For the past two days J has had biddy basketball practice. We have a new coach, since his old coach is now at the high school. The new coach just moved to town this year and most of the time it is hard to find a coach or parents who are willing to coach. I would coach, if asked, but I don't think I'd get asked. Pretty hard being a coach for kids when we are the oldest parents and in our 50's.
So far at practice there has been only 5 kids show up. This new coach doesn't have an assistant coach either. If your son is signed up for Biddy Ball you should make them come to practice or don't sign up. But what will probably happen is that these kids will show up in January and get to start over J. I don't think that's fair. If your kid makes all the practices then they should start over the ones who don't make practice. Then again, like years in the past, this will probably be Biddy Ball (aka selfish ball) and no "team" ball at all. Kids at this age and younger usually just make wild, willy-nilly shots, and not pass the ball to their teammates. Ugh! I have to get used to this unfair play. Hopefully junior high next year will be better. Hopefully.
--------
Pastor Bob is leaving in two days. It's hard to let go of a pastor whom you really like. We didn't get to have him for very long like the rest of the church. We had been going to a church 30 miles north of H town. So "we" have had him for about 2-3 years. I first met, Pastor Bob, at a Youth Friends meeting at the elementary school. We went around the table telling what we did for youth friends. At the time, I was helping out with a kindergarten/first grade and was looking forward to another year of service (which I ended up quitting for personal reasons). This is when I first met Pastor Bob. Later on, we came back to our church at a Christmas Eve service and was pleased with his style.
When I became the janitor out there, I got to know Pastor Bob well. I would ask him the most ridiculous questions about the "mechanics" of certain rooms and help in little situations. He used to be a janitor at a church (at one time too), so he knew what I had to put up with. Then other times I would have questions about family members and he was there. He put my mind at ease. His door was always open. I'm going to miss him. I started trusting the pastor again, something that I hadn't felt in a very long time. Thankfully, Pastor Bob is from my hometown and maybe we will run into each other. Another interesting side note, is when I first found out where he was from I said the only "Y's I knew in Htown was Becky." I knew Becky from junior high band. She is a really nice person. Pastor B explained that Becky was "his big sister." So between Facebook, Becky, and H town, I think that we will see him around.
------
It will be weird to "break in" a new Pastor. We will have to find out what his style is like. I will probably see him hanging around the office while I'm working. It will be weird and exciting. I hope the new guy (whenever we get him) will be good to work with, etc. I trust that the search committee will do a good job finding the right person.
------
KU is on the U channel for basketball tonight. Our friends T, F, and their kids will be there. We wish that we could be at Allen with them. It's exciting just to be there and to take it all in between the band; the cheerleaders; white owl; the music; and the video on the big screen. I know that they will have a good time. If F and J doesn't like it, I'll gladly take their tickets next year!! ;)
-----
The Insight Football bowl is on Wednesday night and it will be shown on the NFL channel. If you don't have Dish or Direct TV, you could be just listening to the game on the radio. Sure Bob Davis and David Lawrence will be doing a great job of calling the game, like normal, but it would have been nice for others to see the KU game without going to a sports bar. Everyone will probably be in a sports bar tomorrow as it is also New Year's Eve.
-----
Plans for New Years Eve??? Yes, we plan to get pizza (usually we make it), but some of our family would prefer we didn't make it. If PH is open we will get it there and celebrate at home. We get our sparkling grape juice (non-alcoholic) and toast in the new year. S claims we celebrate "lame." But that's better than what I did when I was living with my parents. They did nothing.
I would usually get pizza rolls, go downstairs, listen to records and drink 7-up, and stay up past midnight watching "Dick Clark's" new year show. (I think that Guy Lombardo's show was on too at that time). WOW.... now that was lame.
Maybe S will develop her own style once she is out on her own. Then her kids will think what she does is lame too! ;)
----
Happy New Year 2009!! May it bring everyone good health and happiness.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Wii have none
We have been looking for the most hardest electronic item to find after Christmas, a Wii! J got all of his money saved and between a gift cards and money from the grandparents he has it all saved. Now the problem is that there is none to be found in the stores.
We started our journey the day after Christmas checking the Target at New Market Square, Hutch's Target and Wal-Mart, Sears, and Radio Shack. Today, we stopped at Best Buy (on the west side of Wichita), Target on Maple, Toys R Us out near Towne East, back to Wal-Mart at New Market Square, and Game Stop at New Market square. We looked high and low and I saw the box for the Wii at Game Stop.
