Hello Weekend!

Whew what a week! I've been insanely busy at work, then I've taken on more things outside school. I'm doing clinical supervision some afternoons and evenings for pay. I enjoy it but it does take up some free time. I am also on the advisory committee for Homestead which is a transition home we are opening for girls coming out of sex trafficking. I am helping put together the training for the mentors and staff. Its exciting work. I also had a special FCA event this week after school on Wednesday. Jon and his roommate led the worship and did awesome and 16 kids came! That was cool. Yesterday I got home from work and was supposed to text Kim to tell her if we could meet at my house for supervision and when I pulled around the corner, I just started laughing. There were trucks and vans parked all along both side of the street and contractors and electricians and workers streaming in and out of the house carrying ladders and stuff. So I went inside and they were cleaning up but there was a fine coating of dust over everything in the house! We were supposed to have people over in three hours for dinner! There was my crockpot bubbling away on the counter covered in dust. Scott took me aside in the living room and said, "I cleaned up most of it but see that plywood on the livingroom ceiling? One of the workers stepped through the attic floor and down into the livingroom. Insallation was everywhere!" I just laughed. Scott continued to clean while I met my friend for supervision at the coffeeshop. Jon and his friends came over and of course, didn't notice any mess. We had a good dinner with them.
So I am quite ready for this weekend. I haven't made a single plan although I have much to do--grocery, library, get Adelle, talk to my loved ones on the phone, move the bedroom upstairs, take down the rest of the sheetrock from the diningroom and maybe also the bedroom, a Homestead meeting, and Bible study. And I HAVE to work out both days-- by spare tire is starting to resemble a tractor tire. I worked out way too hard on Tuesday and could barely walk on Wednesday so took a couple days off:).
THANKFULLY Scott's stress level was way down--that is a huge answer to prayer and he was quite helpful this week--ran to the grocery one night, did some cleaning, helped with some of the construction, and took the trash and recycling to the curb this week! That rocked! I am looking forward to sleeping in. I need to go to the chiropractor and get my hair cut but I doubt I can get in to do that, too.
This blog entry isn't very interesting but so be it! That's my life! My job is really interesting so maybe I'll blog about it one of these days!

Wonderful Things

My life is filled to the brim and running over with wonderful things. Time alone is a wonderful thing, or can be, depending on the mood. Scott is in KC last night and today so I am enjoying my time alone. I went to my step class last night (a wonderful thing, and my gym is a wonderful thing) then got a Chipolte bowl (for sure a wonderful thing) then came home, ate it and took a bath. My new bathroom is a wonderful thing altogether. I took two baths last night to relax and warm up (right up there with a fluffy pink bathrobe, also a wonderful thing. I watched our new tv (yep, wonderful thing) and played on Pinterest--this is a wonderful thing that all of my blog followers would love--you pin pictures of websites and inspirations on topics like style, recipes, crafts, decorating. It is truly a wonderful, fun thing. I took my turns on facebook scrabble (both facebook and scrabble are wonderful things). Then I finished a fabulous book by JD Robb, one of my all time favorite authors ( books are wonderful things, aren't they?) Then went to BED (wonderful, wonderful thing) early. This morning I'm cleaning (the results of which are wonderful and cleaning itself can be wonderful if there is time to do it in a relaxed way). Weekends are wonderful things. I showered in my wonderful glass shower (you have to be very comfortable with your body:) and dressed in wonderful things--pink t, grey sweats, and pink slippers--all wonderful things! Of course, my wonderful puppies are keeping me company and right now I am sitting at my wonderful new kitchen island and listening to our new wonderful sound system. Music is a wonderful thing. I am going to go get Adelle in little while and she is wonderful as is our friendship. She was in a talent show this weekend and performed her most favorite song, Super Bass, by Niki Minaj. I look forward to time with Adelle. So as I enjoy my wonderful life on this wonderful weekend, I hope you have a wonderful day also!

