. He gobbled her up. When she woke up, she saw herself in slimy goop. She screamed "help!" Then her mother and father came running in to see what all the screaming was. They saw the ghost throw up and their child fell out. She was covered in slime.
Susie heard the noise and came running over. She yelled at the ghost: "How dare you eat my friend? I tried to kill you, but I couldn't. Then you helped me. You tried to eat someone, and you couldn't. Doesn't that show us that we should stop trying to eat and kill? Let's all be friends!"
The girl's parents took Susie, the girl and the ghost to Dairy Queen. They all got the same thing: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream. Yum!
The End
Friday, October 31, 2008
Won't be "here" for a few days!!!!
Today I am travelling to NY to visit Susie and Dan for the first time. I am sooo excited!!!!! I have their Halloween costumes that Scott and I made for them. These costumes are awesome. I never used to get much into Halloween, but Scott and his mom always make these gorgeously elaborate costumes for his girls and his nieces and nephews. I, of course, got bit by the bug last year too.
Susie is the "Crimson Countess"--an ethereal gothic witch. She looks very creepy, but very beautiful at the same time in a long black feudal gown and red flowing robe. She will have these cryptic tatoos on her face and these long black and red nails.
Dan is going to be "Big Ben" #7 quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is so excited! He was a little worried when the helmet came in the mail..... "Mommy, will I ever be big enough to play football?" I think he was feeling unworthy to wear such an amazing piece of equipment. We all thought that was cute, but not as cute as when Dan went out to the garage to get the football and brought back a volleyball. Poor little guy.... had no idea which one was which!
(that would be MY bad!!!!!) But you have to admit that Dan can dress a Bratz doll like nobody's business.
Which is kind of what Aidan is this year--she is a NY City fashionista like the girls on Sex in the City with her chic dress, gloves, hat, bag, fur cape and little dog. The neighbors have gone as far as comment that they should let Aidan carry around their little poodle with her.... mom thinks....bbbbaaaadddddd idea?!?!?!?!?!
Alannah is now teetering on that edge of being too old to trick or treat. She has been invited to go to Lake Compounce with a group of girls and their moms. Tonight is the last big night at the park. These moms get together every year and take the "big" girls instead of tric or treating. It looks like fun! http://www.lakecompounce.com/ I am so thrilled that the girls are fitting in and making nice friends.
Ok--coffee's ready and so am I! Catch you all after the weekend!
Ali
Susie is the "Crimson Countess"--an ethereal gothic witch. She looks very creepy, but very beautiful at the same time in a long black feudal gown and red flowing robe. She will have these cryptic tatoos on her face and these long black and red nails.
Dan is going to be "Big Ben" #7 quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is so excited! He was a little worried when the helmet came in the mail..... "Mommy, will I ever be big enough to play football?" I think he was feeling unworthy to wear such an amazing piece of equipment. We all thought that was cute, but not as cute as when Dan went out to the garage to get the football and brought back a volleyball. Poor little guy.... had no idea which one was which!
(that would be MY bad!!!!!) But you have to admit that Dan can dress a Bratz doll like nobody's business.
Which is kind of what Aidan is this year--she is a NY City fashionista like the girls on Sex in the City with her chic dress, gloves, hat, bag, fur cape and little dog. The neighbors have gone as far as comment that they should let Aidan carry around their little poodle with her.... mom thinks....bbbbaaaadddddd idea?!?!?!?!?!
Alannah is now teetering on that edge of being too old to trick or treat. She has been invited to go to Lake Compounce with a group of girls and their moms. Tonight is the last big night at the park. These moms get together every year and take the "big" girls instead of tric or treating. It looks like fun! http://www.lakecompounce.com/ I am so thrilled that the girls are fitting in and making nice friends.
Ok--coffee's ready and so am I! Catch you all after the weekend!
Ali
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Today's prayer needs
Today we are travelling to NY for Scott's appearance in family court. Today also is when a very serious buyer is looking at my Church St. house.
PRAY!!!! HARD!!!!! LOUD!!!!!! For safety, open ears, vindication, reconcilliation, rose colored glasses and a HUGE profit!!!!!!! (for me!!!!!!)
YAY GOD!!!!!!
:)
PRAY!!!! HARD!!!!! LOUD!!!!!! For safety, open ears, vindication, reconcilliation, rose colored glasses and a HUGE profit!!!!!!! (for me!!!!!!)
YAY GOD!!!!!!
:)
This guy is on to something.....
I don't ususally get into a lot of those sappy forwards that come around, but this one was great.
