The Challenge - Day 7

Today's Winner



I was not up to the challenge on this day.  It was a day with some not so great surprises and my first day back at work after the holiday.  

Challenge Day 6

Today's winner! I gave up challenging others, but I am still having fun.  Just one more day, and I am sick so...

Challenge -Day 5

Challenge- Day 4

Today's winner

Thankful

3 tables

20 people

Mom's China

Jewell's antique dishes

not enough serving spoons

not enough silverware

huge meal prepared by many hands

lots of desserts

Happy Thanksgiving!

All of the above followed by Black Friday shopping with this girl. She bought herself a pair of boots that weren't even on sale!  The other stuff we were seeking was either not as good a deal as advertised or not available in the sizes we needed.

Our 2017 Thanksgiving party included: Jean, Andy, Zach, Savannah, Wyatt, Julia, Tiffany, Austin, Logan, Jonathan, Danielle, Regan, Ira, Isaac, John, Tessa, Kinsley, Kallie,  Joshua, and me

Challenge -Day 3

Today's winner

The Challenge - Day 2

The Challenge- Day One

We've all seen them.  Those social media challenges from our friends - copy this, respond to this, do that.  The latest is the seven days of black and white photos with no people and no explanation.  The only thing I don't like about this challenge is the requirement to tag someone daily.  I am okay with the first tag but not so much the tags the rest of the days.  I did the first two tags, but I may not do all of them.  However, I had such fun with taking photos throughout the first day and choosing the one I wanted to post that I will now post photos here every day -not necessarily just one, but I will follow the other rule of leaving no explanation.

I guess if I post more than one picture, I can and will share which one made it into the challenge.

Today's winner

A Birthday!

Kinsley turns four this week, so we gathered family for a celebration

Eyes closed for a big surprise (a bike)!  The only thing Kinsley requested was a bike.  She does love Barbies and changing their clothes, so she received lots of Barbie stuff.  We had tons of Barbies when we were kids, and I was always wanting more clothes.  Back then the clothes cost as much as the dolls, so my parents just bought the dolls instead of the clothes.  Now the clothes are much more affordable.

Of course Kallie climbed right up on the bike before the birthday girl could get to it.

Funniest birthday story:  Kinsley was playing with dinosaurs and did not want to share with her sister.  Tessa reprimanded Kinsley, but Kallie moved on to another toy.  As soon as Kinsley saw that toy in Kallie's hands she stated, "that's mine!!"  Of course Kinsley tried to take it back but was stopped by her Aunt Tiffany.  Kinsley melted at that point and had a little fit.  Kallie gloated.  I don't think I've ever seen a someone so small gloat like that.  Gotta watch that girl!.

I think Kinsley enjoyed her day.  It was cold, but she did get to go out and try the new bike.

Competition!!

Julia competed for the last time as a middle school cheerleader.  The team took a different course this year and hired a cheerleading gym to choreograph, block and secure music for the routine.  A last minute fill in for an injured cheerleader did a fantastic job!  The girls worked hard and placed third. They've come a long way since that excited group of sixth graders started a couple of years ago.  I am so sad that this team does not plan to continue in high school.  

Letterman

Just a few days ago, we gathered to celebrate a great Cross Country season.  Our girls' team landed on the state podium in 3rd place, and one of our boys took the state title. Wyatt even joined the team at the state meet as an alternate which included an overnight stay - his first high school field trip! Wyatt is a letterman, and he's not even halfway through his freshman year!  Wyatt's season went well with continual improvement and a race where he paced at < 8 minute miles.  He's looking forward to track, and even though we forced him into cross country, I am pretty sure he will return next year.  His teammates and coaches were superb!  So excited to follow this team for three more years (God-willing)!

While Wyatt finished the season healthier and stronger, that's more than can be said of his mom.  I have worked out despite straining my calf muscle, and that proved to be an unfortunate decision.  I was hanging a bulletin board on Friday and stepped off of a chair wrong.  I did not fall, contrary to what my husband has been telling people, but I did feel a popping sensation and limped my way through the rest of the day.  I was more than anxious to get home and get it elevated and iced.  I spent Friday afternoon and evening in bed resting my bum leg.  I worked all day Saturday, and post rest and with the added support of Rock tape, I was improved.  I am more improved today, but the rest has caused a crick in my neck, so my leg has literally become a pain in my neck. According to the Internet, I have to rest my calf injury for a full two weeks for full recovery, and the Internet doesn't lie, right?  Actually, Andy confirmed the prognosis of the internet.  Bummed that I am missing opportunities to continue my work out streak and advance toward my 150 class goal of the year, and even more bummed that I will not get into our new center (we are moving this week) until after the first several classes.