12/31/08

1. Had a ton of errands to run, but got them all done. Did the grocery shopping (the store was a ZOO), went out for ice cream ;), got M's hair cut, picked up and dropped off things at peoples' houses.

2. Mom's kitchen is essentially done! There are some shelves that have to be re-ordered and they need a bit more quarter round trim, but all the cabinets are installed and it looks awesome! (I'll update her blog tomorrow)

3. New Year's Eve celebration at home. We had a few families over and played games and ate snacks until midnight. :)

12/30/08

1. Ran some errands (Target Xmas was 75% off!) and had lunch out with G.

2. Finally made some plans for NYE--having friends over for a very casual gathering.

3. Out to see JIM GAFFIGAN at the Pabst theater. It was fantastic! He did bits on bowling, bacon, hot pockets, sex... All hysterical stuff!

12/29/08

1. Mom got her plumbing installed! Almost there...

2. G. has a friend who called with two extra tickets to see Jim Gaffigan tomorrow night--YAY!

3. Mom booked the Amtrak tickets (and yesterday I made the dinner reservation) for Friday's trip to Chicago to go to American Girl Place for M's golden birthday.

4. Surprise extra tutoring (and therefore extra money)

5. Another day with high temps over the freezing mark. YAY!

6. Neighbor book club--we watched Girl With A Pearl Earring; it was beautifully filmed, but not a great movie. If I hadn't read the book, I don't think I'd have followed it. Book club discussion, however, was wonderful as always!

12/28/08

1. Sleeping in (no kids!) and then leisurely reading the Sunday paper before fetching said kids.

2. Trip to the Art Museum to take pictures for T's Art Docent project. Here's his piece:
And here are two girls and a boy, becoming one with the universe:
3. Going out to Potbelly's (as a family) for G's birthday. Yummy food, and I was able to stop into Origins to use my $10 gift certificate.

12/27/08

1. My wonderful, caring, giving, handsome husband turned 40 today!

2. We had a small gathering of friends to celebrate his birthday. It was SO much fun! Very low-key with lots of yummy snacks, some fun games, and great conversation. Oh, and an adorable baby!

3. My mom kept all three kids overnight due to the party. Strange as it was to sleep w/o a baby monitor on, it was nice, too!

4. I cleaned the entire house from top to bottom in preparation for having "new" people over. I love having the whole house clean at once!

12/26/08

1. I had to run out this morning to do some returns and to pick up a surround sound theater system for my Mom. The return lines at Kohls and Boston Store were short and the employees SO helpful, and there were only three theater systems left, so I'm glad I trekked out to Costco!

2. C. got the results of her ACT's and (IMO) she kicked butt! She was SO excited because she did better than she had on her practice test and, I think, well enough to get into many colleges at this point. Hopefully she'll do even better when she takes them "for real" in three years.

3. Played a lot of Guitar Hero World Tour with the kids. It's such a fun game (better, IMO, than Rock Band) and I love introducing the kids to music from our era.

12/25/08

1. The cuteness of the kids planning waking time. Our "rule" is that they cannot get out of bed until 6:00 am and cannot wake us until 7:00 am. (But they can look at the Santa gifts and their stockings before waking us) Both T. and C. set their alarms (iPod and cell phone) for 6:30 and we heard them on the baby monitor before they came up at 7:02 to wake us.

2. Lovely Xmas morning stuff--breakfast of Mamafitz's breakfast casserole and cinnamon bites (plus OJ and coffee) and laziness after opening gifts.

3. G's parents here for Xmas supper with us. Mom cooked an excellent meal of prime rib, twice baked potatoes, roasted veggies and salad.

4. Friends from knitting club came after supper for dessert and some Guitar Hero. They're a fun and funny couple, and the new GH rocks! ;)

12/24/08

1. G. got his birthday gift all set up ;)

2. Mom's Corian countertops are in! She's so excited and it really is looking like a "real" kitchen.

3. Yummy dinner from Nick N Willy's (pizza, buffalo wings, caesar salad) without the work!

4. The cuteness of the kids wearing their new Xmas jammies and exchanging sibling gifts tonight.

12/23/08

1. Everyone slept in, and we had a big breakfast to start the day of cleaning and reorganizing.

2. Got a lot of moving, cleaning, rearranging done--hopefully finish up tomorrow!

3. Made one of my favorite meals--Mexican Gumbo ala Qdoba--and had the neighbors over for supper. Fun! (even if I did drink too many pina coladas and had to skip Knitting Club)

12/22/08

1. C. and I ran to do some shopping (groceries, essentially) since it's going to be snowy between now and Xmas. We also found an amazing deal on something to go with G's birthday gift. Yay!

