A Prairie View

Friday Feast

Appetizer
Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city?
“Country” could be subjective. I have lived in the country — 10 miles from the closest town, and I would just as soon not live in the country. When you work all day, get off work at 5:00, and have a meeting at 6:30 … do you go home, and come back in, or hang around town until the meeting. However … my little town wouldn’t be classified as a city either. I like living in town … but it has to be like where we live now. Small, rural, argricultural. So, if we are taking “city” as in large, large cities, and not small rural towns, then give me the country any day.

Soup
Who is the cutest kid you know?
My grandkids, of course

Salad
Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard the doctor say “she’s gone” (when my mom passed away).

Main Course
If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise?
I know this is probably going outside of the box to what most people will answer here … but … if I were to star in a commercial, it would be for a CPAP machine. I have severe sleep apnea, and that machine literally saves my life every night. I was watching Jay Leno last night, and one of his guests was talking about her husband and his snoring. And what she described … I was mentally yelling at the TV set and at her “GET HIM TO A DOCTOR. HE HAS SLEEP APNEA.” If you loved one snores, and you hear them stop snoring, and then in a little bit hear them gasp … chances are they have sleep apnea. Not getting mine diagnoised early enough has caused my heart to go out of rhythm, and pretty much stay out of rhythm. My mom tried to tell me, and I wouldn’t listen. It was only after I went to see a doctor for unrelated reasons 3 weeks after her death, was the decision to have it checked taken out of my hands, and put in the hands of professionals.

Dessert
What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis?
None.

Friday Feast

Play Along HERE

Appetizer
On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?
7. With the age of the computer and keyboarding everything, I don’t hand write things as much as I used to, and it actually hurts now to write much at any great length. But, for most of my life, I kept a hand written journal, and when I did that, I liked my handwriting, and then I would have rated it an 8 or 9.

Soup
Do you prefer baths or showers?
Shower

Salad
What was the last bad movie you watched?
We don’t watch alot of movies … if its a bad movie on TV, we just change the channel. I’m sure we’ve seen a few bad ones, but I can’t think of them, or any names right off hand.

Main Course
Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.
*sigh. Blogging. My mind is always whirling with things I want to blog about, and there just aren’t enough hours in the day to work 2 part time jobs, keep a house, be a wife and mom, friend, and do all the blogging I would like to do. So, I keep lists, and try to do what I can, when I can.

Dessert
Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?
Saxaphone

Friday Felicities

Things That Make Me Happy

1. Walking out into the warm spring air.
2. The sun shining without it being terribly hot.
3. Seeing my grandkids.
4. Learning some new.
5. Getting things completed — things that seem to be major projects and have been hanging over my head for awhile.
6. Scrapbooking with a friend.
7. Receiving a handmade card.

If you want to participate, make you own list, and then over to Becky’s blog and leave your link so we can find out what makes you happy.

Friday Fill-ins

#60

1. Being together is the best thing about traveling.
2. I love a good warm blanket when I’m cold.
3. I often use book studies for blogging.
4. I’m reading Truffles By The Seas right now; I reviewing it.
5. Sex is something I dislike talking about.
6. When I visited the scrapbook store I most looked forward to seeing Ruth.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to going to bed, tomorrow my plans include dishes, more of the kitchen organization plan and computer time and Sunday, I want to take pictures of the snow that surprised us!

Friday Feast

Appetizer
Name one thing that is unique about you.
I have sons that are 13 months apart — and then my sons are 13 years apart (Jason was born in 1976, Matt in 1977. Ethan was born in 1991).

Soup
Fill in the blank: My favorite food is Mexcian but I like Italian too.

