Rainy Weather in Chicago

We are playing hockey this week in Chicago. The USHL Combine invites ~200 boys in '98 birth year. The twins are having fun talking with old and new teammates. I like doing the same. Meanwhile the weather is rainy, foggy, soupy, humid, and all-around depressing. My Northern friends assue me this is normal for  mid-summer! The twins are having fun with old and new teammates.

Chocolate Pudding

I like things to be semi-homemade, easy, and full of calories for my hockey player twins. I am planning to try this recipe.

Instant Chocolate Pudding Mix
(makes 3 and 3/4 cup mix)

3 oz. Dutch processed cocoa*, about 1 cup
2 oz. cornstarch, about 1/2 cup
6 oz. powdered sugar, about 1 and 1/2 cups
1 and 1/2 oz. instant non-fat dry milk, about 1/2 cup
1 tsp salt

*Can substitute Hershey’s Dark Cocoa or King Arthur's Double Dutch cocoa.

Mis all together and store in airtit container on shelf (1 month) or in the freezer (3 months)

How to make the pudding:(I have been able to also halve the recipe by using half the ingredients.  To halve the pudding mix, you need 7/8 of a cup, or 1 cup minus 2 Tb., then halve the rest of the ingredients of course.)

Make Pudding

1 and 3/4 cup Chocolate Pudding Mix
2 cups of milk
2 cups of cream**
1 tsp. vanilla extract

**Can also used half and half to replace the milk and cream

1.  In a medium sized saucepan:  whisk together your pudding mix and liquid ingredients. (This part is also why you need dutch processed cocoa.  It dissolves in liquids much better than natural.)

2.  Heat them on medium.  Boil and whisk together.  Whisk once in a while.

3.  Once it starts boiling, turn the heat down to low and whisk together for FOUR minutes.  Whisk constantly to keep the bottom from burning.

4. Take off heat, whisk in vanilla.

5.  Pour this mixture through a fine mesh strainer and into a bowl.  Cover the pudding with plastic wrap right on the surface.  Chill for 4 hours.  Feel free to top with whipped topping, oreos, etc.

Just Takes One

We have listed our house with a realtor now to see if we can sell it for an out-of-state move (and get in-state tuition for Dorito). It is such a lovely house--with all the extras. I especially like my dining room-- perfect for tea parties. Here is the last one I had, sans Meggar unfortunately. I miss her at these things! The boys were gone all week, so I splurged. And used all the sparkly, clinking accoutrements I could find in the cupboard: tea bag caddies, jam pots, china butter pats, tea-cup napkin rings, sugar tongs, antique pie server, and cut-glass pitcher. I made quiche and scones, of course. Friends supplied the other delicacies.

Sewing and Crafting

Meggar has been busy with decorating five little onesies.

 For you know whose baby.

Married Saints

Tomorrow is the feast of St. Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is typically a time when the Church focuses on marriage and married love. Many diocese celebrate awareness of Natural Family Planning and offer free workshops because of today's anniversary of Humanae Vitae.

(Raise my hand.) I'm a successful user of NFP in my own marriage. I'm a testament that it works: for communication, for health, for love.  Lately, I've been speaking at Catholic Engagement Weekends about NFP.  One girl said, "I want my husband to look at me that way," after Captain and I discussed our ups and downs with NFP charting. WOW--she noticed something I sometimes take for granted. Captain is still romantic, listens to me attentively, and wants to be on the same wavelength. Marriage is a pathway to heaven, and I may not be a saint, but I have a great supporter!
By the way, my talk is always evolving. Not because I've changed methods of NFP or discovered a perfect loophole, but because I'm braver. I want to give full disclosure to these 20-somethings who are engaged about what LOVE entails. It is not like a modern movie or reality show. You really shouldn't live together or sleeping around until you tie the knot. It is about waiting for the wedding. And there are times of waiting after the wedding. But these times allow us not to use each other as a possession/piece of property--but to cherish the beauty of the other person we are sacrificing for. NFP lets me see a bit of heaven on earth.
For it is in giving that we receive.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.
And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Update: Is anyone else surprised that Princess Kate got pregnant so quickly into her marriage? I am fairly certain she was on the Pill during some of her 8-year courtship with Prince William.  Research shows that women can have hormonal problems long after discontinuing the Pill, which can delay the return of normal fertility.