Noticed I said the box. And that's all it was, an empty box. Nothing like false advertising to get a boy's hopes go up in flames. If they don't have the Wii, then they should take down the box off of the display! :(
J grumbled and was mad at other shoppers who wanted the same thing. The Wii is as popular as the 80's Cabbage Patch Doll. I remember getting my hands on one of those dolls, but I had inside help, a college friend worked at a toy store in Wichita. So she held one back for me. Thanks Jill!
I've seen the Wii online, and we may have to go that route. Either that or put up with a grumbly twelve year old boy. And that's not fun.
-----
There are lots of bargains to be had this time of year. Wrapping paper, Christmas trees, ornaments, cookies, candy, Christmas cards. Shop for next year the day after Christmas you will find your bargain one way or another.
Now Wal-Mart has started their Valentine displays of candy and cards for the next two months! Oh joy!
We started our journey the day after Christmas checking the Target at New Market Square, Hutch's Target and Wal-Mart, Sears, and Radio Shack. Today, we stopped at Best Buy (on the west side of Wichita), Target on Maple, Toys R Us out near Towne East, back to Wal-Mart at New Market Square, and Game Stop at New Market square. We looked high and low and I saw the box for the Wii at Game Stop.
Noticed I said the box. And that's all it was, an empty box. Nothing like false advertising to get a boy's hopes go up in flames. If they don't have the Wii, then they should take down the box off of the display! :(
J grumbled and was mad at other shoppers who wanted the same thing. The Wii is as popular as the 80's Cabbage Patch Doll. I remember getting my hands on one of those dolls, but I had inside help, a college friend worked at a toy store in Wichita. So she held one back for me. Thanks Jill!
I've seen the Wii online, and we may have to go that route. Either that or put up with a grumbly twelve year old boy. And that's not fun.
-----
There are lots of bargains to be had this time of year. Wrapping paper, Christmas trees, ornaments, cookies, candy, Christmas cards. Shop for next year the day after Christmas you will find your bargain one way or another.
Now Wal-Mart has started their Valentine displays of candy and cards for the next two months! Oh joy!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Traditions
It was always a tradition in my house to watch Santa and "Kakeman" on Television. Every afternoon I would sit by the set and watch Santa walk around the workshop talking about different toys. Off and and there was ALWAYS Santa and Kakeman, or when they moved to a different television station it was Santa and Toyboy. I would grow older and the show would still be around. By the time I had my own family in 1993, Santa was no longer on television. The person who portrayed Santa on television had died that year. My kids could no longer see Santa on television. One of the stations (KAKE) brought back old tapes of Santa and Kakeman, but it just wasn't the same!
Now this year Santa and Kakeman are back on the air. After a fifteen year abscence, he is back in the form of the son. This year the show has only been on for 8 days. There are new updates to the show such as a toy chute, and now Santa can receive e-mail letters!! There are things that remind me of the old show, especially when Santa "sings." I know that this is the old Santa of my time. Yesterday, new Santa read the real Christmas Story from the Holy Bible. I loved the work on this show. Hopefully next year the show will be back. Even though now both of my kids are so old and cannot relate to this show, I still watch it. It's just one of those traditions. It maybe Pagan, but that's okay.
------
Other Pagan traditions would be putting up a tree. When do people put up a tree? I put my up the day after Thanksgiving but usually I take it down way before New Years. Others probably put theirs up just before Christmas and take it down after New Years. Everyone has different traditions.
When I was growing up, I can remember that we could open one present on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas Day. Our Santa never wrapped presents! (I think the elves didn't have time to wrap them!). That was a tradition that was changed. Santa over here DID wrap presents, it was just the stuff in the stockings that weren't wrapped.
Another tradition was that we had to wait until everything and I mean everything was just right. If I woke up early, I had to wait on my older brother (who most always slept late). We had to wait until my dad turned the lights on the tree and got his camera set up before we could rush into the room to see what was under the tree. We did a form of this when S and J were younger. Now, we don't even record them coming out to check out their stockings. They have grown out of this.
My great aunt and great uncle used to serve a Norwegian/Swedish dish around Christmas time. This is because my Great Uncle Hermann was Norwegian. They would serve Lutefisk. I remember my cousins having this dish. I often wonder if Steve serves this to his wife or is that a by-gone tradition in that family?
My plans are to serve omelets for Christmas Breakfast, that is if they want it. I can't have eggs as I am allergic to them. But I don't mind frying up the omelets, it's fun!
