I don't think I could squeeze any more activities into this past week if I tried-Oh wait, there is next week. And Tom is going to be heading out to San Francisco for the next two weeks. So I get to do it all myself!
This week was busy with scout activities. On Friday I attended a planning meeting for our Up All Night at the Mall with the girl scouts in March. Older girl troops run activities all night long for younger girl scouts at our local mall. My girls will be doing a craft table. I had to pick up the supplies and listen to the policies and procedures(for a whopping 2 1/2 hrs). I usually drag Allison along, but she was at work. I dropped her off and Tom picked her up.
Meanwhile Scott was picked up for a boy scout overnight tent camping trip and all day Cub Scout event on Saturday. This is supposed to be their winter camping trip-just no snow this year and a bit milder. Thank goodness. Still cold enough for sleeping in a tent. Last year we attended this event as Cub Scouts and we had snow up to our eyebrows. We had to hike through the whole park, pulling a wagon (with the boys complaining the whole time) while they learned how to use an axe and make a fire. This year as a scout, Scott's troop was teaching the cub scouts how to build a fire. It lasted all day until 4pm. He sure was pooped! And a little burnt. He found out it is not easy to keep an eye on 20 or so little boys at one time.
While he was off camping, I had to run Allison up to GS council for an interview early SAturday morning. Allison was interviewed by about 8 board members for a chance to participate in a Job Shadow day with a few local BAltimore women CEOs. They chose 5 women in the area including a lawyer, accountant, a chemical company CEO, a caterer and the CEO of St Agnes Hospital where I used to work. Of course, I would have chosen the St Agnes CEO, but my daughter has absolutely no interest in the medical field. Too bad. She was interested in the lawyer, accountant and chemical company. We should hear next week.
We also spent our weekend running the annual Girl Scout Rollerblading/Rollerskating event on Saturday and Sunday night. On SAturday night I was working as the First Aider. I spent two hours packing ice bags for banged up knees and elbows and wrists on little girls and parents alike. Lots of band aids too. Allison was actually working at the rollerblading rink that evening, so we did not see much of her. We also had a second troop helping out. ON Sunday, my troop took the lead so I was helping with check in. SAturday we had 200 people show up but on Sunday it was 400! Things would go alot more smoothly if people could read instructions. We had lots of GS leaders show up without their health forms(necessary if someone keels over during the event). We had irate parents show up because they brought their little boys(and it is an all girl/all adult event-says so on the form). But parents like to argue. We even had a mom get hurt -twisted ankle-and she was very rude and nasty about it. She didn't want our help or help from the facility staff. But the facility staff is responsible for her safety unless she signs a waiver stating she does not want assistance. So she called her husband and he said he was too busy to come get her. He finally did arrive and she was very much the drama queen. So glad to hear she is also from our church.
Now my car is full of cleaning supplies that we take in as a donation and I will have to drop them off during the upcoming week. Allison couldn't stay too long to help out with the scout event. She worked there earlier in the morning and then switched to help us. But she couldn't stay long to help us since she had an Indoor Field Hockey game. Tom left for California already that afternoon, so we had to rely on our neighbor who has a daughter on the team to pick up Allison from rollerblading, along with her goalie bag and to coach the games. Also to drop her off at home afterward. It was very nice of him since he had to miss his own Ice Hockey game(he plays). He tried to sign his wife up in his place, but she had to take their son to a soccer game and catechism. I hope we will not be the cause of a divorce over this. Anyhow, Allison says it was an awesome two games and that she was on fire(and they won). Sounds good to me.
During the week before I was busy at the dentist's office getting a fitting for my new crown. I did not realize what a project it could be-I was in the chair for another 1.5hrs getting my tooth shaved down so they could fit the crown over the top of my molar. My poor mouth is worn out. I then had to run Allison to one of her management classes since she couldn't easily make the class with her interview on Saturday. Also on Saturday morning she wanted to try out a new game with her friends(very similar to Dungeons and Dragons). I think she is hooked. She has another game night next week. While I was running Allison to class in the evening, Tom was sitting home with Scott. Seems he picked up some type of eye infection-not specifically pink eye. But they kicked him out of school anyway on WEds. Tom had to take him to the doctors office and turns out they treated Tom for the same eye infection.