READ THIS LET IT REALLY SINK IN -
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"
He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, "I don't get it!"
"You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or...you can choose to be in a bad mood.
I choose to be in a good mood."
Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or...I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.
"Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.
You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.
I saw him about six months after the accident.
When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?"
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.
He continued, "...the paramedics were great.
They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said John. "She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'"
Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude...I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything.
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
READ THIS LET IT REALLY SINK IN -
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"
He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, "I don't get it!"
"You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"
He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or...you can choose to be in a bad mood.
I choose to be in a good mood."
Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or...I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.
"Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood.
You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.
I saw him about six months after the accident.
When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?"
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter," he replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live."
"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked.
He continued, "...the paramedics were great.
They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action."
"What did you do?" I asked.
"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said John. "She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'"
Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."
He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude...I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything.
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
It is so nice to be "right"
I KNEW it!!! When the leaves fell, I knew we could see the lake from our porch!
My eevviiilll plan: I am going to rent a bulldozer with cash, leave the keys in it and pay the neighbor kids to run a 20 foot path of trees out in their back yard..... instant lake view!!!! LOL
My eevviiilll plan: I am going to rent a bulldozer with cash, leave the keys in it and pay the neighbor kids to run a 20 foot path of trees out in their back yard..... instant lake view!!!! LOL
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
P.S.: We B Crafty!
I forgot to tell you about our craft experience at the library this weekend! http://www.beardsleyandmemorial.org/ The Friends of the Library--and let me tell you, the local library is a really, really neat place--had a pre-fund raising activity this past weekend. The ultimate goal is a craft and bake sale fund raiser that is coming up mid-November. The library fund raising group has committments from several local artists for sale items. This past Saturday the library hosted a "make, take and donate" day where anyone could come in and learn a craft from one of the artists. We were encouraged to make two crafts at each table and donate one craft to the sale. There were four crafts--a children's craft making a santa ornament out of a glove, a beaded bracelet, scrapbook cards and floral wreaths. I took Alannah and Aidan, and we had a blast!
Our favorite craft by far were the floral wreaths. They were made out of "Sweet Annie", a very aromatic herb. http://www.essortment.com/all/sweetannieherb_rgfl.htm . The artist was a very interesting woman. I guess he owns a really neat garden shop outside of town. I think this is her shop: http://www.aeriemountain.com/Some of the other women who were there crafting whispered to me that this woman was absolutely amazing, and that I must visit her shop. She is an expert in plants and herbs. She makes and teaches all kinds of old world crafts like soap making, candle making and natural dyes. She is also a licensed silver artist who makes incredible jewelry. What do you think, ladies? Do you feel a field trip coming on? :)
Alannah was completely enamored by this woman. The woman must have been enamored of Alannah too, because she paid her a lot of very sincere attention, and asked Alannah when her birthday was, and then began contemplating her planets, etc. (but not in a creepy way, mom!) Alannah made some absolutely gorgeous wreaths while we were there, and is now going around the yard making wreaths out of evergreen, bittersweet and other plants that we have.
Alannah has quite a following of neighborhood children coming over to "learn" crafts from her. She had them all making wreaths yesterday. Last week she had everyone crocheting! Even the boys.
Aidan is crafty too. She has mastered making cotton washcloths just like Grandma GG used to.
Today I am knitting wool mittens. Last night I made rice pudding and we ate the last piece of pecan pie. (sigh!)
I need to stop crafting (and, ulp, blogging) and finish my resume!
Our favorite craft by far were the floral wreaths. They were made out of "Sweet Annie", a very aromatic herb. http://www.essortment.com/all/sweetannieherb_rgfl.htm . The artist was a very interesting woman. I guess he owns a really neat garden shop outside of town. I think this is her shop: http://www.aeriemountain.com/Some of the other women who were there crafting whispered to me that this woman was absolutely amazing, and that I must visit her shop. She is an expert in plants and herbs. She makes and teaches all kinds of old world crafts like soap making, candle making and natural dyes. She is also a licensed silver artist who makes incredible jewelry. What do you think, ladies? Do you feel a field trip coming on? :)
Alannah was completely enamored by this woman. The woman must have been enamored of Alannah too, because she paid her a lot of very sincere attention, and asked Alannah when her birthday was, and then began contemplating her planets, etc. (but not in a creepy way, mom!) Alannah made some absolutely gorgeous wreaths while we were there, and is now going around the yard making wreaths out of evergreen, bittersweet and other plants that we have.
