Morgan had his school program today. They sang 3 little songs. Very cute. The picture did not turn out well at all. They were very grainy with the flash and blurry without the flash. But this one turned out OK. Here are Brigid, Molly and Morgan before the show.

Tonight was the last Community Cantata concert. It was so fun. So many voices, all four parts. Great. We ended with a version of the Hallelujah chorus. I may join them again next year. In my spare time, that is.

I think I only have a few things left to do. Surprising Mom on Tuesday, choir practice Thursday and Christmas Eve services at church. Then I'll be done. For the holidays. Morgan and Reese are off the week between Christmas and New Year. We will do many fun things, I'm sure. Like play with Morgan's Christmas presents. haha

Reese and Morgan finishing dessert at the Covered Dish Social.

Happy Birthday, Twila! I called her today, can't believe I remembered. Thanks blue eyes. I called her at work just before she had to leave. Morgan sang a song to her that we made up: "There's a candle on my nose, on my nose. There's a candle on my nose, on my nose. O I wonder if it'll stay or should I choose to blow it away. There's a candle on my nose, on my nose. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" You had to be there.......

Mom called tonight to tell me they are having the bells, harp and childrens' choir on Sunday. Could I come down for that? Sure! Add it to my empty schedule! No problem. I would if I didn't have the concert that night at 7pm. The trip down is too exhausting to come back and sing right away. So maybe they will have something like that in the summer.

PS Charlie called me today for no reason whatsoever. haha

Morgan's Sunday School party was fun. Lots of cookies and goodies for the kids. The boys got match box cars and really had a great time racing and crashing them. I think they said there were about 17 kids signed up. After most of them left, we set up tables for Tuesday night's covered dish dinner. Sunday night was the Christmas Cantata at the UCC Church in Landingville. Because I rode with two other ladies in the cantata, I didn't get home until 9:30. But it was fun and they said they had a turnout of about 120 people. Lots of people for such a small church. Tomorrow night is our Ladies' Society covered dish social. I have to make peanut butter fudge. Thursday I have a Church board meeting and Saturday is dress rehersal for Sunday night's cantata at the Luthern Church here in town. Then I think I'm done. I won't know what to do with myself!

Today is the 5th day of the new month. Baby Jesus will be born on December 25. That was from Morgan. They focus on Jesus for Christmas at school. Yea!

We had snow flurries today. Just enough to make me feel I was living in a snow globe. I caught some on my glove. There were a bunch together, but I could make out individual flakes. Amazing! I never saw one so detailed. Guess I never took the time to look at them. Can't take time to smell the roses, so taking time to view the snowflakes is the next best thing.

Morgan is in the other room counting backwards from 100. I just heard him say to Reese, "Daddy. I can count backwards from 100. Do you want to hear me?" Reese said sure, so he took off. He is down to 35. It's amazing.

I have a meeting tonight at 8 and we haven't eaten dinner yet, so I must run, run again. Slowly but surely I'm getting things done. Friday is the community childrens' Christmas Party, Saturday is choir practice, Sunday is the Sunday School Christmas Party and the Christmas program, Tuesday is the Ladies' Society Covered Dish social, Wednesday is Christmas Caroling with the school....

The Bazaar is over! Yes, I was there from 11-5 and I'm tired. It was fun, but a looooong day. We made about $600 including the craft table, attic treasures table and food. I think there were 3 tables of junk left over and we started with 6. Not many of the crafts went, but they were not priced as cheap as the attic treasures. We left everything set up, except the food, in case some want to check it out after church tomorrow.
Does anyone know about acupressure? Wilma? I checked it out online and think I may try it. It looks cool.
In other news, Morgan counted backwards from 80. For no apparent reason, he just started counting backwards. At first I didn't realize what he was doing, then I was shocked to realize it was counting backwards. Yea for Morgan!

