I Got Nothin'

It was just your average, normal, daily week. School, work, volunteering, reading, playing, enjoying the nice weather. Pretty much everything right there.

Bo-ring.

Thankfully... the TV season started up again. So, we all swooned over Castle on Tuesday (since we only watch things on Hulu; speaking of which, have you heard about Netflix??? Grrr... We're thinking of jumping ship and doing Hulu plus for streaming, but where do we get our DVDs? We need some place that will give us an unlimited supply of Bollywood... Ideas?) (thought it was way too soap-ish, but really liked the last 15 minutes or so. It's good to have them back, though) and then I watched The Sing Off on Friday. Partially because it's a cappella music, and partially because my favorite thing about BYU, Vocal Point, is on this season. Hooray for good music!

So, aside from a capella and Nathan Fillion what is there?

Marching band?

(That should be a joke.)

Actually, there was one tiny, little thing. I got a call on Monday from the local independent bookstore; I'd dropped off a resume/application with them a few weeks back, never expecting to hear from them again, because they rarely have open positions and it's impossible to get hired on there. I figured it was just a shot in the dark. Amazingly, I hit something; the manager called inviting me for an inteview (nerve-wracking!) on Tuesday. Anyway, the gist of the interview (I was shaking, I was so nervous) was that she was impressed with me, thinks I'd be a great fit at the store (I would! I'd love to work there!) and that she wants to hire me; she just has to figure out how to do that. So, I'm saying I have an offer but not a job. Hopefully, in the next couple of weeks, the offer will turn into a job. It was wonderfully validating, though; it's nice to know that the "work" I've been doing with my blog (it was the blog that caught her eye) these past seven years hasn't really been in vain.

And the Relief Society broadcast last night was nice. President Uchdorf's talk was exactly what I needed to hear at this point in my life. I'm thankful for moments like that.

It's all the Rage

Megan has grand plans for her life. And, for whatever reason, she decided to put all the things she wants to do down on paper this morning.



She's quite ambitious, our daughter. (No idea where she gets that...)

Fall = Marching Band!

We missed the first home game of the season last week, but Caitlyn and I were there last night to see the football team marching band in all its glory.


Ah, those goofy band people...


This one is really quiet... Megan says it's because it's really hard (it's the Halo theme song; and the formations are tricky) and maybe only half the members are playing. Eventually, though, they'll get it down. Megan is (at the 1:09 mark) the clarinet nearest the 35 yard line.



This one is an easier piece, and so they're louder.


Megan says the band will have a full half-time show down by the Band-o-Rama in a month. I guess I need to go this year!

Kristenisms

Kristen's always saying something funny, but I seem to never remember to write them down at the time. Thankfully, Russell is often on the computer, and he posts her funnies on Facebook. I figured I needed to share these here:

"While doing the dishes and listening to one of my 70s mixes, "Copacabana" came on. Kristen, busy cutting up an egg carton at the table, asked me if was a true story. I said no. Then she wanted to know why Rico called Lola a dog, and why she was so sad after Tony died; didn't she know he'd be resurrected someday? Hard questions to answer to a 5-year-old's satisfaction. I never knew Manilow's songs involved such narrative complexity."

"Coming home from church, there was a brief discussion in the car about spiders. Kristen, age five, stated that spiders are good, because they protect us from bad insects, like bumblebees. I asked if butterflies were bad insects too, and she said no, they were good insects, made by God to make the world beautiful, before Satan "jacked it up" with ugly insects and killer whales."

She's too funny.

My Birthday Present

So, this year, since KidLitCon (it's the blogger conference I've gone to for three years) fell on my birthday, we decided that the trip would be my birthday present.

And what a present it was!

In my never-ending quest to meet in person all those I know on-line, I emailed Betsey and Kari Heber asking if they wanted to meet up. They offered to let me stay with them in their lovely home. It was grand seeing them; when you've "known" someone (and been a part of the same online book group) for five years, coming up with hours and hours of conversation is easy. We had a lovely dinner at a fish place and stayed up way too late talking (especially considering my jet lag.) It was wonderful to finally "meet" them.


Since they live out on the peninsula (I've never been there; it's gorgeous), I got to take the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle.


Which is a gorgeous way to spend an hour.


