Thanksgiving break was refreshing...just a little too brief.
We had a very relaxing time in PA with Olivia and family. She and Barry whipped up an unusual feast, including lobster tails hot off the grill! Yum!! Isaac and Scarlett are so delightful; it was such a pleasure to spend some time with all of them. One of my personal delights was that I did NOT GAIN ANY WEIGHT during the holiday, actually losing one pound. I was happy to do a bit of running...not my usual 3 miles, but at least 1 1/2 miles on a couple of days there. Pansy made the trip very handily and was fairly well-behaved. She is such a perfect little companion.
I've been trying to make progress on my Christmas shopping online. I've been able to take care of a few of the family, but I still need to talk to some of them and get a couple of more ideas. David and I went out this afternoon and had a hard time not buying a tree/wreath, etc. I'm just not ready to decorate the big items yet...but it was so tempting. I will probably get small things out this week and then maybe get a tree next weekend. I need to work on my Christmas letter; last year I did not do one, and I really want to keep it as an annual event. Some do not appreciate those letters, but, as for me, I adore getting them, reading them, rereading them...especially when photos are included!!
Our first measureable snow today. 5 inches. I did alittle shopping on line last year. None so far this one. I guess if I'm going to I better get started. My daughter did nearly all of hers on line and is just about done. She is enjoying rubbing it in.
No big kaboom interrupted our school day. Two boys have been determined to have orchestrated and carried out the hoax. We had hoax as a vocabulary word today. The teachable moment. Even though it was determined to be a hoax, over 200 students in the elementary, middle, and high schools did not come to school today. I'm not sure what to make of that.
Today was filled with prepositions, making change, Canadian Polar Bears, food chains, physical and occupational therapy, new objectives, and Pee Wee Herman. All of my students not only came to school, but they also participated in Crazy Hat Day. I wore my husband's Amish hat for a few minutes to show my sincere support of my school.
Tomorrow is Pajamas Day, and, no, I won't wear mine...maybe my cozy slippers, though. My second observation will occur during 3rd period...more multiplication and money.
It's feeling like winter in these parts...highs in the low 30's and about 6-8 inches of snow on the ground.
I'm feeling envious of my friends who will be seeing "Twilight" this weekend. I vowed to wait and see it with my daughters when they are home for Christmas, and I will honor that pledge. I am really excited to read the just-out 3rd book in the trilogy by Cornelia Funke, "Inkdeath". I can't start it yet, because I'm deep into an entertaining tale called "The Mysterious Benedict Society." In my choices of literature I think I'm trying to compensate for my childish neglect of the reading discipline. What in the heck was so important in my little life...a new episode of "The Monkees"??? "Brady Bunch"??? Talking on the phone??? At least I've seen the light.
I first read the "John Carter of Mars" series as an adult. My fiction (and nonfiction) reading days didn't last long, though. Maybe I should pick that back up, rather than spending my time on Pleonast.
I could not let this morning go by without a note. Those who have not voted yet have their last chance today, on this actual day of the election. I dropped off David's and my absentee ballots yesterday, and the office was crowded with early voters.
Did you vote? If not, you essentially voted for the winner, and I hope you're OK with that.
Voting gives you the privilege of sharing in the success or bemoaning the outcome. I don't allow my students to say, "I was gonna ___________," and I don't think non-voting Americans should say that either.
I have a concern for our country when citizens choose not to vote...and other things. I'm not sure that most people think that their one vote matters, and if enough people think that, well, you know....
The weather and the colors are amazing. Getting an extra hour of sleep was a bonus.
The drive down to New Philadelphia was a bit over 2 hours, but I cannot complain one bit. It was so lovely and relaxing. The wedding was at Tall Pines Lodge, and I definitely want to go back there some day for a weekend getaway. Trace and Kait's wedding was the first I'd attended where the attendees actually sat in their reception seats and looked on at the ceremony. This is highly efficient; whey do more people not do it this way? If I had another wedding to host, I'd push for it. The bride and groom looked just perfect. The groomsmen wore matching shirts and ties, and the bridesmaids were in various styles of dresses of a rich green. The flowers were all colors of fall, from creamy yellow to bright salmon. (Over all the color scheme was not unlike a certain wedding 36 years ago.) There were three lovely young sisters, dressed in white, serving as flower girl and junior bridesmaids, and their brother, a miniature of the groomsmen, bore the rings. These cute siblings were the children of the pastor and one of the bridesmaids (a hottish couple themselves). The actual words spoken during the ceremony were so familiar, yet so singular, as they were spoken to this couple on this day. Dan (the pastor) spoke in emotional, whispered tones as he charged Trace and Kait to follow the example of Christ and His church. The bride lines up and follows her groom, while the groom protects her from all harm at any cost. Many pairs of eyes around the room glistened with emotion at those words. The ceremony ended with the father of the bride and his barbershop quartet doing "The Lord's Prayer" a capella...just beautiful...more moist eyes.
One of the prettiest bridesmaids was of course my daughter Faith. Her husband Dan was looking great, too. They are both in new job mindset. Faith is very excited to be starting a new job at her hospital; she will be working days in the emergency room at Robinson, and she's up for the challenge. Dan is just a few weeks away from graduation and has had a very encouraging contact with one of Ohio's larger, wealthier districts about a position as an elementary school gym teacher. They are also looking for some high school coaching staff, so we'll see how that pans out.
The Band played a short set during the reception. Depending on the age of the hearer, loud singing along occurred intermittently. My current favorites of theirs are "Let's Get it Started" and "That's Amore". Many a shout of "Encore!" was ignored. How can this band get to the next level? The talent is immense, in my opinion. One of our table-mates asked us where our children got their musical talent; David said, "Well, Marie and I met in our college choir," and I added, "We were both in high school band." Lame-O!!
Mexican food was on the menu for the night. Muy delicioso! There was a beautiful fountain with bubbling Margaritas...very pretty...but wouldn't water have been cheaper?
*****
In other news, Kirtland won its first ever play-off game yesterday, advancing to the next round. I think I'll drag my husband and Solomon to a game next weekend. Maybe Jon-David will join us, too. Go Hornets!!
The first snow of our fall fell last night. It was starting when I got home, and this morning there is a thin carpet, kind of indoor/outdoor, over the grass and dusted over the remaining leaves. Pansy's morning constitutional looked a bit odd.