So we missed a few activities this past week(imagine that). MOstly SCott since he was off to boy scouts and couldn't make his gymnastics or swimming lesson. Looks like we will run into a scheduling problem like that again next week.
Once again, wish me luck for the upcoming two weeks! Baltimore Blog
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Well, looks like we Marylanders won't be cheering on the Ravens in the Superbowl this year. Too bad, I just hung my purple lights outside near the front porch. What a sad game-so close and yet so far. We did host our neighbors and our friend John (originally from California) for an early evening of game watching and food eating. It was fun, except Tom had to leave early to pick up Allison from work and take her to their Field Hockey games. He said the girls all showed up, but they were short referees and coaches. (mainly the women showed up). Sadly it was over by the time they got home, but I don't think Tom would have been too happy with the results anyway.
I got all my grocery shopping done late Saturday night after I dropped Allison off at work for the night skate session. It was very nice since no one was at the store. We had our first official snow/freezing rain of the winter Saturday morning and I think it scared a lot of people away. I actually had to shovel/scrape the driveway and front walk Saturday morning after driving Allison to her people management class. She took the second class in a series of 6 classes that her work is putting on (mandatory training). Tom and I were very surprised that the class was still going on with the roads so nasty, but the gym was open and the instructor made it in, so we had to go. Fortunately I did not end up in a ditch as they were just getting around to salting and scraping the roads. I stuck to the big, main roads which helped, but we passed a few cars that did not make it on the on and off ramps. And things did not look much better as the day went on. I took Cookie out for a short walk since the sidewalks were so slippery, even for puppy paws. Neither one of us could get any traction. And the salt on the roads burns her feet, so we try to stay away from that.
Tom meanwhile took Scott off to his swim lesson at the Y on Saturday morning. We really don't need Scott missing too many classes since he is not going to make the next two. He has camping one weekend and skiing the next.All for scouts. I ended up taking him to his last scout meeting since they were just having an awards party and Allison needed Tom home for some Chemistry review. I had Scott get a few items signed off in his scout book for requirements for ranks. Unfortunately, he missed a few items at summer camp(hiking 5 miles with a compass and map). No one really keeps track of the requirements for the boys and his troop is a bit small so they don't cover all the tasks. They really expect the boys to get a lot of requirements done on their own. Therefore, any time they are out and about, they have to keep their books handy to get items signed off. And it can't be by a parent. (unless they are scouts and no other scout is around). So we are making progress, but I think it is a bit slow for Tom's schedule. SCott has been working on a very extensive Dog Care Badge(he could publish this report!). And I think we are going to work on his Fitness Badge since he is in gymnastics weekly as well as swimming. That badge is needed for his Eagle. NOt to mention the Pet Badge that we still have to type up. Seems like school stuff keeps getting in the way.
He has been busy working on homework assignments and a religion report all weekend. Allison is a happy child since she just finished a week full of midterms and no homework. But not too happy. I put her to work on a presentation that she needs to give to Girl Scouts for our Houston trip and the Convention. She spent an afternoon putting photos in order for our power point presentation and then worked with Tom on clipping in videos and photos from Utube. Now she has to write up the presentation. She has to present at my GS Leader meeting in two weeks, and then probably again at our Spring Board meeting. Busy girl.
Both kids were home for the MLK holiday last Monday. It gave Allison time to study, and Scott was working on a video for spanish class. He wanted to do a weather video report. Although he did not realize just how tough those projects can be. Tom helped Scott video tape and edit when he got home from work. But it was Tom that stayed up all night putting the whole thing together and downloading it on a disc so SCott could take it to school. Of course it was due on Tuesday! And they really only had the weekend to work on it. I told Scott maybe next time he shouldn't take on such a big project now that he knows how hard it can be. And on Tuesday afternoon, Tom was at the school presenting the information for the upcoming science fair. That will be in March(no slowing down for us!).
