From around the world and currently in upstate New York - The Reeder's Digest chronicles our pilgrimage and thoughts along the journey.... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Tue, 26 May 2009 12:52:00 -0500 Tue, 26 May 2009 12:52:00 -0500 That sums up our Memorial Day - We leave on Friday for Ohio for Ed's parent's 40th party and so Ed had planned to get lots of projects done this week with the prospect of not having to study for Sunday. We got the house organized and cleaned in areas to help put the shed contents in the basement and provide working space for Ed to finish my pantry and grout my floors. Things are all over the house and Abigail commented this morning - 'it's just like when we moved in, Mom!' - yep... Ed took the 2 youngest to a tree sale in Utica and brought home 2 beautiful sugar maple and 1 crimson king maples home to plant. Sky worked on the farm cleaning out very heavy and packed sheep pens only to come home and dig the holes for the trees which are about 10-12 feet tall so needed fairly good sized holes. Good thing he's strong and muscular! I was tired for him but he said he was fine and did great! They look so homey and we love looking out the window and seeing them. Now if the wind will leave them be.... time will tell. Katelyn arrived at the farm from a friend's house after she stayed Sunday night and  met up with Sky but only to really ride the horse - learning to post and trot. She was talking non-stop about that when she got home. We had friends here in the afternoon - I took a walk with my encourager partner and then we both got back in time to get family ready and food cooked. We ate late due to the projects but in the end had about 7 guests for an impromtu celebration. The kid's played hard and the adults enjoyed the coffee and fellowship. 9:30 came and everyone started to talk about getting home...then Katelyn came in - in her usual hysteria when she gets hurt..complaining about her wrist...she fell backwards..used it to brace herself...landed on it with her body weight...(sob, scream, sniff) - at this point I was beyond any mood for drama and her propensity to exaggerate her symptoms, pain, etc. But alas, the movement and pain was reminiscent of the broken leg scenario we encountered with the young girl at our sledding party. The crowd dispersed...I couldn't blame them..I wanted to go somewhere else, too..and then we packed Kate up, tucking in the 3 others and headed to the ER. The ride always seems SOOO long when every bump causes the injury to shoot pain through the patient but Kate had calmed down and was able to get to the ER, get xrays and even have them move it around without the previous hysteria. .In the end, it was a fracture - splint was put on her hand and we got home around 1:30 am. The staff is beyond great in Cooperstown and I can't say enough about them. With the swelling, she will not see the orthopedic doctor to determine cast or not until we return from OH next week. Kate was exhausted before, during and after the incident from her late night at the sleepover and long day of riding and working... - she didn't move all night in her bed - something she was worried about but exhaustion kept her still. She got up and doesn't seem to have much pain - did some school but fell asleep at 11:30 am and at 2 pm, she's still asleep. With the fracture on her right hand, I'm SOO thankful we are almost done school and that we tested before this all happened....showing sheep, swimming at the upcoming pool, water park days planned, and riding her beloved horses all will be put aside for 6-8 weeks...not to mention writing.... I'm waiting for Ed to get the grout going in the livingroom so we can get that set for tomorrow when we will pull the kitchen apart to finish the floor before we leave on Friday. So exciting! Boys are both in baseball now - Sky is practicing for the first time with his Babe Ruth team tomorrow and Ethan has games and practices to fit into all this work and drama. Ethan is doing horse club today and Katelyn plans to attend to just do the book work with them - no riding for her. Well...off I go to work before Ethan's class...hope everyone's Memorial Day was not as memorable as ours was.... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/692759/ Tue, 26 May 2009 12:52:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/692759/ On Friday, 9 ladies from our church drove up to the breathtaking area of Lake Placid for a retreat. It was so warm at home but the temps were much cooler up North. It didn't diminish the beauty that is the mountains of the Adirondacks and the beautiful Crowne Plaza hotel we stayed in that sits high up on a hill and overlooks the quaint town of Lake Placid and the water below. The one night stay just isn't enough..next year we committed to staying another night because for all the travel to get there and the beauty to take in - it's worth another day. The speakers were so wonderfully prepared to share after a last minute speaker change and when you are a woman of the Word - sharing is an overflow of a life saturated in It and it made a great impact on our ladies. We got home around 8 pm last night and it's been a quick 24 hours with getting ready for church, having kids play days, sleep overs tonight (no school tomorrow for some...Sky is going to try to get through his course work) and the anticipation of work days this week as we are headed to Ohio on Friday for Ed's parent's 40th wedding anniversary party. With the prospect of not having to preach - Ed is promising me grout for my floors...doors for the last few entry ways that need it...and a chicken coop ready and waiting for the 36 Rhode Island Reds that are coming in a few weeks. I am still not sure of what my tired is the result of (doctor thought I still was fighting a virus of some kind but did blood work to see for sure...stay tuned) but just thinking of all the work and the busy schedule that we have booked for the next 3 months...makes me tired. So - even though I took a nap this afternoon - I'm off to bed early to prepare for a busy day and week ahead. