March gardening

I have also been gardening this month. Just started this week, in fact. Last year, after the car accident, I was unable to garden much at all, so it feels so very good to be doing it now, with little or no pain.

Feel free to click on the pics to enlarge them, but if you do, you will see how messy I really am in real life, so I don't want to hear about it, ok? Look at the good stuff in the pics!

Because we only have a half-acre, we have to fit in our garden plots where we can. All of the produce- veggies, herbs, fruit trees, etc. are in the back yard. Here is a view of the plots I have been working in this week. That is the shed, where we keep the straw, tools, pots, etc. Running across the very front of the picture you can see my asparagus beds, newly weeded.On the right, you can see my freshly weeded blueberry bed. On the left, is my yet-to-be-weeded root bed. You probably can't tell, but there are still beets left in the ground from last year, as well as parsnips. I am wondering if they will still be edible. Hopefully if the rain lets up, I will get out there tomorrow and find out. Good thing about how much it has been raining here- weeding is so very easy! I can get all ten inches of the nastiest-looking dandelion roots!!


Here is a pic of a baby asparagus. Isn't it so sweet and cute? I am hoping I get lots this year. I just hope they don't keep coming up one at a time- I need a whole bucketful to make a meal!!

Here is another view of the blueberry bed. I now have 7 bushes. I want about 5 more, but don't know where they will go- 7 in this bed is pushing it. I have several varieties (some early, some large), including one called "Chandler", which I couldn't resist. Last year I had all my greens in this bed, too, but I am not sure where they will go this year. Also in this bed, are two grapes (that's what the white tri-pod is for, for the little grapes to climb up), and a renegade fennel bulb plant I need to find a real home for. Fennel is wonderful roasted.

You can see I placed straw around the bottom of the blueberry bushes. This mulching keeps the water in and the weeds down (if not completely out).

Also in this pic, you can see the platform the Papa Dude built at the base of the birch tree. It is a wonderful place to sit and listen to the chickadees that hang out in the birch, or watch the chickens (more on them later). Papa has made sure there are lots of fun little sitting places in our yard. I will try to post pics of them all.

Here is a pic of the bridge Papa made. It covers a low, perpetually wet spot in the yard. You can see the birch tree at the far left of the pic, and then if you look behind the bridge, you can see my baby pear tree. You can also see how the kids just throw the bikes behind the garage when they are done riding.
Here is a close-up of my pear tree. The first year we were here, the pears were wonderful- prolific ans sweet. 2nd year, I got one pear. Last summer we got some, but not tons like the first summer. I am hoping we get lots this year- because they can well. That is the next-door neighbor's garage behind the tree. The mess under and to the left of the pear tree is my herb garden. If you really look hard, you can see sage and rosemary, but mostly it is dandelions. I still have a ton of work to do!

Dy, here is a close-up of the buds on the pear tree. I wouldn't tell this to the whole world (oh, I guess I would), but sometimes I go out and talk to the blossoms, and encourage them to grow big and strong pears for me. I guess that isn't so wierd if you know me.

Well, that will be all for tonight- no posts for three weeks, then three in one day- go figure!

LB

WonderBoy

Another amazing thing that happened in the month of March was that our Fine Young Man went to the WA State Finals with his high school speech and debate team. He qualified in two events. Due Interpretive (DI), doing a skit with a fellow teammate based on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory; and then in his best event, Humorous Interpretive (HI). He didn't place in DI, but (insert drum roll please)..........................................................................................................

He took fourth in HI!!!!!!!!!!!! This is phenomenal for a 9th grader. It was very cool. Just very cool.

Here he is with his medal. It is very important that we got a picture of him with it, because it now will reside in the trophy cabinet in the hallway outside of the speech and debate room.

I guess it must be okay for me to brag my kids up- it is my blog after all. :-)

LB

Piano Girl

March is Adjudication time in our neck of the wooods. The Piano Girl attended the Simon Fisse' (not sure of the spelling on that) Piano Competition as a guest, and participated in two adjudications this Spring, one put on by the Seattle Music Teachers Assoc. (SMTA), and the other, the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival (SYAMF) , which was held on the UW campus while the cherry blossoms were in full bloom.

Young Miss had two fine adjudicators. One of them used metoaphors, such as "picture your notes flowing like a caramel carpet", the other was jumping around the room, gestering and geting the whole audience involved in the joy of the music.

Her pieces this year were The Raindrop Prelude (Prelude 15 by Chopin), and and the first movement of a Hadyn Sonata (Hob. XVI: 35). I tell you, I am so in love with Chopin, and this prelude happens to be my ultimate fave. Can you imagine the utter peace and joy I have experienced the last few months, as the Young Miss was practicing this piece day in and day out?!

The other piece of fabulous news is that the Piano Girl has been accepted into the Piano summer Camp, girls division at Interlochen Center for the Arts! She also will receive a merit scholership of $800. which means we only have to come up with about $3000. before the end of June! She is so excited about this, and we are for her, though the thought of my baby girl being gone for two weeks is still a tad hard for me to swallow.

The pieces she submitted on the audition tape for Interlochen were Vals Sentimental from Valses Poeticos by Enrique Granados, and Invention #8 by J.S. Bach.

In other Piano Girl news, the Young Miss has a recital coming up in May. I will post exact date soon. She is not sure what she will be playing yet, maybe another Bach invention.

It was pouring down rain the day of the SYAMF, so I don't have any cute pics of the Young Miss under cherry blossoms, but here is one I took just after we got home- of course the first thing she did as we walked in the door was head for the piano. Oh, to be that driven and in love!

LB

Encouraging post

Read this over at Donna's this morning:


And so Jesus gave us a new norm of greatness. If you want to be important—wonderful. If you want to be recognized—wonderful. If you want to be great—wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness.

And this morning, the thing that I like about it: by giving that definition of greatness, it means that everybody can be great, because everybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve. You don't have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don't have to know Einstein's theory of relativity to serve. You don't have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. And you can be that servant.


~Martin Luther King Jr.


