Lori's Rambling

It seems like Christmas commercialism starts earlier every year.  This year, as most years, the increased commercialism simply makes me think about the things that really matter.  As I think about Christmas as I grew up, the things that stand out in my memory are not the gifts that I thought I needed to have or even the surprise gifts that I never expected.  I remember the family times spent  talking about past Christmas memories.  One thing that my brother and I particularly enjoyed was hearing the stories from our mom and dad of their memories Christmas growing up with their families -- those stories inevitably turn to stories of the escapades of my dad and his brothers.  I still marvel after all these years of hearing his stories that he and all his siblings survived to adulthood!  Every year our family's special Christmas tradition was gathering on Christmas Eve in the living room, turning out most of the lights, and reading the Christmas story tog...

Well, I seem to have less and less time to keep up with the blog.  I have been so busy with work, Jaelyn's soccer games, getting ready for Jaelyn's birthday, etc.  Now I am the proud mother of a 6 year old daughter.  I'm still trying to figure out where the last 6 years have gone!  It seems like just yesterday that she can in my arms for the first time. I am very proud of the girl she has become.  Jaelyn is very compassionate and caring.  She is a bubbly, active girl, who is almost always ready to try something new (activities that is, she is getting better about trying new foods!).  Jaelyn has a determined personality and applies that determination to anything she tries.  This year she tried soccer for the first time.  Jaelyn began in September and the season just ended last weekend.  The difference in her skill from the first game to the last game was amazing to watch.  Jaelyn became a very skilled an...

How many of you are ready for Christmas?  Not me, it is hard to even think about Christmas shopping, at least not until after Jaelyn's birthday at the end of October.   My mom is going to be one of the vendors at the 9th Annual Holiday Craft Faire at the East Hills Moravian Church at 1830 Butztown Road, Bethlehem, PA on Saturday, October 2nd from 9 a.m. to 3 pm..  My mom does very unique art work -- she does wood burning also known as pyrography.  She burns pictures into wood.  It sounds very simple, but her work is very detailed and precise.  Please check out the pictures here and also check out the website for the Craft Faire -- www.easthillsmc.org/hcf.html -- they have a listing of all the vendors and if you click on the vendors name, pictures of their crafts or artwork will be displayed.  If you are in the Bethlehem area this weekend or love to go to craft shows, check this one out this weekend -- it is a huge event, the first 1,000 visitors ...

Well, it has been a long time since I posted anything.  I have been pretty busy.  I started a new job at the end of June, working as a foster care caseworker for Lebanon County Children and Youth Services.  It has been challenging balancing working a full-time traditional job with time for my family and myself.  I think I am finally feeling settled in at work.  There have been some challenging moments along the way.  It was particularly difficult when Jaelyn was sick and I still had to go to work.  Since I have never worked a traditional job since she was born, I have never had to leave her to go to work when she was sick.  Scott took good care of her, but it still tore at my heart to leave for work when she wasn't feeling well.  I recently purchased an Amazon Kindle.  For those of you who aren't tech savy -- the Kindle is an e-reader.  I have been spending so much more time reading that I haven't had time to be on the internet or...

I'm feeling very scattered today, so as a result today's post may seem just as scattered -- you will be able to see that I have a lot on my mind and going on.  After two and a half months of job hunting, I have been offered and accepted a position with Lebanon County Children and Youth Services!  I will be working as a foster care caseworker.  I worked for Lebanon Co. CYS about 10 years ago in the same position.  The bonus on having a new job is being able to work with the same supervisor that I worked with 10 years ago.  To some people that may not seem like a bonus, but having a terrific supervisor makes any job easier to do.  I am excited to be returning to work and particularly in a job that I like, with a good supervisor, excellent benefits, and relatively close to home (only a 15-20 minute commute. On the other bright side, I am almost ready to list my first jewelry on Etsy.com .  Hopefully I will have about six listing on my site:  htt...

Well, the BIG yard sale is over. Whew!  Glad it is done -- hope to never have to do that again!  We probably sold about 50% of what we had -- made around $1000, so did really well.  We sent most of the leftover items to a church thrift shop .  What a free and light feeling to have all those belongings gone and lots of open space in our garage.  I could even get my bike out easily to take a bike ride yesterday!  I still need to organize what is left and clear out some more trash, but it looks so much better already!  Now I feel like I can move on and spend more time on my job search .  I have one interview scheduled and am waiting to hear a date and time for another interview.  I am very interested in both jobs, so very excited about the interviews!   I've also been working on getting my shop up and going on Etsy.com to sell some of my jewelry .  Hopefully will have my first items posted in the next couple of days, then will...

HUGE YARD SALE: Friday, May 27th and Saturday, May 28th from 7 am to 2 pm 101 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown, PA  17038 Lots of great deals!  Free hot dogs from 12-1 both days!  See below for detailed items - furniture , outside items (boats, etc.), household items, books, baby and kids items Paint Sprayer:   Professional Grade - Magnum XR7 - 5 gallon capacity Furniture: 2 - computer desks -- one is tall corner unit, other regular vertical unit Refrigerator -- great for second frig -- freezer on bottom -- checked by repair tech and is in working condition Dining room table - great condition Outdoor Items: Lots of water toys -- squirt guns, sprinklers, etc. Canoe -- Coleman 15 ft. - 3 seats -- great condition Gas Grill Kayak - older model Aerocraft - v-bottom boat w/Evinrude 40 HP motor -- project boat, w/trailer Aqua-Glide -- wind surfer, inflatable -- new in box Household Items: Large set of corelle dishes blue glass items ice cream make...