The conference started on Friday this year, and I even presented on a panel. It was loads of fun seeing old friends, meeting new people, talking and listening and thinking. I do love going, and not only because it's nice to get away on my own sometimes.

The conference hotel was incredibly posh though

I felt slightly out of place. I should have gotten a picture of the doorman, who held the door every time I walked up. I'm just not cut out for anything fancier than the Drury Inn... Though I didn't take a picture of my favorite part: in the shower, there was a rack with three bottles, one for shampoo, conditioner, and soap. ALL hotels should have this. It was awesome. (It's sad that the soap is my favorite part of the hotel.)

Then, on Saturday, I took a break for a bit and walked down to Pike's Place Market. Because it was Saturday, it was bustling, and wonderful for a bit of people watching. One of my favorite things to do is just soak up atmosphere, and the market has that in spades. There were tons of flower vendors, lots of little quirky shops, and I found the perfect present-to-me: a lovely pair of silver earrings.


I had a grand time, though I was more than happy (and ready) to come home to my lovely family. Perhaps getting away every once in a while just brings that home to me.

Mom's Birthday

Bonus: we have a camera that does videos again!



This fact makes us all happy.

The Real Deal

She was actually very concerned about getting the cast, mostly (from what we could figure out between the crying) because she won't be able to take it off. But... she got to pick blue (her current favorite color), AND she gets to have people sign it, AND it helps her wrist not hurt so much anymore.

So, perhaps it's not a bad thing after all.

Like Two Ships, Passing in the Night

(photo credit)

I realized, on Wednesday, that at no one point in the past seven days would our entire family be together at dinnertime. This is why:

Monday: Russell teaches a night class, and so is not home for dinner. In other news: The rest of us (well, Megan opted to stay home) went to Wendy's night (a school fundraiser). They wanted to bike, and I let Caitlyn and Alison bike on ahead while I walked with Kristen. When we turned the corner at the end of our street, I saw a group of people and a downed bike; I knew Alison had taken a spill. We initially thought it was just a skinned knee (at least that was the main source of hysterics), but by the time we got to Wendy's (we still had to eat!), Alison was complaining her arm hurt. I didn't see anything that screamed "ER" to me, so we wrapped it (to remind her not to use that arm), and called the doctor first thing Tuesday morning.

Tuesday: Russell had a Constitution Day event, and so went out to dinner with the guest speaker we had. In other news: we got into the doctor first thing in the morning (thanks to Karen, Kristen was able to get to school on time; she was pretty miffed about having to go, while Alison got to miss, though Alison didn't really "miss", she was just an hour late). The verdict: a buckle fracture in both bones of Alison's wrist. They were going to put on a cast, but she had a sore on her thumb, and they didn't want to cover it up and make it worse, so she just got a splint until Friday. She also had her first Girl Scout meeting after school; even though she was a bit out of sorts (she was a bit out of sorts all week; there were many tears shed over the hurt arm, and the idea of getting a cast), she had fun. I think it'll be a good thing for her to be in Girl Scouts.

Wednesday: we had the Elders over for dinner, and Caitlyn was gone to a friend's house to do homework. (The only night we could have all had dinner together, and homework messed it up.) We have a new elder, and honestly? He's *picky*. Who doesn't eat brats? (Well, except two of my kids. Maybe it's a good thing I have picky eaters?) Anyway, we didn't really even get very much time together, because I needed to go visiting teaching and the girls had YW and activity days, and, and, and...

Thursday, Friday, Saturday: I went to Seattle for my annual running away. Yes, I do know Saturday was my birthday. Alison was very sad when she realized that I would miss my birthday (but at least it wasn't her birthday; she may never let Russell live that down!). But I went, I had a grand time meeting new friends, and hanging with e-friend (ones I met on the internet; they're not really electronic people), and learning new things, and overcoming my fear of famous-to-me people. It was a lot of fun, and while I barely slept (I just can't sleep), I had a grand time. In other news: They had a good time here at home. (Except for several melt-downs by Alison. It's been a hard week for her.) Megan had her first football game of the season (marching, not playing...), but no one went to see her; instead they had friends over to play at the house. Alison got her actual cast on as well. Saturday, they discovered this "Wichita Play" event and headed out to that. They said that it was a blast: bouncy things, paddle boats, slides, pony rides, games: tons and tons of fun. Unfortunately, no one thought to take the camera (as part of my birthday present to myself, I bought a new little camera, so we have two again. Not to mention one that does movies. Very happy to have that back!)....

