WEATHER, FAIR AND FOUL

Monday, September 19, 2016
For my birthday morning, I was greeted by a dead lizard in the hall in front of the bathroom. Someone (?) had stepped on it accidentally in the night. (Ugh! What a thought!) I had pleasure of disposing of it.

For my birthday:

• I received a balloon and cookies from some of my students.
• I had to work. :/
• Ken took me out to lunch.
• I received bunches of messages - Facebook, e-mail, text messages, etc. <3
• One of my BFFs (she knows who) sent me books! Working at a library, you'd think I'd be less excited about that than I actually am!
• Ken made Chicken Cordon Bleu Lasagne and White Texas Sheet cake for dinner
  
• Ken & Analiese made homemade lavendar soap plus gave me the rest of the kit.
• I didn't have to do any dishes or laundry!

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

This was another napping morning. Between my job, Seminary, helping Analiese with lessons and actual home stuff, I get exhausted!

I received a package from my parents today. They sent a really pretty personalized Christmas ornament.

I love getting packages!

Analiese came with me to the library so that she could attend the Pizza and Pictionary teen event there in the evening. She's made friends there. Funny enough, it is the kids of one of the cataloguers here.

Coming home, I was greeted in the garage by a cat (nothing new) and a rather large possum. Me no likey! They are ugly and I hate it when they hiss at you! Luckily, it didn't confront me and I stayed as far away from it as possible!

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

Our fridge is on the fritz. The fridge part is NOT keeping things cole and the freezer is only slight cold. Ken and I spent the better part of the morning researching between Sears (which can come to fix it...October 5th!), and the local Maytag (which can come tomorrow). Guess which one we chose? I'm really frustrated, though, it isn't even two years old!

Thursday, September 22, 2016

The Maytag guys came today before I had to go to work and looked at the fridge. The fan in the freezer keeps cutting out. They have to order the part and hope to be back tomorrow. I hope so, too. The freezer stuff is in our chest freezer, but the fridge stuff is in an ice chest in the bathtub.

Analiese is working hard on her lessons so she can go to the state fair with me tomorrow. She has to be caught up through work due tomorrow. Unfortunately, she was dragging her feet most of the week and time has caught up with her (life lesson). Even when I came home from work at 9:00 p.m., she was still working on it. But...I'd talked to her teacher who said she was actually ahead (I'm still figuring on how to read their system)...and to enjoy the fair!

Friday, September 23, 2016

So, after Seminary, I got quickly changed, and Analiese and I headed out to OKC (with a short stop at the Sam's Club in Lawton). We had so much fun! I think mainly I had fun because Analiese was with me.

We were sad Ken & Jonathan couldn't go, but they had work. I had really wanted Jonathan, especially, to go, before his mission.

We saw two shows. One was an old-fashioned Italian circus in a canvas big top. All of the acts were incredible. The clowns/mimes were funny,

the dogs were amazing, the acrobats were flexible (hey, compared to me - they really were!), and the bareback rider was just awesome!

One of the clowns hugged me afterwards when I told him I enjoyed the show. Back at home, I would tease Ken about being jealous of an old Italian clown hugging me!

The other show was a magic show. He was funny, too. Before the show, he'd go out into the crowds passing the stage and find funny ways to convince people to come see the show. His tricks were great, too. I could guess at how he might have done some of them, but the one trick - he poured five different kinds of drinks out of one milk carton and then tore up the carton - I just couldn't figure out. That was incredible!

We went and saw the 4H exhibits, even spotting a couple of blue-ribbon winners from Altus (a set of teenage twin boys we know both won). We also looked at LOTS of livestock, mainly goats, cattle,

and llamas today. But our favorite was the baby animals - we went there twice! We especially loved the one and two-day old piglets! 

Yes, we ate fair food, which is never healthy, but we didn't eat anything too weird. Not that there wasn't opportunity. One place had bugs on pizza...and we saw someone eating one with mealworms. Gross!

It was tiring, though, and we left around 6:30. We had walked at least 5 miles round and round, seen what we pretty much wanted to see, and got some goodies to take home to the boys.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

I was a wee bit stiff and sore this morning at the library. All that walking wore me out!

A storm came up about mid-day, right when I was home for lunch. At one point, water was sheeting down the windows! Jonathan went back with me to the library, so I could take him to work (using my afternoon break), and one neighborhood intersection was flooded badly!