And if that wasn't enough, I signed up my troop for a committee to look into doing a flash mob dance at the Orioles stadium during our Girl Scout night in June. Allison and I already learned that we are singing the National Anthem with the GS choir that night at CAmden Yards(again). Now it looks like we may be dancing too!(what a life!).
Too much to do and not enough time.
On a sad note, our friends the Hejza's in Michigan lost their manx cat Toby from complications due to kidney stone surgery. We are so sorry, he was a very sweet cat. Scott especially loved him(he actually let him hold him).
The BAltimore Clan
I got all my grocery shopping done late Saturday night after I dropped Allison off at work for the night skate session. It was very nice since no one was at the store. We had our first official snow/freezing rain of the winter Saturday morning and I think it scared a lot of people away. I actually had to shovel/scrape the driveway and front walk Saturday morning after driving Allison to her people management class. She took the second class in a series of 6 classes that her work is putting on (mandatory training). Tom and I were very surprised that the class was still going on with the roads so nasty, but the gym was open and the instructor made it in, so we had to go. Fortunately I did not end up in a ditch as they were just getting around to salting and scraping the roads. I stuck to the big, main roads which helped, but we passed a few cars that did not make it on the on and off ramps. And things did not look much better as the day went on. I took Cookie out for a short walk since the sidewalks were so slippery, even for puppy paws. Neither one of us could get any traction. And the salt on the roads burns her feet, so we try to stay away from that.
Tom meanwhile took Scott off to his swim lesson at the Y on Saturday morning. We really don't need Scott missing too many classes since he is not going to make the next two. He has camping one weekend and skiing the next.All for scouts. I ended up taking him to his last scout meeting since they were just having an awards party and Allison needed Tom home for some Chemistry review. I had Scott get a few items signed off in his scout book for requirements for ranks. Unfortunately, he missed a few items at summer camp(hiking 5 miles with a compass and map). No one really keeps track of the requirements for the boys and his troop is a bit small so they don't cover all the tasks. They really expect the boys to get a lot of requirements done on their own. Therefore, any time they are out and about, they have to keep their books handy to get items signed off. And it can't be by a parent. (unless they are scouts and no other scout is around). So we are making progress, but I think it is a bit slow for Tom's schedule. SCott has been working on a very extensive Dog Care Badge(he could publish this report!). And I think we are going to work on his Fitness Badge since he is in gymnastics weekly as well as swimming. That badge is needed for his Eagle. NOt to mention the Pet Badge that we still have to type up. Seems like school stuff keeps getting in the way.
He has been busy working on homework assignments and a religion report all weekend. Allison is a happy child since she just finished a week full of midterms and no homework. But not too happy. I put her to work on a presentation that she needs to give to Girl Scouts for our Houston trip and the Convention. She spent an afternoon putting photos in order for our power point presentation and then worked with Tom on clipping in videos and photos from Utube. Now she has to write up the presentation. She has to present at my GS Leader meeting in two weeks, and then probably again at our Spring Board meeting. Busy girl.
Both kids were home for the MLK holiday last Monday. It gave Allison time to study, and Scott was working on a video for spanish class. He wanted to do a weather video report. Although he did not realize just how tough those projects can be. Tom helped Scott video tape and edit when he got home from work. But it was Tom that stayed up all night putting the whole thing together and downloading it on a disc so SCott could take it to school. Of course it was due on Tuesday! And they really only had the weekend to work on it. I told Scott maybe next time he shouldn't take on such a big project now that he knows how hard it can be. And on Tuesday afternoon, Tom was at the school presenting the information for the upcoming science fair. That will be in March(no slowing down for us!).
And if that wasn't enough, I signed up my troop for a committee to look into doing a flash mob dance at the Orioles stadium during our Girl Scout night in June. Allison and I already learned that we are singing the National Anthem with the GS choir that night at CAmden Yards(again). Now it looks like we may be dancing too!(what a life!).
Too much to do and not enough time.
On a sad note, our friends the Hejza's in Michigan lost their manx cat Toby from complications due to kidney stone surgery. We are so sorry, he was a very sweet cat. Scott especially loved him(he actually let him hold him).
