It's been kinda an exciting day for out military family members! Brianne was awarded her promotion to E4, Specialist, this morning at the National Guard Christmas party (I was there with her, representing the family)... We ate lots and it was fun to see all the people there. Then tonight, Tony called Eric to say he had won the brigade level of an "ultimate soldier-Army" competition, which qualifies him to go to the division level next... More studying ahead in his future! Some of his superiors referred to him as Sargent, although he has not officially been promoted yet, leading him to wonder if they know something he doesn't... I am so very proud of both of my kids! They are working hard, and they deserve to be acknowledged!
Liisa and Jesse have had a wonderful time on their Myrtle Beach vacation; they had quite the adventure horseback riding this morning (including Jesse's horse kicking out at the other horses repeatedly, and all the horses having some "attitudes")... They will be flying home to Minneapolis tonight and she is eager to see her "dogbabies".
Aurora also had an exciting day yesterday: she bowled extremely well at the high school tournament, and came in 8th overall (individual scoring-wise). We are very proud of her as well! Rei also had a good morning bowling (youth league) so that was fun.
Eric returns to school tomorrow for what may be his final term but unfortunately he has two monday classes: one in the morning, one at night. For tomorrow anyhow he is going to go straight to school from work (he gets off at 7), sleep in the car a bit (he has a cold weather heavy duty sleeping bag in there now, and a travel pillow), go to class, sleep again for awhile in the car, then do some homework, attend his second class, then come home. He may or may not stay for the full evening class, but he is of the opinion that it doesn't make a lot of sense to drive an hour each way to only be home for 2 hours, when he could work on stuff there using the library/student center between classes, and/or sleep in the car (more of an option down here where the weather, while cold, isn't deadly like it would be in Minneapolis or further north). We will take it a week at a time! This is my last week of class til the new year as well, so I am needing to be sure I have everything done and turned in... No worries there though. And my sock knitting class was fun! I had only one student, an older woman who knits, just never has tried socks before, and I enjoyed her very much. The only catch? I need to knit a sock to stay up with her, so I can show her what comes next. That means I have started a new sock too, and I will need to be diligent on that so I can show her how to turn the heel and make the gusset next Saturday. One more project to add to my plate, lol.
Speaking of plates, and looking at the time, I need to go start some dinner for all of us... I am getting hungry finally! It has been such a great weekend though (and I have been so grateful to be off for it--it's been crazy busy! I am so proud of the kids for their successes this weekend. It's been really fun to see and be a part of, both directly and indirectly!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Sorry for the blogging delay...
It's just been a very busy week!
Monday I had the paper from hell due, and spent most waking hours prior to thanksgiving working on it. It was due (posted) by noon on Monday; I had it posted at 10:29 am... I was quite pleased. Just checked online and no grade has been posted for it as yet, so my fingers remain crossed... After typing forever on that thing, I just didn't feel much like writing/typing for a few days... Which then got away from me.
After posting the paper, I was very excited to spend some time with Eric reinforcing my butcher block table (brought here from Minneapolis, however, we somehow lost the screws for it). Once it was standing solidly, I unboxed my new sewing machine and set it up. It took me a good hour and a half (ok, closer to 2 hours) to screw up my courage and plug it in, wind a bobbin, and thread it, but I have to admit, it is amazing, and everything I had hoped for in a sewing machine. I have NOT used the embroidery functions as yet, only the decorative stitches, but it is amazing! The embroidery parts remain in their suitcase until my classes (which start monday) so I set it up correctly. Don't want to screw it up my first time out! I really am thrilled with it though. I have already sewn one christmas gift on it, and it is quite impressive to me.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I had to work. The mornings were steadily busy and for the most part went by quickly. Wednesday Brianne flew up to Minneapolis, where she bought Jesse's brother's car (she is thrilled with it!). Then she drove to Fargo, ND where she visited with a friend (from Hawaii) who is stationed there, then drove on Thursday to Nebraska somewhere to see another friend, and finally arrived back home last evening. She has drill all weekend, but then plans to drive to NC on Monday to see someone, has plans to go to someone else's graduation on Friday (at Ft. Leonardwood perhaps?) and then is taking Eric to a concert on Saturday. She is still not working (other than her National Guard stuff) so I hope she figures something out about that soon... Otherwise life is gonna start getting expensive for her, what with supporting a fancy phone (with internet on it) and a vehicle...
