Bridal Shower

Over the summer my mom asked if I would help her host a bridal shower for my cousin. My cousin had been married before, so we wanted it to be different, not all the usual games. We had fun planning! My oldest daughter and I drove the three hours to my parents' town and began to get things organized, then the guests came, ate, played games, watched the gift opening, etc. and then we drove back. It was a LONG day, but a nice thing to do-fun to share those activities with my mom, daughter and extended family. I share this with you because some of the food and activities were successes. :) *games and activities: We started the shower, as the ladies arrived, with taking their picture with the bride-to-be. The guests also took a small (2 x 3, I think) card and wrote a note, memory, etc. on it. Then I printed their photos, later, and glued them to the back of the note. I put them into a pocket in a small album I made. Here is the link to the idea: "Memories & Advice-I think this would be nice to do as the guest are entering. There's a pic of this idea on this website on the 9th slide", here is the link to the "you make life Blissful" Scrapscription scrapbook kit I made, scan down about mid-page. After they had sidled up next to the bride for pictures, laughed with her, and got settled, I sent the bride into the house (we had the shower outside and it was a lovely day!) and then asked "what's the bride wearing?" The guests had to remember as much as they could about her outfit. Then she came back out after 5-10 minutes and we all laughed at those who said, "who knows?" :) The bride and groom were just going on a short honeymoon and they were essentially camping in upper Michigan. I packed a cute bag for them with magazines, sunscreen, etc. I asked them each (unbeknownst to them) what they would pack in their honeymoon bag and they told me a few items. One for groom was toothbrush, one for bride was gas prevention medicine! So, I added those, as well, getting quite a giggle from the attendees. :) The guests weren't able to see what was in the bag, so game 2 was "what is in the honeymoon bag?" and they had a few minutes to guess. Then she opened it and people checked things off their list. I had created a "he said, she said" form, here, and got quotes from each of them for the guests to try. The groom's mom was most successful! :) We had a few laughs at the "Newlywed Game" using what they each answered without the other knowing. :) We had quite a few laughs and it seemed like everyone had fun! One guest said that was the most fun shower she had been to! *food: My mom is a good cook! She made small shredded pork sandwiches on pretzel buns as well as MANY bite-sized desserts. I made this for a different fruit salad. Fruit salad with Lemoncello-and it was delicious! I made tomato-mozzerella-bites, and Paula Dean's Italian Pasta Salad. I also made an orzo salad. I made the classic stand-by for us, as well, the broccoli slaw salad. The things I made were easy to put in a cooler and transport it in the car. It was a very fun day-I hope the bride enjoyed it! :)

Saturday, September 14

Running is a passion of mine. Anyone who reads this blog or knows me in person knows this. I have been running all summer, as usual and have signed up for the local half marathon in October. Unfortunately, the injury that slowed me down in last November's half is rearing its ugly head, again. I went to doctor appointments to try and get it solved, and thought I had for a while. I haven't, however, solved it and am feeling it even during short distances. My husband suggested that I hang up the shoes for a while, not do the half marathon, but that's a hard decision for me. I am trying the ice-Advil-rest-shorter distance-and foam rolling so I can hope to heal it, but so far I've seen no improvement at all. Fingers crossed, please, Reader. Running the my way to burn calories, relieve stress, praise the Lord-yes, I have have contemporary Christian music on my running playlist so I can worship and pray as I run-and observe nature. I can go walking and bike riding, as well, but the calorie burning is less and the time frame is more... I am hoping for the best... Please send good vibes, Reader. How are you?

Friday, September 13, 2013

Before school started I did something crazy. My sister-in-law told me that the animal shelter had kittens buy one get one free. I took my youngest daughter to look at them. I know, it was a moment of insanity, and yes, we still have two old dogs. We didn't see any kittens while we were there. However, we looked at the older cats and one cat truly connected with our daughter. We went home and thought it over, going the next morning again. Both daughters loved this cat and her half sister. We got both, brought them home and loved them. I worked hard to introduce them to the dogs, and vice versa, over the next few days. Our big dog would lay outside our daughter's room, which was where we kept them closed in and the dogs closed out, and stalk them, smell and watch under the door for them, and try to burst in when we went in or out. After our oldest daughter went off to college and our youngest was gone to school, I enjoyed caring for them, and trying to get all the pets acclimated. My husband wasn't thrilled. Then we began the debate of de-clawing or not-we didn't want our furniture ruined, but wanted them to be able to protect themselves if the dogs did get them. Our big dog didn't let up-my husband still says he thinks the dog would be fine, but I was worried. After about two weeks, there was no change in the animals' reaction to each other or compromise on their claws, so I knew in my heart that it was time to take them back. It was sad for my daughter and I, but we both knew it was for the best. I cried all the way back to the shelter and the entire time I filled out the paperwork to return them. I wrote all about how great great they were together, how sweet and loving they were. The sweet girl at the desk asked if I would like to be notified when they were adopted. I said that I would appreciate that. She called one week later saying an older gentleman who lived alone had taken them both. I hope the three of them are very happy together. I still find myself missing them... How are you and your family/pets, Reader? I hope well.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