Happy Holidays! The season has started. The first thing I have every year is the REALTOR Holiday Party. That was last night. We have it at the Oak Hill Inn and the entire restaurant is closed for our party. This year there were 123 signed up. The food was so good -- salad, rolls, ribs, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, sausage and pasta, roast beef, pork, crab cakes and shrimp cocktail. And the dessert.....chocolate cake that melted in my mouth. You know how cake at restaurants is sometimes so dry? Not this time. Chocolate cake with peanut butter icing between the layers and vanilla creme on top, drizzled with that cherry stuff that is usually on cheese cake. And I only had 1 small piece. There were 3 tables full of door prizes from the offices and affiliates. But no one called my number. Maybe next year.

So what's next? Set up tonight for the Christmas Bazaar at church tomorrow. I have to go shopping for prizes because Reese is in charge of the kids' game. And I need to finish some of the crafts I made and make peanut butter fudge for the bake sale table. The bazaar is from 11-5 tomorrow and I hope I don't have to be there all that time. I'll be snoozing at my post and people will get things for free.

One thing right after another. Slow down and let me off! Thursday was Thanksgiving, Friday I breathed a little bit, Saturday I was at the Church decorating from 1-5, Sunday I had practice from 7-8. Monday I had to work until 1:30 and then race to lunch and race to Staples with Reese and race home to fix up the package then race to the Post Office before it closed at 4. We made it. Then home for leftover Thanksgiving and Morgan's bath. I spent the evening working on the poster for the Holiday Party on Thursday. Today I dropped Morgan at school, went in the office to order 2 extra nut rolls, ran to the Post Office (I really do live there) and back to work to make sure I have all the nametags ready for Thursday's party. When will the madness end? Hopefully this weekend. Thursday night is the party and Saturday is the Church Christmas Bazaar. Between now and then, I have to finish my crafts for the Bazaar and make peanut butter fudge. Pant pant But it is fun.

Grandchildren left to right: Logan Arch, Alan and Andrew Richards, Shanda Harris, Morgan Rupert, Tommy Harris, Benjamin Arch.

I haven't got a lot of riches

And sometimes the going's tough.

But I've got loving ones around me,

And that makes me rich enough.

I think God for His blessings,

And the mercies He's bestowed.

I'm drinking from my saucer,

'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Happy Thanksgiving! Did you all enjoy turkey etc. and family today? We sure did. We left here at 9:30 and got to the house around 12. We picked up Mom and took some flowers to the cemetery for Dad. Such beautiful colors on all the graves. We drove back by way of the airport to see all the progress being made there. So much has changed since I moved away. Then back to the house to get started on the food. Thanksgiving this year was at blue eyes' house. I got to see the new paint jobs. Very nice indeed! It was so nice to see the little guys running around the house having fun. Lots to be thankful for: plenty of delicious food, healthy family, children having fun together, friendly conversation....We read all the Thanksgiving notes from 2002 - 2005. This year we wrote on material which will be used to make table cloth. Conversation for our next Thanksgiving meal together. Even the cleaning up was fun. Really, it was! I think it is so cool to put all the tables and things away and move the furniture back. Looked like nothing had happened. Now I'm home, tired and full and ready to go to bed. No early shopping for me tomorrow. How about you? I'll be satisfied to read about the crowds online or watch on TV. At home in my PJs. Happy Thanksgiving everyone! May it take you a long time to count your blessings.

I've been slackin' on the frog. Things just seem to get busy and time gets away from me. But here I am. I have a dentist appt tonight at 5:00 and Morgan has one at 5:45. Can't wait for that. Then I have choir practice at 8pm, so there goes my evening. I am writing now while it is quiet. Getting ready for Thanksgiving at blue eyes' house on Thursday. I'll be making dessert tomorrow: peanut butter fudge, chocolate cupcakes with vanilla icing and rainbow sprinkles (compliments of Morgan) and Philly Fudge Brownies. Yum! I hear we are having a new kind of pie and sweet potato casserole. I must call Mom and see what she is up to. Probably lots of trouble since she can't drive today. haha

I do love shoes! Reese and Morgan went to a football game with Pappy and Larry and I went shopping. I found a pair of brown dress shoes for the winter. The only ones I have are open toed and not really winter-looking. Well, actually, my brown shoes are OK. I needed black ones. BUT........the browns ones were calling to me and I couldn't say no. And they were on sale. And they looked good on me. I saw black ones I liked, just not in my size. Guess I'll have to look again. Then I went to Wendy's for dinner (8pm) and brought it home. Eating in peace and quiet on the living room floor watching a show of my choosing. Mommy was lovin' life. It was fun.

