Slap on that sunscreen and head outdoors, Scottmom! I also have that fair, Irish skin but I love my flower gardens. I have to hit my husband up on an idea for a new bed along the side of our house. I figured out yesterday as I was working in the yard that I wouldn't have to buy anything but the edgers and some topsoil because I have so many plants that need divided! I think he might go for it since it will be relatively inexpensive. Then I just need people to leave me alone so I can get the work done. Or better yet, pick up a shovel and help!

Speaking of shootings, an off duty police officer was doing guard work for the KS Speedway (Nascar race) this weekend and someone tried to rob the vault and shot her. They caught the 2 guys but she's still in critical condition.

On another note, hope all of you are having the great weather we are having. I hurried through my PTO stuff this AM so I have the whole afternoon to work in the yard with my son. Forget all the work we did to get moved in this house, the yard is nothing short of a mess. When I told my husband what I wanted to do to make the yard look normal, he thought I was joking. I'm not an outside person, Irish coloring makes it not so much fun. Now is the perfect time to get started. We have one week of great weather forecasted and all the stores are clearancing their outdoor supplies. Maybe that's why our sales are down, it doesn't feel like fall/christmas at all.

As a working mom, I know what it's like to have a child get sick and try to figure out what to do. Luckily, both sets of grandparents live nearby and I have a pretty flexible schedule with a great boss. I call in the Grandmas and my dad when it's something ordinary. I stay home if the fever is too high because I want to be able to get them right to the doctor without any issue, and if they are throwing up I stay home because I don't think it's fair to expect someone else to handle that.

It's kind of scary to think the flu season may be here already. I know this wacky weather is getting to me. Friday I turned on the furnace for a bit to take the chill off the house and I baked a cake and made a roast for supper to keep it warmed up. Yesterday we all dug out our shorts and it's supposed to 90 today!

I'm lucky enough to be 'at-home' so I always keep my son home when he's sick. I can't imagine what working moms have to go through if they wake up to a sick child on Monday morning. When I called school this morning the secretary was worried that flu season is starting so early. I don't want to be the mom that infected the whole school, especially since Open House is tonight! My neighbor is a doctor and is seeing my son this afternoon. I trust my "Mom" instincts but still sorta hope he'll tell me it isn't the flu (even though I know it is...) Lucella, I hope your guy is feeling better soon too!

LUV - I know what you mean. The officer shot in Montgomery, AL died over the weekend. His killer is in jail. The looks on the officers faces as the guy was escorted into jail was murderous. He'll probably wish he got what the Florida killer got.

About the fundraisers - it looks like spending across the board is down for many families. As long as core events can still be funded, maybe across the board cutbacks are ok to. I think, considering the current economy, that the community wouldn't expect any more.

Did any of you see the report on that killer in Florida who was shot by the SWAT team? He had 60 bullets in him. The sheriff's office says "That was all we had or we would have filled him with more." I couldn't be a police officer 'cause I'd feel the same way.

We just finished our fall fundraiser at the elementary school. I'm interested to hear the numbers. Middle school sale starts in 3 weeks so it would be nice to have a hint on what we can expect.

CC-sorry to hear about your son. I'm glad you kept him home. You wouldn't believe how many kids come to our school sick.

It must have been the weekend for fall stuff. It was unseasonably warm here but we went to our local pumpkin patch. They have games, rides, a corn maze (only about 35 minutes), food and drink, toys, pumpkins and other farm fresh stuff. I actually took away a few ideas for our carnival (in less than 2 weeks) and our first classroom Halloween parties in 4 years.

I'm trying not to stress about the fundraiser. We are extending the turn in for a few more days. We've just been on a steady decline for the past 4 years, that goes hand in hand with lower enrollment and getting over difficult administration. I guess it's hard to feel like you've had a good fundraiser when the take is only 1/3 of what is was when your 5th grader was in 1st grade. I guess that's the life of us PTOers.