Well, I've mentioned here several times that I've been working on these ready-made scrapbooks.  I was intending to sell them at a holiday market at our church on Saturday.  Well, we totally muffed the advertising.  There weren't even 100 people who came through the doors all day long--maybe not even 50!  I didn't sell even one.

I do have another opportunity coming up this Saturday.  This one will be at a homeschool consignment curriculum store, The Bookcover.  I know that they have been marketing their crafter's show for several weeks, so hopefully this will be a much better showing for me.

I made some wonderful, lightly sweet muffins for the church holiday market, but ended up bringing them home since there was no one to but them.  Gerry could eat them fine, as long as he didn't pig out on them.  I've written down the recipe here.

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Today was the bowling extravaganza finale!  Gerry was home today, so he went with us.  It was a potluck luncheon, with participation trophies for children.  The trophies even had the kids' names on them, as well as their high scores.  Thomas was thrilled with his very first trophy!
I started the day with a trip to the grocery store--hopefully I will not have to go again until after the holiday weekend is totally over!  We are having Thomas' two surrogate grannies over fo thanksgiving dinner and then my mother and her husband will be here for the day on Saturday.  We will be having mashed potaotes with Boursin, which is a spiced goat cheese that makes the mashed potaotes so special (if you are going to splurge, make it worth it!).  We will also be having a sugar-free cranberry jello, instead of the canned stuff.  And there'll be no green bean casserole (way too many carbs in the mushroom soup)!  Gerry's going to make his signature banana bread and I am going to make cinnamon chip oatmeal cookies.  We are making some concessions to Gerry's diabetes, but not all that we could.  Oh, well, I guess we'll have to go for a long walk!
Anyway, after the grocery store and cooking for the potluck, we went to the bowling deal.  Afterwards, we went by surrogate granny A's house to drop off some treats and make sure she's okay.  She had a pacemaker inserted last week.
We pulled up to A's house and I unbuckled Thomas' seat belt.  He got out of the seat and opened the car door and fell out of the car--right onto his cheek and his knee.  (The car was on such a slant that gravity just pulled him out!)  His cheek swelled up a touch and the abraded part turned very read.  So, of course, the rest of the day was a chorus of, "What did you do to your face?"  (To which he kept answering, "I don't know"  because it didn't  hurt him anymore and so he'd forgotten about it!)  I hope that tomorrow you won't be able to tell anything, but I'm afraid it's going to bruise--just in time for holiday photos!

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Friday, we began the day with an early playdate at G and M's house.  These are Thomas' oldest friends.  But the main reason Thomas wanted to play with them this day was that they were going to get out the GeoTrax train set!  G and M's mom got out the box, Thomas put it together and played with it for two solid hours, and G and M sort of flitted around Thomas, sometimes playing with him and the train, but mostly palying various other games.  Thomas, literally, has a one track mind!
That evening, it was my turn to have a playdate!  It was scrapbooking night.  As it turned out, I got no scrapbooking done, but I laughed and laughed.  It was so nice!

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On Tuesday, it was my turn to give the lesson/activity for our homeschool group.  We met at Central market's community meeting room, which they generously let community groups use for free, if you all buy something to eat from them.  Anyway, there were about 30 of us, ranging in age from 5 months to 11 years old.
I first read the book called Molly's Pilgrim by Barbara Cohen.  In it, the teacher asks the class to make clothes pin pilgrim and indians.  So, can you guess what our activity was?  Their little pilgrims and indians turned out so great!  (Of course there was a princess or two, also...!)
Then we adjourned and some left, some got their lunches and some played on the playground equipment outside.  Gerry had taken the day off, so he was with Thomas and I.  We ate our lunches and let Thomas play for a bit, then we went over to the bowling alley.  I wanted to get Gerry together with A's daddy, who works for BNSF railroad.  We didn't bowl, but Thomas played with A and Gerry and A's daddy talked railroading.  After we got home, Gerry applied for a job with BNSF--cross your fingers for us!

