Quick Update

Aimed a little high, but I did get the most important stuff done!

Today just has to be productive...

OK, I have wallowed in my grief and the pity party is over. I have to get motivated. I have made up the check list and am ready to roll. There are 16 items on my to-do list. Most are just making a phone call, a few more daunting (like prepare small group lesson for Wednesday), but nothing that can't get done in a single productive day. Will check back later to note how much I accomplished.

Fall Clean Up Day

Well today we got moving pretty early (for us). The leaves were mowed/bagged, lawn furniture in the garage, garage cleaned out, much tossed and 3 giveaways ready to go. My allergies are killing me, but it is a good job done. (the leaves aren't done, but we got what was on the ground! Both kids have their Halloween costume, and the first of the parties is tonight.

Off to upload some finished knitting pictures and then on to knitting socks for the night.

MEA day 1

No school today. One child gone for day scrapbooking, has kidcare this evening, swim practice tomorrow morning and possibly Saturday morning. The other resting for the day, but has gymnastic this evening followed by a sleep over, a day of costume shopping, Surf's Up with friends and then 2 friends over at our house for the night.

I have quite a bit to do as well, but nothing really unusual. Hopeing for family time on Saturday. Maybe a movie??? Have to check out what is in the theaters - really not up to speed on what's showing.

Another First (that is mostly a last)

At noon today Marissa had her braces removed. She is very excited and now is researching teeth whitening. Here teeth actually turned out beautiful, but she has wanted to whiten her teeth long before the braces. Gonna ask Auntie Kirsten.

Made a few more connections today about jobs. Praying something turns up soon - I want to install underground doggie fencing before the ground freezes. I know - WEIRD - but it is what we need most right now.

Second to last swim meet tonight also. Kinda thankful that the season is ending - way to much time competing with homework.

Back to the EZ February Baby Sweater - I seem to have to RIP back way to often for something that seemed so EZ!

Busy, busy, busy...

Yesterday went sooo fast. Got kids off , went to 2 hour interview (more on that later), errand running, follow up calls for job hunt, G's conference and then off to pick up girls for small group. I even forgot one gal - thankfully she wasn't able to make it and had sent me an e-mail I wasn't home to read.

Today was a bit better. However, you know the day isn't going the way you want it when, while you are on a teleconference, your child calls and want you to come get them and your dog barf's on your bed. YES ALL AT THE SAME TIME! Needless to say, I will be taking that teleconference class again so I can actually listen to the instructor.

Well, as soon as dh and ds get home, we're off to CPHS swim meet. Won't be back until about 9:30. How did I manage all this when I was working? I think the answer is that I am more organized the busier I am????

So for anyone who actually reads this - what is your secret to staying organized?

Recovery Day

I spent the weekend 'up north' at Trout Lake Camp's QUEST. It is a retreat weekend for Jr. High Students. I am exhausted, but it was great fun. I went as an adult leader chaperoning 41 kids (yes, and we were not the largest group). Some of the highlights:

• Molly the cheeseball chick - key speaker. Great messages, relevant, impactful. Check out her Cheese Ball Chic movie!
  

• Football tournament where Grace Fellowship took 2nd place

• Zip Line - yes I took the leap!

• Mountain scootering - scary but fun, the walk up was way harder than the ride down.

• Paintball (not my thing)

• Slack Line walking (if you could)

• Night games that involve sneaking around in the woods and beach to get past guys in trees with flashlights - trying not to get spotted.

If any of this is of interest, check out my Facebook - pictures are there. Back to recovering!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, its on retreat I go...

I have the honor of going north this weekend on a retreat called Quest. This is a first for me and I am so excited! First you should know that I am going as a chaperone of a fairly large number of Jr. High students. That may sound scary to many of you, I really enjoy these kids. Second, this is at a camp on the Whitefish Chain north of Brainerd where my kids attend. I have always wanted to go to the camp myself - it looks so fun!

I received my packing list earlier this week. It was addressed to me and 'my parents'. Good chuckle! The packing list made this weekend sound exciting - I am to pack dark clothes for 'night games'. Will report back on this weekend to let you know how it went.

Last night had a great time at the Northwestern Suburban Knit Night. Smaller group, but lots of great conversation, awesome knitting projects and just a general good time.

Off I go to pack!