Life stinks!

Okay, so not really.  But it sure hasn't been fun today!

Ster started school today.  What an adventure =)  We've enrolled him in a charter school this year to see how he does.  We didn't want to send him back to his previous school (Forbes) because I haven't been very impressed with his resource teacher and his speech teacher.  He did fantastic in resource the first part of the year - but when he got a new teacher he didn't show any improvement and kind of slid back.  I've never been impressed with his speech teacher.  However, I didn't want to send him to the elementary school where he should go.  One, I've heard that the resource teachers aren't very good - and the last thing he doesn't need is another teacher that doesn't help him progress.  Two, I've heard that the amount of homework is overwelming - and where he struggles to concentrate for a long period of time that amount of homework just wouldn't fly with us.  Three, the kids in church don't really have a thing to do with him, so what makes me think that they'll have anything to do with him  at school?  I'm afraid if the same little boy was mean to him at school I'd probably go off on his parents about teaching their child to be nice.  One thing I have tried to make sure Ster understands is that everyone could use a friend and he had to be nice to everyone.   After he was laughed at in Church, I think he is a bit nicer (maybe odd, but nicer).

Anyway - today was his first day and I think he liked it.  He came down the hall with a smile on his face (which promptly disappeared when he saw me watching him).  He likes school, although he pretends he doesn't.

But what made today real fun is the fact that our freezer quit working.  The last thing we needed right now was to replace our fridge.  It ain't like we had a nice chunk of change just sitting around waiting for us to spend it!  I was physically ill when we went to buy our new fridge.  I called a family friend to see if he could come out to check it out and he said he would - but wouldn't be able to get out until tomorrow night.  And, after describing the sounds it has been making for the past few months, he said it was most likely the compressor - which would cost about $600-$800 to fix and it would probably be better to buy a new fridge. 

If I look on the bright side, I've wanted to replace our appliances with stainless steel appliances - we're just doing it sooner than budgeted/planned.

July = Nelson Reunion

This last weekend we (Tim and I) took my dad and sister to the Nelson Reunion.  Wondering where Ster was?  With my mom - he didn't want to go.  Anywho, we went up Cedar Mountain just past Duck Creek.  It has been years since I have been there - and it makes me want to go there again!

We had a good weekend.  We got there Thursday evening and set up and enjoyed two full days there before we had to come home bright and early Sunday morning.  At our reunions, we usually have races, sawdust swim, family breakfast, family dinner, auction and quilt raffle.  Things were a bit different this year - but I think I had a much better time at this reunion than I have in years past.  I don't know if it is the fact that it was more laid back and not so busy - or if it was because Ster wasn't there to complain about being bored. 

One of the best times we had this weekend was when letters were read.  At my Gma Nelson's 75th birthday party, each of her children shared their thoughts and feelings about her - sharing their testimonies and stories about growing up.  I learned a lot about my Gma that I never knew (she died while my mom was pregnant with me) - and I came away with more respect for her.  My dad was in his glory - he visited with everyone going from camp spot to camp spot and telling all sorts of stories. 

We also had a raffle - we have an auction and raffle each year to pay for expenses of the reunion.  This year there was only a raffle - 3 big quilts, 3 baby quilts, and about 20 other items.  Each year I tell myself that I going to  save money so that I can put a lot of money into the fund - and this year I bought $50 worth of raffle tickets.  Let me tell you - it paid off!  Normally, I don't win.  But this year - I won big!

See this?

This is definitely one quilt Ster WON'T take over!



Yep!  That's mine!  I was so excited - I let out a squeal that Tim claims to have heard back at the trailer.  A few tickets later, I won this baby:

Isn't it cute?  Not that we need a baby blanket - but it is going to be a wall hanging for Easter.

My sister and I won 6 things between us - but only claimed 2 each.  My sister kept her mouth shut once and I gave my ticket to a relative.  But, we sat there giggling like little girls and had such a great time!

Here are some pictures of the area:

I can't wait to go again next year!  (Maybe I'll be lucky and win another quilt - or two).