Ahh, I missed March!!!

OMG, where has the time gone? I have so much to talk about, I don't know where to start...


I GOT A JOB!! I am the purchasing clerk at Prestera Mental Health Center. It is a very busy job, but I would rather be busy all day then sitting around waiting for something to do. I am in charge of sorting the mail and they get alot of mail (three times a day) then I check the fax machine and sort those. My real job deals with requisitions and purchase orders. It is a full time job, so combine that with running Jon around I am one exhausted mama! Life with an almost 14 year old son is quite interesting to say the least. You know I have been down this road before but somehow it is different this time around. Jon is WEARING me out!

In March he auditioned for the all-county band, and he made it. So we had just finished basketball so I thought oh we can do this. Practice was just once a week for five weeks and then a concert at the end. But, then he throws in TRACK!

The pictures are of his all county band concert and some of his friends.








Also in March, Craig and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Aniversary!









Can't hardly believe it's been 25 years. Kelley got us good by surprising us with a party. Thank you Kelley and everyone that helped, we were deffinetly surprised. We are truly blessed with wonderful children, family and friends that helped us celebrate this great day.






Then we have a couple track pictures. He is pretty good at track, he has placed in several of the races that he completes in, oh I haven't told you about the track meets. The first one I was asked to work in the Hospitality Room (didn't even know what that was) so I went straight from work. I have to wear dress casual to work so I was in dress pants and a sweater, NO coat. OMG the wind on the hill of the high school is crazy. By the time we left there it was 36 degrees! So then the next week was in Charleston, WV (about 45 minutes from home). I was prepared with my blankets and winter coat this time! I left from work again, drove up there by myself and got home at 11:30 pm! Can you beleive these things take that long... This week it is on a school night, I don't know if I will make it!



So while we are practing track, Jon is also starting baseball! Some nights we have both track and baseball practice! He is excited this year his good friend from football last year, dad is coaching his team. That means Michael is automatically on the team, it should be a good year.





More to come soon!


Beth

Montly Post

I am feeling like a broken record. Still unemployed! I have so many resumes out there and no one is calling me. I had an interview with Amazon last week and haven't even heard from them. I am really starting to get a complex. Craig just tells me it is all in God's plan, but the recorded message for the bill payment centers do not understand "it's in God's plan" instead of "it's in the mail". I know I have to be patient, but I want it NOW!

I seriously don't know where in the world February has gone! I have even forgotten to journal, so I really can't even account for what I did each day. I think I have read/slept/watched TV through at least 80% of February! Jon has finished basketball and of course we are still practicing weekly for the All County Band Concert in March. But you guessed it that wasn't enough, today is tryouts for the Track team! I talked to some people at church last night that have coached/participated in Middle School Track and informed me that the meets can last till 11:30 pm on a school night!!!! I don't know if I can do this people! I don't think I am strong enough to be this child's mother!

Hmmm... what else have I done in February? At Harmony we started a Craft Thursday, we are making crafts to sell at the Christmas Bazaar. The first craft was placemats made out of old Christmas cards, that was harder than I thought it would be. Plus I missed some of the time due to picking Jon up from the school Valentine dance. Then the next week I missed due to Jon being in the finals of the county basketball tournament (His team came in 4th). Then I went this past week and worked on aprons with "Chicken Scratch" on them.

This is what it could look like, this is not my example.... I think this week we are going to work on more "chicken scratch" so maybe I will take a picture of my work and show you next time.

This is somewhat of how the placemats we made looked, but we used 24 circles and made the edges scalloped. I know I will take a picture next time.I have been to a couple funerals this month, I know not great news, but they are celebrating in Heaven! That is great news, right?

I went to girls night, for those of you that read my blog and don't really know me I'll give you the low down. When Nathan and Kelley were in the High School band, the band had competitions every weekend forever it seemed like. So several of us would carpool together, plus when you are involved in an organization like the Band Boosters we all made Easter eggs, pumpkin rolls, car washes, distributed fruit, band trips.... and over the course of five years we really knew each other WELL! So we started out with at least 12 of us, we went to dinner and then played cards. The number just dropped until about 2 1/2 years ago we are down to six faithful. The six of us are on a rotation that we pass the Tripoley box (really heavy now too, we play for quarters but we never bring them home) host the dinner and play cards every month. We used to take the month of May off due to proms/graduations but I am the only one left that has a child in school so looks like we may go the whole year this year! It is always fun to get together and hear what is happening in their lives, there is ALWAYS stories to be told...