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/692246/ Sun, 24 May 2009 19:56:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/692246/ We tested this week and finally got to check that off the end of the year schedule. Now only a few more subjects and we'll be finished..praying in a few weeks. The weather has finally decided to turn warm - hot, actually, and I couldn't be happier! Miss Marion's work day produced some flowers for Katelyn to plant and she's been working long hours at it down by the road next to a nice stone wall and a lovely tree line for the backdrop. Ed planted some apple trees and so the two of them can be heard early morning (bird hours!) watering their plants. We have not had any rain with the hot sun and the ground sure does dry out fast with the heat! Ed had a great time in Mass. with fellow pastor's on a quick 2 day trip to visit various locations - Jonathan Edward's Parkstreet pulpit, and other stops on an organized tour. He had hoped to see Spurgeon's Bible that was on display but it was not available by the time they arrived to see...another time. While Ed was away, we did horse club, errands, baseball games (Sky's friends) and practice. He got home in time for the last two - just in time. Sky signed up for Babe Ruth at the game of his former teammates which means he starts playing every Tuesday and Thursday beginning on June 4th. Ethan had two games this week and was 1-1. I had snack shack last night - they lost that one. Schylar and Katelyn were evaluated for 4H districts for public speaking and got excellent feedback. They told Schylar his presentation was the first they have had in the 4 years of doing State competition that was qualified to attend from Herkimer County. Katelyn does not qualify due to her age - she is in the junior age bracket and Sky is in the senior. She would have qualified if she was older...another year. However, I think the State Fair will be during Jeremy's wedding so he won't get to go - another disappointment for me...what an honor and opportunity! We'll see about the dates...it still may happen. Today I'm off to get a physical - hope to come to some resolution to my recent health woes..although, the minute I called for an appointment - I felt better and feel even better yet, just not myself..go figure. After I return, it's off to Lake Placid for the weekend with some ladies from our church. We are meeting up with another church for a conference entitled, 'More than Conquerors' a study on Romans 8. The main speaker was unable to attend due to health at the last minute so 3 ladies from Adirondack Bible Chapel are taking a session - poor things. I've been praying for them! What a task to undertake.... Well, the day is glorious, the children are up early despite going to bed late 3 nights in a row and I have to get packed and ready to go before my 9 am appointment...stay tuned! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/691509/ Fri, 22 May 2009 06:28:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/691509/ This was what Abigail was telling herself (out loud) yesterday when she was helping me plant potatoes before a big storm descended on our house. She was a hard worker yesterday -working with us at Miss Marion's work day and then got some new raspberry plants at the Brewer's and compost at the Clark's (year 3 - attempt #3 for a bumper raspberry crop!). She likes work (when it's outdoors and labor intensive - not book work.) and is like her mother when she likes to see it finished - doesn't give up until it's done. Ethan had his baseball game canceled on Thursday night and had to reschedule for Friday - meaning he had to miss his friend's birthday party they had been planning for weeks. He was a bit weepy - We had some MAJOR rain and wind on Thursday - thought our roof was going to peel off - Ed was thinking of getting up on a ladder to nail it down where it was pulling up but couldn't keep the ladder from moving - thought I'd be able to hold it but since he couldn't do it - he didn't think I'd be able to. It was a good test of the basketball hoop as it tipped over in the storm without breaking. The kids have absolutely loved it and Ed and Abigail have a rivalry going - Abigail out-shot her dad a few times when playing knock out - Ed calls her the 'net slayer' :) Friday was super busy with turkey hunting for Sky, school, soccer and baseball. By the end of the day, I was exhausted. The kids were tired BEFORE the day began and school was lots of tears, soccer (ages 3-5) kids were tired and were done 20 minutes into our 1 1/2 session. Ethan got home just in time to go to his baseball game. They lost big to a team in the next town over. It ended fairly early because of it but the kids were starved after our big day and wanted a big meal so I made supper at 8 pm - and was in bed by 9:30 - telling Ed I felt so tired I could die...is that where 'dead tired' came from? I was there... Saturday was early - went to Miss Marion's with about 15 others to get some outside and inside chores done for her. We had a picnic lunch with her on the lawn but just about blew away the wind was so intense. The kids put up some kites in her field - managing to get some in the nearby trees with the uncontrollable wind factor. Brought home some yellow primrose to plant down by our newly built stone wall by the road. Hope they cover well. Today we had church and then a potluck lunch - impromptu style - with a few families from church. Ed leaves in the morning for a pastor's fellowship trip to Mass. to visit graves and churches of pastors long ago. He'll be back on Tuesday night. The weather is COLD again...looking for the warm to stay for good! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/689874/ Sun, 17 May 2009 14:25:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/689874/ Ed arrived around 10:30 pm and was greeted by his 3 oldest - who couldn't sleep because they wanted to be up to see his reaction to the decorated basketball hoop in the driveway - an early Father's Day present for him. He was thrilled and saw it just in time because the winds picked up and tore off the streamers and tried to rip off the oversized gift tag Kate had made to say "Happy Father's Day from your children" - it was cute and they had only been in bed for a few minutes since our day went VERY late. We did school and then Katelyn finished mowing the lawn for her dad while Ethan and Abigail made rhubarb concoctions (Nana June's bread and fruit squares - both were divine). I had to run into town to get Kate gas and then left them to meet with John's wife (the elder who was with Ed) for a couple of hours to talk and pray about our ladies ministries. I talked too long (shocking!) and so we were running behind to get to Ethan's baseball practice. I had promised to pick up Ms. Marion but had to call and say I didn't have time. We waited with him at the field and walked the grounds (beautiful paths and water in the woods, etc.) to pass the time. It was a warm, sunny evening - wonderful for walks and talks. Practice went late as they were anticipating a hard game tonight but with the wind and rain hurricane-like storm today...I'm not sure we'll have it? We took a beautiful loaf of Nana June's Oatmeal bread that Katelyn had made (she's a natural) to the Goodding's who have provided us with yummy eggs and a beautifully rototilled garden - got some more rhubarb to freeze from their bumper crop (Mine is coming but just a year into planting) and I got to see his raspberry plants that he transplanted from the Brewer's last year - I wanted to cry - they are thick, and tall - a great looking crop and then I see my two or three sticks and wonder - why?!?! I'm beside myself to figure this thing out...he suggested epsom salts..compost...soft mulch vs hard - etc. Maybe I'm not meant to have raspberries - but I want them so badly!! I'm going to try and transplant AGAIN for the 3rd year in a row and see if I can't try something different with the fertilizers. Stay tuned... We didn't get back until 9 pm and supper didn't finish until after 9:30 pm - the kids wanted to stay up for Ed but knowing the late hour I refused but in the end - they were still awake and it didn't take them but a nano second to call to each other and spring out of bed "He's home!" - Ed was overjoyed and had a great time away. Was a great encouragement to him and John. Glad to have him home. Today is busy as always - discipleship, school, Curves, maybe baseball? Time will tell. Hope you all have a great day! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/688890/ Thu, 14 May 2009 08:06:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/688890/ It seems eerily familiar to be alone on the homefront..didn't Ed just sign a legal agreement to never leave me again?? I guess 2 nights isn't as bad as 2 1/2 weeks...It has been a busy few days...Mother's Day brought some nice gifts, flowers and a top 5 list from Ethan during the service (he was SOO scared to be up front and talk...but did great!). Didn't get a nap in but watched a movie and rested. Finished up the season finales but had to keep switching the channel for the Apprentice - couldn't handle all the drama and language... Monday morning was BRIGHT and early - what gorgeous weather we are having...just SUPER cold! Ed and elder, John, left at 6 am for a pastor's conference in Ohio. We got school going and took a trip to town mid-morning to get Sky's contacts assessed. He had to up the rx and we only ordered his glasses for now. When he tried to put them in this morning - one fell on the floor (they are trials) and when he went to pick it up it stuck to the floor and ripped so now he is without them totally...Ed will have to order them for him when he gets home - much to Sky's dismay - he never wants to go back to wearing glasses again. We did some errands and got home in time to have lunch and have Mr. Goodding rototill my garden up - it looks great. Loaded with sheep and horse manure this year. Have tried to put some coffee grounds on my raspberries to see if I can make the soil more acidic and thus more productive for them...time will tell. The lawn is growing expediently and so I need to get out there but when you have to wear winter gear to do lawn care...something is very wrong! Ethan began his horse club group yesterday and then ran right from that (courtesy of his taxi Mom) to