Alannah has quite a following of neighborhood children coming over to "learn" crafts from her. She had them all making wreaths yesterday. Last week she had everyone crocheting! Even the boys.
Aidan is crafty too. She has mastered making cotton washcloths just like Grandma GG used to.
Today I am knitting wool mittens. Last night I made rice pudding and we ate the last piece of pecan pie. (sigh!)
I need to stop crafting (and, ulp, blogging) and finish my resume!
Valve, anyone?
http://www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2008/evolution-of-wedding-dance-p1.php?nwsltr=47
My friend Susan sent me this link. She has been one of my great sources of entertainment over the years since we suffered through our Dietetics core together in college. We had a lot of fun together in those days, then lost touch but got reconnected when we found out we were pregnant for our sons together. Dan and Grady are 13 days apart.
I don't usually pay much attention to these silly forwards, but this one is GREAT. Take the time to watch the entire thing. Here is a couple that has a shot at staying together forever! What fun they must have had putting that all together.
Speaking of fun with couples, Scott, the girls and I had our own fun the last couple of days. That is why I've been a bit negligent on here. We are in the process of finishing off the sun porch into a laundry room/mud room/guest room. When we bought the house, the laundry was in the largest Master Bedroom closet. Convenient to do laundry, but not very good when you have two clothes horse adults in the house. We have already put in a big closet, shelves and painted. Now we are up to the plumbing! Uhhh, kinda sorta.
I think I made at least four trips to the hardware store Sunday, and there have been probably eight trips to 3 different hardware stores in the past 3 days. Karl, (as in Karl's True Value) was dying laughing when I made the last 11th hour trip at 3:55pm (closing at 4pm) to get yet another 10' section of 1/2 inch copper pipe. "What is he DOING?" he asked. That is a really good question, one that Scott was about ready to ask himself at 11pm last night when the final solder didn't seal and we now have no hot water until he can get some more parts after work today, dry the pipe out and start over.
It figures since every other solder FINALLY was NOT leaking..... Even the somewhat convoluted drain pipe is working great. Sigh...... But quite the family event as we all got into it: Aidan was having a ball playing assistant replete with safety glasses. Alannah and I ran up and down the stairs turning on and off faucets. We missed a few and had to clean up a bunch of puddles. (oops!)
And laughter, oh my! The laughter!!!!! We may not have hot water at the moment, but we have each other. What more could we want?
In other "news", our cars passed CT inspection--Hallelujah!--a major prayer answered. I will go to DMV today and attempt to complete our registration. Talk about another place I've had to go back to more than a few times. (it isn't any better than NY, believe me!)
The weather was gorgeous the past couple days so we got a round of leaves dealt with. We have three huge oak trees along the front that haven't even started yet, so there will be plenty more to come. Scott was bummed that Dan couldn't be here for a tractor ride. The leaf clean-up/mulcher thingie worked really well. The kids all picked up sticks and each earned a dollar. Aidan earned $5 since she stuck with it and helped the most with the best attitude. The Dairy Queen is scheduled to close Thursday (horrors!) so we must pay our final respects as a reward for hard work.
Scott remarked last night how happy the girls seem to be here. They are getting along with us and with each other, they look forward to school each day, they are excited to share what they are learning. He loves having them here.
And on that note, we would love having any of you here too!!!! :)
My friend Susan sent me this link. She has been one of my great sources of entertainment over the years since we suffered through our Dietetics core together in college. We had a lot of fun together in those days, then lost touch but got reconnected when we found out we were pregnant for our sons together. Dan and Grady are 13 days apart.
I don't usually pay much attention to these silly forwards, but this one is GREAT. Take the time to watch the entire thing. Here is a couple that has a shot at staying together forever! What fun they must have had putting that all together.
Speaking of fun with couples, Scott, the girls and I had our own fun the last couple of days. That is why I've been a bit negligent on here. We are in the process of finishing off the sun porch into a laundry room/mud room/guest room. When we bought the house, the laundry was in the largest Master Bedroom closet. Convenient to do laundry, but not very good when you have two clothes horse adults in the house. We have already put in a big closet, shelves and painted. Now we are up to the plumbing! Uhhh, kinda sorta.
I think I made at least four trips to the hardware store Sunday, and there have been probably eight trips to 3 different hardware stores in the past 3 days. Karl, (as in Karl's True Value) was dying laughing when I made the last 11th hour trip at 3:55pm (closing at 4pm) to get yet another 10' section of 1/2 inch copper pipe. "What is he DOING?" he asked. That is a really good question, one that Scott was about ready to ask himself at 11pm last night when the final solder didn't seal and we now have no hot water until he can get some more parts after work today, dry the pipe out and start over.