-----
Another tradition that we did start when the kids were younger was going to Christmas Eve services. When we attended church in Kingman, their church would have a "talent show," of different musicians. We would hear them play flutes, sing, play keyboard, or a variety of things. When we came back to PV church, we had/have a Candlelight/Communion service. We really enjoy this!
----
What are your traditions during this time of year? Have you thought about starting something new?
Now this year Santa and Kakeman are back on the air. After a fifteen year abscence, he is back in the form of the son. This year the show has only been on for 8 days. There are new updates to the show such as a toy chute, and now Santa can receive e-mail letters!! There are things that remind me of the old show, especially when Santa "sings." I know that this is the old Santa of my time. Yesterday, new Santa read the real Christmas Story from the Holy Bible. I loved the work on this show. Hopefully next year the show will be back. Even though now both of my kids are so old and cannot relate to this show, I still watch it. It's just one of those traditions. It maybe Pagan, but that's okay.
------
Other Pagan traditions would be putting up a tree. When do people put up a tree? I put my up the day after Thanksgiving but usually I take it down way before New Years. Others probably put theirs up just before Christmas and take it down after New Years. Everyone has different traditions.
When I was growing up, I can remember that we could open one present on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas Day. Our Santa never wrapped presents! (I think the elves didn't have time to wrap them!). That was a tradition that was changed. Santa over here DID wrap presents, it was just the stuff in the stockings that weren't wrapped.
Another tradition was that we had to wait until everything and I mean everything was just right. If I woke up early, I had to wait on my older brother (who most always slept late). We had to wait until my dad turned the lights on the tree and got his camera set up before we could rush into the room to see what was under the tree. We did a form of this when S and J were younger. Now, we don't even record them coming out to check out their stockings. They have grown out of this.
My great aunt and great uncle used to serve a Norwegian/Swedish dish around Christmas time. This is because my Great Uncle Hermann was Norwegian. They would serve Lutefisk. I remember my cousins having this dish. I often wonder if Steve serves this to his wife or is that a by-gone tradition in that family?
My plans are to serve omelets for Christmas Breakfast, that is if they want it. I can't have eggs as I am allergic to them. But I don't mind frying up the omelets, it's fun!
-----
Another tradition that we did start when the kids were younger was going to Christmas Eve services. When we attended church in Kingman, their church would have a "talent show," of different musicians. We would hear them play flutes, sing, play keyboard, or a variety of things. When we came back to PV church, we had/have a Candlelight/Communion service. We really enjoy this!
----
What are your traditions during this time of year? Have you thought about starting something new?
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
How to deal with Basketball Losses
After winning the national championship last year and losing most of the team, except Cole Aldrich and Sherron Collins, most people still are thinking this is the same team. It is not. KU now has a whole new set of players and they all need to get used to playing together.
The Arizona game tonight was an example of how much this team needs to work together. Poor passing in the first half, poor free throw shooting, and lack of holding onto the ball were among the problems. On the bright side, the team did show that they can knock down the three.
KU led in the half by 3 points. I looked over at L and remarked, "Well, do you think they can pull off a win." We weren't too sure about their chances. Collins had one basket in six attempts in the first half and Aldrich only had 1 point, courtesy of the free throw he made. When the team came out in the second half they looked pretty strong scoring a lot of three-pointers. Then things fell apart with illegal screens and Collins limping off the court. KU would put up a shot only to have the shot miss the rim and rebounding was poor by the team as well. Arizona fans exploded by the tomahawk shot by Chase Budinger. That was the turning point and the lead by Arizona got bigger and bigger.
By this time I was wanting to turn off the TV or turn down the announcers and listen to the radio. The radio was clear behind the television broadcast by at least 30 seconds. I hated hearing the announcers saying, "Well if they keep on going they could score 90 off of the national champs."
I just wanted to tell the announcers that this isn't the "National Championship Team" of 2008, but a new team of freshmen and sophomores.
So how as KU fans do you deal with a loss? You simply write your feelings out (like I'm doing now) and go on. But how to basketball players and coaches deal with it? My guess, since I'm not married to a coach, would be very differently. They would watch the plays and practice on those oversights to perfect the game for the next time they play. The coaches won't say, "Oh well, it was one of those nights." No, they will work on their team and drive it home to the players on how to improve, etc.
I sure am glad that I'm not a player nor a coach's wife. I can only image how tough it would be to deal with a loss like this.
