12 Days of Christmas

I have many things to be thankful for this holiday season, but this year, I have something extra. I had a Christmas Elf leave things for me on my doorstep (which can be quite a challenge, considering there is a motion light outside...) for the previous twelve days - tonight included. I feel very blessed to know that someone out there is thinking of me, and taking time out of their lives to make mine better :) Whoever you are, I appreciate you and love you!!

Day 1

There were cookies and this Lego Man inside the tin

Day 2

Day 3

(Hooray for matching socks!)

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

Day 8

(They're sticky notes of different sizes)

Day 9

Day 10

(an autographed copy!)

Day 11

Day 12

Sigh

I am done with all my musical numbers now... so I can breathe again. Although, as I am sitting here typing this, I am looking at the clutter I am surrounded by - lots of treats and gifts from kids and co-workers for Christmas, and I'm having a hard time breathing LOL. I am actually going to keep this post short, and sort thru my fabulous gifts :)
Tonight marks one year of one of my former roommate's passing from this life to the next. I thought it would be a difficult day for me, but it has not been - for I know that she is not suffering anymore and is learning all that will make her truly happy. She has visited me in my dreams, and I still have the good memories of while she was here. I know I will see her again and hope that, in time, her family will come to realize what they need to be whole and happy again - the truth that is found in the Gospel of our Heavenly Father.

Random Silliness

Our office has been overtaken by gigantic frogs! They are welcoming visitors to our school...

Giving you the stare down if you try anything naughty,

Doing attendance and other things on the computer,

Even answering the phones!

Please, if you come to our school, DO NOT make them mad or upset... we don't know what will happen, and we surely don't want to find out!!

MUSIC...

is such a big part of my life - especially this month. If you recall in my previous post, I was/am involved in over 45 musical numbers during December.

I have conducted,

sang,

and accompanied.

I'm not quite done yet, I have 15 more songs to help with... but I am very grateful for the talents the Lord has seen fit to bless me with. I have not always appreciated these talents, but the older I get, the more I realize just how much a part of me they are - and always will be. I still don't like to always volunteer to play the piano, but I never say 'no' when I am asked - if, of course, I am able to meet the needs of the singer(s).
I have realized that I forgot something in my 'Major Update' post - The weekend before Thanksgiving, I made my yearly trip to Logan to spend a couple days with Laura and Linda and their families. Our crafty project this year was a 2011 calendar. I have not taken pictures of mine yet - and that's why I forgot to add it to my post. I have to finish it, then I'll take pictures and post them, because I know you really want to see my craftiness ;)

Major Update

Ok, as promised, here is the big update! We need to take a trip back to October...

This was not the first snowfall, but very close to it. I just like the contrast of the colors.

I like having my camera with me at work - outside - because you never know just what opportunities you'll have for a cool picture!

Moving to Halloween:
The Lunch Lady, played by a Lunch Lady :)

"Word!"

Ranger Oliverson on duty!

I love this girl!

The Office and Custodial workers unite!
Yee-Haw!

Cute hand made candy decorations

For a few days in October, I was able to house sit for my friend and watch their dog, and the neighbors dogs as well (her neighbor being her sister!)
These three dogs were constantly "fighting" each other for my attention. It's about the only time now I get attention from 'boys'. They all think I'm theirs, it's funny!
Sir Frisco

Lucy
(not a boy, but still fought for my attention)

Bosco

It was Chloe's 2nd birthday. We played outside and threw rocks into a little puddle of water I found. It kept her occupied and kept me laughing :)

Welcome to November:
Different scenes I've seen while I'm either walking to/from work.

In the last 'real' blog post I did, I put a link to a story that had me housebound for that morning. That was an interesting day. I won't post details here, but if you really wanna know, call/text/email me and I'll tell you the story.

As a new addition to our school, a sidewalk was put in along the east fence area of the playground.
Here they are starting to dig up the ground.

Smoothing everything out

Ta-da! Sidewalk! It took about a week and a half to do.

Here's the other end of it. The bike racks are now sitting on cement and not the grass.