Salad
What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings?
light oak

Main Course
Who do you talk to most often on the phone?
It used to be my mom; we would talk almost everyday on the phone, even though she just lived across town. But, she passed away in 2003. So…I would say David — my husband — would be that person. He calls all the time to see what I’m doing, or to tell me about his “wonderful” day (he dispatches for 13 trucks …YOU tell me how wonderful most days are….) I used to talk to a really good friend who lives in KC quite a bit on the phone. Not everyday, not even once a week. But when we did get on the phone, we would be on for an hour or more. I miss that, and was just thinking about that this morning. Even though she is out of town this weekend, I think I’m still going to call her and leave her a message. We are getting horrible weather conditions in this area, and where they have traveled to, so thought I would call and leave her a message for her to call me tomorrow night, or whenever they get back, so I know they got home OK.

Dessert
What level of responsibility do you have in your job?
Quite a few. In the mornings, as a church secretary, I am responsible for keeping up with all the church attendance numbers and imformation (current addresses and phone #, etc), to get the bulletins out each week, a newsletter every other week. To keep the minister on task [grin], and a whole list of other things. In the afternoons, I work at my husband’s office, where we keep 13 trucks rolling down the road. With that job, my responsibilities come in the form of all the paper work. The billing, the receiving of checks and making sure they get to the bank. Checking the guys expense sheets, log sheets, and doing a quarterly IFTA report. Keeping everything file and update to date, so when David or our boss needs to find something out about a truck, everything is in the file. So, I would say my level of responsibility isn’t top level, but it does help maintain the flow of keeping the business going.

Friday Fill-Ins

#59

1. Snowdrops are causing havoc at our house today (Sunday).
2. I’m going to go to church and then we’ll decide what we will do.
3. Step By Step  a song whose lyrics have meaning to me.
4. Just one sip and I’m warm when I drink hot cocoa.
5. Home is where I’m happiest.
6. I believe that love is a necessary part of life.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching Las Vegas, tomorrow my plans include tackling more stuff in the kitchen (decluttering, etc)  and Sunday, I want to celebrate Ethan’s birthday early!

Saturday Special

1. Thing You’re Afraid To Do?:  Speak in front of an audience.  Public speaking, even if its just in front of a few people, terrifies me

2. Thing Scientists Need To Invent?:  a pill that makes dieting easy and effortless, no matter how many mistakes we make along the way.

3. Thing That Would Make You Very Happy?:  a new house.  David has started talking about wanting to build a new house — we even have the ground all picked out.  Following through with this would be a dream come true, and would make me very happy. 

4. Thing About Valentine’s Day That’s Special To You?:  David shows me extra attention, using buying flowers or a card … something he usually doesn’t do during the rest of the year.

Join in on The Saturday Special here.

Friday Fill-in

#58

1. I’m looking forward to scrapbooking with Ruth on March 8.
2. London is a place I always wanted to visit and haven’t made it there yet.
3. I’ve fallen in love with the new Shifter theme.
4. Six of one, half a dozen of another.
5. Addiction to blogging can be hazardous to your time restraints.
6. The things Malachi says crack me up!
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to watching Las Vegas with my hubby, tomorrow my plans include staying home and saving my money for my scrapbooking day with Ruth and Sunday, I want to do some cleaning and organizing!

My Town Tuesday

I am starting a new meme over at my “Focus On Kansas” blog. Every Tuesday, at your blog, post a picture or write something about your town. You don’t have to tell us what town you are from. Just share with us why its “your” town, and why you like or don’t like living there. Or just post a picture from “around” town. The possibilities are endless. Down the street. The changing of the seasons. Different stores. Landmarks. Things that make your town different from the town down the road. Then go to the current My Town Tuesday entry and sign Mr. Linky.

Down the street in My Town

Wednesday Whim - Something New

Being a “new” me — looking at life differently, through the eyes of someone who can physically tackle the world and all it has to offer. Obtaining this will come through continuing the weight loss plan I’m on. To reach that “75 lbs lost goal” — which is only weeks away. And then to hit “100 lbs. lost”. And then… *gasp. Do I dare say it? dream it? “150 lbs lost’. Yes. I know. That is a huge amount. But then, I am huge. That is a fact of life and I refuse to stick my head in the sand anymore, and I’m doing something about it.

