Busy, Hopping, Sedulous...

Take your pick of which word from the title to use as the word to best describe my/our life at this point. I try so hard to take the time to blog (journal) our life, but then I realize it's been a few days or even weeks.  This past week was no exception. Once I again, I found myself traveling for work. Yeah, me and my silly ideas that cost me time, but it was worth it to meet with my Nor Cal team.

Most of the people I work with in the Northern California location (everywhere north of the Highway 58 line) have not actually met me let alone gotten to know me. There are a few that I am trying desperately to get them to understand that I'm not only part of their "Team" but that I actually know what the hell I'm doing.  Flying is not my favorite activity - I seriously hate it, but I made the decision to fly to Oakland rather than driving not only to save the gas money and wear and tear on my little car, but also to save some significant time. Unfortunately, all of the brain trauma kills me in an airplane not to mention that I'm a stress case about not being in control. Ha! 

But, I arrived safe and sound in Oakland, California on Wednesday afternoon, and I was totally lucky in that two of my co-workers decided to join me that night: Kym Riner and Kimberly Odom.  We had a blast in San Francisco just hanging out and enjoying a meal together. Sadly, I was a complete dolt and forgot to take a picture of the three of us having a great time. I did manage to their gifts done in time to give them rather than having to ship them.!! Yay. All four of the charms look so cute together!!

I did remember to take a picture of myself before I met up with Kym and Kimberly though. I love my new sparkly top.

Thursday morning, I enjoyed being totally lazy in getting up. Sleeping in, no kids screaming - it was nice.  The meeting went well.  I didn't win over one of my hold-outs, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it. The information I needed to get out was well received, and I'm hoping it really makes a difference with everyone soon - I would LOVE to have my job go more smoothly.

Rochelle Hooks, Mark Hotlebeck, Kimberly Odom (cheering), Danielle Hodge (giving the rabbit ears), Louise Cranstron, Kym Riner, and Kylee Luchetti.  Katy Alvarez was missing from the pic since she had to leave early.

I so looked forward to the weekend. I wanted to relax and stitch as well as wrap gifts and get the tree finished. Well, those plans changed quickly. Two of the girls' friends decided to come over and hang out most of Saturday. Oddly enough, I suddenly found a Science Project going in my kitchen and it wasn't even for my kids. So much for quiet and relaxing. I guess I'll have to settle for knowing that my house is the "cool" house.

Just as I was starting to relax after the extra screaming and giggling girls left, Ken asks me what time we wanted Cynthia and Grant over for supper. I was glad to find out that we hadn't actually made these plans in advance, but apparently, the men were talking about it. So, we had our friends over for supper Saturday night. As always, we all had a great time - there's nothing better than sharing good food, drink and laughs with friends!!

The weather is chilly at night, but it's still pretty mild for our winter season here. The heater that Ken put on our patio helps a lot.

This morning, I was able to sleep in, get the rest of the presents wrapped and under the tree, and then I made crepes for breakfast. I even spoiled everyone with some bubbly with our Brunch (cider for the girls and some Wiens Celler's Amour De L'Orange for Ken and me!). As always, my Brunch is a hit - so much so that Jordan was licking her food!!

Mandy and her "hat" from the champagne bottle

Then, just as I was going to (finally) shower, the doorbell rang and I had an extra little girl in my house.  I keep forgetting that Kaitlyn lives down the street, so we're within easy walking distance. I decided to take charge of the situation, and had the girls pick a movie to watch to contain the noise. LOL

Ken picked up Justin this afternoon, and they put up the outside Christmas Lights while I worked on the Christmas Tree lights. Yay!  So, while the men worked on the outside, I worked on the inside and the girls played with their friends in the driveway. Some of our icicle lights have completely gone kaputt, so Ken wasn't able to get the archway over the garage completed, but he did make great strides AND our new additions of the reindeer is really cute despite the fact they're hanging out in dirt rather than snow and greenery.

I completed the Christmas Tree all except for the bells that represent the first four years after Ken's brother, Timmy, died.  I love going through all of the "firsts" ornaments and reliving the experience attached to each of them. The girls loved putting their ornaments on the tree, and then I finished with the bottom of the tree with the glass balls. 

Unfortunately, Ken putting the bells on the tree always makes him cry, and then I cry with him, and I'll spend most of tonight feeling bad for Ken. He so misses his brother at Christmas-time, and I know it's the main reason he struggles to enjoy this holiday. I would love to be able to heal Ken's heart from the loss of his brother, but I'm so very powerless to do anything. What a wonderfully loving man he is!