During Thanksgiving break, I decided it was high time to start cleaning up my room...
Here is the bed that is NOT mine. Oops

But, it's all good now - and still clean to this day!

My side of the room - yep. This is what happens when you're not putting stuff away right away. Can't even close the closet doors.

Look! The bed is made and everything ;)

I am still working on getting the other 3rd of my room cleaned... when it's done I'll put up those before and after pictures too. Ha.

Thanksgiving dinner!!!!
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!
Kloessel (similar to potato dumplings), turkey, and blaukraut (cooked purple cabbage)
YUM YUM YUMMY!

After eating, somebody (not sure who exactly) thought it would be cool to sing songs - so the cousins did. I played and everyone else sang. It was a lot of fun.

If any of you have heard me complaining about shoes...
I bought these and within the first two weeks, the heels fell in and the tread on the bottom "fell" in - so my feet get wet if I step in a puddle. They still look brand new! That's how soon they broke after I bought them!

These shoes are in the same boat as the other ones. They still look brand new - but the heels have fallen in.

These shoes I bought at the end of August this year and the bottoms are split across the width of the shoe :( I couldn't find my receipt to take them back either.

These pair have 'tread holes' on the bottom - so water gets in, and the tread has started falling off.

These shoes I've had for a while, but don't wear very often. The only thing wrong with them (besides the laces not staying tied) is there is a crack on one of the heels. Otherwise, I don't have too much to gripe about these shoes (well, they're not comfortable to wear all day every day)

These shoes were also bought at the end of August. The tread is also falling off. There's not much 'rubber' on the bottom of the shoes, so if you step in a puddle, your foot is wet.

These shoes have been fabulous! I've had them for quite a few years, and they've only recently begun falling apart. I've worn them out! I need to get rid of them.

Now to December:
I have decided to get my butt in gear and pull out my Christmas decorations.
(notice how I didn't post about my Halloween decorations? Ya, cuz I didn't decorate.)
I only put out a few things this year, trying to keep things more simple - with everything else going on, I need simplicity :)
Blankets on the backs of the couches - I've had them for years, but never opened them to use them. Gotta start using stuff.

A few stuffed friends, couple of snowmen on sleds, and my pile of Christmas books made it to the movie shelves.

I don't know why I hang a stocking - nothing ever gets put in it, but I hang it up anyway. I decided to only put up one nativity this year (instead of all 7 that I have).

I need to find some holiday photos to put in my photo book!

Here's my tree. I put lights on it this year, and not as many ornaments.

I came upon an unopened box of lights, so in keeping with roommate tradition, I strung them on the handrail (yes, they are indoor/outdoor lights). Good memories :)

Welcome to my house!

December is a busy month for me. I am involved with over 45 musical numbers (I'm counting each song separately)! I am playing for a friend who is singing next weekend (12 songs plus 2 piano solos), I am playing for the ward choir (4 songs plus a piano/organ duet), I am playing and singing songs for the ward adult Christmas party (5 songs) , I helped the YW learn a song for the ward breakfast this morning, I am helping with a youth choir in my stake (4 songs), I am singing in a choir (8 songs), and I am playing music at school, 2 songs for second grade, 7 songs for third grade, possibly 2 more for other groups.
Trying to find time to practice everything is interesting! Especially since I don't have a piano in my apartment. I don't feel overwhelmed by it all, which is a blessing. I'm glad to be so busy - it doesn't leave me any time to be depressed or lonely.
Along with my musical obligations, there's work stuff, other church stuff (I am still the Stake YW/Women's Sports Director - and we have YW basketball coming up in January, so I have to start getting that schedule done and all that stuff. Luckily, I have two assistants, but I still stress out about things with this calling), and family stuff.
I'm not trying to say I'm more busy than anybody else out there, because I know I'm not. But at least now you know why I don't always call or text as much as I used to. Now you know why it took me so long to update my blog, and if I don't post again soon, you'll know why. I'm hoping in January I'll be able to get back on a 'normal' schedule that will allow me to bother my friends more often again :)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!