Today H and I got up early and drove to Indep for her ortho appt. She planned to eat lunch at THS with her pals while I got my hair cut etc...My appt fell thru and I can't go on with this Kunta Kinte (story of Roots) much longer, so that's another musing.... So by the grace of a friendly attendance clerk who used to like Mark and felt sorry for our demise at IPS, H got in and had a lovely visit. I got to do the retail therapy that one's favorite stores can provide especially at the 70% rack. Don't know what I was thinking shopping alone, I can never tell if anything looks good, always looks bad to me....but I did pick up several things for M and me to add to our beach collection which happens 2 weeks from today! Woo hoo!
Anyway, H and I chatted most of I70 about how weird it was to be in Indep doing what we used to do and not being a part of all of it anymore. I know from leaving JC that it's rough being a visitor where you used to be a part of a group. At first it's easier to stay away than go thru the pain. Then it gets a bit easier, and more so if you're trying to move forward. I tried to help H get thru this rough patch, but I'm about in the same boat. I have 3 Targets and a Kohl's 2 huge Malls and all the box stores anyone needs, but I shopped where it was easy. Didn't have to wander around looking for the sale racks, already knew where they were. Moving forward will have to include learning the new stores. Lucky for me we have a new Kohl's opening next month by our shopping center. :)
I did have a fun lunch with a couple friends and they are also going to be here in SL to worship with us--good times. New friends meet the old, all good.
H will recover quickly. She gets to go to Chicago with the LHS band and has a date to Homecoming. Not bad for a kid who's been here a month. Kat has had a head full of pollen and now a sinus infection. I did find a nice dr's office on my end of the county. Was very pleased about finding them. Little does she know that having us for patients is like walking into a new retirement account. :)
Off to rest my I-70 bones. Think Mission Impossible is upstairs, a man with a remote and he's not afraid to use it.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Weekend update
Just checked all my regular blogs I read. So happy to hear good news, like new babies and birthdays, so will update just a bit. Need to get on my power walk before the weather gets too warm. Altho it was CHILLY here this w/e. More on that later. Glad for the warm days to return, can't find long pants for the peeps yet. :)
We had a wonderful weekend with Jess and Josh. They got here about 10 on Friday nite and we stayed up late visiting and laughing. Josh hadn't seen the Stinnett girls (just us 3 big uns) carry on and be GOOFY! Thought he might take to the nearest highway, but he stayed and enjoyed the banter. Mark and I took J & J to the Cards game on Sat. We thought we had tickets for the early game but found out at the gate that they were for the night game. We wandered around downtown SL, found a Macy's and tried to buy hoodies. Found M some shirts on sale, but no hoodies that were cheaper than parking. We went home for warm clothes went out to eat and back to the game. We were pros at the driving downtown, and parking, so easy coming and going. The seats were good. They honored the 87 World Series team, very cool to see those familiar players. Jess and Josh were both born in 87, nice touch. We had to watch the scoreboard to keep Josh from seeing the Razorback score before we got home. We teased him all night about what we knew and he didn't. The Cards WON!! The Razorbacks lost in the last 8 sec after coming back big in the 4 qt. Poor Josh, he was so bummed as he stayed up and watched the game on the DVR.
We all went to church, of course. We are having a gospel meeting, so M didn't preach. Some girls from JC were there. So fun to see them. Also a family from Green Pines Elem that Emily knew were visiting, very nice. The congregation had a Welcome the Stinnetts Potluck at Ed and Lisa's afterward. It was so nice to sit and visit with everyone. So many people got to meet Jess and Josh who were both troopers to smile and visit with people. They left about 3, both have tests and stuff to do.
The big revelation this w/e was how FUN it is to have big kids on a new level. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with J & J. (The other girls were well entertained--not to worry about them). It's weird to us to have a young man as part of Jess's life, and it's weird that it's not that weird, more natural than we imagined this part would be....a new parenting chapter for us. Another chapter in my book "Parenting for Dummies", watch for me on Oprah someday. :) Tickets to the show will be available. :)
Lots to do, a power walk now. A busy week ahead. For today, we're GOOD!