The BAltimore Clan
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Another busy week. The kids are back to lots of homework, and Allison is readying for her midterms next week.
We took a brief break this weekend for some fun. Scott wanted to try out the Youth Ministry dance on Friday night rather than gymnastics class. Sadly, he is not into dancing but he was enjoying the youth ministry recreation room. He was having a great time with the pool table, fooseball and air hockey tables. However, they had to close it up when the crowd picked up. He ended up calling Tom to pick him up around 9pm. I know since I volunteered to chaperone. I thought I should pick up a few hours so we won't be short at the end of the school year with our required 30 volunteer hours. Although I think we will be good since Tom appears to have his hands full with the upcoming science fair and his unexpected time spent with the Lego team.
On Saturday night, Tom and I went to a jazz concert with our neighbors. Before the concert, Tom and I decided to try out a new pizza place for dinner. They cook their pizzas in a wood burning oven over coals. I thought it was pretty good, but Tom was not so impressed. Of course, we both really miss deep dish pizza from Ginos in Chicago and the italian pizza from Downey California. Anyhow, during intermission at the concert, everyone was busy checking football scores. What a weekend for sports! Baltimore has been busy getting the fans pumped by turning all the city buildings purple for Sunday's game. And now it looks like we will be playing next weekend too! Sorry Houston! Guess I will have to rehang the purple lights outside.
I was busy this weekend getting back to my morning aerobics class. Except now my Friday class is an hour and a half. I figured I can sure use the workout since I usually only get to the YMCA once a week. Afterwards though I took Cookie for a walk. Although the weather turned cold and windy, we still haven't had any real snow(thank goodness) so it is a lot easier to get outside for dog walks. It is just hard during the week when it is so dark by the time we get home(and even colder!). Hard to believe it actually got up to 65 last weekend! I was out in the yard(raking leaves again of course) and putting away the last of our outdoor Christmas decorations. This week we have been working on taking down all the Christmas trees. We finally got our live tree out to the curb for pick up on Friday. It still smelled so fresh. I just dread hauling everything up into the attic(my hips and knees don't appreciate the small steps). So it takes awhile. Especially when I ask for help. Then I can't find anything once I get up to the attic!
On Friday, besides running errands, I was back to the doctors office. This time I needed to stop into the lab for my yearly blood work in the morning(you have to fast for 12 hours). In the afternoon it was Scott's turn for a physical and few shots-he also got a hepatitis A vaccine(guess that's the norm now) and his flu shot. His poor arms haven't been too happy. But he did manage to survive his swim lesson on Saturday morning. He is in the pre swim team class this time at the Y. He really liked the class and the remodeling they did at this Y branch. I had to sign him up for another facility since our local Y swim classes fill up so quickly. He missed last week since he was at Lego club. Unfortunately, he will miss a few more since we have a lot of Scout outings planned. But he definitely can use the exercise and he enjoys it.
Tom took him to class on Saturday and I was driving Allison around for work. Her management group puts on a 6 week customer training program and she started classes this past Saturday morning. After her first class, I had to pick her up, get her lunch and get her to work for the afternoon shift. She also had to work Sunday afternoon. Scott and I dropped her off and then ran and did some errands before heading over to our neighbors for lunch and to watch the football game. We had some books to drop off at the library, so I decided to run in and check out our new library that opened in December. It is very nice and very modern. Even the book return scans the books as you drop them off and then prints a receipt if you need one. We did not have much time to explore, but I am sure we will be back. After watching most of the game, it was time for me to pick up Allison and then head to GS choir practice. Our choir was videotaping a few of our songs to apply to sing in DC this coming June at the Rock the Mall GS Event. Girl Scouts from all over the US and the world come together at the mall in DC for a huge songfest. We are trying for a spot onstage. And it looks like we will be singing the National Anthem at the Orioles stadium again this summer on June 24th during GS day! That was an amazing experience(and we get to do it again!).
So right now Allison and Tom are off to an indoor Field HOckey game and I am going to give Scott a spelling test. (Too sad to watch the Packers anymore). Looks like Allison had a rough 1st game-they haven't played in a few weeks or practiced. But I hear she was awesome in game 2!