And today? We finally have all been together as a family. They all went to stake conference, while I flew home (left the hotel at 4 a.m. to catch a 6 a.m. flight. Not recommended.). And they had a cake and ice cream and beautifully hand-made cards for my "surprise" party when I got home. I like going away, but I think coming home is the best part.

And Another One,,,

We seem to have a spate of broken arms every few years. At least it's not every year, right?

This time, it's Alison. Again.

We were biking to a nearby Wendy's and I'd let Caitlyn and Alison bike on up ahead, while I walked by Kristen on her bike. As we turned the corner, I saw up ahead a group of people and a bike down on the sidewalk. I recognized it as Alison's bike, and took off running: she'd taken a spill. Thankfully, the person who'd stopped to help her was the mom of one of Caitlyn's friends, and I knew her pretty well. We initially thought it was just a bloody knee (not deep, just scraped), and so continued on to Wendy's after band-aiding it up.

But, at Wendy's, Alison started complaining her arm/wrist hurt. So, it was off to the doctors first thing Tuesday morning, and sure enough: she's got a buckle fracture on both bones of her wrist. They would have put a cast on right then, but she had a little scrape on her thumb, and they didn't want to cover it, lest it fester. So, she got a splint, and is going back on Friday to get a cast on.

It hurts, and she's not very happy about it.


There is a silver lining: she's gotten some presents out of it. Silly girl.

More pictures when she gets her cast.

Stuff Happened

Monday, we labored by mowing the lawn and spring cleaning (yeah, I know: it's September) the garage. Russell had this brilliant idea for switching things around in the garage, and now we have MORE ROOM for bikes and the car, and why on earth didn't we think of this five years ago??

We also went mini-golfing at a proper mini-golf place across town (read: with windmills and castles and fun obstacles) and had a good time; the weather was lovely (yay!) and aside from an altercation which involved Kristen whacking Alison with her club (on purpose; it was because Alison was telling Kristen she couldn't do something), a good time was had by all.

Tuesday was back to school, much to Kristen's displeasure. She actually likes school, once she gets there. This isn't a new problem; we had days like that in preschool as well. I suppose it's just a matter of weathering the rough days (and days after vacations are always going to be rough days), and persisting in getting her to school. She's always quite cheerful when I pick her up afterward.

Wednesday was pretty normal. Caitlyn went up to Hutchinson with the yearbook group for a conference, and came home with lots of stories from that. She really likes the advisor, Mrs. Rayl, who also happened to be one of Megan's favorite teachers from middle school. She's fast becoming one of Catilyn's as well. On a side note: Caitlyn came home and said, "Megan: Mr. Goter said to tell you hi." Megan groaned. It is definitely an interesting thing having teachers your siblings did... (No, it's not something I ever experienced!)

Thursday, Russell stayed late at work for a 9/11 commemoration they did at school. He took in the newspaper the Meloches sent us from DC the day after the attacks as well as the Time magazine where it was a cover story. Both went over pretty well; it's hard to believe it's been 10 years, and that the college freshmen this year were Alison's age when it happened. Anyway. Russell said it was a nice little program.

Friday, we had planned to go to see the Shakespeare in the Park (Troilous and Cressida; I hadn't heard of it, either.) with the Austins. But, we got to the park and it started raining. While I'm not complaining about the rain (since it seems to have beewen mostly located over the eastern US lately), this is the first time (and it was our 8th play!) we've ever been rained out. There was a lull, and we got to see about a third of the play, but then thunder and lightning moved in, and they called it off. Sad, especially since we were enjoying the play. We ended up going out to Olive Garden for a early birthday dinner/cake (they got rid of their good Ghiradelli cheesecake! So sad.)/talking/staying out way too late.

Saturday was pretty normal: cleaning, volunteering, Megan went to a dance and had a good time.

And today, we got a new bishopric at church. We walked in, and the whole stake presidency was there. Russell said, "New bishop." And sure enough. I'm sure the Kitchens will be glad to have their dad back... And our new bishop will be a good one. It was a nice meeting. And then we talked about meekness, forgiveness and life after death; all appropriate subjects for today.

