Happy belated holidays

Okay I'm really behind. I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I have been housesitting without internet for most of my time off of work! However, we had a very nice break. One advantage to working at a university is being able to have a week and a half off of work for the holidays.

The kids really enjoyed it, especially sleeping in and staying up late every night. Adam got the Harry Potter six-disc DVD collection for Christmas, so one day was nothing but a Harry Potter marathon. Aurea got a DSi and Wii Fit. Needless to say, she was extremely occupied.

The three of us took turns playing on the Wii Fit and I certainly got my workout. I guess it's what you make it (like most anything these days), but I certainly have been getting my daily workouts by using it. After the first three days I was extremely sore. The best part is that I enjoyed it and I hate to exercise!

Our New Year's Eve was pretty boring. Adam was with his dad so it was just me and Aurea. She decided to watch Disney's New Year's Showdown while I watched Dick Clark's New Year's Eve show where the ball dropped in Times Square. That's it, just television for us. At least I got to spend midnight with my daughter, but it was a quiet and uneventful evening.

I would love to say so much about our exciting adventures and everything we did over break, but that didn't happen. What did happen was a lot of catching up on sleep and favorite television shows, playing the Wii and DSi, and seeing family. While it might not have been eventful, it was peaceful and relaxing. I was really glad for the break.

Unfortunately, it made it extremely difficult to get up and going this morning. The 13 degree temperature and snow falling on this cold, dark morning did not help our spirits any either. Thankfully, Monday (at least the workday part of it) is about over and hopefully the rest of the week will be much easier.

I hope everyone else had a good break. Enjoy 2010!

Boyz II Men

Saturday night I had the incredible opportunity to see Boyz II Men (Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman,and Wanya Morris) in concert at the UK Singletary Center for the Arts. I have loved this group for years and finally got to see them live, 5th row. The best part was when Shawn and Nathan came out carrying red roses as the song "I'll Make Love to You" began. Those of us in the first few rows dashed to the stage and I got a red rose from Shawn! I know I sound silly, but it was really exciting and I have that rose on display now!

The concert was great. They sang everything from "On Bended Knee" to Lonestar's "Amazed." They even sang songs from their latest Love album. It was fantastic and they really got the crowd involved in the music. I had a wonderful time.

I also went to a graduation party after the concert for a friend who graduated that morning. As a single mom, nights like these are rare. I got a chance to get out and have some "me" time for the evening. It was a relaxing and much needed break.

Now I only have two days left to work this week and I'm off until January 4th. I feel really good.

Aurea's 8th birthday

This is Aurea's Wizards of Waverly Place birthday cake from her party this weekend. I'm not posting party pictures for the sake of privacy of the attendees. However, there were about seven children there ranging in age from 4-8. My beautiful baby girl is now 8-years-old! I still can't believe it.

Aurea's birthday was on Friday. Barnes & Noble hosted a special night for her school. The children had the opportunity to sing songs, listen to a storyteller, watch a magician, and shop for books. Plus, 15% of the proceeds from purchases went to our PTA. It was hectic, but fun.

After Barnes & Noble, we went to see the Disney version of "A Christmas Carol" with Jim Carrey in 3D. It was really cute, but 3D movies have gotten expensive! The theatre is close to the mall and was also playing "New Moon." Needless to say, we had to park in the nearby shopping center and walk over since the parking lot was completely full. Walking wasn't bad since it was not that far, but it sure was cold. She loved the movie and fell asleep on the way home.

Saturday was her party and our first snow for the season here in Kentucky. Fortunately, it was only a mild dusting with no ice. Everyone made it to the party and had a great time. My parents and niece drove up for the party and stayed the night with us. They took us out to eat that evening and then Aurea and her cousin spent the evening playing.