The Drum Major Instinct


After you read that, read what MFS said in the comments.

Thanks for the encouragement, you two. This really struck a chord with me this day. Can't possibly say it any better.
LB

Happy Birthday to me

Wow! I share a date of arrival with a slew of interesting folks! Many people are aware that today is also the birthday of one of the most creative literary talents ever to grace this earth with his presence, Dr. Seuss (did you know we love him so much there is a national memorial?), but did you also know I share this day with Mikhail Gorbachev, Desi Arnaz, and Karen Carpenter? Oh, and I cannot forget to include Jon Bon Jovi, though I am snorting a bit about that one. Ya know, I was supposed to be born at the end of May, beginning of June. I wonder with whom I woulda shared a birthday then? Probably not near as interesting as Gorby and Theodore, hmmm?



My Papa Dude called me at 4 this am, to wish me a good day, he is so sweet. And by the way, why is it hard to sleep when I am not sharing my bed with a cover-hogging, snoring, hulk of a creature that regularly slashes my legs with his un-clipped toenails? Huh? Who woulda thunk it? I maybe got 4 hours today- that is about I have managed any night this week.


Okay, off to wake the kids. Oh, the places we will go. We get to go have lunch with the Godparents, and then we will spot by my mom's for a bit, then who knows what will happen? I am thinking maybe we will go see if Eregon is still playing at the local cheap(er) theatre.


LB, aka the birthday girl.

What? Were ya born in a barn?

The Fine Young Man had a concert tonight. Kids were hungry so we stopped at the Dread Meyer to pick up lunch meat. We came home. I unlocked the door, headed in, and asked the kids to bring the stuff in from the car. Kids brought in groceries, fixed and ate 2 sandwhiches each, watched 2 episodes of Third Rock From the Sun, got in their jammies, and brushed their teeth before I noticed that they had left the front door open. Sigh. It's 30 degrees outside, not to mention the "let's just invite the meany nutballs into the house while your father is away" angle. Sigh.

When do they get it? Will someone please tell me they are gonna get it? When will I be able to know I have raised two responsible kids? How long till I don't have to remind them to brush their teeth, let alone to clean out the lint screen when they load the dryer. How long till they load the dryer without being told in the first place? Sigh. I'm not complaining, much. I guess maybe it's just the stress of single parenting. Makes me glad and thankful that I have a partner.

We had a fab time at the aquarium today, celebrating my birthday (tomorrow) with the nature study group. Great fun. I will try to post pics soon. I am off to try to sleep now.
LB

Update

Hey all (four of you),
Sorry I haven't blogges since Saturday. I actually did, but it got eaten up in the blogosphere, and then I ran out of time to retype it. I am such a computer nerd.
Just an quick update- I promise a big post with pics tomorrow (later today, actually).

Papa spent Sunday night at the D.C. airport, because of the slush storm, but finally made it to Florida. He is lonely without us, but doing well.

Yesterday was a parenting day from hell, but today went much better. We had a piano lesson, did English, history, some parsing in the latin reader, read out loud, ate Chinese takeout, and watched a few episodes of That 70's show. I know, I know, it isn't super appropriate, but honestly, most of the inappropriate references go right over their heads.

More tomorrow, I finally feel tired. Hopefully I will rest tonight- you think I'd sleep better with a whole queen-size bed to myself, and no snoring, wouldn't you? Go figure.
Later,
LB

Photo of the Day #4

The Family Homestead. Here is our home, taken from the front yard. More later, I am off to drop Papa off at his seminar, fetch Gramma, take her shopping, then back here for a laudry-folding party. We have to get all of Papa's clothes washed, ironed, and packed so he has clothes on his trip to Florida. He leaves tomorrow.
LB

What do you think of my new paintsticks?

I have been down in the studio today, experimenting with my new Shiva Paintsticks. What do you think of this?














As opposed to the lighter touch of the colored pencils? I haven't colored the face in yet, but other than that.....

Better? Different? Makes you wanna puke? Smile? Or are you indifferent? Is one image more pleasing than the other? I value your thoughts. Be honest and specific, ok?
LB

Just when you thought you had everything

I was cruising some art/quilting blogs when I found this post.
I don't know where Karen found it, but it is hilarious. The rest of her blog is fun, too.
LB

Relaxed Friday

This is the first day all week I haven't had to be out of the house early squirrelly. I let the kids sleep in till 9:30, and they are slowly starting to function. Other than 2 scheduled coaching calls, I really have no plans, other than to keep the laundry going so the Papa Dude has clothes to pack. He is off to FLorida for training for his new job. He will be gone two weeks, and will be gone for my birthday. I am hoping I can convince him to take me out to lunch today, but we shall see.

Nothing else new here, gotta go put a load in the wash, cook up some bacon and eggs, and see if we can at least get a bit of school in today- for the first time this week- so much for getting tons done while public school was out, sigh.
LB

Picture of the day #3

Shells.
We love shells around here. We have a huge collection, and add to id often. Here are just a few that the Fine Young Man arranged and then shot.

I need to take my camera out with me today, and start shooting some more pics! I have shown you everything I was behind on showing you. Yay for me!
LB

UFO's

Monet's Bridge, circa 2004
Just the top, not quilted. This was one of a series of 3 exercises I did from a book a few years ago, the title of which I can no longer remember. THis one is my faves I would like to do more- a series of abstract bridges, or water elements. I can tell it is done by a beginner in the abstract world, but I still like it.





















This one is my least favorite of the three. It was a color exercise, focused on red, but some parts of it just don't work. But, I plan on showing stuff to you that I am not happy with, as well as stuff I love, or else how will I grow as an artist?!














This one is nice, but didn't really stretch me much. THe colors are pretty, the piecing was not tricky, and the colors are those I am already in love with.









These works are a couple of years old, the stuff I did just before my huge block set in. My thoughts have been to abandon this kind of quilt-making, in favor of more collage-y styles. But looking at them now, I almost want to go back and finish them. I didn't post their sizes, they are all on the small size from 12" square, to aprrox. 15" x 30".