The Baltimore Blog
We took a brief break this weekend for some fun. Scott wanted to try out the Youth Ministry dance on Friday night rather than gymnastics class. Sadly, he is not into dancing but he was enjoying the youth ministry recreation room. He was having a great time with the pool table, fooseball and air hockey tables. However, they had to close it up when the crowd picked up. He ended up calling Tom to pick him up around 9pm. I know since I volunteered to chaperone. I thought I should pick up a few hours so we won't be short at the end of the school year with our required 30 volunteer hours. Although I think we will be good since Tom appears to have his hands full with the upcoming science fair and his unexpected time spent with the Lego team.
On Saturday night, Tom and I went to a jazz concert with our neighbors. Before the concert, Tom and I decided to try out a new pizza place for dinner. They cook their pizzas in a wood burning oven over coals. I thought it was pretty good, but Tom was not so impressed. Of course, we both really miss deep dish pizza from Ginos in Chicago and the italian pizza from Downey California. Anyhow, during intermission at the concert, everyone was busy checking football scores. What a weekend for sports! Baltimore has been busy getting the fans pumped by turning all the city buildings purple for Sunday's game. And now it looks like we will be playing next weekend too! Sorry Houston! Guess I will have to rehang the purple lights outside.
I was busy this weekend getting back to my morning aerobics class. Except now my Friday class is an hour and a half. I figured I can sure use the workout since I usually only get to the YMCA once a week. Afterwards though I took Cookie for a walk. Although the weather turned cold and windy, we still haven't had any real snow(thank goodness) so it is a lot easier to get outside for dog walks. It is just hard during the week when it is so dark by the time we get home(and even colder!). Hard to believe it actually got up to 65 last weekend! I was out in the yard(raking leaves again of course) and putting away the last of our outdoor Christmas decorations. This week we have been working on taking down all the Christmas trees. We finally got our live tree out to the curb for pick up on Friday. It still smelled so fresh. I just dread hauling everything up into the attic(my hips and knees don't appreciate the small steps). So it takes awhile. Especially when I ask for help. Then I can't find anything once I get up to the attic!
On Friday, besides running errands, I was back to the doctors office. This time I needed to stop into the lab for my yearly blood work in the morning(you have to fast for 12 hours). In the afternoon it was Scott's turn for a physical and few shots-he also got a hepatitis A vaccine(guess that's the norm now) and his flu shot. His poor arms haven't been too happy. But he did manage to survive his swim lesson on Saturday morning. He is in the pre swim team class this time at the Y. He really liked the class and the remodeling they did at this Y branch. I had to sign him up for another facility since our local Y swim classes fill up so quickly. He missed last week since he was at Lego club. Unfortunately, he will miss a few more since we have a lot of Scout outings planned. But he definitely can use the exercise and he enjoys it.
Tom took him to class on Saturday and I was driving Allison around for work. Her management group puts on a 6 week customer training program and she started classes this past Saturday morning. After her first class, I had to pick her up, get her lunch and get her to work for the afternoon shift. She also had to work Sunday afternoon. Scott and I dropped her off and then ran and did some errands before heading over to our neighbors for lunch and to watch the football game. We had some books to drop off at the library, so I decided to run in and check out our new library that opened in December. It is very nice and very modern. Even the book return scans the books as you drop them off and then prints a receipt if you need one. We did not have much time to explore, but I am sure we will be back. After watching most of the game, it was time for me to pick up Allison and then head to GS choir practice. Our choir was videotaping a few of our songs to apply to sing in DC this coming June at the Rock the Mall GS Event. Girl Scouts from all over the US and the world come together at the mall in DC for a huge songfest. We are trying for a spot onstage. And it looks like we will be singing the National Anthem at the Orioles stadium again this summer on June 24th during GS day! That was an amazing experience(and we get to do it again!).
So right now Allison and Tom are off to an indoor Field HOckey game and I am going to give Scott a spelling test. (Too sad to watch the Packers anymore). Looks like Allison had a rough 1st game-they haven't played in a few weeks or practiced. But I hear she was awesome in game 2!
