The Ability to Juggle

I am so out of shape. Physically...definitely. But also out of shape as far as 'juggling'. I used to be a pretty good juggler when I was younger/when the kids were younger. I could juggle a job and school activities for the kids, family stuff, and household 'duties'. I would get tired but it would take a lot to knock me down. However, yesterday just about put me under.

I woke up early so that I could make some potato salad and bake a few dozen cookies for Troy. He had a golf tournament to go to and afterwards there was a 'potluck' dinner at one of the player's homes and everyone was asked to bring a dish and some cookies. Troy mentioned sugar cookies. Of course, I couldn't just make round sugar cookies. I got out my fall leaf cookie cutter, cut them out, used a toothpick to make the 'veins' in the leaves, baked them, then used a very thin, food colored decorator icing to 'paint' the cookies to look like fall leaves. They were very pretty...at least, I thought so.



I quickly took a shower and had to pick Bethany up from band practice (Troy had dropped her off and then went to help set up at the football field for the Band invitational).

Fixed Bethany something to eat and began counting out the money for the bags for the various locations at the Invitational that needed it. Bethany announces that she can't find her one band shirt (they had two they had to take) and had to help her look only to discover she left it at a friend's. She had to take last year's model instead...ran her to the football field...went back home and worked on the money, again...had to run some to the concessions stands. Back home to let Max out, make sure the gates were up, he had food, water, treats...grab the rest of the money and head out for the Invitational. Spent the day there doing double duty: manned the band entry gate and helped with entry ticket sales. At the end of it all, had to help set the trophies up at the front of the field for the awards...collect the bags of proceeds from all the booths...find Bethany a way home (freshman had to clean up)...get the bags home...let Max out...people arrived to help count and record. I was doing Troy's laundry at the same time since he had to leave by noon today. Everyone left at midnight but I was up until almost 3 a.m.

Bethany's friend Amber also came to spend the night...although, they did their own thing and fell asleep early (by early I mean one a.m.)

So, Troy left. TJ should be home either late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Bethany got asked to the Homecoming Dance. I told her I would take her to Joann Fabrics to pick out her material and I will make her dress.

This next week has 2 soccer games and a football game to look 'forward' to. The Mum Festival is this weekend, too. I am not doing anything for that...the festival. Although Bethany will be in the parade Saturday morning.

I am going to be a bum today. I'm tired and I ache. I'm feeling so very old right now!

September Days

It is now a wee bit past mid-September by the clock. Okay...it isn't really time on the clock but it will do.

Since my last post I attended my 30 year class reunion (I feel so old) and had some laughs with some friends I haven't connected with in YEARS. I also didn't feel quite so old LOOKING after looking at some of the others. There were some that hadn't changed too much and some that there was no way of recognizing. Some got better looking with age, some got worse...and there was one that I swear got younger looking!

It was an experience, and that is all I will say about that.

Troy's stepfather died a few days after my class reunion. After we had returned fron the reunion, Troy and TJ had gone off to Chicago where Troy had some work to do for another guy that was on vacation. So, they had to leave there and drive all the way back to Conneaut while my daughter and I drove up there from here.

School started for Bethany the next week. I had done some school shopping with her before we left for the funeral. When we got back I picked up the last of the odds and ends. The band started performances. TJ's school started the next week.

I began my term as the vice-treasurer for the Music Boosters. It isn't too bad except there has been a wee bit of snitting going on within the ranks and I am not too happy with any of it. I just keep my mouth shut and do what I'm supposed to, smile at everyone, side with no one, and remain invisible as much as I can. As with any group, there is the small core of 'elite' that band together and want to run the show. They have extended their 'circle' to me but if being in their circle means attending 'extra' meetings at the local sports bar, I am afraid I am not going to be very popular with them.

TJ has been quite the traveler this summer...vacation with us at the end of July to see family and he stayed on there an extra week, then Chicago with his dad, back to Conneaut, then a few weeks later he spent a week in Conneaut with his Grandma Helen, back home for a couple of days, then packed up and off to Fort Jackson, SC with The Applegates to see his best friend Steven graduate from Army boot camp. They will be taking him to his training staion in Augusta, GA over the weekend.

Troy will be leaving on Sunday for a week in Iowa for meetings and end of fiscal year training.

Last Sunday we had a family birthday dinner and cake to celebrate the kids' birthdays since it was going to be the only time when we could until Sept. 26.

Bethany has had Friday night footballs games and this last Saturday was a band invitational. This Friday night they travel 1 1/2 hours to an away game and the next day is our band invitational. I will be busy all day with that, as well as she. Troy volunteered to help with the set-up for a few hours Saturday morning but he has a golf tournament followed by a potluck dinner mixed with euchre. I don't know how to play cards. People have tried to teach me but I just don't like playing games. Hope he enjoys himself.

I had the Music Booster meeting this week along with the Executive Committee meeting. Fun. Various ones are sharing their 'perspective' of others with me. I don't say a word. I don't know any of them...and I'm not sure I want to. I also have to realize that if they are yapping to me about someone else, they are trading their 'perspective' on me with each other. I just try to give them very little to have a perspective about!

I also got called by the church on Thursday to come in and make up the food pantry bags for the ppl coming in for food. Miriam (the secretary) gets so very flustered! She said that Mary (the older woman that runs the food pantry) had not made up enough bags and she wasn't answering her phone. Miriam says, "I don't know what she could be doing!" I caught it before it came out of my mouth..."She might be having a life!" but I just smiled and said, "It wasn't a bother. Glad I could help." and left. I know Mary and her husband are elderly but that doesn't mean they sit at home on their thumbs waiting for someone to need them! LOL

Anyway, by the end of October, I am hoping that things will become more manageable.

TJ and I filled out his application for his school's Sr. Class Trip. The school funds are paying for it (it will cost us nothing). The kids will meet at one of 5 different airports with school personnel, fly to Orlando, Florida and they will all meet up at the hotel they book for them. They will visit Kennedy Space Center, Universal Studios, and be part of Grad Night events at Disney World. There are a few other activities that I don't remember.

I guess I have everything pretty much caught up here! finally.