With the wieght loss comes responsibility. To maintain it. To appreciate it. To go where I have never gone before. Life will be different. It will be one filled with physical activity and ability to join the real world, and not hide from it. That takes on a new mentality and approach to life, which comes from the inside. But, I’m ready to take it on. It is all new to me, but I’m up for the challenge.

Tuesday Twosome

Short-term Memory

List the last two…

1. Movies you watched:
Employee Of The Month
Just My Luck

2. TV shows you saw:
Deal or No Deal
General Hospital

3. Items you purchased:
Prescription
Groceries

4. Beverages you drank:
Chocolate shake (weight loss supplement)
Water

5. Internet sites you surfed (before coming here):
Pay Per Post
The Meme List - I Am Pariah

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Memories: Halloween

Thank goodness for pictures. As I get older, the memories of my childhood grow dimmer and dimmer. I remember Halloween from the inside out. Meaning, I remember the houses I went to, the people I talked to, my mom and I doing it together, the school parades, the kids coming to our house when we weren’t out Trick or Treating. But, I don’t remember what I was. I know I went out most every year… I do remember that, and the smell of the wet leaves. And the warm car when Mom would drive me around And as I got older, I would walk the neighbors. This was many years ago, small town. We were “safe”. I know I was Cinderalla one year because of this picture.

d

Ethan says I look like the Burger King “king” — which is creepy looking. What can I say? This was 40 years ago.

Now, some 40 years later, Halloween takes on a whole different aspect. For one, I don’t have children young enough to take out trick or treating. When Ethan was younger, we would make a list of people we knew, and those were the houses we went to. We didn’t go to a house just because the lights were on, even though that is still “acceptable” here in Smalltown, USA. Now that he is a teenager, I won’t let him go out “with friends” or on his own. He IS going out tomorrow night, but it is school sponsered, and he’ll be with adults. They will be “trick or treat(ing) so kids can eat” — collecting cans of food (much like the Boy Scout food drive) instead of candy. I will buy a little bit of candy for my grandson, and find out if he’ll be with his 2 cousins. The temps are supposed to be pretty chilly, so they may not get out. I’ll touch base with you, Bubble, and we’ll figure something out. Ethan has play practice, Trick or Treating, and then a drama club Halloween Party. Busy Busy Busy.

Everyday Things: Furnace

Everyday Things is a weekly feature @ Everyday Mommy. It is designed to encourage all of us to embrace contentment and to appreciate the everyday things which we often take for granted. What is a favorite everyday thing of yours? Write about it, and then go let Jules know you did so others can be encouraged as well.

With the onset of cold weather, I find the warmth of my home or where I work to be something I really appreciate. With just the touch of my finger, I can make the room as warm or cool as I need (or want) it to be. Just a few decades ago, to become warm, stay warm, it took alot of work. There was wood to chop, to bring in. The fire to watch, and then I would venture that in some rooms, you would be extremely warm, and others, further from the fire, it would be cooler or even cold. Just simple things like duct work, to take our central air and spread it throughout the house — we don’t consciously think about it, but its one of those “everyday things” that we enjoy, because we are nice and toasty warm on those cold winter days.

Friday Feast

Appetizer
Create a new candle scent.
Movie Buttered Popcorn scent …. when the candle burns, you’d swear you were in a movie theater.

Soup
Name one way you show affection to others.
Hugs. Gifts.

Salad
What is your favorite writing instrument?
the computer, of course:)

Main Course
If you were given $25 to spend anywhere online, from which site would you buy?
Probably one of my favorite graphic artists sights. Amazon would be a strong 2nd. Depending on the day, it very well could be my 1st choice.

Dessert
Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, what are you going to be?
No. I’m not dressing up. I’m scary enough looking without any Halloween help!

