Meghan and I went to church this morning. They have not started any Sunday School classes, but after services the preacher was taking a consensus of parents to find out how they want classes handled-whether they want it during services or after. I voted for during. I explained how St. John's had Sunday School. The kids were out during part of the service, but come in during the Peace and stay to take Communion, after which they went back to class until Coffee hour for fellowship.

I made pepperoni pizza for dinner and I still need to perfect my dough. It wasn't terrible, but it needs tweaking. Meghan helped with the sauce, cheese, and pepperoni.

Easter Sunday 1901 was particularly glorious for the Rev. Lyman P. Powell and the members of St. John the Evangelist Episcopal Church. On that day, they celebrated their first service within the stone walls of a new, Gothic-style structure that would become a landmark in the borough of Lansdowne.-more here

Meghan and I finally made it to church this morning. Setting my alarm helped, even though I didn't get up right away.

We are now attending St. Stephen's in Clifton Heights. It's not a long walk at all. The service was held outside because there was a Blessing Of The Animals.

It was formally announced today at the service that St. John's in Lansdowne will be closing its doors next Sunday after services. I am greatly bummed out by this. Even though I knew I'd be no longer attending once we moved to Aldan it is sad news because that is where Meghan was baptized and where the monthly Jazz Mass was held. I dined once a month with some of the people from there. So it's a little bit of a bummer.

Meghan and I went to church this evening. I think the morning service would suit us better. She'd be going to Sunday School then, at least I hope so. I'll just have to set my alarm to get us up.

She was running around after the service and fell and smacked her head on the wooden platform where the choir sits. She cried so hard. Everyone felt sorry for her. It was very sad, but she's fine now.

I just got an email that St. John's, the church Meghan and I had been attending while living in Lansdowne and where she was baptized, may very well be closing its doors. And Jazz Mass is finished as the organist has moved to another church where Jazz Mass will resume.

I plan to start attendance at St. Stephen's in Clifton Heights, but this is sad news.

St. Stephen's does have a Sunday School, but after services. It's for 3/4 year olds, but the vicar told me Meghan would be welcome to attend.

In Sept, they are starting a Sunday School in conjunction with the 10 am service, where the children would come in for Communion. Again it is geared toward 3/4-5 year olds but I'm sure Meghan would be welcome. This is how it was at St. John's-she was with a mix of ages, including teenagers. She would always walk out with one of the teenagers. This is more what I'm looking for her, but I think I am going to start taking her to services just to get her used to being there.

Anyway, it looks like now we have a church home. I am looking forward to this, I have missed church so much.

It looks like St. Stephen's in Clifton Heights may have started offering Sunday School for kids, so depending on the response I get to my email for more information, I may have found a church home for Meghan and I.

We went there for Mother's Day and at the time there was no Sunday School. It looks like this may have changed and I'm hoping this is so because I really want to get into going to church again and having her in Sunday School. And it's just about a stone's throw from here for walking to.

I had been invited to spend today at Harrah's in Chester with my sister, grandmother, et al, but was unable to go. But I wound up having a very nice day, anyway.

My church, St.John's in Lansdowne had a combined Eucharist at St. Stephen's in Clifton Heights followed by a Mother's Day brunch. There was a whole repast of eggs, pancakes, french toast, regular toast, sausage, scrapple, juice, water, and coffee. There was also some fruit salad, I think. Meghan wolfed down french toast, scrambled eggs, sausage, and she took a taste of my scrapple and LOOOOVEED it. She even had a little bit of OJ diluted with water. It would be easier to get to St.Stephen's from where we live now, but they don't have a Sunday School and Meghan needs Sunday School, I think. So hopefully we'll be getting back to St. John's soon.

After church, we came home and then went to the playground for a bit. Dinner was at Charlie Brown's Steakhouse with my MIL and BIL. I ate way too much but the food was delicious and I brought some of my salmon home with me.

And my lovely daughter gave me a gift set of soaps, shower gel and perfume in Sea Island Cotton. I can't wait to use them!