baseball. It was a rough night and in the 4th inning it was looking dire (4-12) but they made a comeback (aka - long game) and only lost by 3 runs. I had taken the older two mid-game to the farm to work and they were home long before we got back. It was after 9 pm before the gang was in bed...my early morning was catching up. Today started just as early and the two older kids were off to see the resident horse, Oliver, go to a clinic with a equine vet who was going to sedate him and float his teeth. Should be educational. The other two got a slower start and are now waiting for me to get off the computer so they can start school. Yard work will hopefully happen this afternoon when the sun is warmer! Have a great day everyone.....DAD - look for an early Father's Day present to arrive soon! :) http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/688172/ Tue, 12 May 2009 08:06:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/688172/ After watching the geese for over a month sit on their eggs, the babies were on proud display today when I drove by the swamp. So cute...and so fun to watch the little family waddling around the grass and eating in a little line. Love spring! Where to begin...so much to say and so the cliff notes will have to do..again! I have had a bit of a chest infection that kept me low for a few days last week and then just when I was thinking I was getting better - I got some viral thing that put me in bed for 2 days straight. I finally went in to the dr but he said I was on the upswing so just rest and drink lots of fluids. I started to feel better the next day! I'm easily tired but am able to function - thank you, Lord! The kids are working on their final school exams. Schylar tested for 10th grade and made the pass. He averaged a grade 13 in all the disciplines. I'm not sure what we'll do but he's anxious to more on to bigger and better things. We'll test Kate and Ethan this week and Sky will also test for the state requirements to pass 8th grade. I'm anxious to have school over with. Springtime brings so much lawn and garden work that I just find it more difficult to sit in the basement when I could be outside. Our friend, Ron, brought his new tractor over a few days ago and did some landscaping for us so we can bring in some fill and landscape up to the house and around the back - can't wait. Love my lawn, don't you know! Katelyn and Schylar were selected to be evaluated for the 4H public presentation district level and will go and do their presentations again on the 21st to see if they are one of the 6 selected. Only 15 were chosen in all - so it is a great honor. It looks to interfere with a family event on the 30th of May - Schylar was thrilled...Ed and I were disappointed. It would be so great for them. Ahh..another year. We have our garden all tilled and ready to plant but with last year's frozen tomato plants fresh in my mind...I'm not too eager to put in anything too tender. My garlic is up nicely and hopefully I'll get my onions and potatoes in before too long. We put mulch all around the yard yesterday courtesy of a gift from dear friends...delivered and all! What a deal. Baseball has begun. Opening Day has led into very few practices and games to date. Normally it's rapid fire but with the loss of a practice field and some very poor organization this year - Ethan's only had 1 real game and 1 scrimmage. Both were wins - good games that kept you right til the end... Today they had the hit, throw and run competition where Ethan placed 2nd in running. He got edged out of batting for 4th place. Schylar is sad he's not participating and goes to all his practices to pitch and run bases - just to keep fit for Babe Ruth in June. He has been playing soccer (as have the others) with his homeschool league and is hoping to play some games with them over the year. Abigail must take after Sky - she schooled me when we played 'keep away' - she's a tough player. I am teaching the 4 & 5 year old soccer group for 2 weeks while the coach is in Florida on vacation. Yesterday, we had lunch with a couple that had a great impact on Ed's life as a teen. They were driving from WOL and we met up in Utica for a quick lunch (I left early to make soccer...showing up late, anyway - but I was coaching so..had to go). They were on a trip with Ed when he was 16 - to think Sky is only 2 years away from that age - makes you feel old! Ed and elder, John Brewer, are headed to OH on Monday for a pastor's conference. They'll come back on Wednesday. Ed will miss one of Ethan's games on Monday and Sky's follow up eye exam - he got contacts this week and is on a trial run - he loves them and is planning on getting them. I have finished up my ladies Bible study and we will be going to Lake Placid on a retreat in a few weeks. Christian Bible Church has it's website up and running and so that's been a long year project finally coming to a close! We'll be celebrating 3 years this week (May 14th) - time flies. Well, I'm desperately behind on work for tomorrow and need to get cracking...Happy Mother's Day to everyone and especially to my own much beloved, Mom. Wish I could be there to celebrate with her... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/687340/ Sat, 9 May 2009 17:55:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/687340/ I can't believe I haven't blogged since Easter...wow...too much to write about. Easter was great - we had a nice visit with my Mom - got to visit some of her friends as well as spend time at Gettysburg (what a place! The new visitor's center is worth the visit!) and D.C. - we only got to walk the Mall on the day we left due to rain most of the time we were away, so it was a fast trip but we enjoyed our Smithsonian museum of American History and the highlight was seeing the 1812 Flag and the Abraham Lincoln display. We have had lots of invites for meals and have entertained just as much as ever making for a very busy time while Mom was here and before you knew it we were driving to the airport. However, the winds were so severe that they  canceled her flight and we got an extra day..Ethan was excited to see her pull in the driveway to get a few more card games in. He loves his hand and foot. School was back in session after a nice break and Sky has taken his CAT test in order to determine if he can skip some of his freshman level and go right to a sophomore. Just writing those names is alarming...I'm not sure I can admit I have a high school student in my home! He'll be 14 in June. Time is marching on. The past weekend was super busy as always. Saturday was our first nice day for weather and so I purposed to wash my windows in case it is the ONLY nice day of the spring/summer. I am beginning to doubt we're going to have a spring/summer....it's been a super long winter. Ed got up early with Sky and drove him to Mr. Brewer's house where they went turkey hunting for youth day. At 9 am, they drove in (an hour later than last year) and proudly showed off Sky's 19 1/4 lb tom. He had a 9 1/2 inch beard and 1 inch spurs (for those who even KNOW what that means...) We marinated it up and Ed smoked it on the barbie yesterday for lunch. We shared it with our friends and a single girl in our church. Ron brought his newly purchased tractor and did some landscaping for us in anticipation of getting topsoil this month to work around the house and get the ground finished after all this time.... Ed is picking rocks as I write in preparation for the loads of topsoil. It already looks nicer and it's not even done. Ethan's Little League opening day was Saturday and Schylar was shedding tears as this was his first year NOT to march or be involved in the sport. Abigail and I missed the actual parade for the first time - all in the name of making clean windows and putting back the curtains before leaving...but still waited over an hour to watch Ethan's team play the exhibition match that didn't end until almost 6 pm. By that time Katelyn was hot and had a headache after being there in the 80 degree sun since noon. Sky managed to get a tic and had to have it removed - praying successfully but time will tell. It was a stubborn sucker! I was beat and had trouble getting myself motivated to finish the work I had waiting...must have been all the fresh air. Makes you sleepy! Sunday was a fun day with friends over - Katelyn learned how to make paper bead necklaces. They were fun but so time consuming. She's still working on them in her spare time... Today, she and Sky are working at the farm and even though Katelyn's sheep, Terry, had aborted her lamb due to a virus, Katelyn has a new Southdown that was given to her as a replacement to show this summer. They are eager to go back to the 4H show in Cooperstown. Kate has also been showing an interest in riding and even though Ethan will begin his horsemanship class in a few weeks, Katelyn has been riding the Clark's horse, Oliver, every chance she gets. This week will end my bible study for the ladies and soccer will begin for the homeschool league. Sky is chomping at the bit! He has been dilligently saving his pennies and working hard for local farmers so he can purchase a log load soon to cut and split to sell. He has reported back to 2 churches last week regarding his Guatemala trip and so when the newsletter to his supporters is in the mail tomorrow - the experience will officially come to a close for him (and his secretary!). Now he's looking to see where he'll go next. Well, I'm off to get supper. It's so hot here today (85-90) it's going to be cold something! No ovens working here.... http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/683450/ Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:37:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/683450/ We love Easter - in some ways more than Christmas. The kids are always so excited about our annual Good Friday re-enactment with clay figures, a tomb they made and painted and of course the best moment on Sunday morning when Jesus is no longer in the tomb and they can rush to see it for themselves. This year we are planning to do it with Nana who is coming on Thursday and we are also having a Sunrise service here at the house with the church fellowship. The build up has its busy aspects but we've enjoyed the preparation. School has been on light duty, we did some major summer shopping with the fab fam in Utica yesterday as we have some who are growing out of their clothes and some who have slimmed down so much they don't fit into their old clothes anymore. Ed taught a half a day at the school yesterday which made me laugh because when he walked into the hallway - all the kids were excited and yelling, "Hi, Mr. Reed! Are you teaching my class today?" - which made Ed think either 1. He's too easy on them or 2. They like having a substitute...less work? Either way - I have never had that response in all my teaching career...which is going on 10+ years...ouch. Katelyn has begun Ed's candida regiment - having problems