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Sunday, the 6th, Thomas went to G's birthday party.  Now, G is Thomas's oldest buddy, but this was the first time that we were able to take Thomas to his birthday party!  We've always been out of town, or something.  Anyway, It was kind of a hectic day, as we had to rush to the party from church, across the Metroplex.  Still it was nice to finally be able to celebrate with G and his family.

Monday, the 7th, Thomas had cooking class and they made ham and cheese biscuits and banana creme.  Thomas wouldn't try the biscuits (because of the ham, I guess) and tasted but didn't like the banana concoction.

Tuesday, the 8th, we went bowling.  I finally had a pretty good day, with 2 strikes!  Thomas spent the vast majority of time playing with A, the little girl who bowls in our lane.  She and her Mom have invited Thomas to her 5th birthday party, to be held on Friday.
I found out that A's Dad works for Burlington Northern Santa Fe (RR) as a dispatcher.  Hmm...have to get him and Gerry together!

Friday, Thomas had music class--the last one--and then we went to McDonalds.  G's Mom and I talked for a couple of hours while the kids played.  That evening, we went to A's birthday party.  It was a swimming pool party and I managed to walk out the door without Thomas' swimsuit (it was packed and everything--I set it down before walking out--fatal mistake!).  Since it was a pretty good drive, no way was I going to go back for it.  However, they had something that would work in Lost and Found, so Thomas and A had a big time in the pool.
I spoke for a while with A's Dad about his work at BNSF.  He had me all excited at the possibility that Gerry could get on there.  I couldn't wait until Gerry got home so I could tell him!

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Monday, in cooking class, they decorated cupcakes and made"monster fingers," which were pepperoni slices rolled up in little pieces of crescent dough.  The pepperoni is supposed to look like the fingernail.

Tuesday, we went bowling and neither Thomas nor I did very well.  I did bowl one strike, but of course, it was during the practice time!  The mom "next door" told me about the homeschool group's kickball league that will start in the new year.  I was thrilled to hear about it!  Thomas will have SO much fun!

Wednesday we spent quietly at home. I scrapbooked and got 2 more six by six albums completed.

Thursday we met a friend at a park.  We hadn't seen them in a while and so we had a lot to catch up on.  Her youngest has hemophilia!  Not very severe, thankfully, but I don't think I've ever known someone with hemophilia before.  It seems like some kind of mythological or historical disease--you know?  Like, not something that people today have. 
Thomas gave himself a terrible bellyache by drinking too much water out of the water fountain too fast.  Once he calmed down, he was fine, though.

Also, yesterday afternoon, a reporter from the New York Times called to interview me.  Can you believe it?  I still can't!  She was writing a story about kid's behavior in restaurants and had called me because of my business website.  She said the article would appear in 2 or 3 days.  I have to find out how to find the article!  Her name is Jodi Wilgoren, in case any of you read the NYT.  If you find the article, please let me know!

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Thursday, Thomas and I went to the Flower Mound Pumpkin Patch with our good friends, J and her kids, G and M.  We got there late enough to avoid the daycare groups, but also late enough that eventually, the big kids started arriving from after school.  Anyway, we had a nice time.  I hope the photos turn out--it was supposed to be overcast, but of course there wasn't a cloud in the sky.  (Overcast makes for much better photos!)
Friday, we went to our homeschool group's Trunk or Treat.  That was the first one I'd been to.  Thomas had an absolute blast.  Thomas was dressed as Thomas the Tank Engine, of course.  Everyone thought it was so funny that, "Your name is really Thomas?!"  There were almost as many teens as there were little kids!  I was surprised at that.  One teen was dressed in a business suit with a black hood--he was Death's Lawyer!  Another teen--a VERY tall and skinny boy--was dressed as Dora!  Too funny!
Saturday and Sunday were quiet days.  At home, except for church.  I needed the quiet after back to back rowdy outings!
I didn't even take Thomas out trick or treating Monday.  I got distracted and didn't realize how late it was getting and then the trick or treaters started coming to our house.  Thomas had a blast seeing what they were all dressed as--except one kid in a very scary mask that made Thomas leave the room.
I don't know if we'll hand out candy any more, though.  There were an awful lot of kids who were not in any kind of costume, just carrying grocery bags.  That makes it so obvious that it's just all about "gimme!"  And then, of all the trick or treaters, even in costume, about 90% of them don't even say "trick or treat" and about 70% don't say "thank you."  Where is the fun in all that?  No wonder there are fewer and fewer participants every year around here.

