I know, I know, it's been a really long time since I last blogged. It's a reflection of how busy life has been. Last week was the BIG AUCTION for MVCA. Our blue guys made it into the papers, the table were set... and I might add, packed! We were able to fit enough seating for 180-ish people in an area that should have sat 100. It was CLOSE, COZY, and HOT in there!. The day of the auction arrived and we were skirmishing around getting all the ins and outs accomplished. No real snags, everything went swimmingly! We needed to gain $10,000, which everybody thought was unlikely, specially with the economy the way it is. Instead we gained $12,000-ish. Some of that is scholarships to kids and such so actual school moneys would have totaled around $11,000. When I first heard what they got, I had heard they doubled last year, which would have put it at $20,000. I was super excited, and later I heard the more accurate number. I was a little disappointed, but that's just satan trying to take the joy and understanding of the true blessing that God provided yet again for EXACTLY what we need. HE IS SO GOOD!!!!! Sometimes I feel guilty talking about monitary things as there are so many people out there with absolutely nothing. It doesn't seem fair. The question always pops up... why did He chose for me to be where I am, with what I have? And then I remember that the responsibility of my stewardship is greater. Let me be pleasing only to you Oh, Lord!

This is our wonderful auctioneer who has a great heart for our Lord!

Anyways,that was a HUGE relief! Hopefully now the teachers can be fully paid and some of the debt paid off.
Saturday we got up bright and early, cleaned house and did our normal weekend chores, and then headed off to "buff apples". Sunday was our church Thanksgiving dinner. I think they served over 500 people (for free :).... again another blessing!) the centerpieces were hundreds of apples. These of course needed to be shimmering to the point of seeing ones reflection. Or maybe just nice and shiny. So we spent some time with another couple buffing away. We returned home and had a bit of time before Leo's good friend Niels from up in Alaska came to visit. He was driving a motorcycle and arrived SUR. (SOAKED upon arrival!) It was a late night catching up, watching embarassing video's of the two of them when they were in high school! I have a fine collection of blackmail from high school years. This one in particular involved the two of them blindfolded in the back of my car, singing QUITE DRAMATICALLY, to girly songs. (TOTALLY unaware of my video taping them.) It made for some good laughs at least! (Course, there was the part of me falling down a flight of stairs too, but we fast forwarded through that part!)

Sunday was church, more hanging out, and a yummy dinner at church. "My how scrumptious those center pieces were looking." It always good to fellowship with your church family! Fellowshipping at Thanksgiving always reminds me of my dear friend Noelle (now living in Singapore) and I putting olives on our fingers and pretending to be ET at our church Thanksgiving in Eagle River Alaska (as a Sophmore, and Junior in high school). It's funny the stupid things that you remember! We returned home and spent a lot of time continuing to catch up.

Monday was parent teacher conferences for Leo, and I had work. So Niels spent a lot of time at our place resting. It was another late night as conferences went later than expected and the boys wanted to hang out afterwards. Tuesday we had off, so we went shopping..... rather browsing, and watched a movie at home. Leo had basketball meeting for the kickoff of basketball season, so I taught Niels how to throw on the wheel. He created the incredible morphing bowl. It went from a mug, to a double handled soup bowl with acorns on the side, to a bowl (without acorns), to a square bowl. It was a late night again. Sorry Niels has all the pictures. Our camera is on the fritz.

Wednesday was school (our friend headed to Seattle.... SUR. We worked late to get stuff done. Thursday, work, and late, and women's bible study for me. Friday I sold a TON of snowman earing at school and have requests for tons more, so I betta' get beaden! The holidays are wonderful because everybody wants to purchase home made things, that don't look homemade. Works well for me since thats my specialty!

We are doing a firing today for the craft bazaar that I'm preparing for.... and anticipating Thanksgiving week as Al (Leo's brother) and my parents are coming out. Which reminds me, I need to make a grocery run!