Sad Day and We're Going to Miss Her

It's been a good weekend, fun with family and friends.

However, it's also a very sad weekend.  We got an email from K's school today that one of her favorite teachers has lost her long battle with cancer and passed away yesterday. 

Mrs. Joan Ladowski was a wonderful woman and wife.  She was the art teacher, librarian, and school photographer at K's Catholic school.  She was the kind of woman who would be at school at 6 a.m. and not leave until 8 p.m., because she loved what she did.  She would always listen to the kids, was a great moderator, wonderful teacher, and all-around amzing woman. Check out some of the awesome art projects that she had the K-5 do  ABVM ART  This is not normal elementary art.  Everything about Joan was extraordinary, including her deep faith in God.

The letter from school told us that in her honor, there will be no school on Wednesday, because of her funeral.  They are having her visitation and wake at the church and not the funeral home, because there will be that many people there to say goodbye.  K wants to go to the funeral. I have to call Dad to see if he can come over and watch Fixit and be here when the kids get off the bus.

K is very sad, because no one can replace Mrs. Ladowski.  She's right, no one can.  I hope everyone who loved her gets some solace from the fact that she is no longer in pain and all the prayers we're offering up are helping her soul on it's journey to God.  We love you, Joan!  You will be missed.  I'm happy that you are no longer suffering and in pain.  May God watch over you and comfort your friends and family.  We know that you will be watching over the kids and taking pictures!

Monday Musing - December 5, 2011

Right Now...  It is 10:20 a.m. 

Fixit has been keeping herself busy for the past hour.  She played with the Fairy Connectagons - and put them away, then she played with CoCo the Clown - and put him away.  Now, she is working on her 2nd puzzle of the morning.  She is awesome at puzzles at about 25 pieces. 50 pieces can frustrate her. 

I've gotten my Ebay sales (that paid) in the mail this morning.  Updated my Etsy and my Ebay spreadsheets with new listings and sales.  I've also spent over an hour fighting with our health insurance claims website. It said the old site had transitioned to a new site, so I signed us up on the new site - where it couldn't find anything on us! Ugh.  Then, after I set up the new password and account, now it says that the new information is incorrect.  And, I can't call them to have them fix it, because I'm not the insured and they will only talk to my husband.

Which reminds me, that I have to have him call the ER Doctor's billing group, because they won't talk to me, either, even though he has told them repeatedly that I have access.

K forgot her lunch box at home, and I refused to take it to her.  Sometimes it's too easy to forget and have Mom come to the rescue.  She can have hot lunch today, even if she doesn't like it.

This weekend was...  Busy.  Friday night was the annual Christmas party at the Pulaski Library. They have pizza and hot dogs, plus you can listen to Mrs. Claus read a story, sit on Santa's lap (K wondered why Santa said "God Bless!"  Because he knows the real reason for the season!), do a hayride and see all the Christmas lights, and do crafts.  The kids really had fun and I didn't have to come up with anything for supper!
Saturday, we had Cathechism.  I would like to think that my 7th graders are learning something. At least there was a little more cooperation this weekend than there has been the last few weeks.  Then, we had program practice.  Saturday afternoon, we baked a 5-gallon pail's worth of sugar cookies and gingerbread men. 
Sunday - I fully intended to go to Mass.  However, I had 3 little girls that decided to eat every one of the last batch of cookies on the counter and they were already grouching.  So, another Sunday that I'm going to have to add to my next confession.  Then, my sister-in-law and I spent a wonderful day together. It was so much fun and so reenergizing.  THANK YOU!

Some plans for the week...  Mail out my Ebay sales.  Hopefully, get pictures taken and a few more things listed on both Ebay and Etsy.  I want to get rid of some of the fabric that I will never use that I got from an estate sale.  Slowly been thinning it down - which is good, because it is paying for the fabric that I got at this estate sale. :)  Normal stuff like dishes and laundry.

I have to make two castles, a wizard, a dragon, and a double-sided castle/pirate map to finish my custom orders from last week's craft show.  I want them all down by the end of the week, Wednesday would be better.

Wednesday, I'm watching my nephew earlier than usual, because my SIL has a dr's appt. She's returning the favor and watching the kids while I'm at my dentist appt on Thursday.  Thursday is also 4-H and Feast of the Immaculate Conception - so have to get to Mass.

Plus. all week, have to make at least one batch of candy every day.  I'm hoping to get the toasted coconut marshmallows done today and maybe the butter caramels.