So, I was brave enough to post these, now I am curious to hear what you think!
LB

Photo of the day #2, and a computer nerd question

First the nerdy part- I spent hours yesterday adding links to my sidebar, and now only a few of them are showing up. WWHHYYY??? I guess I will have to figure it out in my spare time, which means it won't happen today, that's for sure.

On to the picture of the day. Here is a bachelor button, taken last Easter. Soon, I keep telling myself, soon, it will warm enough that these will bloom again!



That's all for now- I am back from the dentist, have to pick kids up, and head to Nature Study- we are drawing mammal skulls today.
Later,
LB

New work

Hey! Wanna see what I am up to? Here is my latest piece. It is for someone, who like me, is in love with turtles. I had the patches, and then a bunch of pre-cut brights, so it went together in a flash. It is approx. 10" X 30".


Here is a close-up so you can see the beading I am doing on it. I am such a newbie when it comes to beading on a quilt, but it is easier with each bead, if just a tad time comsuming.



When I showed my design walls in yesterday's post, you may have been wondering what those blobby brown things on it were. Well, this is something new for me too- colored pencils on hand-dyed cotton fabric. One night when I was auditioning fabrics for a quilt, I saw images in this one fabric. Thought maybe it was due to smoking too many pencil shavings, as Ree would say. But, no, when I looked again, there they were- fairies, just waiting in the shadows. So I got out my new woodless pencils, and started playing. These are some of the results.

THis one is a wing-ed lady flying. Can you see her wing stretched out behind her, and the sillouette of her curvy body?



This one may be harder to make out. It is a lady with deer-like ears and wings. She also is shapely, with a nice hip to her.



THere are a couple more, one that looks like an elephant with two sets of ears, and one that looks like your typical Peter Pan-type fairy with a funky butterfly on his outstretched arm.
I am wondering if I need to buy some SHiva paintsticks to play with these more, and have no idea what they will be incorporated into, but they have been fun to play around with, and I can see my shading skills inproving.
I'd love to know what you think.
TTFN,
LB

photo of the day #1

Hmmm, now that I can post photos, which one will I choose? And can I come up with something snappier that "Photo of the day"? I think I will show you the bench that Papa Dude and the children made for me last year for my birthday. I love it. It is around a crabapple tree between our driveway and our next door neighbor's house. She built a bench last summer, so we have a great meeting spot that is nice and shady in the summer. Easy to earn bonus points if you can tell on which holiday this photo was taken.

More later,
LB

Christmas in February

OK, OK, I know this will be 2 months late, but remember in December, when you were visiting all your fave blogs, and they all showed pics of their special holiday decorations? The ones that made you think of your great aunt or your best Gramma-type lady? Well, here we go, better late than never, because I know a couple of you who will really enjoy seeing them. Then I promise to post some pics of artwork, okay?

These are our stockings. They are huge, and hold a ton. I made one for each of us, and my mom. THey hang on our tv cupboard. As you can see, my antique vase collection and my Christmas music boxes are dispayed nicely in the glass shelves.

Next is one of my faves- this is the top of our current studies bookshelf. On the shelf, you will see my snowman collection. On top, is the Santa and reindeer that belonged to my grandmother Gladys. It is always a heart-wrenching yet happy time when I unpack these each year.

Here is a close-up:

Here is a pic of the piano wall. As you can see, I have family photos on the whole thing. At Christmas, I put banners up on all the walls- some are Santas, and some are robins with holly. This is the piano that I have come to adore, because my Young Lady plays hours and hours on it every day, bringing me much joy.

Here is our entryway, with all our bell swags, and the stars I bought this year.

Here is our tree, with the two wierdos, umm, I mean dealightful kids working on the decorations- or are they hugging the tree??

Okay, now I am even closer to being in integrity with Dy, Amy, and the whole picture thing!
LB

Studio Pics! Finally!

I finally got my Fine Young Man to learn how to upload pics from my digital camera! Yay for us! So, I will now try to put a few pics of my studio up. First off, is my pride and joy, the 2 4 X 8 design wall panels. As you can see, there is room enough for a few projects at a time, with room for whatever inspires you, to boot!













The panels are on a sliding rail, like closet doors. Behind them, I have tons of shelf storage. I have cleaned and organized them since this pic, so they look even better now.














I have two tables set up in an L shape. There is room for 2 machines, one for me, one for my Young Lady. On one table, I have a cutting mat, on the other, is my ironing cloth. I didn't adhere it to the table, because I like being able to take it off in case I need lots of room for a project, like Valentine making, or beading a quilt.
As you can see, this is also a good space for setting up my laptop, or encouraging cats to lie on fabric and piles of beads.















Here is a good view of the fabric wall. All my fabric is in the white plastic drawers. THe tall drawers hold all my collage materials, and the big brown cupboard holds all of our art supplies. Again- this area has been reorganized since these photos were taken, but I wanted to go ahead and post them so you can see the space.

Let's see if Blogger will let me post one or twomore. I just want to tell you, I know this isn't a real fancy space, and having to share it with 3 cats, and the spiders that they don't eat, with no ceiling yet does make keeping it tidy a challenge, but I am so pleased with the feel of the space. It is cozy and open.

The wood stove makes it nice and warm down here at 4 in the am, when I am not sleeping. The cats like it too.


That's all for now. Now that I have this process down, I am hot to show you new works, old works, my Christmas decorations (that have been sitting patiently in my camera since December!), and the kids and cats.
Thanks for being patient, Dy.
LB

This Artist's Way

Last week, Amy and I started reading The Artist's Way. I am hoping that it will help me recover from this almost 2 yr old block I have been in. The studio has helped immensely, but something is still missing. For the class to work, I am supposed to do a weekly check-in each Sunday, so here we go.

I really struggled with the morning pages, but was successful with taking myself on an artist's date. I thought it would be the other way around.