Book Club and Hemingway

Tonight we discussed "As You Like It" and other summer reads among our members. But I wanted to blog about last month's book club, which I missed, but I've kept reading "For Whom the Bell Tolls." I suppose everyone should read Hemingway at some point. He joined the Kansas City Star as a report at age 17 and then volunteered with the Red Cross during World War I (severely wounded in Italy). By 1921, he had moved to Paris and rowdied with a group of expat authors who all wanted to write the Great American Novel. He also partly lived and wrote in Key West (Captain and I toured his home during our honeymoon) and Cuba.
I've always admired the poem which forms the title of his novel:
No man is an Iland, intire of it selfe; 
every man is a peece of the Continent, 
a part of the maine; 
if a Clod bee washed away by the Sea, 
Europe is the lesse, 
as well as if aPromontorie were,
as well as if a Mannor of thy friends or of thine owne were; 
any mans death diminishes me, 
because I am involved in Mankinde; 
And therefore never send to know 
for whom the bell tolls; 
It tolls for thee. (John Donne, 1624)
Thoughts of death most certainly are on the minds of all the soldiers/main characters in the book. This is an intense story that focuses on Jordan, an American fighting with the anti-fascist guerillas in Spain, who falls in love with Maria during his dynamiter mission. He is constantly weighing his chances at death or suicide. Jordan wants to avoid suicide, partly because his father committed suicide and he views it as cowardly. And partly because he wants to "live in the moment" with Maria, whose love gives him hope and renews his courage. "I suppose it is possible to live as full a life in seventy hours as in seventy years," Jordan thinks to himself. Unfortunately, Hemmingway himself committed suicide 21 years later (and his father had also committed suicide).

Happy News

It was our anniversary last night, so I waited up for Captain to return from his Mon-Sunday voyage. We celebrated with two slices of pie at Perkins about 11:36 pm. Just under the wire. It was a happy hour of laughing and reminiscing about the week and about the last 23 years.
This morning he is gone on another trip for work, but I awoke to some good news....

Everyone is placing bets on the name. Maybe they will name her Elizabeth (Captain's mother has a birthday today)! Maybe Diana/Charles for middle name? Maybe a future queen? Surely going to be a cute baby, given the Momma!

(Funny story: During my first week in London in 1988, I wandered into a "bookmaker" because I was exploring and I expected Jane Austen hardbacks, but I got more than I "wagered" for.)

Turning 21

Last week was Meggar's 21st birthday, and although I was disappointed not to be there for her blowing-out-the-candles scene, she had several special events with friends:
Monday = she waited up until midnight to go to the neighborhood bar, where they did NOT card her?!  (How anti-climactic!)
Tuesday = she and Spencer had a fancy dinner atop a downtown St. Louis Hotel with another couple.
Saturday = she celebrated with a cookout for her friends around the backyard pool. She made burgers and dogs, cucumber salad, carrot-and-celery cups, chips and dip, pasta salad, as well as hot fudge pie with ice cream.
Mid-August = Captain and I are taking her and college friend Lois on a birthday trip to Napa Valley for four days at a bed-and-breakfast with wine tasting, shopping, and relaxation.
Presents from the "adult" world = Vera Bradley pajamas, Starbucks gift card, bottle of champagne and flutes, book, tea caddy, fancy necklace, wine guide, airline ticket.

Blueberry Season

We haven't picked any blueberries yet this year. But I have bought blueberries at Costco and made my favorite blueberry dessert! I shared some with our friends who just had Baby #4. Here's the recipe:

Blueberry Dessert Pizza

Combine: 1 pkg. yellow cake mix, 1 c. oats, 6 T. butter. 

Mix on low speed of mixer until crumbly.

Reserve 1 c. crumbs for topping later.

To remaining bowl, add 1 egg and beat well again. 

Press mixture into greased 12-inch pizza pan.

Bake at 350' F for 10 minutes.

Make Blueberry Pie Filling: 

Heat in saucepan for 8 minutes, stirring occassionally:

2 c. blueberries, 1/2 c. sugar, 1 T. lemon juice, 2 heaping T. cornstarch.

Spread filling on warm crust. (or use can of pie filling).

Make Topping:

To 1 c. crumbs saved above, then add: 

1/4 c. oats, 2 T. butter, 1/2 c. pecans, and 1/2 t. cinnamon.

