It's a "Broccoli Day" Hooray!

It's a Broccoli Day and Not a Carrot Day!

OK, let me explain... with the kids... they have a hard time with the concept of a "weekend". They do know however that there are days that we go to work and there are days we go to school. So at their old preschool the teacher taught them that the days they don't go to school are called a "Broccoli Day" and those you do go to school are called a "Carrot Day". Riley will ask me each morning he is here if the day is a broccoli day or if it is a carrot day. He is always hoping for a day to be a broccoli day (just like the rest of us). Often I have to disappoint him and inform him it is a carrot day.

This year "carrot days" are days that there are both daycare and school. So we had to come up with a name for the day that there isn't school but there is daycare. Riley named it "Pumpkin day" which is fitting for the season. Will have to come up with a name for a day that there is school but there isn't daycare... which only has happened once so far this year.

So, Riley is interested in what the week holds up ahead... and it goes like this: today is a broccoli day and so is tomorrow (2 broccoli days), then there is one carrot day, then there are two pumpkin days, AND then there are FOUR broccoli days! That is impressive to him. I then explain that one of the broccoli days are a holiday called Thanksgiving where we thank God, and then Christmas begins. That impresses him even more. It is surreal to me. I have no other name for it. :-)

Have great "Broccoli Day"!

Catch Up

Today is one of those days that I feel like I am playing "catch up" all day long. I have to catch up with some things at home and I have to catch up with somethings at work. I don't think that I will actually catch up in either areas today. But hopefully I will this weekend. However, I am not sure that even that is true. I will at least try. :-)

I will catch up on some conclusions here in this post on some of the things that I have posted about recently. First of all, my friend Cynthia who had surgery this past week for breast cancer, came through two surgeries (both one the same day) and is now at home recovering. She is waiting for the reports back from the surgery. Plus, she will not be returning to the high school to work until January 4th. Thank you for praying for her and keeping her in your thoughts and prayers as she recovers and proceeds through this journey.

On a lighter note, Riley did fantastic at his parent teacher conference. It was interesting to see him in the school environment and how he would perform for his teacher (or not). I am amazed by all that is required for Kindergarteners to do these days. But Riley seems to be doing fine.

Kari is seeking a new place to live. She is going to be moving the 15th of December. That deadline isn't far away. She has put in an application to a place about a mile from our house, which I hope she is approved. Please also think of her in your thoughts and prayers. It is unsettling to not have things in place even though I am sure that things will soon be in place.

At This Time

Money, Money, Money

Unfortunately, Washington state isn't doing well financially. Probably like most states. There are budget cuts. Our college was expected to give back to the state budget and after this week the news has come down to all of us that now our college is to return to the state budget twice the amount. Yes, it doubled in the course of one month! Our enrollment is up but the money coming from the state is down. I am a member of a union and have been with the college for nine years, so I have a little seniority. But I don't know what will happen... maybe some restructuring if there are layoffs. The uncertainty is thick. I don't get into worrisome conversations but rather try to find ways of cutting back etc. It is a time of faith, not fear.

Riley has his first teacher parent conference today. Kari and I will be going over to see the teacher in a few minutes. I got his report card and it looks normal. I will will be interested seeing what his teacher thinks. For those of you that don't know, Kari has ADHD. It is generic so it could be that Riley and/or Brady may have it too. Brady is hyper so he is in a special education preschool program. He goes to another school than Riley. The school bus picks him up at the daycare and takes a few miles to his elementary school. Riley's daycare buses him to school to the daycare nearest to where we live. It takes a lot to manage kids.

It has begun raining. It was windy last night and kept the rain from falling. But the rain now has started up. Thank goodness that the rivers aren't as full as their were... many were flooding from our last storms.

It is almost the weekend. Have a good day!

Santa AKA "ME"

Last night when I stopped at Costco, I bought Riley a Christmas present. Do you remember when he saw something at Costco... was tired... and then had a tantrum because I wouldn't buy it for him? I told him then that Santa may get it for him if he was good. Yes, that was what I bought last night. When I was there I could see that they were quickly selling... so being the Santa that I am, I bought it.

OK, so it is hidden in my car, right? But this morning, when Riley got into the car, he spies it. In my hurry this morning, I had forgotten to get it out of the car. I had to think quickly, something at 7:30 am I don't do well. After all, Santa was buying this present, not me. OK, what would you say if that happened to you? All I could come up with is that Santa is really busy and asked me to pick one up for him. Riley seemed to accept it and said nothing as I put it away in the house. He didn't even ask questions about it.

I know I am not off the hook. I know he will wait until an other moment to bring this subject up. But for now... it is hidden. Yeah!

Kari's 28th Birthday!

It is hard to believe, but I had my little girl 28th years ago. In some ways, it seems as if it was yesterday. In other ways, it feels like 28 years, if you know what I mean. I love Kari very much and she has added so much joy to my life all of these past 28 years. I pray for her and the boys daily and ask the good Lord to guide them and watch over them. I thank Him for her especially today.
Last Sunday we went to Alki Beach to celebrate her birthday. It is one of her favorite places to go and her favorite place to eat is Pegasus. Then we walk Alki's path for fun. Below is what it looks like in the summer time.
However, in November it looks more like the picture below:

You may remember scenes from the movie "Sleepless In Seattle" that were taken on Alki Beach:

Anyway... we will also have a cake for Kari tonight as a family. I ordered it the other day... guess what? It is mostly all chocolate! That's my girl! Happy Birthday and A Happy Year!

For Now

I am posting this from my phone this morning due to time. There's been a lot of concern for my family in CA this weekend. My niece Brittany was in Santa Barbara and my brother David lives in Anaheim Hills. At one point the fire was 5 miles from his home. My mom says it is "like living in hell". She said ashes were falling and people with breathing issues were fleeing the area. I will find out more this morning. Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers.

Sunday

Today is Sunday and a family day. We will be going to Alki Beach after church. More to come about that. Have a great day!