Break and Progress

I am having a wonderful, relaxing, family-filled break! I took Friday the 17th off and spent the day with Leah then picked up Hannah and Joel at the airport late that night (which went as smoothly as it possibly could). Spent that afternoon and evening with my Dad and Jean. The next day we got up and had Christmas at the Lake with the Kuenzi's and Clarks. This is always a special day but for some reason, this one was even more special. I loved spending time with Shari and her kids and Season and everyone! We had an especially good Smith family Christmas also at Wooten's. Then Christmas here was very low key. This year I never got around to putting up lights or decorations of any kind (I did win a poinsetta for Christmas from work) or even a tree. I didn't shop until I absolutely had to and never shopped for the kids at all--we wrote them checks and they were happy! Christmas day was about relaxing and eating. Scott made a traditional Fire Department breakfast of sausage, biscuits and gravy, eggs, and hash browns. Leah had brought homemade cinnamon rolls. Then we just hung out. The whole time the kids have been here is laid back and relaxed. We hang out as a family or in smaller groups but there isn't any pressure so I feel like I go off and read or go to the gym or nap or whatever. I've discovered Pinterest and spent some time doing that and did some crafts, painted the hallway and trim, stuff like that. We try to go to the gym (Scott, Hannah, Leah and I) every day if we can together. The kids have had time with their friends, too. Very enjoyable times. Joel's friends have hung out but not too much--enough that he feels reconnected and home. Scott and I have had time together, too, which will help with the transition back to the two of us. Jon is moving out into an apartment so it will be very quiet around here for awhile after the kids leave. And they are leaving little by little instead of all at once, too, which will help. We are getting ready to head into craziness as I go get mom tomorrow and then I understand that Jon is on his way back from Mexico and then on Sunday, the Griffiths are coming up for the day with maybe some Clarks and Kuenzi's also! Gonna be exciting! Then I have Monday and then boom! The girls go to Newton and I go back to work! Joel will go with them for an overnight then come back and be here until he flies out Friday (or Saturday--can't remember). Of course, the house will still be getting worked on.
Progress on the house: Got the roof onto the new room and most of the siding and the windows in. Today got the sliding door in the kitchen! It looks amazing! Makes the room look much bigger! I got the hallway painted including the trim and doors (still need some of the trim put up). I guess we've turned a corner and I would put the house at about 65% done.
Wow! Scott and Hannah ran to the store and I just realized I'm alone for the first time in a long time. Nope, Leah got here. Now to start cooking (again:)--the grocery bill is HUGE!)

Eating Frenzy

Once I get in an eating mode, I can't get out. Today I have eaten:

6:30 a.m. Coffee with hazelnut creamer
7;00 a.m. Staff Christmas party: some sort of muffin, 2 helpings egg casserole, some sort of fruit punch.
10 a.m. poppy seed muffin, more egg casserole, more fruit punch
11 a.m. strawberry chocolate fudge (Christmas gift)
12 p.m. Large peice of fried chicken, cheesy mashed potatoes, tortilla chips, chocolate covered peanuts
2:30 p.m. strawberry chocolate fudge
4:00 p.m. post nap pre work out snack--tortilla chips
At this point I did attend spinning class where I gave about 80% effort and then sat in the sauna for 15 minutes
7 p.m. dinner spaghetti with wheat noodles and meat sauce, milk, two peices of dark chocolate almond (hey--I need antioxidants!)
7:30 strawberry chocolate fudge

This is ridiculous.

ER today

Ok, so today I went to the ER having Scott sure I had a heart attack. After lunch, I had this HORRIBLE pain in my stomach. I popped a couple of antacids and then a couple more and went to lay on my bed. I yelled to Scott that I thought I need to throw up but he was in the bathroom so I went upstairs. I had my pants down because they were pressing on my stomach and then even took them off and laid on the floor. I was in AGONIZING pain. I told the girls to get Scott and by the time he got to me, I was sweating from every pour of my body and the world was swirling around and then my arms and legs, mostly my arms and fingers got super tingly. Scott looked for the phone to call 911 but then I felt a bit better so I got my pants back on (which was my main concern if an ambulance was coming) and was able to walk back downstairs and lay on the bed. Soctt said I'd had the exact symptoms of a heart attack so even though I felt better, he convinced me to go to the ER. This is a guy who NEVER goes to the doctor (well, except to get surgeries:) The ER did an EKG and labwork and said I was fine. I came home and ran errands but I did skip going to the gym, mostly because I didn't want to run into anyone who saw me at the ER a few hours earlier:)
I am now making my official own diagnosis: I had a HORRIBLE gas attack and then probably hyperventilated. Don't worry, I'll follow up with my doctor.

