It's been a really long day today.

We had youth bowling this morning, so we were up and moving early. The kids were slow-moving, as was I, but we got to the bowling alley on time. Nothing spectacular for scores to report. I actually read a lot of the time I was there. In a case of significant irony, one of Eric's bowling league mate's name is the same as a sadistic murderer in one of Stephen King's short stories... When I shared this with people who knew him, we all laughed uproariously... This gentleman is so easy-going and kind, there is no way he fits the profile as described by Mr. King! I do enjoy Stephen King's writings--sometimes they get pretty off-the-map, but they make you think, and they challenge beliefs. I was so very jealous that Liisa actually got to meet him in person when he stayed at her hotel. When he checked in the poor flustered front desk person asked him "do you mean like the author?" to which he replied, "that would be me." Liisa was/is a concientious employee so she didn't jeapardize her job by asking for an autograph for me, but man I wished... He obviously spent a bit of time in the Minneapolis metro area, as his protagonist in Duma Key lives initially in St. Paul on Lake Phalen. Eric is reading that one now on my recommendation and I think he's enjoying it. I know I did.

Another funny story that Liisa and I were remembering from her front desk days: one day this man came to the front desk to check in and Liisa said to him that he "looked just like that guy from Tool Time on TV" (Al is the character). He laughed and said that was him, giving her his name, and she said something to the effect of "well that must be why you look like him!" and they laughed. Turns out he was at the right hotel but wrong site, so she got him situated and sent on his way, then called me all in a tither! She has met so many famous people working downtown in major hotels. I still think my favorite though is when Hootie and the Blowfish were staying at a small, exclusive hotel she worked at, and in doing some favors (in the course of her duties) for both "Hootie" and his stage manager, she was offered passes to the private concert they were giving for Microsoft execs. She asked if I could come too as I was a huge fan, and was told "Of course!" So there stood Liisa and I at the edge of an outdoor stage enjoying the hospitality of Microsoft and Hootie, a memory I will treasure always! Man that guy can sing!

I spent a significant number of hours today putting together a packet about Mascoutah, IL for my niece Memphis. She had an assignment to send "Flat Stella/Stan" somewhere in the world, and for the recipient to describe where they were, what it was like, maybe include maps or postcards, and photos. I included three maps, one of the town/streets, where I labelled my house, the schools, the church, and other landmarks; one of the area, where I noted places we go to that would be familiar to my niece, like the mall or target, and the air force base. The last map was a more distant one that included St. Louis. I wrote a letter describing things to her, and I included pictures of various places that are important to us as a family down here. I will mail it off to her on Monday. I actually had to run to Walmart (blech) to get a mailing envelope (as well as some milk and a few other groceries). I hope she likes it.

Liisa got safely home last evening early on, and she had no bad weather or difficulties. I was so relieved. I talked to Eric today and he's bored to tears today. There is no class on the weekends, and the guy he rode down with drove back to Missouri but didn't come all the way up to St. Louis, so it didn't pay for Eric to ride back. He got his internet working somewhat in his room, so he spent the day reading, watching tv, playing Everquest, and hanging out. Poor guy. He even did some studying, as after the test on friday he was #6 in his class, out of 40-some people. The kids and I are still managing well, and I made sure homework got worked on right after bowling and prior to any freedom to hang with friends/go places... It was a gorgeous day today so that was added incentive to get things done. I am such a task-master!

I can't promise to blog everyday next week like I did this one--for whatever reason it seemed to work out this week to do so, but I don't want to bore people either with a we did this and we did that...blah blah blah... Most days are pretty dull and static around here, not very interesting at all! But I will do my best to keep highlighting the important things and keeping you up-to-date on us!

Friday again, or should I say TGIF?

I am a bit weary right now--got up a little after 6 am after not going to bed before midnight (I got a new Stephen King book of short stories from the library and it's engrossing!), and I didn't go back to bed after taking the kids to school. Liisa wanted to make a fairly early start today as there is supposed to be lightly drifting snow to the north of us (all along her route back, of course), while we are to be grey and overcast, with minimal precipitation down here. Cliff, bless his heart, spent over an hour yesterday afternoon totally digging out her car (the side where she got plowed in, and the front) so that she could take off at will today, and I am so grateful to him. He is such a good kid! His parents are nuts to disown him--I am proud to claim him as one of "ours."