The Baltimore Blog
Monday, January 9, 2012
Well we made it into a New Year! Tom and I were actually off work on Monday the 2nd. But the kids had to return to school. Only 3 counties in Maryland held school that day. Since Scott is at a private school, they followed the county's schedule. So overall it was a very short break for Allison and Scott. And they were both busy with projects and schoolwork the whole time.
Since Tom and I had some time off on Monday the 2nd, we decided to try couch shopping again. The furniture stores had sales going on, so we visited one of the showrooms downtown Monday afternoon. First I had to watch the Rose Bowl parade. I wanted to catch the Girl Scout Anniversary float. The parade started out with a flyover by Tom's Northrop B2 bomber. It certainly looked beautiful against that blue, blue sky. The weather was incredible in LA on Monday. A nice day for a parade(wish I was there!). But the next thing I knew, the parade was over and I did not see any Girl Scout float, not to mention the City of Downey float(our old home town in California). They used to build the Downey float at my hospital. Turns out the National tv stations were limiting viewing time and they cut out those floats! Boy was I mad! I had paid for a flower to be placed on the Girl Scout float for each one of my scouts, myself and my coleader and I did not even get to enjoy the float on tv! I spent the whole day trying to find the parade online. Turns out they played the entire parade on the local LA news, KTLA and the cable HGTV network. Who knew. I never heard of parts of parades being cut out. There were certainly quite a few upset scouts not only from around the US, but around the world as this parade is broadcast around the world. And word had gone out for girl scouts to expect a float. I was busy reading all the comments online by upset women and girls. I am now trying to find a website to purchase a copy of the video. Looks like the Roy Rogers group has a DVD to buy.(For anyone that watched the parade, did you notice the horse on that float? How real it looked? It was the real, stuffed Trigger!) The dog was stuffed too! Gross! At least I was able to buy a Rose Bowl pin and patch for myself and Allison for her uniform from the LA Girl Scout council. And the Downey float was very cool too by the way, complete with an operating volcano!
But after my disappointing parade, I was even more disappointed to see that our MSU football team was losing their bowl game. So that is when Tom and I headed off to couch shop. We actually found a very different type of pull out couch. ONe with a lot more support with a posturpedic mattress. Naturally, it was the only furniture in the store not on sale. But the salesperson gave us some big song and dance with his manager and decided to take pity on us and sold it to us for the sale price(about the same cost as the Lazyboy couch with less options and smaller, but a bigger pullout bed and more comfortable). So I won't see it until April. Lots of time to paint the basement walls and move out the old, torn couch. When we got back home, we were amazed to hear that MSU had actually won! At least my Mom and Dad had a chance to see the game.
On Tuesday we were all back to work and school. Scott and Tom headed off to the boy scout meeting. On Weds night I was busy with my Girl SCout Leader meeting. I had to take a few girl scouts with me as they were responsible for babysitting services that night. I had 4 scouts and only 1 kid needed watched. They did a great job. They were just happy to see each other, and begged me to go to the frozen yogurt shop afterwards. Even a few of the moms joined us. We ended up closing up the shop. On Thursday night, Allison had a piano lesson. Tom was busy studying for a science test with Scott.
All this week my parents have been at our house. Tom was waiting for a few more pieces of the computer to come in the mail so he could finish assembling my parents new system. And he was trying to walk my DAd through the set up process. They were also waiting for good driving weather and there was snow out west on Monday and Tuesday. I was hoping we could have gone out to eat on Thursday night, but we were all so busy. Instead I grilled steak at home. Mom thought a restaurant couldn't have done a better job, but I disagreed since I was the one shopping, cooking and doing the dishes! I have never cooked so many big meals or washed so many dishes in my life! It was fun though sitting down to the table every night with a big group of people. Except the kids were feeling a bit strained since they are used to eating fast and getting to their homework. I actually served dinner on WEds night but didn't have time to eat until 10pm since I was off to scouts!