Another thing I have gotten myself into is the LSIC (Local School Improvement Council) for Jon's school. I know I can't believe it either, but get this I didn't think about the school combining with the other local MS! It's like being on the church board when the pastor leaves! The committee has to meet and recommend the school name, mascot and school colors to the BOE! Supposedly today the public is being informed of the chance to voice their opinions on a name then we meet again and see how many different options we have.

Other than going to church and hosting Jon's friends I think that about sums up my month! I am so not looking forward to the springing forward in March, but if that means spring is closer than bring it on!

Beth

This and That

Still unemployed! This is getting old, first time in my life that I am feeling very unwanted!

Craig and Nathan had to replace the hot water tank yesterday, Craig and his dad put the old one in over 18 years ago. I guess that's not bad for a water heater but at this time of year and me still not working was not the greatest.


Nathan is now unemployed also, the boy scouts are on a huge decline and they had to let him go. He at least can get unemployment! Nathan has started a new hobby of singing with a couple Barber Shop Quartets... He is loving it. I really have to learn to post videos cause I tried to post the one of him singing at Christmas and couldn't get it to. :(


The regular season of basketball is over for Jon, but he has at least one playoff game on the 14th. They beat the team (Barboursville) they play twice so they may get a second playoff game. Oh, you thought I got a break after basketball right? Nope think again, this is All-County Band Season! Yup, he tried out and made it... so that involves a combined practice once a week and then the concert in March.



This picture is of Jon in the Marshall University Honor Band. Marshall has this day for High School and Middle School, they are chosen by their band teacher and they audition for what level they are at. Then placed in one of three classes White, Green and Gold Bands. Due to the day of the event being a snow day, over half of the students didn't show up so they auditioned them but left them all in one band. Jon was in the first band and second chair, not bad for a seventh grader! The girl to Jon's left (with glasses) was the first chair, she is also in the 7th grade but her dad is the area's leading trumpet instructor. Jon has never had formal lessons, started playing due to having to have a music class in middle school.

OH, you will not believe what I have been watching on TV EVERYDAY for the last few weeks! If you know me well at all, I do not watch much TV. For one I can't seem to sit still long enough and two there really isn't anything on TV that will do anything to change my life. Anyway, I have been watching the first years of Bones...

I have to go finish dinner, tonight is beef stew/cornbread.

Beth

So much for blogging more...

Well my promise to blog more sure went out the window. Where in the world did January go? I journaled almost everyday and I still can't tell you where/how it went so fast. We (cabell co.) have just had our 7th snow day! Those kids are going to be going to school till the middle of June!

I am still unemployed, I have sent in several resumes and have had one response. That was to sell insurance. Nope! God has a plan for me, I just have to be patient (just hope the bill collectors will understand that). I have been practicing my typing skills, I can type 60 wpm on the computer from the computer. Which is great but I found out the school board is going to be hiring some secretaries and they test from paper and that slows me down big time! I am going to keep working on my skills and hopefully by the time they test I can do it. I tested for them years ago and just couldn't pass that typing test. :(

Well, Basketball is just about over. Jon has been playing since November and my rear end is getting really tired of sitting on those bleachers! He has had a good year and is ready to be the big dog on the team.

Craig and I have been cooking almost every meal at home since Oct. I used to try to tell Craig that it was cheaper to eat out (my dad reminded me of that) and I really did feel that way, but of course it isn't. At least this way no one has to be the one to decide where to go and then have to decide what to have once we argue about where to go. We have gone to dinner a couple of times while family have been in town. I am very proud of myself! I didn't think I had it in me...

Beth

I forgot to publish this post!

It seems to me like the years are going by in minutes. I can remember things that happen and someone will say that was last year! In my mind it was just a couple days ago. This year I am going to journal so that I can remember what happens each day. All through my teenage years I journaled but I just got away from it once the kids came along.

Today is Kelley's 22nd Birthday. Kelley I know you don't want to hear this but I was your age when I had you. I know that just freaks you out and I can't say I would want you to have children so young, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Since my parents were older when they had me, I wanted to be a young mother. Oh course, we struggled and you know I didn't do everything perfect, but I have tried my best. You are a strong beautiful young woman that has the world at your disposal. You just have to want it bad enough!

We had Kelley's birthday dinner on Sunday, on the menu was steak, baked potatoes, corn and salad. Kelley wanted an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen made with Oreo's. Becky, Zach and Aunt Tami came to help the regulars (Craig, Nathan, Jon, Lola and myself) celebrate.

Love you Kelley!

