Thanksgiving break was wonderful and now the count down begins for Christmas. We had a wonderful time with family and got to see little Gabriel too! One cool thing we found, Cracker Barrel restaurants have audio books that you can rent and return to any Crackerbarrel. We were already listening to Percy Jackson: Lightening Thief so we didn't get one but it's good to know and then you have a reason to go back to a nearby Cracker Barrel.
Jack got Kate the coolest gift today. I can't tell what it is in case she reads this blog. she is contemplating gifts for her friends and as we talked in the soon to be closing B. Dalton she talked about her homeroom. She wanted to get a gift for her friends but she didn't want to leave any one out.
This is how her circle of friends goes: Best friends forever (Autumn and Maddie) Best friends, friends, then people she is friendly with. She is a riot and I love how she is careful who she lets in, but is sensitive enough to not want to leave anyone out. Jack is kind of the same way but no BFF. He would kill me if I ever asked if he had one.
I have not written about this group of children who have touched my life: My CCD class, Sunday School. I have had them since Kindergarten and they are in grade 2 now. I feel a lot of pressure this year, because it is a 2 sacrament year, First Reconciliation and First Communion. There are 4 little girls and they are smart, kind, articulate, sweet, simply amazing, & such good little souls. They so want to be good and I felt bad the other day went I was going over the 10 commandments with them, especially, #3 (I think), keep holy the Sabbath. Two of them don't always come to church and you can see in their little eyes how sad they are. They want to come and their parents don't bring them. I explain that if they don't go due to someone else, it is not their fault but they want so much to be good and love Jesus. It is really sweet. They are so far ahead in the book, I took a few weeks to teach them to pray the rosary. They were so excited, even after they realized how long it is to say a whole rosary.
Say a prayer for my little class and also for Gabriel. There may be some changes coming his way and I ask God to protect him.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
10 Days until Thanksgiving
I hate to wish away days, however I am looking forward to seeing my family. August was many blogs and facebook updates ago! The 1st quarter of school is over and Jack survived football and Kate found a new sport to love...velleyball. Jack discovered Claymation and Kate discovered Twilight (and is a normal fan, not ridiculous...I love that about her!) They both made high honors and I have to say, they worked hard for it.
I didn't blog last week. I was too tired from cleaning, yes the ONE thing I hate most (well not THE one, but it's up there on the list) We cleaned 3 rooms and a hallway for 5 hours straight. Jack and I got light headed from not eating, but his room was presentable as was the kitchen, living room and hallways...oh and the bathrooms too. yeah, 2 of them! If you have ever been to my house you know the accomplishment this is. If you have not been to my house, it's not because I don't love you, I am just embarassed about how I live and there is no end to the clutter. If you have seen my office, YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! Jack had friends over for Pizza, video games and a viewing of the 1978 movie Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. (kinda like Airplane!)
Kate had two friends come over after school this past Friday and they hung out until the school's fun night. I ran the lame game room, my own son called it that. WELL, it was very crowded and a big hit, Jack! Kids came in complaining that there wasn't much to do and they were bored. "Nice, I spend my Friday night with you and you tell me to my face I am boring." was my reply. "Oh no, I didn't mean that Mrs. Murphy!" 6th graders have no couth (is that the right word?) All they want to do is play video games, Guitar Hero, Madden Football, etc. and they didn't have any TV's set up in the hallway but one. While 9pm is my bedtime, particularly on Fridays when I quite literally collapse on the couch, I was glad I went. Stationed in the library, Jack brought the Wii and gaurded it with his very life and I had Simpsons Uno, Othello, Apples to Apples, Scrabble, the Ungame, Connect 4, Scattergories and Sorry. Every game was played and there was never a time that the place was empty. One little 5th grader had never played Uno, so sad. Another didn't even know what scrabble was. Parents dropped some kids off at 5pm. I got there at 6 (it started at 6:30) and there were over 30 kids waiting to get into the school. What is with parents. Play with your kids!!! spend time with them!!!
Eric was the biggest draw when he came into the library to play Uno, he had about 6 or 7 crazied middle schoolers screaming for his attention during the game. What a great guy. Bob nailed a few in dodge ball and then played College Game day on his PS2 with the kids, even Jack left his precious Wii to join that fan club. Besides not having enough video games, the kids complained they had nothing to drink. Use the Fountain!
No really it was a good night. I played the Ungame with Susan and Vanessa. You just turn over cards and respond to the statement or question. "What year of your life would you live over." What is your greatest fear now? as a child? things like that. It was fun. (I actually have used it with my emotional support students who never talk or can't focus in a converstation.) Kate played with her friends too.