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I'm sorry I haven't updated in a while!  We've had a busy week.  I'll try to catch up now.
Monday, Thomas had cooking class.  I stayed in the class and helped, this time.  I wanted to watch him during class as his classroom behavior in his various classes has not been so great lately.  There is usually one boy in class who can't behave very well.  Thomas is easily distracted by this boy and winds up copying him.  (Yes, I 'm blaming the other boy--when he doesn't show up and Thomas' behavior is fine--every time--wouldn't you ?)
Anyway, while I observed that this was going on in this classroom as well, I don't really know what to do about it.  I'm thinking that after this set of classes is over, maybe we won't do any more for a while.  Maybe it's just a maturity issue.
Tuesday we went bowling.  Thomas' little "girlfriend," who bowls in our lane, has invited him to her birthday party.  They are so cute together!
Wednesday, we finally made it to a Park Day.  The first time I tried to find this park, I couldn't--I think I wrote about that before.  Then it was so hot and everyone said they weren't going.  Finally, it was a lovely day and I felt like I could find the place, so off we went.  I did find it, easily, and there were three other families there.  One little girl was Thomas' age.  Her Mom said she watches movies like "Alien Vs. Predator" and that they don't scare her.  Is it just me, or is there something really wrong about such a situation?

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Sunday, went to Sunday School and Church, as we always do.  Afterwards was the monthly Fellowship Meal.  It was kind of a small group that stayed for lunch--but we got to visit with our "Auntie."  That was nice!
After that, we went to my step-brother's house for a visit.  We missed my nephew's birthday party two weeks earlier, so we took him his birthday present.  He just turned two and is getting interested in trains.  His parents bought him a train table for his birthday.  I got him a Thomas the Tank Engine play set that is NOT the wooden railway stuff.  It's bigger and runs on batteries.  I thought he might be able to play with it easier than with the wooden railway stuff, which he is not old enough to be able to set up for himself.  (Thomas slept with the box for the two nights before we had to give it to Cousin Max!)  Anyway, the set I got was not any easier to set up, as it turned out, but  Max liked it.
After that, we had a birthday party at the Pumpkin Patch to go to.  However, it was miserably cold, so we all went back to their house for the party.

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Friday was Thomas' music class.  They played with drums of different kinds and made tambourines.
Friday evening, some moms from the homeschool group got together for an evening of scrapbooking.  I had a lot of fun, although I had to run away screaming (not literally!) from a migraine by midnight.  This group of ladies is hilarious!  Anyway, I continued working on the blank scrapbooks--Saturday I finished the one I started Friday night--a six by six, mostly pink, "friends" album.  I can't decide which one to start next so I haven't started another yet.  Decide, decide!  LOL
Thomas doesn't like it when I go to these scrapbooking nights.  His face clouds up terribly and he says he'll miss me like I'm going away forever.   However, he loves the time with Dad.  They read and played games and ate chicken nuggets!

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Thursday, Gerry came home and told me that it was the end of his business, after all.  Their client evidently had no more patience and fired them.  Gerry and his partner will sell off the business' assets and Gerry has already begun looking for a job.  Gerry felt almost giddy with relief Thursday, actually, as at least that particular stress was ended.
Friday, he came home with news of a couple of job leads that sound promising.
Over the weekend, he began to get over feeling relieved.  LOL!  We obviously don't know how long it might be before he gets another job--or whether I might have to go back to work.  However, I think we both feel that whatever comes next will be a good thing!
Your prayers are appreciated!