Weekend Reflections

THE DISCIPLINE OF TIME

Time is a precious commodity, no doubt about it! We never feel we have enough of it, and most of us struggle all our lives with how to use it wisely. It’s a worthy goal, therefore, to understand how time works best for you, and then to work hard at implementing that understanding.

Discover the time of day when you feel at your best and schedule important activities to fall into that time period. Start your daily tasks with what matters; then do the quick, easy, and enjoyable jobs to build up momentum.

One of best way I have found to maximize my time adn stay true to my priorities is to learn to say no. It’s a hard word to say at times, but so valuable. We live in a society that prides itself on being busy, but as someone once said, ‘the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.” Try it.

Lastly, don’t fill more than 75 percent of your day. Save some time for the unexpected — for one of God’s surprises! Save time for a moment of quiet between you and the Lord.

(Keep it Simple for Busy Women — by Emilie Barnes)

THE WEEKEND

After the overwhelming-ness of the past week, this was a weekend to enjoy. Yes, I did work around the house, and didn’t “play” all day; but there was satisfaction in the work as well. There wasn’t a deadline or pressure to do it. I just did it … because. And made some headway in some areas that have sorely needed some attention. Its getting there. I am gradually getting more energy, both physically, and mentally. Things don’t overwhelm me as easily. Yes, I was overwhelmed this week, but with everything I had going on, it truly was an overwhelming week, and not just my perception of being overwhelmed. There is a difference. This week is going to be a piece of cake.

Saturday was a cold and drizzly day, the kind of day that a good book (or list of blogs) and a warm blankie is soooo inviting. But, I didn’t give in. I started the day by sleeping in. I needed the extra rest, believe me! We were kinda slow getting around; and then early afternoon, Ethan and I headed to the grocery store for weekly shopping. He was helping with the lights at a play production Saturday evening, so I got supper going pretty early. Shortly after Ethan left, David came home. We looked at the TV line up and realized there was nothing on. So, he went back out and rented a couple of movies. “Over the Hedge” was one of them — very funny, and very cute. I don’t know what the other one was… a drag racing kind of movie. That was my cue to come play on the computer:) Ethan had made it home by then, so the two of them watched it, and I got to listen to all their little comments (like David informing Ethan his truck WOULDN’T do what they were doing on TV…and it better not ever….or he is soooo busted).

Sunday was church in the morning. Ethan went to KC with a youth group from another church to play Lazer Tag, hit the mall, and then go to Judgement House. He had been before, but in a different town, so he was excited at the chance to go again.

I was thinking I would have a nice quiet afternoon all to myself….but it was even better. Malachi (my 4 year old grandson) and his mom came for a visit. I’ll never turn down a visit from them. He is so cute. And he got this bright idea to tickle grandma’s belly. What a funny kid. And smart too. Not that I’m biased or anything where he is concerned:) …..

And again… shortly after they left, David came home. He rented another movie, and then he had a Service Team meeting at 7:30. Ethan didnt’ get home until around 10:00, so I did have a few hours to myself. It just made for a really nice, relaxing weekend. The weather was a lot nicer yesterday than it was Saturday. I’m really not looking forward to winter. I do. not. like the cold and ice. Give me Spring or Fall. I love both.

I’m thinking I’m going to make this — Weekend Reflections — a weekly thing. There are several ladies who do something similiar. I dont’ want to out and out copy what they are doing; but I would like to take bits and pieces from all of them, and incorporate them into my own little weekly feature. I made up a couple little banners that say “Weekend Reflections” — and I reallly really like how they turned out.