I am grateful for...  my sister-in-law who wanted to spend the day with me and treat me to lunch and a pedicure.  My wacky and wonderful kids.  For plenty of food in the cupboards and the ability to buy more. Having extra money to be able to give to those who lost everything this weekend in the horrible fire in Pulaski.

Prayer intentions for this week...  For Mrs. Joan Ladowski, the art teacher/librarian at my daughter's Catholic school.  She's been suffering from cancer and we got a letter from the principal today that it has gotten more aggressive and she's been told to keep her friends and family close.  She's such a wonderul, giving, and caring person.  For the victims of the 5-alarm fire in Pulaski, thank goodness that everyone is okay, but that the community will pull together and help those who lost everything to get a new start in their lives, especially Mr. Kelly, the custodian at K's school.

Something that makes me smile...  a clean living room, love you dear.

heading and idea from http://patchodirtfarm.blogspot.com/

Let Cookie Baking Commence and Solemn News

The girls had Christmas program practice today after CCD. 

Yes, we do CCD on Saturday mornings and we love it!  Two hours for six weeks in the fall and then for six weeks in the spring for the 1st through 8th graders.  The high schoolers go on Wednesday nights.

K is the Mouse.  They are blending "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and the traditional nativity story.  So, she's the little disgusted mouse that thinks Christmas is "gimme, gimme, get it!"

Bug is the Littlest Angel and gets to announce "Jesus is Born!"

Fixit is supposed to be a silent animal (cow) sitting around the manger.  However, silent and Fixit do not go together...at all.... So, we hearn lots of cattle lowing - which is bound to crack everyone up when we do our Christmas program on January 8th.  Yep, January 8th - we do our Christmas program after Christmas.  It's on Epiphany, which is the perfect day for it and it keeps Christmas around longer.  Which is great in this commerce-centered season.

Now, on a more solemn note, the neighbor was supposed to come over and help bake cookies today. However, she had an excellent reason for not coming over.  They own rental property in Pulaski, WI, and their building along with 4 others are total losses after a 5-alarm fire.  23 fire departments were involved bringing water.  40 people were displaced and 2 firefighters were sent to the hospital.  Luckily, my neighbor's renters were fine, but everything was a complete loss.  Neither one had insurance.  (Which I don't understand!)  My neighbors did have insurance on the building, so are hoping that it will be enough to cover the demolition of the building and clean up.

The "good"  part of this all, was that no one was hurt.  My neighbor had his Christmas party for work today and announced what had happened.  With over 200 people there, most people donated the gift cards they had just won and some of the prizes.  So, my neighbors were able to call both renters and give them both gift cards to help with replacing some of their things.  They both said that they felt really good being able to do that.

Sweet Mary, please help all those impacted by this terrible fire.  May they have family and friends and strangers willing to reach out to them and help them.  Will you please help lift them up in this dark time and give them peace. Amen.

December Equals Crazy Busy

Welcome, December.  Come on in and stay awhile.  Or can you at least make it feel like it's going to last a while, so we get a chance to breathe.

I had to go over the calendar yesterday to see what is coming up, I ended up writing down an entire page  of stuff to do.

I realize that it's not just because of Advent and Christmas - those usually help me take a moment to reflect.  It's that we also have two December birthdays here, plus my nephew's birthday.

Here's my crazy, busy list:  (so, I remember what is going on - I hope!)

