November 27, 2010

Thursday found us celebrating "American Thanksgiving". There were 15 of us here. Ron, Adam and I had the day off work, and the other kids got the day off from school for parent/teacher conferences. Ron took care of the turkey while Dax and I baked 3 pies. It was a very relaxed day and we were almost comatose by the end.

I managed to contact one of my cousins who has been out of work for quite an extended spell. . .it seems he will be starting a new job soon. I am really happy for him, though it may require relocation (to Portland Ore. from Whitbey Is. Wash.)

I have the annual letter started and am in possession of school pictures. Now I need to get Adam's face recorded and have my proof-readers go over the correspondence before I can get it all in the mail. I am hoping to have them out soon (unlike last year!)

This time next week I will be preparing for my first overnight shift at Wallyworld. I will have the 11pm-7am shift 'till Christmas. I am interested to see how it goes. . .

We had snow here for Thanksgiving (a wet 2" of it), but it has all been rained away now. The sun was out this morning, but it seems to be clouding over again.

That's the report for now. . .

Adam's Birthday 2010

Yesterday was Adam's 19th birthday. We have had colder than normal temperatures and a little snowfall, so the tire shop where he works has been CRAZY. For his birthday he got to go in to work early and stay late. In the afternoon, Ron and I stopped in with a tray of cupcakes and candles. He hadn't told anyone at work that it was his BD, but his boss paged everyone to the front counter and they all sang to him. He is fortunate that it was -11 C with the wind chill, or they would have immersed him in the "dunk tank" in honor of the event.

I have been working lots and we got the report cards for Kaili and Dax the other day. There were 7 A-s and 1 B between the two of them. . .they are doing quite well in their new surroundings.

We will celebrate "American Thanksgiving" at our house tomorrow with about 10 others joining us for turkey dinner. It is supposed to snow a bit again tonight then be raining by the week-end.

That's all for now. . .

So . . . if your parents go with you, is it still a date?

Last night was the Harvest Ball in our stake (church). It is a semi-formal dinner and dance for those aged 16+ and was held about an hour from here in Nanaimo. Dax had invited Holly (it was a first date for them both). Holly's Parents drove Ron and me, Dax and Holly, another teen-aged couple and our Bishop's wife down in the "Loser Cruiser" (15 passenger van). The kids hid in the very back seat while the adults crowded to the front of the van and everyone attempted to give everyone else plenty of space. It was actually pretty funny, because I think the adults did a better job of ignoring the kids than the other way around. . .A certain mortified teen-aged girl "had" to reprimand her father for his embarrassing facial expressions while he was dancing.

The meal was good, the entertainment was entertaining and the dancing was enjoyable. I think everyone had a good time. . .though I was badgered into buying some "nice" clothing for the occasion, and now have little twinges of. . ."did I really have to spend THAT much on an outfit?" Hopefully we will have a few more opportunities for me to get use out of my new duds.

Adam had to work, so he and the girls kept the home fires burning while the rest of us partied into the wee hours.

The sun was out yesterday, but the rain has returned again today.

November 3, 2010

Sorry I have been so lax about posting lately. I am slowly adjusting to working again and will probably be back in the swing of things soon.

Adam carved the pumpkin that graced our front step for the TWO trick or treaters that came by our house. Kaili dressed as a cowgirl, Elizabeth chose to be a ghost (with a dark wig and wand?) and Dax decided to be a "chick magnet" for their first halloween celebration on Friday night this year. Ron and the kids had spent Saturday at a demonstration in the mall. Kaili and some of her friends were made up with various wounds and the cadets demonstrated their first aid skills on the casualties. That evening (in the pouring rain) Elizabeth and Dax wore their St. John Cadet uniforms. Kaili was a casualty complete with realistic wounds at the ward's "Trunk or Treat" activity. Adam and I were both working, so arrived at the end of the festivities.

Yesterday and today have been stunningly beautiful, with brilliant sunshine and fall colors mixed in with the greenery. The rain is supposed to be back with a vengeance beginning tomorrow.

That's the report for now. . .