Keep forgetting to post this pic. Morgan was in the paper on Sunday, November 5th. Reese took him to a nature program in Pottsville the day before and the reporters were there. They even spelled his name right. Doesn't usually happen with the Pottsville Republican.

The Gertrude Hawk candy order came in today. I had fun sorting it out. There is a big box for you guys down south. You know who you are. I took Reese's order down to work and laughed at how excited they were to get what they forgot they ordered. Tomorrow, I get to do the same thing with the nut rolls. BTW if anyone is interested, we are selling more nut rolls ($10 each) which will be coming December 13th. Flavors are nut, apricot, prune, poppy seed and seedless raspberry.

Just got finished applying for a grant for the Port Carbon Library. Hamburger Helper gives out grants each month. I hope we get picked. Another fundraiser for the Library: selling tickets to win a handmade American Flag afghan. Ask blue eyes if interested. I sent a pic to her.

I hear swamplady is doing well. Prayers for her still needed.

Since I am the Vice President of the Ladies' Society, I got to lead the worship program tonight. Focus was on Thanksgiving. One of the things I read was "I'm drinking from my saucer 'cause my cup has overflowed." Ever feel like that? Sometimes God is just so good, you can hardly stand it.

Wow! The weekend sure went by fast. Monday night already. If I would post every day, I wouldn't have to write such long books every time.

Saturday, I made cupcakes for St Stephen's chicken pot pie sale and took them down around 12:30. By the time I went to pick up dinners for the 4 of us at 5:15 pm, they were all sold out. Which I guess was OK since we heard it wasn't that good anyway. So I went inside and bought some goodies. And ordered a pizza.

Sunday was church and the Eagles game at 1:00 pm. Fly Eagles Fly. Football, for you unsporty readers. haha Then practice for the Christmas Cantata.

Right now, I'm in the office with msb. He is doing a 40-piece jigsaw puzzle on the computer. He loves puzzles. I told him 40 pieces was too many, but you know men. Never listen. So....He hasn't given up yet.

Yes, I'm still here. Somewhere. I think. I've had a very busy week.

Monday, I had to leave work at 10:30 to get my flu shot. Then I moved some furniture after work. Fun, fun.

Tuesday, my truck was in the shop for an oil change. Reese took it to work and they picked it up and brought it back. So I had the Cherokee. Just to be safe, I didn't go anywhere much. haha

Wednesday, The Guy was supposed to come at 10 to clean the furnace for the winter. He came about 10:30 so Harold had to come up and sit with him because I had to pick up msb from school and take him for his flu shot. He was very brave, but really didn't want a 'pointy shot that will make me blood'. Sorry kid. He got a Sesame Street bandaid. I asked him which arm he wanted the shot in and he said,"The same one as you, Mommy". When Reese got home, msb said, "Daddy! Wait till you see my flu shot!" Turns out we all got it in the same arm. How about that! Taking the bandaid off was more traumatic than the shot..........but I digress....Which day was I on?? Wednesday.

Yesterday was kind of normal. msb and I went out to WalMart for a few things. I gave him 2 quarters and we played air hockey. He loves that game. He won 7-6. Then we had to rush home and make dinner because I had a Leadership Committee meeting at 7. So after all that running around like a chicken with its head cut off, I'm taking a blog break.

Today, I'm going for coffee with Stephanie after I take msb to school and then moving more furniture at 9:30. Can't get enough!