It figures since every other solder FINALLY was NOT leaking..... Even the somewhat convoluted drain pipe is working great. Sigh...... But quite the family event as we all got into it: Aidan was having a ball playing assistant replete with safety glasses. Alannah and I ran up and down the stairs turning on and off faucets. We missed a few and had to clean up a bunch of puddles. (oops!)
And laughter, oh my! The laughter!!!!! We may not have hot water at the moment, but we have each other. What more could we want?
In other "news", our cars passed CT inspection--Hallelujah!--a major prayer answered. I will go to DMV today and attempt to complete our registration. Talk about another place I've had to go back to more than a few times. (it isn't any better than NY, believe me!)
The weather was gorgeous the past couple days so we got a round of leaves dealt with. We have three huge oak trees along the front that haven't even started yet, so there will be plenty more to come. Scott was bummed that Dan couldn't be here for a tractor ride. The leaf clean-up/mulcher thingie worked really well. The kids all picked up sticks and each earned a dollar. Aidan earned $5 since she stuck with it and helped the most with the best attitude. The Dairy Queen is scheduled to close Thursday (horrors!) so we must pay our final respects as a reward for hard work.
Scott remarked last night how happy the girls seem to be here. They are getting along with us and with each other, they look forward to school each day, they are excited to share what they are learning. He loves having them here.
And on that note, we would love having any of you here too!!!! :)
Friday, October 24, 2008
One word.... Y O G A ! (hmm...ok...two--PIZZA!)
Hahahahahaha! For those of you who truly know me, could I just have ONE word?
The girls and I attended teen yoga last night. There weren't any other teens, but the women who were there, including the instructor, all said they had girls at home who would be disappointed to learn that they missed out on meeting some new friends. The yoga instructor's daughter attends sixth grade at Pearson. Aidan was all set to "look her up" today. Not very difficult to do in a school that only has one team of sixth graders! LOL
Yoga is really fun. I didn't think I would like it, but I did. It is "slow", (my original concern) but it is a serious workout. It is very meditative. It is as much an internal/spiritual workout as much as a physical one. Between pilates and my three mile walk (YES!!! I did it!!!) I am very sore. I don't dare sit down or stop because I won't be able to get back up.
Today I am cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. I need to (finally) switch dressers and closets around for the season and finish unpacking. (blech!) Dusting, mopping.... the whole nine yards.
When the girls get home from school I promised them I would drive them down to the Farmington Mall to go window shopping. Trust me, we couldn't afford to shop there even if we COULD afford to shop there! But a very fun place to look around.
There is a new pizza place on the way back into town that we will "check out". You can't truly belong to a new place until you have exhausted the pizza offerings. God forbid you miss out on the best pizza in town. That's almost like missing out on the best church or something. Like Owego, Winsted has no end to pizza offerings. So far Kent Pizza in Winsted is the winner. Their pizza has kind of a homemade feel to it and always looks and tastes very fresh. I wouldn't eat their salads, though--boring. They can deep fry like nobody's business (a big forgive on the blah salads, but so much for yoga, walking and pilates....) However, NO ONE has beaten Pizza Mia--not even Original in Owego. Pizza Mia is in Highland, NY--right down the road by Scott's old house. We had to go to Poughkeepsie for something solemn and businessy last weekend but we were so giddy because that meant we could go to Pizza Mia---Ahhhhh PIZZA MECCA!!!!! If you are ever in the Hudson Valley region, you MUST seek that pizza out.
Wishing you a big Oooohhhhmmmmmm with extra cheese and pepperoni! :)
xxoo, Ali
The girls and I attended teen yoga last night. There weren't any other teens, but the women who were there, including the instructor, all said they had girls at home who would be disappointed to learn that they missed out on meeting some new friends. The yoga instructor's daughter attends sixth grade at Pearson. Aidan was all set to "look her up" today. Not very difficult to do in a school that only has one team of sixth graders! LOL
Yoga is really fun. I didn't think I would like it, but I did. It is "slow", (my original concern) but it is a serious workout. It is very meditative. It is as much an internal/spiritual workout as much as a physical one. Between pilates and my three mile walk (YES!!! I did it!!!) I am very sore. I don't dare sit down or stop because I won't be able to get back up.
Today I am cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. I need to (finally) switch dressers and closets around for the season and finish unpacking. (blech!) Dusting, mopping.... the whole nine yards.