Friday Eric and I went out to breakfast after dropping the pilot off at the dealership for an oil change. We spent part of it discussing our plans for December (coordinating calendars, planning for the holidays); then we went over to Weekend's Only, a furniture outlet store here in town, and we ended up BUYING new living room furniture! I am so excited! I have never had new furniture in my entire life, so this was amazing for me! We got a couch, a loveseat, and a 1.5 person chair and an ottoman, all for about $1000. I was planning to pay for it outright, but we decided to do the financing thing (just for convenience), as our Christmas gift to each other, and it will be delivered on Tuesday. Then we will get the tree up (after rearranging the living room around) and I cannot wait! The furniture is a beige, microsuede top (cushions, armrests, seats--very plush), with dark brown leather for the sides, back, and "baseboard" (our concession to the dog's being naughty--easier to keep clean and less risk of stuff soaking in... BUT I will kill them if they damage my new furniture!) We also got a 5 year warranty on it against stains, damage, etc. which should take us through getting everyone graduated... I had initially wanted something more patterned, and darker, but the more we looked, the more this set grew on us, and given we haven't painted or anything yet, if seemed like something that would work for us with any color (I can use my afghans or quilts without concern for clashing colors). I am quite pleased, and very excited to have it arrive. We will trash the old sectional with no tears at all--that thing is falling apart under us!
Today has been bowling for the kids (Aurora is at a tournament for the day, and Rei bowled youth league); this afternoon I have to teach sock knitting... Which reminds me, I need to fly--just looked at the time and I am gonna be late!
Monday I had the paper from hell due, and spent most waking hours prior to thanksgiving working on it. It was due (posted) by noon on Monday; I had it posted at 10:29 am... I was quite pleased. Just checked online and no grade has been posted for it as yet, so my fingers remain crossed... After typing forever on that thing, I just didn't feel much like writing/typing for a few days... Which then got away from me.
After posting the paper, I was very excited to spend some time with Eric reinforcing my butcher block table (brought here from Minneapolis, however, we somehow lost the screws for it). Once it was standing solidly, I unboxed my new sewing machine and set it up. It took me a good hour and a half (ok, closer to 2 hours) to screw up my courage and plug it in, wind a bobbin, and thread it, but I have to admit, it is amazing, and everything I had hoped for in a sewing machine. I have NOT used the embroidery functions as yet, only the decorative stitches, but it is amazing! The embroidery parts remain in their suitcase until my classes (which start monday) so I set it up correctly. Don't want to screw it up my first time out! I really am thrilled with it though. I have already sewn one christmas gift on it, and it is quite impressive to me.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday I had to work. The mornings were steadily busy and for the most part went by quickly. Wednesday Brianne flew up to Minneapolis, where she bought Jesse's brother's car (she is thrilled with it!). Then she drove to Fargo, ND where she visited with a friend (from Hawaii) who is stationed there, then drove on Thursday to Nebraska somewhere to see another friend, and finally arrived back home last evening. She has drill all weekend, but then plans to drive to NC on Monday to see someone, has plans to go to someone else's graduation on Friday (at Ft. Leonardwood perhaps?) and then is taking Eric to a concert on Saturday. She is still not working (other than her National Guard stuff) so I hope she figures something out about that soon... Otherwise life is gonna start getting expensive for her, what with supporting a fancy phone (with internet on it) and a vehicle...
Friday Eric and I went out to breakfast after dropping the pilot off at the dealership for an oil change. We spent part of it discussing our plans for December (coordinating calendars, planning for the holidays); then we went over to Weekend's Only, a furniture outlet store here in town, and we ended up BUYING new living room furniture! I am so excited! I have never had new furniture in my entire life, so this was amazing for me! We got a couch, a loveseat, and a 1.5 person chair and an ottoman, all for about $1000. I was planning to pay for it outright, but we decided to do the financing thing (just for convenience), as our Christmas gift to each other, and it will be delivered on Tuesday. Then we will get the tree up (after rearranging the living room around) and I cannot wait! The furniture is a beige, microsuede top (cushions, armrests, seats--very plush), with dark brown leather for the sides, back, and "baseboard" (our concession to the dog's being naughty--easier to keep clean and less risk of stuff soaking in... BUT I will kill them if they damage my new furniture!) We also got a 5 year warranty on it against stains, damage, etc. which should take us through getting everyone graduated... I had initially wanted something more patterned, and darker, but the more we looked, the more this set grew on us, and given we haven't painted or anything yet, if seemed like something that would work for us with any color (I can use my afghans or quilts without concern for clashing colors). I am quite pleased, and very excited to have it arrive. We will trash the old sectional with no tears at all--that thing is falling apart under us!
