Random thoughts from the Mayor

I can't seem to wrap my mind around a complete thought for a post this week. Some days there are a dozen things I'd like to write about and no time to write. This week there is time, but.......sigh, nothing. So I thought I'd share some fun and funny things that have happened this week in "C-town"

Kate came home from preschool and when I asked how her day had gone she simply said "Not good, mom." This was a change from her usually animated descriptions, so I asked what had happened to make it not good. "I was bored." she said. "They just didn't have enough for me to do today." HA! Good stuff.

I went to pick up Tess from an after school activity and a teacher I hadn't met asked if I was her mom. Not sure whether I should admit to this or not (haha) I hesitantly said "yes." She then looked at me like she had the most delicious secret and said "I just love your daughter...she is just amazing. I didn't get to have her in my class this year, but I...JUST...LOVE...HER." Not to brag, okay forget it, I'm getting ready to brag......but this is the 2nd time I have had an interaction with a teacher about this! Tess's first grade teacher was new to the school, and she told me at Parent Teacher conferences that she just loved having Tess in her class, and thought it was fun that the other teachers were so jealous of her! My buttons are bursting with pride...and fat.....but mostly pride.

To give equal press time to the young residents of Crazytown, I need to type something about Baby Jane. I wish I could spell all the new words that she can say! She points and "talks" to tell us what she wants, she can shake her head to indicate "yes" and she just loves to scrunch up her face and give a cheesy grin. Such a funny girl. It will be interesting to see what she thinks of wearing a Halloween costume.

Happy Halloweeeeen! My costume is black fingernail polish that I applied during "Grooming & Hygiene" group yesterday at work. Pretty sure I am going to regret that decision when it's time to take the polish off. I have to say that I've felt pretty sassy though, with my freaky black nails.

It's almost Friday!
Mayor Martens

I received the nicest compliment from a co-worker this weekend. She and I rarely work togther, and if truth be told, I wasn't that impressed with her the last time we did. Shame on me.

I've mentioned before in my blog that I teach a Bible Study to junior and senior high kids every Wednesday. We have more down time on the weekends at work, and I have to admit that I was studying the lesson on company time. Your tax dollars hard at work! sorry......

When she walked into the room my guilt poured out of my mouth like a faucet. "Do you need my help with something? "I'm sorry, I'm just working on my Bible study lesson for the week."
"Your Bible study lesson? she questioned....then said "You know what? I knew you were Christian! I could just tell."

I'll take that, instead of "Have you lost some weight?" any time.
Sarah

Kate the GREAT!

My baby had a cavity. A teeny, tiny, ever so small spot on her tooth that was found last week at her first ever dentist appointment.
Today, we went to get the work done. I had really downplayed the appointment. Maybe mentioned it once or twice, and simply said that the dentist was going to "fix that spot on your tooth." I had a worry deep down that she might freak out....but just didn't know.

Turns out she just needed me for the ride.

Kate said cheerful hellos to everyone, climbed up in the big chair, and let them get to work while she watched cartoons on Boomerang. Oh, how I wished I had my camera! Here was my little girl doing what many adults can't do! She was totally relaxed, with kid-sized protective glasses on(cute!) and two large adults leaning over her with 4 separate instruments working in her little mouth. Not a complaint, not a tear, not even a flinch!

We went for a well deserved Sonic chocolate shake afterwards. Honestly, I was so high on pride that I probably would have bought her a new car if she'd asked!

If I Were a Rich (Wo)man

So I went to the grocery store in town today. I don't normally shop there as the amount of groceries I buy would easily cost a bazillion dollars.
I don't have a bazillion dollars.
That is why what happened at the grocery store was so funny.

Does anyone else stretch their paycheck farther than it was ever meant to stretch? If you don't, then quit reading, because you will not get anything from this post.
If you do, then read on, my friend....this post's for you!

I paid with my debit card, and as the receipt was printing, the screen said:

APPROVED!
CONGRATULATIONS!

At first I thought "good grief"......that is pathetic. This machine is actually congratulating me for using a valid form of payment.
Then I realized that my good grief thought was followed by a little mental sigh of relief......and then a smile.
A self esteem boost where I least expected it!

It's been a looooong two weeks.
Sarah

FYI: It was Big V Country Mart if anyone else is looking for a midweek pick-me-up! :)

Happy Veterans Day! A month early........

Sometimes I forget that my dad is a veteran. His military service happened before I was born, during the Vietnam Conflict. He was stationed in Thailand and when he enlisted, he had the choice of flying helicopters or loading bombs. Helicopters were getting shot down too frequently, so he chose bombs. I am SO thankful for that. Because he was 25(!) years old he was called "grandpa" by his comrades. The old guy in the group..... says a lot about the kids that were fighting for our country, doesn't it?!

This picture is from the 2009 Holt County Fall Festival in Oregon, MO, where my parents grew up and my grandparents still live. They honored military service men and women that were in the crowd during the parade. My dad is standing fourth person from the right in the picture and my girls are in the left corner clapping for their grandpa. I am smiling with pride and awe that my dad is among those cool people.

KHS Homecoming 2009

Our Bailey going to her first Homecoming dance!

Look everyone! Aunt Ola's necklace went to Homecoming!

Andy and Tess in the Homecoming parade.




I love the 80s!

For "Decades Day" at Tess's school we crimped her hair, did a side ponytail, polo shirt with the collar up, and tight rolled her jeans! Kate liked big sister's hair, so we did hers too!

Guess who figured out how to download pics today!

Sometimes the best pictures are unplanned. This is in Sam's Club parking lot. The girls were watching us load the groceries.

Kate blew me away with her writing skills when making Aunt Pam's get well card. She just needed me to spell what she wanted to say.

"Get well Pam(backwards P) I Love You, Kate"

Hibachi Japanese Steakhouse....A night out with co-workers

See the shrimp in the upper left corner?
Heck yeah, I caught it!