When the girls get home from school I promised them I would drive them down to the Farmington Mall to go window shopping. Trust me, we couldn't afford to shop there even if we COULD afford to shop there! But a very fun place to look around.
There is a new pizza place on the way back into town that we will "check out". You can't truly belong to a new place until you have exhausted the pizza offerings. God forbid you miss out on the best pizza in town. That's almost like missing out on the best church or something. Like Owego, Winsted has no end to pizza offerings. So far Kent Pizza in Winsted is the winner. Their pizza has kind of a homemade feel to it and always looks and tastes very fresh. I wouldn't eat their salads, though--boring. They can deep fry like nobody's business (a big forgive on the blah salads, but so much for yoga, walking and pilates....) However, NO ONE has beaten Pizza Mia--not even Original in Owego. Pizza Mia is in Highland, NY--right down the road by Scott's old house. We had to go to Poughkeepsie for something solemn and businessy last weekend but we were so giddy because that meant we could go to Pizza Mia---Ahhhhh PIZZA MECCA!!!!! If you are ever in the Hudson Valley region, you MUST seek that pizza out.
Wishing you a big Oooohhhhmmmmmm with extra cheese and pepperoni! :)
xxoo, Ali
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tea, peace, and wisdom from China
Scott brought home a tin of green tea the other day, a gift from a co-worker who had recently been to China to visit his family there. He also recieved a little hanging ornament. He gave me the tea, and explained that he had left the ornament at work so he could have his friend explain the meaning of the Chinese characters that were inscribed on the ornament. We all marvelled at the tea: we had never experienced REAL tea before--it is literally a tin full of green leaves. I'm not in any way equipped to enjoy "real" tea, so we did our best with boiling water and a strainer. The taste was simple and earthy, very different from the snazzy Western teas that proliferate our tea basket. Maybe because of it's unusual origin I detected (or projected?) exotic Far Eastern undertones..... It was an experience, and always a pleasure to enjoy an unexpected gift from a far away place.
In one of my new library books I read a quote from John F. Kennedy:
In one of my new library books I read a quote from John F. Kennedy:
"When written in Chinese the word crisis is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity."
Scott brought the ornament back the next day and hung it on a hook in the kitchen. "It says, may peace always protect and reign in this house."
Wow, thanks God, Amen.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A crafty day!
Brrrrr! Today was very wintery. What a cold, bitter wind. The girls came back in from the bus to get mittens and hats. I must admit that I chickened out and just watched them from the window. Scott and I were giggling becuase the girls didn't realize how close the side windows are to the driveway where they were waiting for the bus. The girls were being very silly!
They are having so much fun at their new school. They bounced off the bus with all kinds of stories. This is the last week of the first marking period in CT. I guess the girls are taking all kinds of tests along with the other kids. Alannah was thrilled that she aced the Spainish test--the highest grade in the class!
Today was a crafty day: I've been making aromatherapy salt scrubs, but had to take a break to wait for a new oil to come in to the local health food store. I have every intention of WALKING there for exercise..... it will be about a 3 mile trip there and back. So.... instead..... I made yogurt, baked two pies--pecan and blue/raspberry. (so much for exercise?) I attempted to make gingerale, but.... we weren't impressed. I do have a very nice (and wicked) ginger syrup--I bet it will be good if anyone of us gets an upset stomach.
Don't think I've exhausted my creativity! I need to get upstairs and go through all the craft stuff and make plans for Christmas. I have some "ideas" going. I have been trying my hand at felting. I have a few new projects in mind that I will keep you posted on. My other brewing idea is making a long wool skirt. I saw one in a catalog and it just looked so elegant. I have a bunch of wool plaids upstairs..... mmmmmm!!!!!! :)
Early tomorrow Scott has to go to Cleveland on business. The girls and I have girlie plans--pizza for dinner and checking out the teen yoga class. While we are downtown we will enjoy the Halloween decorations painted in all the store windows by area children. Alannah will take her camera so we can hopefully post some pics.
Love to you all! Stay warm!!!!
They are having so much fun at their new school. They bounced off the bus with all kinds of stories. This is the last week of the first marking period in CT. I guess the girls are taking all kinds of tests along with the other kids. Alannah was thrilled that she aced the Spainish test--the highest grade in the class!
Today was a crafty day: I've been making aromatherapy salt scrubs, but had to take a break to wait for a new oil to come in to the local health food store. I have every intention of WALKING there for exercise..... it will be about a 3 mile trip there and back. So.... instead..... I made yogurt, baked two pies--pecan and blue/raspberry. (so much for exercise?) I attempted to make gingerale, but.... we weren't impressed. I do have a very nice (and wicked) ginger syrup--I bet it will be good if anyone of us gets an upset stomach.