2. LOTS of holiday cards in the mail today. Though I complain about the stress of getting my cards sent, it is SO nice to receive cards that it's worth it. :)

3. Out for coffee with G. while T. had his guitar lesson. I fear we may all be stuck indoors for awhile with even more snow coming, so it was nice to get out for a bit.

12/21/08

1. Though we woke up to -8 temps, and 30 mph winds, no one had to be anywhere today, so we could stay put--indoors!

2. While looking through the Sunday paper, we found G's birthday gift and ran out to pick up the last one! :)

3. Tried a new recipe from one of my Xmas gifts, BOB. It was a steakhouse shepherd's pie, and it was just right for such an awful, cold evening.

4. Winter solstice...daylight only gets longer from here on out. ;)

12/20/08

1. Quick trip out with G. to get a few last minute Xmas things for Xmas with his family today.

2. Very helpful children; I wanted to get the house picked up before we left, and they chipped in and helped out.

3. WE GOT A SNOWBLOWER! An online friend was selling one, and between us, my mom, and our next-door neighbors, we got it. I'm hoping that's all it takes to get Mother Nature to stop dumping on us!

4. Xmas with G's family; lots of fun, and we all got great gifts! (I'll try to post pictures tomorrow--too tired now) And while the trip home was truly awful, we all made it home safely.

12/19/08

1. Despite Milwaukee being hit with one of the worst snowstorms ever, no one had to be anywhere, and we got it all cleaned up by mid-afternoon. Oh, and there was the bonus of all that wonderful outdoor air and exercise!

2. Got some cleaning done in the house before the snow stopped, so it's not a *complete* disaster.

3. Ventured out for pizza at Classic Slice in Bayview with some of the Knitting Club (and family). Yummy baconizer pizza and great company made it worth the drive on less-than-perfect roads.

12/18/08

1. Had an extra tutoring session today, which helps (financially) since I won't have any meetings over the winter break.

2. Got a message from my favorite cousin, who I hadn't heard from in over a year! She found me on Facebook yesterday and PM'ed me today with a breastfeeding question! It was great to hear from her, and also wonderful to talk breastfeeding--which was so much a part of my life for so long.

3. Finally got to see Mamma Mia (the movie). I watched it while folding laundry, so didn't even have the guilt of being lazy while watching it! :)

4. This may seem like a strange thing to make me happy, but...
I've felt particularly stressed this holiday season. I'm not usually a fanatic about Christmas, but I do enjoy it and all the little traditions we have. Notsomuch this year. I spoke with not one but TWO friends today who basically said they're feeling the same. I just felt less alone with my Scrooge-y thoughts afterwards and it truly felt like a weight was lifted!

12/17/08

1. Mom and I headed out for some shopping. I didn't get much, but Mom got a few things. I like shopping during weekdays when it's not so busy, too.

2. Got some more knitting done on the secret project (after stopping at Ruhama's to get a needle that I didn't own). Maybe it'll be done in time, though I'm not holding my breath!

3. C's Middle School orchestra concert. I think the orchestra program is AMAZING! I love their concerts, and it's especially neat to see T. enjoying them (since he's playing violin, too) and M. tapping her foot or humming along.

12/16/08

1. Got grocery shopping done a day early--and mom went, too, which was nice.

2. Lunch out w/ Mom at this Chinese place near the grocery store. Kind of a dive, but the food was good! (I love going out for Chinese, since it's so time-consuming to cook)

3. My application to take classes this Spring as a Special Student was approved, so I immediately went online and registered for CHM 511 (Inorganic). It's scary, but exciting!

4. Got started on a new knitting project (which shall remain a secret for now).

12/15/08

1. Today is one of my best friend's 40th birthdays (Happy Birthday, Sarah!).

2. I caught up on a bunch of phonecalls that I've needed to make, but been putting off. (Didn't necessarily get much accomplished in those phonecalls, but I got them made)

3. Tutoring--got nice gifts from two of my clients, too. A gift card to Schwartz's Book Store from one and a Kate Spade datebook from the other.