The idea behind the morning pages is to do 3 pages of free-write first thing when you wake up. I have heard it called "brain drain" before. I have been trying to get up at 6 am, and I really struggled with getting 3 pages written at that time of the morning. Sometimes I wish we were supposed to be doing night pages- I lay awake in bed, with at least three pages of nonsense and unbidden thoughts floating around in my brain. I did 5 out or 6 days this week, with some days not being a full 3 pages. Sigh. I vow to be better at them this week.

I called Amy early on in the week, trying to come up with ideas for an artist date- this seems like a strange concept for me so far- doing something to support and excite the artist within. I ended up finding some time after a tortuous Massage Therapy appointment last Thursday, to expore a Big Lots store near the massage office. I found tons of fun little doo-dads for collaging- sticky string, 3-D stickers, art papers, cheap fancy envelopes, paper leaves, etc. I came out of there with a huge bag of goodies, and only spent $20. Now that I have played with some of it, I want to go back and get lots more!

For our exercises this week, we were supposed to explore who were our early champions and villians when it came to being artists. I really had to search to come up with any villians in my life when it came to my making art. I found lots of champions, though, and it was interesting to search back through my memories and think about people who were supportive of me when I was young- hadn't thought about some of them in many years.

My studio is coming along so very well. It is still rough in spots, but I have almost everything put away and organized, and the cool part is that I have actually been creating this week! I quilted a small wall hanging, which is now in a hoop, waiting to be beaded. My Little Lady (the daughter formerly known as the Girl) and I have been making Valentine's Day cards for our close friends this week. Funny- I have made one in the time it has taken her to make five!! I am committed to being in my studio every day, and am getting closer to this being a reality. With all the other responsibilities and commitments I have, this is turning out to be a major deal!

Today, I will read ch. 2's lesson, and get started on it. I am so glad to have a partner in this exercise. It has made it so much easier to actually do the work, and show up at the pages, knowing someone else is putting in the effort and doing the time too.

How did you do on your goals for this week, Amy?

So, when it comes to my art, who I am is the possibility of being a prolific creator of art.
LB

update on the education of The Fine Young Man

So. It has been an interesting week with my son. I am still battling, or should I say, working with, the school system to see if my Fine Young Man can attend the high school full time next school year. It is taking a great deal of my time and energy, but it will be okay in the end. I just know it. Because I have an amazing son. He sees that fighting me over schoolwork for the last couple of years has caused him (and me) a great deal of trouble and inconvenience, and he sees that it is going to take effort to dig himself out of this situation. We are working on baby steps. This week, he is in integrity with all of his work. This is a huge triumph. Yay!

In other news, the Fine Young Man is going to state with his speech and debate team! He is also going to the national trials! He had a tournament just last night, and took first place in Humourous Interpretation. He is just getting better and better, and his routines are so much fun to watch!

Aaacckkk. Dumb Blogger

I know, I know. I haven't been blogging again. Sigh. I have been fighting Blogger. Then when I finally think I have it down, it blows up in my face again. And then I just have no energy to post anything. But I think I finally have it under control now, and think they will accept both my name and password. Can't believe it took me all week to get it in gear on that. I am such a computer nerd.
LB

Quick update

The money negotions have started for the Wonderful Job. First offer was less than what he is making now, but they have tons of perks, incentives, commissions, etc. that bring it up to what he is making now.Papa Dude countered, fairly on the high end, so we shall see what happens. I know he will take this job no matter what they offer, as it is so much more of what he wants to do. He talked to several other field engineers in the company, and they are all telling him it is worth it, and that money doesn't always have to come directly from the salary to be good and steady.

Midnight the Van died last night, or at the very least is in critical condition. The Dude thinks it is the power steering. Sigh, could it not have waited just two weeks, till we had the money in hand that Papa will get from not using up all his vacation time at the U? He is out getting parts for the little toyota, so we can at least have it to use.

I spent several hours yesterday dealing with the public high school my Fine Young Man wants to attend, as well as the dept. of education. I am not yet ready to talk about my experiences and feelings on this matter- still in the middle of it and sorting it all out, but, I will tell you this:
I never, ever thought that *I*, the person who has always told anyone that would even sorta listen to me, that homeschooling was so much better than a public school education would now be working as hard as I am to get my son into the public school system. Sigh. I will fill you in on this one when I have more solid info. Let's just say, being an advocate for my son to get into public high school is hard, and I am fighting my personal stories about the system every step of the way.

Well, better get off this thing, and get dressed, it is going to be an interesting day. Kids are cranky, the Dude is cranky, and I get to hold it all together, with cranky-less mama glue.

Later,
LB

Hey Amy!

Amy over at The Foil Hat, tagged me for a great curriculum meme. Well Amy, it just so happens that I did this one already, back in August, and I had tagged YOU to do it too! So, you go read my old one, and I will go read your new one.

And as always, I will tell you that Amy's writing is very good, very funny, but don't foget to check out her soaps, too. I am in love with them.
LOL,
LB

Birthday report and other stuff, too.

The Girl had a great birthday. We started by sleeping in till 10 am, glorious! Then we drove to the Seattle Center, had a snack in the center house, and then it was off to the Science Center. We got to see a live boa constrictor, play with the water features, and most heavenly, spend an hour in the butterfly house, which was lovely. We always learn something new about the butterflies. This time we learned the to tell the difference between the Blue Morpho and the Giant Owl butterflies by their eyespots.

After a fun trip through the store, where the Girl picked out a couple of little things (and the Boy didn't ask for a single thing!), we headed back to our neck of the woods. We stopped at the fabric store where the Girl picked out a miniature quilt kit called Little Women, with repro fabrics, and a simple nine-patch block.

While we girls were in the fabric store, the boys ran over to the grocery, and picked up a healthy cake mix, that we will make some time this week.

Then to her fave Mexican restaurant, where after dinner, they brought her fried ice cream (which she couldn't eat, but graciously accepted, then gave to her brother and Papa as soon as the waitress left.), and a cute sombrero with a poleroid picture of her and her brother. She really loved this!