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Tuesday we went bowling.  Thomas bowled a 76 and picked up one spare!  Yeah for him!  I bowled a 92, fitting in well with last week's 90 and 91.  I am trying to heave the ball as far down the lane as I can.  I don't know why.  I probably need a lesson or two.
Anyway, right after we picked up our shoes, I fell.  Hard.  There is this step down that is camouflaged by patterned carpeting--and I, slave to fashion that I am (NOT!), am wearing tiny little glasses that give me no peripheral vision.  So I didn't see the step and down I went.  By the time we were through, I was getting sore.  So we came home and tanked up on Advil.
This morning (Wednesday), I am feeling fine, but I'm going to have some dandy bruises for quit a while, probably.
I just found out my step-sister-in-law is losing her pregnancy.  She has lost one before, but was able to get pregnant right after that.  Perhaps she'll be lucky like that again.   I guess I shouldn't complain about falling down a 3 inch step when she's dealing with this!)

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Monday, Thomas started his cooking class.  He was really excited about going.  He has taken it once before, but that was about two years ago, I believe.
They made macaroni and cheese in the microwave oven--and not out of a box, either!  Then they made "worms in dirt"--a pudding desert with gummy worms and cookie crumb dirt.  Thomas loves all the individual items and enjoyed putting it together, but wasn't interested in actually eating his creation.  He said there were too many things in it!

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Saturday, Gerry had to work.  He had to go out to an oil rig to show his clients that the device he's been making works.  Well, it didn't work.  The clients were very upset.    There had been a big push to get the thing ready for this demonstration, but the software guy hasn't been able to make the software run reliably.  Gerry hates that everything is up to someone else right now.
Sunday he had to be ready to go out there again at any moment, but didn't have to go--the software guy wasn't able to come up with an answer.  All week so far, it's been the same thing.  The stress level has gone from high to stratospheric!  This is their one big client right now....
I was laid low over the weekend by an allergy attack and between that and Gerry's work situation, we stayed home from church on Sunday.
I have been doing more of the blank scrapbook albums.  I have 4 12x12 albums finished and just finished a 6x6.  I have put $25 to $30 on each, but am wondering if that is enough.  That is equivalent to earning about 50 cents per hour.  Maybe I should be doing something more lucrative with my time?  After all, our most recent water bill was $140!!!! 

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Wednesday and Thursday Thomas and I stayed home.  I got some scrapbooking done, both for the blank gift album I am working on as well as a layout for Thomas' book.  It has been a long time since I last did a layout for Thomas' book
It has finally gotten somewhat cooler here, so Thomas has been spending a lot of time outside riding his trike.  He has developed this habit of saying, "You know what?  I just noticed something."  And then he might announce something that I know he's known for a long time--or something new--you never know.  But he must say that at least a dozen times a day!
Today, Thomas had music class.  They made a tamborine out of plastic disposable plates.  Thomas' best buddy is in this class.  G's mom, J, has gone back to school and G is in part-day daycare now, so we don't see them near as much anymore.  And of course, he's been sick a lot since starting daycare.
Anyway, after class we headed over to a park to let the kids play while we continued to visit.  We were joined by R and her kids.  R's kids are adopted and over-indulged.  The daughter, about Thomas and G's age, is well on her way to being the most manipulative child I have ever seen in my life.  She has already taught herself how to throw up!  And does so frequently!  I can not be around R very often because that kind of thing makes me want to shake her, violently! LOL!
Tonight, Gerry has asked that we have Dinosaur Parmesan for dinner.  LOL!  I get these dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets at Sam's Club.  Stick them in the oven for about 12 minutes, then pour on prepared spaghetti sauce and then shredded or sliced mozzarella or pizza cheese.  Back in oven until cheese is bubbly.  This is surprisingly good!  Of course, it would be even better with spaghetti or other pasta, but Gerry's diabetes means pasta is a huge no-no.
I have finally finished gathering all the manipulatives for Saxon math, but can't get to them to have a lesson because Thomas thinks they are toys and wants to play with them all the time!  LOL!  Actually, to be serious:  I bought the Saxon Kindergarten math, but Thomas totally knows it all.   However, he needs writing practice.  So, we are going ahead and doing the Kinder level (as long as he will let me) so that he can get the handwriting practice in--however we are doing many lessons at a time.  That seemed the best compromise to me, but if you have any other suggestions, I'd like to hear them!