So Friday morning, Mom and Dad were all packed up and headed to Michigan. Tom set them up with the GPS and sent them on their way. They were full up with an extra rocking armchair we passed on from Mom and Dad Seitz, an extra large tv from our neighbors, a new computer system and a new metal wagon to haul stuff around the lake house. With a little effort, they made it home. Unfortunately, Mom seems to have developed a bad cold. But we loved having them visit. I had time to go over some paperwork with Mom and they both got me started on our family tree for my side of the family. I am sure my Dad was in heaven watching all the football games too. And Cookie loved having someone take her for a walk when we were all gone for the day. (Thanks Dad!). Friday I only had to work a half day, so Tom and I had a chance to go out to lunch and chat and catch up with all the activities for the past two weeks. Then I was taking Allison off to her yearly medical check up. She has a list of vaccines to get, so we opted for the Hepatitis A vaccine since she is working around so many kids. She still has one more shot to take in that series. We held off on the flu vaccine since she had a cold coming on and I didn't want her feeling even more miserable while she has to study for midterms.
Friday I had to go into work since the nursing home picked up after the holidays. Tom stayed home and sent my parents on their way. He also had received a phone call last Sunday night from SCott's Lego Club coach. She broke her ankle after being kicked by a horse while riding on vacation with the family in Costa Rica, so she asked Tom if he could take over. He held two meetings-one after school on WEds and one on Friday. They had a mad rush to prepare the team for the preliminary event scheduled on Saturday. Out of 22 teams, only 7 would be picked. Unfortunately, Tom found that the team was not completely prepared, and SCott was the only one who knew how to program the robot to finish the task. So they lost some points for that, and for not being quite as sophisticated as some teams(optic laser lights included), but out of 22 teams, they came in 10th place! Not bad for a first time. The event lasted all day, and the boys were pretty pooped out. I stayed home and got Allison off to work after she spent the day doing schoolwork(getting ready for midterms).
ON Sunday we were flying out the door to head to DAve and Busters for Scott's birthday party. I attempted to schedule a party for him around his birthday on Nov 27th, but the place is so popular, they did not have any openings until Jan. 1st. I scheduled the party for Saturday but the Lego team had a competition. So it was set for Sunday. The kids(and a few adults) all had a great time playing unlimited video games and using their game cards to earn tickets to buy little trinkets. Scott brought home a new Dave and Busters cup and a huge stuffed pug after the kids pooled their tickets together to help him out. He also got a tshirt from D and B's. The kids barely sat down to eat lunch, and a few stopped for cake, but it was mostly a video game fest. Especially after we found out their unlimited video game cards were good all day. WE ended up spending the afternoon, until it was time to get Allison to work. Plus SCott still had some homework and studying to do. All in all a very cool birthday party. And Scott got plenty of gift cards! Enjoy the photos from the birthday party!
Baltimore Blog
Since Tom and I had some time off on Monday the 2nd, we decided to try couch shopping again. The furniture stores had sales going on, so we visited one of the showrooms downtown Monday afternoon. First I had to watch the Rose Bowl parade. I wanted to catch the Girl Scout Anniversary float. The parade started out with a flyover by Tom's Northrop B2 bomber. It certainly looked beautiful against that blue, blue sky. The weather was incredible in LA on Monday. A nice day for a parade(wish I was there!). But the next thing I knew, the parade was over and I did not see any Girl Scout float, not to mention the City of Downey float(our old home town in California). They used to build the Downey float at my hospital. Turns out the National tv stations were limiting viewing time and they cut out those floats! Boy was I mad! I had paid for a flower to be placed on the Girl Scout float for each one of my scouts, myself and my coleader and I did not even get to enjoy the float on tv! I spent the whole day trying to find the parade online. Turns out they played the entire parade on the local LA news, KTLA and the cable HGTV network. Who knew. I never heard of parts of parades being cut out. There were certainly quite a few upset scouts not only from around the US, but around the world as this parade is broadcast around the world. And word had gone out for girl scouts to expect a float. I was busy reading all the comments online by upset women and girls. I am now trying to find a website to purchase a copy of the video. Looks like the Roy Rogers group has a DVD to buy.(For anyone that watched the parade, did you notice the horse on that float? How real it looked? It was the real, stuffed Trigger!) The dog was stuffed too! Gross! At least I was able to buy a Rose Bowl pin and patch for myself and Allison for her uniform from the LA Girl Scout council. And the Downey float was very cool too by the way, complete with an operating volcano!
