therapeutic thursday

So every thursday since school started us blogger moms have been getting together to work on projects & have a little lunch & gab time. It's been great for me- for all of us. So great in fact that we are calling our day- Therapeutic Thursday- cute huh?

Kristy, Janae & I have been working on the Sally Foster Fundraiser- sale starts tomorrow (we are in charge for the elementary school.) Wende was doing conference kits & karrie every week has been organizing family photos & putting them into books- amazing- I really need to do that.... Today I was in charge of lunch & brought roasted tomato soup & stuff for paninis.
Then Wende had a fabulous pumpkin pie & whipped cream for Lauri's birthday Saturday- happy birthday Lauri!! Wende took a cute picture but I'm way to lame to remember to do that!!!??

(E- sneaking drinks from Lauri's soda- hee hee)
Ethan & I had a fantastic time playing "tiny nemo." This little guy is darling & really improved my bad morning mood. I am learning that my mood is directly related to my taking/forgetting to take ibuprofen in the morning. gotta remember that. I'm down to 2 in the morning & sometimes 2 in the afternoon- not bad!?

(McGruff just wouldn't stand still for the picture!)

I had to leave early & hobble over to see the State PTA road trip assembly at one of the schools in my council. It was great- they had this amazing magician do a show on "real magic." He was fantastic & talked about how "real magic" is being an example, kind to others, keeping healthy, seeking wise adults and more. He had the kids completely captivated. It was great to see the state PTA in action & meet the executive board.

Later today I drove ballet carpool, taking Trent & his neighbor buddy who also has asperger's with me & letting them play at the park while we waited. It is quite the scene watching two asperger kids play... I found myself wanting to explain to the other family at the park-- hey they have asperger's, the rest of the family is normal, really... I resisted. They are just so different the way they play. They weren't being bad, it's just odd. I'm just keepin it real, man.

Two different times I had to rush (hobbling & rushing isn't a good thing) them each to a bathroom for quick relief. Max was with us too- he steers completely clear from them. I told them, he's scared of you guys. No quick jerking movements, loud sounds, just be quiet & gentle. Max won't have a thing to do with either one of them. He's not a snob, he's just not sure about the two of them, especially together.

We came home & Hailey had made Taco Salad for dinner- YAE HAILEY- that made my day. We had a nice family dinner, watched the Vice Presidential debate, I did the dishes, made visiting teaching apptoinments, replied to some emails, & finished my October card club cards. Now Chloe & I are up doing homework & listening to Utah play Oregon state. Utah just won.

-Busy Day-

life

I was doing so good- but that's all over. I didn't go to WW this morning, didn't even pretend I was going to go... I am just burned out. I think in the last two days I have eaten anything & everything that has been in front of my face & now I want to puke. Why is this so hard for me? Maybe with the wedding over & every other busy thing winding down I just need a release? I don't know, but I do know I am out of control.

Also, I am sick, sick, sick of being busy. REally this is a life changing for me. I don't want to do it anymore. I am tired of it. I just want to create something & go to lunch with friends (there's that eating issue again.) I guess I am way out of balance. I am even thinking maybe balance is just too strong of a word. I bought a new necklace for 2008 that says CREATE on it... but stopped wearing it out of pure frustration. maybe I should buy another new one that says... sleeping in. Ya that's what I want. My new phrase is SLEEPING IN & NO COMMITMENTS. That is after the... benefit concert & concessions, council PTA, teacher appreciation booklet, decorations for 6th grade graduation, other teacher gifts, field day face painting, getting the missionary newsletter started, primary music- father's day songs, potluck for brett on friday, work on friday....... I'm doomed.

I helped with a PTA district Volunteer of the year luncheon yesterday. I was in charge of table decorations, food, invites- actually I was in charge of everything... but I had good help. I don't normally EVER agree to do table decorations because I am seriously not good at that... anyhow I was so thrilled with how these turned out that I am posting it!

I bought a flat of mini daffodils for $10- then pulled them out of their little places & put them in a white cup. Then I wrapped cute tissue paper around the bottom & tied it up with white string.

I put three on each table & let the guests take them home. They turned out so darling & they are so springy. Can you believe how cute these are? Daffodils are my favorite flowers. They really brighten my world this time of year.

service awards night

For the past two years, my dear friend Jeanine & I have chaired the service awards at the H.S. Jeanine is the best. We used to be in the same neighborhood. When we first moved to UT eleven years ago, she was one of the first people I met. Brett & I were called to be assistant cubscout masters & she was the cub committee chair. We instantly hit it off. Her oldest three & my oldest three are the same ages/opposites sexes. We used to take them on little field trips together in the summer & she had a big baby shower for me before Trent was born. Her oldest son was Megan's first crush- they used to stand on the corner & talk in 8th grade, it was really cute. He's on a mission now in Leed's England & comes home in two months- hard to believe.

(I made cupcakes~oh ya!)

The service awards are one of my favorite things the H.S. does.

Students & faculty nominate outstanding people who wouldn't normally be recognized. Jeanine & I read through the nominations (120 this year) then seperated out the sillies (this is H.S. but there weren't too many) from the serious etc. We then take them to a committee of administrators, PTA & teachers where we narrow them done to 12 or so. It's a tough but fun process.

I am lucky to live in an amazing community where so many- really so many - people could qualify for this award. This year the award went to a young man who started a chamber orchestra on his own in the school. Three handicap students who started a recycling program & pull garbage cans with their motorized wheelchairs around the school to pick up papers from each classroom- they do it with such cheerful enthusiasm. Teachers who come early & stay late REally helping & teaching. A student who is the president of the best friends club. The janitor who goes out of his way to really make friends with the students, besides keeping the school ship shape. A parent volunteer who sewed all the costumes for the musical- without a student at the school!And more...It's all amazing really, how ordinary people do extraordinary things!

People ask me why I am always doing what I do-- can you see why?-- it's great to be a part of great things!

Jeanine & I.
We are not chairing this committee next year.
I have to think of another way to make sure we can get together

She is truly one of my favorite people.
I just feel like there's not enough time to visit & see all the people I love.

I guess that's what Heaven is for!

Happy Birthday MOm!