Things finally calmed down yesterday after my family left and I put the house back in order. I finally got a chance to relax for a bit last night before coming back to work today. I'm proud the kids had a great time at the party and Aurea had a wonderful weekend, but I'm grateful next weekend will not be as hectic.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I realize I am a few days late, but I hope everyone had a very happy and safe Thanksgiving. I went home to Glasgow to eat turkey and spend time with the family. My sister became a stepmom when she got married in September, so I finally got to spend time with my new step-nephew also. My niece was very happy to see me and Aurea. My nephew could care less that I was there, but he and Aurea had fun playing on the computer after Thanksgiving dinner was finished.

We came home on Friday. Aurea was supposed to be in the Christmas parade with Girl Scouts, but too many of the girls were sick and we decided it was too cold to go. Instead, we stayed home and put up and decorated the Christmas tree. Saturday we went to Southern Lights. It is held at the KY Horse Park and you drive through and get to look at the creative, festive trail of lights. At the end, we got to go inside where Aurea got her picture made with Santa. Back outside, she was excited to get to ride a real camel!

All in all, we had a great long weekend and a nice Thanksgiving. I hope everyone else did as well.

Kathy:I am who I am: Happy Veterans Day

Kathy:I am who I am: Happy Veterans Day

http://www.glasgowdailytimes.com/archivesearch/local_story_289132807.html

Happy Veterans Day

I know I'm a day late, but I want to say Happy Veterans day to all of the men and women out there who serve/have served in the armed forces. It is also a good time to remember everyone in Ft. Hood. My hometown created plaques for veterans to be displayed, I think that was a great idea - especially since both of my grandfathers now have memorial plaques there. In honor of all veterans, I hope you had a great Veterans day and thank you for all you do.

Halloween weekend

Halloween is one of my favorite and busiest days of the year. My wonderful son, Adam, was born on Halloween afternoon 14 years ago. I cannot believe he is now 14, but he is and he certainly acts like a teenage boy. When he was little, we would go trick-or-treating and say, "Trick or treat, it's my birthday!" He always got extra candy and presents from houses of close friends or family members. When my daughter was born and she began trick or treating as well, he used it to get extra candy for both of them.

About three years ago, Adam decided he was too big to go trick-or-treating and would rather go to haunted houses. We began a tradition where the two of us go to various haunted houses or attractions. Aurea's grandmother or father take her trick-or-treating while Adam and I either hand out candy, go out to eat, or otherwise celebrate his birthday. Then, we go to the haunted places. This year we chose ScreamPark (www.scarylexington.com), Terror on Tates Creek, and Nightmare Haunted House (www.2scary.com). ScreamPark was new this year and supposed to be the best new attraction. It featured three haunted houses in one indoor warehouse. Unfortunately, it was not scary at all and a complete waste of money. Terror on Tates Creek was an outdoor "haunted" trail. It was fun, but not the best. The best attraction was Nightmare Haunted House. They change the theme every year, this year was Mercy Hospital. It still wasn't scary (can you tell we don't scare easily?), but we had a great time. Despite the lack of scarefest, we had a great night and Adam had a lot of fun. We came home and watched horror movies on TV.

Unlike most years, I had plans with Aurea on Sunday night just for us. She wanted to see Miley Cyrus in concert. I bought tickets months ago and she has been excited about seeing Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana in concert. Unfortunately, Hannah Montana is long gone. Instead, Miley attempted to reach an older audience with newer songs Aurea did know very well. Some were good, others not as great. The lights and effects were great. She rode a Harley suspended from the ceiling over the heads of the audience; this made me a little concerned, but it was certainly entertaining. The biggest problems I had with the show were Miley's choices concerning clothing and dancing. I would NEVER let my daughter wear tight, leather, barely-there clothing at any age! Her clothes got skimpier as the night went on and her dancing more provocative. Metro Station (Miley's brother is the lead singer) opened the show and the band was also not child-friendly. The show was entertaining, but it was not geared toward young children. Miley is no longer a wholesome, family entertainment choice and I'm sorry I took my daughter. She had a good time, I just hope she never learns any of those dances and she will not buy any of those outfits.

We had a fun, but extremely busy weekend. The kids really enjoyed themselves and now I'm ready for a day off just to catch up with stuff I need to do. Unfortunately, that will not be until this coming Saturday.