I didn't feel too good today but I made a soup anyway, a Clam Chowder remake. I got the recipe from Foodnetwork website but I changed a few things to make it my own. "Mrs. Countryman, ha, this is so much better!" smirked my 14 year old.
They are baby sitting tomorrow. I am so proud of them. They have made such good choices in their friendships. I really enjoyed having their friends over. The kids are so polite, kind, appreciative and real. No phoniness about them. It was refreshing and not like hall duty at all.
Enjoy your week.
I didn't blog last week. I was too tired from cleaning, yes the ONE thing I hate most (well not THE one, but it's up there on the list) We cleaned 3 rooms and a hallway for 5 hours straight. Jack and I got light headed from not eating, but his room was presentable as was the kitchen, living room and hallways...oh and the bathrooms too. yeah, 2 of them! If you have ever been to my house you know the accomplishment this is. If you have not been to my house, it's not because I don't love you, I am just embarassed about how I live and there is no end to the clutter. If you have seen my office, YOU KNOW WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT! Jack had friends over for Pizza, video games and a viewing of the 1978 movie Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. (kinda like Airplane!)
Kate had two friends come over after school this past Friday and they hung out until the school's fun night. I ran the lame game room, my own son called it that. WELL, it was very crowded and a big hit, Jack! Kids came in complaining that there wasn't much to do and they were bored. "Nice, I spend my Friday night with you and you tell me to my face I am boring." was my reply. "Oh no, I didn't mean that Mrs. Murphy!" 6th graders have no couth (is that the right word?) All they want to do is play video games, Guitar Hero, Madden Football, etc. and they didn't have any TV's set up in the hallway but one. While 9pm is my bedtime, particularly on Fridays when I quite literally collapse on the couch, I was glad I went. Stationed in the library, Jack brought the Wii and gaurded it with his very life and I had Simpsons Uno, Othello, Apples to Apples, Scrabble, the Ungame, Connect 4, Scattergories and Sorry. Every game was played and there was never a time that the place was empty. One little 5th grader had never played Uno, so sad. Another didn't even know what scrabble was. Parents dropped some kids off at 5pm. I got there at 6 (it started at 6:30) and there were over 30 kids waiting to get into the school. What is with parents. Play with your kids!!! spend time with them!!!
Eric was the biggest draw when he came into the library to play Uno, he had about 6 or 7 crazied middle schoolers screaming for his attention during the game. What a great guy. Bob nailed a few in dodge ball and then played College Game day on his PS2 with the kids, even Jack left his precious Wii to join that fan club. Besides not having enough video games, the kids complained they had nothing to drink. Use the Fountain!
No really it was a good night. I played the Ungame with Susan and Vanessa. You just turn over cards and respond to the statement or question. "What year of your life would you live over." What is your greatest fear now? as a child? things like that. It was fun. (I actually have used it with my emotional support students who never talk or can't focus in a converstation.) Kate played with her friends too.
I didn't feel too good today but I made a soup anyway, a Clam Chowder remake. I got the recipe from Foodnetwork website but I changed a few things to make it my own. "Mrs. Countryman, ha, this is so much better!" smirked my 14 year old.
They are baby sitting tomorrow. I am so proud of them. They have made such good choices in their friendships. I really enjoyed having their friends over. The kids are so polite, kind, appreciative and real. No phoniness about them. It was refreshing and not like hall duty at all.
Enjoy your week.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Pasta e fagiole + Extra Hour sleep + Court of Honor = Good weekend
I love this weekend of the year, except for the fact it gets dark so early. I LOVE the extra hour of sleep.
Today was a Court of Honor for a Scout in Jack's troop. It was a nice ceremony and it does motivate Jack to work on his merit badges. He is floating ideas around for his Eagle Project. He has 4 years to do it and only 5 badges to get there. I am really proud of him! Thanks Chris and Matt for always being there for him, keeping him interested in it.
It was a fix it weekend...everything seems to break at once. I needed a new screw driver to get my new vacuum cleaner together, and never did get to the vacuuming part. I also have to replace the screen door latch, it practically disintegrated the other day.
We watched the Godfather last night, some inappropriate moments but I had never watched the whole thing before. Jack had watched "Godthumb" on youtube, its pretty funny and he has wanted to watch the real thing for a while. You have to go to youtube and search for godthumb, its pretty funny. The same guy also did "Thumb Wars" and "Frankenthumb" and "Thumbtanic".
