My Weekend Window (Sort Of...)

Life's been busy busy busy around here! It's been a while since I've done a Weekend Window. I thought that'd be the easiest way to bring anyone who's still visiting this blog up-to-date.

Thursday night I had the pleasure of going to dinner with my college roommate, her husband and one of their daughters. Jeanine and I were roommates 26 years ago during our Freshman year of college. She and her husband married shortly after that year. We've kept in touch over the years, but literally have not seen each other in about 24 years! What a blessing our visit was. And it served as a reminder that we need to do all we can to MAKE the time to visit with friends and family as often as we can.

Friday, DH and I took our DS 3, his GF, DS 4 and his friend to our local high school's jazz concert. They have won several national competitions and are now headed to defend the title. This was the first time we met DS 3's GF and her parents. Let me tell you it was not without incident!

After school, I went for my regular Friday night workout. I was rushing home to jump in the shower before we headed out to the concert. When I got to the house, there she was WITH her Mom, Stepdad and brother! How proud I was to be hot, sweaty and "ripe" for this meeting! It all worked out, but I'd have given anything to have had a "back way" into my bathroom to avoid meeting them in that condition!

Saturday was our school's Christmas Party. We had a great time! It actually gave me the "kick in the pants" I needed to start my own decorating. I mean I still had my Fall stuff out!

{This blogger is now reclined on the therapist's couch.} I went back to revisit old blogs cause I thought for sure I had griped about confessed this before on this blog. I can't find it. So, if I'm being repetitive, then you have a better memory than I---and that would require a whole other kind of doctor. Back to my confession:

I have worked at the school for 10 years now. That's TEN Christmas parties I've attended in that time. Each year, they do a "Scottish Gift Exchange"...or whatever you call it. It involves numbers, and stealing, and laughing for sure. For me, though, it involves GREAT STRESS!

It used to be that each person would take a number. The first person chose a gift and opened it. Then the second person chose a gift and opened it and decided if he or she wanted that gift or wanted to TRADE with someone else who had an opened gift. People didn't want to offend the giver, so often no one traded. It kind of plodded along, and in my opinion, was boring.

When my boss came 8 years ago, he said, "No one's stealing other people's gifts!" I said, "That's cause they don't play the "right" way." You see when I've played this is how it goes:

You take a number. In order, you either choose a gift from under the tree OR you take a gift from someone else. That person can then steal or chooose a gift under the tree. But there is none of this "open it, then decide whether you want it or not and then go trade with someone for what you do want" stuff. So, the next year, I took over.

I gave the "new" rules and guess what? People laughed and stole gifts and had a great time. All except for ONE person who reminded me over and over and over again that "THIS is NOT the "RIGHT" way to play the game!" and "We've NEVER played it THAT way before." Now, that was 8 years ago and here we are supposedly older and wiser, but every year she reminds everyone that "we never played it that way until "Susan N. came along and changed all the rules!" And trust me, it's not an "I've seen the light" kind of remark!

Now, this person happens to be of the Jewish faith. I am sorry to admit that the year our party fell on Hanukkah I was so excited cause she wasn't there to fuss about the "rule change".

And to add to my list of "weird but true facts about me"...let me tell you this STRESSES ME OUT. Each year, I get so worked up over playing this game that I really wonder if I need to be locked up somewhere. It starts the minute the invitation for the party goes out. Last year, I decided that I would not play for the first time so that it could be done however they chose. Plus I thought I needed serious help to get over the anxiety this causes me. Well...they "chose" to play the way we've been playing for 8 years and she STILL fussed about it even without me playing to anyone, and everyone, who would listen.

Sooooo...Saturday night I thought about NOT playing again. I mean this is ridiculous, right? I'm an educated adult...and a CHRISTIAN woman on top of that! I really should be able to let this all go and turn the other cheek. After all, it's ONLY A GAME! Still, I found myself getting worked up over it early in the week last week. My friends who know the annual saga start to tease me. And one guilted me into bringing a gift and playing.

My boss (who LOVES to throw gas onto fires) started asking rather loudly "Did you and M work out the rules of the gift exchange tonight?" I told him to stop, but it didn't help. The social coordinator asked me to verify the rules and I told her I simply could NOT do it. She'd have to go ask someone else.

Someone else gave the rules the SAME as we've been doing for 8 years and it wasn't long into the whole "rule speech" that she started: "We never USED to play that way! Susan N. came and changed the whole thing!" The "rule man"...looked at her and said, "M, look me in the eye...it's a new day! We USED to use Chalkboards too...but we don't anymore. It's time to move on." I wanted to crawl under the tree! I needed the rule man's admonishment as much as she did (and perhaps more).

