Down to the wire....

One more post before the new year. Barely. No resolutions, just wishes for a year better than this one. I'm actually really surprised that I'm up to see 2009 come in. Happy New Year!

It's been so long!

So long since my last post. Today, I have many things to post about and can't seem to get pictures on here! Oh, well, I'll type today and post pictures tonight or tomorrow.
I have had 4 days off! I'm still exhausted though! I'm such a whiner!
Thursday we had a birthday party for Brinnlee. She'll be 11 tomorrow! We did an American Girl Mystery party, and I know she had a great time - I think everyone else did too. All of our friends went together and got her a Kirsten doll. She is thrilled with her, I've never seen her play with a doll like this before! It's fun to watch her.
Friday we made a trip to Silver Dollar City. It was SO cold. We expected it, and thought we were prepared for it, but it was still tough to take. It was worth it though. We got to see/do most everything we wanted to.
Saturday, we hung out at home. Cleaned up and did LOTS of laundry. Fun, huh? After all that we decided to put up our Christmas tree and everything. I wasn't really ready for it, but next weekend will be crazy busy (retail) and I knew they'd wind up having to do it without me.
Sunday was a typical Sunday. We went to my parents house for lunch, and I fell asleep on their couch. The kids created a Mii character for me on the Wii - that was quite interesting, I must say. We stayed there until we had to head back to church for a 5:00 meeting. We made it home a little after 8:00.
My husband says I blog like I talk - too many words! I've tried to scale it down, but I guess this is just me. I need to post MUCH more often so it isn't so wordy! I try, really I do!

Over...

The last of my three days off is over. :( We really enjoyed them though. Ran errands and got some things done around the house during the day on Wednesday. Got to cook with the kids Wednesday night - we made a cake while Dad was at work, the kids decided it should be orange with purple frosting because it was so close to Halloween. Of course, it turned out really cute, and we all had fun. After baking we watched the Kit Kittredge movie together.

Thursday we had a field trip to the Spiro Mounds. I hadn't been there in years and it was kind of fun, but we had to cut it a little short. I hope we didn't miss anything.

Friday we got to have lunch - all four of us together - it's sad that I get so excited about one meal eaten all together! Later in the day we went to take some pictures of the kids. That was fun, too. Once we made it home the kids wanted to stay in and hand out candy in their costumes - we've never had trick-or-treaters before, we always lived too far out. Anyway, we got a few, so they were happy.

Oh, well, back to work tomorrow.....

So excited....

I am gearing up for 3 days off! No special reason, just kind of happened. I have a huge to-do list, but honestly can't say I care if I get to any of it! Not exactly true, but I really just want to relax and enjoy my family a little. The last few weeks have been crazier than the normal crazy we usually have going on and I feel like all we've done together is the absolute have-to stuff. I want to do something fun! Who knows what we'll come up with! We will miss bible study and co-op, but will use that time for some "us" time, and I'm looking forward to it!

Whew!

Its over! The corporate visit that was supposed to happen about a month ago - the one we spent weeks preparing for, and got cancelled at the last moment - happened today, with less than 2 full days notice. It all went well, thank God! We have a new regional manager - the reason the last visit didn't happen, they realigned the regions - she was great. We found that she was really easy to talk to, really interested in us and our store. I think thats a good thing.
On the MAJOR down side, I had this day on the calendar more than a month ago to take as a vacation day - DIDN'T HAPPEN. I wound up on the schedule to close, but didn't have to go in until 5:30, so it was cool. It was the last day of our bible study, we usually have a guest speaker and everyone brings food, sort of brunch I guess and right afterward a friend had a birthday/Halloween party for her daughter (Happy Birthday Brittney!) today, and I was SO looking forward to going. A day spent with friends, enjoying watching the kids enjoying themselves and enjoying being together - just really something I need from time to time. Anyway, all I can say is, at least its over. We shouldn't have another visit like this for 6 months to a year. I wound up having to open the store this morning, I was able to take the kids to bible study and drop them off, so at least they didn't have to miss the last day. I had to arrange for Daddy to get them to the party and help them get dressed in their costumes. I'm thankful that he was able to do it, but I really wanted to. I got to leave at 2:30 - so I missed the party completely :( - (I did see lots of great pictures though) - but had to go back at 5:30 to close. Bummer, but I guess I shouldn't complain, it doesn't happen that way too often. I guess I'm being a whiner at this point, just tired, it is so past my bedtime. Very wound up after a day like today! I may be ready to give sleep a try.
Tomorrow is the last day of coop, I always miss it when it is over, but I am ready for some downtime. (Like that ever really happens!) I am looking forward to presentation night, too. Its always fun to see what the kids have learned, and I love seeing how and what the other teachers teach. Its always good to get new ideas, things I can use even if I only use them with my kids.
Okay, I've rambled enough, my thoughts are all over the place and I think I hear my pillow calling my name......