I do have more time on my hands these days, which I have been trying to use wisely, since I quit my part time job in hopes of that elusive full time teaching position. Hopefully it is still out there for me. In the meantime, I have headed back into the world of substitute teaching again. This leaves me time, as I wait for my fingerprint information and paperwork to be finalized, I am keeping up on housecleaning, laundry, organizing, thinking of blog topics, and helping out the teacher who took my place with things she is unsure of. I am planning on pre-posting/scheduling posts so I don't fall off the face of the earth again. ;) I think I'm going to designate a few weekly blog topics: 1. Social Media Monday, where I post some interesting quotes, pics or items from my posting on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, Pinterest-well, interesting to me. ;) I often tweet quotes that I appreciate, post fun pictures and pin teaching information/resources, so I'd love to share some. I think it will encourage a bridge for me, which I haven't chosen to access, yet. 2. Talk of Family Tuesday, where I blog about family memories, members or moments that are in the forefront of my mind. My husband's grandfather's passing really has me thinking. Also, knowing that my grandmother is failing in health and is more confused each day... As well as 9/11 passing and that residual feeling of “you never know” when you will be leaving this world, so you must tell people how much you care for them, tell them of the memories you have. 3. What I'm Reading Wednesday, in which I post about the books I'm reading, books I've added to my “to-read” list or my reading progress. I set a goal at the beginning of the year to read 20 books. I didn't know I wouldn't be in a consistent classroom this fall, and knowing how much of my time I put into my teaching, I didn't want to commit to two books per month, but I still wanted a good goal. I wanted to stretch my summer to reading/brain growth (back to my “one little word” for this year: Grow). So far I have read 17. One of my reads was a re-read from high school: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Most have been mysteries. I enjoy other types of books like fiction, but I started a new mystery series and continued with them all summer. I also challenged myself to read a mystery from “greatest books of all time” lists: Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. Now I'm wondering what to pick up next... But I can talk about that on Wednesdays. :) 4. Thursday's Helpful Apps is a series that may have a finite life, unlike the others, the resource I take my information from will be my own phone, computer, etc. I have several that I use regularly and a few I check daily or multiple times per day. I'd love to share their usefulness or lack of, if I try something that seems like a waste for me. Not that I'm a super-techie, but I thought it might be fun. 5. Friday-Sunday... Not sure what I will do here, probably just general posts. Unless you have suggestions? Or would you, as a Reader, just like me to actually post and not fall behind? :) Maybe one day a week I can post some teaching site/information I appreciate. Well, that is it for now from this post. It's funny that I don't post for so long and then my posts are long! I hope you have been able to hang in there through my rambling. I also hope your day is delightful, Reader.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

It's been awhile since I posted. I've been pretty sporadic on my blog over the past year. Last posts were at the beginning of August about being grateful. I didn't stop feeling grateful for all I have been blessed with. Time was just zipping by. Since I last posted I have taken my oldest daughter to college. That event has been quite an adjustment. I really enjoyed my time with her before she left. I wrote her a long note about how proud I was of her, how I expected her to continue diligence with her schoolwork, how we are always here for her... it was strange, but I wanted her to continue to have those thoughts and feelings from our hearts, just like we tell her when she is here. Moving her into college was not difficult, really, caught up in the chaos of the campus, getting her first college dorm “liveable”. Leaving I did well, only got misty-eyed once. Even the next day wasn't too bad since I had scheduled myself as host to our younger daughter's cross country team dinner: 20-30 female runners at our house, which meant I needed to cook (a lot!) and clean, so the day passed quickly. Then we had our weekend, our youngest daughter's first run as a high schooler, which also made time pass quickly. However, early the next week was tough, for both she and I. We are through that, and onto schedules that keep us busier, now. However, as I type, we are on our way to pick her up, for sad reasons as my husband's grandfather has passed away, so we are heading to the funeral. On a more positive note our youngest daughter has been running and enjoying being on the cross country team, and making new friends. She has also started a few other new adventures like French and Art classes, which she hasn't had in her recent school years, or ever. We bought her first homecoming dress this past weekend, as well, and it looks like she is going with a group of friends. Well, Reader, that is probably enough catch up information for now. Be on the look-out for more new posts. I hope you are well.