Don't think I've exhausted my creativity! I need to get upstairs and go through all the craft stuff and make plans for Christmas. I have some "ideas" going. I have been trying my hand at felting. I have a few new projects in mind that I will keep you posted on. My other brewing idea is making a long wool skirt. I saw one in a catalog and it just looked so elegant. I have a bunch of wool plaids upstairs..... mmmmmm!!!!!! :)
Early tomorrow Scott has to go to Cleveland on business. The girls and I have girlie plans--pizza for dinner and checking out the teen yoga class. While we are downtown we will enjoy the Halloween decorations painted in all the store windows by area children. Alannah will take her camera so we can hopefully post some pics.
Love to you all! Stay warm!!!!
i made some new friends- but they dont match up to you guys
Hey everyone! its lana. I made some new friends but none of them match up 2 u guys... I miss u all!!!!
♥lana♥
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♥lana♥
☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥☺♥
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
first day of school
the first day of school was so cool and i made a lot of friends my best friend is a girl named Emily. i also had homework but i finshed it at school it was so easey. i had a crush on this one guy but i found out that he was dating my friend.
We have arrived!
Greetings, friends! We are alive and well in our new home here in Northwestern Connecticut. Because we are at a slightly lower latitude than you all in upstate NY, the leaves have just peaked. Our view here from above the lake is incredible.
The girls started school today at Pearson Middle School. They were greeted warmly by an enthusiastic staff. Everyone can't wait to meet the "Big City Girls" from NY..... the school has about 300 kids in grades 6-8. Things are a bit more "old school" here. The school schedules are hand-written. To open announcements the children say the pledge, sing the National Anthem and pause for a moment of silence. (wow!) The guidance counselor has been on the phone with OAMS a bunch of times. He was pleased to hear what nice girls Alannah and Aidan were, and passed along many well wishes and compliments from the staff for their mom. (yay, me! :) )
On the way into the building a few kids said "Hi! Alannah and Aidan!" They met them at Sunday School the last two weeks we visited First Church of Winsted. The church is small, but the youth group and Sunday School is huge even in comparison to FPUC. There is an enthusiastic music program for all ages and even a drum choir.....(wow?!) A "little" more laid back that we are used to...the Introit was sung to the tune of The Oscar Meyer Weiner Song...but so heartfelt sung by the sweetest angel of a teenage boy. We haven't met the regular minister yet as he has been out due to health related reasons.
I felt a little lost this morning, but I followed standard Owego first day of school protocol and went and had coffee and a donut. Scott got the camera out today and made the girls pose (NICELY) for first day photos, and he has called me no less than three times to make sure that I am "ok". He is even taking me out to lunch today--hey! Maybe I should milk this..... hahahaha
Thank you all so much for your prayers! I have posted our prayer list on here and will update it as necessary.
Psalm 24, Allison
The girls started school today at Pearson Middle School. They were greeted warmly by an enthusiastic staff. Everyone can't wait to meet the "Big City Girls" from NY..... the school has about 300 kids in grades 6-8. Things are a bit more "old school" here. The school schedules are hand-written. To open announcements the children say the pledge, sing the National Anthem and pause for a moment of silence. (wow!) The guidance counselor has been on the phone with OAMS a bunch of times. He was pleased to hear what nice girls Alannah and Aidan were, and passed along many well wishes and compliments from the staff for their mom. (yay, me! :) )
On the way into the building a few kids said "Hi! Alannah and Aidan!" They met them at Sunday School the last two weeks we visited First Church of Winsted. The church is small, but the youth group and Sunday School is huge even in comparison to FPUC. There is an enthusiastic music program for all ages and even a drum choir.....(wow?!) A "little" more laid back that we are used to...the Introit was sung to the tune of The Oscar Meyer Weiner Song...but so heartfelt sung by the sweetest angel of a teenage boy. We haven't met the regular minister yet as he has been out due to health related reasons.
I felt a little lost this morning, but I followed standard Owego first day of school protocol and went and had coffee and a donut. Scott got the camera out today and made the girls pose (NICELY) for first day photos, and he has called me no less than three times to make sure that I am "ok". He is even taking me out to lunch today--hey! Maybe I should milk this..... hahahaha
Thank you all so much for your prayers! I have posted our prayer list on here and will update it as necessary.
Psalm 24, Allison
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