Can't believe it

I can't believe its been two weeks since my last post. Still craziness at work - we have secret shoppers out and a vice president of the company traveling all month and popping into stores all over the country. Really seems stupid to me, but I guess I have to deal with it.
Three more weeks of Bible Study left and three more weeks of coop as well. I enjoy both so much, but right now I keep thinking I'm ready for things to slow down. But, honestly, even though these things will end, something else will come up and things will feel just as busy. And we miss Bible Study and coop until they start again anyway.
Everybody is starting to feel better at least, thats a relief. We have some fun things planned in the next few weeks that we're looking forward to, and that is helping I'm sure.
Wow, I guess not much to say, but it just felt wrong to let another day go by without posting anything.

Taking a deep breath...

The corporate visit we've been preparing for at work - supposed to be today. We've been working like crazy, getting everything ready, and found out at about noon Monday that nobody is coming. I guess the good news is that the store looks great. We were so ready! Feels like a big let down - I'm guessing thats why I can't sleep.
I am so much more ready for co-op this week than I was last week. I planned, shopped, planned some more - I was so ready for Green Eggs and Ham! But.....I got on the road to co-op and realized two things - I'd left home without ham. Not such a big deal - theres a grocery store between home and co-op, easy fix. We drive a little further and I realize - I've left the book at home! A little difficult to do an hour long class on Green Eggs and Ham without the book - leave it to me. I had to send Erich home for the book, and to stop at the grocery store for the ham. After he left, I realize something else. I have the eggs, the bowl, the whisk, the green food coloring....I forgot the electric skillet. Good thing he was already on the road - I couldn't see the look on his face, or all the lovely mumbling I'm sure he was doing as he went home to get all I'd forgotten and came running back to co-op - to my rescue. I'm sending up a prayer - again!!! - that this week I do better. On the bright side, I don't think I could do worse! All in all, I think the class went well. Everything came together, thanks to my many assistants. We laughed because the younger the kids are, the more of us it takes to make the class happen.
I need to catch up on this weeks bible study lessons. I am enjoying this study, its different than any other I've done. I wish I were doing better keeping up. Maybe I'll do better this week. Again, I don't think I could do much worse!
Well, now that I've gotten some of these thoughts down and out of my head, I'm going to give sleep another try.

Way behind!

Ever feel like you're running way behind - on everything - but can't seem to figure out how to fix it? We have a floor set this week at work, and there is a corporate visit next week. This has made scheduling really weird, and everything is really hectic. It seems that we can't do much right now to prepare for our visit, because most of it will have to be redone before then.
Not to mention this is the 3rd week for our bible study, and the first week of coop classes. I really look forward to both, and so do the kids. I feel like I haven't given either the attention I want to, but it will all pull together - it always does!
More prep for Kids Church. Enjoying it, but I am finding myself making an extra trip to the church during the week. Its much nicer to be prepared for the service on Sunday ahead of time. It seems that I always find myself distracted on Sunday mornings and I feel better if everything is done before then. Again, I'm sure everything will pull together.
Having alot of fun with the kids and school, too. I am always amazed at how much I learn along with them. So many things I don't think I ever knew, or maybe I just can't remember!
Well, trying to get to bed early tonight, hoping for a full nights sleep. When I got home from work, the kids were already in bed - some nights when I get home they're not! I was thrilled, to say the least.

What a week!

I was thrilled to finish work today! I'm not sure why, I felt like it was the end of the week or something, but I have to work tomorrow. Bummer! Anyway, this week is finished - that's about all I can say about it.
We are scheduled for a corporate visit in a couple of weeks - our district manager, a regional manger, and one of our company vice presidents. Talk about stressful! Not looking forward to it.
I'm hoping I am prepared for Kids Church in the morning. Last week proved to be a little more hectic than usual. We are adding our first grade kiddos tomorrow, and going back to the full fall schedule - Erich and I started during summer so I'm not entirely sure what "fall schedule" means. Should be interesting!

I didn't forget that I have a blog, really I didn't!