December 1st: Go to Mom and Dad's in a.m. to help them with stuff. Chiropractor this afternoon, because my back is killing me.  Tonight, I'm supposed to go to the artist's reception at The Art Garage, which is probably a smart move to help promote my stuff, but we have a chance of yucky weather and I hate driving in it.
December 2nd:  Preschool story hour at the library.  MUST make cookie dough today, amazingly I saved the recipes I like in my favorites!  2 batches gingerbread and 4 batches of sugar cookie.  MUST get my lesson plan for tomorrow's CCD written.
December 3rd: CCD.  Christmas program practice.  Cookie making extravaganza with the neighbor and possibly my sister-in-law, depending on weather.
December 4th:  9 a.m. Mass followed by Santa visit in the church hall.  2nd Sunday in Advent. Turn in Giving Tree gifts to church.  Spend the rest of the day with my sister-in-law.  Thankfully, she's pregnant and doesn't like shopping (too much) right now, so I should be saved from the horror of that. I know she's using her gift certificate at the spa for both of us - isn't that cool.  (Hmm, cool will be right when we decide to get pedicures in December and need to walk out in flip flops.  She even bought me a pair!)
December 5th: Start making Christmas candy...homemade marshmallows, caramels, maybe something new...
December 7th:  Watch my nephew.
December 8th:  Dentist a.m. Watch my nephew.  Since I have dentist in a.m., can't go to kiddo's school and go to Immaculate Conception Mass.  4-H at night and we need to turn in project selections.  Maybe hubby taking oldest to 4-H and I take the youngers to Mass. 
December 9th: Bug needs to take a snack to school.
December 10th:  CCD.  NOT going to program practice.  Cookie party - we're up to 15 people so far, and it could be 21.
December 11th: 3rd Sunday of Advent.  Nephew's birthday party and K is going to share a family party with him again.  Ugh. Need to get her invites written for K's sleepover party, much sooner than this day.  Will have to do them today.
December 12th:  First Reconciliation for K, plus watch my nephew.
December 13th:  Hubby's birthday.
December 15th:  K's Christmas concert at school, plus watch nephew.
December 16th:  K's sleepover, but at least it's only for two people plus the neighbor, maybe?  I'm not too clear on that, yet. (Plus, it's K's actual birthday!)
December 17th:  Sleepover buddies go home.  Parents indulge in adult beverages.
December 18th: 4th Sunday of Advent
December 22nd:  Christmas program practice 6 p.m.
December 23rd:  K doesn't have school. Christmas break until they go back on January 2nd.
December 24th:  Christmas Eve.  Christmas break starts for Bug and the neighbors until January 2nd.
December 25th:  CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!
December 26th:  Hubby off work.
December 27th:  Trip to Milwaukee for at least Hubby for a VA appt. If I can get someone to watch the kids, I'm going with him.
December 28th & 29th: Watch nephew.

Plus, my hubby has three dates that he might be chosen for jury duty this month.  When he called in last night, the first group of potential jurors needed to report this morning. So, he has to call in again tonight to see if he has to show up tomorrow.

Sigh, I'm tired just looking at the list, but at least it gives me something to follow as a check off.

Monday Musing - End of November

Right now...  1:30 p.m.  All 4 kids are finally napping.  Chilly outside but not snowing.  I'm watching my nephew, so my sister-in-law can get some sleep. She feels crummy.

This weekend...  We had a great get together with family on Saturday for Thanksgiving.  I learned some interesting things.  I can try new things with the squash (never doing that recipe again!); we can try something new with the potatoes (the ranch slow cooker potatoes were good), but I better not mess with the stuffing.  I started making the stuffing about 10 years ago, and it has been my job ever since.  I make an apple sausage stuffing, where I use my home canned apple pie filling.  I wasn't going to make stuffing, we always have too much food.  My brother did NOT like that idea, that's why he came home from college. Mom's pumpkin pie and my stuffing.  Ok, quick change of plans and trip to the store and we had stuffing.  And WHY do I listen to how long they say to cook the turkey???  Why??  Because I started it way too soon, again, and it was a bit dry.  ugh.

Then, Saturday night, K and I went to 7 p.m. Mass.  It was our first Mass with the new translation.  I thought it was very good and that more people actually paid attention.  Only thing I don't like is "consubstantial" - really? that's easier to understand??  Sure not easier to say. 

Sunday, I cut felt, sewed felt, organized felt.  Ugh, I think my brain is felty.  It'll be nice to get the puppets packaged tonight.

Some plans for the week... 
Tonight, I have to finish the puppets and printing out the cards and package them.
Tomorrow, I have to make sure I have everything ready for my craft show.
Wednesday, is the craft show at my husband's work. I made good money at this one last year, so I'm hoping they like my new stuff.
Thursday, December 1st!  Wow!  I have the artist's reception at The Art Garage (still can't get over the artist part, but if it helps sell some of my stuff, I'm all for it!)
Friday, get my lesson plans ready for Cathechism on Saturday and probably mix about 4 batches of cookie dough.
Saturday, Catechism at 9. Christmas program practice right after at 11.  Then, come home and see if the neighbor is home to start the Great Cookie Bakeoff in preparation for the cookie party on the 10th.
Sunday, Mass - Santa is coming after Mass - turn in our Giving Tree presents at church, then go out with my sister-in-law.

If I can find some time for myself, I would like to...  Um, this week is about being busy.  My alone time is during naptime.  But we did start the Holy Heroes Advent Adventure and the kids seem to like it.

I am grateful for...  My husband who helps me cut out felt, even though he doesn't want to. My kids for being so enthusiastic about helping me cut out stuff for my puppets yesterday.