Going to have some Pasta e Fagiole in a bit with good ole Pillsbury biscuits. Hey, I can't do everything homemade.
Have a good week. :)
Today was a Court of Honor for a Scout in Jack's troop. It was a nice ceremony and it does motivate Jack to work on his merit badges. He is floating ideas around for his Eagle Project. He has 4 years to do it and only 5 badges to get there. I am really proud of him! Thanks Chris and Matt for always being there for him, keeping him interested in it.
It was a fix it weekend...everything seems to break at once. I needed a new screw driver to get my new vacuum cleaner together, and never did get to the vacuuming part. I also have to replace the screen door latch, it practically disintegrated the other day.
We watched the Godfather last night, some inappropriate moments but I had never watched the whole thing before. Jack had watched "Godthumb" on youtube, its pretty funny and he has wanted to watch the real thing for a while. You have to go to youtube and search for godthumb, its pretty funny. The same guy also did "Thumb Wars" and "Frankenthumb" and "Thumbtanic".
Going to have some Pasta e Fagiole in a bit with good ole Pillsbury biscuits. Hey, I can't do everything homemade.
Have a good week. :)
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Don't Try This At Home!!!
UGH!! Last week I thought I was so clever, changing the handle on the toilet...Well the seat is much more difficult, especially in a bathroom made for midgits!
The stupid screw and bolt kept twisting around together and would not loosen. I pulled an old butter knife out of the drawer and was able to finally loosened them (with my face practically in the toilet!!) and yanked that old seat off.
Now for the new seat...the nut and bolt still turn as one and the toilet is so close to the tub, it was hard to hold the bolt in place and turn the screw and/or hold the screw and turn the bolt. I finally got the new seat on after much obscenities. (My children stayed away....far away)
I'd take a picture, but I doubt you want to see my sad little bathroom, with the white toilet and blue cushioned seat. My other "fix-it" attempt was to reattach molding on the floor to the tub with...get this...Mighty Putty" PLEASE if you use this have a well ventilated area! It smells terrible and didn't work so well. Of course, I tried to do that BEFORE I got the toilet seat off, so it added to my frustration, smelling those fumes while using a butter knife to loosen those big plastic screws. I still have a head ache.
Take care.
Have a good week! :)
The stupid screw and bolt kept twisting around together and would not loosen. I pulled an old butter knife out of the drawer and was able to finally loosened them (with my face practically in the toilet!!) and yanked that old seat off.
Now for the new seat...the nut and bolt still turn as one and the toilet is so close to the tub, it was hard to hold the bolt in place and turn the screw and/or hold the screw and turn the bolt. I finally got the new seat on after much obscenities. (My children stayed away....far away)
I'd take a picture, but I doubt you want to see my sad little bathroom, with the white toilet and blue cushioned seat. My other "fix-it" attempt was to reattach molding on the floor to the tub with...get this...Mighty Putty" PLEASE if you use this have a well ventilated area! It smells terrible and didn't work so well. Of course, I tried to do that BEFORE I got the toilet seat off, so it added to my frustration, smelling those fumes while using a butter knife to loosen those big plastic screws. I still have a head ache.
Take care.
Have a good week! :)
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Sick Days
Kate and I have been sick most of this week and now Jack has it too. So much for lysol on every door handle and washing all the bedding and drinking out of papercups.
Being off these few days with Kate...has actually been nice. Am I allowed to say that about being sick and coughing, sneezing, hacking, wheezing and missing work?? (Hell, I've been working from home. Writing IEP's and calling parents for meetings.) I haven't felt like cooking but we drink peppermint tea with honey, and eat toast and sip chicken broth with little Pastina in it.
Being off these few days with Kate...has actually been nice. Am I allowed to say that about being sick and coughing, sneezing, hacking, wheezing and missing work?? (Hell, I've been working from home. Writing IEP's and calling parents for meetings.) I haven't felt like cooking but we drink peppermint tea with honey, and eat toast and sip chicken broth with little Pastina in it.
Cool Things About Kate
1)She likes to watch the Today Show :)
2) She hates The View
3)She takes her school work, VERY seriously
(I think I know EVERY county in PA now)
4)She is reading New Moon and she doesn't like Bella either
5)She begged to get Facebook
6)She has been on FB about a total of 1/2 hr in the 4 days she has been off sick
7) She still looks 12 in her fleece pajamas
8) She loves Jerry Stiller on King of Queens
9) She can now swallow antibiotics!