The Arizona game tonight was an example of how much this team needs to work together. Poor passing in the first half, poor free throw shooting, and lack of holding onto the ball were among the problems. On the bright side, the team did show that they can knock down the three.
KU led in the half by 3 points. I looked over at L and remarked, "Well, do you think they can pull off a win." We weren't too sure about their chances. Collins had one basket in six attempts in the first half and Aldrich only had 1 point, courtesy of the free throw he made. When the team came out in the second half they looked pretty strong scoring a lot of three-pointers. Then things fell apart with illegal screens and Collins limping off the court. KU would put up a shot only to have the shot miss the rim and rebounding was poor by the team as well. Arizona fans exploded by the tomahawk shot by Chase Budinger. That was the turning point and the lead by Arizona got bigger and bigger.
By this time I was wanting to turn off the TV or turn down the announcers and listen to the radio. The radio was clear behind the television broadcast by at least 30 seconds. I hated hearing the announcers saying, "Well if they keep on going they could score 90 off of the national champs."
I just wanted to tell the announcers that this isn't the "National Championship Team" of 2008, but a new team of freshmen and sophomores.
So how as KU fans do you deal with a loss? You simply write your feelings out (like I'm doing now) and go on. But how to basketball players and coaches deal with it? My guess, since I'm not married to a coach, would be very differently. They would watch the plays and practice on those oversights to perfect the game for the next time they play. The coaches won't say, "Oh well, it was one of those nights." No, they will work on their team and drive it home to the players on how to improve, etc.
I sure am glad that I'm not a player nor a coach's wife. I can only image how tough it would be to deal with a loss like this.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Sunday church services/Food
Today we had our special church services. Usually on this Sunday before Christmas our choir would sing a program called "Lessons in Carols." This year, our choir director, Dick B., left to take a pastorship position at a nearby Presbyterian Church. This left a void in our usual services and so an A Capella choir from Hesston, directed by a former PV member, Martha H., came instead.
Before the choir sang, Flute and I did our usual pre-Christmas skit trying to sell our cookbooks (which came out this past summer). Today, I wrote something quickly (because flute is our usual writer on this) and then we pretty much played off on each other. It was easy (see previous blog regarding Christmas shopping) to complain about the long lines and crowd and what to buy. The skit helped sell at least 3 books today and we are now down to at least 20 some books in our original 300 number. The book has done well. Vonnie R., helped a lot by sending the book to a cookbook reviewer and she has been shipping the book throughout Kansas. So thank you Vonnie and Flute for the effort you've done on this. And thanks to Joan W., for spurring us onward.
-------
The Children held their Christmas program. They sang "Away in a Manager," with hand movements. A tear slid down my cheek as I glanced over at S. I remember 10 or 11 years ago, she stood on that very stage with her little red velvet dress singing the song and the hand movements.
-------
Our Pastor is moving on to become a teacher and we held a carry-in/farewell dinner for him after the service. It is tough for us to see him leave and I know it was tough on them to leave us. I didn't realize that he had been there for nearly 6 years. I only remember having him for at least 3 or 4 years. But that's because we were attending another church when he was at PV.
-------
I always enjoy the carry-in dinners that we have at the church. I am always trying to guess who made what, etc. My favorite is when someone brings lasagna; noodles; fruit jello salad; and the bread. I just love potluck! Then the desserts are THE best. We had chocolate cake with a cream cheese frosting (at least the frosting wasn't sickening sweet) and whoever brings that chocolate pie (WOW!!!) Please do it again!! That has to be my favorite dessert of all time.
Before the choir sang, Flute and I did our usual pre-Christmas skit trying to sell our cookbooks (which came out this past summer). Today, I wrote something quickly (because flute is our usual writer on this) and then we pretty much played off on each other. It was easy (see previous blog regarding Christmas shopping) to complain about the long lines and crowd and what to buy. The skit helped sell at least 3 books today and we are now down to at least 20 some books in our original 300 number. The book has done well. Vonnie R., helped a lot by sending the book to a cookbook reviewer and she has been shipping the book throughout Kansas. So thank you Vonnie and Flute for the effort you've done on this. And thanks to Joan W., for spurring us onward.
-------
The Children held their Christmas program. They sang "Away in a Manager," with hand movements. A tear slid down my cheek as I glanced over at S. I remember 10 or 11 years ago, she stood on that very stage with her little red velvet dress singing the song and the hand movements.