We made a stop at Fred Meyer's so we could get Papa some new slacks and a shirt for his interview, and then finally home. By the time we got home, I was pooped out and crawled into bed, while the three of them watched a DVD we picked up at the SC, about deep space.

In other news, I am trying to be an advocate for my son who wants to go to the local public high school at the beginning of the semester (Early Feb), but he hasn't been integrity with his school for a while and is now behind. So I am researching GLE's (newfangled term for standards), trying to check out textbooks from the school for him to use, and trying to enroll the school counselors and officials in supporting him so he will be able to start in tenth grade in the fall. I still need to do some scheduling and planning for him, but that will wait for any new books he gets. In the meantime, he is using what we have.

He and I have a long road ahead of us this spring and summer in order to get him where he wants/needs to be. He is finally seeing that I haven't been out to get him, and I am not mean by having him do school. He sees that if he had just done what I expected of him, he would have been able to jump in mid-year and done just fine- that it was his choices that have him in this situation now. That in itself will make this torturous process I am involved in right now worth it.

My back went out after I spent all that time in the dentist's chair, so I am back to Massage Therapy 2X a week for another month at least. Sigh. I was doing so well, and was going to be done in January, but not now. I am doing my best to roll with it.

We are having a sisters meeting tonight at my mom's. Trying to enroll my mom and sisters in the idea of me being the primary caregiver for mom in the future, and that taking some equity out of her house now, and building a mother-in-law in our back yard, while clearing out her house and getting it ready to sell is a good idea to consider soon. Wish me luck on this one, sigh.

Papa Dude has his interview tonight- he is being sought out by the company that makes the machines he works on to become a field engineer. He would travel a great deal, but not long distances, repairing and maintaining the cytometers that he works on now. It would mean a great deal more money a year than the University is willing or able to pay him now. Think good thoughts for him- he really wants this, and I want it for him. It means more single parenting for me than I am used to, but better now than when they were little babies.

My studio is in a holding pattern- what with my sore mouth, and backaches, and birthdays, I haven't even been down there lately. I am so itching to be creating, as I have several ideas floating in my head right now, but it is just going to wait.

Well, we just finished our Classical Writing for today, and there is a mountain of laundry to fold, the dishes need to be done, and I am supposed to be napping right now, so this will be all for now. We still have food bank deliveries this afternoon before we go to Grandma's.
LB

Both Blogger and I are back.

Okay, I am back, and Blogger seems to be too. I tried to post several times this weekend, but Blogger wasn't having any of it!

My tooth still hurts, but I am doing better. Though wouldn't you know it, after laying in a dentist's chair for 5 hours, my back has been extremely painful and threatening to go out on my all weekend. I rested as much as I could, took vicadin as much as I could ;-), and am doing much better.

I will post again later- tomorrow is my Baby Girl's birthday. She will be 12, and I need to go get a few things ready for her. 12- how did that happen so very fast!
LB

Ouchie-Boo-Boo

Man, yesterday was a painful day! It is days like that that make me grateful for high pain tolerance.

First off, I went to the Papa Dude's dentist. I was in the chair from 7 am to noon. Realized I should have eaten before I left, because I was too numb to do so at noon.

Raced home, picked up the kids, dropped the Fine Young Man off at the High school, and the GIrl and I drove up to nature study. One of the other moms led for me, as all of a sudden, I felt like crashing. Whew! 4 hours of nitris oxide did me in, I think.

After N.S., we headed to the Girl's piano lesson. I played with Baby A while Girl worked on Chopin and Hayden.

By this point, the numbness was wearing off enough for the pain to set in. I drove into town, picked Papa up, and slid over into the passenger seat.

We picked the Boy up at school at 5 pm, took me home, and I was able to crawl into bed.Took two hydrocodones, and crashed.

While I rested, the Girl made me supper, and the guys ran back into town to pick up a couple of free bookcases I had spotted the day before. These are fancy IKEA bookcases. Yay. I am not sure, but this may take our total number of bookcases up to 20.

So, I am feeling better, but amazed at how much pain I am in with this temporary crown.
I plan on resting this morning, till we need to leave for volunteer working the afternoon.
Not an exciting entry, but that's about all the blogging I have in me this morning.
LB

Chipped tooth!

Darn it! I was just at the store, buying some healthier food choices. I picked up a box of Tic Tacs because I thought it would help me with the transition to eating healthier and not eating too much candy. So I no more than get home, and pop one in my mouth when I hear a horrible crunching sound. Darn it and darn it again- I just chipped a tooth! And my dentist is out of the office till Monday. Now I am going to have to find a dentist quick, and fit this visit into the rest of my hugely busy week. You know I am saying a lot worse words than darn it. :-(
LB

Tidbit #8 Freeway debris

As we were driving south on I-5 today, we noticed that someone must have lost a load of paper- there were sheets of paper just flying and fluttering everywhere- like large confetti.

As we got closer to home, there was a teddy bear in my lane. Funny- as I glanced in my rearview mirror, I noticed everyone behind me was swerving to miss the old brown bear. I realize they were most likely just trying not to hit something in the road, but the mama side of me was imagining they were trying not to hit someone's special bear.

My next door neighbor just called and is working late and wants us to walk her dogs- good- my exercise is planned out for the day.
LB

Tidbit #7: Fitness

Yesterday I walked a mile, ate very healthily (although I felt very hungry when I went to bed) ,drank water, and even went sledding with the kids (memory making indeed).

We shall see how today goes, fitness wise. I was wide awake from 1 to 5 this morning. THe not sleeping is starting to show underneath my eyes. Sigh.

Happy Wednesday,
LB

Tidbit #6 in the form of a question:

Do any of you have any ideas about simple make-up for a person who hasn't worn make-up for 20 years, due to extremely sensitive skin?

Mom-Bob has pointed me in the direction of a beeswax-based mascara. I am also interested in eyeshadow, blush, and maybe a foundation that will look good on a very deep olive skin tone.

With all the teaching, consulting, and coaching I am going to be doing this year, I am in a place in my life where I would like to occasionally look a bit more professional, but I am going to have to work up to it, as I have experienced such painful skin reactions in the past.