And maybe this will give you, the reader, a break from the PayPerPost entries I’ve been doing. I hope they turn any one off from reading my blog — because I am really serious about doing them. So far, I’ve been credited $5.00 to Paypay … from the 2 entries I did early on, just to make sure it was legit. I know have $40.50 coming, and I have a long list of “opportunities” with them that I still want to do. We are limited to doing 3 a day, and they can’t be consecutive. So, that means a 6 entry day. I don’t see me doing that consistently every single day, but I can see doing that on weekends, and maybe getting a few in during the week. There is some serious money to be made here, and its actually something I can do. Not to mention, I really have found some interesting sites that I woudln’t have found other wise, and I’m hoping as I do the entries, you, the reader, will look at it that way as well …. I can’t turn down money doing something I enjoy doing! and I won’t ever do one of their “opportunities” that I wouldn’t buy or do myself. So, I hope, as we go along, you’ll learn to enjoy them, and go check out whatever sight I have decided to blog about. With alot of my working money going towards my weight loss plan, this is a great way for me to still be able to buy graphics and stuff, and not have to sacrifice one for the other. If you have any questions about PayPerPost, or think you might be interested in doing it as well, just let me know. I’ll answer your questions as much as I can and know about them.

SIMPLE PLEASURES

- Breathe in the smell of burning wood in the crisp autumn air.
- Smile at boxes and boxes of apples — red, yellow, green
- Enjoy some cripsy cold, fresh-pressed cider.

Blessings to all.

Life’s Simple Pleasures

a meme from wahministry.com

:: Randomness:: At The Movies

Week of Oct 1: at the movies

I love going to see the latest hollywood blockbuster at the movie theater. Something about the extra buttery popcorn, giant soda and chocolate covered raisins that I can’t resist.
So lets talk movies this week:

1. do you prefer to go the the theater or wait for the dvd? Wait for the DVD

2. what type of films do you like going to see? horror, romance, comedy…etc? Usually Chick-flick — Feel Good kind of movies. Definately not horror or any ones that have scary content.

3. what’s your fav movie treat? Popcorn. With lots of butter and salt, of course.

till next time…

:: Weekend Musings :: Halloween

I have found a couple of new memes to play along with. There doesn’t seem to be many for the weekend, which is when I have the most time. I scanned through some previous weeks of this one and it seemed pretty tame, and pretty consistent, so think I might try and make this a weekly thing here.

1. Do you decorate for Halloween? If so, what do you do? No.

2. Are you planning on going out on Halloween or stay at home and pass out the goodies?I always stay home and pass out the goodies.

3. Do you dress up in a Halloween costume? If so, what are you dressing up in this year? Nope.

4. What sort of goodies do you get to pass out?Usually candy bars or easy chewing candy of some kind. My grandson always comes to trick (’course, I say treat) ole’ grandma here. He is such a cutie — with or without a costume!

5. How many Trick or Treater’s do you generally get at your house? Usually a couple of dozen. Its a small town, and alot depends on the weather, and also what Ethan might have going on that evening as well. This year, he will be doing something with the drama club called “Trick or Treat so children can eat”. I’m not sure of the details, but I do know its a “good thing” that they will be doing.

This list of questions caught my eye because this is one holiday I am struggling with. I grew up, as many of us did, doing the “trick or treat” thing. I have a lot of good memories of the costumes and the school parades, and the houses I would visit. So, as an adult, even as a Christian one, it never really occured to me that the activity of “trick or treating” was a bad thing. A youth minister we had introduced “Fall Festival” to our church, allowing the kids to come in costume, but they couldn’t be scary and “devil-ish” — and encourage Biblical characters.

There are alot of cute websets, photo stock, and graphics out there, that are “Halloween”. I think they are very cute, and would love to use them. I even decorated my page here, for a few hours, with a cute little girl, dressed as a witch for Halloween. But, I decided against it. I’m not sure enough in my Bible knowledge to know if displaying those kinds of things would be a slap in the face for the Christian feel I try to give my blog.

I know this is something I should know, but I just don’t know the full history of Halloween, and am I giving Satan the glory here by decorating for Halloween? I think of all the years I trick or treated as a child. The years my children did it — even our minister has their light on and pass out candy. So, where is the line? Not at all? or, the activity of our children trick or treating is OK. We arent’ truly worshiping Satan by doing it. Its a lifelong tradition many of us do. But. Is it right?

