Happy New Year!

We had a great trip to NY and Pittsburgh for the week of Christmas thru New Year's! Traveling that many days in a mini-van with 5 kids, two adults and a giant black lab was exhilarating. Often surreal, and occasionally mind-numbing. But we did it! Scott and I are definitely fist-pumping it a lot these past few days. When we aren't passed out from exhaustion.

We got back Friday afternoon, and I got to do about 20 loads of laundry. Sometimes after a week of living it up out in the big world, laundry is a welcome and centering activity. (Yeah, right!) Although I have found that when I am missing the hub-bub of all the kids--which I frequently am-- laundry is actually a very good way to remember everyone who isn't there.

Aidan and I went shopping Saturday--checked out the Westfarms Mall and related shopping in Farmington, CT. It wasn't that bad of a drive, and it was a very nice mall. Aidan fulfilled her dream of buying a brand-new outfit from Victoria Secret's Pink Boutique. Mostly, I think, for the experience of carrying the cute boutique bag around with her the rest of the day. I am glad she had so much fun. The poor kid has spent most of her life (very cheerfully, mind you) in everyone's hand-me-downs. I can't help but empathize.

I (sigh!) bought a bunch of unmentionable "wardrobe staples" that I lugged around in a boring old Sears bag. Let's just say that several assorted parts of my body will enter the new year with renewed support. Ahem. Cough. Snort!

Sunday was Boar's Head, Boar's Head, Boar's Head. I volunteered to help with costumes this year, as well as sing in the choir. It wasn't quite as bad as everyone made it out to be--as many of you have discovered, working with church people does not necessarily mean you are working with NICER people!!!! Good grief!!!

The highlight as usual was that the Three Wisemen (all local pastors...) always write and perform a very snarky version of their "We Three Kings" verse. I shamefully admit (my own not very churchy-like confession) that this is probably the main reason I keep participating in this event! This year the verses were about playing matchmaker to Lady Gaga and Charlie Sheen, Forgetting to pick up the Frankincense on layaway at Walmart, and praising God that Tim Teabow has officially reconciled church and football on Sundays.

Other high (and low) lights were when a girl behind me in the choir made a comment about that "hot new woodsman". I wasn't going to say anything, but my choir buddy flipped around and practically snarled at the woman pointing at me and saying--"HEY! That's HER husband!!!!" It was pretty funny. (And Scott does look cute in his little green feathered cap.... carrying the yule log.... hahahahaha!) It WAS NOT funny when the same woman started commenting on the slouchy teenagers messing around on their phones. Thankfully my buddy did NOT turn around and say: "HEY! That's HER slouchy teenager!" ARRGH. It is about time that girl realizes that it isn't just ME watching her!!!!!

Today I spent about six hours organizing things for the play and wrapping up the last of the grading (at least I hope...) from my long term sub job in December. I have not heard if I am going back.... was kind of hoping that I wasn't going to hear about it at 5 am tomorrow!!! Otherwise, it will be the first of many rehearsals for the Spring Musical. Here we go......