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Tuesday we bowled again.  Thomas bowled one game, picking up one spare, for a total score of 70.  I bowled two games, badly, for a 91 and a 90!  Uuggh!  Oh, well, as I told Thomas, "It doesn't matter who wins, it matters whether you have fun."
During the evening hours, it was so beautiful out that I took my book out to read while Thomas rode his trike.  After we had been back inside for a while, I realized how quiet it was.  I called for the cats and searched for them but then realized they must have gotten outside somehow.  Thomas and I walked the neighborhood, calling to them and talking to anyone that was still out.  Finally, we had to get back home.  As we approached the front door, of course!, we see two little heads looking out.
Cats!

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Monday was the last meeting for the Science Class.  They studied friction.  Thomas learned that a smooth ball rolls much quicker than a rough ball.  He also learned part of the Laws of Motion.
Next Monday starts a Cooking class with the same teacher.

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Saturday is always the biggest day for the number of people and the number of trains running.  In the past, Thomas has not wanted to run his train when the tracks are crowded, preferring to ride on other people's trains--especially on the really long trains or on the steam trains.  This time, however, Thomas evidently had enough confidence in the  track and in himself that he continued to drive his train, even through some of the heaviest traffic of the day! 
A strange dog showed up and immediately adopted Thomas.  I mean, he went right up to him, like he knew him!  This dog then proceeded to spend the entire day Saturday as well as the entire day Sunday herding Thomas and his train!  It was so funny!  I have some pictures I'll share.  Everyone kept remarking that it looked like we had a new dog--fortunately, a couple of neighborhood boys showed up looking for it--we do not need a dog right now!
Saturday for dinner we ALL (50 or more) went to a new restaurant in town, called Fat Catz, a cajun place, huge! and wonderful food.  Kind of surprising for such a small town!
Sunday, usually everyone packs up and heads out early.  But this Sunday, everyone stayed around pretty late.  It was an absolutely beautiful day!  We ended up being the last ones out, as we ususally do, but by quite a bit more time than usual.  Something broke that Gerry had to fix before we could leave--so we didn't get back home until 10:30 Sunday evening.  But it was a lovely weekend and just the kind of break that I needed.

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Friday, Thomas had his last Sports Class, which was a sort of obstacle course of the different sports they had tried during the class.  One of the Moms brought dollar store ribbons that said "Excellent!" on them for everyone.
After a short break, the same teacher held the first class of Thomas' new Music class.  This class is called "Note-able Kids."  She introduced them to various kinds of instruments.  The music class will go until the middle of November.
As soon as class was over we all got in the car and headed out.  (Gerry had taken the day off work, so he was with us during the classes.)  We went east of Dallas, outside of a small town called Terrell.  There we have a friend who has set up quite an elaborate set of train tracks around his property and twice a year he invites everyone in our train club to come out to his property for a weekend.  We pitched our tent and Gerry unloaded the trains.  Gerry and Thomas played trains and I did some reading and some visiting with the other wives.
Thomas started having an allergy right in time for this weekend, of course, but he didn't feel bad, just a bit sniffly.  I gave him Benadryl at bedtime, which knocked him out--a good thing because he was having so much fun he didn't want to go to bed!
A cold front came in Friday morning, so that we dropped from over 100 on Thursday to drizzly and 60's on Friday!  That's okay--cool is good!

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Tuesday we bowled 2 games each, in order to make up, since we missed the first week.  I forgot to write down the scores, but I do know that Thomas' scores have been coming up each game--while mine have been going down!
The little girl who was there the first day was there again Tuesday.  She and Thomas are so funny together!  They act like best buddies who've known each other their lifetimes!
On Thursday, we were going to go to Homeschool Day at the Fort Worth Zoo--but the family we were going with couldn't go and I decided we didn't need to spend the money.  Over the weekend, we were to go out of town, so we spent Thursday getting ready for that, instead.  That was okay, though, as we had our hottest temps of the year this week and the trip to the zoo will be nicer in cooler weather!

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