Santa May Have His Helpers... But So Do I

It all began at sign up. Sign up for helping in class. My first assignment was to cut spider bodies and assemble some bags with legs and such for a project. Easy enough - all completed with little problem whilst watching "crap" TV. Actually I correct that I was watching Knights of the South Bronx - I recommend it, it's a cute feel good film. 

ANYWAY - while that was easy enough - the real mission came later because I also was signed up with caramel apples to bring. My first thought - ok I will make some apples. My second thought - okay I will bring some cut apples and dip. My later thought - oh hey look at the list, that is already on there and I did sign on for caramel apples not dip, so I will again make some apples. :-) 

Making apples would not seem terrible, except, she has 40 kids in her class. So just start adding up 40 apples + 40 sticks + at least 10 bowls of caramel + + +....  I entered the store with a mission - find the stuff I need, make my way to the preparation area (AKA Grandma's House) and get to dipping. All done in an hour or so right?  

Well - yeah, not so much in an hour - but we had a system by end of night. First the washing and the sticks - quick and painless, except I had to ban grandpa because he stuck them in the wrong end of the apple. I am anal - I can't help it.

Then into the freezer (this works - the caramel sticks instantly to a cold apple). Then on to the caramel -  oh hey wait, they are all individually wrapped. FABULOUS. Enter 8 working hands (grandpa was allowed back in-ha ha) and a couple of hours later - 40 CARAMEL APPLES.  They unwrapped, I melted and dipped and sprinkled and chilled - so on and so forth until we were done. 

I was SO thankful for the extra counter space / fridge space / help. I am not quite sure I could have completed such an undertaking by myself in my counter-deficient space, unwrapping bags of caramels (well at least completed and still slept last night).  

Today was Morgan's Halloween party at school. The apples went over well. I did learn a couple of things though: 

(1) Waxed paper on bottom may seem a good idea, but when the caramel softens the paper doesn't want to come off. Guess I should have sprung for the non-stick tinfoil for $2 more. Apologies to the children who may or may not have ingested some extra wrapping today.

(2) Caramel apples are like magnets to each other. Next time (if there is one) I have to figure out a better spacing system.


(3) It's always worth it when it's for your child. :-)

Blessing Week 12 - Sheet Rock Barricades

Spiders. I hate them. They are gross and creepy and I just don't like them at all. Winter is coming, I have openings all over the place because of the construction - like a big ol' come on in y'all it's nice and warm in here.


Today I saw one in the heater vent - it went back in when I tried to scrape it off to kill it. It did not want to die - I do not want it to live in my house - I also do not want to breathe chemicals through an air filter the rest of the season so I did not attack with brute force as I should have. I banged on the heat vent to send it a message - I hope it receives it. I hope it knows it's time to move on.


Morgan pointed to the towels in our kitchen - Halloween towels with button spiders on each (ironic I know) anyway, she mentioned that perhaps these served as a welcome sign. She could be right - I might just tuck them away. OR rough them up in some way to show my hatred, OR just write NO above the spider button. I wonder if this somehow could work.


The blessing - some men are due to arrive tomorrow with sheetrock. Lovely sheetrock that will enclose these openings. AND, I recently met an exterminator - she said to give her a call, I think her number will be dialed sooner than later. Between this beloved wall barrier and some good old fashioned poison, they should get the message LOUD and clear. 

Gallery Post - In a Dark, Dark Woods (A Halloween Story)

Blessing Week 11 - Thoughtful Pictures

So... I cannot lie - this weekend was a weird one and I was struggling with what I would write about this week??? (yes, I hit my momentary Eeyore moment)


Then an email arrived. An email with pictures of Morgan from her field trip Friday. I was unable to go and a little sad to know I would not see her on her first big outing with the new school group. BUT a wonderful mom-friend took some photos and sent them to me. I just think that was so awesome and such a nice thing. So, while I couldn't be there I still get a glimpse of her trip - which she said was GREAT.


Unexpected thoughtfulness and seeing a trip even though you weren't able to make it = definite week 11 blessing.

Costume 2010 - The Winner Is....

As is the case every year - it has come time for the ever exciting costume choice. I remember being a kid - this is a BIG deal. You think and think on what you want to be - because it's a major decision in the life of a grade schooler. :-) 


This year was clear cut from the start. She never entertained the thought of anything else. In fact, when we went to the store (where I knew they had exactly what she wanted) we grabbed the costume, she tried it on and said yep, this is it and had absolutely no desire to look at anything else. I guess if nothing else, it was fairly easy and I know she is certain. 


With that I present this years choice..... 

Vampire - with purple and black dress to be exact (and I seriously think this is about the only one with purple instead of red in the dress)..... 

Glad it exists! 

Blessing Week 10 - Hidden Away Gift Cards

Oh this weekend! I cannot tell you how excited I was by my shopping this weekend. Why? Because I seriously was out a good portion of the day and spent only $17.00. How? and why is this so magical? 


Because with a whole day and only $17 I managed, a new pair of jeans from a "nice" store with lots to choose from, a shredder to keep my mail stacking at bay and my hand not hurting from scissor operation, a new to us and very nice columbia wind breaker and brand new fleece jacket for Morgan, AND a power strip and new lunch boxes for Morgan.


The how... gift cards and the awesomeness of a new-to-you clothing store in town. First, I decided to clear out Morgan's closet and sell some of her nice but too small things - between the sale of these items and my stellar light jacket find - I came out with them giving me money! :-)  


Then on to the gift cards, oh precious gift cards that allowed me access to the golden door of Macy's (which come to find out - on sale, their jeans actually are not as outrageously priced as I thought) and leftover office store gift card that gave me this fabulous new shredder, even with enough left over for the lunch box and power strip. 


The fleece jacket - that I had to shell out some cash for - BUT it was on sale to 16.00 from 40.00, so I still felt like a winner on  that one. 


To some this may be no big thing - but to me, oh what a blessing! Just when I needed them, for just what I needed - they were there. :-)   


I do kind of really enjoy the art of thrift. It's always nice to conquer the expensive world now and again.

Make New Friends...

I just had to share that this morning I felt so happy... I watched as my child waited for a friend from class to cross the crosswalk at school and then the friend took her hand so they could walk together to the line. 


She also just received her first party invitation (not first ever, just first at this new school). While it may have taken a little longer than I thought - it's happening for her, she's building new friendships and I am so glad. I knew it would happen - I guess just another lesson in patience. 


As I drove away I thought - of course she is making friends, she is fabulous - I know I am biased but I just really think it's true! :-) 

School Picture - 1st Grade

Blessing Week Nine - Frequent Flyer Miles

Frequent flyer miles + $20 processing fee = us flying to visit friends!!!!  


I am SO thankful for my bankroll of frequent flyer miles. I have been saving them since I changed jobs - knowing they were precious, and knowing I would no longer be earning them at the bountiful rate I had been.  


I am blessed that I have the ability to take a trip without the worry of not being able to afford the plane tickets.  I also LOVE the experiences for Morgan - traveling, seeing different places, people, etc... AND of course seeing the wonderful Burkett family - it has been far too long...