Once again, it's been weeks since my last blog. This month, in spite of being the shortest, seems to be dragging along. Every day, it is either freezing or we are in the middle of a "thaw", i.e., mudville! The dog is long overdue for a grooming and her paws seem to drag into the house everything not frozen to the ground. Finally getting back into the swing of CCD classes and Ken working at the hospital, and this week coming up is vacation from school!!! Will we ever get into a routine again?
On another note, I have been reading tons, and spent way too much at B&N today, going there originally to get books for Abby's BBF's birthday party...I even got a Games magazine, having given up my subscription after 20-odd years of constant readership. Looking forward to some "down" time with books, and perhaps even a fire, before we move quickly into March. Then the countdown begins, with plays, tests, midterms, and the like.... So, perhaps, I should relax and enjoy this "shortest" month...Mother Nature may know that it will be the last time for quite a while that we can sit and drink tea and watch the snow gently fall.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Snow, snow, and more snow...
We have now had 6 major snowstorms since Dec. 26th (see my last posting) and it is beginning to feel as though we are in Alaska...though, from the Weather Channel updates, it is nicer up there and in Greenland than here!
Abby has lost 4 snow days out of 6 already, and we have at least another 6 weeks of winter, no matter what the groundhog says next Tuesday. This was not a great year to be out so often, as she is doing 2 AP courses and had enriched math and English. Her English Regents was 2 weeks earlier than the other regents, thanks to NYS Educators, who AGAIN changed the English Regents..this time, to one day instead of two, just like the Regents Maggie and Kate took in 1999. Thankfully, it did NOT snow on the 11th, so she got her English done. One last Regents in June (American History) and she is done for her career, having 9 in total. She also has 2 AP tests in early May, and took her PSAT in October and her 2nd SAT last week. She is registered for late June for SAT II Subject tests...then, if her SATs this time are good enough, we should be done!
Ken loves his new PT job with the hospital and recently became a SuperUser for their new electronic charting system. IBM is the same for now. I have yet to see all 3 of my CCD classes in one week since Christmas, so these snowdays are also a pain for me. We will be rushing along in May to finish the curriculum!
Almost halfway done with my latest needlework project, and catching up on reading. My ducks returned to the bird feeders in mid-January; this makes 4 years in a row that they show up for lunch! Lots and lots of birds, even squirrels (brave souls, since there is few trees close by for them to escape to) and, of course, deer!
Abby has All-County Concert tomorrow....must hit the hay. Keep warm, everyone!
Abby has lost 4 snow days out of 6 already, and we have at least another 6 weeks of winter, no matter what the groundhog says next Tuesday. This was not a great year to be out so often, as she is doing 2 AP courses and had enriched math and English. Her English Regents was 2 weeks earlier than the other regents, thanks to NYS Educators, who AGAIN changed the English Regents..this time, to one day instead of two, just like the Regents Maggie and Kate took in 1999. Thankfully, it did NOT snow on the 11th, so she got her English done. One last Regents in June (American History) and she is done for her career, having 9 in total. She also has 2 AP tests in early May, and took her PSAT in October and her 2nd SAT last week. She is registered for late June for SAT II Subject tests...then, if her SATs this time are good enough, we should be done!
Ken loves his new PT job with the hospital and recently became a SuperUser for their new electronic charting system. IBM is the same for now. I have yet to see all 3 of my CCD classes in one week since Christmas, so these snowdays are also a pain for me. We will be rushing along in May to finish the curriculum!
Almost halfway done with my latest needlework project, and catching up on reading. My ducks returned to the bird feeders in mid-January; this makes 4 years in a row that they show up for lunch! Lots and lots of birds, even squirrels (brave souls, since there is few trees close by for them to escape to) and, of course, deer!
Abby has All-County Concert tomorrow....must hit the hay. Keep warm, everyone!
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Post-Christmas Thoughts
So, it's been quite a while since I posted last...perhaps no one is reading this, but that is fine. We are in the middle of our first snowstorm of the season, and Abby and Ken are napping, as is the dog! I will briefly update y'all on our lives...