Anyhow, Liisa loaded up her car with most of the things she brought down last night, and this morning she grudgingly got up after I got back from dropping off the school kids. We ran to McDonald's for breakfast, as she wanted to go out before she left, and it was "free latte Friday" there (I was out of milk here at the house--amazing how 2 snow days with kids home, on top of the weekend prior depletes one of groceries quickly!)... She had to still scrape off the windshield and the roof before leaving, but was able to get to the interstate without difficulty. She is on her way back to MN and I miss her already! Her goal for being here was to lounge around, read novels, and "let Mom feed" her for 5 days ( OK, 3 plus 2 travel days), and I would say she was very successful at it! It was so nice to have her here and I hope her trip home is less eventful than the one here was.

We sent the remaining Christmas gifts back with her that Brie and Cliff had gotten but never mailed out, so she gets to play Santa in February to the cousins and Kristi and Rollie. Procrastination is a wonderful thing, isn't it? Although I am of the opinion that gifts are always fun, regardless of the time frame in which they are delivered.

Eric called last night and talked to all of the kids, only to have his cell phone battery die when it was my turn to talk (heehee). He said that yesterday was less difficult physically, and they had a study group meet last night to review materials on a test he was taking, I think today. He is missing my home cooking. Breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday are at the hospital cafeteria down there, and dinner is at the Golden Corral buffet. Then, on the weekends, it is strictly the Golden Corral, for Brunch in the morning and then again for dinner. I am guessing he will be glad to eat my cooking again, even if my menus aren't terribly exciting either.

I think that's all I wanted to write about for today... I am gonna get going on more hand quilting today and I have chores that need doing as well--laundry is backing up and dishes need doing (although Liisa, bless her heart too, did a huge load of them the other night and Brianne made the crack that Liisa was making her look bad by doing so... heeheehee... Think Brie will get the hint that pitching in is greatly appreciated?)

a fun girl's day out~

Today the gods smiled on us, the weather cooperated, and there was school, so Liisa and I had a girl's day out. We went down on main street and browsed a couple of shops there that had been closed last time she was here (we bought some wine and some bee balm at Bee's Hallow), then it was off to pick up Rei at school and run him home--we are guessing the new dose of meds he's on for his ADHD is upsetting his stomache and making him puke, thus his needing to come home. We next went to Chevy's for lunch (Tex-Mex) and margaritas, then over to The Bead Place, where Liisa found nirvana. She bought lots of fun things in bright colors and will be happily crafting once she gets back to MN. Then we stepped next door to the little Asian nail salon, where I had a pedicure and brow waxing, and Liisa got her fingernails done. It was so nice to be pampered and made lovely again! We got home about 40 minutes ago sated and satisfied!

(This is Liisa "watching" TV in my bed after our day out--the laundry basket of clothes is her version of packing for a 5 day trip--heehee).

I am making an old fashioned pot roast dinner tonight, and we will focus on homework, relaxing, and hanging out for our last night together. We also need to take a few minutes to dig Liisa's car out--it's buried under the 9 inches of snow we received (along with what got pushed up on it from the plow going by).

I tried really hard to convince Liisa she needs to stay a few more days just to let it melt, but work does take priority to hanging out I guess. It's been a wonderful few days to have her around though, and I am going to miss her when she leaves.

I got the center block all quilted on the wall hanging, and it is shaping up quite nicely. I had hoped to illustrate this entry with my pictures, but my camera has gone on "walk-about" and I have not found it yet. I assigned Aurora the task of taking some of the photos I want and I will try to post more of them later on.

Eric is doing fine in Arkansas, although he is a bit bruised and rug-burned in spots (like his elbow) and he says his back has some knots in it from the take-downs he's done. I think he misses me (at least the TLC I give him). I know I miss him, although over all we are doing fine. I talked to Justin at length yesterday and he made me smile. He told me he needs "a tiny lil puppy, with little eyes, little ears, a little nose, and little legs." He told me he would name her "pretty black puppy" and he would walk her on a leash over to Aunt Iisa's house to play with Max (Liisa's dog). He has it all planned out, and I'm sold... He just needs to convince Mommy and Daddy... It was definitely for the best that the babies didn't come down this trip given how everything turned out with the weather, but I hope they come see me at some point in the near future. I need a baby fix of my own!!!!