Care to give me some gentle feed back on this? I really would appreciate it.

Pass The Torch Tuesday

Kelly believes in our youth and has started a new meme called “Pass the Torch”. The guidelines are simple: Catch ‘em being good — write about a kid/young person you witness doing something right (or smart, or helpful or responsible, etc.) Let me share with you, one time I caught Ethan “being good.

I was reading through some of my archives, and when I read this one, I thought it would be a good “Pass the Torch” entry. So, even though this was written almost a year ago, it still applies to life today….

**************************

After harvest and the hundreds of invoices it generated those few weeks, this Monday was a piece of cake doing the billing. For starters, we are back to normal loads — long haul, so instead of a few hundred “local” loads, the drivers are back to going to Texas and Oklahoma, and there are only 50 or so loads to bill. Plus, most of the drivers only drove 3 days last week. So. Piece of cake. I was even able to get some other things done while there, and that was nice in itself as well.

Just wish I could say yesterday was “a piece of cake”.

It. Wasn’t.

Read More…

Everyday Things

Everyday Things is a weekly feature @ Everyday Mommy. It is designed to encourage all of us to embrace contentment and to appreciate the everyday things which we often take for granted. What is a favorite everyday thing of yours? Write about it, and then go let Jules know you did so others can be encouraged as well.

I will bet for the most part, most people take this for granted. The beating of your heart. Its just there, and it keeps us going. And yet, as I am faced with AFib (Atrial Fibulation) – many times a day, I will just stop, and be quiet, and listen … some days I’m not even aware of my heart beating, and that is how it is for most people. But other days, I can hear it pounding in my ear. And on really BAD days, its not a steady thump, thump, thump. Its a thumpthumpthump ……pause….flutter…..thumpitythump.

Read More…

Pass The Torch

Kelly believes in our youth and has started a new meme called “Pass the Torch”. The guidelines are simple: Catch ‘em being good — write about a kid/young person you witness doing something right (or smart, or helpful or responsible, etc.) Let me share with you, one time I caught Ethan “being good.

Taking part of this particular meme has made me stop, and look at Ethan in a different way. I’ve always known that he IS a good kid, but, as I’m looking for “material” to participate in this particular meme, I just never realized how much “material” he gives me.

This week’s is a very simple one, and yet, for all the reasons I can list to beat myself up, of things that I have messed up in my life … standing back, and watching Ethan, how he carries himself as a person in society, I know that maybe a few of things I have “taught” him, have stuck.

Read More…

Friday Feast

Appetizer:
Name 3 things that you are wearing today.
Black & White Shirt; Black slacks; white tennis shoes

Soup
Who was the last person you hugged?
Becky (Joyful Mother) — we got to meet this past Monday

Salad
What do you like to order from your favorite fast food place?
Nachos with beef

Main Course
What time of day do you usually feel most energized?
Mornings. Anything past that, I’m am exhausted (but I’m hoping that changes!)

Dessert
Using the letters in your first name, write a sentence. (Example: Sweet unusual spaniels are nice.)
Carrots Are Really Only Long Yucky Nuggets
( I actually do like carrots, regardless of this silly little sentence).

Pass The Torch

Kelly believes in our youth and has started a new meme called “Pass the Torch”. The guidelines are simple: Catch ‘em being good — write about a kid/young person you witness doing something right (or smart, or helpful or responsible, etc.) Let me share with you, one time I caught Ethan “being good.”

I’m not sure where my “stero-typed” idea of a what a teenage kid should be like, but Ethan definately doesn’t not meet that image. He is not my only child. I have raised 4 other children through those teenage years, and part of it could come from that. Those teenagers who stay in their room — don’t want to be seen with mom — don’t talk, don’t share.

Yesterday, I couldn’t help but think what a wonderful and special child I had. Just as my mother had been my best friend, I realized that my 15 year old son could very possibly wear that title. We seem to go places together, we seem to be together all the time — talking, sharing, admitting
faults and mistakes.

