So I failed...

I did not make it to 10 posts in December but at least I posted something. We are in Indiana for about 24 more hours then it's back to TX where the temp is a full 30 degrees warmer. I can't wait.

We have had tons of fun here and have throughly enjoyed spending time visiting with family and friends but I am anxious to get home and get things back in order. I am ready for the New Year fresh start and all.

So as I get off the computer for the last time in 2009 I wish all my readers well and hope that your lives are blessed and filled with joy in 2010. I am thinking it is going to be a GREAT year for me and mine!

Peace,

Susan

December photos... Lots to see!

So these are a little backwards by date but there are just too many to move around so start at the bottom if you'd like are just take a little walk back in time. Merry Christmas to all. Our celebrations have just begun as we have many more family and friends to spend time with in Indiana next week. Looking forward to it!

Cool enough for middle school?

Never a truer statement!

Christmas Eve around 7 before the kids went out to play.

Fred checking out his wireless keyboard for the PS3.

Will VERY excited about the Bakugauntlet. Don't ask me what it does Santa brought it so it must be important.

Fred did it! He bought me a purse that I have no intention of returning! Mark this down in the history books! I LOVE IT! Thanks honey!

Will and Fred working on the Bakugan gizmo from Santa. Directions and batteries required!

Nic's big present from Santa, a introductory mountain bike with gears. A nice step up from his first bike.

Christmas morning.

Katherine was in such a hurry to get home and put cookies out for Santa that she got a little wild with her scarf.

Sydney came to visit and have some cake but she really just wanted to enjoy the snow.

Will and his buddy Drew after playing outside.

Lighting 2 + 9 candles on Jesus' Birthday cake. Angel food of course.

Pete chillin by the tree in the middle of our Christmas Eve dinner.

Christmas Eve afternoon.

My dog decided the most comfortable place to lay in the entire house was.. on top of me!

The crew at Amazing Jake's! It was an amazing way to start Winter Break.

Early December snow... lasted 1 hour tops.

Band

So Nic had his first Band Concert on Monday. He did a great job I'm sure. I say that because I could not actually see him play, although I am sure he did, nor did I hear him play. I just don't have a musicians ear like that. The band as a whole did a great job and I was sincerely surprised at how good they sounded for only having practiced about 8 hours together. Band in middle school here is divided out by instrument sections so their all band rehearsals after school are their only time together. That being said they did great!

I recorded Nic playing near the Christmas tree last night but it is playing back strangely for me. I am going to try to put it into this post but not sure that I will be successful. If not here are a few pics from the concert to tide you over.

Ok, I tried but failed on the video file. I will try something shorter tonight and see if I can make it work.

I better get busy!

I suggested in my last post that I would try to post 10 times this month. Well, it's already December 10th and I have only posted once! I'm gonna be doing two-a-days in December if I don't get my butt in gear!

So the latest and greatest?!?!?!

I had some MAJOR dental work done on Saturday that went surprisingly well. Not saying that it didn't hurt or that I don't continue to be in some pain but it is not as bad as my anxiety had led me to think. And for that I am thankful. I was able to sleep away my Saturday once I got home so that helped I'm sure. I go back in another 10 days or so to finish up the work and get my new tooth so that will be fun I'm sure... NOT!

Nic has his first Middle School Band Concert next Monday. He is as an all-band rehearsal today and will come home famished in a few minutes. He is doing a really great job learning the saxophone and I am pleased with his progress. Of course I pay $16 a week for private lessons and nag constantly for him to get in his 20 minutes of practice. Once he gets started he does pretty well. It is much more bearable to listen to these days than a few short months ago.

Fred is in Mexico again this week and should be home Saturday. He is working a ton these days but honestly he doesn't do well when things are slow. He thrives on angst and bedlam. Me.. not so much.

For example I worked at the Holiday Store today at the elementary school. The place was just tooooooooo crazy. I should not criticize since I was not in charge but seriously. I could do a better job and I just might. I am seriously considering overseeing it next year. This year my BIG project was the directory and that really turned into Fred's BIG project. I won't sign him up for that again. But maybe... we'll see.

Well, we made plans to go to Indiana for Christmas this year. Actually the week after Christmas through New Year's Day. I am excited to fly and by-pass the 14 hour drive. Since our Thanksgiving plan was foiled by Fred getting the flu this is the alternative and I am OK with it. I will need to send some gifts but I can handle that. Guess we'll take an extra bag for things we need to bring home but I hope family is aware that small items are appreciated. We certainly need NOTHING in our lives, we are so blessed, so just seeing the family will be such a present.

So the frustrating story of the day revolves around my kitchen faucet. Sunday or Monday I was turning it from one side of my sink to the other and heard a crack. Not a good sound to hear from your sink. After the crack the faucet was very loose and swung a little too freely back and forth. Well, Fred got home and used the sink and agreed that it was too loose. He took a look underneath and found a bunch of rusted debris in the cabinet. He had me go out on Tuesday and buy a new sink. I liked out old sink just fine but saw something else that I thought would work just fine. I spent way more than I wanted to but not as much as I could have. It just wasn't in the budget this month but we didn't think it would wait.

So, the guy at Home Depot tells me that my Moen faucet is guaranteed for life and suggested that I call Moen and see if they could help me out. Worth a try right? So Fred replaced the faucet because he is just that capable and it works and looks great! I then tried to call Moen yesterday only to be told that there is a 55 minute hold time. NOT HAPPENING! They had an option to schedule a call from them so I took that option and scheduled a call for this morning. What the Moen guy said was that the warranty applies only to the original owner of the faucet. Well, that's not me. I am SOL.

In the end I have a new functioning faucet and I may take the time someday to drop MOEN a note and let them know of my disappointment. I suppose this means that in order to take advantage of any warranty for my faucet I will need to take it with me when I move. But somehow I'd bet that there is a also a clause that says somethings about"initial installation." Anyone agree?

Let's try this...

How about I see if I can post 10 times in the month of December?! That would be a record of late and I would love to beat a record!

Today is the first of the month and it is starting out nicely. I went to a meeting at the middle school today about bullying. It was informative and gave me some food for thought and discussion. Nic has been the victim of some bullying in middle school and as a mother I want to do all I can to protect him. Sadly I can not do what I have in the past, middle school is a bit of a fortress, so I need to equip him for battle on his own. It's tough.

After the "Coffee with the Counselor" program my pal and I went to Sam's. My list was short but between the two of us we filled a cart. We headed back to her place to unload her stuff and got wrapped up in a project at her house. I ended up there for the rest of the afternoon, helping, trying a new and DELICIOUS recipe, and generally just being a friend. I love being a friend! It's the best. Almost as good as being a wife, mom, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, etc.

I got home to handle a few things here at the homestead that included but was not limited to Will wanting to leave the state of Texas. It seems that he is getting a little bullying at school too. Some boys are giving him a hard time because he is "friends" with so many girls. He is such a good friend to so many that it stinks that some people feel the need to give him a hard time about this. I don't want him to forsake his friends that are girls to please his friends that are boys. That seems pretty unfair to all involved. I hope that I can talk to the counselor at school tomorrow while I am there. The doors are wide open at the elementary school.

Tomorrow is a BIG day. I am subbing for a Kindergarten teacher. Mrs. M's class is the best, I have been there 5 days this year so far. They are really great kids, Mrs. M has them in line so that helps. I am off to kiss and tuck the boys then myself. Gotta get some sleep to prep for the day with my kinder friends!