I have the weekend off! I don't know if that does anything for me but make me lazy! Last week was quite a week - work, church, family, school, etc. I really just kind of took the day off today - didn't do much other than read and watch TV. I don't ever do that - not all day, anyway! I check other blogs pretty much every day, I enjoy reading them so much. But mine is usually neglected. If I would write on a more frequent basis, I could probably think of things to say.
We had our CMU Childrens Ministry University) - almost all day Saturday - at church last week, and it all went really well. I think everybody enjoyed it. I, of course forgot my camera, so no pictures. Maybe I can talk somebody into e-mailing them to me. I really wanted to have them to post.
Erich started school again this week, and the kids and I started our lessons, too. We had a really good week, I think. Some review, but quite a bit of new things, too. Hoping next week goes even better. I didn't realize how much I missed school, until we got back into it. I keep thinking of things I'd like to add. I always wonder if they're getting enough, and yet when I consider the things I would like to pile on, I think maybe I'm trying to do too much. How do you decide, and choose the right balance? I guess it will continue to be a learning experience, especially for me.

Definitely a Monday....

I had a hard time getting into work today. I was off this weekend - not complaining - but makes it tough to go back. We have a floor set change, and a teachers event on Thursday, and we're supposed to get another visit from our District Manager - she was just in our store last week, so not sure. Could be a bummer week though.
Getting excited about starting school with the kids next week. Both the kids seem to be looking forward to it, so I'm encouraged. Erich starts his fall classes Monday, so I thought that would be the best time to start. We'll all be perfecting our routines/schedules at the same time, I'm hoping that makes it easier on everybody.
We are having an event at the church this weekend - CMU (Childrens Ministry University) - so I've been making phone calls just trying to get in touch with the people who need to bet there. Erich and I (mostly Erich, if I'm completely honest) designed the stage set, and spent all day Saturday at the church painting, tracing, and getting things ready. Our kids pastors were there with us, along with their daughter, so Mrs. Kellie and I left - maybe for 20 minutes - to pick up lunch and green spray paint. We get a phone call - on the chip aisle - that her daughter had fallen on her scooter and hurt her arm. We rushed back, they took her to the doctor and, of course, it was broken. Amazes me how the moms are only gone for a short time like that, and that will be when an accident will happen. Anyway, we finished almost everything, all I have left is to cut out and paint some styrofoam flowers - probably get to those on Wednesday, then we get to set up Thursday afternoon. I'm really anxious to see how everything turns out. I'll have to remember my camera and post some pictures. I always mean to, but (as of yet) it doesn't happen. We'll see.

Boring....

In an effort not to be boring, I'm going to think of something to blog about..... In the last week, I have slept more than I had in the whole month before, I'd be willing to bet. Haven't been feeling the best lately, and I think the sleep is so needed. A good friend assured me today that the insomnia will be back before I know it - I tend to believe she's right. I don't know if I already blogged about this, but I made some laundry soap last week. I watched a movie and grated soap - not something I do every day, but kind of fun actually. We're actually really pleased with the way it turned out and seems to be doing a great job on our clothes, and I thought I would definitely continue using fabric softener - just because I knew I would still need it - but have been pleasantly surprised by the fact that I can do without that, too. Who would have thought! I didn't ever think I would go that route on something like laundry soap, but am now looking into dish soap, as well. I'll probably try that sometime within the next week. Looking forward to seeing how that goes. I took the kids today over to play with some friends and I got to visit with my friends too. I think I needed that just as much as the kids did. Got alot of info about a gluten free diet - thinking we may have to try it - my boys have stomach issues, and headaches quite often and those are symptoms of gluten sensitivity. I'm not exactly excited about the thought of starting this, but am very interested in what the results would be. Have some reading to do, and I guess we'll go from there. At least I know where to find help. :) We're gearing up to start school again, and I'm getting excited. I always have fun and I feel like I'm learning right along with the kids. Not sure if I never learned much in school or just forgot most of it. Anyway, teaching the kids is definitely a learning experience! We had an audit at work this week, I'm interested to find out how that turned out. I think if it weren't good, we would have heard back already, but who knows? Yawning already, and its not even 9:30. Hope that means I'll sleep good again tonight! We shall see.......

Lazy!

I am getting so lazy about this! I love reading other blogs, and enjoy myself when I get started, but so many days I just feel like I have going on to blog about! I have only worked three days - was off last weekend - but am SO ready for a day off tomorrow. Erich's aunt was here last weekend, and my brother and sister-in-law have been here since Sunday, so we have been hanging out with family alot. We don't always get to see them, so we really enjoy them while they are here. Just got home from dinner with my family at Logan's - I am so stuffed! Lots of good food and conversation, though. Fall co-op has totally snuck up on me, so I'm going to log off here and get some ideas about a class for the little kiddos - I am psyching myself up for this! Haven't done a class for little bitties before! I think I can, I think I can! HaHa

Forever and ever....