But enough about me........what do you think about me??

It is a full moon tonight........can you feel it? It's either that or Morgan is just reacting to not having a nap today. Very, very cross, making Mommy not so happy either. But he is in bed for the night so I think I'll be OK. Tomorrow is another day.

I survived the mystery lunch today. Rosemary, Bobby, Tommy and Shanda came, along with the usual Mom and Georgie and Bob. I made Impossibly Easy Chicken Pot Pie that was, oddly enough, very easy and tasty. It was the first time I made something without trying it out first. Very brave of me, wasn't it? Georgie said she wanted the recipe and Tommy said his mom would, too. haha We also had rolls, fruit salad, apple sauce, corn and deviled eggs. Georgie brought cake and pumpkin pie for dessert. Yum!! Fortunately, she took everything home except for 3 pieces of cake and 1 of pie.

What? No post since Wednesday? Whatever! I've been busy getting ready for my company on Sunday. And then we bought a tree that needed to be planted yesterday. And then I had to go through my closet to see what I could find to put in "the bag". I'm just starting to feel better after eating waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much at Ruby Tuesday last night. I did so good all week and ruined everything in one night, at one meal. O well. I won't do that again. Right.

Can you believe it -- November 1st already! And, yes, Wednesday. 2:09pm and I did not get one thing done in my closet. HOWEVER.......I did rake leaves with Morgan and play kickball (he won) and watch Curious George and Clifford while eating lunch. And I put the deck chairs away for the winter. Now he is in bed and I'm ready to hit the clothes. Maybe if I hurry really fast, I will have time to do something else before he wakes up.
Here is a pic of Morgan's costume. He had a great time giving candy and receiving candy.

Happy Halloween! Happy Birthday, Annie!
Went trick or treating tonight from 4:30-5:15 in Pottsville and then handed out candy from 6:15-6:45 and then trick or treated in Port Carbon from 7:00-8:00. I got my exercise in tonight! But I will still do crunches. It was a beautiful night to be walking around. Not too cold. Yet.
Tomorrow, I need to switch my winter clothes. Today was nice, but I don't think it will last much longer. O well.
Do you know how to call trick or treaters to your candy bowl? You sing this song to the tune of "Are You Sleeping Bro John":
Trick or Treaters,
Trick or Treaters,
Knock, knock, knock,
Knock, knock, knock!
Happy Halloween,
Happy Halloween!
Walk, walk, walk,
Walk, walk, walk!

We learn something new every day, they say. For once, THEY are correct. I learned how to post a photo. It took 2 times to get it right, but here it is. I'm so excited. Yippee! I managed to catch Morgan kicking the ball in his last soccer game. Which we didn't know it was the last game......He is the one in red with the #1 on his back. The lined them up according to height to give them numbers. My little shortie. His team was the Red Rockets. He was so excited when they chose the name he picked. Today he wanted to know when his next T-ball practice was. I wish. That would mean it was May and winter was over. I'm not looking forward to being cold. It's starting already. But at least the wind has died down. It was really crazy yesterday. I didn't even bother with hairspray cuz it would have been whipped away the minute I stepped out the door. haha

I have been working for the past hour. Trying to catch up on my review so I can do other things tomorrow. Joyce is going on vacation and lots of things came up to do before she goes. So, while I was slaving away, I was doing waist bends to the tunes of TransSiberian Orchestra. How terrible! Christmas music and it's not even Halloween yet! Talk about rushing the season....And I'm going to be so sore tomorrow! Horray!!!!
Morgan's last soccer game was cancelled today. Maybe because of the wicked winds. The team we were to play is not interested in re-scheduling for next Sunday. So, last week was the last game. I'm so glad I took my camera then instead of waiting until today as is my usual way of doing things.
Now it is just past 'that time' and time to get myself to bed. I'm getting computer eyes from staring at the screen for so long. I'm going to go downstairs for a drink of water and no chocolate and then go to bed. I must sleep while I can. Thanks to day light savings, it will be broad daylight about 6:30 in the am.
Speaking of day light savings, our pastor was late to church today because of that. She turned the clocks back before she went to bed last night..................and so did her son.