Another snow day in the offing...

Well, the kids announced just after 10 pm that there is going to be no school again tomorrow (ok, today)... I am down one kid as Cliff's buddy went home, but still have the rest here. Eric wished me good luck with housebound kids and cold, dreary weather outside. Liisa and I just laughed as Aurora thanked her for bringing winter weather down with her, even if it is actually coming up from Texas and Oklahoma. We have had sleet and snow most of the evening and it looks like a winter wonderland outside. I did actually do a bit of driving today, just around town (went to the library and the grocery store) and took it slow and easy; the windshields were frozen solid and needed significant de-icing to be able to see out of. Brianne is planning to try and go to work in the morning (she does have an awful cold and had bad laryngitis today), so I hope she is careful driving. The precipitation is supposed to end early morning, and my guess is she'll take the van.

The cable guy did show up this afternoon and we now have cable television (expanded basic so that Aurora can have Animal Planet) on three televisions: the living room, the "loft", and in my room. After dinner I came upstairs to my room only to find a couple of kids camped out on my bed--everyone had claimed a tv to watch what they were excited to see, and as I said to Eric, three TVs and I couldn't watch what I wanted to watch! I did claim eminent domain over my room and tv, much to the dismay of the Animal Planet watchers, but I pointed out that we can negotiate on the other two tvs--that I deserve one for me, especially since I am not adverse to sharing most of the time.

I got the quilt top totally finished tonight and I am satisfied with it. I will get it pin-basted tomorrow, then try to take a couple of pictures before I start quilting on it. I decided to just go with the hand quilting thread I have here and not buy something new. I'm excited to get moving forward on it though. I can't remember what my deadline is to have it done by, but I think it's around Valentine's day. I should be ok...

Liisa and I are going to try and escape for awhile on Thursday before she leaves on friday morning. We will go to "The Bead Place", which also has wonderful knitting yarns as well as beading supplies of all kinds; then we are gonna go get our nails done at the salon next door to them, and maybe go out for lunch afterwards. It's been so nice having her here, and she has had quite the opportunity to get to know and spend time with all the kids over these few snow days!

Eric said that they continue to get rain in Arkansas where he is at, and it *may* freeze over tonight, but so far they are doing fine. He spent most of the day doing "combatives" today and said he felt pretty good despite all the physical exertion. It's starting to sink in that he isn't just working a few overnights and will have a day off soon and I am starting to miss him. Our 6 month anniversary is coming up in another week and in that time I have gotten used to having him around!

Sounds like the house is finally settling down. Liisa just shut down her laptop, and is headed to bed so I guess I will do the same. It is almost 1 am after all... Wish me luck with a houseful of kids again later today! I am so glad we have cable now, along with the gaming systems we have--plenty to keep bored kids occupied!

Snowed in with a houseful of kids...

Here it is, 9:30 am on a tuesday morning, and I have a houseful of (mostly) sleeping children. Liisa got in a bit after 9 last night after an eventful last 90 minutes of her drive here: we were under severe winter storm advisories and she encountered greasily icy roads as she hit the entrance ramp to I-64 from I-70. The car in front of her came to a stop as it headed onto the bridge over the Mississippi, and despite the fact she was only going about 25 mph, she couldn't stop, and slid into the median/bridge abutment on the left side of the freeway, creasing up her quarterpanel on the kia. She got herself back into traffic, totally shaken up, when the same car that caused her to slide did a 180 in front of her and almost hit her again! As she told me on arrival, she put on her hazards and drove the rest of the way here in the right lane, going about 35 mph... (she had semis boxing her in when she slid into the median, so all in all it was a terrifying experience for her, and she didn't even look at the damage to the kia til she got here... It's creased along the same place that the school bus had hit it previously, but is driveable). I poured her a glass of wine and we lounged on my bed til long after midnight. Other than being a bit shaken up and freaked out, she's fine and glad to land. In fact, she says she isn't leaving until the snow is melted and may be here til spring!!!!