Perfect Days

Yesterday, Friday, I took off work and slept in til about 8:30. When I got up, there were guys working on the new room outside and Rex the contractor was here! I got to talk to him about where we are with the renovation progress and it made me feel hopeful:). I had my quiet time and took a bath in my wonderful new bathtub and got dressed in my wonderful new walk in closet then ran to the bank and grand ol trunk and left town! It was sunny and mild out. I got to the Sprint store in Topeka to get my phone fixed and instead of waiting 2 hours as I expected, there were 4 guys waiting for customers! It only took 30 seconds for him to fix my phone! So I took off for KC and picked up my Leah at David's house in KC! We did a little Christmas shopping and then went to see my Dad and Jean. My Dad is hilarious. We went to the little coffee shop at Aberdeen and drank cappacino then went back to the apartment and took naps. I even woke myself up snoring! When we went to dinner, walking down the hall a guy came by and my Dad called, "Hi Henry" to him and he said, "Hi Dick". I was impressed and said to Jean, "He knows their names!" She said, "No, that's Wes. He calls them all Henry." I laughed so hard! On the way to dinner my Dad told us about 6 times that if we didn't like what was on the menu, we could order steak. We had a wonderful meal of brisket and scalloped potatoes and apple pie then went back to the apartment and watched "Elf". About 9:30 we left for the airport and picked up Hannah and Joel! I was expecting their flight to be super late and it was basically on time! I love being with my kids so I was already happy and content hanging out with Leah and I got all three! We had fun in the car talking and laughing at Joel who couldn't hear out of his right ear from the plane and he kept talking really softly. We got back to the house at a reasonable 12:45 and Joel's friends were over to greet him. Got to bed about 1:30.
Today was wonderful also! The guys were here early putting up walls so I got up about 8:30 again and had my quiet time. Lele got up pretty early with me, too. We got dressed and other than a key fiasco and great difficulty getting Joel up, left for the lake at a reasonable time. Christmas at the Lake day--a Clark family tradition! This one was particularly fun with excellent fellowship. All of the Kuenzi's were there (with the exception of Kevin--sad). We love hanging out with the Kuenzi's and Lauren and Season added to the enjoyment of the day. The meal was delish as usual and the games fun. Then we all just sat around and talked and laughed! Toward the end we were working on our dance moves and tried to do the "stanky leg" and were horrible dancers. We got home at a decent time and the girls went running and I ran on the treadmill at the gym. I feel like this time with everyone home will be relaxed and non stressful. A great day!

Lately

Hello blogger followers who are mostly my family:). Sorry I blog so sporadically. A lot going on lately with the house and it takes all my attention. That and my back has hurt for about 5 weeks now. But it is better--at about 90% which means I can finally work out again! I went to induro spinning today. We went to Ireland--beautiful! Right now I am sitting at my new kitchen island and I have fiber one blueberry muffins in the oven. I prepared them using the light above the stove and I have on the fan above the stove--both features I've never had before. And the dishwasher is quietly purring away--it used to be that I couldn't really cook or do anything in the kitchen when the dishwasher was running because I had to drag the whole machine over and hook it up to the faucet. Really, I feel like I'm living in luxury! I went to the grocery store today and put the groceries away in the beautiful double door fridge and the pantry:). If I want to later, I can fill up my giant tub and read in there then walk into my giant walk in closet to get my jammies on. I put a hook for my robe right over the heat vent so its always toastie when I put it on:). I think the guys are coming to lay the carpet in there tomorrow then I'll really feel like I'm in luxury. Speaking of luxury! My mom and I are planning another resort trip! This one to jamaica! It looks unbelievable! I'm so spoiled! The kids are coming home in 5 days! I'm terribly excited! I haven't done a doggone thing for Christmas--not one thing. I haven't baked, bought a single gift, sent a card or decorated. I guess it will be a "participatory" year. We did go to a Christmas party last night which was fun. I usually do not like parties where I have to dress up and people act all fake and nice but this one was good. It was put on by MCC for the staff. Scott and I got on our nice clothes (in our new spa bathroom and walk in closet:) and were treated to a fabulous steak and salmon dinner complete with cherries jubilee and bananas foster (yes, I had both deserts or is it desserts). Then we watched the best Christmas program I've ever seen. Just 6 students who did simple but truly inspiring and worshipful Christmas music with meaningful short skits in between. I was impressed. It helped so much with my bah humbug attitude. I'm counting on the kids to want to do all the Christmas preparations together. I also hope the kids won't mind "participating" in the renovation while they are here. I need some input on the paint colors for the hallway, kitchen, dining room, and trim. And then help actually painting them! Then maybe we can put the Christmas tree up and decorate! Sometimes I feel like there is so much more to do on the house and then other times I think, my goodness, this could be done so soon! Here is what is done: The repairs to the big room walls and ceiling upstairs, the entire upstairs bathroom, the main bathroom (all except the glass shower walls), the walk in closet (sans carpet), the kitchen counters and countertops and appliances, the foundation laid for the new addition. What is left to do: demo the closets in the master bedroom and repair the walls and ceiling in there and put up the new lights and ceiling fan. In the kitchen, paint, backsplash, sliding glass door, some sheetrock, and trim. The new room has the foundation laid so it will need the heating and air, electricity and walls put up then the wall removed, the big window moved and french doors put in, then redecorate the front room entirely and refinish all the floors. And repair the windows in the front and put in the front door insert, repair the stairs and build the portico. Ok, upon reexamination, I guess we are only about 50% done. I did show Scott what I wanted for Christmas: slippers so he bought them and some pj's for the dogs! I told my mom I wanted rugs for the bathroom so she said buy them so we did! I hope they are the right color. Need input! ok, blogger people, I'll try to blog again soon.