Missing a Friend

So I haven't been living in this area very long and because of the nature of my job I don't really interact with many adults on a regular basis.  I did get to know one really well, Shannon.  We worked together in the early morning and got to know each other pretty well.

 

Then last week she moved!  :(  Now I am thrilled for Shannon, because it was a move back to where she grew up and her family still lives.  But now she's gone and it's just not the same here!

So a couple gals from work pitched in and we put together a care package for her and her 17 month old daughter.  Just a few fun things that reminded me of them.  Lots of pictures to follow!

We colored a lot with the kids.  Even got all fancy with shading.

Just couldn't resist these:

Shannon loves coffee. She gave it up for a while last fall, but is "back on the wagon" now! 

And this mug (has packing material in it for mailing) is just cool.  Like something you'd find in a coffee shop.

Some bracelets for the little one...

and a book...

These are a reminder of the many games that we played with the kids, and she usually one.  Skip-Bo was the favorite for a while, then Rummy 500 and, most recently, the rowdy game of Spoons!

And everything all put together:  (Please excuse the pictures, I did this tonight and am mailing it tomorrow before I can take good daylight pics!)

I know I've been MIA from my blog for the past week, but I've got more projects to share later this weekend.  Tonight it was warm enough for Adam to grill our burgers.  Then we had to make a special trip to McDonald's so that Adam could get his yearly Shamrock Shake.  I apologize to those of you who enjoy this minty treat, but yuck!  I got strawberry instead.

Off to go snuggle while Adam learns something on the Discovery Channel.  Good Night!

Off and running

Okay, maybe not running but at least exercising.  After work today I went to the weight room and used the elliptical for 25 min.  Since getting out of the hospital this spring, I haven't really done much.  First I couldn't do anything, then I was too scared to do anything.  Went pretty well.  It helps that there is a TV built into each machine, so just watch the show and forget that you are burning calories!

Y-Care this morning went longer (10:45) since the school started late for teacher in-service.  That meant that I didn't get to 4K until almost the end of class.  A few of the kids came over and said hello to me, a few gave  me hugs and a few said they missed me!  Even the teacher said she missed me.  It's nice to be appreciated.

Went to youth group tonight.  The peanut butter cookies that I made yesterday were  a big hit.  Also started to organize the supplies.  The room has become a dumping pile and makes me want to cry when I look at it.  Adam played with the youth band tonight.  Sounded really good but the bass was so high that I felt more music than I heard.  I only had one girl show up in my small group, so we just chatted.

Tomorrow is the "big" day.  I've really been doing okay.  Adam and I are going out to dinner, whenever he gets off work.  Yup.

Off to bed.

Expensive Training...

...to wash tables.  Five years for a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and Early Childhood education.  Five years of working in a center, working my way up.  Now, here, I am still the one washing tables while the "teacher" is in group time with the kids.  Now I must say that: a. I am part time, b. hired not long ago, way after the teacher had been set, c. like the teacher.  But it just stirs me up knowing that I can do her job.  She graduated the same year I did so it's not like she has more experience.  We get along and she does not talk down to me at all, thankfully.  But some of the parents do.  I dunno, I'm just going to have to get over it because I don't really think the teacher is going to leave in the middle of the year.  So until June I'll have to suck it up.  I will.  AHHH!  Venting.  Just Venting. 

Do you even still care about my trips to the Dells and MN?  Is anyone reading? I guess I should still post a few pics.  Documentation that I do something other than waste time on the computer.

Did make a great card for my in-law's anniversary, but can't post until they get it.  You'll have to be surprised Wava! And have a list of other projects to work on once the creative juices start flowing again.

Goodnight!

Why do we need titles?

Thinking of a title is setting me off tonight. 

What did I do today...got my TB test, went to my Y-Care site, went to the Y, played with kids, went home and slept, talked to mom for an hour and half (thankfully noticed afterwards that it was her cell phone and since we both have Sprint I won't be charged for those minutes) and opened my box from drugstore.com.

This is where my day started to have some "excitement."  I have started to use Seventh Generation cleaning products, but stores here don't carry everything so I found them on drugstore.com  (These are "green" products that are plant based, not petroleum based, and are also chlorine free.  I'm slowly trying to become more "green.")  They were even on sale!  The box was kinda mangled and wobbly.  Opened it up to find a MESS.  The bottles of bleach, fabric softener and liquid dishwasher detergent were all COVERED in liquid laundry detergent.  That bottle was empty.  At least the person who packed the box put all of those bottle in a big plastic bag.  Called customer service and a new bottle is on it's way all ready, but have to "return" the defective bottle. ???  They're paying for the shipping at least.

   

Went to Culver' s with the Youth Pastor from church and his wife.  Really nice people.  Sounds like he's got a really good program going.  Adam and I will both lead small groups on Wednesday nights.  Then 4-5 graders in on Sundays, busy folks we are. 

As were were driving home tonight I realized that I am actually starting to have a life: I am busy every night this week!

Monday: Dinner w/youth pastor

Tuesday: CPR/First Aid training at work

Wednesday: High school ministry leader meeting

Thursday: Driving to my folks'

Friday: Tiff's wedding

Whew!  Tomorrow is a trip to Madison to get some wedding gifts and print pictures for a few scrapbook projects.  Then home to get my but moving on those projects!  Oh, and grocery shopping.  I know I am going to forget to do this.

Maybe a re-cap and pics of last weekend will be posted tomorrow, as I procrastinate finishing my projects. ;)

Home again, home again...

Home sweet home. It's 11:12pm and QUIET. Adam and Mel are sleeping, the tv and radio are off. The traffic is as quiet as can be. And I just got off of an extremely creative high. Good feelings.