Bake whole pizza 15-20 minutes longer, until crumbs are lightly browned. 

Cool. Cut. Add a drizzle of frosting in pinwheel pattern to look gourmet.

...and

I send them home with my famous Lasagna (made a double batch so we could have some) and Sweet Green Beans.

Mayor's Art Awards

Dorito was chosen last night for the 50th Anniversary Mayor's Art Awards as the Youth Artist of the Year!

1. Describe nominee’s achievements and biographical information:

    Reid Schmidling began playing piano at age 7 but asked to take violin lessons at age 10. His excitement for this new instrument came after witnessing a music group performing at “Trails West” festival that summer. He studied Suzuki Violin for 5 years with Terry Brock at Missouri Western (Center for Community Arts) and for 2 years with Nicholas Jarrett, graduate of the UMKC Conservatory. He participated in Symphonic Youth Orchestra for 4 years and was in the first violin section at Missouri Western State University for 1 year under Rico McNeela (while still in high school). He also performed with the Jarrett Studio 12-piece Ensemble for 2 years, including a solo part in Vivaldi’s “Concerto for Two Violins.” As a homeschooler, you are not allowed to participate in State Music Competitions so Reid competed in the MMTA Concerto Recital in 2012. For his senior violin recital, he performed “Concerto in A Minor” by Bach from Suzuki Book 7.

   To round out his music endeavors, Reid was in Homeschool Choir all 6 years during middle school and high school. He was also a bass singer for 2 years with New Generation Singers.

   In addition to a love of music, Reid has a well-rounded personality and stays involved in ice hockey, soccer, golf, chess club, Trivia Bowl team, robotics competitions, Boy Scouts, Mic-o-Say, and youth group. He is an Eagle Scout, Hillyard Ambassador, and works part-time at Fairview Golf Course.

    He spent last summer as an exchange student to Austria, where one highlight was touring the Mozart Museum.

    Reid auditioned and made the orchestra string section for Benedictine College, but he won a significant leadership scholarship to K-State where he will study Mechanical Engineering this fall.

2. Describe how the nominee’s contribution to the arts in St. Joseph are significant and long lasting:

     Above all, Reid has impacted the community through his family band known as “The Fiddlers Three.” His younger twin brothers play the harmony parts, and his sister is the piano accompanist (she has a piano fellowship at Truman State University). Reid has carried the melody parts and first chair role from a young age for all the classical and fiddle shows of this sibling group during the past 5-6 years. They were the opening act for Friday night of PumpkinFest in 2009. Through competitive audition, they were selected for the Family Stage at “Trails West” festival in 2010. They were featured for the opening of the One-room Schoolhouse at TNT (Tuesday Night Talks) in 2012 at the Pony Express Museum and performed for the Sesquicentennial Parade on the Museum grounds.

     By performing over 40 shows per year, Reid and his sibling group are enjoyed by civic groups, award dinners, and school programs. Their special feature is to provide educational tidbits about the 1860s songs and explain how the fiddle became the state instrument of Missouri.

      Reid gives generously with his music by playing for free at many events, including area nursing homes. The most fun is when each resident gets a shaker to play along with “Irish Washerwoman” and “Red-Haired Boy.” Their faces light up during the sing-along of cowboy favorites, and many listeners come up front afterwards to share their own stories of piano or violin lessons. Reid has played countless hours for many Catholic churches, funerals, and weddings too. It is a delight to see this young man play from his heart and have his music touch the hearts of so many people.

And Then There Were None

"This is what grace truly looks like," said Abby Johnson, director of a ministry called And Then There Were None (which has helped 60 other workers leave the abortion industry over the last year).

Today the 40 Days for Life campaign announced the closure of the Planned Parenthood Clinic in College Station, Texas! This is an incredible answer to 15 years of prayer! What a significant turn of events and a blessing to the faithful!
Campaign director Shawn Carney said: "As the birthplace of 40 Days for Life and the place where Abby Johnson resigned after eight years working for America's largest abortion chain, this is a huge victory for the entire pro-life movement! Peaceful and prayerful local opposition to abortion is ending abortion from the grassroots up."
Since this is where "it all began" for David Bereit, I wanted to blog aboutt his success story. I was captivated reading Abby's autobiography so I knew how David reached out to hear in kindness and compassion and understanding. For five year. She was confused by the abortion-minded rhetoric of her employer, yet compelled to respond to a loving Christian organization that quietly witnessed on the sidewalks -- rain or shine.
Since 2004, the 40 Days for Life Campaign has grown into a worldwide pro-life mobilization of 575,000 volunteers in 501 cities (including our own Kansas City); saving 7,546 babies from abortion, closing 37 abortion centers, and helping 83 workers to quit their jobs in the abortion industry. Today is another signal of hope -- for mothers, for babies, for fathers, and for all of us fighting for the Culture of Life!

