Cadet Recruit Sloth

We had a busy, busy weekend.

Friday was a furlough day. I accomplished more in that one day than I feel like I've done in months. The biggest achievment was cleaning out the garage. Katie was the motivator for that project. We made a lot of progress. We took one FULL mini-van load to Goodwill! We have some things that need to go to recycling and are anxiously awaiting the garbage pick up this week. But the garage looks great. I was SO tired and sore Friday night. Chloe went to dinner with friends before going to work and Kate and I did the drive-thru in our PJ's for dinner!

Saturday was a lot of running around. I cooked ahead for Sunday, did laundry, Chloe met with a classmate for about 3 hours and worked on a project and the girls and I went to see "Julie & Julia" after dinner. I love that movie.

Sunday started early. We left the house around 7 AM so that we could be in place for the start of FROG graduation at 8 AM. As we were making our way to the drill field, we saw EJ's Company process in front of us on their way to the drill field. EJ was carrying a blue flag. After the 3+ mile run there were awards made. Turns out each person carrying the flag for their company was the chosen company Gideon. (...presentation of the company Gideon. It will be given to the most outstanding individual in the F.R.O.G. class for that company...) It was difficult to hear and understand everything being said on the P.A. system so I missed ALL the indivduals involved in making the decision for this award, but it was more than just EJ's company leaders.

The Gideon is a year long 'thing' (for lack of a better term) and it will be EJ's job to guard and keep the flag safe from being stolen by other companies the entire freshman year. EJ also mentioned that he is guaranteed a leadership role next year. We were/are very proud.

EJ seems to have had a good week. He was in great spirits even though he was clearly exhausted. He had foot issues all week. He called me Thursday morning from the clinic. Turns out those hangnails are actually ingrown toenails and he was put on antibiotics and prescription strength Motrin. He has an appointment with the doctor that comes on campus Tuesday. Surgery was mentioned. However, even with sore/sick feet, he had the fastest run time in his company!

Katie is working at the Brenau library almost every day this week and Chloe is already working on projects and presentations for school. I believe Chloe's youth group activities will start this week and my choir, ladies and hand bell groups are already discussing Christmas music and performance dates!

HERE WE GO!!!!

Not So Crazy Afterall

Chloe has decided AP Chemistry is too much! (The biggest issue is the teacher. She is concerned he will not 'teach', but just hand them things to do.) She called me yesterday afternoon after school to discuss dropping this one class. I don't have a problem with it if it doesn't mess up the rest of her schedule. I asked that she talk to her Guidance Counselor to see how it will affect her schedule before completing the form I needed to sign. She went in early this morning to try and catch Ms. Suarez. :-) I really hope this makes enough of a difference in her workload to keep her sane.



I received an email today with some cute cartoons about dogs. This one just reminds me so much of Bandit I had to share.


I'm sure if he thought a sign would help, he'd find one.

Another Emotional Day

It's only Tuesday and we've already experienced TWO milestones! I'm thinking it is a VERY good thing that this Friday is a furlough day. I need a day to recover!

I took EJ to FROG week this morning at North Georgia College & State University. He reported at 9:00 AM. FROG stands for Freshman Recruit Orientation Group. I think EJ will have a lot of fun. He may be sore and a little beat up when I see him again on Sunday, but I don't think he will be nearly as miserable as some of those boys I saw this morning. There were SEVERAL young men that I feel should have taken the suggestion included with their admission packet "get in shape now" a LOT more seriously! The next few days for quite a few of them may be a real challenge.

If you're interested in seeing what the website says about FROG week, you can click on the link I've attached. This information is for 2008. I guess they will update the site once this group of recruits finishes. But my guess is a lot of it will be the same. And that first picture could be a group from 3 years ago. They look just like the cadets I saw today.

http://www.ngcsu.edu/Military/Corps/frogweek.htm

Chloe got in the car with Katie yesterday afternoon and said "What was I thinking?" Her ambitious schedule seemed a little daunting by 3 PM on the first day of school. I'll be anxiuos to see what her take on things is after day 2.

Work this week is stressful. We have 'visitors' all week and they require a LOT of attention. How many days until Friday?

FINAL Last Day

Well, I did it. I took my youngest baby to her very last, first day of school! And I didn't cry. I realize it sounds so melodramatic to be making such a big deal out of this moment and yet I can't help it. It is a big deal to me. And it is amazing to me that the emotions are very similar to when I put her on the bus for her very first day of kindergarten. This parenthood thing is NOT for wimps.

I think Chloe is anticpating and dreading this year all at once. But she was picking out her friends cars in the parking lot as we pulled up and she got out of the car with a huge smile on her face. She has 3 AP classes this year and is doubling her science load! I hope the first day doesn't overwhelm her. She has already read and completed problems for 4 chapters in Chemistry. Here we go, ready or not.

I had all my babies together for brief moments over the weekend. I was hoping to get a picture at dinner last night, but Chloe's work schedule changed. Maybe tonight.

EJ (also affectionately known as 'Julie') has organized a group dinner at a local restuarant this evening with his friends. Sort of a last hoorah and birthday celebration all rolled into one. He called last evening to make a reservation for 17 people. When he got off the phone, he was laughing. He said the person taking his information asked if he would need any highchairs or booster seats! It's the deep voice! Hard to tell over the phone how old he is. But we all found that question very amusing.