At the library, we had power flashes, which as never good in an old building with old wiring. We had to reboot computers and wait for the internet to come back up...and listen to people complain how the wifi wasn't working. One guy wanted to know if this was tornado weather!

After work, I quickly ran home to change and head out with Analiese and my new neighbors to Women's Conference at the church. As it was, we could see lightning flashes outside from the chapel during the whole thing. But, we were snug, safe, and spiritually uplifted. And it was all over when we went home.

Sunday, September 25, 2016

Because Friday was a fun-filled day, and because my fridge was fritzy (Side note: they did come back Friday - Jonathan was home - to fix it. Hooray!), things that I usually accomplished that day didn't happen. So this afternoon after church, I spent a lot of time working on Seminary lesson prep for the week. Tomorrow, like it or not, I have to do a little grocery shopping after work. I had planned on doing that Thursday, but the Fritzy Fridge wouldn't let me.

My kids are weird (I'm just figuring this out?). Both of them - yes, even picky Analiese - love putting hot sauce and spices stuff on things. I really think Jonathan just convinced Analiese it was a good idea and she went with it. That gal Friday tried to talk her into a mealworm at the fair and she wouldn't have it! But Jonathan, he can get her to do anything. Go figure.

NEW NEIGHBORS

Monday, September 12, 2016
Things have definitely cooled off.  Hooray!  I'll take it as an early birthday present.

Analiese came with me to work today because her EPIC teacher was going to be there. She'd had some struggles with the software and curriculum expectations last week as she began her school year. She just needed a little help and direction. He managed to put her (which put me) at ease.

I took her home at lunch time, along with a couple of paper plates filled with food. The Literacy Council had a thank-you luncheon in one of the library meeting rooms and, since they had tons, they invited us to come get some after they were through. They had catered some barbecue from Billy Sims... I knew Jonathan would love that, surgery or no surgery. On top of that, many people brought salads and sides and someone brought the most lucious almond cake that I must get the recipe for!

Tuesday, Septmber 13, 2016
Ken had his only day off this week today. I really hope he's gotten enough rest. He will need it to survive the following days!

The skies are threatening rain again. There's a light layer of thin clouds up high, with ponderous, puffy ones below. From time-to-time, a boom of thunder makes its point. No water, for a while, at least.

But it did rain this evening some while I was at work. The lights in the library flickered a time or two and my boss had us turn off half of the computers just in case of power failure. Apparently, this is a procedure that is pretty standard around here!

Wednesday, September 14, 2016 
Today's Seminary lesson included the cursing of the fig tree. I got to use my artistic (?) talents once more with a tree drawing, upon which the kids suggested what the fruits (of righteousness) should be on our "trees." I couldn't bear to erase my art if I didn't at least take a photo of it.

I had to go to Dollar Tree today for a birthday balloon for one of my students. Her birthday is tomorrow. I should have taken a picture. It was a blue square with animated candles on it. Blue's her favorite color, I know she'll love it.

The sister missionaries came over this afternoon with two of my new neighbors from two doors down. One is newly baptized and the other is investigating. I welcomed them, gave them some job suggestions, and offered them a ride to church for Sunday.

Thursday, September 15, 2016

The kids were super squirrely in Seminary this morning. I think it is because they don't have school tomorrow. Either way, their attention span was pretty short and I had to keep reeling them back in to the lesson!

The library was super-dead today. Everyone, except a lone person at the copy machine, was out by 8:30 p.m. There was no rush to leave, and I had the luxury of the time to get everything done and shut down.

Friday, September 16, 2016

No Seminary this morning, no work today. A morning to take things at a little easier pace. A little. Still, it's Friday and it's my get-stuff-done day!

I went shopping mid-day at Walmart and saw my old Hallmark boss working with my replacement. Just in time for the holidays...good luck!

My afternoon was filled with working on Seminary. No surprise. When I took Jonathan to work at 5, Analiese came with me. We went to Dollar Tree and Walmart (again) to do a little costume brainstorming and shoe-shopping for a growing girl. We had a lot of fun planning for both of us (cuz I'll need a costume for work on Halloween!).

By the way, in Oklahoma, we know it's fall because you start seeing orange everywhere. No, not pumpkins. OSU shirts and stuff.

Yes, OU is there, too, with it's crimson red,

and together you know it's football time. I was trying to look for an orange t-shirt - Halloween, blank, but all I could find was emblazoned with OSU and Pistol Pete. Football is very important, 'round here.

