Dawes Arboretum: Set 2

Today was very much a Monday.  I over slept and didn't wake up until 8:15 am.  That is when I'm supposed to leave for work.  So, no shower, just up, dress and run out the door.  Thank goodness there were no state troopers on the road. I was only about 8 minutes late. 

Then about half way to the office I realized I didn't have my wallet.  No big deal really.  Except, I hadn't eaten and now I had no way to get anything for lunch.  Hmmm.... So, on my lunch break I drove home to get my wallet.  I found it, then headed back to town hoping to have just enough time to get something quick before I needed to be back.  I opened up said wallet part way back into town only to see, no debit card.  WHAT?!!!  Now, the entire purpose of my trip was shot.  But, I did have my id and check book, so off to the grocery store (really quick) to get some food BY WRITING A CHECK.  I haven't done that in ages. 

Then there was work.  Crazy sauce.  So busy I can hardly recount.  And at the end of the day as I'm getting ready to wrap things up, one of my staff calls to ask if I can swing by her room before I leave.  She needs to talk to me about a couple of the kids.  Okay, fine.  I want to just leave, but I SUPPOSE that's my job.  ;)  So, when I get there she tells me these two boys (7 year olds) spent part of their afternoon sitting by the door watching parents coming in the door so they could look at their butts and critic them (until they were found out); then they started asking her inappropriate questions.  Do you have a boyfriend?  Do you kiss?  Do you shower together? and so on.  What the heck?!  So, I get to have a delightful conversation with these two boys about how these are not nice things to ask and how 'would it embarrass you to have those things done to you and have those questions asked?'; then we don't do that to other people.  Some things are private.  Ugh, some days kids are just so much fun.

Anyway, needless to say, today was a major Monday.  The rest of my day at work was NON-STOP chaos and I am exhausted.  I plan to finish editing my next set of photos from Dawes and then get to bed.  Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

Enjoy the pictures and here's hoping your week started out better!

Strouds Run Winter Hike #5

After work today I was supposed to go to physical therapy.  But, I had to work late and so I had to cancel my appointment.  That worked out okay, as it gave me the chance to go on a short hike. 

After getting out of work at 5:15 pm, I drove out to Strouds Run.  By 5:40 pm I was changed into my muddy sneakers and prepped for the trail.  I knew I didn't have long to hike (the sun was quickly setting) and I shouldn't hike too much as my knee is still bugging me a bit.  So, I decided on a short jaunt.  

I ended up going for about a half hour, a little over a mile.  It was a nice hike and I have to say the best part was not the beauty of the woods and the pictures I got, but the smell.  Lord, that smell.  That after the rain, woods and trees and fungus and leaves and rot and ....there is no smell like that in the world.  It is amazing and for a little while I stood and just drank it in, eyes closed, mind open and lived it.  So many memories begin with that smell.  Camping with the family, other hikes, working at Wood County, but most of all Camp Mowana.  I felt 7 all over again and just couldn't get enough of that smell!!!!  I'm trying to bring it up in my mind now and it won't come and it is so frustrating.  I am SOOOOOO going back to the woods tomorrow. 

Anyway, I did get a few photos and thought I'd share them.  Hope you like them and that your week is going well.  Almost the weekend!!  Enjoy the pics!

Now, this last picture is obviously not at Strouds Run.  This is a Masterpiece I made at work today.  I was really proud of myself.  The little boy (2.5 years old) who was with me in Child Watch helped a little bit but, mainly this was Miss April.  I haven't sat down and just played and built with the blocks in so long.  My boy helped me put the animals and such on and then we had to snap a photo.  I really think this is cool and decided to include it in my blog for today.  What do you think?

Work: Some Fun

So, along with being somewhat ill I have been working a lot.  Or what might seem like a lot.  Last Saturday was Lunch with Santa and this week we did a renovation to the Day Care Room.  The girls did all the painting; I just moved some furniture, put down the new carpet and did a little re-decorating. 

I took a few photos and I wanted to post some of them for you to see while I actually took some time to relax tonight!

Lunch with Santa

Pictures with Santa

Goodie Bags

Pretty Balloons

Eating good food

Giant Coloring Pages (I love these)

Christmas Crafts

Preschool in Room B-we had to move out of our room during the 'renovation'

Lots of fun things that we moved to accommodate our switch up.

Brushing VERY large teeth.

Old and New paint.  The light yellow is the color I chose and we painted the room about 4 years ago.  The bright yellow is the new color I just chose.  I LOVE IT!

Painting in progress.  My staff did SUCH a great job!!!!!  Thanks ladies!

The new, slightly improved Day Care Room.  I moved all our furniture back in and I think it looks so good!  It is bright and beautiful, like a room for kids should be!

My new rug for the kids.  I love the tree, the animals and the colors!  I am so happy with this rug!

A final shot of the new Room.  I think the kids really like it too!  I know the staff think it is a bit bright, but I like it and as long as the kids do too, that's all that really matters!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...part 1

Today I put up the First of my trees at work.  We have two 7 foot trees.  One goes in the lobby, one in Room A-our main Rental/Multifunction Room.  The one I put up today was the one in Room A.  We have our first Holiday Party in Room A tomorrow (a rental) and it had to be done.  So, I pulled out the tree, my box of 'good' ornaments and decorations and got to work.

This is my good tree.  I work hard to make this one look nice.  Nice ornaments, good ribbon, primping, etc.  The tree in the lobby will have some of the older decorations, and stuff made by the children.  (Not that I don't adore their work, I do, but this one is a bit more refined.)  It took a while, (about an hour and a half) mainly because I am sooooo meticulous, but I think she turned out pretty stinking nice for an at least 10 year old artificial tree.  What do you think?  Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

And this is a preview of my Christmas Cards!  I've been working on them and hope to have them done by the end of the week and in the mail.  Didn't want to give too much away, but had to share something!  I am loving them!  I hope you will too!