Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[eandesmom]

I just received our travel docs from my TA for our CA trip.

NO mickey mail?

I am utterly devastated. Instead I get a 2 page confirmation from Paradise Pier that looks like a bad fax. Huh. Cute that she mailed me anything, other than the few brochures it's all stuff I had electronically.

Still no shows showing for Aladdin....which breaks my heart but I'm hoping that will change. At less than 2 weeks out though....

It's supposed to be 80 there today but 65 on Sat. I'm hoping for some of that 80 degree weather for sure! I need some color. I have to say, the fluorescent lights in my new building are NOT doing me any favors!



All of my shopping has arrived and for the most part I am quite pleased with everything. I wouldn't mind a couple more things but definitely have no more time to shop so will work with what I have for this trip. I don't think I need to get anything else, it's just a matter of packing and organizing. I have snagged all the boys stuff that I could, I just need to add a few things but can do those without them noticing.

The new job, all 2 days of it, is going well. I am going to be BUSY but really do see, and feel, after all 2 days that I can make a difference there in a really good way. Loving it so far! Loving my own office. It does look like I will have a bit of travel, which I expected but a bit sooner than I was originally thinking but that's ok.

We've got the morning routine down, now I just need to get back on top of dinner, that's the biggest challenge with the new gig is figuring out dinner with all the sports stuff that Evan has. Not that it wasn't a challenge before but it's harder now. I just have to tweak what I'm doing to make it work and I'm out of practice at it. Used to be a master though so I'm hoping it comes back.

I will try to get some Easter pics up though I don't have a ton.

On a personal Easter renewal note.

I have been struggling with my church for the past year and truth be told, we don't go all that often. Some "issues" I guess you could say, with our pastor. At any rate I don't want to start over anywhere else. I grew up in this church, love the people there, it is our family (and my families church) but I'm also not the only one feeling this way, far from it actually. It's been a bit of an ugly time there and will get worse before it gets better. We want to wait it out but can't mentally get drug into it. Which is a cop out, I realize.

It's been a struggle. For Jeff and I, our faith runs pretty deep and is a rather intimate thing. We don't "need" to go to service to feed it, though we do enjoy it. But we want our kids exposed so they have the same base and are struggling to find the best way to do that.

All that said, we were a bit trepidatious about going to Easter Service. I think we've only been twice since Christmas (though the kids have been more). I knew it was an interim pastor, ours being on (yet another) sabbatical and I knew NOTHING about him.

Oh what a joy he was. What an unexpected blessing and what a lovely lovely Easter. It was just what we all needed. It was his last day and I feel so blessed that we were able to experience him, if only that once. He, and the church's response to him, gave us a lot of hope for the future.

We had baskets at home (Evan almost lost his but that's another story, we decided that the day needed to be about forgiveness and let him have it). It was HYSTERICAL. We talked the night before about where to hide them. At 9 and 10 they are good searchers. Jeff had the best idea.

In plain sight.

We put them on the front porch by the front door. It took them a good 20 minutes to find them. It was awesome!

After church we went to my sisters for a day of family and friends, about 50 people, a kids easter egg hunt and dinner.

It was a lovely lovely day all around and I hope everyone's was as well!

and...

10 DAYS!​

Next. The great deception.

 

[All7OfUs]

On the front porch! Good one!!

Dinner will work itself out. One thing ironed out at a time.

Whaaaaaa??!!!! Tomorrow is single digits!!!!!!

Right on!!!

Church is a hard thing. Still has egos, politics, change, unrealistic change.... He calls us to be unified, yet it's so hard. Only by His Grace!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

Sounds like a wonderful Easter, Cynthia. I know how you feel about the church issues, we've had ours in the past. In fact, we've been through several churches in our married life, and it feels like such a blessing to have finally found a place that feels like home. Its not where we thought we'd be, but we love it. I'm glad things are looking bright for the future at your church.

How awesome that you've already identified areas at your new job where you can bring improvements - you'll be indispensable! Sounds like a great start.

Oh yeah, 10 days!

