Wow, I feel so special. Seven people are now subscribed to my
blog.  I guess I’ll have to write something entertaining and
witty. Perhaps I just do the usual and drone on about life.

Today was Fire Safety Day. We went to Penn State’s Fire Safety
Presentation (all that capitalization makes it seem more impressive,
don’t you think?).   They had a “try out a fire extinguisher”
exhibit, a smoke-filled trailer to crawl through, a burnt-out “dorm
room,” and free popcorn.  You can guess what we enjoyed the very
most. 

After fulfilling our state-required fire education duty, we went to
Wal-Mart and nosed around for a while until we were to meet James for
supper at Denny’s.  Libby had Rachel try on all sorts of shoes.
You should have seen her in the knee-high, skin-tight, zip-up,
high-heeled, (hyphen-free) black boots.  They went well with her
hot pink ruffle socks and striped t-shirt dress.

As I mentioned, we went to Denny’s for supper where we got our usual
back room all to ourselves and our favorite waitress (a former student
of James’).  I know the real reason they put us in the back room
is that we are a party of seven, but we like to think it is because we
are so loud and rowdy that we have to be put into a room by ourselves.
We blew straw papers at each other (in front of the bemused waitress)
and made loud jokes.  It was the first meal we’ve eaten in WEEKS
that hasn’t been over in 17 minutes or less.

I finished grading essays, so I have the evening free to relax. 
I’ll be babysitting my neice and nephew overnight  Saturday, so
I’ll have to prepare for that, I suppose. They are nine and five, so
it’s not too overwhelming.

Actually, I’m not listening to Philadelphia Chickens right now. I just
like that nifty feature now that I figured out where it is and how to
use it. I listened to PC all afternoon in the van, though, with all the
children singing along.   We got it from the library. I
encourage you to check it out! (It’s not irritating kid’s music.)

Got to love this delicious PA weather!  Boy, I do love fall!

As if I even should take the time to post. Pray for this crazed woman
with far too much to do and a family that snips at each other at every
opportunity.

I told the kids yesterday that they were having a lighter day of
school, and I sat at the computer all day (with breaks for switching
loads of laundry, taking care of  the Wilson’s dog, settling
disputes, and fixing dinner) until 10:20 pm.  It was a long day,
and I’m still not caught up with all my AP work.  My reward for
the day was to change the sheets and fold laundry while listening to my
Bible on CD.  (By the way, if you don’t have the Bible on tape or
CD, I highly recommend getting it.  I can do so much more Bible
“reading” with it on CD.  I can do two things at once!)

I think the atmosphere in the home is suffering because we are never
home due to football.  The only evening we have “free” is Friday
night. For the last two weeks, we’ve gone to my mom’s overnight on
Friday (for football games!), so we’ve not had an evening where we’ve
all been home for about four weeks.  I think it is taking its toll
on all of us.

I have decided that I might enjoy watching Lost, so I am taping it. My
mom bought the first season on CD, so I will borrow it sometime. 
Perhaps after these sports seasons are over…

The birthday month is almost upon us. My mom gave David (who will be
13) his present early–and electric scooter.  It sparked a great
deal of envy in a certain nine year old, but all seems to be going
well. He has hardly had time to ride it, though, with the schedule that
we keep.  I’ve not had a chance to take a spin yet.

Oh, I forgot to mention that last night during supper cooking, the
heating element burnt out in the oven–again!  I just replaced it
less than a year ago.  So, I’ll have to replace another one.
Thankfully, our new neighbors across the street let us borrow their
oven to finish cooking the muffins, and the meatballs were half-done,
so I just finished them in the microwave.   Thankfully, Libby
did most of the supper prep yesterday, rolling and mixing the meatball
things (porcupines–meatballs mixed with rice and topped with tomato
sauce).  I just had to measure things and make the muffins, which
helped me to get another essay graded.

This afternoon, in an attempt to cheer up the snippy household, we have
a game of Settlers of Catan planned. Of course, I don’t think we’ve
ever played Settlers where David hasn’t fought with someone, but hope
springs eternal, eh?

Any good book recommendations? 

Book’s I’d recommend (or Jessica would)

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin, Nicola Kraus
Legally Blonde by Amanda Brown
Family Trust by Amanda  Brown
The Devil Wears Prada 
by Lauren Weisberger

And from Jess
Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic books

I enjoyed visiting the world they showed, but I wouldn’t want to live
in it.  Nanny Diaries and Family Trust were my favorites.

Off to a round of dentist appointments, eye doctor, lunch out, and a football game in the rain (if we want to go). 

No, to answer your query, I’ve not mentioned blogs to the good doctor.
I don’t know that he will care too very much. He’s off at a deacon’s
meeting. Tomorrow is another meeting–ALC for CBF at FBC. 

No, LJ, I do know what a QB is. I asked David, and he is tailback or
running back depending on the play. Those names I often forget.

I just finished an entire pot of tea from my barfing chicken teapot.
I’ve read over four rough drafts of student essays, which is two hours
of work. I only have ten more to go. That’s only five more hours.
(insert sounds of weeping here)

I’m reading Wicked by Gregory Maguire. I guess it was made into a
musical, but I don’t know anything about it. I enjoyed his Confessions
of an Ugly Stepsister, so I thought I’d try this one out.

Libby came home from cheerleading practice raving over the lifts and
mounts and such that they learned. It’s kind of like a foreign
language, and I don’t know any of the 29 other girls on her squad. Life
is like that sometimes. 

What? She’s actually updating her blog? Will wonders never cease!

Today were the first football games of the season. Michael is a lineman
and the center (the guy who snaps the ball). His nickname is “The
Animal.” His team tied at 20 – 20. 

David is the guy who gets the ball all the time. (I forget what the
position is called.)  He carried the ball more than any other kid
on the team and scored one touchdown. Their team won 34 to 6.

The good doctor and I have been watching Horatio Hornblower. If you’ve
never seen the A and E series, run right out to the library and rent
it. I think I could watch one every night, but alas, there are only 8
episodes, 800 minutes total. Bummer.

I am weary from an afternoon of sitting in the hot sun and a poor night
of sleep.  But, at least I’ve got another HHornblower to look
forward to tonight before school begins again tomorrow!