We had a wonderful weekend with Jess and Josh. They got here about 10 on Friday nite and we stayed up late visiting and laughing. Josh hadn't seen the Stinnett girls (just us 3 big uns) carry on and be GOOFY! Thought he might take to the nearest highway, but he stayed and enjoyed the banter. Mark and I took J & J to the Cards game on Sat. We thought we had tickets for the early game but found out at the gate that they were for the night game. We wandered around downtown SL, found a Macy's and tried to buy hoodies. Found M some shirts on sale, but no hoodies that were cheaper than parking. We went home for warm clothes went out to eat and back to the game. We were pros at the driving downtown, and parking, so easy coming and going. The seats were good. They honored the 87 World Series team, very cool to see those familiar players. Jess and Josh were both born in 87, nice touch. We had to watch the scoreboard to keep Josh from seeing the Razorback score before we got home. We teased him all night about what we knew and he didn't. The Cards WON!! The Razorbacks lost in the last 8 sec after coming back big in the 4 qt. Poor Josh, he was so bummed as he stayed up and watched the game on the DVR.
We all went to church, of course. We are having a gospel meeting, so M didn't preach. Some girls from JC were there. So fun to see them. Also a family from Green Pines Elem that Emily knew were visiting, very nice. The congregation had a Welcome the Stinnetts Potluck at Ed and Lisa's afterward. It was so nice to sit and visit with everyone. So many people got to meet Jess and Josh who were both troopers to smile and visit with people. They left about 3, both have tests and stuff to do.
The big revelation this w/e was how FUN it is to have big kids on a new level. We thoroughly enjoyed our day with J & J. (The other girls were well entertained--not to worry about them). It's weird to us to have a young man as part of Jess's life, and it's weird that it's not that weird, more natural than we imagined this part would be....a new parenting chapter for us. Another chapter in my book "Parenting for Dummies", watch for me on Oprah someday. :) Tickets to the show will be available. :)
Lots to do, a power walk now. A busy week ahead. For today, we're GOOD!
Friday, September 14, 2007
Go Cards!
We are having a taste of lovely fall weather here in ST Lou. It makes running the errands and the kids so much more enjoyable. No home football tonight but will get to enjoy an outdoor outside tomorrow at the Cubs and CARDS game! One of our church families has season tickets so we have excellent seats and are taking Josh and Jess. The new stadium is so lovely!! As you look out around you the SL skyline plus the Arch are looking back at you. The traffic is worrisome. We haven't been to downtown by ourselves yet in YEARS! Lets hope we don't end up in Ill like we used to do. There is a professional bike race across MO that ends downtown tomorrow, plus a Rams game, a NHL game and a balloon race in Forest Park, so it's a traffic mess! A BUSY day here in SL. Let's hope our Cards are ready to WIN!!!
Going to finish the housework and head to the grocery before everything gets too wild. We are all looking forward to having Jess and Josh here. Can't wait to hug, hug, hug that girl of ours.
Going to finish the housework and head to the grocery before everything gets too wild. We are all looking forward to having Jess and Josh here. Can't wait to hug, hug, hug that girl of ours.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Comforts of home
We are trying to make this new place feel like home. Sat I made banana bread--had to run to the store for baking powder and soda--pantry not fully functioning yet. Yesterday we had our first roast dinner and a Chiefs game. The roast dinner was a huge success, unlike the Chiefs, but that is also familiar--Chiefs losing. :)
Hannah had a big drumline competition on Sat at our HS. It rained and had to be held in the gym--so it was LOUD!! I was bummed to have to sit alone as I know no one everywhere I go, so I was surprised to hear someone shouting "Kristin, Kristin" as I walked thru the gym. I turned and found Mrs. Rhea the girls 2nd and 3rd grade teacher from Belair in JC! Her daughter is H's age and is the 1st girl on the snareline in 20 years at JCHS. We were delighted to chat between bands and she was thrilled to get to see H. Our percussion group did really well, but of course, Jeff City won the event and I was happy to stand and cheer with them. Once a Jay, Always a JAY!! I'll look forward to seeing the JC band at other competitions this fall.