It has been FOREVER since my last blog! I can't even believe it! So much has happened and I've had so little time, I am on day number 10 of work without a day off - just tomorrow to go, then I get a three day weekend. Yea! We sent Brinnlee off to Dry Gulch on Sunday the 20th - Erich, Noah and I followed the bus up so we could see where she'd be, etc. It was awesome, Erich got to help out the boys with their bunks, unpacking and stuff and I got to help the girls. It was really something to see. Noah wasn't staying - and was disappointed - but we got to have dinner in the cafeteria, and he got to be with Erich while he helped the guys in their bunks, and we stayed for chapel that night. We also got the take a golf cart and check out the grounds, we saw the waterslides, the stables and the go cart tracks. There are also game rooms, the general store, and a theatre - it really is like its own little town. We really enjoyed ourselves, but we all missed Brinnlee terribly while she was gone. It was so good to pick her up on Thursday and to hear what a great time she had. I know she's already looking forward to next year, and I have a whole year to get used to the idea that Noah will be going - and a whole year to prepare his dad for it, too!

A Whole Week

Its been a whole week since my last blog. Has anything happened since then? Its been an interesting week, thats for sure. We had a busy weekend, as usual. Had a meeting about changes being made in Kids Church - exciting, but alot of changes to remember. Hope everything works out. Its all trial and error. We shall see.
We had a get-together with our homeschool group last night at the water park, everybody had an absolute blast. It isn't often that we get whole families together like that. I think the moms and dads were playing as hard as the kids! Well, I'm now into the work week - again! Should be a good one though, had a visit from our DM today, and it was great, so (deep sigh!) we can rest easy for awhile that things are all going well. Getting ready to dig in to Brinnlee's camp "stuff", laying out clothes, shoes, gear, etc. I'm not really looking forward to this, but she leaves Sunday, and I hesitate to wait any longer to make sure she has everything we think she'll need. Should be a learning experience.

I made it.

Well, I made it - to work on time, through the day, home early - I made it!
We had our parent meeting tonight at church about Camp Dry Gulch. It looks totally awesome, I'm bummed that I don't get to go. I am excited for Brinnlee, but am also totally dreading her being gone for 4 days. Noah is old enough this year, but there just wasn't any way I could see letting him go - I mean, this is the first year we're letting Brinn go. We got all the important info now and she's ready to pack up - tonight! - even though they don't leave for ten more days. Well, lots to look forward to in the next couple of weeks, not the least of which is my 2 days off - I just have to get through Thursday, and YEAH!

More work....

This week at work we are having a floor move. New displays on the walls, moving all the fixtures on the floor, etc. Anyhow, we don't usually get markdowns those weeks, but this week - yep, markdowns. I get to go in to work at 7:00 in the morning. Getting off earlier is good, but going in that early, not sure if I'm crazy about that idea. I am on day number seven, have two more days to go before getting two days off. I like two days off in a row, but working nine in a row to get it isn't fun. My kids are spending the night with their nana because I have to work early, and Erich has started Summer II. It is nice and quiet around here tonight, I am enjoying it. Well, I feel like I'm rambling, so I'm gone for now.

Back To Work

I found myself back at work today. Wow, is it hard to go back after several days off! Sometimes when I am home, I'm looking around at all the things that need to be done, but just sit around enjoying my family. I guess I should make better use of that time, but with me working, and Erich in school, times when the four of us are all together seem to be too far between. Anyway, while I am working, when things slow down sometimes, I think of all the things I need to be doing at home. I guess thats just the way it goes! Anyway, long weekend is over, I guess I'm back to reality - whatever that is.

I'm so excited! I feel official - I have comments! I have been reading blogs for quite some time now, and I guess it just made sense (after my husband and both kids started blogs!) to start one myself. I have no idea what I'll have to say, but I think its going to be fun! I had fun choosing a name, a template for my page and some music - its Skillet, by the way. Kind of loud, but I love their music.
I have not had to work the last three days, and am off again tomorrow - 4 days off in a row, that just NEVER happens! Its going to be so hard going back to work next week.
Had a really great day today. Church this morning, came home and made lunch, then Noah decided we should have "Family Fun Night". We played "Rodeopoly". I stink at Monopoly, so its just not my favorite game. We played for probably an hour and a half, it was fun, but I was really okay when we decided to call it quits. I'm hoping for the same kind of lazy day tomorrow. We'll see.

Got talked into it...

Maybe boring but here it goes my venturing into the blog world.

Let me introduce myself. I am Adria, the cast of characters are Erich husband of 12 years, Brinnlee 10 and Noah 7.