More snow...

I guess winter is really here now - we have about 4 inches and it is supposed to snow again tonight. Glad we got our Thanksgiving visiting out of the way before the roads got bad. We had a great time, but it involved a lot of traveling. Spent some time at my brother's house - they put in a little playhouse that I plan to live in if Jim buys another car (probably this is a joke). We stayed with my folks, then went south to Jim's farm (his dad is in Arizona now) and had fun with his brothers and families. We got to see the new pond and view at the farm, they had logged off part of the back acreage -looked really cool you could see the mountains, probably for about 10 years or so.

I've been decorating for Christmas, since my parents are coming I want it to look good! And we are having a party on the 15th, always the only reason the house is clean during this season. Next weekend is the insane concert schedule, but after that I'm hoping things slow down. I always seem to forget sending out cards and gifts actually takes time! I'm ready about Dec 24, but of course they are late then (my signature!)

Snow!

Last night it snowed! Only an inch maybe, but it is pretty out. Of course J is annoyed he procrastinated taking off the camper (must happen by Wednesday when we leave for Grama's!)

Yesterday was not a good day eating-wise. Or rather, it was a GREAT day, but I've been Weight Watching and my points were a bit high. Ok a lot high. But I did exercise too. My treadmill is on its last legs, actually answered an ad in Craigslist yesterday - someone has one they folded and it doesn't work anymore. J says he can probably fix it and it is only $5, I've been wanting a folding one. Guess I can always take it to the Goodwill!

D has been fighting a cold for days now, kept him home from school last week on Monday, and I hate to do it today because it is his "lunch with the teacher" day. He read 100 books and he gets to go out to the fast food restaurant of his choice alone with his teacher! I'm letting him sleep as long as possible so hopefully he will be better.

Poor baby

This was the weekend of everyone on my side of the family (15 people!) coming to celebrate D's Bday (belated). Fun fun fun. We went to the Childrens Museum on Saturday - great experience I will definately repeat. It was pouring rain so we couldn't do some of the fun stuff we had considered, but the kids had a good time just playing.

On Sunday the final group of people came just about the time I finished conducting the bell choir at church. I had to make a presentation at the worship committee after church, but fortunately everyone just made themselves at home and fixed lunch while I was gone. Yay! I got to come home and eat a prepared meal! My good friend drove 90 miles (each way) to come to the party, and we had presents and cake. Then we watched Narnia on the big screen -- Daddy's pride and joy. Most of the crew left that night, but brother C and clan stayed and we went on a fun hike on our property the next morning (rain had subsided). I think things went remarkably well, and I guess we'll be driving over to see them again next week for Thanksgiving (300 miles, but so nice to have everyone within driving distance!)

Visitors!!!

Yay, people are coming! Mom and Dad tonight sometime (although they will be in the hotel) and I guess Brother J and his brood (V and 3 kids) will get here VERY late so we will see them in the morning. Brother C is coming (with L and 3 kids) at an undisclosed time, but I expect everyone for the party on Sunday.

I'm supposed to have figured out things to do, but I just haven't been able to think. So we'll do the usual stuff I guess! Too bad there is no zoo (J's idea) but it is rainy anyway. I still have a weight watchers meeting today, then my neighbor and I are meeting for lunch before we go make meals at one of those "make 10 meals and freeze them" places - we go about every 2 months or so - it is great! But it is taking up my valuable time. I guess I would just clean the house more or something...oh well!

It is so foggy we look like an island - can't see the next ridge over or the valley. Kinda cool.

And another thing...

Today is the second time my husband has tried to light the entire mountain on fire by putting the ashes on the burn pile. Of course he goes off to work and FORTUNATLEY I have noticed, oh, look the burn pile is smoking. This time he thought it was ok because it was raining. But there is all this linolium on the pile so things stay dry under there, and ashes go into it and it catches on fire. So I put it out, and I wait to make sure...of course this wasn't on my incredibly tight schedule! But I thought I could still make it to the gym by 11 if I hurry, and 10 minutes down the road I realize it is 9:50, not 10:50. I looked at a clock that hadn't been reset yet (have I mentioned how much I love the radio-setting clocks?) So I wasted 20 minutes driving to nowhere. But now I will make reeds for 1/2 hour and go again.

Does the insanity ever end?

I keep thinking there will be a point for a breather, but apparently not! So I'll just write a bit for now.

Bells are making me crazy (other blog), I haven't practiced for days, the house is better than it was but I was so hoping it would look great for when my family came (we still have furniture to move, and there are two rocking chairs crammed in my bedroom because I have no where else to put them).

Today I have a stupid appointment with the trainer at the gym, she just wouldn't stop bugging me so I finally caved and now I can't believe I have to go. This trainer isn't working for me, I've had 4 sessions and she really annoyed me the last one. I have pre paid for 2 more, and I'd be happy just calling it even but apparently she won't. I actually like this lady as a person, she teaches the water aerobics class and is a great talker (it's a big gab session). But I've been going to kick-your-butt step aerobics lately, because I want to do more than visit and loll in the pool. Her training though is all weights, and I just am not able to come in for any more time at the gym. Should be an interesting session.

Tomorrow is the day Ds class goes to the museum (and of course I have to drive the giant truck with the camper still on!). I will probably have all 5 kindergardeners, seems unfair that I have the youngest and most kids. Also I am afraid to back up that camper, and I know parking is a bear downtown. What a mess. But all over by noon tomorrow!

Sorry I'm such a downer - hopefully better soon.

This week was weird, with Halloween and other party aftermath = on Tuesday our friend Ponytail B (male) turned 50. Yay! So he and P came over for dinner and a movie (Buckaroo Bonzai - weirdest movie ever) Of course Wednesday was Halloween and D was planning to be a Dinosaur. But when we got home to change he decided he wanted to be a hunter. Fine. But when I said he would have to wear a jacket (his is camoflage so it would have been "hunter-y") he threw a major fit. This went on for an hour (mostly in his room with me not in the vicinity). When J got home I said he had one chance to get something on or I was leaving to help S with the Trick or Treaters. He managed to get dressed, called himself a "guard" (for some reason "hunter" was no longer good, although he had the same clothes on, including the offending jacket) As soon as we got in the car, he was great.

We went to S's house, and the kids (A and L) were ready to go, A was a "phantom" which I think was really one of the junk traders from StarWars Ep. 4 (first one); and L was a bee - he is only two and soooo cute! It was quite cold and we thought we'd leave J to man the door (S's husband being at work) and we would take all the kids a short way, then come back and drop off L. We went up and down one block - probably 12-14 houses - and when we got back all the boys just started playing. Which was great with me! Fun fun fun. We are lucky D is no candy hound - I think Jim has had more of his candy than he has!

Next big event is next weekend, all the cousins on my side are coming (6 kids and 6 "grownups"). D is very excited about having a 2nd party. Whatever.