This evening I actually baked something. I haven't had time in a while. I had lots of overripe bananas so I made muffins and put dried blueberries in them. Better than raisin or craisins! Yum!

Saturday, September 17, 2016

The library was quiet again. Oh, except the power flicker which turned all of the computers off (15+ at my last head count) and we had to restart them all. And...the hunter education class, with it's A/V needs that I knew nothing about and had to call an off-duty library person to come help. Still, it was pretty quiet. 

One of the nice things about working in the library is that I'm finding new books all the time that I want to look at, at the least and devour at most. I even take books home for the kids that I think they'll like. Analiese was thrilled today when I brought home the newest Harry Potter-like book. It had been through several holds, but we'd finally gone through them all...and I snagged it for her!

Altus & the Air Force were on the map today as a C-17 did a flyover for the BYU home game today.

How do I know? (Cuz you know I don't know diddly about football and BYU stuff). Because four members of my ward were on that plane...our bishop, one of his counselors, and two of the Elders Quorum presidency.

Our bishop is a HUGE BYU fan (and alumnus) and I guess had this in the works for over a year now, getting permits, scheduling, etc. The wives all stayed home, but did their duty of posting it. I'm just passing these pictures on.

Our bishop, on the left with his hand up and a huge grin, cracks me up!

Sunday, Septmber 18, 2016
Surprise, surprise! No bishop or first counselor (or EQ presidency) here today. Hmmmm. LOL

We took our two neighbors with us to church. They are nice and funny. I'm glad to have someone so close by to talk with. I know my neighbors next door a little (the cat people) and on the other side, not so much. New friends are always welcome!

This afternoon, preparing for tomorrow's Seminary, I got to play in the mud! Yes, I did. My kids always wonder why I am doing weird stuff and usually the answer is, for a Seminary lesson. I went outside and - since we had a rainstorm last night - I easily found a little mud and put it in a paper bowl. I took it into the house where I (made a mess) added a little water so the mud would spread as needed. Tomorrow's lesson talks about the inner and outer vessels being clean or dirty. So I smeared mud on the inside of one cup, on the outside of another,

and left the third one clean. Which one would you drink out of? Frankly, it was fun to be able to be like a kid again and mess around in the mud! Can't wait to see the kids' faces tomorrow!

SUCH A THING AS TOO BUSY

Monday, September 5, 2016
Labor day - I got to sleep in! I dragged myself out of bed close to eight a.m. Had a leisurely breakfast, didn't rush into Devotional...

I cut up our only watermelon from the garden today. The vine was dried up, it looked ready. But it didn't really taste all that great.

SIGH. I thought watermelons grew well here.

But we had plans. The Barrons, a family in our ward, invited us to a picnic with them at the reservoir. We had a lovely barbecue lunch and then headed out to the water to test out the paddleboard they had rented.

(Apparently, with a permit, you can do this.) The kids, especially Jonathan, really enjoyed it.

Ken got dunked three times on his one time on the board...let me tell you, that water was full of Oklahoma red mud! His shorts were stained. Brother Barron flipped the entire board over, much to his wife's amusement. The water wasn't very deep, though, maybe waist-deep as far as they went out. I stayed out; someone had to document the event!

Tuesday, September 6, 2016
Dum, dum, duuuum! Analiese started her EPIC (charter school) online classes today. So did two of my Seminary students, but with different teachers, grades and programs. She's growled a little already, but she needs the challange. She gets bored. Supposedly, she should spend 4-5 hours a day working (which is still less than public school kids), but could do more if she wanted to get ahead.

Here's my Seminary drawing for the week (well, at least the good one).

I was very proud of my little whale!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016
More growling today, and some of it was understandable...because we (both of us) couldn't understand! So, I told her to contact her teacher. I don't know if she did or not, but she needs to know she can go to him with problems or issues. One of the issues I see her learning to deal with right now is reading EVERYTHING and following the directions. She gets impatient.

I took her and a ward member to the EXPO center today at noon to register their items for the fair this weekend. The ward member had called to ask when it was, so I offered to take her. It was really no big deal. She was entering a gorgeous quilt that she'd painstakingly made, especially since she has poor eyesight. Analiese made garden markers to display. Plus, she entered Alice into the Rabbit show for tomorrow.

