The Race of Life is going strong!

After my wonderful Christmas "break", this week was the official start of what my "normal" life is... I'm as busy as I ever was. :)

Teaching at MES is always exciting, but the kids have come back with more vim and vigor now after Christmas (this means more discipline problems than before.) We're hoping that it dies down, but the last 1/2 of the school year always holds more chaos that we seem to be prepared for. Yesterday, my friend Julie had to call the police after school because one of our 6th graders was beating up another child right off of school property. The individual has been quite the trouble maker all year, and we all wonder just how far he'll take it. Here's hoping that our fears are all unfounded, and that the year will be a smooth sail until the end!

This week I've worked at the massage clinic (I'm now working Tuesday evenings, and during the day on Saturdays); had 2 massage classes (one with Carolan in Marion, and then I'm taking Kinesiology in Andover), and numerous meetings before and after school. By the time I get home in the evenings, all I want to do is drop into bed--even if it is only 8:30! I realize that some of you might find this humerous, but I'm too tired to care! :)

Today I did a massage at the clinic, and then went downtown to donate my time to the City of Marion. Marion is trying to put some new playground equipment in the park downtown (which is good, since the equipment they have now has been around since I was a little girl--I vividly remember playing on it!) and have been having several fundraisers to try to make it happen. Today they had an auction in the City Building, and Carolan, Carol and I went down to do 5 min. massages in exchange for a donation to the playground fund. There wasn't a good turnout for the auction, and we were quite disappointed. I'm hoping that those that did show up will be generous in their giving!

This afternoon I'm hoping for a nap. I started some bread, so I'll need to bake that at some point. I'll include the recipe. My aunt Pauline's mother, "Grandma" Schmidt, makes this recipe, and I always love being invited to her family dinners so that I can enjoy this bread!

Dill Bread

Dissolve 1 pkg. yeast in 1/4 cup warm water.

Combine in mixing bowl:
1 c. cottage cheese
2 t. dill seed
2 t. salt
1/4 t. soda
1 unbeaten egg
1 T. melted butter or margarine
1/2 T. minced onion
2 T. sugar

Add: yeast mixture and 2 1/4- 2 1/2 c. flour

Stir well to combine. Let rise in greased bowl to double in size. Punch down. Put into two 7x3" or one 9x5" well-greased bread pan(s). let rise again, about 45-50 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees about 30 minutes. Remove from pans and brush with melted margarine.

**Since I'm not home very much, I usually start this in my bread machine, on the dough cycle. When I get home I bake it in the oven! So easy!

Back in the Swing of Things

It's been awhile since I've had a chance to sit down and write anything. In the time I've been away, I've had a chance to spend time with my sister, brother-in-law, and my dear nephew, Gustav; I've helped cut pigs; I've hosted a "girl's night" for my coworkers, and numerous other things that just aren't important enough to share! :)



I was blessed to be able to spend time in Germany with Heidi, Tim and Gustav (and yes, you may call him Gus!). We spent most of the time together in their apartment, just being able to share in each other's company. Small trips to the grocery store, and neighborhood restaurants were welcome field trips, with a chance for Gus to try out his new, fancy stroller. It was so hard to leave them and return to KS...at least I know that I'll be able to see them soon! I love them all so much! I'll share some pics, since I know that you are all waiting with baited breath.















Please continue to keep Tim, Heidi and Gustav in your prayers. Heidi is back in the hospital, and seems to baffle all the drs. she comes into contact with, with a condition that none of them have ever seen before. Tomorrow they are supposed to decide whether they will need to do additional surgery for this condition.



I also go back to the dr. tomorrow for a checkup on my thyroid and to see whether there have been any changes. We'll see what he has to say!