Gearing up for the weekend

Ahhh.... Friday is tomorrow! Yay!

It was soooo nice to get back to work again. Teaching Art has been a blast as I suspected. The kids are pretty self-motivated, so there weren't any behavioral problems. At the end of the day I got called down to cover a freshman science class at the last minute. They were all my "buddies" and were thrilled to see me. :)

After school Alannah had her second major rehearsal and Aidan and I ran a million errands. We are getting ready for a BIG weekend!

First up is Dan's birthday party: That is Saturday, with all my family and the Dove's. We have a Hot Wheels theme--I found this really cute party supply store called Shingdigz http://www.shindigz.com/index.cfm that had the best stuff. I think Dan will be thrilled. My dad created all these "routes" through the house, and is working on a map, too I think, for the kids to follow. I made little goody bags that have cars and race day flags in them. The girls made a big banner with this paper that Scott gets at work and tomorrow night I will assemble the snake cake. I am hoping that I will suddenly be inspired.... haven't figured out exactly what I will do with that yet.......

Mom's birthday party is Sunday, and EVERYONE is going to be able to be there. I am so excited! A lot of it will be a surprise, so I'm not saying anymore, but be sure to say hi to us all on Sunday at church and say Happy Birthday to her.

And, last but not least, Sunday is the SUPER BOWL. So exciting that the Steelers made it there! Scott is from Pittsburgh, if you didn't know, so we are seriously geared up! He took everyone at work Terrible Towels. He has a Sling Box thing that allows him to pick up his mom's cable in Pittsburgh, so we are watching Pittsburgh sports non-stop. Last night we spent a few hours listening to Steeler fight songs--it was hilarious! There are so many.

Please pray for safe travel, and that the colds that are still lingering will go away soon.

Go Steelers!

Just beat me with a hand weight

Well, it is day two of the exercise DVD and I'm not dead yet. (sigh) Why can't people end up looking like super-models sitting around eating bon-bons and drinking tequila in front of HGTV? BEATS ME.

Everyone else around here is sighing about the new storm coming. Last newscast we are supposed to get hammered with 10-12 inches. I was called in to work for the next three days, so we probably will have a snow day! I am very excited--I will be teaching art, how cool is that?

Alannah began rehearsals for Beauty last night. As I suspected, it is a very ambitious schedule. They are rehearsing the high school and the middle school cast simultaneously. They are rehearsing just about every day--six days a week for the next two months. It there are snow days, they will utilize Sunday afternoons. Alannah doesn't have to go to every rehearsal--I think at most she has to attend three a week, but still...... makes my head spin! I'm sure we will love every minute of it.

So........SAVE THE DATE!!! Anyone is welcome to attend her performances: They will be the last weekend in March. Alannah's cast is performing Saturday and Sunday afternoon. The high school cast is Friday and Saturday night. We have tons of room for people to stay if they want to visit. Just give me an hour's notice if you can. :)

Double Brrrrrr!!!!!

WELL. I'm about done with January, how 'bout you?

We did embrace our inner winter wilderness this weekend and went ice fishing and skating. There is a nicely groomed ice skating area at the lakeside beach we swam at all summer. This is only 1/4 mile from our house. How lucky is it that the box of skates from Mom's house just happens to have a pair that fits everyone? (phew!) Scott set up the ice fishing area about 50 yards away from the rink, and the girls scuffled back and forth between the rink and the fish holes. We didn't catch anything but cold and bruises, but it was nice to get out in the sun and fresh air. Coal loves being outside, so I ran him around the lake chasing whatever birds are still hanging around.

Ice fishing is, of course, not so much about the fish as it is about the camaraderie found around on the ice. The idea is, you set up all the equipment, and then you wander around and make friends with everyone else set up around on the ice. There is a lot of funny banter flying around. Of course, when everyone is bundled up, it is difficult to tell what kind of company you are in. Probably most women and children stay at home, so the chatter was slightly wild until the gentlemen (cough) across from us realized they were in mixed company. They easily switched gears and had fun with me and the girls. They were very kind to offer advice--including the tip that the port-a-potty on the left had a heated seat..... (hahahahahahahahaha) We found out that after lunch--about 1pm--is when the moms come out with all the kids. Unfortunately, we were just leaving about that time.... oh well! Live and learn.