As for skin care products, I am sold on the salt scrubs, soaps, and shea butter from The Foil Hat. I most likely will just contentedly order from Amy for the rest of my life. Check her stuff out if you haven't already. Tell her LB sent ya'. Just reading the descriptions of the products is fun. And then check out her blog, because Amy is one funny lady.

Off to take the tree down and put ornaments in boxes.
LB

Tidbit #5

I had a wierd night's sleep- Santa brought us new flannel sheets, but they have only been washed once, and they felt so yucky! Like sleeping between suede, or in a pile of peaches. Yucky!

I also had one of the worst dreams I have ever had which involved kissing someone, and having them get sick at the same time. Gross.

What happened to restful sleep?
LB

Tidbit #4

Tidbit #4.
Studio Update:
I truly love my partner/husband/ Papa Dude. This studio as a Christmas gift idea really rocks, you know?
I am not ready to take pics yet (maybe tomorow), still putting stuff away.
My Young Man (MYM, was the boy FKA Boy. He is just growing up so nicely.) and I covered (with cotton batting) and hung the 4' X 8' panels that are my design wall (YEEHAW!!). It was a huge challenge in communication, but the two of us came through it fairly unscathed, I think.
OK, I need to bop to John Hyatt and get more stuff put away.
LB

Tidbit #3

What I am reading these days:
a website on couching

Over the Line: Couching Rediscovered, by Jan Beaney and Jean Littlejohn

Between the Sheets with Angelina: a workbook for fusible fibres, by Alysn Midgelow-Marsden

The Artist's Way, by Julia Cameron

Where I've been spending my money:
Dollmaker's Ink

Carma

Off to visit my mama now,
LB

Tidbit #2

Tidbit #2:
The entire family delivered the Girl to the airport this morning. We met up with our friend Andrew, who flew up to get her, and fly down with her to Huntington Beach. She is having her second annual Birthday Weekend with Andrew's family, specifically his youngest daughter, the Girl's favorite friend in the whole world. Adrew and his youngest will fly our Girl back on Sunday.
He is now a flight attendant, so the girls are getting to see each other more often lately. How cool is that?!
LB

Catch-up in tidbits.

Tidbit #1.
I miss blogging. I have stories that I just can't do it all, and don't have time. So wouldn't it be cool if I made time for things, and if I can do and be it all. Sounds like a great deal more fun, entertainment, and inspired learning in the second view.

LB, off to eat citrus pork, roasted asparagus, and whatever else the Man-Child and Papa Dude have fixed for me.

Likes and dislikes

What I love about my body:
I love the way my body looks and feels in the buff. Standing in front of a mirror I see a body that Renoir would have loved to paint. I love the curves- it is like a hilly, mountain terrain. I love that this body has been through all it has. I love that it supported and birthed two beautiful, healthy, glorious human beings.

What I am not enjoying about this body:
Trying to stuff it into clothes that are not made for it. Pantyhose are torture devices in case you didn't know. THey just don't make clothes for short, round women.

Off to clean the living room while my mama folds laundry. The goal for today is to have it clean enough to support my collection of Christmas decorations.

LB

My life this week: In a nutshell

What have I been doing this week, and what are my plans for this weekend?

Buying formal wear for two kids: One two-piece suit, white shirt with clip on tie, black slacks, black socks, white undershirts, black floor-length velvet dress, new tights, hair bands.
Buying stuff with which to make Christmas presents. Don't even ask when I plan to make them!
Buying Christmas tree, lights, ornaments.
Buying groceries.

Preparing children for and attending, or driving various children to:
Varsity state qualifying speech and debate tournament, band concert, piano gigs, recitals, etc.
Attending all day seminars in which I learn to communicate and be integrity in all that I do.
Visiting friends, my mom, attending Christmas parties, making phone calls, volunteering at the food bank, volunteering some more at the First Place school, signing up to volunteer at high school basketball games, etc.

Trying to sit with one kid at the piano, then bounce over to the other kid who is struggling to write an essay on Gilgamesh.

Trying to keep 3 cats off the kitchen table. Learning how to clip chicken toenails. Pulling carrots and beets out of frozen gardens.

Whew! I am hoping I will be able to blog thoroughly on Sunday, this will have to do for now!
LB

Snow Globe of Doom on an Icy cold day

Ok, this is just hilarious- got this one from Jordin over at Looking for Grace Notes- the Snow Globe of Doom.
She sent it to me in honor of our snow day today. We had only about an inch of snow, but nasty ice everywhere. Shut down everything from schools to massage therapy offices to dentists.
We had a great day- sleeping in, bringing in firewood, drinking hot spiced cider, reading out loud, working on the Girl's Ancient Egypt notebook, the Boy and I discussing the Epic of Gilgamesh using Socratic Dialog, having soup for supper, and then watching Superman Returns.

While the kids and I were doing school around the kitchen table this afternoon, the Papa Dude got to go out into the icy cold day and find a dentist that was actually open to repair a chipped tooth. He chipped it on of all things, a prickly pear cactus seed. So much for our being open and trying new foods!

All in all, minus the chipped tooth, it was a good snow day. It was fun to not have to go anywhere, and just be able to school the kids.
LB

This was funny- I couldn't resist.

You Are Prancer

You are the perfect reindeer, with perfect hooves and perfect flying form. Why You're Naughty: Because you're Santa's pet, and you won't let anyone show you up. Why You're Nice: You have the softest fur and the sweetest carrot breath.

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Update at Green Dragon

I posted an update at The Green Dragon tonight. It doesn't have anything to do with reading challenges, but you might find it interesting.
LB

Quilting meme

Cool! A quilting meme! Got this one from Sioux's Zest.
You highlight what you have done. Anyone want to do this one?

Have You Ever?