 

[GreatBiscuit]

Cynthia,

I'm so glad you were able to enjoy the Easter service. I pray that things improve for your church. I know how tough that sort of thing can be. Glad to hear the new job is exciting and giving you an opportunity to shine.

Have a great day!.

 

[MaryAz]

Sorry about no Mickey Mail. Glad the new job is going well. Easter sounded like a great day. 10 days WOW

 

[jordanyosh]

I am getting soooo excited!!!!!!

Glad to hear you were able to receive some blessings from the interim.....HE is good. Hopefully, he'll stick around.

 

[eandesmom]

On the front porch! Good one!!

Dinner will work itself out. One thing ironed out at a time.

Whaaaaaa??!!!! Tomorrow is single digits!!!!!!

Right on!!!

Church is a hard thing. Still has egos, politics, change, unrealistic change.... He calls us to be unified, yet it's so hard. Only by His Grace!

ONE WEEK FROM TOMORROW!



Got all our toiletries purged and organized and only need a couple of things...somehow the boys travel toothbrushes have evaporated.

I think they are packed inside the tent, along with Eric's other pair of glasses!

Sounds like a wonderful Easter, Cynthia. I know how you feel about the church issues, we've had ours in the past. In fact, we've been through several churches in our married life, and it feels like such a blessing to have finally found a place that feels like home. Its not where we thought we'd be, but we love it. I'm glad things are looking bright for the future at your church.

How awesome that you've already identified areas at your new job where you can bring improvements - you'll be indispensable! Sounds like a great start.

Oh yeah, 10 days!

The job is GOOD! Expectations are high but that's a good thing, the great news is they have the right tools, mindset, people and information for me to work with. In a lot of ways it will be easy. New, different but I don't need to reinvent the wheel, just help them roll it better.

Cynthia,

I'm so glad you were able to enjoy the Easter service. I pray that things improve for your church. I know how tough that sort of thing can be. Glad to hear the new job is exciting and giving you an opportunity to shine.

Have a great day!.

Thank you, they will improve but not before they get worse I fear but we shall see.

Have a great day!

 

[eandesmom]

Sorry about no Mickey Mail. Glad the new job is going well. Easter sounded like a great day. 10 days WOW

Thanks Mary! I was bummed about no Mickey Mail, it's like Disneyland has somehow turned into the lesser marketing vehicle which is just sad if you ask me. Oh well.

Easter was lovely and in a week from tomorrow I will be on vacation!!!!!!

I am getting soooo excited!!!!!!

Glad to hear you were able to receive some blessings from the interim.....HE is good. Hopefully, he'll stick around.

He was just a joy. Sadly it was also his last day. Our pastor took a 2 month sabbatical. Good news is that it was short enough that the typical sabbatical rules don't apply so that if the position opens up, this guy could apply. He might be too edgy for the older members of the Congregational, he definitely challenged them but oh, we all need it! He was like a breath of fresh air, a slap in the face, a bear hug and a little Robin Willimans all in one.

If our pastor came back and has not decided to move on, she is going to be asked to do so and it's going to be a hard thing all around. Prayers are most appreciated. She came back on Monday but I've not heard any updates. I do know HE will guide us through this.

 

[carissanboys]

What a bummer about no Mickey Mail. Yay for 10 days!! I can't wait for you to go and return so I can start planning my trip!

 

[eandesmom]

ok technically they are lilac.

One of the things that has come out this week at the new job is I am going to have to get new glasses. I had an exam about a month ago now I think and had really really wanted new RX sunglasses. Found a pair I loved, ordered them.

Turns out my insurance didn't cover them since they are made at the Maui Jim's lab, not the VSP one (my insurance). So, no sunglasses. I will live.

It was meant to be. Only so much $$ in the glasses fund, even with insurance.

At my exam I was given my first bifocal RX ever. I'm fine if my glasses are off but do need the glasses for distance. This week, almost daily, I have been in meetings where I need my glasses to see what's on a wall screen but also looking at notes, writing notes, or my computer. The back and forth with my glasses like that, something I wasn't doing at home at all, is giving me headaches.

Which they asked me about at the exam. They asked me if I took them on and off a lot. Nope. I just didn't wear them unless I was watching TV or driving! But now that I'm in a different environment, a real problem. Off. On. Off. On.