The other very exciting news, and I should probably save this for a separate entry, but.... Alannah got the part of Mrs. Potts in the school play Beauty and the Beast! This is VERY exciting as Mrs. Potts is one of the lead roles. She will have a lot of speaking and singing parts. For anyone not familiar with the Broadway version of this Disney classic, Mrs. Potts is the castle caretaker--kind of the "mother-of-all" character in the play who comforts and guides the cast through all their necessary transformations. Rehearsals begin tonight--the performances are the last weekend in March. (woah! Ambitious schedule coming up!)

Today I broke down and bought an exercise DVD. Sigh. I hate exercising. But I like how I feel and how I look when I keep up with it. So..... here we go......

Wow, God?!?!?!?!

Not only did I find a Dr. in our new insurance plan that is less than 2 miles from our house.... BUT he is a pediatrician who is highly experienced with problems like Alannah so we won't need to go to three specialists except for annual monitoring as needed. AND the receptionist says "he is the nicest guy you will ever meet".

WOW

We have an appointment next week--just exactely when I needed new prescriptions for Alannah.

AMENAMENAMENAMENAMENAMENAMENAMENAMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even Cinderella had to eat!

http://www.rivertonct.com/restaurants.html Oh Yum, just got back from eating out at The Catnip Mouse Tearoom with my (new!) friend Tanya. It was soooooooo good and sooooo cute. Think: Chat a Whyle in Apalachin for a very close comparison. It was delightful and delicious. Tanya is another youngish mom like me from the church we have been attending. She lives a couple houses up the road from us, and has a daughter the same age as Susie. She is Alannah's Sunday School teacher..... We had fun discovering that we had a lot in common! :)

Brrrrrrrr

I thought it wasn't going to get cold until the END of the week!?!?!

The puppy cried this morning when everyone left for work and school. There just wasn't any consoling him. So right now he is lying on my feet, sniffling, while I feed him Cheerios. This is very eerily like a flashback to toddler days past..........

Yesterday Alannah tried out for the school play, Beauty and the Beast. She was flying high when I picked her up--she made call backs for Belle, the lead. The music director was dazzled by her musical talent. I asked Alannah "wasn't she appreciative (NOW?) for the voice lessons her Grandma (had to drag her to) took her to?" (hahahahaha) But she WAS, actually, and maybe we experienced a tiny little break-through in that long run of teenage-narcissism. Call-backs are Thursday.

This morning Alannah slumped down the stairs growling with snarly hair and a stained , sloppy shirt. I had her look in the mirror and we had a discussion about "assuming the role" and what Belle might come down the stairs like. It was pretty funny. Alannah does NOT come by sweet and floaty princess very naturally I am afraid. We thought maybe she should set her sights on Saturday Night Live as opposed to Disney. But, I suppose, stranger things have happened--I mean, look at the play!? The Beast is ultimately transformed, right?

According to Aidan and her friend Julie, the boys who tried out for Beast would not need costumes. This gave Alannah further pause...... Poor middle school boys! Girls are so merciless.

Today I am playing Cinderella, pre-ball days...... laundry anyone?

Time for a prayer list update!

When we first posted this blog, we had just moved and were experiencing all these unknowns in our lives. I thought it would be a good time to go back through the list and see what God has done for us lately!


1. Item #1 was "That my house in Owego sells FAST--by the end of November, and it sells for a good profit". My house DID sell (well, I had a contract on it by then, anyways) by the end of November--In fact, it just closed this past Friday. I made a good enough profit that I was able to pay off my outstanding mortgage, closing costs, final bills and still have money left over. AMEN!!!!!