Coupon Queen

My family knows that I like to do couponing (such as Burger King receipts, online coupons/freebies, and Office Depot Recycling Bucks). I'm not the extreme type of couponer, but the common-sense type. Since I don't buy many brand name items at the grocery store, it rarely pays for me to buy the Sunday paper for their coupons. I have found that I can get a better deal buying HyVee coupon books and using Walgreens Balance Rewards on the regular items I need weekly/monthly. Then something new came along: Fuel Saver Card at HyVee. Selected purchases give you cents off for a future gasoline purchase. Now I still don't go out of my way to buy expensive brand-name cereal or pizza or frozen foods. If the food on my list has a Fuel Saver discount than that is just icing on the cake. So I really kept my eyes open the past month while grocery shopping to get all the best deals: for instance, if something has a 3¢ Fuel Saver and my car will take 18 gallons of gas then I might buy it (particularly if it's also on sale) given there will be 54¢ saved at the pump. With the boys at Camp and no violin lessons, I have accumulated Fuel Savers and I went to the pump expecting to get 62¢ off per gallon! Hooray--I saved $11.00 on a tank of gas. Have my cake and eat it, too!

Emergency Treatment

Steroid shots and steroid pills.
Both twins.
As soon as the doctor left the room to go get the nurse, Winger said: "You're going first!"
As soon as the nurse walked in, Captain said: "Winger wants to go first!"
Ha ha ha.
Twins.
Just last week, they were arguing over who would get to drive home the first half from Wichita. So they quickly emptied everything from their pockets and raced a 200 yard sprint on the street in front of Grandma's to decide the winner!
Twins :-)

Bad Case of Itching

The twins got sent home from Scout Camp Staff because their small case of poison ivy is now a big case. Or maybe it is poison oak, poison sumac, or something else. The hot sweaty weather has made it spread from forearms to armpits and stomach and chest. Of course it was 9 pm when they called us. So we did Aveeno bath, Benedryl capsules, and hydrocortisone cream. We'll see if they can get into the doctor in the morning. They are bummed to sleep at home when all the other staffers are in the bunk house. (They are so thrilled to be chosen for the final week of camp as replacement staff positions for those who went to National Scout Jamboree.)

Love Good Music? Yes!

Love Good Music Tour Bus arrived at 2:00 am Friday night for a Saturday luncheon concert in our back yard.

Samuel Knight sounds like Michael Buble!
Josh plays a drum-set-in-a-box (way cool)!

Jimmy plays original composition for deceased brother while Amber performs a painting.

We might have been their smallest concert attendance, but it was like a mini World Youth Day. We had jammin' music, prayer, reflective painting, and everyone was so full of love and joy! These Nashville missionaries of good Catholic music are looking for patrons to give $10 a month on their website. We signed up five patrons just from our little group! 

Whole-hearted Approach

When I was a young mom and just starting to homeschool, I chose a fully-literature-based curriculum because it fit my personality and my style of mothering. It was definitely intentional. One of those early curriculum writers that I loved was Sally Clarkson, whose company is even named Whole Heart Ministries. Through the years, I have read and embraced most of Sally's books starting with "Educating the Whole Hearted Child." Imagine my surprise at the readings during today's morning mass. There was that word: wholehearted. The Responsorial Psalm told me that I can trust in Lord to be sheltered and fed (even in times of distress). I can rely on Him for salvation. The Lord will help us and deliver us from the wicked. The Lord will watch over the lives of the wholehearted. Halleluia!

Psalms 37 (36): 3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40 ~ 
  
Trust in the Lord and do good, 
that you may dwell in the land and be fed in security. 
Take delight in the Lord, 
and he will grant you your heart's requests. 

The Lord watches over the lives of the wholehearted; 
their inheritance lasts forever. 
They are not put to shame in an evil time; 
In days of famine they have plenty. 