Today has been bowling for the kids (Aurora is at a tournament for the day, and Rei bowled youth league); this afternoon I have to teach sock knitting... Which reminds me, I need to fly--just looked at the time and I am gonna be late!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Black Sunday!
And I am referring to the weather rather than the date, although the date fits too--work has been crazy busy! My neck, arms, and shoulders are feeling it from all the bolts of fleece I have unrolled and cut (and carried and put away)... I feel about 90 today!
We had a very low key Thanksgiving day--the kids went to see a movie, and I worked on school stuff, while Eric worked. Friday I got up at the crack of dawn to hit the black Friday sale at JoAnn's to get Liisa her present (she made a point of reminding me I needed to get it) and when I pulled into the parking lot at work it was FULL!!!! I got in to the store at 6:05 and there were already long lines at the checkout, and the item I wanted to buy was gone from where we had it displayed... I asked and fortunately there were still a couple more by the checkout lines, so I got one of the last 2!!!!! Thank God--I think Liisa would have been crushed had I not gotten one. I then carried it to the car only to have another woman approach me as she was power-walking in, asking me if I had bought "her" item... Poor lady, doomed for disappointment. I called Liisa and woke her so she could share in the excitement (she wanted and got a Cricut Personal Cutter--it does diecutting for scrapbooking). She was thrilled! Then I met Eric for breakfast over at Bob Evan's (like a Howard Johnson's) at 6:45, and that was very nice--him still in uniform after work, and me dressed in my "uniform" too for work... I headed back to work at 8 and sat in the back for a half hour reading my book, then hit the cutting table for 8:30--and worked my arms off til 1:30...
In the meantime, Eric went home, put the turkey in the oven, and went to bed. I did the rest of the meal when I got home just after 2, and we ate our dinner at 4:30. It was wonderful! After dinner, I came upstairs to study, but fell asleep on the bed about 7:30, and slept through til just after 10, when I put my nightgown on, climbed under the covers, and went to sleep for real... Slept over 12 hours and felt great yesterday! Between being sick, school stress, and working, I have been exhausted, and it felt wonderful to just sleep!
Yesterday was another work day for me, as is today, and my arms are feeling it. Right across my shoulderblades and neck too. Eric has been enjoying his days off--not getting too much done, but enjoying them none-the-less. The kids too have been spending some quality time together, which has been really nice and we have been glad to see. They have gone bowling, taken in a couple of movies, done some shopping, and played a lot on the x-box.
Anyhow, that has been our holiday weekend. Hope everyone else has had a safe and happy one as well!
We had a very low key Thanksgiving day--the kids went to see a movie, and I worked on school stuff, while Eric worked. Friday I got up at the crack of dawn to hit the black Friday sale at JoAnn's to get Liisa her present (she made a point of reminding me I needed to get it) and when I pulled into the parking lot at work it was FULL!!!! I got in to the store at 6:05 and there were already long lines at the checkout, and the item I wanted to buy was gone from where we had it displayed... I asked and fortunately there were still a couple more by the checkout lines, so I got one of the last 2!!!!! Thank God--I think Liisa would have been crushed had I not gotten one. I then carried it to the car only to have another woman approach me as she was power-walking in, asking me if I had bought "her" item... Poor lady, doomed for disappointment. I called Liisa and woke her so she could share in the excitement (she wanted and got a Cricut Personal Cutter--it does diecutting for scrapbooking). She was thrilled! Then I met Eric for breakfast over at Bob Evan's (like a Howard Johnson's) at 6:45, and that was very nice--him still in uniform after work, and me dressed in my "uniform" too for work... I headed back to work at 8 and sat in the back for a half hour reading my book, then hit the cutting table for 8:30--and worked my arms off til 1:30...
In the meantime, Eric went home, put the turkey in the oven, and went to bed. I did the rest of the meal when I got home just after 2, and we ate our dinner at 4:30. It was wonderful! After dinner, I came upstairs to study, but fell asleep on the bed about 7:30, and slept through til just after 10, when I put my nightgown on, climbed under the covers, and went to sleep for real... Slept over 12 hours and felt great yesterday! Between being sick, school stress, and working, I have been exhausted, and it felt wonderful to just sleep!
Yesterday was another work day for me, as is today, and my arms are feeling it. Right across my shoulderblades and neck too. Eric has been enjoying his days off--not getting too much done, but enjoying them none-the-less. The kids too have been spending some quality time together, which has been really nice and we have been glad to see. They have gone bowling, taken in a couple of movies, done some shopping, and played a lot on the x-box.