Got home midday, just enough time to pick up a little, then Adam's Iowa grandparents and uncle stopped by for a few hours. (We're on the way to Sheboygan where Adam's aunts live.) We got some Black Angus hamburger, arm roast and stir-fry meat, plus fresh-frozen sweet corn and just-picked green beans. YUM! Need to call Dad for his green-bean recipe.

Adam had a headache all night so he just slept and vegged. I took advantage of that time by starting to make something for someone. I must be sneaky because someone connected to the recipient reads this blog. So no pics or explanations,

just know that I am in LOVE with Photoshop elements right now. And fonts.

Like this one I used tonight.

I used this one too.

Tomorrow I get my TB test for work; then off to the Y to meet up with Stephanie. She's going to take me to the elementary school where my YCare site is and then back to the Y to meet some of the kids. Tomorrow night we go to dinner with the Youth Pastor from church, excited to see what he's got in mind. Then a couple more days and we're off again! This time back to MN for a wedding and Kristi's big move! I wonder if Mom has started crying. Odds are pretty good.

Anywho, off to bed, but will share more about our trip and add some pictures later. Goodnight!

And We're off...

Had orientation yesterday, lots of just listening as my boss went through the huge binder of policies and info. Not bad though. I did get the before school position, so I'll be there 6:30-8:30 (an elementary school no more than 3 min away). Then go to the Y for the 4K from 8:30-12. Hopefully I'll get some fill in hours in the afternoons too. My boss made it sound like those would be plentiful. Then there are the days that school is out and the Y runs programs for them. And maybe summer camp next year. Options.

We're heading out to the Wisconsin Dells area this weekend with Adam's parents and brothers. They rented a house for the weekend with LOTS of land, so Mel will be in heaven. Unfortunately, the weather looks to be hot, humid and rainy. Means lots of card games and probably some Cranium. lol A Murphy weekend with the same weather would mean movie time!

My glasses, as of now, did not come in on time. Dang it. Oh well, I've survived a week.

Oh, just wanted to add a pic of my very healthy snack from the other day. Just apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt pepper and wonderful tomatoes and cucumbers. Next time I want to add some pasta.

Time to go pack.

Some catch-up time

Well, I get behind in blogging, then I get even farther behind because I just have too much since I haven't blogged, so I don't blog. Bad cycle.

Job Update:

Did not get the library job. Disappointing, but I will still enjoy working at the Y Daycare. For sure, I'll be 7:30am-12pm as an assistant teacher in the 4K program. Which is kinda nice. Hopefully there will be an opening in their Y-Care (school age before school) program. Then I would go there at 6:30am and miss some of the prep time in the 4K, but still be there until noon. Thursday I have my orientation for a few hours and then maybe some subbing hours the next week. Both of the programs that I'll work in will follow the school calendar. Which could be very nice around the holidays! Pay is not as good as the library, but better than it could have been.

With my new job I do get a free Y membership. So if I stick to it, I could really get some of my muscle strength back. And hopefully, finally, start losing some weight. I'll already BE at the gym. Hard to make excuses not to go!

Last weekend my parents and Kristi came out for a visit. When Kristi wasn't sitting on the computer or sleeping, she was kinda fun. They got here Thursday night and we had a really good pork roast, watched some Olympics and celebrated Dad's birthday. I made him this peach cobbler. Homemade crust, thank you very much!

Friday Mom, Dad and I (Adam was at work and Kristi was sleeping) toured the area. Ended up going to dinner at Walker's where Dad, Kristi and I all got the burger baskets which come with fries and a milkshake. Yum! I'll admit, when we first moved here, I thought this place looked kinda nasty from the outside. Need some updates there. But inside it's a nice place, good dinner atmosphere and good food.

Saturday was a trip to Horicon Marsh. Mom got introduced to the many, many frogs that get disturbed during their sunbathing. Kristi counted 161 frogs on a 2.3 mi trail, but I think she missed just as many. Mel jumped off the boardwalk to catch a frog. Don't think she minded, but it was pretty deep and she was on a leash!

Kristi says there are five frogs in this picture. I only see four. Anyone else see five?

After a good BLT and corn on the cob lunch (and a nap!) we went to the Dodge County fair. A little too drinky for us, but then my husband tells us that is just kinda small town WI. We stayed for the Craig Morgan concert, which was really good. Wasn't sure what Mom and Dad would think, they're not really concert people, but I know Adam really likes Craig Morgan. Ended up that everyone had a good time.

And today I had to go to Oshkosh. To get new glasses. Because my old ones got eaten. By Mel. Grrrrr. The glasses fell off my nightstand and I was half asleep so I didn't pick them up. Dozens of other nights this has happened and my glasses survived. Guess she wasn't tired. So $300+ later, I'll be able to see again on Friday (without contacts).

Been working on more of my card packs. This is the one that I need to get in the mail this week. No, I am not worried that the recipients will see them or know what they are getting, because I don't really think that many people read this. Barb, Wava, Mom and a few random others. But if you do read this, leave me a post so I know who's reading my blog! Maybe I'm more popular than I think. Ha, not likely.

Front of box w/ gift card enclosure:
Other side of box, showing off one of the cards:

Lastly, we're hopefully going to start getting more connected at church. We're having dinner with the Youth Pastor next Monday to talk about middle and high school ministry on Wednesdays and hopefully nursery or children's ministry on Sundays. It'll be good to meet some new people.

Okay, FINALLY done with this post. Blogger is only user friendly to a point. Then in just plain old stinks. I think the pictures will be kept to a minimum from now on!