Weekend Update

I got a lot done around the house this weekend. I haven't done much cleaning since Lindsey's wedding, so Saturday gave me a full day to do the dusting and vacuuming I had neglected these past few weeks. I feel better when my house has been cleaned. However, I don't like the fact that I have to give up a perfectly nice day to do it. Perhaps I should look into a cleaning service again. I was spoiled back then. My weekends were free of cleaning and I loved that.
Shawn cleaned up the woods behind the pool area and burned brush and scrap lumber in the bonfire pit. I took a few breaks from cleaning and went outside to see what he was up to and found myself enjoying the crisp, fall day. We sat by the fire a couple of times. We put white lights in a tree out in the front yard and some other white lights in the bushes by the front door. At dusk we turned them on and I really like the festive look - just in time for the holidays. I am really glad we got that done before the temperatures drop.
Shawn went deer hunting with two of his brothers early this morning. He hunts on his grandparents' farm (which is now his dad's) in southern Minnesota. He also was going to bring apples and corn home for the deer and for the other wildlife he loves to feed all winter long. I was wide awake at 6:00 A.M. which of course, was really 5:00 before the whole Daylight Savings Time change. I got up and had one last load of laundry going by 6:30. I made a big pot of turkey chili and some Scotcheroos for Courtney. I didn't make it to church today.
And speaking of Courtney, today is her 22nd birthday and I am bummed that I am not with her. It's kind of sad not spending your child's birthday with her, but I suppose it will be the first of many over the years. Shawn will be in her area tomorrow and will take her out for dinner. I have a few small gifts for her to send with him. She wanted some new UGG boots so I ordered those online and she should get them tomorrow. She'll be tickled!
The day is winding down and tomorrow is the first day of another work week. Our first quarter is rapidly approaching and I have a lot to get done before that. I am looking forward to seeing my teaching colleagues. There are many that make my job very enjoyable.

My SBC friends

I am in a book club. It is a Secret Book Club. We talk in secret code at school so we don't give ourselves away. The five of us (sometimes six) get together as often as our schedules permit and talk about our latest book, eat, drink, and laugh. Sometimes I laugh so hard. Sometimes I will continue to laugh well into the next week at something that was said! I look forward to spending time with them. We don't spend the entire "meeting" discussing the book. We talk about things that matter. We celebrate ourselves as women, as mothers, and as educators. I learn more and more about each of them every time we meet. They are my new friends.

As you can see by my pictures, my oldest daughter Lindsey got married. She got engaged in July of 2006 and the wedding planning began shortly thereafter. An entire year of planning has come and gone now and all we have are wonderful memories. It was a beautiful day and I wanted to share with you some photos. Those of you who are near and dear to me know my life this past year was busy with wedding planning and projects. There were stressful times and not so stressful times as I prepared to begin a brand new school year in there too.
Things really started to take shape this past summer. At one time, I think I had nine projects going on at one time. I had the time and I made the time to do them. It was what I love to do and I enjoyed every minute. Lindsey and I got together when our schedules allowed and worked on things, and before we knew it, the day had arrived. Thank goodness, the wedding weekend fell on my teacher convention weekend, so I had some extra days to work with.
There was the rehearsal, the groom's dinner at Al Baker's in Eagan, manicures and pedicures for all the girls, family and friends coming in to town, and last-minute preparations.
Our house was full of girls Thursday and Friday...Lindsey, Courtney, Kelsey, Annette, Thea, Melissa, and Nicole. They had a huge slumber party complete with matching pajamas and slippers. We took lots of pictures and enjoyed the last few hours before the wedding.
The wedding morning was beautiful. I made Strawberry Pull-Aparts for the girls and then I gave my beautiful Lindsey a bride Friends 2B Made doll from the Mall of America store. I woke up to sunshine and knew it was going to be a good day. It was 72 degrees by the time of the wedding. The fall colors were stunning - a breathtaking sight, that's for sure. Everything went as planned. Our families were present, as well as many dear friends. I wish we could have invited more.
We're getting together tomorrow night at Lindsey and Pete's to hear about their honeymoon to Jamaica. I'm excited!

First Time

Lori is JUST GETTING STARTED!!!
We are here for you girl