Anyhow, that has been our holiday weekend. Hope everyone else has had a safe and happy one as well!
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgiving Eve
Today is Neal and Jenna's 20th wedding anniversary! Wow, where does the time go?
I am still fighting with the remnents of the cough from last week/weekend, and am so tired of the crud--it's making me weary! I came home from work today and ended up taking a nap for a little bit because I felt so worn out! Eric laid down with me when he got home from getting groceries, but my coughing was bugging us both, so I ended up getting up. His cold is lingering too, but he is getting better as well.
All the kids went to the bowling alley this afternoon, so I now have a quiet house to myself--at least til they get back. We aren't doing our big dinner til Friday, so tomorrow is gonna be a low key day. I have my 20 page paper to finish up on and that will be my focus for most of the day. I actually should be doing that now.
I am just feeling kinda blah today. It's gloomy outside, we really have no plans, it's just blah.
Anyhow, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope the day is wonderful for all!
I am still fighting with the remnents of the cough from last week/weekend, and am so tired of the crud--it's making me weary! I came home from work today and ended up taking a nap for a little bit because I felt so worn out! Eric laid down with me when he got home from getting groceries, but my coughing was bugging us both, so I ended up getting up. His cold is lingering too, but he is getting better as well.
All the kids went to the bowling alley this afternoon, so I now have a quiet house to myself--at least til they get back. We aren't doing our big dinner til Friday, so tomorrow is gonna be a low key day. I have my 20 page paper to finish up on and that will be my focus for most of the day. I actually should be doing that now.
I am just feeling kinda blah today. It's gloomy outside, we really have no plans, it's just blah.
Anyhow, Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope the day is wonderful for all!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Back to normal, sorta...
The kids all went to school today! Reimond was panicking a bit because his homework was not totally done, but I told him that since he made an honest effort to do what he could with it, I would send a note to the school requesting an extension on it. He has been so sick, and while I do believe he could have pushed himself to do more than he did, especially on Saturday, I also recognize that he still is not up to snuff and is easily tired and worn down. That flu is nasty stuff, and seeing how sick he was with the tamiflu, I can only imagine how bad it might have been without it. I hope his teachers are equally understanding. This is a short week for the kids because of the holiday (I think they are off Wed. thru Friday). That will give him time to complete it all.
Brianne is complaining of feeling really punk still--specifically her legs are really aching and she has other diffuse body aches as well, along with her cough. I don't honestly think she spent enough time taking care of herself when she was getting sick, so she has "relapsed" some. Patrick hasn't been sick that I am aware of, but he has had a cough for a long time now that comes and goes. Aurora was bragging this morning about how she hasn't gotten anything as yet... Keeping my fingers crossed that that remains true. My cough is still there and I remain sounding congested, and I now also have laryngitis again; still no actual "cold" symptoms. Eric on the other hand, sounds like he has a full-blown headcold, so he took Nyquil when he got home and I am letting him sleep the day away if that is what he needs. Last night he was sneezing his head off and his nose would not stop running! He has a bit of a cough too. Aren't y'all glad I have this blog to share all this info with you?? heeheehee....
Well, I guess I need to be getting back to "hitting the books" as these assignments won't write themselves (oh how I wish they would sometimes!). Happy Monday!
Brianne is complaining of feeling really punk still--specifically her legs are really aching and she has other diffuse body aches as well, along with her cough. I don't honestly think she spent enough time taking care of herself when she was getting sick, so she has "relapsed" some. Patrick hasn't been sick that I am aware of, but he has had a cough for a long time now that comes and goes. Aurora was bragging this morning about how she hasn't gotten anything as yet... Keeping my fingers crossed that that remains true. My cough is still there and I remain sounding congested, and I now also have laryngitis again; still no actual "cold" symptoms. Eric on the other hand, sounds like he has a full-blown headcold, so he took Nyquil when he got home and I am letting him sleep the day away if that is what he needs. Last night he was sneezing his head off and his nose would not stop running! He has a bit of a cough too. Aren't y'all glad I have this blog to share all this info with you?? heeheehee....
Well, I guess I need to be getting back to "hitting the books" as these assignments won't write themselves (oh how I wish they would sometimes!). Happy Monday!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Not a swine flu update!