But after my disappointing parade, I was even more disappointed to see that our MSU football team was losing their bowl game. So that is when Tom and I headed off to couch shop. We actually found a very different type of pull out couch. ONe with a lot more support with a posturpedic mattress. Naturally, it was the only furniture in the store not on sale. But the salesperson gave us some big song and dance with his manager and decided to take pity on us and sold it to us for the sale price(about the same cost as the Lazyboy couch with less options and smaller, but a bigger pullout bed and more comfortable). So I won't see it until April. Lots of time to paint the basement walls and move out the old, torn couch. When we got back home, we were amazed to hear that MSU had actually won! At least my Mom and Dad had a chance to see the game.
On Tuesday we were all back to work and school. Scott and Tom headed off to the boy scout meeting. On Weds night I was busy with my Girl SCout Leader meeting. I had to take a few girl scouts with me as they were responsible for babysitting services that night. I had 4 scouts and only 1 kid needed watched. They did a great job. They were just happy to see each other, and begged me to go to the frozen yogurt shop afterwards. Even a few of the moms joined us. We ended up closing up the shop. On Thursday night, Allison had a piano lesson. Tom was busy studying for a science test with Scott.
All this week my parents have been at our house. Tom was waiting for a few more pieces of the computer to come in the mail so he could finish assembling my parents new system. And he was trying to walk my DAd through the set up process. They were also waiting for good driving weather and there was snow out west on Monday and Tuesday. I was hoping we could have gone out to eat on Thursday night, but we were all so busy. Instead I grilled steak at home. Mom thought a restaurant couldn't have done a better job, but I disagreed since I was the one shopping, cooking and doing the dishes! I have never cooked so many big meals or washed so many dishes in my life! It was fun though sitting down to the table every night with a big group of people. Except the kids were feeling a bit strained since they are used to eating fast and getting to their homework. I actually served dinner on WEds night but didn't have time to eat until 10pm since I was off to scouts!
Friday I had to go into work since the nursing home picked up after the holidays. Tom stayed home and sent my parents on their way. He also had received a phone call last Sunday night from SCott's Lego Club coach. She broke her ankle after being kicked by a horse while riding on vacation with the family in Costa Rica, so she asked Tom if he could take over. He held two meetings-one after school on WEds and one on Friday. They had a mad rush to prepare the team for the preliminary event scheduled on Saturday. Out of 22 teams, only 7 would be picked. Unfortunately, Tom found that the team was not completely prepared, and SCott was the only one who knew how to program the robot to finish the task. So they lost some points for that, and for not being quite as sophisticated as some teams(optic laser lights included), but out of 22 teams, they came in 10th place! Not bad for a first time. The event lasted all day, and the boys were pretty pooped out. I stayed home and got Allison off to work after she spent the day doing schoolwork(getting ready for midterms).
ON Sunday we were flying out the door to head to DAve and Busters for Scott's birthday party. I attempted to schedule a party for him around his birthday on Nov 27th, but the place is so popular, they did not have any openings until Jan. 1st. I scheduled the party for Saturday but the Lego team had a competition. So it was set for Sunday. The kids(and a few adults) all had a great time playing unlimited video games and using their game cards to earn tickets to buy little trinkets. Scott brought home a new Dave and Busters cup and a huge stuffed pug after the kids pooled their tickets together to help him out. He also got a tshirt from D and B's. The kids barely sat down to eat lunch, and a few stopped for cake, but it was mostly a video game fest. Especially after we found out their unlimited video game cards were good all day. WE ended up spending the afternoon, until it was time to get Allison to work. Plus SCott still had some homework and studying to do. All in all a very cool birthday party. And Scott got plenty of gift cards! Enjoy the photos from the birthday party!
Baltimore Blog
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