Headache.

So.

Purple glasses.

Am I crazy?

The sides are interchangable so you can get multiple colors. I like the argyle-ish designs and am looking at those in the pale green, turquoise and clear and then the clear with the small circles or bubbles/grommet type design going down the side.

You can see them here and click around the colors. I would love any feedback!

If I have to get new ones, I want them to be fun but....too much? I do have some funky pairs already (non bifocal of course) and like these as they are a bit smaller than what I already have and they are nice and summery and different but...? thoughts???

 

[eandesmom]

What a bummer about no Mickey Mail. Yay for 10 days!! I can't wait for you to go and return so I can start planning my trip!

me too!

 

[All7OfUs]

I like the lilac. If I had to choose a side, I'd go with the gray scales argyle.

Last day of the week! And 1 week left- WOOT!!

 

[Happydog]

Hey what a great couple posts! I was behind too much going on at work after break! But seems like everything is coming together for u! Glasses. Cute! Do you wear suits? That was the only thing that crossed my mind. For me I opted for funky style with a accent of red and this blends with my professional wear but it just depends how you have to be at work... I also am OC about accessories matching so these would be hard for me at work but not at home.
But still I think you could get away with the subtler colors. Go with what you like!

 

[Diamondintheruff]

I had fun playing with the colours of the glasses.

If I was buying them for myself I would probably stick with a brownish colour. However, I have to say the purple looked pretty darn funky.

Now, if they had lime green you KNOW you'd have to get that colour.

 

[eandesmom]

I like the lilac. If I had to choose a side, I'd go with the gray scales argyle.

Last day of the week! And 1 week left- WOOT!!

I love grey and purple together. The guy said he'd order ina few extra colors so I could see...I don't like the way the grey looks on my monitor but in real life it might be cool.

I was doing stealth trip shopping today...had to hit the travel aisle without small people around and am starting to dodge some questions about what we are doing that weekend lol!

Hey what a great couple posts! I was behind too much going on at work after break! But seems like everything is coming together for u! Glasses. Cute! Do you wear suits? That was the only thing that crossed my mind. For me I opted for funky style with a accent of red and this blends with my professional wear but it just depends how you have to be at work... I also am OC about accessories matching so these would be hard for me at work but not at home.
But still I think you could get away with the subtler colors. Go with what you like!

No suits (thank goodness!) but not too casual either. I actually think the purple will go with a lot of my professional summer stuff...winter may be another story though. I do have plenty of professional sedate pairs already, just none that are bifocals. Though I did wear ones with paisely side temples today lol! I could see swapping out the lenses in those at some point as I don't wear them that much and they are quite fun. I'm pretty OC about the matching too and tend to default to a really dark tortoise (almost looks black) Prada pair that has a few discreet emerald crystals on the side or a lighter brown tortoise/clear temple D&G pair depending on what I am wearing. I could change the lenses on either but don't want to mess with them at this point as at home I don't think I'll use the transitions as much so don't want to overall everything when the distance rx is still spot on.

I had fun playing with the colours of the glasses.

If I was buying them for myself I would probably stick with a brownish colour. However, I have to say the purple looked pretty darn funky.

Now, if they had lime green you KNOW you'd have to get that colour.

Fun isn't it. I have a couple of brown pairs already, an orange and a really dark brown that almost looks black. So these would be a branch out for sure.

I did like the green ones, tried them on and it's a really pretty color but since my almost black ones have the green crystals decided the purple might be more fun. But...the mint side temples are ALMOST lime.

They have the coolest readers if that's all you needed...so cute!



We will see....

 

[cdotla]

Whoo hooo for under 10 days!

And crossing my fingers for Aladdin!

Glad to hear the new job is going well.

 

[englishrose47]

ok technically they are lilac.

One of the things that has come out this week at the new job is I am going to have to get new glasses. I had an exam about a month ago now I think and had really really wanted new RX sunglasses. Found a pair I loved, ordered them.

Turns out my insurance didn't cover them since they are made at the Maui Jim's lab, not the VSP one (my insurance). So, no sunglasses. I will live.