10) She watched Melissa Gilbert as Anne Frank on the Family channel
I couldn't watch Anne Frank...but tried..I know how it ends :(
I read the book at her age....I might get her to read it after she is done w/ New Moon!
Stay Healthy
Use your Lysol
2) She hates The View
3)She takes her school work, VERY seriously
(I think I know EVERY county in PA now)
4)She is reading New Moon and she doesn't like Bella either
5)She begged to get Facebook
6)She has been on FB about a total of 1/2 hr in the 4 days she has been off sick
7) She still looks 12 in her fleece pajamas
8) She loves Jerry Stiller on King of Queens
9) She can now swallow antibiotics!
10) She watched Melissa Gilbert as Anne Frank on the Family channel
I couldn't watch Anne Frank...but tried..I know how it ends :(
I read the book at her age....I might get her to read it after she is done w/ New Moon!
Stay Healthy
Use your Lysol
One More: She thinks it is a Pepper rally not Pep rally, too cute
Monday, October 19, 2009
OCTOBER 2009: WEEK 3
I made soup #4 this week. Chicken stew with dumplings. Really, it's just chicken noodle soup without the noodles and dumplings instead. I also made Italian Wedding Soup. The kids used to really like this when they were younger, now, not so much. They loved the little meatballs in it and so did I.
The broth I made came out well, if I do say so. I roasted a chicken breast with the veggies and some water. I poured off that broth it made and then added a quart of Swanson's chicken stock. I had never made dumplings before and the kids liked that. Just followed the directions on the bisquick box. It was fun to watch them sink into the soup and rise back up. (See how interesting my life is....this is fun for me :P) Trying to think of a new soup for this weekend. Maybe chicken with wild rice, since my broth has been coming out pretty good.
I fixed the handle on the toilet by myself today. Major accomplishment for me, doing these type of plumbing things. I am trying to loosen the bolts on the seat to replace that.
Time for a cup of peppermint tea. I was out sick today and will go in tomorrow. I think my office mates will freak because I am coughing so much. I'll just walk around with purex wipes and "clean up" after myself.
The broth I made came out well, if I do say so. I roasted a chicken breast with the veggies and some water. I poured off that broth it made and then added a quart of Swanson's chicken stock. I had never made dumplings before and the kids liked that. Just followed the directions on the bisquick box. It was fun to watch them sink into the soup and rise back up. (See how interesting my life is....this is fun for me :P) Trying to think of a new soup for this weekend. Maybe chicken with wild rice, since my broth has been coming out pretty good.
I fixed the handle on the toilet by myself today. Major accomplishment for me, doing these type of plumbing things. I am trying to loosen the bolts on the seat to replace that.
Time for a cup of peppermint tea. I was out sick today and will go in tomorrow. I think my office mates will freak because I am coughing so much. I'll just walk around with purex wipes and "clean up" after myself.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
October 11, nineteen sixty......wait 2009
Today is my birthday and I wasn't going to blog about it, as I was trying to forget how old I am getting. Jack is "making me a comic" and I am sure it will be funny. His cards always are.
Kate is the more serious gift giver. Sweet poems that will make you cry. After church, we ate breakfast together and talked about what they learned that day in CCD. Kate's class discussed Jesus being a Shepherd and we are the sheep. Kate's other analogy was this thought, "Jesus is like our compass, leading us in the right direction." Yeah, she's 12 and she is mine.
I got 4 coupons - 1 freebie, 1 good for 20 hugs, 1 for 5 loads of laundry and 1 for a helper to clean any room of my choice....no expiration date on any of them. The card says: "Don't forget to reach for the stars when you are having a Happy Birthday." The inside says: " May all your birthday wishes come true - Let the compass show you the way."
I hope your day was as good as mine.
Kate is the more serious gift giver. Sweet poems that will make you cry. After church, we ate breakfast together and talked about what they learned that day in CCD. Kate's class discussed Jesus being a Shepherd and we are the sheep. Kate's other analogy was this thought, "Jesus is like our compass, leading us in the right direction." Yeah, she's 12 and she is mine.
I got 4 coupons - 1 freebie, 1 good for 20 hugs, 1 for 5 loads of laundry and 1 for a helper to clean any room of my choice....no expiration date on any of them. The card says: "Don't forget to reach for the stars when you are having a Happy Birthday." The inside says: " May all your birthday wishes come true - Let the compass show you the way."
I hope your day was as good as mine.
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