So it begins

Robert officially got a part in the musical.....Kenneth. We really have to admit we don't know who Kenneth is but we were very happy he got a part!

I have to tell on him though. The list posts at 6 p.m. so a little after 6, he told me I had to go with him because he was too scared to go by himself. He had tried out for Bum Fu, one of the chinese guys and even though, he wasn't picky about what part he got, he knew out of the ones that were being tried out for that was the largest part he would get so when we got there, he got out and went to look at the door. Jared Britton was standing there and told Robert congratulations, Robert looked at Bum Fu, saw he didn't get it, looked at the dancers and saw his name and told Jared, "you too" and came back to the van. He got in the van and I said "So???" and he said, "I didn't get a part" and I said, "I am really sorry" and he said, "It's fine, there was a reason". Where did he get this??? It isn't from me because quite honestly, I was hurting for him and he was like, "Hey, I still get to be a dancer" which I told him I felt like it was because he was such a good dancer last year (and he was).

So, he had to play at a ballgame last night so he dropped me off and went back to school. About 10 minutes later, he comes running back in the door..."I DID get a part!!!" You have got to get on the internet and look up Kenneth!" Well, I did, and all I could find was who played Kenneth on Broadway but we still don't know who he is. He had went back to school and everybody was congratulating him and he was thinking--okay????? Then Tika brought him a rose and was all excited and he was questioning her so SHE was the one to tell him that he actually got a part.

My funny boy.

Good to be home

I made it home around a quarter til 5 last night. I think the cutest thing is that when I got to the river bridge, I called Robert and asked if there was anything parked in my garage, when he said yes, I told him to move it. He said, "So, I take it your on your way home?". And I said, "I'm at the river bridge." And he said, "Oh Hallelujah!!" I thought it was neat. As I said in a previous post, he wasn't acting like it was bothering him that I wouldn't be him to see him off before auditions, but it sounded like he was glad I was going to be. I was glad too--really glad- once again I avoided the conflict between being mom and having my career.



Even though I tried to watch some of the shows I missed while I was gone, my main event of the evening was falling asleep in my recliner. I slept every night I was gone, but there is just something about being away from all the stress and being back in your own little sanctuary that really makes me realize that I hadn't relaxed in 4 days. I have to tell you the guys did a wonderful job with the house while I was away, it was great to not be walking into a mess, and Robert had even had friends over yesterday evening and it still wasn't messed up.



As for the training, it was good, I am just "back-up" and tech support for this program and it really does seem like it is going to be a breeze, once everyone learns it.

It's FINALLY Thursday!!!!

I think we get to come home at noon today!!! We were supposed to have to stay until 5. That means I might make it home before Robert goes to his audition for the musical tonight. Eventhough, he hasn't seemed to mind that I was going to be gone, I was really a little disappointed to miss wishing him luck in person. I am very fortunate to have a job that lets me cater to my family most of the time, once in a great, great while I have a conflict though and today was going to be one of those times. Now, maybe not!

Jasper county, here I come!!!

Greetings from Springfield!

What a whirlwind weekend! It seems like we had a million places to be, all of which were important and places I wanted to be but nonetheless, creating a hectic few days. Yesterday morning, I was in Terre Haute at 8:20 for a periodontist appointment, Effingham at noon and met my traveling companions in Greenup at 2:30 to come up here. We made it to our rooms around 7, after a stop at Red Lobster, and I think I was pretty happy just to sit and relax for a while.

Today starts our training for the new program. I am excited yet a little scared. This is actually something I have never worked with that much and I am here because of my computer abilities, not my knowledge of how the program runs. That's a little intemidating to me. It will be fine, it will be a breeze- so I have been told. Hope it's right!

Meanwhile, back at my house, the boys are "baching" it this week. Robert plays at a ballgame tonight, has Awana tomorrow night and musical tryouts Thursday night. He is really excited about the musical. It is his favorite time of the year, it even outweighs band by just a little. I don't think I ever told everyone about his report card, second quarter, he got all A's and B's, he has never done that in his life! His first quarter grades were just a little too low for him to make honor roll, but he is definately on the right track.

I will be home late Thursday night, it is going to be a long week but hopefully a good one! Take care everyone! PS. Hi to my guys, I love you!

Check out this website

Ms. Cummins, aka, my friend Amy, and the web design class at the high school has started a wonderful edition to the NCHS website- The Eagle Eye. Check it out here:
http://209.174.248.190/nchs2/EagleEye/eagleeye.html

Give it a couple of minutes to load, but it will be worth it, you will probably recognize a few feet and faces! It will change weekly so check back often.

Oh I love my job!!

The greatest thing about my job is I get opportunities to really do something great for people. Because of confidentiality, I can't say a whole lot, but we have a client who is a single mom who is trying to get out of the system. She is in her second year of college at a junior college, heading for an associates degree. She is months away and she had a need that needed met that there was no way she could do it herself financially. This week, I got to help in making that happen. I am so excited and can't wait to hear how she reacts. As I said about teaching the other night, I don't get to be around the clients that much anymore but this girl was one of my computer students a couple of years ago, in fact, she claims that was what helped spur her decision to go back to school. Anyway, it has been like Christmas for me the last couple days (more so than Christmas was to me this year!)

Next week, my job is taking me to Springfield for most of the week, although I hate being away from my guys, I am looking very forward to this too as it is stepping out in a new adventure for our agency.

Three of My Favorite Quick Recipes

Here are three of my favorite "every night" suppers. These are actually from years pasts "Quick Cooking" which I believe now is the "Simple and Delicious" Magazine that is put out by the same folks as "Taste of Home".

Corn Dog Casserole
1 c celery
1 TBSP margarine
3/4 c green onion
1 pkg hot dogs
1 egg
3/4 c milk
1 tsp sage
pepper
1 pkg corn muffin mix
1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Saute celery and onion in margarine, set aside. cut hot dogs in halves then thirds; saute until light brown. Add hot dogs to veggies, Set aside 1 cup of mix. In large bowl, combine egg, milk, sage and pepper, add remaining veg mix. Stir in corn muffin mix. Add 3/4 c of the cheese. Spread into shallow 1 1/2 quart baking dish, top with reserved mix and remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered at 400 degrees for 30 minutes until golden brown. Makes 6 servings.

This one has always been a favorite and it sneaks in some veggies.

Bacon Cheeseburger Pasta
8 oz. uncooked pasta
6 strips of bacon, diced
1 lb ground beef
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
bbq sauce, mustard (optional)

Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a skillet cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. In the same skillet, cook bacon until crisp; remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels. Discard drippings. Drain pasta; add to the skillet. Add soup, beef, and bacon; heat through. Sprinkle with cheese, cover and cook until the cheese is melted. Serve with bbq sauce or mustard if desired. Serves 6

Ham and Swiss Stromboli

1 tube (11 oz.) refrigerated French bread
6 green onions
1 1/2 c swiss cheese, shredded
6 oz thinly sliced deli ham
8 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

Unroll dough on a greased baking sheet. Place ham over dough to within 1/2 in of edges; sprinkle evenly with onions, bacon and cheese. Roll up, jelly-roll style, starting with a long side. Pinch seams to seal and tuck ends under. Place seam side down on baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut several 1/4 in deep slits on top of loaf. Bake at 350 degrees for 26-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly before slicing. Serves 6.

These are far from "gourmet" meals, but they are all "comfort food" at our house. When we lived in PA, we had "real" Stromboli, it had a potato bread crust and it really didn't taste a lot like the recipe above, but we still like this one too. Sorry, no pictures!

Enjoy!