It was meant to be. Only so much $$ in the glasses fund, even with insurance.

At my exam I was given my first bifocal RX ever. I'm fine if my glasses are off but do need the glasses for distance. This week, almost daily, I have been in meetings where I need my glasses to see what's on a wall screen but also looking at notes, writing notes, or my computer. The back and forth with my glasses like that, something I wasn't doing at home at all, is giving me headaches.

Which they asked me about at the exam. They asked me if I took them on and off a lot. Nope. I just didn't wear them unless I was watching TV or driving! But now that I'm in a different environment, a real problem. Off. On. Off. On.

Headache.

So.

Purple glasses.

Am I crazy?

The sides are interchangable so you can get multiple colors. I like the argyle-ish designs and am looking at those in the pale green, turquoise and clear and then the clear with the small circles or bubbles/grommet type design going down the side.

You can see them here and click around the colors. I would love any feedback!

If I have to get new ones, I want them to be fun but....too much? I do have some funky pairs already (non bifocal of course) and like these as they are a bit smaller than what I already have and they are nice and summery and different but...? thoughts???

I liked the last lilac ones !!! My new glasse tooksome getting used to I had waited tooooooo long for a new script and it was very hard getting used to them !! They are fine now but took a couple of weeks to be really comfortable with them !! Guess I can't wait 3 years again!!!

 

[winkers]

I'm so excited for sunday!!

 

[MEK]

I liked playing with the glasses, too. I like them. But I have no idea which color you should pick. I am so bad at picking out glasses. I had to try about 50 different pairs before I could pick mine. I never wore them until a couple years ago. That many years without rims makes the selection process very difficult.

I am glad that your job is going well so far. How great that you only have a few more days until your minivacation. I am so happy that you had a wonderful Easter and that you liked the new pastor. I do understand how you can feel negatively about your pastor. I have difficulty with one of the priests in our parish. My feelings for him some time detract from my full participation in mass. And I worry much too much about how the music sounds when he is the presider for the mass I am attending. You want to like, respect, and admirer the pastors in your church and its really distracting when you don't.

Anyway - know that you are a Monday to Friday gal, I hope you have a good weekend.

 

[eandesmom]

Whoo hooo for under 10 days!

And crossing my fingers for Aladdin!

Glad to hear the new job is going well.

7 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

no Aladdin though

I liked the last lilac ones !!! My new glasse tooksome getting used to I had waited tooooooo long for a new script and it was very hard getting used to them !! They are fine now but took a couple of weeks to be really comfortable with them !! Guess I can't wait 3 years again!!!

LOL! Transitions will be a huge change...

I'm so excited for sunday!!

Me too!!!!!!!!!

I liked playing with the glasses, too. I like them. But I have no idea which color you should pick. I am so bad at picking out glasses. I had to try about 50 different pairs before I could pick mine. I never wore them until a couple years ago. That many years without rims makes the selection process very difficult.

I am glad that your job is going well so far. How great that you only have a few more days until your minivacation. I am so happy that you had a wonderful Easter and that you liked the new pastor. I do understand how you can feel negatively about your pastor. I have difficulty with one of the priests in our parish. My feelings for him some time detract from my full participation in mass. And I worry much too much about how the music sounds when he is the presider for the mass I am attending. You want to like, respect, and admirer the pastors in your church and its really distracting when you don't.

Anyway - know that you are a Monday to Friday gal, I hope you have a good weekend.

I'm not sure negative is the right word. She's made some personal choices that I have issues with and I feel (as do many) she isn't being honest with herself about her obligation as the moral leader of the church. I think if she was being honest about it we could move past it a lot easier, it's a pretty open bunch but her moral certainty that she's done nothing wrong (yet is still hiding it) just sits wrong for a lot of us. Bottom line is no one wants to feel their pastor is hiding things or not being up front.

Your pastor sounds a lot like our old associate pastor. My mom wouldn't sing in the choir while he was running it and Jeff and I would bail on service if we knew he was giving the sermon. A lovely man though, we liked him, he was just a little painful lol.

DCA trip update coming sometime this weekend! I am VERY excited....though I want the 10 day forecast to move up about 5 degrees.