TKD tonight

Well we found out Master Mike's finger was broken last week when Aaron did his board break. I knew it wasn't good when MM immediately dropped the board and walked into the hallway. I told John when I got home and he thought it was cool he actually witnessed it. Go figure! Men! lol

So, what that meant for class tonight was I had to help with board breaks. I held the board for everyone in the class Jesse and I teach, then I had to help again in the black belt class. Now, the black belt class is the scary one! These feet come flying toward your face and you're hoping they will stop just short. They all did, but I found out after class that Brian actually broke pieces off of the black board when he did one of his kicks. I'm just glad I wasn't looking, just focusing on holding the board I had to hold and the way I was suppose to hold it. This also means we'll (the instructors "in training") will be holding the boards for graduation on Thursday. A hair bit worried, but I'll try not to show it too much.

There was something funny. Usually I would not find humor in this but as it was two of us I found some humor in it. We've been going to MM for TKD for four years now (Jesse is on her fourth year). He has had a few students who have been there longer. One of them is Brady. Until tonight I'd never put our names together. When Brady said it as I was preparing for my board break, I cracked up. I couldn't stop laughing for a few minutes. Neither of us like it, but for a few minutes it was funny.

Is it really...

Sunday again? Wow, this past week has flown by. I guess I really shouldn't blink!

I was going to blog last Wednesday but really have not had the chance. We went shoe shopping last Wednesday for John and myself some new tennis shoes. We went to two different stores and neither had a pair to fit either of us. Needless to say, we were both a bit disappointed. So, yesterday morning we thought we'd try the PX. Low and behold they had a pair for each of us! Yeah! My last tennis shoes were so uncomfortable, so I'm very happy to have new ones.

Let's see what else has happened...

The kids are still working on their play at park day. Someone brought the script on Friday. Yes, an actual you say this kind of script. It is very interesting to see how they are working all of this on their own.

Today, we had my Autry family reunion (the side of my family Jesse derived her name from). I love seeing my extended family. I think a lot of those who aren't able to come and those we've lost. All loved deeply. I usually go by and see my grandparents, but today I didn't. I do feel bad about that so we'll have to drive by there again soon (a detour on the way to or from my parent's). We have new members of the family and I counted three more on the way next year. So exciting! Still cranky with Dex for not showing up and I made a pecan and pumpkin pie especially for him. I'll have to deal with him soon! lol My cousin Phoebe found a pic of the "three musketeers" from 1996. Wow! I even remember the night we took it. It was the only time in our lives that we spent a lot of time together...a time I cherish and miss.

Tomorrow we take Rosie to be "fixed". Yep, it is finally the day. I'm not looking forward to having to keep her calm while she heals. "Calm" is not a word in her vocab! Hopefully all will go well.

Jesse and Chloe both have mid-terms at TKD this Thursday. Chloe is mid-terming with her numchucks and Jesse with double short sticks. I'm thinking it is going to be a lot of fun with those two. We are calling off school that day to make sure they both get enough practice in before we get there. The hand roll on the numchucks can be tricky if you have done it in a few days.

That is about it for here. I'm sure I've missed something along the way but it will come up eventually.

We've been busy...

and still more to do. Saturday we went to John's work to clean out (most everything) from his old office so Elizabeth can call it hers next week. I thought I take of pic of John. In December, he would have been in that same office for five years, the end of an era.

Yesterday was field trip day...I needed a break! So the girls and I set off to the zoo to sketch animals. We didn't sketch animals because Jesse to forgot to pack Chloe's sketch pad. However, we met quite a few volunteers and zookeepers along the way and we learned a lot. Zookeeper Matt told us about one of the species of vultures. There are only ten pair left in the wild. He said one of the major factors is they only lay eggs in a certain temperature with a certain humidity, and only one week out of the year. Endangered is not the right word here. Mr. Matt told us there are quite a few zoos with pairs and hopefully come breeding season they will get very lucky!

The girls had a pretty good time yesterday. We usually go to the zoo on Mondays because there are fewer people but yesterday there were even fewer than usual. When we left, early afternoon, the front lot was only half full. It made it a great experience.