He's right, you know. We DO let the "little things" cause us so much stress. I don't know WHY I get so worked up over this. Certainly there are much bigger issues about which I could fixate. So...while he was speaking to HER...I think I got the message loud and clear...

I'm guilty. This is a "little thing". It shouldn't matter. And...

"It's time to move on!" Honestly, though, I've played the scene over in my mind several times since Saturday and I already told myself I'm NOT playing next year!

OK, I know--I know----back to the couch...

A Fun Time was Had By All...

FIRST of all...Rock You isn't working again. I have the slide show made and it's showing some other family here! I thought I had deleted it and saved this as draft, but apparently I published it and some of you are probably wondering if I've lost my mind. Soooo...I'm going to start over.

Our Halloween party is over and it WAS a success! We had 15 adults and 12 kids from the church in addition to many neighbors who dropped by. We gave out 75 children's treat bags and a BUNCH of candy! Many adults took chili, soda and candy bars. And they loved the cookies! We met some new neighbors that we didn't know in the past. It was fun connecting with both our neighbors and our church family a bit more. Here's a little glimpse of the preparations and our evening:

It all started with Reverse Trick or Treat last Sunday. Here are some of our church family getting ready to surprise neighbors with a bag of candy to use for Halloween. I have to tell you, if you try this, bring a cute little kid in costume...no one refused these darling little girls!!
DS 4 took care of pumpkin carving. As you can see, he had a little "help" from both cats!
The "set-up" was a table for goodies, chili, cider, soda, AND water in the driveway. Chairs and a firepit for visiting when it got dark.

One of our church members is a professional baker and she brought these darling cookies to share. They were a HUGE hit with all the kids and adults!!

DS 2, DS 3 and their friends played frisbee all night in front of the house. It was amazing how this also attracted kids! I think it's funny how frisbee comes and goes by way of popularity.

DS 4 couldn't decide WHAT he wanted to be for Halloween. I did not type up this story, but here he is being a "funny guy" and loving on one of our church members' new puppy. The puppy got LOTS of love throughout the night.

And here are the sweet little girls who won hearts during Reverse Trick or Treat....

And then the kids and their families started coming. It is always so fun to see the cute little costumes everyone is wearing.
Even the neighborhood pets came by for a little loving.
I found these cute little lanterns at JoAnn Fabrics the other day. They were only $2 each and I got 8 of them to add to our decor.
And here is a picture of the lanterns and the pumpkin lights we found as well. When the sun went down, the firepit went on and we enjoyed visiting with everyone who came by to visit. It was fun to see how people came back after they took their children around the neighborhood. They came back for chili or drinks or just to visit.
Here are DS 4's pumpkins after dark. Can you tell he got tired of carving by the time he got to the big one? It became an abstract work of sorts.
And you know I can never show pictures without sharing the food that was INSIDE too!

When You Need Time to STAND STILL...

Sometimes I get SO busy that I don't know if I am coming or going. This is a bad bad habit of mine that I am really trying to stop. I have occasionally pulled back from everything to regroup and get a grip. I don't consider myself over committed right now, but I need time to stand still today. And here's why...

As I mentioned last week, we are having a Halloween Party at my house tonight. It starts at 6:00pm. Last night, DS 4 asked, "Why is always at OUR house?" I came out of his room asking myself the SAME question! And last night I dreamt about it and tossed and turned as I thought about all that needs to be done...

We will have chili, apple cider, finger food and drinks/candy for both children and adults in the neighborhood. All is well, really. DH is cooking chili and apple cider. He is making sure the house is ready to go today. He is buying a new fire pit to put in the backyard for people to sit around. DS 4 carved two of three pumpkins last night. I have to finish some last minute decorating today when I get home and make sure the snacks are out to share.

So, you might wonder what my problem is exactly...here it is...I don't get off work until 3:30. I live 30 minutes away from my house. People are coming at 5:30 to help set up. But I want to be almost completely set up BEFORE they get there. I really like having the FULL day to get ready for this sort of thing.

It's my own fault, really. I've known it was coming. It is not like the time has changed or the date changed....It's just that I cannot do not get ready in baby steps. Instead it mulls in my mind. I pick up an item here and an item there that I know we'll need. Then the last minute, my head starts spinning on my shoulders and I am a maniac until I know that all is well and everyone is happily partying away. My boys don't like the hours just before entertaining. My husband is fabulous during these last minute preparations....OK STORMS! And I cannot think of a time when things did not go as planned or people didn't enjoy themselves.

Still, I WISH I could make time stand still for just a bit between 3:30 and 5:30 today. Cause there's a storm a brewing!!

Happy Birthday Surprises!

