My Grandma Fix

What a nice weekend. We had the grandbabies all weekend as Randi flew out to Michigan so they could do some house hunting. It is always fun to have the kids. I am exhausted, but it is a nice exhaustion. The weather was perfect this weekend. Not too hot, not too cold, no rain. Just perfect. We started the fire pit last night and had some friends over. That is always nice. Lauren thought it was great too because she could make smores. Today was church and then playing outside. Logan thinks it is a blast to go crazy with his walker out on the driveway. He is just a crazy man. After an early supper we headed to Gullord park for an hour of planing on slides and swings. Then it was back home for baths and to bed. They both went to bed without a whimper. Now if they just stay asleep all night! :) Randi won't be back from Michigan until Wednesday so I took a few days off of work to watch the kids. It was a win-win form me. I got to take a few days off of work (and that is always fun) as well as get my grandma fix before they all move.

Continuing Ed

Well, I made it! I made it through 2 days of continuing ed. Don't get me wrong, I always learn somthing at continuing ed, but it is darn hard for me to sit all day long listening to an instructor drone on about rules and regulations etc. At least this instructor tried to make the classes fun. She told jokes and said whoooo hooooo a lot. But then as soon as class is over I have to head back to work. Back at work there is a lot of catch up stuff to do. I guess it is one of Murphy's laws, but every time I am gone something weird comes up that I end up having to deal with when I come back. This time was no exception. I don't even want to go to work tomorrow because I know I have to deal with this particular issue. Then on Friday I have to head to Lakefield for a whole day of strategic planning. YUCK!!!!! My least favorite thing to do. I can't stand to sit around while senior mangement goes over everything and tries to make the goals harder and harder to achieve. I swear we spend so much time on strategic planning for the next year and auditing the things we do, that we don't have time to do the things we are suppose to do. I suppose that happens in a lot of industries, but this just seems to be out of hand.

On a lighter note, I canned another 36 pints of salsa tonight. (Well, the last batch is almost ready to come out of the pressure cooker) Randi and the kids came in so she was able to help as well. Lauren thought she should help, but everything is either very hot or involves the use of a sharp knife, Most of what we made was medium hot. The next batches will be hotter. It is nice to have some mild, some medium and some hot. Then I will start on "soup starter". Soup starter is just tomatoes, peppers and onions canned together. No spices or anything. That way you can use it for chili, or you can use it for spaghetti sauce or pizaa. Just depends on the spices you use with it. Anyway, I need to get the last batch off of the stove now and then get to bed - 5:05 a.m. comes way too early!!!

Murray County Fair

Well, the 2009 Murray County Fair is history. The bank did not have a booth in the commercial building this year and we did not have to help with the demolition derby this year, so I actually enjoyed the fair. Staffing the fair booth was always a pain. Trying to keep the office running smoothly as well as keeping someone in the booth was the pits. And then Saturday of fair week was terrible. We went from staffing the booth to the parade to the demo derby. And the demo derby ususally did not get over until 11:00 or so. I was always exhausted by end of fair week. The community band did play in the parade however. The parade was great, but at the end of the parade it started raining!

Today was nice as well. Travis flew home for a few days. They came to church today and then came over for lunch afterword. We kept the kids while Randi took him back to the airport in Sioux Falls. It was very sad to see Travis leave. Randi and the kids are taking it pretty well though. I guess they know it is a short term situation so . . . . They did show the acerage twice this weekend. I hope they get an offer from one of the couples who looked at it.

The coming week is going to be busy. It is time for strategic planning! My least favorite time of the year. We spend an absorbitant amount of time on strategic planning. Along with strategic planning comes performance reviews. My second least favorite thing to do! Well, off to bed!

We had a wonderful weekend with the grandbabies. Randi worked her last couple of shifts at the hospital so we took the kids for her. Travis is coming home for a visit in a couple of days so that should be good for them. Then in a couple of weeks Randi is going to fly out there to go house hunting. She has been looking on the internet so she has a few in mind to look at. The time for them to complete their move is getting closer and closer. Good news for them, not so good for me.

Work has been getting very interesting. I got a call Friday from one of the members of Senior Management. Things are finally moving along. D-day should be about mid November. Between now and then it is going to be very busy!!!!! I'm guessing there will be a lot of long days in October. I sure will be glad when D-day comes. It has been consuming all of my idle time since the end of March. I am tired of dealing with it.

Well, I am exhausted, so I am going to relax in my recliner for a few minutes and then go to bed! I know, it is way to early for this girl to go to bed, but I really need it tonight.

Kruse-a-palooza is done

Well, the festivities are over. I have all the bedding and rugs washed. I have the floors scrubbed and almost everything is put away. I am feeling bad because I was so busy cooking and getting things done that I didn't have as much time as I would like to visit with everyone. The few times I did have time I was very tired and didn't do very well making conversation with the people that I really wanted to visit with. I worry and hope that everyone had a good time. I spend months getting ready for Kruse-a-palooza and in a flash it is over. I miss everyone so much.!!!! I went to church this morning and had a difficult time maintaining my composure. I cried through most of it. I just felt so depressed that it was all over. Then after a flurry of cleaning and putting things away, we went out to help Randi clean and stage their house for the market. The real estate agent is coming tomorrow to take pictures of their house for the website. Again it made me very sad. Tomorrow it is back to work. Ugh! Not that I hate my job, but I really am not ready to go back to work.