Christmas in September...

well, actually November. John decided that this year for Christmas we are taking the girls to Disney World, except he can only go in November. We have been at Christmas before but Jesse was about 19-months old and Chloe was still in my tummy, so they have only seen pictures. Disney is truly magical at Christmas.

Originally, we were going to go to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) for a couple of days, then Disney. And we were going to try to go in December (I didn't know John was worried about getting off of work in December). Somehow John and I got to talking about the Mickey Christmas party, then he asked me to look at the dates for the party. Well, after sitting at the computer for a while John told me it would be much easier for him to get off of work in November; he was shocked to hear they did the Christmas party in November too. So we are no longer going to KSC but to Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party! Okay, for those who don't know, the party is at night with free cookies and hot cocoa. There is a parade full of Christmas lights and fireworks galore. Is that all? Oh, no! There is SNOW! Yes, snow! In Florida! They have snow machines set up so just as the parade approaches you the snow starts. How magical is that?

So, John and I both were very excited about the party (he is the one that said, "If I have to choose between Kennedy and the party I'm choosing the party."); John and I have never been to the Christmas party. Then we got to looking at the rates Disney had for November and they were offering free food. Yep, the dining plan was included. Of course I had to look up which plan it was because I only knew about the "quick service" plan. When I told him we could eat at places like Boma, he was HOOKED. So much so, I had to make ALL of the restaurant reservations last night. I think he dreamed about the food all night.

Now, if the two adults are this excited can you imagine the girls? They are already making a list of things they want to see: the life-size gingerbread house that sells gingerbread cookies, the gingerbread carousel, the boardwalk made of sugar-items, the giant decorated tree that the "pot" is 8-foot tall. And yes, they know this is their Christmas present and there will be no more from Mom and Dad. They are still excited.

The making of...

laundry soap. Yes, today we had to make soap again. So, the girls had several lessons. The first lesson was, "How many quarts are in a gallon?" Jesse knows this one from math but Chloe is not there yet. Then it was, "How fun is it to grate soap?" Answer: very! Chloe was especially enjoying this one; she kept playing with it after it was grated. The next lesson was in power tools. Yep, it takes one power tool: a drill with a paint stirrer attached.

The last lesson was, to me, the most important. It was a lesson in economics. Last October I bought the supplies to venture into laundry soap making. Today, 11 months later, I still have half of the supplies left and I paid less than $5 for all of it. I would usually buy laundry soap once every two weeks at $10/each. Eleven months later would have been $220, but instead it was more like $2.50. An excellent lesson for anyone I'd say and it is so easy to do!

Our shopping trip...

yep, another one. I don't know if I discussed this (it has been busier than usual here), but Jesse needed an entire new wardrobe this year. But that also means Chloe inherited one (I did feel the need to add a few new items to hers though). Anyway. Today, I took them to JCPenney to buy shoes. I had already looked on-line and they each picked out a pair to try. Of course we get there and the black shoes for Chloe are only available in brown in the store. And the black size 2 shoes only go up to 11 1/2 in the store. Yes, they could have ordered them in the right color and size, but Jesse's foot is very slim (like her aunts) and she really needs to just try them on. And let's face it you don't know if a shoe is comfy just by looking at it on-line. So, what do I do? I get myself into trouble. Yep, I looked across the aisle at the girls clothes (where we were yesterday) and saw the 40% off sign that was not there yesterday on their dresses for both girls. Did I have money left in the "clothes" budget for this purchase? Um, no(enough for shoes but not three dresses). Does John know I did this? Um, again, no (he was in Charleston today). Do I think he is going to be angry? No. You should have seen the girls in these dresses. They both looked like...well, I just wanted to cry. Jesse is growing up and those dresses really showed it. She just beamed and so did Chloe. Resistance was futile!

How sad am I...

very! I took the girls for the yearly check-up today. The doctor and I, somehow, started talking about how height is effected by puberty. And she was saying when young girls show signs of puberty they usually stop growing. I asked for clarification on "what signs exactly". And she said "breast tissue". BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So that was it. We spent the next ten minutes discussing this about me (I started developing at 8, Jesse's current age). She said I probably would have qualified (if they did this then, I don't know for sure) for treatment to stop puberty so I could grow more. So, if I see any signs in the girls I am to bring them in immediately. I do want to give them every chance, especially Chloe (who grew 2 1/2 inches in the past year).