I think Rei is finally on the mend. He seems better, and is actually now in a state of panic over some school work he has to complete. I will help him get his thoughts in order on it, and can help him a bit more when I get home from work tonight (I work 3-8), and if need be, I will send a note to the school asking for a small extension on some of it--it was a lot of homework and it seems to me that it is a lot to expect someone to totally catch up while they are starting to recover. I told him to do the best he can, and to slow his butt down some--because he feels better he is starting to push the envelope a bit and then feels crummy again. Teens! There is never any middle ground!
I got home from work last night at about 9 pm and I felt really crummy. I was in bed by 10 and asleep shortly thereafter. My cough is starting to break up some and I think the sleep really helped. Eric, however, now has a runny nose. I hope he feels better when he wakes up too. Like Rei, I am getting anxious about the amount of work I need to do for school. I have my assignments for the week to get done, plus I have that paper to do. I work today and Wednesday, then again on Friday and Saturday. (My guess is I will work Sunday too--big after Thanksgiving sale). I have also realized that the month has gotten away from me and I still don't have a start on finding an internship site. I have til the end of December to find one, but I am getting scared. I really need to have this figured out and organized and it is not gonna just fall into my lap, as much as I would like it to.
So today is a day of work and minor panic. Like Rei, I just need to break it down into managable bites, and I need to focus on what I need to do. It's gonna come together, but I need to stay on top of it, for him and for me! So glad Eric is done with his term!!!!
I got home from work last night at about 9 pm and I felt really crummy. I was in bed by 10 and asleep shortly thereafter. My cough is starting to break up some and I think the sleep really helped. Eric, however, now has a runny nose. I hope he feels better when he wakes up too. Like Rei, I am getting anxious about the amount of work I need to do for school. I have my assignments for the week to get done, plus I have that paper to do. I work today and Wednesday, then again on Friday and Saturday. (My guess is I will work Sunday too--big after Thanksgiving sale). I have also realized that the month has gotten away from me and I still don't have a start on finding an internship site. I have til the end of December to find one, but I am getting scared. I really need to have this figured out and organized and it is not gonna just fall into my lap, as much as I would like it to.
So today is a day of work and minor panic. Like Rei, I just need to break it down into managable bites, and I need to focus on what I need to do. It's gonna come together, but I need to stay on top of it, for him and for me! So glad Eric is done with his term!!!!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Swine flu day 5
This will be a really short posting because I have a lot of homework to do, and looking ahead to next week I will be extremely busy (my teaching schedule alone has two classes and I have yet to know what my work schedule is going to look like...). Reimond is looking the best today I have seen him look since Tuesday night. He is moving around and up, his color looks good, and his eyes look clear. It seems the body aches are not bothering him as much today, although to be honest, I really haven't talked to him so far today other than to give him his tamiflu dose for the morning. I think he is finally on the mend.
It was just Aurora and I at the bowling alley this morning. Patrick was supposed to go as well, but he "turned his phone off" and alarm clocks don't work, nor ringers, if the phone is off... He had asked to stay at a friend's last night, I said yes, but be home by 8 am... Yeah.... Brie had gone out with friends last night too, and didn't get in til almost 2:30 am; not sure what time she actually went to bed after that. I was in bed at 11, although I was up and down a bit with my own coughing. It was very eerie to wake up this morning to the fog we were under--I could see the street light was on, but could not see the houses across the street. In fact, I could barely see the CRX, parked next to the street lamp! I called Eric and told him to drive really carefully as he got close to home because the fog was so thick/heavy and he said it fluctuated like that all the way home, better in some spots, really thick in others. He got home in one piece and went to bed.
Anyhow, that is what is new around here for today. Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers--they have helped immensely!
It was just Aurora and I at the bowling alley this morning. Patrick was supposed to go as well, but he "turned his phone off" and alarm clocks don't work, nor ringers, if the phone is off... He had asked to stay at a friend's last night, I said yes, but be home by 8 am... Yeah.... Brie had gone out with friends last night too, and didn't get in til almost 2:30 am; not sure what time she actually went to bed after that. I was in bed at 11, although I was up and down a bit with my own coughing. It was very eerie to wake up this morning to the fog we were under--I could see the street light was on, but could not see the houses across the street. In fact, I could barely see the CRX, parked next to the street lamp! I called Eric and told him to drive really carefully as he got close to home because the fog was so thick/heavy and he said it fluctuated like that all the way home, better in some spots, really thick in others. He got home in one piece and went to bed.
Anyhow, that is what is new around here for today. Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers--they have helped immensely!
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