Home from work early…but didn’t accomplish too much.   Took Erik to the mall and bought him a new jacket, stocking hat and two pairs of jeans.  He is going through a growth spurt.  I bought him 5 new pairs of pants in September when school started and they are getting too short!    So I bought two more in the next size up.  I will have to buy a few more next pay period.   He really enjoys picking out his clothes….it is funny. 

Then we came home and hung out until Dad came home.   Hubby went out to buy us supper since I was so tired!   I just couldn’t make supper tonight.  I relaxed a bit and then made my cookie dough for tomorrow!  We are baking Christmas cookies at church tomorrow.  I think here is about 12 of us baking.   I made a new recipe – Cherry Chocolate Blossoms.   They look yummy and very festive.   I hope to get alot of baking done this year since Tommy is older.  

   The news tonight said the packages the bomb squad found at my office were nothing.   The thing behind pizza hut was a backpack and also not a danger.   That is all good! 

About time to call it a night.  I think I will get Tommy upstairs and head to bed.   Have a great night.

Well I ended up being home from work early today.   I got to work around 10:00 and as I was walking into the building (govt. building), I noticed a wrapped xmas present by the door on the newspaper stand.   I went over and looked at it and thought…that is odd.   Did I report it to security???  Nope…didn’t think too much of it. 

About an hour later we are told there is possible bomb found and they moved us to the other side of the building.  After about 45 minutes, they said we had to evacuate the building.   Outside there is the FBI, bomb squad, fire trucks and police everywhere.   OOPS….note to self….report any package!!  Did you forget what world we are now living in???  Your not in South Dakota anymore Dorothy! 

So a group of my friends get in my van and we go to eat.   At the restaurant we are sitting next to some cops who we ask if they know if we can go back to work.  They call in and say the building is still not cleared.  Over 3 hours of my work day gone already. ARGH!!   We go back and they let us in the building but tell us to search our areas for suspisicios packages. 

OH yeah..and on our way back to the building we see the bomb squad and all the other emergency vehicles are now behind Pizza Hut.  Another suspicious package found.  I heard there was another one earlier in the morning before our building all with the same message on them.   I won’t share what the message was since I saw the package first hand and not sure what is being said to the public.   I will have to watch the news tonight. 

So I got to the office and grab my laptop and decide that there is too much going on in that part of the city today so I came home!    Thankfully I am one of those employees that is able to work from home.  

Well I ended up being home from work early today.   I got to work around 10:00 and as I was walking into the building (govt. building), I noticed a wrapped xmas present by the door on the newspaper stand.   I went over and looked at it and thought…that is odd.   Did I report it to security???  Nope…didn’t think too much of it. 

About an hour later we are told there is possible bomb found and they moved us to the other side of the building.  After about 45 minutes, they said we had to evacuate the building.   Outside there is the FBI, bomb squad, fire trucks and police everywhere.   OOPS….note to self….report any package!!  Did you forget what world we are now living in???  Your not in South Dakota anymore Dorothy! 

So a group of my friends get in my van and we go to eat.   At the restaurant we are sitting next to some cops who we ask if they know if we can go back to work.  They call in and say the building is still not cleared.  Over 3 hours of my work day gone already. ARGH!!   We go back and they let us in the building but tell us to search our areas for suspisicios packages. 

OH yeah..and on our way back to the building we see the bomb squad and all the other emergency vehicles are now behind Pizza Hut.  Another suspicious package found.  I heard there was another one earlier in the morning before our building all with the same message on them.   I won’t share what the message was since I saw the package first hand and not sure what is being said to the public.   I will have to watch the news tonight. 

So I got to the office and grab my laptop and decide that there is too much going on in that part of the city today so I came home!    Thankfully I am one of those employees that is able to work from home.  

Whew….where has this week gone???  I have worked late almost every night this week.   Poor hubby has needed to care for the children most evening alone.   I can’t wait until the busy season is done!  IT is crazy around here with year end budgets and massive amounts of work. 

WEDNESDAY

My parents came into town and went to church for supper with us.  My mom and I went to half price book to shop a bit. (Our favorite store!)   Of course I bought some more books.  ARGH…one I realize I already read.  OOPS…I will have to mail it to my mom or something.    Hubby and I didn’t go to our class since my parents were here.  We wanted to spend the little time we had visiting with them.  Tommy loved having Grandma to play with.   He is missing her this morning. 

