Hilarious Mail!

Well, thanks to Susan Lammers I had a good, long chuckle today! She is the BEST! She sent me this little piece of "advice" on how to get organized to scrapbook. It's so funny I almost think someone created it as a joke, but, nope, they didn't. They are serious. 

Best advice? "The longer you procrastinate, the bigger the pile gets so start with the most current item and then work backward." This person clearly has never scrapped before. 

THANK YOU, Susan, for such a wonderful letter! 

MOnday, November 26-Back to work and busy schedule

So today was back to the busy work schedule. I really enjoyed my Thanksgiving break so I wasn't quite ready for this! I had to throw some chicken in the crockpot when I got up this morning so we'd have dinner ready to go. Because after work I had Kosama, then I had to pick up Kate at the library, then get Riggen changed for piano practice, then dropped him off at bball practice. After that, I came home to sit down to dinner (that was luckily roasting in the crockpot) and then finally a shower. It was a busy Monday! I prefer long, slow weekends!

Fantastic Thanksgiving Weekend!

And to top off this great weekend, Mathew and I had our first phone call and "meet up" at my parents' house 20 years ago this weekend. Thank you for being my soul mate. I love you.

Saturday, November 24-Pella and Sisters!

So on Saturday us girls decided to go to Pella. Our mission was really Dutch Letters but then we had to do a little shopping too! We ate lunch at Smokey Row-yum! and then stopped at a shoe place where I got some great short black boots. Then, we stopped at a antique store and I bought a Christmas present for a friend (name to be withheld!) Then, off to Jaarsma bakery where I bought too many cookies and Dutch Letters! Then we headed to another shop where I got yet another Christmas present--sweeeeet! We capped off the evening by watching the Pella Chamber light up the Christmas tree on the square and convinced a family to take our pic! such a fantastic day!

 Then, I headed home to whip up some tacos and margaritas to have about 18 people come over! It was a great party with great food and great company!

 We ended the night late with two games of Scattergories! Riggen wins the record for BEST answers! He said "words" in answer to what is found in fairy tales and "people" on what you should not laugh at. Genius!

Friday, November 23-Thanksgiving with Myers'

We celebrated Thanksgiving with the Myers' on Friday. Thanks to mom for delaying a day so we could enjoy both! Carissa and Tony came into town from Denver! It was a super great meal! My mom makes the best stuffing! I should have taken a picture of it! But we stuffed ourselves again and then watched football and played lots of games!

 Sweet, 6 month pregnant Carissa!

 Matt took out his .22 rifle to practice and show Tony. But then dad brought out Grandpa Charlie's pistol! It was powerful; I loved it! Don't I look colorful? Spectacular day! Because later on, my sister, Chantel, showed up from KC with my nephew, Chaence! We had a great time telling jokes and playing  games!!

Thursday, November 22--Thanksgiving!!

I love Thanksgiving. I decided that Thanksgiving nearly tops Christmas. It was spectacular! I got to see a whole bunch of Matt's extended family--47 were present! and it was so fun and just relaxing. They have a tradition of playing football in the church yard across the street so it was great to see them play. It was so warm this year too! Sally makes home made noodles-so yummy! I even went to Kosama in the morning so I wouldn't feel so guilty about all those noodles and pie! Wonderful day!

Wednesday, November 21-A day of rest and many men to baste a turkey

Today I had the day off. My kids went to school for half day and my hubby went to work. It was splendid. I ate a late breakfast, drank tea, shopped online and finished my 2008 scrapbook! wonderful!

 Then I headed to Sally's to make noodles. Scott decided to smoke a turkey. Here he is with many other helpers to properly season the turkey!

Tuesday, November 20-DBQ's!

I think my students were hoping for an easy day today. but, that was not the case. It was perfect timing to teach them how to analyze historical documents and write a dbq!! Here's proof of their hard work!

Monday, November 19-Awesome!!

Ha, ha, ha! This pic cracks me up! There's lots of hype surrounding the new Lincoln movie-I can't wait to see it! So I posted a funny pic on FB stating, "I heard Lincoln is doing well in theatres. This hasn't always been true." So I'm on a Lincoln roll today. Such an amazing, complex, imperfect human being aren't we all? 