-------
Our Pastor is moving on to become a teacher and we held a carry-in/farewell dinner for him after the service. It is tough for us to see him leave and I know it was tough on them to leave us. I didn't realize that he had been there for nearly 6 years. I only remember having him for at least 3 or 4 years. But that's because we were attending another church when he was at PV.
-------
I always enjoy the carry-in dinners that we have at the church. I am always trying to guess who made what, etc. My favorite is when someone brings lasagna; noodles; fruit jello salad; and the bread. I just love potluck! Then the desserts are THE best. We had chocolate cake with a cream cheese frosting (at least the frosting wasn't sickening sweet) and whoever brings that chocolate pie (WOW!!!) Please do it again!! That has to be my favorite dessert of all time.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
I, Done!
I am done with Christmas shopping, wrapping, etc....I think. It was a rush alright shopping with just 4 days left.
We got to our first destination at 9 am and I overshopped! I was planning on purchasing at least 10 dollars less, and I thought, "Sheesh, why did I do that?" The same with the next store that I went to. My plan was to pay just half. It got out of hand. Then while searching at the bookstore I found another Calendar for us, which next time maybe I will wait until the last minute to get this. We spent 2 hours at our first town and went an hour up the road to my hometown.
I thought this would only take a couple of hours. Ha! It took at least 4 hours or so. I had plans to get other stuff and they were sold out. I had to re-work my plans. Hopefully everyone will be happy with what they got because...I, Done!
No more hassle with the crowd or anyting else. No more feeling the north wind blow and dropping the temperature to a nice crisp 12 degrees in the afternoon. Nope. None of that. Until next year...at least 365 days more.
We got to our first destination at 9 am and I overshopped! I was planning on purchasing at least 10 dollars less, and I thought, "Sheesh, why did I do that?" The same with the next store that I went to. My plan was to pay just half. It got out of hand. Then while searching at the bookstore I found another Calendar for us, which next time maybe I will wait until the last minute to get this. We spent 2 hours at our first town and went an hour up the road to my hometown.
I thought this would only take a couple of hours. Ha! It took at least 4 hours or so. I had plans to get other stuff and they were sold out. I had to re-work my plans. Hopefully everyone will be happy with what they got because...I, Done!
No more hassle with the crowd or anyting else. No more feeling the north wind blow and dropping the temperature to a nice crisp 12 degrees in the afternoon. Nope. None of that. Until next year...at least 365 days more.
The Christmas Rush is on!
Some people get their shopping done early and every year I vow that I will be one of these people. But every year, I am not. So today begins my Christmas rush. Packages are under the tree, but only from relatives from far away. Today, while I type in the dark and hearing the winds howl is my Christmas rush.
Still needing to get S and J a few more presents, I go through the list in my head. Something from Target, Wal-mart, or Old Navy; other things from Claires, Hastings, and a Calendar Store. Two cities in one day is my plan for today. Needing to pick up something other than presents: Food for the week and my mom from Hutch.
I am getting my game plan in hand. Wanting to leave a 8, but knowing it will be past 8 and not to0 late after that hour. Knowing that I will run into other shoppers and things sold out. Bargains at stores, that I won't care about. Highways and streets clogged with traffic. Signs telling me to lock my vehicle as this is the time for robberies from cars. People selling puppies on a corner or in the Wal-mart parking lot, too irresistible to even pass up.
I check the list from J, knowing he won't get his first request. I remember my list when I was a child and what I put first, a horse. A real live horse, only to get a plastic model of one. I take one look at all the people in the stores on the weekend and realize that I should have started earlier on shopping.
Oh well, maybe next year...ha! Who am I kidding?
Still needing to get S and J a few more presents, I go through the list in my head. Something from Target, Wal-mart, or Old Navy; other things from Claires, Hastings, and a Calendar Store. Two cities in one day is my plan for today. Needing to pick up something other than presents: Food for the week and my mom from Hutch.
I am getting my game plan in hand. Wanting to leave a 8, but knowing it will be past 8 and not to0 late after that hour. Knowing that I will run into other shoppers and things sold out. Bargains at stores, that I won't care about. Highways and streets clogged with traffic. Signs telling me to lock my vehicle as this is the time for robberies from cars. People selling puppies on a corner or in the Wal-mart parking lot, too irresistible to even pass up.
I check the list from J, knowing he won't get his first request. I remember my list when I was a child and what I put first, a horse. A real live horse, only to get a plastic model of one. I take one look at all the people in the stores on the weekend and realize that I should have started earlier on shopping.
Oh well, maybe next year...ha! Who am I kidding?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)