On Call!

I am On Call again tonight till 7 am.  I don't mind, just worry a little about sleeping and not hearing the phone, or getting called in at 4 am for just a few hours, especially since I am 45 minutes away from work. So I am missing bowling, just in case they call as I would leave within a few minutes.

We had a nice weekend.  Friday night we watched the GHS Boy's Basketball team remain undefeated for the regular season with a exciting game.  District tournaments start on Friday. Our team played so well together, and their defense was stellar. Saturday we went to see Little Women at GHS.  The play was very good and the set was awesome.  It is weird that the last play of the year is over already.  GHS Theatre is doing a live "radio show", War of the Worlds next month.  We won't be able to go, as we will be in Oklahoma for Matthew's interview.

I had a busy Sunday morning.  Sunday School...Chime Team..Played for church and Led the VBS informational meeting.I work all next weekend and play for church with the orchestra next Sunday. Better learn to drink some coffee!

No school tomorrow...President's Day, but I am working.  I hope to get some things accomplished before I sleep before work.  That is if I don't get called in tonight.  Then I will sleep most of the day.  Mary comes home on Friday for a week of Spring Break.  Nice that I will be off all next week! 

Guess that is about it.  Have a great week!

Gracie

It's That Time of Year!

The time of year that none of us really like at all.  FAFSA. Financial Aid applications.  Having to get your taxes done a month early.  Reporting bank accounts and funds so the government can determine how much of the college bill we can pay, the EFC, Expected Family Contribution. We can't get away from it, so we plug away and get all this numbers in order the best we can, and within certain deadlines.   Our Quicken is nearly updated which is crucial for Jeff to work on taxes. What a headache!

I was busy at work last night, but it was still a good night at work and I learned some new things! That is always a plus.  Everyone is so helpful and willing to help out this newbie. I am on-call tonight, so I need to be available should they need me to come in. I work a regular shift tomorrow. Then I have several nights off. 

We had a nice time with Sarah home for several days and Mary had a nice Valentine's Day as well.  She will be home for spring break in a few weeks.  Yay!

Get's that is all for now.  Have a nice week! Wish us luck on all of our financial forms to fill out!

Gracie

Happy 18th Birthday Matthew!

It was 18 years ago, that Matthew was born.  An unforgettable day, an adorable little boy.  What do you remember about that day?  I remember that this was my only delivery by a midwife. It was exceptional.  Thank you Lisa, CNM!  The next day Jeff brought the girls to the hospital all dressed in hearts with their hair in ponytails.  That was impressive.  I even asked why they were decked out in hearts. He said "It's Valentine's Day!"  I had forgotten all about it, it didn't matter, I had the best Valentine gift ever, my son. We were all so very happy when we took him home.



We had a great weekend! Packed with activities:

• Friday we finally got snow!  It was so beautiful to watch it fall to the ground.  The only bad thing was that it delayed Sarah from coming home from Holland for her winter break.  Better safe than sorry.  Jeff, Matthew and I went to the GHS boys basketball game and watched a wild and fast paced game.  The best news is that the Yellow Jackets remain undefeated and conference champions!  It was great..right down to the last seconds.

• Saturday started out with Jeff and Matthew clearing the snow from the sidewalks. It didn't take too long and it looks great. The sky was clear blue with sunshine!  Then Matt's friend, Alex came over and we headed to Craig's Cruisers for pizza, games and go karts.  Sarah met us there too.  We  had a lot of fun.  We brought home 5 goldfish as prizes.  Glad to report that they are all still alive in our 10 gallon tank!  Once we were all home we played a game and then the "kids" watched TV.   I cooked them some food and worked on quicken so we could be one step closer to getting to FAFSA. 

• Sunday included a nice church service, chicken enchilada dinner together at home, more paperwork, then bowling and Applebees for a late supper.

• Matthew was back at school on his real birthday and had a good day.  Appreciates all the cards, wishes, calls and gifts.  Mary called and wished him a happy day that put a big smile on his face. He loves his sisters.

It has been so nice having Sarah home.  For those of you who might not have heard, Sarah has accepted a position as a graduate student/AT at the University of Toledo.  Nice to have that decision made and excited about her future.  Just a few more months of undergraduate work and of course the license exam in the spring.  