But today I'm going to "toot my own horn" as my Grandma Evelyn used to say. I received a wonderful email from a current student simply stating "Mrs. Snyder, you are awesome!" nothing else said, nothing extraordinary that I did for this student, no preamble about allowing her to turn in something late (which I didn't do) or anything like that. Just that I'm awesome. wow! To think someone else thinks I am awesome is quite humbling. 

So, to pay it forward, I think the following people are awesome for the following reasons: Carissa, because she has more creativity and talent in her pinky than I do in my whole body; Chantel, because she has the patience of Job; my mom, because all she ever wanted to be was a mom; my dad, because he worked long, hard hours to give us girls what we needed and oftentimes what we wanted; Kate, because she isn't afraid to try anything new; Riggen, because he is so damn happy all the time; Paula, because she was willing to break the law to hang out with me; Susan, because she is the strongest, most self-reliant person I know; and of course, Mathew, because, well, because he has loved me and all my faults for the past 20 years.

*There are plenty more whom I think are awesome. You'll have to keep checking back!

Breakfast of Champions!

So Sunday morning we all got up pretty early considering our late night! The kids were having leftover popcorn, blueberry muffins....

...while the adults were having mimosas! Now that's what I called a breakfast of champions!

 And it was great to have our house guest, Susan, here to enjoy breakfast with!

Saturday, November 17-Scrap Day and into the Night!

I can't believe I only took a couple of pictures of scrapping today! Sue came over about 2 so we could begin scrapping the day away. But we haven't seen each other in awhile so we ended up talking most of the afternoon. Then I made bbq pork sandwiches and well, we ate an entire huge bowl of puppy chow along the way! Here is Sue hanging out surrounded by lots of goodies! We actually stayed up until 1:30AM! That's really late for us oldies! I think it's cute how Kate gets all excited that her 30+ year old mom still has sleepovers!

Friday, November 16-Cousins

So Kate's cousin, Ellen, spent the night Friday night. and at one time I walked down the stairs to see this:

I still have no idea what they were doing! But it sure was a picture perfect moment!

Thursday, November 15-Wildcat WOW!

Riggen is a terrific student, but he sometimes has issues with talking and well, not doing what the teacher asks because he finds it pointless and boring. His words, not mine. So sometimes I have to stifle a chuckle at my witty kid. But today he brought his first Widcat WOW of 3rd grade! His teacher loves the fact he comes to school with a smile, loving to learn and with a whole lot of energy! Thanks, Mrs. Amfahr  for recognizing this in Riggen!

Wednesday, November 14--A Day to relax with a good book!

Wednesday night Mathew was working late and I had some down time to just hang out and dive into this highly recommended book from Carissa and Tony. It has been great so far and I had a difficult time putting it down!

Tuesday, November 13-Band Concert!

Tuesday night we had Kate's band concert. I thought they sounded really good! And Kate, of course, looked like her father out there playing her trumpet!

Monday, November 12. Goodbye to Izzy

Monday night we said goodbye to Izzy, our hamster. Kate wrote a nice letter and we sent her off in style--in the iPhone 5 box! She's now settled peacefully under our clematis bush. We loved you Izzy!

Bittersweet.

So today has been a thoughtful day. It was rainy and cold here which was a big contrast to yesterday when it was sunny and 70 degrees-so goes Iowa weather.

I met my friend, Susan James, at Smokey Row coffeehouse in Pleasantville. The picture below was NOT taken today since it was so rainy and dreary out that I had to use their web picture. It was cozy and warm inside full of spiced chai and Jaarsma Dutch letters. Susan and I sat and talked for over two hours. It was just nice to talk as moms and friends.

Then I headed to the Hy-Vee in Knoxville-a pleasant drive on a dreary day. The Hy-Vee was so quiet and quaint that I actually enjoyed my grocery shopping today. Once again, too rainy to take a pic so I went with the one on their website.

Then I came home and made great, home made spaghetti and Matt, Riggen and I played some Risk while Kate nursed her headache. The "new" Risk is quicker and much more enjoyable. I had it in the bag...until Matt beat me.