All in all it was a wonderful day.

Meghan and I missed storytime Weds evening due to inclement weather and playgroup Thursday due to the logistics of taking the train and she didn't get up in time for us to make it. But we did spend quite a lot of time at Belmont Park and she made a baby friend, so she did get to go outside and have some fun, at least.

Tony hurt his back really bad so I took off work for the weekend as he would not have been able to lift her or do much for her. Last night she and I went to jazz mass and then dinner with our church friends at Mission Burrito. We skipped church this morning and I am off from work again. I have no real plans other than going to see if her prescription is ready and run an errand to the grocery store.

I haven't made a real update since Weds, but really, there has not been too much going on around here.

On Thursday, our garbage disposal went on the fritz. There was also a storm that caused a power failure which lasted about an hour. I took Meghan to play in the hallway since there was light from the exit sign there and I figured that was safer. She handled the power failure very well, though. She didn't even seem fazed by it. Of course, this is the same kid who slept soundly through golf-ball sized pieces of hail pelting the window the other night-but who wakes up screaming when a butterfly farts in Indonesia. So figure that one out.

My grandmother came over on Friday and we took Meghan to the playground for a bit then after a stop at the Mar-Win for diapers and chips and drinks we came back to the apartment and ate egg salad sandwiches for luch-but Meghan just picked at hers from the bowl. She does like egg salad, but she just picked. I also made her a chicken patty and she just stacked the pieces together. So she really wasn't hungry for anything at the time.

Saturday and Sunday were a typical weekend of work, church, and Sunday School. Tony took Meghan over to his mother's after dinner Saturday for a couple of hours so I could clean the living room floor. Of course as soon as Megzilla set foot in the apartment, she trashed it.
Other than church and work, nothing of note happened on Sunday.

Yesterday Meghan and I ran a couple of errands and I started trying to clean up again. Didn't get too far, unfortunately, and I don't see me getting it finished today. It's supposed to be very nice so I'll most likely take her to Belmont Park since she likes the slide there.

She's watching Sid The Science Kid right now (great premise, annoying characters, but I figure it's harmless so I let her watch it) and I need to hop in the shower real quick. Storytime is half an hour earlier today.

Meghan and I made it to church today for the first time in about three weeks. I wasn't sure if we would. We were cutting it awfully close but we actually arrived a bit early. She had Sunday School.

We have a new supply priest and he's from Pakistan.

Jazz Mass was AWESOME last night. So much fun and energy and boy could those kids who came to sing for us really belt out a tune. Wow. I have to give Father Ken props when Meggie was roaming around the church and practically climbed up his frock he said, "We permit this. We are a house of God and a family and I enjoy this". Everyone just loves Meggie.

Jazz Mass was followed by dinner at Mission Burrito and getting to know some congregation members a little better.

No church today as there is no Sunday School.

Made it to church-took Meghan in the Moby rather than struggle with the stroller. It was a much safer, easier walk than when I left this morning! The ice had melted and it was merely very wet.

I did take her out and let her crawl around for a bit at church this evening. But I wish they'd had some sort of Christmas Eve Sunday School! It was a nice service, but much different than my old church!

I need to retire the Moby. Neither one of us is enjoying it as much anymore. I think after the Holidays I'll look into a Mei Tei.

Friday-Some of fyrfitrmedic's students were graduating, so Meghan and I were on our own for dinner. I made a family-sized serving of Skillet Mac and Beef (wanted leftovers for dinner during the week)

Saturday-I worked from 0900-1500 and was on register for most of my shift. We were very busy! Meghan and I went to our church's monthly Jazz Mass in the evening, and then met up with Tony at Mission Burrito to get take-out for dinner. They give a 10% discount if you show them your bulletin from Jazz Mass. Jazz Mass is fun and very different from the usual Sunday mass