Turn from evil and do good, 
that you may abide forever;
For the Lord loves what is right, 
And forsakes not his faithful ones. 

The salvation of the just is from the Lord; 
He is their refuge in time of distress. 
And the Lord helps them and delivers them;  
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,  
because they take refuge in him. 

The Face of Thursday Nights

Every Thursday for ceremonies, Dorito gets to paint his whole face. He is a Runner in Mic-o-Say and therefore wears the most face paint of any other rank. Of course, it all depends on your own creativity and there is the unstated goal of looking scary to the Foxmen. Running, creating, leading -- such great components of Camp Geiger, where they are happy to stay for six days at a time with no girls and no internet.

First-ever Runner Week

Fourth of July Week

This Week's Variation

Working for a Living

The twins have been staying in the country the last 5 days. They were helping Uncle Carey clear hedge trees from his fence-line. And shooting turtles around his pond. Driving the tractor, running the chain saw, and working up a sweat. Whew! This type of manual labor was a good experience for them, and I wondered what they would say when I picked them up yesterday. They talked all the way home! They benefitted from being away from their routine and being around their younger cousins. Plus they tried Asian food, enjoyed "doughnut mass," and kept up during Ultimate Frisbee with the college/seminarian crowd.

Aesthetically Pleasing

I like the aesthetically pleasing "treats" that happen in the midst of summer:
   - iced tea in a real glass -- plus the tinkling of plenty of ice and a bit of sweetness added with a long, antique-silver spoon (I especially like the Blueberry Mojito blend from Teavana);
   - the smell of dust blowing across the just-harvested wheat fields in southern Kansas (of course, there is always dust because the wind is always blowing);

   - adult popsicles (I happen to love the coconut fruit bars from Blue Bell, and I just discovered they also come in a chocolate-dipped variety);
    - chick flicks on NetFlix (try "Alchemy," or "Love's Kitchen," or "Possession," or "North and South")
    - sleeping in past 7 a.m. with extra pillows and cool sheets because all the boys are gone for a few days.

Summer is Sociable

Meggar is having lots of social time this summer in St. Louis. Music outdoors at the winery, patio cookout, birthday parties of several friends, Cardinals baseball, and an outdoor movie night at the Art Museum (with Lois and her boyfriend).

Shakespeare in the Park

It was closing night for "As You Like It" and the summer season of Free Will in KC. I met Robin there for her birthday. We also bumped into Amy, who was by herself, so she joined us for a potluck picnic! Robin made delectable egg salad and had sourdough bread, butter lettuce, sliced cucumber, and avacado for toppings. She also brought cherries and wine. Remember: Life is a bowl of cherries! I brought broccoli salad, watermelon wedges, cheese and crackers, and blueberry iced tea. Amy shared crab ragoons and lively conversation. For dessert, there was iced coffee and chocolate hazelnut cookies from Trader Joe's.
The play was very entertaining: made even funnier with groovy costumes, cigarettes, and 60s culture (for a twist).
"I can suck melancholy out of a song as a weasle sucks eggs. More, I prithee, more."
The weather was fabulous: breezy enough to ward off bugs and stickiness. The evening went late but I'm so glad to continue my summer tradition. And I'm all ready for this month's book club!

Hot Off the Grill

Last week, the grill died. It had served us well for many years. Captain had rebuilt it once along the way and even replaced the briquettes. Other parts were breaking too... so we did what normal people do. We looked in the Classifieds online and then called about a few listed on Craigslist. Bought a nice Weber grill -- could it count for Father's Day?! Captain broiled us some delectable kebabs today for Dorito's homecoming meal. Rib eye steak with red onions and yellow peppers that were all tender and juicy. Matched with a bottle of Merlot, we were happy as a couple of fat ticks.