2. "That in spite of our deep hurt, anger and sadness that we can look beyond that to the promises of the Bible and Christ's Resurrection and find a way to find and make peace and forgiveness. That we do not become bitter, faithless or spiritless as a result of the trauma we are facing" Still working on these two, every day, but we are strong and happy as a family and making the best of what we have. Our story isn't turning out the way WE would write it, but we are trusting God and following his lead!

3 . That I keep my strength up, both in my faith, physically and mentally. This has been one answered prayer after another. I had been dealing with a number of health issues over the past year that are basically resolving themselves. I am still dealing with some arthritis/auto-immune symptoms that are periodically annoying, but being monitored and don't seem to be anything in particular. My recent blood work and visits to the endocrinologist, rhematologist and surgeon were VERY positive. My thyroid tumor is shrinking, and doesn't seem to be anything more than a benign, empty lump. (we call him Fred, and Fred is on one serious diet these days!)

4. And please ask the same for my family, especially my mother. Well????? :)

5. That Scott and I can meet our financial needs throughout this mess. I need to find a job. I need a job that pays well but allows me the flexibility to meet the kids' needs and my needs to appear in court periodically. So far so good! We are warm, fed and clothed and able to pay all our bills and even have some fun here and there. We are working together as a couple and a family--a luxury I have never had the pleasure of enjoying. We do need to address some backed up debt from both our family court issues. We are exploring options for this, and would appreciate prayer that we find the best one for our needs. The quicker we can pay them off, the quicker we can both get back in there fighting. We were almost going to be short this month, but then my house money came, and I have been working so amazingly enough, here was enough money for the bills and now we are ahead again. Yay God!

6. We also have a need for health insurance to kick in for the girls quickly as we have a monthly prescription bill for the girls that tops $2000. The girls insurance ran out January 1st, and I just found out today that they are approved--I just need to send a copy of their cancellation letter. The new insurance will be back-dated to January 1st, so we are all set there. (hallelujah!)

7. We also need to find a primary care Dr., a neurologist, a psychiatrist/psychologist, a rhematologist, a heart specialist, and an endocrinologist that are a reasonable distance from our home and can serve our needs quickly and effectively AND be good with kids!!!!! This is the next biggie--I don't want to be driving all over the place three times a week to consult people I don't like or understand.

8. That all our travel between CT and NY is safe and that our cars hold up. So far, so good!!!! Keep praying, though, because both our cars are due for maintenance......

9. That Alannah and Aidan's academic and social needs are not disrupted by our travel needs. That our family is blessed, not burdened or damaged by our travel needs.That Alannah and Aidan are able to deal with the emotional strain this has put on them. That their new school will be a blessing to them both academically and socially. They are doing GREAT. Alannah just tried out for the school play and made call backs for the lead. (Beauty and the Beast, Belle) Aidan is making good friends. We actually have made travelling fun. We have been able to break trips up with visits with Andrea, Curt (Alannah and Aidan's dad) and mom and dad are able to help with transportation.

10. That we find and make connections in our new community that help, support and minister to us, and give us an opportunity to reach out to others' needs. There is nothing like helping someone else, and lord knows others are suffering right along beside us! We just found out that friends of Scott's from high school live just down the road from us! We invited them over last weekend and had a great time. They have kids that are similar in age to ours. We have met some of our neighbors and are starting to get to know people. We found a church that the kids love with a huge Sunday School and Youth Program. I have been approached about serving on the youth committee. I am feeling possibly called to volunteer to help out with the school play.........

11. That Susie and Dan are wrapped in God's love and protection. That if there is any evidence of suffering on their part that someone who can do something about it notices and is led to report it. That the judge allows liberal and unhindered visitation with Susie and Dan and me and my family.That my lawyer can represent me fairly and effectively. That I can continue to pay her on time so my case can keep moving through the system. That if there is evidence to support us we will procure it. That our faithfulness to honesty and fairness will be rewarded by justice and vindication as promised by God. That the hand and voice of God is working in the hearts and minds of judicial leaders that hold the answers to my cases. This is just going to take TIME. We do have GREAT visitation--in fact, I sat down and added it up, and we actually have them MORE time than William does. (go figure) Susie and Dan love it here, they love Scott and they miss their sisters and Mommy very much. BUT, we are all working to make the best of what we have right now, and trying to find the happy things. We hug A LOT when they are here.... as much as we laugh and have a great time together.