And then, well, we had some bad news. Our hamster, Izzy, died. She was a Siberian hamster that the kids got from Santa nearly two Christmases ago. They usually live 18-24 months so it was time. Kate fed her nearly every night and found her. She was crying and was pretty upset. Riggs was upset too but more quiet about it. Izzy will be missed. We loved you!

And then, I finished one the greatest books ever written. Everyone MUST read the Book Thief. I'm still too emotional to give it its proper due, but it is amazing and I suppose an appropriate way to end this bittersweet day.

Saturday, November 10-Women's Weekend

Each November the Sayers girls get together to hang out, eat and talk a lot! This year it was at my Aunt Adda's house. Nothing like good family and good family time!

Friday, November 9-Skyfall

Tonight Matthew and I had a date (after he flew to Alabama and back I might add) to see Skyfall! It was a really good movie, some are saying the best Bond ever! I can't quite agree with that but it was pretty entertaining and nearly two hours of watching Daniel Craig on the screen isn't all bad! :)

Thursday, November 8--apple bars!

I apologize for not being very up to date this week on my blog. Thursday night we were all home to eat dinner together and so I made one of Matt's favorite desserts-apple bars! They are quite time-consuming but oh so yummy! Riggs thinks he doesn't like them and so did Kate but after Kate had a tiny bite, she said "mom! these are delicious and so goooood!" It is basically thin apple pie. a perfect treat to a November night!

Election Day!!!!

Today is election day! And Iowa is a battleground state. I love that the candidates come here often; it gives us great opportunities to get in on the action as a small state. But the BEST part of the election process this year was that I only waited 10 minutes to vote; chatted it up with the election people (Wanda Hunter) and when I walked out feeling good, I saw this great, Iowa sky and this great, old corn bin. I know, my husband teased me about it but I loved seeing it. Where else you can park next to the door to the polling place, near a corn bin with a sign that says "no tractor trailer parking?" Love my state! (now just don't ask me if I love it in January!)

Saturday, November 3--Fondue!!!!

We had a great Saturday! We got the house halfway clean in the morning and then went to see Wreck It Ralph-a cute movie! Then we hung out to watch the Hawkeyes and drowned our sorrows in chocolate fondue! Not Kate just tearing up the angel food cake!!

November 2--Riggen has glasses!

It was a busy day today but we were all thankful it was FRIDAY!!!! Riggen was especially excited because he got his new glasses! He loves them! He said, "mom! I can now see the sign!" He's ready to show them off to his friends on Monday!

November 1--All Saints' Day...

So today is All Saints Day which historically was a way the Catholic Church attempted to get rid of pagan traditions since "All Hallows Eve" was pagan. A little history lesson...

I thought this was an appropriate title for this evening too because Mathew is being a saint! Kate asked for help on her Math homework and Mathew readily agreed. He's been helping her for nearly an hour now and is very patient with her. He definitely earned the title of the day!

Wednesday, October 31 Halloween!

So, our school is crazy. Each department picks the theme each year. This year the science department picked make or models of cars. Can you guess? Answers below.

Sandy Cloe and myself...

Part of the nerdy math team...Michael Link and Brian Reece

 Still nerdy math team...Joe Obrycki and Mike Marcketti

 My boss, Crista Carlile and Anne Cross...

 Lindsay Fredregill...

 Kris Hilton and Terri Steinmann...

Pretty creative group, eh? can you imagine your high school teachers doing this?? Nope, didn't think so.


Answers: Sandy=VW Rabbit
Me=Ford Explorer
Michael=Ford Taurus--no idea, some math reference
Brian=Dodge Avenger
Joe=Matrix
Mike M.=Subaru outback
Crista=smart car
Anne=Malibu
Lindsay=Honda Fit
Terri-Siren-character in Odyssey
Kris-Honda Pilot

Tuesday, October 30--Beggar's Night!

AAAAAAAAA! who is the ScArY guy behind my kids? Oh yeah, it's their dad! Kate was a princess--which was really a good excuse for her to wear her pretty dress and Riggs was Link from Zelda. Not a dime was spent on anyone's costume this year!!!

 ...and Riggs hid behind the counter to dive into his treats!

 ..what?!? why is this picture on Beggar's night? Because a few short hours before trick or treating this guy had an eye exam....and we ordered GLASSES! Can you believe my 8 year old needs glasses? He's actually pretty excited!