Where Does The Time Go?

Where does the time go? Seriously, I can't believe it's been a few weeks since my last post, I apologize. When the kids were younger, parents with older kids would say, "Just wait until your kids get older, you're going to be all over the place!" I didn't believe them. I am all over the place, and then some! If I'm not all over the place, I'm at home, exhausted! We have been getting ready for the holidays. The house is decorated on the inside, not on the outside. I decided not to worry about the outside this year. I think my bubble is still popped from last year's incident with my Santa getting knifed. Plus I didn't get a chance to sew him up, so he's not ready to make an appearance. Shopping is all done, now it's time to bake!!

I got a call from Helen's teacher today, her Christmas program was cancelled due to the music teacher not getting it organized in time. I felt bad for Helen, she was really looking forward to it. She was talking with her teacher about it, that's why she called me. It's actually a good thing, we're in the middle of a snowstorm. I don't like driving in this weather. Tomorrow is the Christmas concert for the other kids, they are very excited. I'm looking forward to it, I really enjoy the kid's programs. When I told the other kids Helen's program was cancelled, they all said, "Oh, poor Helen, she was really excited about it!" Now she can't wait until Christmas Eve so she can wear her new dress. She wanted to wear it to school and got mad at me when I told her no.

This time of year is always difficult, one day at a time...

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

Time Flies

The days seem to be passing by so quickly, the holidays are upon us! Last week the kids and I went to Helen's school for her Thanksgiving Feast. She and her classmates were busy the day before our visit making pies. They made delicious pumpkin and apple!! It was wonderful to see how excited and happy Helen and her friends got when their families arrived. I gave my camera to Helen and told her to take pictures of her teachers and friends. They thought she was joking around, until they saw the flash! I told them how much she loves to take pictures, she even sets up the shot! She is now the "official" photographer for their classroom. They had the feast last week because this week they are making their famous salads. They will also be making soups this winter. I'm not sure how it all works, but I'm sure I'll get a crash course! Helen loves her new school, teachers, and friends, I'm glad it all worked out.

We have some sort of stomach bug racing through our house, thank goodness it only lasts for a few hours. I can handle a lot of things, but throw up is not one of them. Peter used to clean up the kids and I would clean up the mess that was made. I now have to do all of it, and you would think since the kids are older, it wouldn't be so bad...it is. Night time, bunk beds, it doesn't work so well when your eight years old. Katie is home from school, resting on the couch. Hopefully she will feel better when she wakes up. The other kids got sick, slept, and woke up feeling fine, hers seems to be more than that. At least its not Thanksgiving week!!

The rest of this week and into next, I will be getting my house in order for company. I also need to pull out the winter clothes for the kids. We have had such a mild Fall, I haven't gotten around to doing it. Sooooo much to do!!

Until next time-

Take Care,

Sue

Salads

I had such a nice time helping Helen's class prepare salads. I am very impressed at how smoothly everything went. They went shopping on Thursday to buy all the ingredients. I was told that Helen kept everyone entertained in the van by singing with the radio. One of her favorite songs came on, "Tonight's gonna be a good night" by the Black Eyed Peas, and she sang very loudly! When I arrived at her school on Friday, everyone was already in hair nets and gloves. I put on an apron, put my hair net on, and grabbed some gloves. Helen and I were put in charge of pouring the salad dressings into individual cups. They had bought a pump for the jar and we were the first ones to use it. According to her teacher, this made the job much easier. I held the cup underneath the pump and Helen pushed down. When we first started she wasn't paying attention and would keep pushing down after I moved the cup, what a mess! Once we got into the groove of things, we moved rather quickly. We filled 146 cups...yay us!! When we were done filling the cups, Helen left to go swimming. It was her inclusion class' day to have free time in the pool. I was now flying solo and was put right to work filling the container's with the lettuce. Two big handfuls per container...WOW, that's a lot of salad! While Helen and I were doing our job of filling the cups, the other kids were busy chopping and slicing all of the toppings, of course with supervision. At every table, behind every bowl, sat one of Helen's classmates with a scooper in hand, waiting patiently to add their assigned topping to the mound of lettuce. The assembling began...grab a container, then an order slip, read what toppings were ordered and stop at the stations to get them put on the salad. Some of the kids put it right in the center, others were close, but most of the toppings landed on the sides. I learned to rotate the container so all sides were hit. Ask for the topping..."please", "thank-you", add the salad dressing, close the lid, put the order form on the top, and on to the next. We filled 97 orders that day, I was told that was a record. Each salad costs $5.00, one week they were able to buy a bouncy house with their sales! Helen came back from swimming when we were almost done filling the orders. I made her a salad and sat with her while she ate. She told me all about swimming and how much fun she had. Mr. Spencer, the aide that went with, told me she got in trouble for not getting out of the pool when it was time. In her defense, they didn't give her any warning. I think if they had told her she had 5 minutes, she might not have ignored them (notice I said "might"!). When it was time for Helen to go to her inclusion class, she didn't want to go. I went with them thinking it might help, she didn't want me to leave. I finally pulled myself away from her strong grip, and told her I'd see her at home. I went back to her other classroom, fixed my salad, said my good-bye's and headed home. After a quick stop at the grocery store, I found myself at home eating my salad. It was the best salad I've ever eaten! I think it was because of the people who made it for me...that's just my opinion.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

New Routine

Monday Toby and I started a new routine, we have started walking a mile and a half. Once Helen leaves on the bus, we head out. Toby gets so excited I have a hard time putting his leash on. He starts running back and forth from me to the door. He is all full of energy when we first start out, but then starts to slow down when we hit our half mile mark. I guess I should come clean and admit that I'm the same...well, all but the running back and forth part!