It's hard to believe that it was just a week ago that we headed into Ohio for my Grandmother's birthday surprise. I made a great little slide show on Rock You and when I hit publish, it was filled with photos from a Hispanic family not to mention Spanish captions! They were nice photos, but they weren't mine. I can't figure out what the problem is! So I'm going to post all the pics here. {Forgive the text alignment issues. I've republished this post nearly ten times...and I've just had a "let-it-go-and-hit-publish-for-the-last-time" moment!}

I love both of these photos and think I may put them in frames. One is my Grandma and Me. The other is DS 1 and Me.


The picture of me holding the little dog will be a blog post in the very near future. In many ways, I think I got one of the best presents of the day. I was touched beyond words and will share the whole story of this sweet little dog soon.



In this photo, Grandma is directing the "birthday singers" with her flower! I love it that she made sure we added that tag that says, "...and many more!" at the end of the traditional song! May it be so!


Below is a photo of DS 1 with my cousins two young children. They had a great visit with each other. I remember talking with my older cousins as a child and just looking up to them in great adoration. Maybe one day these sweet young things will think the same about this moment.



The other photo is Grandma with her children and their spouses who were able to be there that day.


This photo shows Grandma with several of her Grands and "Greatgrands". She has 13 Grandchildren. There are eight of us in the photo. There are 28 total Great Grandchildren and even a few "Great Greats" now. This photo has 7 "Great Grandchildren" in it.

It was definitely a weekend to remember!

Look What We've Been Doing....

DS 1 is preparing to leave for basic training. This weekend was the "surprise cammo party". Since we're getting new floors on Monday, I decided to "cammo" my carpet on Friday to "decorate". It all started with an idea...and ended with one very surprised DS 1! As he entered the house, we played the Army Song. Thanks, Aunt Heather, for the photos...and the rest of our family and friends for making it a memorable event for all of us. Enjoy!!

Blog Party--STICKY POST

Scroll down for current post... this will be at the top until March 9th.

I can't resist a great party!! This is too much fun. I have visited some VERY cool blogs today and keep "hopping to more and more parties"....it's been a great time!! Soooo...I'm diving in, too. Do you like my party banner? DS 3 made it for me. Isn't he the greatest???

WELCOME TO MY PARTY!!!

First, let me introduce you to my family. They LOVE a good party:

| View Show | Create Your Own
Now...DS 3 insisted that I have chips and dip here for guests...so...here ya' go....I hope you like them. And NO party would be complete without my FAVORITE beverage.....DIET Coke!!

I've been blogging for almost two years...thanks to my SIL, Heather for introducing me to this brand new world. I can't really remember life before blogging. As I was decorating for this party, one of my boys asked me, "What would you do if you were told you couldn't blog anymore?" I certainly would survive...but I can sure think of many many people who I'd "miss"...including those I've met in person like Mary and Sandy .

The most amazing thing about the whole blogosphere (for me) is the number of people who are seriously testifying to their faith every single day via the World Wide Web. How cool is that??? I love being able to get on here and talk about my relationship with JESUS and how He has changed my life. But I also like to be able to continue to "work out my faith" via words and pictures and blogging in general. Knowing that others are on the same journey is refreshing and powerful to me!

At first I had decided "not" to participate in The Ultimate Blog Party...but I KNOW that there are so many neat people to meet and things to read...that I decided to do it. I hope to get around and meet many of you this week.

And I'm glad you stopped by for it! Sign in to let me know you were here...tell me about your favorite thing about blogging and parties...then, come back again sometime...OK??

Graduation and Grandparents

Graduation was a wonderful event!! My aunt noted yesterday, that many people graduate and don't have all their grandparents there. She's right. Yesterday, DS 1 had all of his grandparents present to celebrate the day with him. They are all with him in the picture above. (The serious picture that they took had eyes closed...so I had to get it with Gram and Grandma C doing their "non-serious photo".) At any rate, I know these pictures will be treasures for a long time to come.

And here is DS 1's GREAT Grandma with him. She really wanted to make the trip from Ohio to be here for and with him. It was very special for all of us to have her here.

Here is a picture of Daniel with his Great Aunt Sandy.

Just before the ceremony, DH leaned over to me and said, "I wonder if Nanny ever thought about this day?" Nanny was his grandmother. We KNOW she dreamed of having great grandchildren. DS 1 was the only great grandchild that she ever met and held. I have a GREAT picture of her holding him when he was only weeks old. So, yes, I am sure she was enjoying the ceremony from a different vantage point along with all the other great grandparents, great aunts and uncles, that have passed on.

Whether they are here or gone, they have left an important legacy that reminds us how special each moment is. Things like Graduation Ceremonies remind us to celebrate the moment while also remembering the past. They also remind us that there is a future. Somehow, family and friends leave fingerprints (or maybe it's lifeprints) in all three places: the past, the present and the future.

I am so thankful that we have the blessing of family and friends to share in these moments with us! We are proud of you, D!!