Well, well, well......Another beautiful day in the neighborhood. Cold, raining, windy. Could be worse, we could have 2 feet of snow like murpee. Today, Reese's mom and dad got the sofa and chair delivered for their basement. (It has been 4 months since the flood of '06). The carpet was put down on Thursday. Today we moved furniture back in. The stand and TV, the exercise equipment, the sewing machine and the credenza. AND......we got to ride in the back of the truck. That was too fun. I have not done that since I was probably, I don't know, 10??? Esther was dating Hoyt, so that should tell you something.
I can tell you would like another song. This one is from WCRH as well. Murpee, be expecting about 4 messages as I sing this one to you.

THE BODY SONG
I, I am the eye, I go blink, blink
I am the eye and I can wink,
I am the eye but I can't think,
That belongs to my friend the brain.

Fritter fratter frit, fritter fratter frit,
I'm the brain with electric current pitter patter pit
I'm the brain and I fritter learning bit by bit,
Yes I fritter fratter fritter all the time.

I go lub dub, lub dub I go.
I am the heart, I pump like so.
I'm bringing life to all the parts,
I am consistant, I'm the heart.

I'm swinging, I'm swinging,
Swinging on life's merry way.
I'm the arm, I'm the arm,
Swinging all the time.

Hearing, hearing,
Small ears, hearing,
Ears don't miss much,
Hearing all the time.

We are the body of Christ,
We are the body of Christ,
Together bringing His love to the world.

What's going on in your house today? Right now, I am typing to the sound effects of Eloise. Eloise (since you asked) is a memory game Morgan plays on the computer. The computer lays out 12 cards, face down, and he clicks on 2 to see if they match. If they are not matches, you get an X. 6 Xs and game over, start again. Just heard the sound for that. He won one and lost one. One more and it's time to rush out the door for school.

Blue Eyes! Loved the pics of the new room. You did a great job! Can't wait to see it in person on Tgiving. Let me know what to bring.

The song from yesterday was one we (meaning Charlie and I) listened to on WCRH. I forget when it was, but probably on a Saturday. I'll have another one to post later. I'm starting a book for Morgan of songs I knew when I was little.

Well, I just heard the "You Won!" music, so it is time to run.

Anyone remember this one? I know Charlie would. Annie reminded me of it yesterday. Enjoy.


Germs, My Invisible Dog

My very best friend is my little shaggy dog,
Chewing on my tennis shoes and running through the hall.
He's kinda like my shadow 'cause he's everywhere I go,
He sleeps in my bed but my Mommy doesn’t know.

I hide him in my pocket 'cause he's very, very small,
Germs, Germs my invisible dog.

He runs like the wind, and he knows some funny tricks
He doesn't like carrots, and spinach makes him sick
He likes cotton candy, and purple lemonade
Oreo Cookies, and yellow gatorade.

We ride our ponies to castles far away,
Chasing phony dinosaurs and dragons on the way.
We often go exploring where the river winds and bends
Cowboy hats and wooden rafts like Huckleberry Finn.

I take him to church, but nobody ever sees,
the little shaggy, spotty dog, sittin' on my knees
He's learnin’ Bible verses and he loves the happy songs
But he often falls asleep when the sermon is too long.

Well, here's the first setback! I fell down the steps this am. Rushing to pick up Morgan, hurrying too fast, carrying too much........bbbyyy. I am sore but nothing is broken (including the camera). Just annoyed at myself for falling down the SAME steps AGAIN. I'm soon going to ban wearing socks in my house.
Soooo, I will be picking up a little at a time. No massive cleanup today.

Hey! Who is up for cleaning on Wednesday, 10/25? I am planning to do a general pick up of everything. Just to see how speedy I can be. Want to start at 1:30pm. Check out site for updates.