AND, last but not least, that we are open to the voice and leading of God and that we can accept, humbly, his calling for our lives irregardless of his plan. PSALM 24!!!!! (Oh yeah!)

So.... THANK YOU SO MUCH for all of you who keep us in your prayers, and please keep them coming. Prayers work!!!!!!

P.S. Our bonus prayer--the one I didn't ask for, at least back in October, anyways... (hahahahaha) was that the STEELERS ARE GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!! Whoooooooooo!!!!!!!

Hello, Hello!

Hi everyone! I've (finally) been back to work for a few days! It felt like I was gone away a long time. But, the school felt otherwise. I had to laugh, because a couple of the kids started fooling around for me and one of the girls told them that it wasn't worth it because they couldn't pull anything over on a teacher that has been there every day for a month. (I hadn't, but.... it made me feel good that they "knew" me, and I was considered a regular).

Later today I took a class to the computer lab. While I was there another class came in. A couple of the kids noticed I was there and got all excited, telling the rest of the kids coming in: "Look! Look! Miss Hall is here!"

I got some nice adult feedback too--the vice principal made a point to tell me that he had heard all good things about me. He was especially glad that he didn't have to teach today--there were a lot of teachers out. I told him he was welcome to come up period F and knock some heads in for me--my tough class. He laughed and told me that those boys gave everyone trouble, and not to worry about it. I handled them as well as anyone else did.

Actually, today was the first day I didn't have to throw this one kid out. At the end of class I made a comment to that effect, and the rest of the class even joined in congratulating him for making it the whole class without getting kicked out. (It probably didn't hurt that his side-kick was out today.....) what was it the VP said? Classroom management by subtraction? (hahahahaha) No less than five teachers stopped in their tracks in amazement at how calm and quiet the class was being for me today. I didn't bother pointing out that the worse of them weren't really working on what they were supposed to be working on, but they weren't playing games or looking at porn (what I was warned they would try to do) so I took it as progress. I showed them Christian's website-they were very impressed.

In other news.....

The girls have made a friend of a girl that lives just down the street. Julie rides their bus, and is in 8th grade with Alannah. She is very nice. I got to meet her parents too--we had a great time chatting and getting to know each other a bit. She is in Art Club with Alannah. Aidan and I went to pick Alannah and Julie today, and took the puppy with us. Aidan got out of the car, and a whole crowd of middle school girls came rushing over to ooh and ahh over Coal. He ate it right up! It was so cute. He is a major celebrity!

He is being a very good puppy. He is almost housetrained. Tomorrow he goes to the vet for his shots and a check up. I think he has grown way past his first weigh in at 11 pounds..... I think he is more like 30 now..... We are starting to take him on walks, and he is getting braver about going down the steps and running around in the yard. He loves, loves, loves people!

Last, but not least, the lake is frozen enough for ice fishing.... guess what Scott is getting for his birthday? :) brrrrrr! Fish-sicles anyone? It is amazing how big this is here!!!!!

more later!

The scoop (er, poop) on Baby Alive

I know you have all been waiting to death to hear it, so here is the Baby Alive story. This is the one toy that Susie has been dying to have for months. She was so excited Christmas morning to find out that her dream had come true. So was I, for the record: I've always wanted a Baby Alive, and I never got one. (but I'm not bitter or anything!)

