We got our local newsletter that comes out every season. In the newsletter they mentioned important dates to remember and happenings in the area. They are having a Children's Christmas Party in December where the boys can meet Santa and get a gift from him.
Also listed in the newsletter was a few openings for member of the Recreation Board. The rec board overseas the playgrounds, the summer program for kids and the Christmas party as well. I called to the borough to see how I could go about joining. I was told I should attend the Council Meeting next Wednesday so that they can meet me in person and ask me questions.
Lets pray that I can get accepted. Its just another foot in the door...
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Our first time
It was only 24 hours but so worth it! We left the boys at 1:30 on Saturday afternoon and drove to the E.J Bowman house in Lancaster, PA. The drive was nice and the B&B was really easy to find. It was only 30 minutes away from home, so we could be home quickly if needed.
We were greeted by Murphy and given a tour of their home. He showed us the Library which had two chairs an antique desk with a few modern amenities, a TV with DVDs and some CD’s. There were a lot books to read with literature on Lancaster County. Next was the dinning room with a table that seated 12. He showed us the former parlor with antique furniture and knick knacks. A huge marble fireplace was the centerpiece of the room and just off that was a little kitchen for the guest to use.
We climbed 3 flights of steps to get to our suite on the third floor. Once you opened the door you were greeted by a fireplace and a sitting area and a KING sized bed! Just off that was another room with a day bed and some seating as well. Off the sitting room was the bathroom with heated tile floors and whirlpool tub! After Murphy showed us around and how to work the tub, he left us to get settled before our dinner with Amanda.
Around 4:30 we left the room to start our drive to dinner with Amanda. Amanda was an older Amish lady who occasionally had guest over for dinner. The B&B set it up for us. Alicia and I were a little nervous about the dinner, what we wear, what do we say what if we don’t like the food…but all that went away when we met Amanda. She was so warm and inviting. We got there a little early so we got to talk with her about her life and she asked us about us. Alicia and I forgot that they don’t use electricity so we dinned in propane lighting. Amanda said that they use propane and batteries to run everything.
There were three other couples there, one couple lives in Manhattan, one couple lives in Allentown and the other came all the way from Australia. The couple from Allentown and Australia knew each other; the two wives were pen pals during WWII. Dinner was great, Amanda made us meatloaf, smoked turkey, mixed veggies, buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, home made wheat bread and butter. For dessert she made an apple pie, carrot cake and ice cream. After dinner we sang songs ( I felt just a little awkward) and she showed us these things she makes called Quillows. They are pillows that fold out to a quilt. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough money for them otherwise we would have bought one or two. They weren’t that expensive, $40 each.
We got back the B&B around 8. We took a nice hot relaxing bath in the whirlpool tub for about an hour then went downstairs were Murphy and two other guest were sitting drinking wine. We joined them for a bit. The couple was visiting from Toronto and we talked about their healthcare system.
I fell asleep first, at 10pm. We woke up the next morning at 8 to silence, nobody crying or whining, nobody asking for something to eat or screaming at KC…nothing, just silence. We lounged around 8:45 then made our way downstairs for breakfast. Breakfast was a lot different then the usual poptart in the car or bowl of Lucky Charms at work or a doughnut from Landis. We had Figs and jam, apple fritter, pancakes with pears in them and fresh maple syrup and ginger jam. Oh and hot chocolate made from melted chocolate from Wilburs! We talked with Murphy and his wife Alice and then went upstairs to relax before check out.
Before we headed home we stopped in Adamstown which is the MECCA of antiques. We walked around Stoudts brewery and antiques before we had lunch at an Italian café. We arrived home at 2:30 and both the boys were sleeping…
I'll post pictures tomorrow of the B&B and you can click on the title for their website.
We were greeted by Murphy and given a tour of their home. He showed us the Library which had two chairs an antique desk with a few modern amenities, a TV with DVDs and some CD’s. There were a lot books to read with literature on Lancaster County. Next was the dinning room with a table that seated 12. He showed us the former parlor with antique furniture and knick knacks. A huge marble fireplace was the centerpiece of the room and just off that was a little kitchen for the guest to use.
We climbed 3 flights of steps to get to our suite on the third floor. Once you opened the door you were greeted by a fireplace and a sitting area and a KING sized bed! Just off that was another room with a day bed and some seating as well. Off the sitting room was the bathroom with heated tile floors and whirlpool tub! After Murphy showed us around and how to work the tub, he left us to get settled before our dinner with Amanda.
Around 4:30 we left the room to start our drive to dinner with Amanda. Amanda was an older Amish lady who occasionally had guest over for dinner. The B&B set it up for us. Alicia and I were a little nervous about the dinner, what we wear, what do we say what if we don’t like the food…but all that went away when we met Amanda. She was so warm and inviting. We got there a little early so we got to talk with her about her life and she asked us about us. Alicia and I forgot that they don’t use electricity so we dinned in propane lighting. Amanda said that they use propane and batteries to run everything.
There were three other couples there, one couple lives in Manhattan, one couple lives in Allentown and the other came all the way from Australia. The couple from Allentown and Australia knew each other; the two wives were pen pals during WWII. Dinner was great, Amanda made us meatloaf, smoked turkey, mixed veggies, buttered noodles, mashed potatoes, home made wheat bread and butter. For dessert she made an apple pie, carrot cake and ice cream. After dinner we sang songs ( I felt just a little awkward) and she showed us these things she makes called Quillows. They are pillows that fold out to a quilt. Unfortunately we didn’t have enough money for them otherwise we would have bought one or two. They weren’t that expensive, $40 each.