In the meantime, the snow was falling at a steady pace, and school closings were being posted on the news, so I had premonitions the kids would be home today... Sure enough, Aurora woke me at 5:30 to say that school was closed and she was headed back to bed. Brie didn't go to work either (I hope she got up and called in at least) as she has no working windshield wipers on the CRX, and the van needs better tires on the front in particular--it slides pretty easily on wet. Probably for the best she stayed home... But that means I have Cliff and his best friend in the living room, Aurora and Kimmie in Aurora's room, Patrick, Rei and Brie in their rooms, and Liisa in the "loft"... And me, three dogs, and three cats... What a concept! I have an appointment today to have cable tv and internet put in so I hope this doesn't delay that process to severely... Cable would be lovely with all these kids running around! (We got a really good deal on the bundle package, and for just a few dollars more than Eric was paying for wireless internet and telephone we can add in the cable tv and have it all on one bill instead of 2--and have cable to boot!).

Eric's first day of classes went fine, although they too were getting freezing rain down there and he wasn't sure if he was going to be even going to class today as they too had schools being closed right, left, and sideways... Even the military base there had shut down to only essential personnel being required to be there. I hope that doesn't end up tacking on days he needs to be away. That would suck!

Anyhow, kids are getting up, so I guess that's my cue to get more coffee and direct traffic so-to-speak... Wish me luck getting them all to help shovel~

Just a quick note or two

I just want to post a quick couple of notes, as I have a lot to get done today. Liisa is enroute here even as I type, although she is coming alone. Andrea had a few reservations about the babies being gone for 5 days without her, something I can certainly understand and relate to, so we have tabled their trip to "another time". I'm just fine with it, albeit a little disappointed. Having their energy and laughter would be good for me, but having Liisa here will be a blessing too (and much less work!).

Eric got off safely to Little Rock yesterday, 2 hours later than planned. To quote him, "time was moving faster than he was..." He arrived at his hotel around 9 pm, and got settled in. He was concerned he had no internet, but discovered he does, much to our mutual relief (we plan to play Everquest together in the evenings to help pass time and "be together"). We quickly settled into our old pattern of telephone communication for a bit before bed, a well established routine from when we were courting, and while it wasn't the same as it used to be, at least it was better than being alone before bed.

I had a house full of kids last night as our brood was all home, and they had 2 extras here as well; dinner was noisy and chaotic, but it was fun to see everyone interacting. Today I need to crack the whip and be sure they help finish picking up stuff. I have my quilt top all sewn together now, and I fused most of the pieces into place for the central motif. I have to buttonhole applique them down in place so the fusing doesn't lift off with use), then I will add the last 8 bowling pins into their respective places and stitch them down (also by hand). Lastly I will layer it and do the quilting. I am going to start out hand quilting it, but if I run out of time, I may machine quilt around the borders... We'll see. I was bummed to find out that the shop in Edwardsville doesn't carry varigated hand quilting thread either (the owner suggested that perhaps it's a regional thing, that quilters down here don't use it as much as quilters back home). That may well be, but it's depressing none-the-less. I am gonna grab some thread I saw at Hancock fabric today (one of my outings) that I know will work, and may just see if what I have on hand can be used as well. I will post pictures soon of what I have done so far--just need to find the camera!

Hope everyone is staying warm: we are under a winter weather advisory down here and *may* get 3-6 inches of snow beginning after midnight tonight... I really doubt it will be that much (we got an inch yesterday and it's mostly gone already--didn't stick in many places, just blew around). We'll see! Hmmm! Just got a call from the church and our Women's group meeting for tonight was "postponed" due to the pending weather. LoL, that would NOT be a concern up in Minneapolis, where this coming weather is the norm... Some of these differences make me laugh. Oh well, I was planning to go until Liisa said she was coming, then decided to stay home instead, so now I will be able to attend when it is rescheduled.

I'm 0ff to run my errands now~

Friday already?

It's been a really busy week! Eric was off Monday and Tuesday, thus we had running around to do; Wednesday and Thursday nights he worked, so he was sleeping during the day (and is in bed as I write!) and I did some errands on my own... Seems like despite having all the time in the world, very little of it is my own sometimes! Eric is trying to get everything he needs done completed before he leaves for training on Sunday morning, and I am very grateful for how organized and farsighted he is. I should have very little trouble managing things while he is gone. I suppose 21 years in the military and multiple deployments contributed to that, but for whatever reason, I do appreciate how well he takes care of me.