THURSDAY

I went with to Preschool to drop off Tommy and make sure everyone got to the right room.   His grandparents stayed with him and I went to work for unit meeting.  I *Had to be at work by 10:00.  My hubby came at 11:30 to pick up Tommy from preschool and take him to daycare.  My parents headed back to South Dakota.  It was so incredibly nice of them to come so far to spend grandparents day with Tommy.   He is a lucky boy!

I worked until late.  I was in Burnsville for a homevisit so I stopped at DSW Shoes…another favorite store!   I really needed new black boots to wear to work.   I bought a pair of Franco Sarto Boots…(love them).  My pair from last year were Franco Sarto!  I also bought a pair of Clarks that are boots shoes.  They are very comfortable, with a nice heel.  I dont’ care to wear flat shoes much. 

That evening I went to book club.   Very fun….didn’t discuss the book much, but had a great time.  What a fun group of ladies!   I didn’t even leave to head home until almost 10:00.  YIKES!!   Of course when I called home to say I was on my way home…the kids were all still up.  GRRRRR   Things sure are run a lot differently than when I am home. 

FRIDAY

I slept in a bit….I have been burning the candle at both ends and needed a little more rest.   I than quickly paid bills and updated our budget for next week.  I forgot to budget to take the kids to a movie next week.   I will have to mess with it a bit and see if I can squeak out a movie.   They all need haircuts and Erik wants a new jacket. 

I am going to be working in the office all day today.  I hope to get alot of paperwork, budgets and reports done!   I also have to stop at the grocery store after work to get the ingredients to make cookies at church tomorrow morning.   We are also putting on a community baby shower at church on Saturday afternoon. 

NEXT WEEK

Erik is off of school all week next week.   He will have to go with Tommy to his auntie’s on Monday as I have to work.  Tuesday and Wednesday I will either work from home or take the day off.  Tuesday I will probably get groceries since Tommy is at his Aunties.   Erik can help me.   Wednesday I have both boys home with me so I am going to try to take them to a movie.  Wednesday afternoon Erik will be going to his mothers for Thanksgiving and the weekend. 

For Thanksgiving we are having my in-laws and brother in law over.   I hope to relax the rest of the week!  I am done with Christmas shopping so I won’t be going to after Thanksgiving sales.  Actually I have never gone to them……just not my cup of tea!  

Time to get busy with work….have a great day!!

Whew….where has this week gone???  I have worked late almost every night this week.   Poor hubby has needed to care for the children most evening alone.   I can’t wait until the busy season is done!  IT is crazy around here with year end budgets and massive amounts of work. 

WEDNESDAY

My parents came into town and went to church for supper with us.  My mom and I went to half price book to shop a bit. (Our favorite store!)   Of course I bought some more books.  ARGH…one I realize I already read.  OOPS…I will have to mail it to my mom or something.    Hubby and I didn’t go to our class since my parents were here.  We wanted to spend the little time we had visiting with them.  Tommy loved having Grandma to play with.   He is missing her this morning. 

THURSDAY

I went with to Preschool to drop off Tommy and make sure everyone got to the right room.   His grandparents stayed with him and I went to work for unit meeting.  I *Had to be at work by 10:00.  My hubby came at 11:30 to pick up Tommy from preschool and take him to daycare.  My parents headed back to South Dakota.  It was so incredibly nice of them to come so far to spend grandparents day with Tommy.   He is a lucky boy!

I worked until late.  I was in Burnsville for a homevisit so I stopped at DSW Shoes…another favorite store!   I really needed new black boots to wear to work.   I bought a pair of Franco Sarto Boots…(love them).  My pair from last year were Franco Sarto!  I also bought a pair of Clarks that are boots shoes.  They are very comfortable, with a nice heel.  I dont’ care to wear flat shoes much. 

That evening I went to book club.   Very fun….didn’t discuss the book much, but had a great time.  What a fun group of ladies!   I didn’t even leave to head home until almost 10:00.  YIKES!!   Of course when I called home to say I was on my way home…the kids were all still up.  GRRRRR   Things sure are run a lot differently than when I am home. 

FRIDAY

I slept in a bit….I have been burning the candle at both ends and needed a little more rest.   I than quickly paid bills and updated our budget for next week.  I forgot to budget to take the kids to a movie next week.   I will have to mess with it a bit and see if I can squeak out a movie.   They all need haircuts and Erik wants a new jacket. 