We got back the B&B around 8. We took a nice hot relaxing bath in the whirlpool tub for about an hour then went downstairs were Murphy and two other guest were sitting drinking wine. We joined them for a bit. The couple was visiting from Toronto and we talked about their healthcare system.
I fell asleep first, at 10pm. We woke up the next morning at 8 to silence, nobody crying or whining, nobody asking for something to eat or screaming at KC…nothing, just silence. We lounged around 8:45 then made our way downstairs for breakfast. Breakfast was a lot different then the usual poptart in the car or bowl of Lucky Charms at work or a doughnut from Landis. We had Figs and jam, apple fritter, pancakes with pears in them and fresh maple syrup and ginger jam. Oh and hot chocolate made from melted chocolate from Wilburs! We talked with Murphy and his wife Alice and then went upstairs to relax before check out.
Before we headed home we stopped in Adamstown which is the MECCA of antiques. We walked around Stoudts brewery and antiques before we had lunch at an Italian café. We arrived home at 2:30 and both the boys were sleeping…
I'll post pictures tomorrow of the B&B and you can click on the title for their website.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Single Parenthood
What a weekend. After work was the 1st annual Car show at the shopping center where I work. The turn out was just awesome. Better then we had planned for. I stayed to help set up and get things started but had to leave at 3:45 because I got a call from Alicia…She said she twisted her foot and was in a lot of pain. 
Jamie, who used to own the house we live in, took Alicia to the hospital while Tina, our neighbor, watched the boys until I got home. Jamie stayed with Alicia the whole time…see, we don’t really know Jamie that well, just that we bought her house, she has two kids and a husband. So, we told her she didn’t have to stay with her and that I’ll get her when she’s done, but she stayed and kept Alicia company.
Meanwhile the neighbors were having a birthday party so the boys were over there. Christian was playing on the moon bounce and Jackson was sleeping. Alicia was at the hospital for maybe 2 hours (what a surprise for an ER visit). She came home in a boot and crutches…she fractured her foot from her pinky toe to almost her heel! And from one step! Its funny but not.
Sunday it was just the boys and I from 9:30am until 8pm. We’ve been having problems with Christian taking naps, he hasn’t been for about a week so in the morning we went and bought blackout curtains. That worked. The sun sets in the back of the house where his room is so…We went to the park for a little, played games, made a cake and dinner. It was actually a good day.
Just a few more days and Alicia and I are going on our little weekend getaway!
Jamie, who used to own the house we live in, took Alicia to the hospital while Tina, our neighbor, watched the boys until I got home. Jamie stayed with Alicia the whole time…see, we don’t really know Jamie that well, just that we bought her house, she has two kids and a husband. So, we told her she didn’t have to stay with her and that I’ll get her when she’s done, but she stayed and kept Alicia company.
Meanwhile the neighbors were having a birthday party so the boys were over there. Christian was playing on the moon bounce and Jackson was sleeping. Alicia was at the hospital for maybe 2 hours (what a surprise for an ER visit). She came home in a boot and crutches…she fractured her foot from her pinky toe to almost her heel! And from one step! Its funny but not.
Sunday it was just the boys and I from 9:30am until 8pm. We’ve been having problems with Christian taking naps, he hasn’t been for about a week so in the morning we went and bought blackout curtains. That worked. The sun sets in the back of the house where his room is so…We went to the park for a little, played games, made a cake and dinner. It was actually a good day.
Just a few more days and Alicia and I are going on our little weekend getaway!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Pictures
On Sunday The boys, Alicias mom and I all went to Mohton Park. She took these pics...I know that I've been neglectful of taking pictures but its been very hectic. Were still dealing with Meineke. The engine is failing us and they wont honor the warranty. The engines cracked and leaks oil...anyway...thats another post...
Thursday, September 3, 2009
We have Confirmation
We applied for subsidy the day after Alicia started to work the temp job. The waiting period is long and it may be longer as Pennsylvania doesn't have a budget yet and there are talks of cutting some funding from the program. Anyway, we applied and received a letter in the mail that states we qualify for the program and as of 8/28/09 both Christian and Jackson are on the waiting list.
The letter also stated that they will contact us once they have funding available. Alicia has an interview for the program in 2 weeks. Also, they said based off of our income we would qualify for $60 a week for both the boys. The next step while we wait is to research daycare facilities that participate in the program and see which one we would feel comfortable sending the boys too.
My mom and sisters too Christian to the beach today. He's going to Sea Isle City for the day and spending the night at her house. He went to the beach last year with us, we went to Atlantic City for a weekend and this year we haven't been able to go. So at least he is able to...Next year were planning a family trip to OBX. Let hope he has a great day and is good for Mom Mom.
The letter also stated that they will contact us once they have funding available. Alicia has an interview for the program in 2 weeks. Also, they said based off of our income we would qualify for $60 a week for both the boys. The next step while we wait is to research daycare facilities that participate in the program and see which one we would feel comfortable sending the boys too.
My mom and sisters too Christian to the beach today. He's going to Sea Isle City for the day and spending the night at her house. He went to the beach last year with us, we went to Atlantic City for a weekend and this year we haven't been able to go. So at least he is able to...Next year were planning a family trip to OBX. Let hope he has a great day and is good for Mom Mom.
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