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I’m having spicy California rolls, Samuel is having pb&j. I’m feeling not so great, so I’m hoping spicy crab and a nap will help get me back on track.

Trek is exactly one month away.  We have very mixed feelings about this at any given minute, hour, day.  We'll be glad when it's over…we'll be sad when it's over…we'll be ecstatic when it's over.  So mixed. 

In the meantime…

We're trying to make decisions regarding potties!  Who knew there could be so many opinions, discussions on a subject such as this.  Well…take 350 people + many who are GIRLS + some who are only 14 and you get a headache.  But here we are trying to simulate a "pioneer" experience.  And we're out on trails that are not condusive to big trucks carrying big porta potties.  Let's just say it's a headache and end it there.

Part of the problem is ME – me who likes to make people happy…as many people as possible.  I want 348 of the 350 to be happy.  No wonder I'm not sleeping.

Tomorrow we train 70+ Mas/Pas who will be the key to the success of trek.

We're ironing out cost and budget.

We're doing odds and ends projects like cutting out fabric and painting signs and making booklets and informing leaders and creating maps and documents.  And making sure everyone knows what they need to do.  And how to do it.  And when.  And where.  And looking for a horse!

Can you tell I'm a little overwhelmed this morning?  A late 1 am night might be part of it.

Needing to decompress and know that it will all work out…it will all work out. (say it with me!)

Where Caleb is practicing his spelling words in shaving cream!

Jacob is intent on doing well at the recorder because he gets “karate belts” when he advances from one song to another. It helps that he can read music, so he already has a leg up on the competition. I love Wednesday afternoons. Because we don’t have anything on the schedule I can take some time and go over homework or work on extemporaneous projects with the kids.

I'm running away. They've worn me out today. Maybe it was all the Valentine sugar. Anyway…I told Derek that I was leaving and he said "don't forget to update your blog so we know where you are". I'll be living at Barnes & Noble if you need me. But please don't tell the kids or else they'll come looking for me.

ETA:  I think I made it sound like I was really getting to go out and enjoy B&N for the evening.  Not so!  It was all facetious.  I had to stay and clean up Samuel's messes and put him and Caleb to bed while Derek and Jacob were at Scouts.  But a girl can dream…a girl can dream.

Valentine’s Parties are fun!

I got the short end of the gene pool. I got my Dad's teeny tiny eyelashes. My brothers got the long luxurious eyelashes. How is that fair??

And no matter what mascara I use, my eyelashes always look the exact same. No amount of "colossal" "stiletto" "length defying" "lash plumping" or "define-a-lash" in very black or brownish-black seems to make a difference. My lashes are stll barely visible and thin. Thank goodness for lash curlers (which I have used since the 7th grade), otherwise my eyes would look naked!

What a cute place, with delicious looking cupcakes. We stopped by to get a few gifts for friends. We also had a lovely visit with Grandna Kake this morning. And a good speech therapy session. Now off to the kids belated V-day parties.

Pic 1 – Christmas colors – craft paint – a foam brush – his palette was the carpet
Pic 2 – Picasso??
Pic 3 – Rug Doctor rental to the rescue
Pic 4 – A happy/miraculous ending – it all came out
Pic 5 – the mug shot (in case you didn’t already know the suspect)

Now I have a tension headache. This child is so naughty!

Picture by Caleb Smith

The table is set. Strawberry soup in the fridge. I’m working on the Chicken Parmesan. Derek is snapping green beans. Nana and Pops are on their way. I made a strawberry rhubarb pie…curious how it will taste.