I am going to be working in the office all day today.  I hope to get alot of paperwork, budgets and reports done!   I also have to stop at the grocery store after work to get the ingredients to make cookies at church tomorrow morning.   We are also putting on a community baby shower at church on Saturday afternoon. 

NEXT WEEK

Erik is off of school all week next week.   He will have to go with Tommy to his auntie’s on Monday as I have to work.  Tuesday and Wednesday I will either work from home or take the day off.  Tuesday I will probably get groceries since Tommy is at his Aunties.   Erik can help me.   Wednesday I have both boys home with me so I am going to try to take them to a movie.  Wednesday afternoon Erik will be going to his mothers for Thanksgiving and the weekend. 

For Thanksgiving we are having my in-laws and brother in law over.   I hope to relax the rest of the week!  I am done with Christmas shopping so I won’t be going to after Thanksgiving sales.  Actually I have never gone to them……just not my cup of tea!  

Time to get busy with work….have a great day!!

I am up early today…WOW!   I am showered and dressed already.   I plan on getting groceries this morning as my parents are coming this afternoon.   We have had our first snow fall here in Minnesota.   I hope my parents will still be able to come today.  It is done snowing and not much accumulation.  But it is cold.

TODAY…..

Groceries
Return Movies
Laundry
Work…

Tonight is church/confirmation.     We will eat supper at church and then if my parents are here we will have them return home with Tommy after supper.  

TOMORROW

Grandparents day at preschool.  I hope it goes ok for them all.  I have to head to work after they go to preschool since I have unit meeting at 10:00.  Then in the evening I have book group. 

I am off to switch laundry and get my grocery list done.    Have a great day!

I am up early today…WOW!   I am showered and dressed already.   I plan on getting groceries this morning as my parents are coming this afternoon.   We have had our first snow fall here in Minnesota.   I hope my parents will still be able to come today.  It is done snowing and not much accumulation.  But it is cold.

TODAY…..

Groceries
Return Movies
Laundry
Work…

Tonight is church/confirmation.     We will eat supper at church and then if my parents are here we will have them return home with Tommy after supper.  

TOMORROW

Grandparents day at preschool.  I hope it goes ok for them all.  I have to head to work after they go to preschool since I have unit meeting at 10:00.  Then in the evening I have book group. 

I am off to switch laundry and get my grocery list done.    Have a great day!

The week is moving right along again.   Tonight I am working late and hope to accomplish a lot of paperwork.  Tommy separated very well from me this morning for preschool.  

YESTERDAY

Our morning went ok…rocky start to the day with Erik.  Tuesday morning was great though!   This is usual for the transitions between the two homes over the weekend. 

Sunday night was terrible night for sleep again.  Tommy tossed and turned and hit me in the face numerous times.  YIKES!   Per our pediatrician’s advice we started the ticket program last night.  Tommy gets 6 “sleep in Momma’s Bed” tickets a week and when he runs out he has to sleep in his bed.   We will see how it goes when he runs out of tickets.  He is very aware of the concept though.  

I worked until about 6:30 last night and then went straight to the graduation party planning meeting.  Luckily the meeting was short and I hooked up with the food committee.  Our committee won’t be meeting until early January. 

Our evening was spent picking up the house again and both my hubby and I had to complete our open enrollment for benefits at our works.   I can’t believe how much I spent each pay period on benefits.  I have almost $500.00 a pay period taken out for benefits alone.   That doesn’t include the loan payments have also come out of my checks each pay period.  WOW…will I be rich once I don’t have to have family coverage or pay daycare.  Individual coverage is free to employees.  Though we are considering having Tommy in parochial school so that will take the place of daycare costs. 

Tommy and I spent the evening doing puzzles and writing his last name.  I had to force him to stop to go to bed.  I was so tired! 

TODAY

Took Tommy to preschool.  He separated well and I got to work earlier than usual.  YEAH!!   I had morning homevisits this morning and now I am in the office until about 9;00 tonight to get paperwork done! 

Tomorrow I will be working from home as my parents are coming into town for Grandparents Day at preschool on Thursday.  I do need to try and get groceries early tomorrow morning and work on paperwork the rest of the time until my parents come.  I will need to work on some laundry too…a never ending battle against Mt Washmore!