Thursday, September 8, 2016
Right after returning from Seminary and quickly changing clothes, I ran with Jonathan out ot Lawton for his oral surgery at 9:30 a.m. Considering what had to be done, I was surprised to find out it took only an hour. They packed him, with his head wrapped in gauze

, into my car and away we went! He was still loopy (he was reading off license plate numbers through a mouthful of gauze) and feeling good, so I ran an errand to Sam's club and got some gas. Then we went to Carl's Jr. (my little touch of California in Oklahoma!) so that he could have a milkshake.

Actually, I got him two, one to eat there (I helped him remove the mouth gauze first) and one to take home for later.

On the way home, the anesthetic started to wear off and he began to feel pain. Before, I was teasing him, but I am not cruel (truly!) and now I was entirely sympathetic. I dropped him off at home and went right away to Walgreens to fill his prescriptions (I may have shown a few pictures to some of his co-workers). He was so miserable then, and I really hated having to leave him to go to work at 4. Analiese was going to abandon him, too, to go to the rabbit show. But our friends, the Doshers, who were picking up Analiese for the fair, dropped off their son, David, who is good buddies with Jonathan. He stayed with him the entire time Analiese was gone. They are really good friends and I felt better about not having to leave Jonathan alone.

Friday, September 9, 2016
My day off was not a relaxing one. Jonathan was feeling better, but his face was obviously swollen. His appetite was back, too. Can't keep a big boy down! Analiese and I ran to the fair to help with the rabbits at "Kids' Day." This is when the preschoolers and elementary kids bused in from surrounding towns come to see the animals. It's cute, fun, and chaotic. We were covered with fur - the rabbits were all shedding something awful - and felt pretty itchy by the end. I did get to go see the fair entries in the display hall, so I had a little fair fun myself. My friend Valerie made this pillow

for her daughter to commemorate their "evil" mini Hotot rabbit, Critter. Analiese calls it the devil bunny.  This is Analiese near a quilt square being displayed. I would love it for her:

It reads: Everyone loves an Oklahoma Girl.

At noon, I ran home (notice all the running) to do menus and a grocery list for the next week and went shopping. After that, at home, I did a little work on next week's Seminary, but ended up helping Analiese with a project due today (of course) for EPIC, fixing dinner, putting away laundry, and doing dishes! Fair time is crazy!

Saturday, September 10, 2016

I was supposed to go to work this morning. I did, but my stomach was cramping and giving me problems. After two doses of medicine (TMI, I know), a bout of dizziness, and a feverish feeling, I gave up and went home.

Well, really, first I went to United for crackers, Gatorade, and ginger ale. At home, I gave Jonathan some books and videos I'd rented for him, got in my pajamas, and went to bed. To sleep. For three hours.

My stomach felt a little better in the afternoon, but, as the sun set, I felt heavy, tired...and cold! My kids will tell you...if I'm feeling cold (except in the winter), I'm SICK!

Sunday, September 11, 2016

I'm feeling better today. But Jonathan went out with friends last night, the first time since he's surgery. That proved to be too much for him. This morning, he went back to bed and never made it to church. He's tried to act like nothing happened, but I keep telling him that his whole body is going to feel a little out of whack for a while.

It's a nice, quiet Sabbath afternoon. Analiese has a fireside tonight, but other than that, it's a pretty mellow day. The weather's like that, too. Perhaps the grips of summer are loosening?

A SAD NOTE: This week a good friend, Paul Gilson, passed away. He and his wife, Martha, were my "East Coast Folks" on my mission, and my rock during some of the hard times then. I knew he'd been battling cancer, but apparently Heavenly Father said it was time to go home. Still, I'm sad for Martha and I'll miss his funny sayings...but I expect I'll hear them on the other side, too!

THE RAIN ON PARK LANE

Monday, August 29, 2016
Had another sick student today who didn't make it. Everyone else, on top of that, seemed to be dragging. One girl could barely keep her eyes open and one of my big participators was less participatory than usual. Can you say "Monday"?

Analiese went to work with me this morning so we could go out to lunch together. She had a coupon for a free hamburger that expires tomorrow. She has been spending a lot of time at home alone lately, so it was good for her to get out. But I was stuffed and - going back to work - I felt really sleepy!

The most exciting part of my work-day today was having a shelf come off on me. Luckily, there weren't a lot of books on it and I figured how to fix it...whilst holding it up and away from me!

Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Before I left for Seminary this morning, I checked the weather - all clear. By the time I got out of Seminary, it was pouring rain and - of course - I had no umbrella!  Fortunately, but new rolling box for this year has a lid that secures with velcro.

But, I took my second shower this morning as I raced first to my car and second, to my house!

I've been so busy today. Putting stuff away from Sam's (last week), working on menus and grocery lists, clipping coupons, receiving a visit from our Home Teacher, going to the optometrist (again) to replace my nose guard, grocery shopping, planning tomorrow's Seminary lessons - and then my six-hour work shift. After that I went home and go to bed so I can start all over again tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

I was prepared this morning, umbrella in hand. Good thing, too, because not only had it rained last night, it started up again just as I turned down on Park Lane. But - uh-oh - the church parking lot had been repaed yesterday and was blocked off. Not only did I have to park at the curb, I stepped into at least 3 inches of water at the curb, soaking my shoes and feet. They still weren't dry by the end of Seminary. Cold, clammy shoes...ugh!

Today's lesson went well. Everyone was really involved, but then, it was kind of fun. We talked about the parable of the sower. I had fun setting up the board for the discussion. I was very proud of my birdie: 

By the end of class the board looked like this:

The kids got to draw, too. This is one of my students' creations:

No sleeping today!

I was so tired, though, once I got home that right after Devotional, I went to bed and sleep for 2-3 hours!  Too much, but I'm still trying to get myself straight between Seminary and work and feel a bit worn out.

Our latest fun at the library is frogs trying to get in. Yesterday was one, but today was two! My co-part-timer wanted to kill one, but I said they were only there after the crickets that make themselves at home between bookshelves!

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Another rainy morning, pouring just as I turn down Park Lane. What is it with that street.

I had a student try and sleep through most of Seminary. I kept tapping my fingers on the desk in front of the student, but no good. We need to have a little talk!

My boss tried to scare me today. She suggested I work by myself (with my other PT - the Dude) and a cataloguer in the back on Saturday. I must have looked like deer in the headlights because she changed her mind about that. I've only been working for ten days now. I need to quit trying so hard to look good, I guess.

Friday, September 2, 2016

For a day off of work, it sure has been busy. After Seminary and at home, I had cooking, shopping, a bank trip, a pedicure, prepping for tomorrow's dinner, making important connections (read call/text/e-mail)...

The sister missionaries came to dinner tonight. Per Analiese's request, I made homemade chicken pot pie. Yum, that's comfort food! One of the sisters said that's one of her favorite foods. Glad to oblige!

The prepping for tomorrow is getting the crockpot ready and veggies, etc. cut up for tomorrow. That's my Saturday meal solution - the crockpot!

Saturday, September 3, 2016

I really had to hustle this morning to get ready for work and set up the crockpot for red beans and rice. Actually, on my lunch break, I came home to give Jonathan directions on how to cook the rice (NO, he did NOT know how). He just had to make it about thirty minutes before they wanted to eat. I get off at six, the choice was theirs if they wanted to wait or not.

One of the poor froggies met his end today at the back door of the library which is heavy and metal. He didn't get in (or out?) on time and got crushed. I was met at work by a dead frog sitting in a pool of blood. Charming! Poor Leonard (the library frog)!

Ken visited me on his way home from work. He even got a library card and checked out some books from his favorite (read: only) author. He also brought me a drink and some ice for me to keep at work so I can always have cold water. So sweet!

Sunday, September 4, 2016

Testimony meeting today. It went over time, which was not surprising. I noticed a lot of people remarking on how the Spirit had led them to make the important decisions in their lives. I wanted to stand up and tell my students - "Look! This is how the gospel works in every day life!"  It's not just an abstract concept, but can actually be put into practice in their lives!

I had to give lesson material to a sister in my ward who is going to sub for me on Friday while I have my monthly inservice online. She's a sweet, younger sister with two boys under two. She seems eager and confident to do it, I hope those teenagers are gentle on her. I'll incentivize them (not bribe) to behave if I have to. I have a hard time getting subs, and if she's willing to do it again, I'll let her!

Another sister in our ward has invited our family to join hers for a picnic at the reservoir tomorrow. I was pleased that she thought of us. None of us have work, Seminary, or school, and Ken had thought we ought to do something, so when I told him about the offer, he was very happy. Also, they have a returned missionary daughter that I hope will also help boost Jonathan. Not that I'm saying he needs it, but I'll take all we can get.