1. Taken a quilting class
2.Paper pieced
3. Hand quilted
4. Hand pieced
5. Created your own pattern
6. Published a pattern in a magazine or book
7. Gone on a quilting retreat
8. Gone to a quilting convention
9. Met someone who wrote a quilting book
10 combined your quilting with some other craft
11. Done any three dimensional quilting - like fabric origami
2. Made something using Thimbleberries fabric
13. Made something using batiks
14. Dyed your own fabric-only once- just tie-dying
15. Made a landscape hanging
16. Made a New York Beauty quilt
17. Made a baby quilt
18 Made a wall hanging
19 Made a journal quilt
20 Submitted your journal quilt for viewing
21 Made a fabric postcard-haven't yet, but want to soon.
22 Made a artistic trading card (ATC)
23 Exchanged artistic trading cards
24. Mailed your own postcard
25. Made a lap quilt
26 Made a twin size quilt
27 Made a full size quilt
28 Made a queen size quilt
29 Made a king size quilt
30 Donated a quilt to charity
31 Sent a quilt out to a quilter
32 Thrown away a UFO
33 Given away a UFO
34 Cut up a UFO and made something else with it
35 Ripped fabric instead of cutting it
36 Made a quilt exactly like the pattern, with no changes whatsoever
37 Done any Sashiko
38 Quilted your own quilt
39 Did free motion quilting- just a tiny bit- I am just learning
40 Put any embroidery or beads on your quilt-another one where I have to say not yet but soon!
41 Given away your quilt to a stranger
42 Swapped fabric
43 swapped blocks
44 participated in a round robin
45 participated in an ostritch round robin
46 kept a journal about your quilting
47 written a letter to someone who made an antique quilt
49 kept a blog about your quilting
50 participated in a gift exchange
51 sent a quilting random act of kindness
52 joined a newsgroup about quilting
53 made a quilt using a pattern from quilterscache
54 joined an online block of the month
55 made a block of the month quilt- I just signed up for one of these- I can't wait to get going on it.
56 subscribed to a fabric of the month club
57 bought fabric at an online store
58 bought fabric from ebay
59 own more than one sewing machine
60 have a room dedicated solely to sewing- in my dreams!
61 hide a fabric purchase
62 finished making a holiday gift before July
63 spent more than $200 in one quilt shopping trip
64 made a quilt using a book from the library
65 worked with someone else to make a quilt
66. joined a quilt guild
67 become president of a quilt guild
68 taught a quilting class
69 helped someone else get the quilting bug
70 taught a child to sew
71 made a Dear Jane block
72 Made a miniature quilt
73 watch QNN - quilters news network
73 subscribe to a quilting magazine from your own country
74 subscribe to a quilting magazine from another country
75 buy fabric from another country
76 swapped completed quilts with someone else
77 asked for quilting help online
78 gone to a quilt shop to ask for quilting help
79 bought fabric at a local quilt shop
80 traveled more than 100 miles to go to a quilt shop
81 used nontraditional fabric for a quilt - something other than cotton or flannel
82 made a quilt using instructions given to you on a blog
83 make comments on someone's quilting blog
84 meet a quilter in person after only having talked online
85 had a quilting retreat in your home
86 own quilting software
87 made a quilt you designed on your quilting software
88 done any quilt research - history, interviewing quilters, etc.
89 had any quilt related subject published anywhere
90 donated a quilt to a museum
91 bought a quilt from a thrift store
92 made a quilt using fabric from a thrift store
93 made a quilt using photos
94 made a pastel quilt
95 made a quilt using brights
96 made a quilt using ethnic fabric from another country - African, Asian, etc.
97 made a quilt using leftover blocks from other quilts
98 had your quilt in a magazine, newspaper, newsletter, TV, etc.
99. submitted your quilt to a quilt show
100. won any ribbons with your quilts
101 had more finished quilts than UFOs
102 made a quilt using reproduction fabrics
103 took a break from quilting that was longer than a year
104 made money with your quilting
105 had a job in the fabric / quilting industry

Being Thankful & Watching Movies

Cool! I posted a pic! So much to be thankful for here. Thought I'd list the movies we have to watch this long weekend.
Last night we watched Ice Age 2 The Meltdown. It was ok. Good for Laughs, I guess.
We also have Mr. Deeds Goes to Town. I want to watch this one tonight. I absolutely love Gary Cooper, sigh. For tomorrow, we have Pocketful of Miracles with Glenn Ford and Bette Davis. I haven't seen this one before. We also have Back to the Future 3, which the kids have seen, but the Dude and I haven't. The kids will probably just watch this one again while we watch Intolerable Cruelty with George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones. I have to admit, I am surprised that Clooney made Sexiest Man twice in one lifetime- just for the record, I can think of many other famous men I think are sexier. But he is a good actor, so I will put up with it!

OK, off to go eat some more roasted nuts while we wait for the turkey to get done!
LB

Happy Thanksgiving!

As those of you who know me will remember, we usually host an "orphan" Thanksgiving, and cook a huge Indian feast, filled with curries, and riatas, and the works. But this year, there didn't seem to be any other orphans needing a place to be (which is a very good thing!), and I was tired of doing half of the huge amount of work required for a feast. And just last week, I helped cook a Thanksgiving meal for 100 people. It was fun, but exhausting. I also have the fresh memories of last Thanksgiving, which is when I started to get sick, and I just couldn't muster up much enthusiasm for this upcoming holiday, and the work involved for me.

So when the Papa Dude sat us around the table late last week, and asked us what we wanted to do/eat for Thansgiving, I had a hard time coming up with ideas. I finally got into the idea when I realized I could make an unreasonable request. I asked for a traditional turkey dinner that I didn't have to prepare. Here is the result of that request. My living room is clean, and I did none of it. There is a stack of 4 movies on the telly, and I didn't have to go to the movie store. The children wrote up the menu, and the grocery list, and did the shopping (I did taxi them to three stores, break up 2 fights over who got to push the cart, and helped them comparision shop.) The children and the Papa Dude have been cooking and cleaning and there are a lot of great smells coming from the kitchen. Meanwhile, I have had long baths, have read a bit of mind candy, talked to good friends on the phone, cleaned up my sewing area, and practiced relaxing (yes, I do have to practice letting go and letting others do all the work!). This is a great idea, and definately prompts me to make more unreasonable requests! I also would like to say how thankful I am for my little family.