RECIPES OF THE WEEK:

Cheesy Broccoli Soup

• 2 Tbsp. butter
  
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
  
• 2 Tbsp. flour
  
• 2 1/2 cups milk
  
• 1 lb. Velveeta prepared cheese product, chopped into 1-1/2″ cubes for easier melting
  
• 1 pkg. (10-16* oz., depending on how much broccoli you want in the soup) frozen broccoli, thawed and drained
  
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
  
• 1 tsp. marjoram
  
• 1/4 tsp. Adobo

Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan (6 qt. is good) on stovetop. Add onion and saute until tender. Add flour, stirring constantly for 1 minute over medium heat.

Add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 1 minute. Add all remaining ingredients and cook until cheese is melted and soup is heated through.

 
Jello Fruit Salad

• 1 small package orange gelatin
  
• 1 cup hot water
  
• 1 cup mayonnaise
  
• 1 cup evaporated milk
  
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
  
• lettuce leaves

Mix gelatin in hot water until dissolved. Add all other ingredients, pour into a mold or 8×8 pan and chill until set. Serve on a lettuce leaf.

Later….Have a great day!

The week is moving right along again.   Tonight I am working late and hope to accomplish a lot of paperwork.  Tommy separated very well from me this morning for preschool.  

YESTERDAY

Our morning went ok…rocky start to the day with Erik.  Tuesday morning was great though!   This is usual for the transitions between the two homes over the weekend. 

Sunday night was terrible night for sleep again.  Tommy tossed and turned and hit me in the face numerous times.  YIKES!   Per our pediatrician’s advice we started the ticket program last night.  Tommy gets 6 “sleep in Momma’s Bed” tickets a week and when he runs out he has to sleep in his bed.   We will see how it goes when he runs out of tickets.  He is very aware of the concept though.  

I worked until about 6:30 last night and then went straight to the graduation party planning meeting.  Luckily the meeting was short and I hooked up with the food committee.  Our committee won’t be meeting until early January. 

Our evening was spent picking up the house again and both my hubby and I had to complete our open enrollment for benefits at our works.   I can’t believe how much I spent each pay period on benefits.  I have almost $500.00 a pay period taken out for benefits alone.   That doesn’t include the loan payments have also come out of my checks each pay period.  WOW…will I be rich once I don’t have to have family coverage or pay daycare.  Individual coverage is free to employees.  Though we are considering having Tommy in parochial school so that will take the place of daycare costs. 

Tommy and I spent the evening doing puzzles and writing his last name.  I had to force him to stop to go to bed.  I was so tired! 

TODAY

Took Tommy to preschool.  He separated well and I got to work earlier than usual.  YEAH!!   I had morning homevisits this morning and now I am in the office until about 9;00 tonight to get paperwork done! 

Tomorrow I will be working from home as my parents are coming into town for Grandparents Day at preschool on Thursday.  I do need to try and get groceries early tomorrow morning and work on paperwork the rest of the time until my parents come.  I will need to work on some laundry too…a never ending battle against Mt Washmore!

RECIPES OF THE WEEK:

Cheesy Broccoli Soup

• 2 Tbsp. butter
  
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
  
• 2 Tbsp. flour
  
• 2 1/2 cups milk
  
• 1 lb. Velveeta prepared cheese product, chopped into 1-1/2″ cubes for easier melting
  
• 1 pkg. (10-16* oz., depending on how much broccoli you want in the soup) frozen broccoli, thawed and drained
  
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
  
• 1 tsp. marjoram
  
• 1/4 tsp. Adobo

Melt butter over medium heat in a large saucepan (6 qt. is good) on stovetop. Add onion and saute until tender. Add flour, stirring constantly for 1 minute over medium heat.

Add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer 1 minute. Add all remaining ingredients and cook until cheese is melted and soup is heated through.

 
Jello Fruit Salad

• 1 small package orange gelatin
  
• 1 cup hot water
  
• 1 cup mayonnaise
  
• 1 cup evaporated milk
  
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
  
• lettuce leaves

Mix gelatin in hot water until dissolved. Add all other ingredients, pour into a mold or 8×8 pan and chill until set. Serve on a lettuce leaf.

Later….Have a great day!

Currently Reading…..

Skipping Christmas – John Grisham

Currently Listening To…..

Blessings – Ann Quindlen