Sunday-Was awakened earlier than I'd wanted to be by a squalling baby. I thought she might be hungry so I put her in her High Chair with a bowl of dry Kix. She fell asleep and I'd gone back to bed, as well. So after I got up for good and had some coffee, I decided we weren't going to go to church this morning (we did last month after Jazz Mass) and I took advantage of Meghan sleeping to do some grocery shopping. I worked today but it wasn't as busy as yesterday and I was on the floor all day. I got quite a bit done. Meghan went to our local Marine Corps League Detachment's Christmas party today and I was told that she was the hit of the whole party and was very well-behaved. I'm pleased. Tony described her as "a perfect angel when we're out and an absolute hellion at home" :) I made a great pork-chop dinner and the recipe is posted at weekendcooking if anyone is interested.


( Two cute pics )

My daughter just finished feeding herself some yogurt. She used the spoon a few times...

I feel sorry for her clothes and my floor but the only ways she's gonna learn is by doing it and she has been showing an interest in self-feeding with utensils, so I've been letting her go for it. I mean, what am I supposed to do-draw a diagram?

Anyway, we've had some real crappy weather lately but it wasn't too bad today; just drizzled. We went grocery shopping and I've been trying to clean up a bit here and there throughout the day.

I go back to work tomorrow, thank God. I missed my paycheck! We did wind up missing church last Sunday and have not been to Storytime in two weeks for various reasons. We should be getting back on track soon.

Friday-Took Meghan up to the Library in the late afternoon for a screening of Monsters, Inc and it last all of half-an-hour. She was just not feeling up to it, so we came home and eventually ran out to Giant to get some milk and some dinner. She fell asleep on the way home and I put her in the crib, thinking she'd just nap for about an hour-nope. She slept for a solid 12 hours! She woke up at about 0640 Saturday morning, around the time I was getting up for work. So it actually worked out that she slept like she did, but it was kind of weird.

Saturday-The three of us went to the Pancake Breakfast at the Methodist church a few blocks from the apt, and then I started my first day back at the store. Everything came back to me but I'm not on the register or making keys yet. People were glad to see me come back. I am told that Meghan was a very good girl while I was gone.

Sunday (today)-Went to church and started Meghan in Sunday School. I am happy to report (and a little sad) that she did not freak out when I left. She took to her Sunday School teacher immediately (I guess care provider may be a better term). She played, she colored, she got out a book. When the Sunday School students came back in for Communion, she even stayed with her teacher until it was time for them to go back to class. After the service, we grabbed a quick snack then it was off to work for me for an abbreviated day.

Tomorrow we go back to our normal week routine. And I have a lot planned for us this week, and tbh, I no longer feel any urge to update every day, beyond the Wiki entries and the Writer's Blocks, and failblog stuff

Meghan and I finally made it to church this morning-St. John the Evangelist. The people there are very friendly and receptive toward small children-let's just say that the concept of sitting still is utterly foreign to my daughter and she spent most of the service crawling up and down the aisles. I apologized for this but I was told that it was perfectly okay and not to worry about it. But you know how it is when you're new to a place and you're not sure of the vibe.

Anyway, I'm to have a call from the priest on Tuesday and a visit to discuss things like having Meghan baptized and just getting to know each other better. I already advised that my attendance there this coming Sunday is unlikely as I'll be recovering from surgery.

The church is just a few blocks up the street from the apt, so it's not a problem to walk there at all unless we have inclement weather.

And the congregants were kind enough to buy us some baked goods and to give us some flowers to take home! I was really touched by this.

Well, the aforementioned nap lasted a grand total of 10 minutes, but it didn't matter, because it soon became time for her to eat anyway.

After she ate, we headed out to pick up a few things from Rite Aid, since I had forgotten them this morning while grocery shopping. We took the stroller this morning so I could use the bottom as a "shopping cart", but this afternoon, we used the Moby.

When we got home, I put her down for another attempt at napping and so far so good. I am eating dinner right now and just got off the phone with my grandmother. I wanted to let her know that a long-time member of our church passed away. I'm still on the church's email list and that's how I found out.