A few weeks ago I was able to join three of the kids on their field trips. Katie and Robbie went to a local farm run by nuns, that was a great trip. We learned about how they collect honey from the bee hives, how they provide electricity to the farm (small turbine), and how they provide food to the animals and to themselves. Grace's field trip was to the pumpkin farm. We saw a puppet show, went on a hayride, went through the corn maze, and then picked our pumpkins. We were lucky to have had great weather for both trips! Tomorrow I'm going to Helen's school to help make the salads. I even got to order one for myself! I had no idea how many choices you had. They offer a lot of toppings, onions, green peppers, mushrooms, ham, eggs homemade croutons, bacon bits, just to mention a few. I'm looking forward to seeing how Helen does with me there. Will she be naughty, or behave!?!!

Tonight is Robbie's Cub Scout Halloween party, I'm hoping to hand over the Treasurer's file to the new person. I have been treasurer for the past four years, it's someone else's turn. For some reason this year, my plate is overflowing. I need to lessen the load wherever possible. Thank goodness I know my limits, and I have definitely reached them!

Our goal for launching the website is Spring, other than that, there's really nothing new to report.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

Soup and Salad

Helen must be feeling comfortable at school, she is starting to act up. The other day she was making noises, yelling the teacher's name, and throwing toys. I guess the up side to all of this is the fact that it didn't take her very long to get used to her new school! Her new teacher has a salad/soup program in her class. They go grocery shopping with the kids to buy all the ingredients, and then the next day they make the salads or soups for the staff at the school. Helen loved doing the shopping, but when it came time to prepare the food, she couldn't keep her fingers out of her mouth and nose. She was unable to participate because of that. I'm hoping she will behave this week and be able to help in the entire process. She loves to help, I was surprised to hear of her behavior. They have started with salads, and as the weather gets colder, they will include soups. I have signed up to help, I can't wait to see how it all works...wonder if I get to taste test!!

Ted had his first cross country meet yesterday, he ran a mile and a half in about 16 minutes. He did a great job, he improved from last year. He said he ran the whole time, last year he walked quite a bit. He came in 26th place, last year he was second to last. He has another meet on Tuesday, he's looking forward to it.

The hot lunch crew is going to try and dress up for Halloween. We are going out tomorrow looking for lunch lady costumes. We're thinking of getting house coats, hair nets, maybe wigs, support hose, and anything else that would make us look like the typical looking hot lunch ladies! It should be a fun time!!

Until next time-

Take Care,

Sue

Field Trips

I just got back from a school field trip with Robbie and Katie, we went to the landfill. What an easy trip for my first one with the bigger kids, we stayed on the bus for the entire time. We drove on the landfill and learned all about what was underneath us, it was very interesting. The kids were so happy to have me there, especially Katie. I haven't been able to go on any field trips with the older kids until now. I did go on preschool field trips but they said that didn't count. Now that all the kids are in school all day, I'm able to go, as long as it doesn't get in the way of working on the clothing line. Thursday we're going on a walking field trip to the newspaper to see how they recycle. Next Friday I have back to back trips. Robbie and Katie are going to the Eco Justice Center in the morning, and Grace's class is going to the pumpkin farm in the afternoon. I am going to be exhausted...but in a GOOD way!!

Yesterday I worked in the yard, the front one to be exact. I pulled all the flowers, turned over the dirt, pulled the weeds, trimmed the bushes, and washed all the windows. I could barely move last night, I thought for sure I'd be the same today. I'm feeling fine, I'm ready to do the same thing with the backyard! My neighbor told me he would help me with the weeds in the backyard, they are much worse than in the front. I didn't plant a garden this year, so now it's overgrown with weeds. I have the BEST neighbors!! We have nice weather here this week so I'm trying to get all the outside chores done before the cold weather comes....BRRRRR!

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue

Writer's Block...I Wish

Writer's block? I'd like to be able to blame my absence on that, but that's not the case. I thought I would enjoy all the kids being in school, instead, I have been very overwhelmed. September has been a difficult month for me since Peter died, emotionally and financially. Every year I tell myself when August rolls around, "Hang in there, everything will work out, it always does." It doesn't work! So, enough about me...the kids have gotten back into the routine of being back in school. Helen loves her new school and teachers. They have started a reward system with her that I thought was genius. She has to receive eight smiley faces in order to watch five minutes of ICarly. Today however, she wouldn't listen, even when ICarly was mentioned...maybe it's not so genius! I can't wait for her to grow out of this stage! Now ask me how long I've been saying that!!

Noah loves going to Kindergarten, he feels like a big kid. I was worried he wouldn't listen to the teacher. I talked with her last year and told her my concerns. She put his desk right next to hers, just to be safe. She told me I must have been pulling her leg last school year because Noah is a very good listener. I also heard that he and two other boys, his friends from preschool, are the best behaved boys. What a relief! Ted has taken to middle school like a pro, he really enjoys it. Robbie, Katie, and Grace like their new teachers too. Grace isn't too happy starting the year off with homework, but she'll get used to it.

We just celebrated Ted's twelfth birthday, I still can't believe it. Helen, on the other hand, is still twenty-nine!! She wanted today to be her birthday. I told her, "Noooo, your birthday's in February!" She told me, "Noooo, it's today!" She then started laughing!

Sherry is heading to the textile show in LA this week-end. She is looking for a different jean material, since we had some concerns voiced to us about the fabric of our jeans. I must say, I have washed Helen's pair many, many times, and they still look brand new! We are moving along slowly but surely, thanks for your patience. We will keep you posted of any news.

Until next time-
Take Care,
Sue