Ken got a p/t job with Horton Hospital and is currently doing Orientation shifts while being on vacation from Big Blue. His last EMS shift will be New Year's Eve. Abby is almost done with her first semester of her junior year, with an English Regents on Jan. 11th, her SATs on the 22nd, and her All-County Concert on the 28th& 29th. She is currently reading Uncle Tom's Cabin for her AP US History course and studying for the above tests. I have off from Religious Ed classes for a week, and after the disastrous Christmas Party classes, am looking forward to the change. I have some serious thinking to do re: my 7th graders, who seem disinterested and rowdy. Oh, well...that is what prayer is for!
Advent was nice, with our church doing an Advent Penance Service and, later that week, a Lessons and Carols night. I also went to an Advent Prayer mini-retreat with fellow catechists. That, plus morning mass at least twice a week, got me into the spirit of the season! And, as I get older, I find that Christmas is no longer my #1 holiday...I am beginning to think Easter is. Sure, I love snow and winter and cookies and the tree and all that, but the shopping and stress is now getting to me as I approach my late 50s. I don't have grandkids yet, so that may also contribute to my inclination to see Christmas as a quieter time, one that I should spend more in being with others, doing for others, than in consuming! I am actually looking forward to Lent...and the rhythm of the seasons.
Abby got tons of stuff, and seems happy. Ken and I got new LR furniture in September, so we just got each other small items (robe for me, new office phone for him). I miss seeing Maggie this year...first time since 2005 she hasn't been home. And that year, she flew in on the 27th, as Theresa had died on the 26th. It was also nice having Aaron last year...he ate a ton of my cookies and kept Abby busy with games and such!
Kate and Tracy came down Christmas Eve day, and we had dinner early (Ken had to work). It was nice, as we haven't had them for Christmas Eve in years! They left after breakfast the next day...Doug also came up on the 24th and left early this morn, before the snow started to fly. We all enjoyed Taboo and Abby's new Pictionary for the WII.
As we end another decade, I hope for peace...in my family, in the country, in the world. And that you all find the same in your lives!
Ken got a p/t job with Horton Hospital and is currently doing Orientation shifts while being on vacation from Big Blue. His last EMS shift will be New Year's Eve. Abby is almost done with her first semester of her junior year, with an English Regents on Jan. 11th, her SATs on the 22nd, and her All-County Concert on the 28th& 29th. She is currently reading Uncle Tom's Cabin for her AP US History course and studying for the above tests. I have off from Religious Ed classes for a week, and after the disastrous Christmas Party classes, am looking forward to the change. I have some serious thinking to do re: my 7th graders, who seem disinterested and rowdy. Oh, well...that is what prayer is for!
Advent was nice, with our church doing an Advent Penance Service and, later that week, a Lessons and Carols night. I also went to an Advent Prayer mini-retreat with fellow catechists. That, plus morning mass at least twice a week, got me into the spirit of the season! And, as I get older, I find that Christmas is no longer my #1 holiday...I am beginning to think Easter is. Sure, I love snow and winter and cookies and the tree and all that, but the shopping and stress is now getting to me as I approach my late 50s. I don't have grandkids yet, so that may also contribute to my inclination to see Christmas as a quieter time, one that I should spend more in being with others, doing for others, than in consuming! I am actually looking forward to Lent...and the rhythm of the seasons.
Abby got tons of stuff, and seems happy. Ken and I got new LR furniture in September, so we just got each other small items (robe for me, new office phone for him). I miss seeing Maggie this year...first time since 2005 she hasn't been home. And that year, she flew in on the 27th, as Theresa had died on the 26th. It was also nice having Aaron last year...he ate a ton of my cookies and kept Abby busy with games and such!
Kate and Tracy came down Christmas Eve day, and we had dinner early (Ken had to work). It was nice, as we haven't had them for Christmas Eve in years! They left after breakfast the next day...Doug also came up on the 24th and left early this morn, before the snow started to fly. We all enjoyed Taboo and Abby's new Pictionary for the WII.