Some special prayer intentions for the week:  For my friend, Teresa's father, he's been in the hospital and suffered respiratory and cardiac arrest last night and they think he has a brain bleed.  I'm hoping they can find peace. She is on her way home to Wisconsin from Arizona right now.  That I have patience with my kids this week to do things with them instead of yelling at them.  That my craft show goes well and that Etsy sales take off, so I can do a few more things with the Giving Tree and maybe send some money out as the Christmas Elf to some people that I know need things more than we do.

Something that makes me smile...  The look on Fixit's face this morning when I declared today a pajama day - for her, not me!  The look on Bug's face when she came home to tell me about the new girl in her class.  K's enthusiasm for life and how generous she is.  She chose her own name from the Giving Tree and wants to use her own money to buy the present for this little girl.

I got the Monday Musing idea from Nadja at Patch of Dirt Farm .  Thank you and I'm so glad that I found you.

Epic Fail

I'm a beginning crocheter.  I knitted many moons ago and could be considered a very, very, beginning knitter.  However, this is about my beginning crocheting.

When I was learning, relearning (because I'm pretty sure that my Mom TRIED to teach me), trying it out last fall, I didn't want to start with potholders or anything normal.  Nope, 2nd thing I made is a 17-skein afghan crocheting 3 strands at once.  That sucker is heavy and my husband loves it.  I've also made a blanket for K.  I have the yarn to do the blankets for Fixit and Bug.

However, none of these items has required the use of a pattern.  They are "supposed to be" rectangular.  They have turned out roughly rectangular.  They are warm and no one complains.

Then, this fall, my sister-in-law has a baby and since we're broke um, since I wanted to give her something handmade... I was going to do my first foray into "gasp" trying to read a pattern.  Honestly, I'm a smart lady. I have a college degree and graduated with honors. I'm a substitute teacher.  I can teach math to 3rd graders.

Here is one of my guilty secrets: I CANNOT count when I crochet.  If you cannot count, you cannot follow a pattern.

So, for me to attempt a baby blanket that wasn't just straight crocheting was a monumental task.  I did it!  I followed the pattern on the back of the yarn wrap and made the blanket.  The hardest part of the pattern was trying to make sure that I had 106 stitches in my chain row.  I must have counted that thing about 10 times and still was never quite sure that I had the right number.  However, the thing turned out and now my niece will have a homemade Christmas present.  Admittedly, it took me about a week to crochet the thing and I'm pretty sure that my mother would have been done in an afternoon, but she has been crocheting for years.

Anyway, on to my epic fail.

I figured if I could follow the pattern for the blanket, I was now able to move on to something a little more challenging, like slippers.  I have a leaflet of 9 "EASY" crochet slipper patterns.  Followed the directions (kind of forgot to check for gauge, but really? people do that!?) kind of.  You know that gauge thing, where it says 4 stiches = 1" and 4 rows = 1".  Yeah.  I didn't do that.

So, the end result is one, count 'em, one, slipper - because I'm not making another one.  I'm actually going to throw this one away.  The pattern I was following was the size to fit Bug, actually to be 1/2" too big for Bug.  Well, the slipper is too big for me.  My foot is 3 inches longer than Bug's.

sigh...

I'm going back to working on felt and when I feel like it, I'll try to follow a pattern again.  It's not going to happen for a while again.  I have to get brave enough to try and attempt it again.

Thankful Thanksgiving Thursday

It's easy to list the "thankful fors" today on this day when everyone else is celebrating their thanks. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for little pirates.

I'm thankful for girls with the "I can do it" attitude, even if it means starting over and over, again.

I'm thankful for nephews that tease their cousins.

I'm thankful for impromptu concerts and kids that love all types of music.

I'm thankful for my wonderful husband who does what I ask, even when he really doesn't want to.

I'm thankful for my Dad who lets my kids "help," even when it's faster to do it by yourself.

I'm thankful for my Mom who is always there. (Sorry for not having a picture!)

I'm thankful for lots of homemade canned food and plenty of food in the cupboards and the freezer and the money to be able to buy more.

I'm thankful for my sister being able to come and visit us for a long weekend earlier this year.  Love you!

Thankful Thursdays

A time to remember to be thankful

A pause in the week for praise,

thanksgiving and thinking positively

in addition to the normal daily praise

we need to give God.

p.s. and Thankful for Jamie at Lord, Make Me a Saint for the encouragement she keeps giving me, even while she keeps getting handed the raw end of the deal with this latest pregnancy.  I prayed my rosary for you and your little one last night.  God Bless.  (And for giving me the idea for Thankful Thursdays and the above quote!)