December Post

Have you noticed that I post just before a new month starts? I am going to try and post more in 2011. Can you believe it is almost 2011? I can remember as a kid being afraid of 1984. Weird! Anyway so much has happened again between posts.

More change! Craig is still loving his job, he has been working all evenings which isn't all that great, but he has a job! He goes to work on average at 3:00 pm till 11:00 pm, so that means he doesn't get to see Jon. Craig has been offered an Associate Pastor position at a church that we go to on Sunday evenings, after much prayer he has accepted the position. He will be responsible for Senior Adults and working with the pastor on visitation. It is not a paid position so he will not be leaving his new job. He told the church that we attend now, the Sunday before Christmas that it was our last Sunday and we went to Cincinnati on the 26th and he will start at Harmony UMC on the 2nd of January.

Jon is in Basketball season... (I have no idea why/how that picture has '06 on it) he has 2hr practice Mon-Fri. The boys share the gym with the girls so they rotate practice either at 3pm after school or at 5pm. If the practice is late as many boys as will fit in my car come home with him, very interesting. They like me to have the Expedition on those weeks...

Kelley is still working and on break from school. She left this morning for Orlando, FL to go to the WV vs NC State bowl game. Of course they are for NC State and not WV, so she will be gone most of the week.

Nathan is still working and hanging out.

I'm still looking (not too hard) for a job.

Since all my Christmas cards have been sent I can now attach some of the pictures that I took

I made several more styles but didn't get their pictures taken. Above are a few of the cards that I made this year to send to family. Kelley made our regular picture card that we mailed to friends (the site won't let me copy it to show you) and then gave to family with their gifts. In 2011 I am going to continue to make cards throughout the year and sell them at the church bazaar. We'll see how that goes.

Christmas!

Oh my, what a day...

As a kid having an older brother, we would wake up early in the morning and open our presents and then go back to bed. Our parents would always come downstairs to a mess! For some reason my children have never done that and I think my brothers family open their gifts on Christmas Eve. So about 9am they woke up and we started opening presents. We have this thing where we open in rounds, meaning everyone has a gift and we watch as each person opens.

This really was a light Christmas for us money wise and it still took us till almost 11:30 to get finished! My breakfast casserole was well done and the grease was all over my oven. Luckily I have the double oven so Christmas Dinner could be made in the other oven and not smell up the whole house.

Everyone seemed well pleased with their gifts and then spent the day play/assembling/using their new "toys". Here are a couple of mine...

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and I hope to chat with you again before the New Year!

Beth

Hmmm....

I'm just sitting here today in a funk! What to do? I have one more tour left and its on Thursday to Springboro, OH. Then what? I have applied to a couple places of employment, but I really want to work in a church. Do I really want to work before the New Year? We have so many things on the calendar already, that I will miss if I go to work now!
Oh well I'll tell you about the things I have been doing!
Cutting back, Craig and I have both gone back to regular old cell phones (I really don't like it, but until I get a JOB it will do) We will save $60.00 a month + found out that N&K had some GPS thing on their phones so took those off to save $80.00 in one month! Then I made a menu last week and stuck to it like glue! The week that I went to visit with Sandy my fam spent $240.00 on take out food! I spent $80.00 on Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner for seven days!
Here is what we had for Dinner:
Friday - Flounder and Mac/Cheese
Saturday - Chicken/Dumplings - Green Beans
Sunday - Beef Stew - Cornbread
Monday - Pork Chops - Aug. Potatoes - Peas
Tuesday - Chicken Cass. - Potatoes - Carrots
Wednesday - Chili - Grilled Cheese
Thursday - Turkey/Ham (of Course) - Stuffing - Sweet Potato Cass - Broccoli Cass - Orange Fluff - Cranberry Salad - Garden Salad and Rolls
Friday - Leftovers
I am working on the next two weeks this time. I am afraid the weather is going to get bad and I do not like to carry in groceries anytime let alone in the snow/rain!
Jon's first basketball game is Thursday! Fun, fun... it should be interesting. Lola/I have a bus trip, Kelley/Craig/Nathan will be working. So he might get his chance at walking home!
Kelley is almost finished with her quarter of school and is working. Nathan is now dating (check out facebook) Nicole Buchman, Nicole and Nathan went to highschool/band together, she is teaching in Wayne Co., WV. Nathan has applied to be a Youth Minister at the church that I worked as my first secretary position.
Sandy has been home for over a week now, she is still really weak. She still does not have much of an appetite and that isn't helping! Please continue to pray for her to have the strength to fight for her life!
Beth