Late Halloween Post

Our township has trick or treating the Friday before Halloween.  I'm still not used to that fact. I've never been a big fan of Halloween.   It probably stems from back when I was a kid and my mom making me wear my coat over my costume.  That kind of took the fun out of dressing up.

These days, I place dressing my kids in their costumes second only to getting them dressed for the snow.  Both are tasks I rather despise.  It is getting easier now that they're older, but then there's still young Matthew.

 

See what I mean?   Click on that picture to get the full effect.

This year I spent zero dollars on costumes, but you could probably guess that already.

Ann- black cat, a hand me down from Mary last year.
Tommy-baseball player.
Mary- Katniss, from The Hunger Games.
Matt-Captain Cranky  Iron Man.
Billy- a sad attempt at "Maroon 5"  (there's a number 5 on his shirt)

Earlier in the day was a little more pleasant.  The elementary school had their parade and parties.  I made "fingers."

 
I got to hang out with Matthew's class.



Later, for trick or treating we headed to our friend's neighborhood and the kids had a blast.

 

Dad even made it back in town early enough to meet us on our route.

I guess Halloween isn't so bad.  Maybe it's the fact that I know these days are slipping away.  How much longer will all five of them be trick or treating?  This may have been the last time.

On that sad note, I'm going to take my depressed self and go eat twelve Hershey bars.

With Age Comes Wisdom

Many years ago when Bill and I were newlyweds I remember being at his parent's house for one of the holidays.  I don't remember which holiday it was, but it was one that my in-law's were hosting.  Bill comes from a large family, so any event there is sure to require a lot of planning and a lot of work!

I was in the kitchen with my mother in law when I mentioned how much work it was to make dinner for so many people.  "You must have been up so late preparing everything," I said.  Her reply was something that has stuck with me until this day.

She said, "Yes, but while I work I spend time praying for the people who will be here."

I couldn't believe my ears.  Did she really just admit to praying while peeling potatoes?

I was young and naive, I guess.  All I could see was the drudgery of her task and encouraged her to complain a bit.  But she didn't complain.  She rejoiced in the work she was doing.  Little did I know that she was doing only what we are all asked to do.  



Pray always and do not lose heart.  Luke 18:1


All these years later I can see why she said what she said.  Life is made up of tasks, big and small.  Why NOT pray through it all?  It can only help.

So, I might find myself these days in the kitchen washing a sink load of pots and pans and I will pray.

Throwing in the 4th load of laundry for the day.  I will pray.

Picking up the wet towels left on the bathroom floor.  I will pray.  I may curse under my breath first, but then I'll pray....just kidding. (maybe)

As mothers, drudgery follows us everywhere.  Are you ready to combat it with prayer?

They say "with age comes wisdom."  I suppose the wrinkles are a worthy trade-off.

Overcomer

It was back in August when I received the big, bad binder.  It held the information I needed to chair an event held at our elementary school.  When the previous chairperson handed it to me I smiled, listened to her instructions, and then felt my insides melt!  I was so scared.

Ridiculousness, I tell you.

First, let me tell you a little bit about the PTA Reflections program.

Each year a theme is chosen nationwide.  This year's theme was, "Believe, Dream, Inspire."
If your child chooses to participate they can create an original piece of work related to the theme in one of six categories...
Visual Art, Photography, Film Production, Dance Choreography, Musical Composition, and Literature.

My job included rallying the students to participate, sending home paperwork, collecting and sorting the entries, finding judges for each category, ordering awards, hosting an award ceremony, and organizing a reward show for all the participants.

By the start of the school year I was a nervous wreck.  Paralyzed with fear is how I would describe it.  But because I have so much admiration for the program (and there was no way for me to get out of it) I trudged on.  Every single person in my life heard me complain and worry about this gig.  They are probably more glad it's over than I am.

So, the reason for the title of this blog post?  I did it.  I overcame my fear.  I didn't necessarily enjoy it, but I did learn a lot!

Power point-check.
Word document-check.
Save artwork to disk-check.
Get up on stage and talk in microphone-check.

All of those things I had never done before.  

