As if we weren't busy enough last weekend, Tom and I decided to have our neighbors DAn and Gloria over for dinner and a Ravens football game Sunday night. Since Tom had been on a chili cooking roll, we decided to serve(you guessed it) chili along with some tasty Koegel Vienna hot dogs that I brought back from Michigan. We thought they could use some neighborly support too since Dan was still upset over having his car broken into in his driveway the week before. We found many of his personal items strewn down the street, but of course they took the laptop.

They were also struggling with their teen age daughter's new found freedom at college(not so free though since she just lives in the dorms about 25 mins away and still wants to borrow the car and use their house on weekends for laundry and visiting with friends, not to mention boyfriend issues). Guess they told her if she wanted her freedom to do as she pleased, then she could just stay at the dorm and don't bother coming home. So they weren't having too great of a week. I think they appreciated some parental support, even if it was just from us!

The rest of the week flew by as usual. Tom still had to travel to Charlottesville, VA, but not until WEds morning. He then returned on Thursday night, but had to work on Friday. He did manage to get in his MOnday night football, and was able to take Scott to his scout meeting on Tuesday. He would have left Tuesday night, but he was still busy typing up reports. Allison had a few Field Hockey games that week and Tom was able to catch the Tuesday night game. We have a hard time getting to the games since they are at 3:30 in the afternoon. Tom has a pretty flexible schedule though, so he usually attends. I make the Friday afternoon games.

I stayed busy during the weeknights taking Allison to piano and with my Girl Scout Leader meeting on Weds night and an After Prom meeting Tuesday night at Allison's school. The High School is trying to raise money for the after prom party that they put on at the YMCA-an up all night, after the prom party for the kids complete with activities like swimming, rock wall climbing, games and food. I wanted to get an idea of the kind of volunteer help they were going to need, especially closer to the prom in the spring.

By the time Friday rolled around, I was busy volunteering my morning at Scott's school for Grandparents Day. We passed out coffee and donuts in the morning and then directed all the GParents to the classrooms and church. This year I dragged SCott to school early with me and he helped greet people at the door and poured orange juice. Then they were all headed to the church for a slide show from last year, a prayer service and songs from the choir(so I got to hear SCott sing) and I even peeked into his classroom while they were showing off their education skills. Plus I got to chat with some of the moms that I don't see very often.

After running some errands in the afternoon, I got a call from the school nurse saying that Scott wasn't feeling too well and could I pick him up right after school got out. I wasn't feeling too great myself. As a matter of fact, I was asleep on the couch by 930. I did manage to get Allison to work, but SCott skipped his gymnastics. Fortunately Tom was home and he was able to get Allison at 1030.(It will be nice when she can drive herself to work and home).

By Saturday we were all feeling much better, which was a good thing since Scott was invited to his friend's Sammy roller blade birthday party and sleepover. The party was at the same place Allison works. It was also a combined birthday party with another Resurrection boy, so Allison saw alot of people she knew.

I kept Allison hopping because after working all afternoon at the rollerblade rink, I volunteered her to cover a babysitting job for one of her friends. She certainly makes a whole lot more money babysitting! The extra income will come in handy for her for the Homecoming dance next weekend as well as the Prom. I just had a tough time staying awake to pick her up again. The family was supposed to return home at midnight but did not get back until 1am. I kept Allison company and me awake by texting her while I sat in the apartment parking lot waiting for the family to return. Tom would have stayed up, but he and SCott had an early morning planned.

Scott was supposed to serve mass on Sunday, but it turns out Tom volunteered him to sell popcorn at Lowes all day(what we do to our kids!). Scott and only one other scout showed up with another parent all day to sell popcorn, from 8am to 4pm. Scott was pretty worn out from his busy SAturday and limited sleep that night, but Tom says he did a great job selling. Allison and I spent the day at home doing homework and housework. I also took Allison out for a haircut and decided I might as well get a trim while I was there. It was a weekend of haircuts as I also dropped off Cookie on SAturday for her winter shearing. She is going to be in a Halloween Dog parade at the nursing home on Friday so I wanted her looking(and smelling her best)!

I also had to run Allison off to a Field Hockey pasta dinner party on Sunday night. Fortunately the girl's house was right around the corner, and Allison had to bring a salad. Which the girls completely inhaled. Then it was time to get our dinner!

We have also been trying to keep up with all the great Sports teams-we have been completely amazed at the Lions and the Tigers(Oh my). Our Ravens have been doing pretty well also. And Michigan State football has been interesting too. Then there is always the Packers. Lots to choose from just not enough time to watch it all(although Tom is trying). And Hockey season is just getting started!

And since our weather has finally been so nice, it was hard not to get out and do some yardwork and decorating for Halloween. Scott actually started a week ago, putting out the spiderwebs and hanging up our zombie(right after I trimmed all the bushes). I guess he started a bit too early as an anonymous neighbor put a letter in our mailbox asking us to remove the hanging zombie. They said it was too intense. Tom took it down just so we don't find it burning in our yard one night, and we will put him up again on Halloween night. Guess some people take things a bit too serious. I also took advantage of the nice weather to buy some fall flowers. Now if I can just find the time to actually plant them!

Kathleen and family