As we end another decade, I hope for peace...in my family, in the country, in the world. And that you all find the same in your lives!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Lovely October
October and November are my fav months...because it is cooler outside (usually), because the kids are back in school (yeah!), the color of the leaves are lovely, and the garden is winding down (no more watering/feeding/weeding!) Also, we were married in November and I choose fall colors for my bridesmaids to remind me of autumn! There is still enough sunshine to keep the afternoons warm, but it depends on where you are in the garden. The back deck no longer receives more than a few short hours of light, and the back bed is in full shade all day. Washing can still go outside, but I have to get it on the lines before 9 am or it won't dry. But there is a cool breeze and I can sit in the shade with the dog and watch the leaves fall...terrific!
Halloween is a Sunday this year, so it may or may not be crowded. The past several years we have seen a decline in the number of trick-or-treaters, but this is okay. At our hayday in the late '90s, I would go through 15 HUGE bags of candy and then hunt through the kids if anyone came to the door after 9 pm. Last year, I had bags leftover, so my CCD kids were rewarded! Abby did "door duty" last year, but has hinted she may be up for going out with some of her friends this time around.
Thanksgiving may be small for us. Maggie can't come, if at all, until after Dec. 25th. Kate is working, so she and Tracy will be down on Friday to help us decorate for Christmas and then we will reciprocate by going up to them on Saturday. Wendy is "depressed" and doesn't want to come. Haven't heard from Doug. But I will still make a turkey, pies and watch the Macy's Parade, followed by "The March of the Wooden Soldiers" on tape. Good times....
Enjoy the color of autumn!
Halloween is a Sunday this year, so it may or may not be crowded. The past several years we have seen a decline in the number of trick-or-treaters, but this is okay. At our hayday in the late '90s, I would go through 15 HUGE bags of candy and then hunt through the kids if anyone came to the door after 9 pm. Last year, I had bags leftover, so my CCD kids were rewarded! Abby did "door duty" last year, but has hinted she may be up for going out with some of her friends this time around.
Thanksgiving may be small for us. Maggie can't come, if at all, until after Dec. 25th. Kate is working, so she and Tracy will be down on Friday to help us decorate for Christmas and then we will reciprocate by going up to them on Saturday. Wendy is "depressed" and doesn't want to come. Haven't heard from Doug. But I will still make a turkey, pies and watch the Macy's Parade, followed by "The March of the Wooden Soldiers" on tape. Good times....
Enjoy the color of autumn!
Friday, September 24, 2010
This is Autumn???
OK, first full day of autumn...and it hit 89 degrees, people! The dog and I have had it. Both of us are just dragging ourselves around and, luckily, I get to go into the airconditioned car! I am leaving in a few to pick up Abby from her hospital volunteer job...and at 6:12 pm, it is 84 and high humidity. I officially HATE summer!
On another note, why, oh why, do young beautiful girls in my family get tats??? I am not speaking of Kate, who has only 2, one small on her ankle and one on her back by her waist, but of a certain niece who shall remain nameless here. Actually, my other nieces also have them...I think maybe only Maggie and Abby are without...and they both share a fear of needles! Thank God for that.
Religious Education classes going well, though the building is NOT airconditioned and the kids were drooping this week. Many of the students in my evening 7th grade class I had last year as 6th graders....MAWAHAHA! Mrs. Dull strikes again...divine retribution??
Keep cool!
On another note, why, oh why, do young beautiful girls in my family get tats??? I am not speaking of Kate, who has only 2, one small on her ankle and one on her back by her waist, but of a certain niece who shall remain nameless here. Actually, my other nieces also have them...I think maybe only Maggie and Abby are without...and they both share a fear of needles! Thank God for that.
Religious Education classes going well, though the building is NOT airconditioned and the kids were drooping this week. Many of the students in my evening 7th grade class I had last year as 6th graders....MAWAHAHA! Mrs. Dull strikes again...divine retribution??
Keep cool!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Religious Ed classes start!