The house is coming along. I need to finish up my room and bathroom then work on decorating the girls rooms one at a time. Plus we have umpteen boxes in the garage and basement to wrangle. Would love to park in the garage by the time snow flies.
Busy days ahead, like always. Looking forward to Jess and Josh coming this weekend. The church is having the official "Welcome to the Stinnetts" Potluck on Sun and Jess is coming. We are ready to see her as we didn't get enough of her over the 6 days she was home this summer. Lots of standing around and smiling at people for all of us. It's all good. It's all good.....
Hannah had a big drumline competition on Sat at our HS. It rained and had to be held in the gym--so it was LOUD!! I was bummed to have to sit alone as I know no one everywhere I go, so I was surprised to hear someone shouting "Kristin, Kristin" as I walked thru the gym. I turned and found Mrs. Rhea the girls 2nd and 3rd grade teacher from Belair in JC! Her daughter is H's age and is the 1st girl on the snareline in 20 years at JCHS. We were delighted to chat between bands and she was thrilled to get to see H. Our percussion group did really well, but of course, Jeff City won the event and I was happy to stand and cheer with them. Once a Jay, Always a JAY!! I'll look forward to seeing the JC band at other competitions this fall.
The house is coming along. I need to finish up my room and bathroom then work on decorating the girls rooms one at a time. Plus we have umpteen boxes in the garage and basement to wrangle. Would love to park in the garage by the time snow flies.
Busy days ahead, like always. Looking forward to Jess and Josh coming this weekend. The church is having the official "Welcome to the Stinnetts" Potluck on Sun and Jess is coming. We are ready to see her as we didn't get enough of her over the 6 days she was home this summer. Lots of standing around and smiling at people for all of us. It's all good. It's all good.....
Monday, September 03, 2007
Labor Day is here again and again and again
As I clicked to update my sorry old news blog, I realized how funny it was to call it a Labor Day update. We have labored and labored for it seems like months to reclaim our lives, but alas it was not to be. We have started a new one, similar to Mark's little sister, Amy, who gave birth to our handsome nephew, Joshua, on Labor Day 2005. That was a FUN day. Today is more relaxing most days that we have had lately. Think we are all in low gear so far. Still have my goal of being "box free" in our main level living areas by bedtime tonight. Still doable and I do work better under pressure.
For the few faithful readers who may not have current details, I'll summarize the last month quickly and consisely (as is my habit). lol. We left KC on July 14 and made our base camp at Mark's folks in SE MO. Their house is 2 hrs from the new job, rather than 4 from KC. The girls did camps, VBS x 2, hung out with cousins, made new friends etc.... I took them to Branson for a wonderful week of parks and shows completements of our Wheeler Entertainment Network (if you get to Branson go see the 12 Irish Tenors---so GOOD!). We did lots of trips back and forth to worship in Ellisville (learn this name--our new church home and employer). The first weekend in Aug we were able to move into a condo of one of the church members who lives in Hong Kong--NICE!!! It was good to be in one place with all our stuff and not to drive back and forth so much. Hannah and I rode the train to KC to pick up Jessica and her car. We got to visit with Jess about 6 days before she returned to HU. She had an amazing summer school in Florence and points beyond. It was so fun to hear all her stories and see the pictures.
Our pods were delivered to our new house on the hottest day of the summer here in SL. We had lots of good help and finished in just a few hours. We got another load delivered the next weekend, then we brought back the last load from our storage unit last weekend. So all our "treasure" is here with us. We are trying to find new homes and trash bins for it all. :)
We have MANY good meals delivered to us and have been asked out a bunch. I cooked for the first time yesterday and M grilled and we had chips. :) M's little sister, Joy K and Scott and girls surprised us at services. They drove up to hear M preach and do the zoo. Too bad we had a guest speaker from S Africa, but they will come back to hear M again. So nice to see familiar faces, even tho we know everyone at church now. Was more homesick than I knew.