That's about it for us. I'm running away to Seattle for my birthday on Thursday and not coming back until Sunday. I'm not sure I need it as much as I have in years past (since I've got so much time to myself as of late; no news on the job front, though I've applied at a couple more places). But it will be nice to have a mini-vacation to see friends.

(Art credit here)

Goofing Off

Last Sunday, when it was absolutely gorgeous outside, the girls went out for one of their (infamous) photo sessions. I had fun with the photoshopping....




The joke on this one was that after Megan took it, she said, "Look! Caitlyn sees an alien!" So, we drew one in.


This one is Caitlyn being creepy...




And the three new ones over on the side:



Cute girls!

I've Been Lazy

As Caitlyn reminds me (on occasion; it's not like she's nagging me or anything) that I haven't put up pictures of her trombone. (Codename: Oliver)

So here you go: we've got a trombone player (trombonist?) in da house!

Miracles and Abnormalities

Outside my window: Is a gorgeous, gorgeous day. Seriously. After hitting more than 100 degrees several days this week (the record stands at 52 days), having the windows open is a miracle. Also: the girls are playing outside. It's not something we normally do on Sunday, but after the summer we've had, the fact that they want to be outside is another small miracle.

I am listening to: my Sunday Pandora mix. A little bit of Hawaiian music, a little bit of vocal Jazz (just finished a Michael Buble song), a little bit of Celtic, a little bit New Age-y piano and acoustic guitar music, a little bit classical. A lot of the things I love. (By the way, my talk on music in the worship service last week went over swimmingly, if I do say so myself.)

I am watching: too many movies. And that Gnomeo and Juliet was really quite a cute movie. The girls say we need to own it, but we'll see.

I am thinking: I really need to get a job. On that front, I actually gathered up my confidence (I was seriously terrified; I sat in the car at my first stop for a full 10 minutes trying to work up the nerve), and dropped off three resumes at bookstores. I also got a heads up from the people I volunteer with at the library that they've opened 6 positions at two of the branches. Unfortunately, only one of the positions works for my schedule, but I applied for it. I get to go in on Friday to do some clerical testing (because typing so many words per minute will definitely help me be a better librarian!), and then that application is complete. Now, it's just waiting. (And keep looking...)

I am grateful for: Russell! He's been gone to APSA, and while I'm not sure I miss him to the extent I used to (since we've got a fairly well-oiled machine going here, and the girls are basically old enough to not be quite so needy as they were, say, 10 years ago), I still don't sleep well when he's gone. And I miss having him to talk to. I've got an amazing husband for which I'm grateful.

I am reading: Do you really want to know? (Seriously: just finished Cold Sassy Tree and am working on a couple of middle grade books.)

I am photographing: I'm not, but Megan is. Have I mentioned that she's in a photography class this year? And that she really loves it? (And that they get to work with film and dark rooms and learn to process?? Now, that's cool.)

I am listing: Things To Do for the upcoming week. I was quite proud of myself for knocking "clean fridge" off my list on Friday. About time.

I am creating: nothing really. I need to get to work on several photo/text books (Christmas and birthday presents), and eventually we'll budget the money so I can print off a book of photos from our trip back East.

I am hoping and praying: that I get a job, mostly. I really am bored. (And we could use the money.)

Around the house: It's quiet a lot. Too quiet. What is it that SAHMs do all day when their kids go away to school? I can't work like this!

From the kitchen: We had pork chops and smashed potatoes for dinner. The girls said I don't cook them as well as Russell does. Megan and Alison made chocolate chip cookies (the oven on, in the middle of the day? *bliss*) but forgot the baking Not normal. But we ate them anyway.

One of my favorite things: Fall! (and perhaps it's on it's way.) (Maybe it is: the girls have already started talking Halloween costumes.)

The children this week: Got new 'dos. Alison and Caitlyn's hair was long enough to donate to Locks of Love, Kristen wanted a cut just for the heck of it, and Megan went in yesterday to get her hair colored. Red. (Not blue, although she did consider it. Briefly.) She decided that her hair going more brown than red was NOT acceptable, and saved up her money to rectify that problem. Funny girl.

Quote of the week: Kristen: "Mom, we're planning your surprise birthday party. What kind of cake do you want?"

(I got the meme thing from a blogging friend, Suey.)

Finally.

I know it's not a big deal to most of you, but for us, this is heaven.

Well, We Did It.