I had a lot of people praying for me.  I also had my number one fan hold me up and help me with all of the computer stuff....Bill, I couldn't have survived it without you.  Thank you!  The real question is, how did you survive it with me?

The top five winners in each category go on to be judged at the regional level, then possibly to the state level, and perhaps even to the national level.

My 3 favorite entries are below.

Tommy- Photography entry titled Fight For Your Country.

Ann- Photography entry titled Build Your Dreams.

Matthew- Visual Arts titled My Dad, My Hero.

Tomorrow I drop off the winning entries to the person in charge of the next step.  I am so relieved to be done.  Back in August I said I would never put myself through this again.  But when I saw those entries come in - Kindergarteners thru 5th graders - and saw their interpretation of the theme,  I was  inspired.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd sign up to do it again, but I believe I will now that I can see all the rewards in doing it.

That, along with the fact that holding that microphone gave me a bit of a rush!

Everyday Happenings

* First I'd like to thank everyone who left wonderful comments on my last post, especially those who left poems!  I had the biggest smile on my face after reading them.

* Bill had a four day weekend last week.  We celebrated his birthday when he got home.  We even lit a fire and spent a cozy night in the living room.  Not at all romantic because he was teaching me how to do a power point, but we were together so that made it great.

Excuse the lack of decor.

* On Sunday, Mary Kate got her personal record at the diocesan championship cross country meet.  She did 2 miles in 15:29!  Way to go, Mare.

And that's not all, tonight she had her first parade performance in the marching band.  She part of the Silks (flags). 

Mary with her BFF, Riley.

That's Mary on the left.

* I walked into my bedroom the other day and found this.

Neither Mary or Ann were nearby.  I found them in the hall bathroom doing their nails  They informed me that their dolls were at the spa right now and they'd be back to get them later.

* Matthew is loving Kindergarten.  He runs to get his backpack when I tell him it's time for the bus.  He still has anxiety over things he's unsure about.  I wonder where he gets that from?  Hmmm....

Matt with his classmate and good buddy, Luke.

* I decided to cut out bread from my diet.  I determined it was making me feel yucky.  It's been hard because I love myself a good sandwich for lunch and it was an adjustment.  But I have found something I love almost as much.

Monster appearance unintentional.

A tomato and feta cheese omelet.  I buy canned tomatoes, usually with jalapenos in it to make it spicy.  Total yum.  I have one almost every day.  My cholesterol is 376, but I feel great!

*That's all I got.  Happy Hump Day!

I Must Be Bored

I grow weary of blogging;
It is sad, but true.
I think this is a Haiku.

No, it isn't.  I just looked it up.  A Haiku has the syllable pattern of 5-7-5, not 7-5-7.

Let's see, what else can I do?

There once was a girl with a blog.
Her mind sometimes sat in a fog.
She had nothing to share,
She had lost her flair,
And now she's a bump on a log.

That's a limerick. You were waiting for a naughty punchline, weren't you?

Hmm, what other poem patterns do I know.....

                                                   Kathleen
                                                Open, honest
                                               Loss for words
                                           Hoping I'm not done
                                                    Blogger

That's called a Cinquain.  I didn't really know that one either.  I had to look it up.

What's that you say, you want one more?  How about an Acrostic?

Know me.
An open book.
Thankful to those reading this.
Happy you are here.
Leave me a comment.
Ending this soon.
Early morning tomorrow.
Night-Night.

Bill's Birthday

Happy Birthday Bill!!

I love so many things about you, but here are a few.

1.  If you could be two places at one time, you'd be with me. (that's an awesome feeling)

2.  You are funny, especially when you do that weird thing with your shirt and shorts.

3.  You stick my GPS back on my windshield when it falls down and you clean my sunglasses when they are dirty.

4. You say "yes" every single time the kids ask you to play, even when you are running late.

5. You, me, coffee, and Fox and Friends on the weekends....the best!

6. You work hard.  Really, really hard.

7.  You never complain.

8. You always bite your tongue, even when I am mean or nagging you.

9.  You are a man of character.

10. You reference the "Big Man" in times we need prayers.

Loving you up here in PA.  See you soon.
Kathleen, Billy, Mary Kate, Tommy, Ann, and Matt.