not unlike her dad and the ol' spit in the glass revealed a hidden yeast issue. She's not as radical - giving up ALL sugar would be like asking her to amputate her own limb but she is very disciplined to withhold the urge to eat more after she has had one treat for the day. Today we are home trying to stay warm - it's a gale out there with snow and cold temps. We are cleaning for Nana's visit and then tomorrow I have a Bible study, groceries, church, and then hopefully on Thursday AM I'll drive to Syracuse to pick Mom up from the airport. Thursday night is our Bible study - Friday is our family day of recreating the events of the crucifixion and the hardest part it leaving Jesus on the cross all day and really sensing how long His suffering was. The relief is to read of the 'It is Finished' and then to seal the tomb in anticipation of the Sunday morning 'surprise'. Abigail is always good with the best reaction...this year we'll have a house full to celebrate with. Hope the spring temps return in time! Ethan's practice is a bit chilly on the baseball field when you need winter gear to show up in! Well - I'm off to get back to work and see how my 'crew' is doing without me....I'm not anticiapating a studious or industrious bunch....they love to play when the Mother is away....kids http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/676828/ Tue, 7 Apr 2009 12:48:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/676828/ I know Pups wants to know about the concert so I decided to write a quick note..I realized it's been awhile since I wrote about anything so I better get up to date first. The kid's 4H presentations went great. Katelyn cried most of the day before the event due to nerves but after practicing it over and over again in front of us and a former 4H member who gave her great confidence... she ended up with a perfect score of 100. Schylar had a score of 99 for his public speech and had 1 point docked for not enough gestures...but it was said of them after we left that they both 'blew the judges socks off!' - we were able to go out to eat for a treat and even made prayer meeting on time. I was SO glad to have it over with - and since that major time commitment I've been working with them to get caught up with the school that had to be put aside for other things and get my 3rd Quarter reports in the mail this week. The kids have done a ton of tests and work to get up to speed so we can take the week after Easter off to go to Gettysburg and DC with my Mom who is coming to visit this next week. Yesterday, Ed and I sent the kids with friend, Donna, so we could go to do our taxes and then rushed to get our dinner reservation at 5 pm before our concert with Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith. The taxes were bad..we owed...and we didn't  make the dinner reservation on time and so they gave our seat away and put us in the back of a very noisy bar/restaurant with NO light and a dirty table. The waitress was horrid and the prices were not worth the food. My dinner took 40 minutes (it was a salad!) to deliver and then it was missing key aspects of the advertized plate. It was overall a miserable experience from start to finish. I couldn't wait to leave. The concert was right next door so we just walked to the Stanley Theatre and was glad I did - Ed ran to take his shoe-leather steak to the car before we went in and got thoroughly soaked - the rains were torrential! While we were waiting - we spotted Melissa and Jonathan Jackson and got to talk with them. They had been given tickets and drove to NY from NH to spend the night and then return today. While we were talking... a couple came to sit in their seats which happened to be the ones WE were in - when we looked backed at the seats Ed had purchased - there was only one - the other seat was not there! Yep...this day was going swell.... The staff got me a chair and just sat me out a bit in the aisle and it was fine. There were no air guitarists next to us...nope - just a guy who kept boxing the air awkwardly.... good times! The concert was SOOO long. SCC was fabulous! He sang all my favs and I kicked myself for not remembering the kleenex - I knew I'd need them! Then they did an intermission and MWS did the next set which I was enjoying his newer songs but didn't really enjoy him so much and wish we had cut out early so I could get sleep but we did pay big bucks for my non-seat and it was our date night...even though it wasn't all it was anticipated to be....maybe it was the bad tax report...or the bad dinner...or the seat issue...either way - we crashed in bed at a little before midnight and were glad it was over. Today Ethan had baseball practice in the rain - it was snowing up at our house. He and Ed were frozen when I picked them up after going to Curves and getting groceries. The other 3 stayed at the VanderGroef's while we were gone and then we went back at 11 am and picked them up and took the VG's 2 home with us. The wind is a brisk 40 mph and the woodstove is back in operation - it takes a day off and then works a day... This week is less stress with no deadlines of projects or school so I'm thankful....hope to get some spring cleaning done but with the winter type weather predicted - maybe we'll just wait until after Mom leaves. Off to get my eggs at the Amish store...chow! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/675846/ Sat, 4 Apr 2009 11:45:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/reedersdigest/675846/