FREEEEEEEDDOMM

We are expected to take a lot of things for granted in America. Isn't that too bad? Our freedoms were hard-fought, our privileges carry a personal responsibility, and our national pride swells to overflowing on Fourth of July. But how much freedom do others have?
We started the holiday by taking my Aunt Lois out to lunch. She doesn't have much freedom. She is mentally retarded and lives on her Social Security benefit in a smelly care home. She doesn't have physical limitations that require her to live there, so it is painful to see the choices she doesn't get to make. She cannot choose her meals, nor meal times, nor the chance to cut up her own food, nor much of her wardrobe, nor the activities of her day outside those four corridors. She is mentally retarded, but she is not stupid. She knows more than you think... She knows she doesn't have freedom of choice. but today was a day for Freeeeeedom!
We asked her to pick a restaurant, but when we got to "Red Robin" they were closed for July 4th. So we drove along Webb Road and let her choose another place. She got all excited when she saw "Freddy's" and could hardly wait for a break in the traffic to get across the street. She chose her entree, her drink, and later her custard dessert and its topping (Reece's Pieces). Then we went to Wal-Mart (where I never shop out of principle) but we let her choose a flag T-shirt, a coloring book, and a box of 96 crayons. Don't you remember back in 2nd grade how you were dying for a box of 64, but your mother wouldn't let you get that many? Aunt Lois wanted the BIG box of 96 crayons! She also didn't want the coloring book that said "Preschool" on the cover either. She knows she graduated from 8th grade (at age 16). She also knows she cannot get two or three coloring books or else her care-giver would throw them away. She knows...

Ah... the freedom of making a 2nd grader happy!

Better than Lemonade Poke Cake

I'm a sucker for lemons (pun intended) and so is my oldest son Dorito. So I wanted something special for Geiger's Family Night. Our supper will be featuring this light and lemony dessert tonight. I actually found two online recipes and had to choose -- so I went with the one with the cutest blogger name: Something Swanky. But if you take time to examine the ingredients of the other recipe, they are pretty identical.

Lemon Poke Cake
1 lemon cake mix (bake according
       to directions with one extra egg
     and milk in place of water)
1 batch of lemon curd (recipe below)
1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip
1/2 c. white chocolate chips
1/2 c. chopped pecans

1. Bake cake in 9x13 pan.
2. Make Lemon Curd
    1 c. lemon juice (fresh is best)
    1 c. sugar
    1/2 c. melted butter
    2 eggs
*Whisk together all ingredients in large bowl (deep as it might bubble over)
*Microwave for up to 6-10 minutes, stopping EVERY minute to stir. Stop when thickened.
*Pour lemon curd into heavy zip-lock bag and seal.
*Fill bowl with ice water and submerge the bag of lemon curd. Chill in freezer for 10 minutes to cool and thicken.
3. While cake is still warm, use a skewer or chop stick to poke holes about 1-inch apart.
4. Pour lemon curd over the warm cake, aiming to fill in the holes. Use spatula to spread evenly.
5. Spread with Cool Whip layer. Sprinkle with chips and pecans.
6. Drizzle with any remaining lemon curd on top.
7. Chill at least 4 hours or overnight.

Fresh Foods

We are still making shortcake and enjoying the fresh strawberries of May June. The guys even helped me pick the last few from the patch at Charlotte's. Blueberries are about ready for picking next.
I'm also trying to use my herb garden as much as possible: sage and thyme on my eggs, basil and chives in my goulash, and lavender and rosemary on my roasted potatoes.
Tracy and I were taking about our summer reading: hers includes mainly cookbooks and I am hoping she will send me a new recipe to try. She is much more gourmet than I am.

The Longest Mile

Patience.
Perseverance.
#1 - Captain has been walking a fine line (aka tight rope) at work recently. Last Friday, he had to fire an employee whom he caught making unauthorized purchases. Today was filled with changing passwords, cleaning out the desk, reporting to the CEO and company attorney, etc. It's stressful to be the head of your department. Especially when you have a kind heart and want to think the best of other people.  It was nice to see how the twins stepped in with humor this evening to ease the burden!
#2 - Meggar also had a long row to hoe with her summer jobs. She found out there is another wedding planner intern getting to do the fun stuff. And she decided to stand up to the single mother she babysits for and refuse to be the substitute mom for her little kids nearly 70-75 hours each week. Meggar has been there for practically every waking moment for these kids during first 6 weeks of summer. She made great money, but the "cost" was weighing heavily on her. She doesn't like conflict, but gave her notice last week and worked her final day Friday. Today she happily started her new nanny positions for two different families: one on Mondays and Fridays, and the other family on T-W-Th.
#3 - Reid crashes all day Saturday and still sleeps all night. Goes to mass with us on Sunday morning and then heads back to Camp Geiger. He claims he is having the best time working 90 hours/week. He will try to take off an hour today to renew his driver's license.
Better days ahead.