12/14/08

1. I felt better than I did yesterday; it's amazing how, after feeling REALLY awful, even minor improvement seems amazing!

2. Ran out and finished almost all of my shopping--using coupons, too.

3. It was unbelievably warm--hitting 45--which made much of the snow melt, and enabled us to chip most of the ice off of the sidewalks and driveway, in preparation for another big snow coming tomorrow.

4. Finished a scarf that knit up really quickly, using a pattern I found online and LOVE! G. will give it as a gift for one of his co-workers tomorrow:

12/13/08

1. I got to bring C. and a friend to take their ACT's. This was much less chaotic than last year when they took the SAT's and they seemed so much more confident and self-assured, too! I think having them take the practice ones in middle school is a great idea.

2. Met the Mom of one of C's friends and Dad of another for coffee after the test-taking. It really is always fun to watch C. in a pack of her peers. They're such a fun mix of childhood and adulthood at this age. (and the eggnog latte was yummy, too)

3. Mom got back from her trip up North safely--and she brought awesome pizzas made by her friend Louise. That made for a nice, easy supper.

12/12/08

1. T. and M.'s School Holiday Concert was this morning. First of all, T's class got to dance, which was very enjoyable. And the kindergarteners are *always* adorable!

2. Long meeting with my future Grad School advisor. This time I got to attend one of their group meetings, where they were discussing data they'd collected and the plans they'd made for future research. It made a lot of the abstract descriptions more meaningful to me. I also found out that one of the three classes I need to take before being admitted *will* be offered this spring, so I can get started (if I can come up with the money!).

3. C. and I made four more gift bags. We're up to 13 now! :)

12/11/08

1. Subbing wasn't as bad as I feared! I signed up to sub Chemistry, but then realized that the job I took was teaching the non-math based Chem classes and the freshman intro classes, and that it was subbing for someone who had been out all week and had different subs every day of the week! Everyone was very helpful, I got to actually *teach* some, and I did get to have lunch with one of my former co-workers. And I'm exhausted, so I should sleep well tonight!

2. I almost finished the scarf I started knitting on Tuesday. Two preps and an hour for lunch will do that!

3. Thursday night TV--nothing spectacular, but familiar ;)

12/10/08

1. G. took the older kids to school early for the Student Council breakfast so the younger ones and I slept in somewhat.

2. After dropping the kids at school, I headed to the mall. I've gotten MOST of my shopping done and it's down to just looking for a few things.

3. T. and M. both had playdates after school, which extended my day a bit. I finally sewed straps on five Everlasting Bagstoppers, and had a bit of time to knit, too.

4. Took a friend and went to an Open House held by another friend. The second friend is a Mary Kay distributor, and since I don't wear makeup, I've kind of avoided most of her parties, but she recently added another company to her business--uppercase living. I found a lot of cute things I'd like from uppercase living, and picked up a few great deals on Mary Kay things, too (she had close-outs and clearance things).

12/9/08

1. Still trying to find some happiness in today's snowstorm. I guess that everyone is safe, despite the awful weather and road conditions. Oh, and I got an awful lot of exercise between shoveling, scooping, and roof-raking.

2. Made a very summery supper--bratwurst with Jack Straw salad and potato chips.

3. All three kids so excited to play in the snow now that they have a backyard to play in!

4. Knitting Club; The bookstore where we usually meet closed at 7:00 due to the weather, so we had to go across the street to a coffee place. I personally like the coffee place better, so that was a nice bonus--and Knitting Club is always fun.

12/8/08

1. Decided to go grocery shopping today (due to the storm predicted) instead of Wednesday, as usual. The grocery store was much less busy, employees seemed friendlier, and they were out of fewer things. I'm trying to decide if double coupons is worth the hassle (they do double coupons on Wednesday, but max of 5 and $1 value each). I saved $57 on a $95 bill.

2. Didn't get the whole house clean, but got more clean than I'd feared. My "broken" washing machine is really annoying, though (it only does a FULL load--and I mean FULL), as I have to plan my loads more, and feel wasteful if I run a small load. ugh! Please, oh please let washers and dryers be on sale-BIG sale-after the first of the year.

3. I was supposed to help in M's PE class today, but they had switched PE times and the teacher forgot to let me know. Instead, I got to help in the classroom during Center Time.