The girls have been in school since Aug 15. We all whined about the early start and are so happy to be in a routine now. The schools are all really close to us, H could walk to school in 5 min if she wasn't so cool. lol. The other 3 take a bus and have short rides. All have made friends and like their teachers. I went to PTO night and missed seeing my school friends, so have to get in there and volunteer to make some new relationships. Think we are going to like it here so much!
Our church family couldn't be more welcoming and patient as we have been in transition. I have had tons of good help getting settled, meals, directions to good shopping and even some fun. Mark is LOVING his side of this move, spends hours studying at the building and as gotten some projects done to help get us settled. Somedays I say I'm in the movie "Groundhog's Day" b/c everyday is like the other, more boxes, more mess to sort out. It was like this packing up, every closet in the house being dumped on the floor and you have to deal with it all. That's the story of unpacking too. Hope to get more done each day....and the current stuff, laundry, kid patrol, etc....
All the details of our Labor Day to date. Think I'll go find some people to eat some lunch. H went out with some friends. (will detail her transition later), Kat spent the night with a church pal, Abby was playing down the street in a sprinkler fest, Em had fallen asleep in her room and M was reading Harry Potter 7. Yep, it's rough around here. Have to keep up with my young blogger buds so will update again soon. Grins!!
For the few faithful readers who may not have current details, I'll summarize the last month quickly and consisely (as is my habit). lol. We left KC on July 14 and made our base camp at Mark's folks in SE MO. Their house is 2 hrs from the new job, rather than 4 from KC. The girls did camps, VBS x 2, hung out with cousins, made new friends etc.... I took them to Branson for a wonderful week of parks and shows completements of our Wheeler Entertainment Network (if you get to Branson go see the 12 Irish Tenors---so GOOD!). We did lots of trips back and forth to worship in Ellisville (learn this name--our new church home and employer). The first weekend in Aug we were able to move into a condo of one of the church members who lives in Hong Kong--NICE!!! It was good to be in one place with all our stuff and not to drive back and forth so much. Hannah and I rode the train to KC to pick up Jessica and her car. We got to visit with Jess about 6 days before she returned to HU. She had an amazing summer school in Florence and points beyond. It was so fun to hear all her stories and see the pictures.
Our pods were delivered to our new house on the hottest day of the summer here in SL. We had lots of good help and finished in just a few hours. We got another load delivered the next weekend, then we brought back the last load from our storage unit last weekend. So all our "treasure" is here with us. We are trying to find new homes and trash bins for it all. :)
We have MANY good meals delivered to us and have been asked out a bunch. I cooked for the first time yesterday and M grilled and we had chips. :) M's little sister, Joy K and Scott and girls surprised us at services. They drove up to hear M preach and do the zoo. Too bad we had a guest speaker from S Africa, but they will come back to hear M again. So nice to see familiar faces, even tho we know everyone at church now. Was more homesick than I knew.
The girls have been in school since Aug 15. We all whined about the early start and are so happy to be in a routine now. The schools are all really close to us, H could walk to school in 5 min if she wasn't so cool. lol. The other 3 take a bus and have short rides. All have made friends and like their teachers. I went to PTO night and missed seeing my school friends, so have to get in there and volunteer to make some new relationships. Think we are going to like it here so much!
Our church family couldn't be more welcoming and patient as we have been in transition. I have had tons of good help getting settled, meals, directions to good shopping and even some fun. Mark is LOVING his side of this move, spends hours studying at the building and as gotten some projects done to help get us settled. Somedays I say I'm in the movie "Groundhog's Day" b/c everyday is like the other, more boxes, more mess to sort out. It was like this packing up, every closet in the house being dumped on the floor and you have to deal with it all. That's the story of unpacking too. Hope to get more done each day....and the current stuff, laundry, kid patrol, etc....
All the details of our Labor Day to date. Think I'll go find some people to eat some lunch. H went out with some friends. (will detail her transition later), Kat spent the night with a church pal, Abby was playing down the street in a sprinkler fest, Em had fallen asleep in her room and M was reading Harry Potter 7. Yep, it's rough around here. Have to keep up with my young blogger buds so will update again soon. Grins!!
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