Mary had a Glee Club retreat this past weekend that she planned as the business manager. It was well received and everyone had a nice time. Guess she needs to plan a trip out of state now to sing at a Director's conference.  Still raising money for South Africa.  Any fundraising ideas?  Brandon took his LSAT test on Saturday and feels it went pretty well. He should know he score near the beginning of March.

I have been off work for over a week now.   Thanks to a co-worker who traded shifts with me so I could be home with Matthew tonight.  I am back to work tomorrow and Thursday and on call Wednesday and Sunday.   I am liking my job very much.


That says it all.

Gracie, mom of Matthew. 

Surprise!

I worked last night instead of tonight.  The hospital called me and asked if I could switch.  I told them I could work 11-7 and they still did a swap.  They sure needed nurses.  It was very busy!  We are making up for the lull we had in January.  I will work Saturday and Sunday as planned.

Jeff had a meeting tonight for middle school youth, so Matthew and I went out for taco bell.  I love the new enchiridos (minus beans).  Matthew had Quesadillas (no sauce).  Red Box was our next stop to rent a few movies.  We await Jeff's arrival before starting them.  I told Matthew that he could teach me a Wii game.  So far that hasn't happened,but he wants me to play a war game with him.. Bad idea, but I will.

Sarah is home safe and sound, and has lots of decisions to make. She also needs to catch up on rest and studying after a two day trip to Toledo.  She has been accepted to Toledo, Western and Indiana.  The dopey Spartans at Michigan State haven't even communicated with her since her application was complete.  Their loss.

Mary is spending time with fundraising for her South African trip this summer. Guess they are going to go out and sing for whatever money people will thow into the bin.  They are going to sell flowers for Valentine's Day too. She also continues to work at a local elem school and has a new student to work with, she loves being in a classsroom.

Matthew has started his last semester at GHS. Likes his classes and is slowly getting to his college stuff.  He really wants to go to Oklahoma!   Jeff and I went to the show that Matthew sculpted rocks, even a skull rock, out of styrofoam. It looked awesome.  He also built the jail bars.   Tomorrow he will help strike the set and  put in the set for Little Women. 

Tomorrow we will be getting a new printer and a new laptop computer for me. The old desktop is moving slow and we rarely use it.  I am excited, as the one I am using right now turns off without notice.

Well, I better go check the dryer..making sure I have enough scrubs for the weekend..

Gracie

Update!

HAPPY GROUNDHOGS DAY! SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!

Here is the latest:

• Sarah made it safe to Toledo.  Visit is going well.
• I changed my dental appointment.  Wanted the dentist that saw me to do the drilling.  Wouldn't you? 
• Sammy still safe and sound..no more walkabouts yet.
• Ready for Orchestra tonight 
• Got a lot accomplished, still need to work on laundry, quicken and cook dinner.
• Still working this weekend. 
• Sarah drives home tonight.  Praying for safe travel.
• No more sore throat or stuffy head today!

Gracie

Stress and Anxiety

The remainder of this week is causing some stress and anxiety. 

• Had big plans to accomplish a lot, but woke up with a sore throat and a stuffy head
• Getting two fillings tomorrow...High Anxiety
• Choir and Orchestra and a presentation of the GPS Melodrama, Westward Whoa!
• Working a three night weekend.  
• Wondering if Sammy will go on walkabout again. 
• Sarah a little stressed about driving to Toledo today and will spend tomorrow with the Athletic Training Staff and Students.

Guess I had better get some work done.  Charge!

Grace

Prayers Needed For So Many.

This is truly sad and tragic. I don't know how could handle such a tragedy.

The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod - Crash kills pastor's wife, two children in Kansas

My friend of mine shared this on her Facebook~

Words from Rev. Jeff Geske posted on his Facebook wall - 

"Thank you! I would like to thank everyone for the words and love shown to me during this most difficult time at the death of Laura and Joshua and Joy. I rejoice knowing that they are now in heaven with our Savior Jesus. I miss them so much, but I know that one great and glorious day, they will along with Jesus welcome me home to heaven. May ...this difficult time for me remind you and encourage you to continue to express your love to your family. They are so precious and truly a gift from God on loan to us. May God comfort you as He is comforting me. Never forget how much God loves you! John 3:16-17 Take comfort in the five most important words you can ever know which are, "Jesus died for my sins!" Jesus loves you and so I ask and encourage you to love others and share His love, forgiveness, and salvation with them. Heaven is our home!"

 Wow! 

Gracie