I have a confession to make. OK, actually a couple of them. I still have my tree standing in the corner of the living room and the ornament boxes still standing against the wall. They will (hopefully) be gone this weekend, but for now they are still in the way. We need a new box or set of boxes to put the tree into, hence it still gracing the living room, and I am not sure I could lift the rest of them into place in the garage, so those are chores for Eric before he leaves... Or maybe we can just leave the tree in place, a bit of greenery in the corner! (Not likely though--I want my window back!). Confession dos: I cheated on my sister with another stylist last night! I needed a trim desperately, and I didn't want to trim my own bangs a second time in a row (I don't do a very good job--it is clearly done by someone unskilled). I got a recommendation from a friend and used her stylist. She was very good, albeit really rough, but she did a nice job, giving me exactly what I asked for (an inch off in length all around, keeping the long layers intact, and fixing my bangs so I can now see again). I am satisfied with the style (it looks just like it always has), but it wasn't the same experience at all. No visiting about family, no catching up on things, no gossiping about kids or other things... I miss my sister! When I shared my infidelity with my sister she was very understanding (600 miles is a long way to go for a haircut), but I promised to keep any chemical enhancements or eyebrow waxings in the family!

Confession tres: I still don't have the quilted wallhanging done and ready to quilt. I don't know what the hold up is exactly, but my guess it's related to all the driving I have had to do lately with the kids, and just not having much time for myself or my projects. I was disappointed to find that none of the fabric stores (or even the local quilt shop!) carry varigated hand quilting thread. I always got mine at Quilters Cove in Apple Valley, or at Glad's in Minneapolis, and I don't have the color(s) I really want in my stash. I am thinking I may need to take a run up to the quilt shop in Edwardsville, but it's almost 45 minutes each way to get there, and that seems like a lot of gas expenditure for just thread... Maybe there are other things I need too! I can always look... Hmmmmm. I need it done in about 3 weeks, so there is really no time to order it online. Worst case scenario, I can always use solid colors and just do different areas with different colors... I got the batt and the backing fabric yesterday for it, so I am basically ready to go once the blocks are done being put together.

The new semester has started for the kids, and Patrick had to make a very adult decision about his plans for the rest of this school year and into the next. He does not have enough credits to graduate in May. Period. There is no way around it or to fix it. We met with the guidance counselor yesterday after school and he was given his options. Eric and I had prepared him in advance for this discussion when we had talked/brainstormed last friday night, but I think it was still a bit of a shock for him to hear it from the "authority figures". Bottom line is that Patrick decided to be a "Super Senior", meaning he will take classes again for the fall semester and graduate at the end of that term. He will take a couple of mandatory classes, then fill in the rest of the schedule with electives he's like to take (so it will be fun for him), and he's going to look at getting a job over the summer that will qualify him for the work-study program, allowing him to leave campus after 5th hour. He seemed relieved after telling Eric and I his decision, and he says he's not going to slack this term just because... At least he has room to breathe again (one option was taking 2 correspondence courses to make up extra credits on top of his current 8 period work load, plus a term of summer school, AND PASSING everything, just to graduate the end of June...). We are really proud of him. Now he just needs to get things done!

Brie is still waiting on paperwork back from the National Guard, saying they will pay for her education, so she is not in class this week (first week of the term). Cliff too is getting his stuff together, although his entry may be summer session. Eric too got registered for spring term at ITT tech; They are kinda jerking him around right now after taking off this winter term (his 5 weeks of training wouldn't be conducive to school attendance or taking finals!) but we are working to straighten that around. Rei and Aurora are doing fine. Aurora is looking at taking Driver's Ed this summer (God help us!), and we have promised Patrick that we will help him get his license before summer starts (he may need it depending on where he finds a job at).

I am so excited: Liisa just called and she is coming down to see me/us next week (come down Monday, go back Friday) and she convinced Tony and Andrea that she should bring the babies with her! I am just bouncing! My babies are coming to see me/us! Yay!!!!!! I won't even miss Eric that first week he is gone having the kids all here with me (heeheehee--ok, I will miss him, but having the distraction of the little ones will help).