My adventure into homemade mac & cheese...

not baked. As I poured out our last box of Kraft the other week, I became thinking about how difficult it would be to make it that simply, from scratch. Turns out...not that hard. Today was the day I finally did it. I just made one-and-a-half cups of noodles and drained it. Then added about a cup-and-a-half of organic cheddar cheese and one-third cup Parmesan, a little butter and a splash of organic milk. And viola! Mac and cheese. The girls apparantly liked it, both had two bowls. Just goes to show we don't need these "instant gratification" companies all the time (ocassionally will do). John even tried it when he got home today and he liked it too. Now, I'm happy!

Busy week...

of nothing exciting. We have been very busy this week with our usual things. School is keeping us quite busy. The girls are still having a good year and enjoying what they are studying, which always makes for a good day. We went to the library Wednesday and I discovered Ms. Christy is giving "library classes" for the homeschoolers. She and I both thought they could skip this month's lesson on "how to use the library". So, next month they will be taking a database class. What exactly it is I don't know, but I know Ms. Christy will take good care of them.

The girls and I finally made it to a park day today. I think it is the first time we've been to a large gathering since last fall. The girls had a lot of fun but they are very tired and I'm hoping they fall asleep fast tonight. Tomorrow we are going to visit with my parents while John is working.

John's training is going well, but slow. I think we are going to have to order him a few things for his desk but we'll get that worked out soon. I did find out tonight that John will be doing more traveling with this new job. I'm not sure how I feel about that one but I have no choice. His first adventure out will be next Wednesday when he heads to Charleston.

The picture above my side of the bed tried to kill me again this morning. A couple of months ago the whole thing fell off the wall and behind the headboard. This morning just the front of the frame, picture and glass fell. Luckily behind the headboard again. Honestly, I'm very leery of putting that thing back up.

Oh, yeah! We saw the peacock again today. It was down Hwy. 601 this time. It just seems very strange to me, but not so much to other people. Anyway, I'm glad to know he is still alive.

Our Labor Day...

was relaxing. We took the girls to the playground at Ft. Jackson and they had a blast. It has been a while since we have been, so they really enjoyed it. Chloe spent a lot of time on the climbing wall and the monkey bars. Jesse, of course, was just everywhere!

After the playground, we had a picnic at the lake down the street. Really it is just a pond but they call it a lake. Then we followed the trail to the dock. There a very nice family gave the girls half of a loaf of bread to feed the geese. Again, they had a blast.

Update on John's job...

from bad to worse. Well, where to start. I think I mentioned he was moving into a cubicle. Did I mention he has never worked in a cubicle, let alone one in the middle of a great big room. Now, if being in a cubicle isn't bad enough I have found out the cubicle has shrunk since I last saw it and now there are two full-time people working in it, one on orders (temp) and John training. Poor John! I feel bad for him.

Okay, that is not the worst part. The other full-time girl working in the cubicle told John a couple of weeks ago she was looking for another job. Well, she is being promoted and leaving in nine days! Yes, another promotion that is not John. Now, John will be left completely alone at the end of the month and he has to train someone new when he has no clue what he is doing, so how do you train someone?

Needless to say (but I will anyway), his stress level is at its maximum. I asked him last night when he was going to be able to train his replacement. "I'm not." So, poor Elizabeth but at least she did the job for a couple of months while John was in school at the beginning of the year. I'm looking for a silver lining but haven't found it yet. I think John feels like he is being punished for some reason. I wish he wouldn't feel like that, but I can't change how he feels. I did give him a back rub last night because it is the least I can do.

Our morning adventure...

We went to the commissary this morning. We were in great need of food! lol Anyway, we usually go early to avoid the lines and the crazy people. However, this morning that did not exactly work in our favor. We arrived in the parking lot at 7:28am (about when we usually get there). About 8:20 to 8:30, we got in line to check out (which seemed unusually long for that time of day). I was immediately informed by the lady in front of me the computers were down. Great joy! We were finally able to leave, with our groceries, about 9:00am. Most of the lanes were still down, but some were finally open. I think if that is the worst thing that happens to us today then we'll have had a good day. But it did put me behind a bit.