Today's menu:
snacks:
broiled garlic shrimp
sweet spiced nuts
herbed spicy nuts
cucumber and radishes
olives and pickles

Main menu:
Dry-cured rosemary turkey
gravy
wild rice stuffing with dried fruit and spiced nuts*
Challah*
cranberry-orange relish
twice baked sweet potatoes
garlic kale
roasted asparagus
punkin pies#

* I made these, cuz I wanted to, and/or the recipe is only found in my head.
# I made the crust, the kids did the rest. We ended up with 6 pies! Look out neighbors, here I come!

Well, I need to go knead the challah, Happy Day to you today!
LB

I'm Spring, what are you?

Got this one over at Miz Booshay's blog. I would have to say it was fairly accurate, though I do love Autumn as well. How 'bout you?

You Belong in Spring

Optimistic, lively, and almost always happy with the world... You can truly appreciate the blooming nature of spring. Whether you're planting flowers or dyeing Easter eggs, spring is definitely your season!

What Season Are You?

It Fits!

Okay, I am thoroughly deep cleaning my room today. I was clearing off my dressing table, happened to find my wedding ring, slipped it on, and for the first time in 7 years, it fits!!! I haven't weighed this much in that long, and as frustrating as it is beginning to be to be overweight, my wedding ring fits. I have to admit- THIS part of it I am going to enjoy.
LB

A contest!

I used to not enter any contests, because I never won any. Great logic, huh? But lately, I have been entering in any contest, or drawing I can, and I actually win sometimes- anything from free soap, to an Ibanez guitar. And it is fun, whether I win or not. SO here is the latest one I have found. Check it out. Jennifer over at The Wilson Six is having a drawing for a custon-made notepad. Fun!

Papa is downstairs fixing breaky, and I need to get the kids up and moving, but will try to post later today- there is a lot of stuf happening here, and I need to tell you all about it! Ask me about tournaments, and cars crashing fences!
LB

Re-post. Rice Krispie treats

A recipe for fake rice krispie treats

This is for Dy, even though her boys can have marshmallows, and for anyone else who, like my kids is allergic to corn, and can't have real marshmallows.

Date Balls
1/2 cup butter (I use cocnut butter)
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 pound chopped dates (Santa was so sweet to bring me a new food processor for things like this!)
1 beaten egg
1 TBSP milk (I use rice, almond, or coconut milk)
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped nuts (or dried blueberries, coconut, maybe m & m's if you can have them)
2 cups rice krispies
1/2 tsp salt
choice of coating (nuts, bits, coconut, etc.)

Cook butter, sugar and dates until boiling over low heat. Add beaten egg, milk, vanilla, and 1/2 tsp salt. Cook 2 minutes, cool. Add chopped nuts and cereal. Form into balls the size of a walnut. Makes 3 doz. Roll in nuts, coconut, melted chocolate or powdered sugar.
I got this recipe from Shelly in Il, from the WTM boards.

LB (and the Girl who can't wait to make these again!)

One hundred and fifty things.

One hundred and fifty things.

The object of this list is to highlight the things that you have done.

Feel free to borrow this and complete it on your blog.

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins
03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said “I love you” and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game (and survived the crush afterwards)
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby’s diaper
21.Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight----- canned whipped cream!
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39. Had two hard drives for your computer
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured ancient sites-----castle ruins in Germany
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married-----yes, but I couldn't tell you the date!
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo--- not yet, but I have one planned.
81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”
83. Got flowers for no reason
84. Performed on stage
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded music
87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised children - still raising!
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds-----If you add it all up.
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray----a baby one at the aquarium
110. Broken someone’s heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone------- does having your nose broken for you count?
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet----- not me,but dh had a python names Monty
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states----- I think I am tied on this one
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach------ {{shudder}}
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad - and the Odyssey-----not yet, but on my list for this year.
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident---but it was just a fender bender.
150. Saved someone’s life

Hi!

I feel like I am riding a roller coaster. Sometimes I am up, sometimes down, sometimes rolling along, but knowing, just knowing there is a steep hill coming up. Sometimes I just wanna get off, but know that the ride doesn't stop in the middle. Can one sigh and smile at the same time, I wonder?

In no particular order:
Today was day two of my three day class titled Homeschooling 101 at the local community college. We stayed an hour past the end of class- I am going to have to call the continuing ed. lady and have her bump it to four hours each day instead of three. I only have three students, but it has been such a good experience for all of us. It does exhaust me though- I have been fighting off a cold successfully for over a week, but today it caught up with me- I was sucking down Cold-Eeze and cough drops the whole class, and when I finally got home, I slept for two hours. Got up, fixed a good dinner- turkey breast, taters, shrooms (I was given a flat of shrooms- there is over a pound in the pot!) , and onions, all cooked in the crockpot in a rich chicken broth with herbs and white wine. Also cooked some zucchini and cauliflower. Papa is out getting movies and then I should be able to climb into bed again.

The Boy played in the marching band last night at the high school's homecoming game. He looked to handsome in his band uniform (No, Dy, I didn't get pics, but I will.). It is black tuxedo pants, and a handsome red jacket, with white trim. and a high red hat with a white plume on top. He marched and simultaneously played french horn at the same time- a tricky feat, let me tell you! We left shortly after the half-time show, when the score was 46 to 0. The final score was 55 to 6, our team winning.

How did the Boy get home if we left after halftime, you might wonder? Well, we succumbed and got him a Tracfone. In the month he has been at the high school, he has been stranded twice, or his schedule changed, and it has been a problem not being able to communicate, or to have to give him my cell phone, and then I am not able to leave the house. He has only had it two days, and I am already glad for it.

Papa is back with the movies (Prairie Home Companion, and the rest of season 1 of Third Rock From the Sun). I will sign off and not worry about not getting it all down, I will just be glad that I got this much down, and try to write again soon.
TTFN,
LB