4. All three kids went to bed wearing their PJ's inside out in hopes of a snow day tomorrow.

12/7/08

1. It's been a very snowy December, but no snow (yet!) today.

2. C's Middle School Variety Show: she started off just doing stage crew, but ended up doing stage crew, singing the National Anthem with Chamber Choir, helping in an MC skit, and being in a piece from Wicked.

3. Mom decided kind of last minute to drive up North to catch up with some friends. She made it safely--and ahead of the storm(s) coming.

4. Both tutoring sessions went well tonight. It's nice when I feel I've really been helpful.

12/6/08

1. My nephew's Bar Mitzvah. It was so neat to see this boy who was born early and just over 5 lbs. turn into a mature young man!

2. Mailed the Xmas cards! (My first card arrived today, too, so none-too-soon)

3. Ran out with C. to find gifts for her teacher (Student Council members each adopt a teacher for Teacher Appreciation week). We were successful, and kept it within the price limits.

4. Cashew chicken stir fry for supper. I hadn't made this for a long time and it really hit the spot!

12/5/08

1. I tried to return a pair of jeans to Kohl's because one of the snaps on the back pockets broke. Even though I didn't have a receipt, they allowed me to exchange them with no hassle at all!

2. Made two more Xmas gift bags. It's addictive!

3. Finished up the Xmas cards--all ready to be mailed tomorrow.

4. An exciting night out with G.--Home Depot, Target, Qdoba and Costco!

12/4/08

1. M. woke up on her own and was well enough to go to school.

2. I sewed four more Xmas gift bags (and C. put in the drawstrings, which was nice).

3. I washed and folded ALL the laundry--while catching up on ALL of the episodes of Rachael Ray that I had DVR'ed.

4. M's Daisy Girl Scout Investiture ceremony. It was SO cute to see all the girls (and hear them reciting the GS promise).
5. G. finished the Xmas letter and I proofed it and formatted it. Now it just needs to be printed and stuffed into envelopes and then we can mail them! :) (I love getting holiday cards...)

12/3/08

1. Although M. was home from school sick (the pukey bug), having my Mom next door meant that I could still do the errands and stuff that I "needed" to do today.

2. Staying home all afternoon meant that I finally got started on the Xmas gift bags that I've wanted to make for about two years. ;) I made five today:
3. Though I was not happy to see more snow, the Kaufman snow scoops that Mom ordered arrived today, and they made the "shoveling" much easier!

4. The kids actually started the Xmas book advent calendar last night, but I wasn't home for the reading of the first book. Tonight was one of my favorites: Elmo's Christmas Colors

12/2/08

1. Though it was a really cold day (and there's still snow all over), the sun was out! That makes such a difference.

2. Ran some errands with mom, including a trip to Boelter (restaurant supply store--SO fun to browse) and lunch at Culver's. Yummy Culver's Cobb salad (not as good as CPK's, but still good).

3. Relatively nice trip out to Oconomowoc to get the girls' teeth filled. I don't enjoy going to the dentist, but I really appreciate free dental work (from G's uncle and now his cousin, who has joined the practice!). The girls did well--C. even had both of hers filled w/o anesthesia (which is my little trick--I hate the numbness more than the short bit of pain).

4. Nice PTC meeting. Even though I don't exactly look forward to attending them, they really are interesting! And I've met a whole 'nother group of moms from the kids' school, too. And--I got the minutes typed up tonight--YAY!

5. When PTC ended, I still had 45 minutes before knitting club ended, so I raced over. I got a bit of knitting in, and grabbed some good company and conversation, too! :)

12/1/08

1. Although we had a winter weather advisory last night, the roads were not terrible, and everyone made it where they had to go--safely.

2. Subbing (at the HS--Math) went well. I'm still not in love with subbing (it's not a lot of actual teaching) but I do enjoy being in the school and I think I'd really enjoy a long-term sub position. With the inability to take classes until fall, I'm *really* hoping a long-term thing opens up for me this spring.

3. After subbing all day, coming home to supper cooked by not me ;) Mom made a yummy flank steak roll-up thing stuffed with bacon and onions and cooked in a tomato-based sauce. It was so nice to not have to think about supper after being gone all day.

4. I had one tutoring client tonight, and she'd gone home from school early since she didn't feel well. I was able to go through all of the math that she'd missed, plus we worked on some Chem. It's nice to feel needed--AND I'm done with work for the week! :)