What was so special about yesterday that brought this to light? We were meeting someone that I feel like I know very well, and yet have never met before. Only if you are a blogger would you understand this concept. We were meeting, as families, someone who I have blogged with over the last 5 years or so. And — I wanted to buy a new blouse before seeing her. Because of my size, Walmart doesn’t always have what I want or need. So, we stopped at my favorite “Plus size” clothing store.

Of course, my husband walks the opposite direction, to see what Target had to offer. Ethan? He clearly had 3 choices. Target. Catherine’s. Or, he had his GameBoy with him…he could have locked the doors (it was only in the 70’s yesterday) — and stayed in the Explorer and played his game while he waited for us.

He chose to go into Catherine’s with me. As an active participant.

“How about this one, Mom?”

“Oops, nope you can’t have this one, cost too much”

‘Ah…now thats your color” (as he proceeded to explain how people and colors go together …something about being a “winter” person …. something he learned in his FACS class (Family and Consumer Science …. I think it was called ‘Home Ec” in my day).

We picked out 3 that we both agreed on –and from there, narrowed it down to just the one.

I love that I have the kind of relationship with him, that he will go clothes shopping with me, and is honest with me, what looks good, what doesn’t — and even watches the prices, and keeps it in “my price range”.

In my book, that is definately a “good kid”.

Thursday 13 - #29

September’s Calendar

1. Look at September’s calendar, I’m thinking I need to invest heavily in Calgon …. I’m sure there are going to be several “Calgon, Take Me Away” moments.

2. Ethan audtioned for not 1, but 2 plays, with a good chance of being in both. One performs in October. The other in November. Translation: Lots of line studying; lots of chauffering back and forth to the school for practices.

3. He is going to the Kansas State Fair with his Barbershop Group to perform there.

4. I’m going to start making weekly trips to Topeka. Its a good thing … but still adds to the calendar of “things going on”.

5. We are going to Topeka sometime this weekend…. to meet a friend I’ve never met, other than through her blog. We go back lots of years. She helped me with my first html questions … and create the “blog monster” you see today with the emphasis on how the blog looks. Hi Becky!!!

6. Course, I’ve noticed she does some changing of her blog look frequently at times too. And she is the one that I often my wonderful banners from. Gotta love her! I’m thinking at this point, when it comes to stuff like our creative streaks…. “if you got it, use it”. Right?

7. Our church isn’t having “choir” this year, but rather is going to try and form some quartets and such. I put my foot down when I heard they were thinking about having quartet practice AFTER Praise Band practice, which is AFTER GAP (youth group). That means, Ethan would be getting home around 10:00 on Wednesday nights.

8. He already is “out” one late night a week, with Barbershop. Its in Topeka, 60 miles away — and he doesn’t get home until 11:00. One night a week isn’t bad, but I’m not going to let him to it 2 nights in a row.

9. And if he doesn’t keep his grades up, he’s not going to do any of it. We made it very clear last night that “all this stuff going on” is fine, but his homework/school work takes priority over everything. And if his grades start slipping, then we are going to start cutting acitivities …and they are goign to be MY choice, not his. He’s got several hours every night, right after school to get homework done, even Barbershop night. So, its just a matter of doing it.

10. The good news is, Scouts is now on Tuesday nights …. so that frees up his Monday nights completely. … unless he gets with the Scout Master to complete some merit badges. But that woudln’t have to be an every week thing.

11. I know he has alot on his plate, but he’s a smart kid, and he can do it, if he just applies himself.

12. Cleaning off the desk has helped. He’s gone in and done his homework all week without being told. There may be hope for hom yet.

13. Hmmmm… now that I look at his list, I realize its not ME that is going to have the Calgon moments…its Ethan. Its just up to me to keep up with his schedule, and making sure his grades stay up so “Officer Mom” can kick behind if things start to slip. Fun. Fun.