The basic charm of the doll is that she eats, pees and poops. This was the charm of the original doll. This newer version is over-the-top pimped out. The Baby Alive of the millennium is computerized. She is realistically animated. Her lips smack and undulate around the spoon and bottle. Baby Alive is a charming conversationalist. She talks, adorably, with her caretakers. I could swear she sparkles! She actually "learns" how to use her potty: She starts out saying (nay, giggling) "Oops! I made a stinky!" After each feeding (According to the directions) she is supposed to give you more notice. The second time she says, "I think I have to use the potty, oops! too late!" The third time she says "Hurry Mommy!" and so on. By the 6th feeding she is supposed to be able to "hold it" until she goes in her potty.

fyi:
http://www.hasbrotoyshop.com/Products_DetailView.htm?AC=B&BR=801&SBR=686&ID=22167&TP=HR

The directions imply this progression is supposed to happen over time. In Susie-time it took about 8 minutes to blow through ten feedings and 30 diapers. The bathroom looked like a war zone. There were dirty diapers, empty food and juice packets and baby food splatters all over the place. (Don't think I didn't have a few traumatic flashbacks). By the way, the directions stress the need to make sure the diaper is SECURELY fastened. They also stress that Baby Alive's food is likely to stain. I would absolutely agree with the stress part.

Anyways, we went to buy replacement diapers and food for Baby Alive the day after Christmas. The food is kind of cool--you actually mix it up and it turns into this stuff that really looks like baby food. The trouble is, you absolutely have to use that food, or Baby Alive won't be alive anymore. The diapers were a sham, though. They were really expensive--even more expensive than real baby diapers. We considered buying newborn preemie diapers, but they weren't that much cheaper. Plus, it wasn't so long ago that I crossed diapers off the household shopping list for good. So, since you all know I am a handy gal, you KNOW I JUST grabbed a package of real baby cloth diapers and a package of shower caps and made Susie's doll a pile of little cloth diapers and plastic pants. The cloth diapers were actually better at catching the leaks than the Baby Alive diapers, and they washed out really well without staining too much.

Then we got to send Baby Alive home with her.

(evil laugh and discordant music)

Funny, but the day she arrived at her Owego home, Baby Alive didn't work anymore. Now, a week later, when it is time for her to come back to her Connecticut home, Baby Alive works! Miraculous! Well, Susie sure felt it was miraculous. I for one thinks something smells fishy. Er...... stinky. But, it doesn't matter, because I can't wait for the little darling to come home! All three of them, actually.

GRIN.

Ice, Ice, Baby!

And we have another snow day! The girls say that they only have two left after today..... This could be an interesting winter. I haven't looked outside yet, but Scott said it was pretty bad out there. Mostly inches (and inches!) of ice according to the weather terrorists. (what the radio weathermen call the TV weathermen) I could hear the plows and sanders all morning revving and scraping up and down the hill. We think that one of the plow operators lives on our side street because they go up and down it with a passion. It is just a little dead end side street about 1/4 mile long, and I don't even think that it is completely paved. The school buses don't even go down it! Anyways, you could drive a bald tired tank down it without a slip.

This has become our latest Coal walking venue. I don't think he is quite ready to walk down the main road yet. I'm not sure that I want to tackle the main road. With all the snow the shoulders are pretty much gone. It would be hard enough to get up and out of the way without walking a wiggly little puppy. Actually, Coal is a very good puppy. So far he is easy to train. Already he can sit and walk on his leash without pulling. He doesn't cry in his crate, and will go in by himself. He doesn't chew on anything but his dog toys, either! (ha, Julie!) If he starts to do something he shouldn't, we just say "No, Coal!" and he stops and sits. He even goes to the door when he has to "go". He is very friendly. When he meets new people he doesn't jump up on them too much, he just wiggles and wags. His favorite thing to do is snuggle. (awwwwww!)

Coal is especially happy about the snow day. He loves snow, but he hates it when Scott and the girls leave each day. (mom is always chopped liver, isn't she?) Today he gets his two favorite things--snow and girls! Right now he is playing and snuggling with Aidan on the couch. Then he jumps down to play with Alannah when he needs some stimulation. Well, whines to be put down--he hasn't figured out how to get up and down yet. We'll see how much he likes outside on a snow day..... Not sure if he will be able to navigate the ice seeing that the hardwood floors throw him for a loop!