OK, got home about an hour ago and have completed my first class...out of about 85, I figure. Nice group of 6th graders, 16 in all, so the classroom is a bit full, but we will manage. Our pastor walked in and quizzed the kids briefly, as he is wont to do, and we seem to be a great bunch! Abby is my assistant on Mondays, so she is a big help, being "old" enough for the kids to respect her, but "young" enough for them to relate to her.
Summer seems to be making a brief return, it hit 80 degrees here, but at least the nights are getting cooler. We really, really need rain, not the brief shower that passed through while I was in class. I hate water restrictions, but they really are a pain in the winter, as you seem not to be aware of a drought then! Hoping for a regular snow amount this year...last year was a bit much! We had over 3 feet in one day...
I hope to continue on the reading jag that I am on...have done quite a bit this summer, but I am too lazy to put them all on Good Reads, so just trust me, I am reading! Finished Dragonriders of Pern and associated tales, read 4 Brother Cadfael mysteries, and The Lady in the Tower and Mistress of the Monarchy, both by Alison Weir. Currently on Queen Isabella by Weir, another Cadfael and a book of SF short stories. It's great to get back to reading, after all the probs with my eyes.
Summer seems to be making a brief return, it hit 80 degrees here, but at least the nights are getting cooler. We really, really need rain, not the brief shower that passed through while I was in class. I hate water restrictions, but they really are a pain in the winter, as you seem not to be aware of a drought then! Hoping for a regular snow amount this year...last year was a bit much! We had over 3 feet in one day...
I hope to continue on the reading jag that I am on...have done quite a bit this summer, but I am too lazy to put them all on Good Reads, so just trust me, I am reading! Finished Dragonriders of Pern and associated tales, read 4 Brother Cadfael mysteries, and The Lady in the Tower and Mistress of the Monarchy, both by Alison Weir. Currently on Queen Isabella by Weir, another Cadfael and a book of SF short stories. It's great to get back to reading, after all the probs with my eyes.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
School days...
Ok, tomorrow is the big day...and I don't mean just because Raymour and Flannigan are delivering my new living room set...Abby becomes a JUNIOR in High School!! She gets her ring next month, she takes the PSAT for "real" in October, and she starts her AP courses this semester. For the first semester, she has AP Chem every day, AP US History every other day, Pre-Calc and English 11 Enriched. We have 84 min. blocks in our block-scheduling. On the alternate days of APUS, she has band. In the spring, she will have AP US History every day, AP Chem every other day alternating with a study hall, French Grammar (4) every day and Gym alternating with Band. She will have one January Regents (English...please pray for no snow days!) and one June regents (Amer. History) and 2 AP tests in early May. Busy, busy year.
I sell books next week for Religious Ed and then the Catechetical Mass on the 12th with luncheon and we start classes the week of the 13th. I am doing Monday and Wednesday afternoons for 6th grade and Thursday nights for 7th grade. Remind me why I am doing this in December, when I am going nuts!
Ken has been busy doing catch-up chores from 5 1/2 yrs of school, so our LR/DR and Kitchen have been painted and the patio is nearly done. Next weekend, working on the front post and tying up my monster mums. He should hear by next week about his part-time nursing job. Fingers crossed!
So, I am now going to get Abby going, to make sure her new bookbag is packed and clothes out, etc. Good luck to all of you who have to do the same with your kids....and let's remember how lllloooonnnngggg this summer has been!
I sell books next week for Religious Ed and then the Catechetical Mass on the 12th with luncheon and we start classes the week of the 13th. I am doing Monday and Wednesday afternoons for 6th grade and Thursday nights for 7th grade. Remind me why I am doing this in December, when I am going nuts!
Ken has been busy doing catch-up chores from 5 1/2 yrs of school, so our LR/DR and Kitchen have been painted and the patio is nearly done. Next weekend, working on the front post and tying up my monster mums. He should hear by next week about his part-time nursing job. Fingers crossed!
So, I am now going to get Abby going, to make sure her new bookbag is packed and clothes out, etc. Good luck to all of you who have to do the same with your kids....and let's remember how lllloooonnnngggg this summer has been!
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