I'm not sure what I am going to do today. I had gotten used to working again, and there just isn't that much to do. Today will be a good day to make Cowboy beans with kielbasa and sauerkraut. The girls might enjoy making a dessert to go with that... I also promised Susie I would make her Baby Alive a coat..... (don't worry, I will tell my Baby Alive Story soon!) hmmmmmmm............

Happy New Year!

Ahhh.... it's good to be home!

I'll never forget Leslie Ann King saying once to me: Thanksgiving comes once a year, but Christmas comes EVERY year. No kidding--a lot of fun, but there is definitely a feeling a lot like relief when it is over.

We really did have a wonderful holiday break. Mom and Dad came Christmas Eve and stayed for a few days. We ate prime rib for dinner and it just went down (or is it up?) hill from there--I must have gained about 25 more pounds eating. (arrrghhh). We took a long walk down along the Colebrook Lake River/Farmington River. This was Coal's first major outdoor debut. We watched a lot of movies and shopped til we dropped!

The 12 days we had Susie and Dan went by so fast. All of a sudden it was time to bring them home! Aside from the puppy and the family Wii system, the favorite gifts were as follows:

Alannah: Jewelry making supplies and beads
Aidan: Interior design studio and spa kits
Susie: Baby Alive (more about her later....)
Dan: Hot Wheels race track kits and RC helicopter

I of course loved everyone being there. but my favorite gift was the handmade bench Scott crafted for me. It is awesome! It is for our new mud room, so it is this massive piece of furniture. It is over six feet long with a nice strong broad seat that we can sit on. There is room for 4 big baskets underneath--one for each of us. It will be a great spot to stash school bags, boots, hats, gloves etc. I am looking forward to all the clutter control this new room will give us in the new year. (Go Honey!)

I also loved getting a subscription to Cook's Country.com (and bound copies of the last two years) I used to subscribe, but had cut it from my budget (very sadly) and boy did I miss it! It is a great complement to my Cook's Illustrated.com subscription--I really need both. AND, last but not least, Scott and I have Wine for Dummies, and will try and learn something new this year.

We spent New Year's visiting Scott's family in Pittsburgh. We had a very enjoyable visit. Scott's mom and step-dad left for Disney New Year's Day, so we took care of their dogs Sammy (a Newfie) and Seiko (a Spitz? she's a big husky like dog). They are the best dogs--massive, sweet and gentle. Coal was beside himself with hysteria trying to make friends with them. the older dogs put up with him for the most part. Coal is a big puppy, but next to Sammy and Seiko he looked like a flea. He followed them around and generally harassed them the whole weekend. Friday night we went to Scott's dad's club and we played Bingo. Alannah won a Pittsburgh Penguin's jersey and $60. It was a lot of fun.

Saturday we celebrated Christmas and New Year's with mom's family. Part of the party was honoring Dad's retirement. It was fun to catch up with everyone--we laughed the New year in! After everyone left Scott and I played Munchkin with my sisters and present/future brother in-laws. This is a hilarious card game, but it goes on forever. I think we played for 5 hours straight. I almost won 3 times and then I "died", at which point I gave up. This was around 1am. Scott said everyone else "let" Eva win around 2am. Again, I laughed so hard I think I hurt something! Hopefully Stephanie (my little niece) will be kind and not be too demanding this week so Andrea recover from her late night.

Phew!

The kids woke up this morning with a school delay (already?!) due to ice. It must have rained in the night. Of course the girls were happy--they got to sleep in a bit. They had about an hour to relax, but they made some jewelry and re-decorated the Christmas tree for the NFL playoffs. Yes, we now have a Steeler's tree! (you can't travel to Pittsburgh and not load up on fan supplies.....) The puppy was sad and confused when they left. He sat by the door and cried. :(

I haven't been called into work yet, so I will focus energy on laundry and re-gearing the house for regular life.

Happy New Year!!!!!