dedicated to my mom & mom-in-law

Because I feel that in the heavens above

The angels, whispering one to another,

Can find among their burning terms of love,

None so devotional as that of "Mother,"...

~Edgar Allan Poe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is a Mother

A mother is someone to shelter and guide us,

To love us, whatever we do,

With a warm understanding and infinite patience,

And wonderful gentleness, too.

How often a mother means swift reassurance

In soothing our small, childish fears,

How tenderly mothers watch over their children

And treasure them all through the years!

The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness

For any mistake, big or small,

And generous always in helping her family

Whose needs she has placed above all.

A mother can utter a word of compassion

And make all our cares fall away,

She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter

And make life delightful and gay.

A mother possesses incredible wisdom

And wonderful insight and skill -

In each human heart is that one special corner

Which only a mother can fill!

~Katherine Nelson Davis

my mother

In honor of my Mom on Mother's Day- a photo & memory montage:

This is one of my all-time favorite photos! On the right is my Grandma holding my Aunt's hand, and on the left is my Mom. I love the era & especially the movie marquee w/ Spencer Tracy and Lana Turner.

My mom taught me to appreciate old movies! She'd always say "They don't make 'em like that anymore." or "Actors just can't act these days." My favorite *old* movie is Singing in the Rain with Gene Kelly! Of course my mom would also say, in regards to a scenic movie, "Kids, come! Watch...it's just like being there." And, I can say with some assurety, after living in other places like the Big Apple, that it is most definitely NOT like being there. In a movie you don't get the smells & peripheral view & tastes of actually being there.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is a picture of my Mom when she was in third grade, or 8 years old. I love the dimple in her chin (she's still famous for it to this day).

My Mom always liked doing my hair. She'd gush over how easy it was to curl. After a bath she'd just comb it and then take sections of my hair and wrap it around the end of the comb or her finger so that I'd look like Shirley Temple. I think she was living vicariously through me as she always said that, growing up, she loved Shirley Temple.

~~~~~~~~~~

This is one of my favorite photos of my Mom. Isn't she pretty?! She's 17 here.

Some of the gems that my Mom has taught me and that I'm passing on to my girls are:

• "Clean up as you go--it just makes life easier."
• "Makeup should accent your natural beauty, not be seen for what it is."
• "Play with one thing at a time and put it away before you play with something else."
• "When dying hair stay as close to the color that God gave you--He knew what would look good on you."
• "Eat lots of citrus fruit--it's good for the complexion."
• "Act lady-like; keep your knees together, your voice down & always say Thankyou."
• "If you want something done right do it yourself, and do it right the first time or you'll pay twice to have someone else do it."
• "Proof read proof read proof read!" (Again, this has made it impossible for me to write in a careless *freeing* style--sometimes I hate it.)

~~~~~~~~~~

This is my Mom & Dad with their first born, my brother Mike, circa 1960-61.

My Mom isn't perfect, but she never claimed to be. She's made some tough choices in life and has had to struggle at times, but who of us hasn't?! She's endured the loss of a child and both parents, and has been through a divorce, but she's also supported 5 kids, by herself, while graduating from college. I've never doubted that my Mom loves me. At fragile times it was the best she knew how. At other times she's down right smothering. But always loving!

I love you Mom! Happy Mother's Day. :)

love and statesmen

There were 3 wonderful parts to last week:

• Hard work on the basement.
• A wedding.
• An educational vacation.

We started out working in our basement; laying down Pergo flooring in the "school" room, finishing walls and in general trying to get things ready in the great room for the carpet installation in 5 weeks. The weather was so beautiful that we also worked outside and put in some of our garden; namely tomatoes, lettuce, squash & cucumbers. We were in the zone! Super focused! The rest of the house was super... neglected, but we were okay with that.

Then we got a phone call. My niece, Nicole, and her fiance', Cody, decided to elope and wondered if they could honeymoon at our house while we were on vacation. (We had already asked her if she could "house sit" while we were gone.)

Ummmm.....ok. Only if we get to go to the wedding -HELLO? Who's your favorite Aunt & Uncle??? So we pulled up our boot straps, grabbed a mop and bucket, and cleaned the sadly neglected remains of our house. After all, it's one thing to have a clean house and an entirely different thing to have one worthy of honeymoon-retreat status.

We cleaned like we've never cleaned before. Then I had fun making posters that said things like "Honeymoon suite" and "Hotel Newlywed" and "Cafe Amore". We put our lace runner on the kitchen table with roses in a vase and candles and our "good" dishes. I even made a "menu" and name cards. We put our down comforter in the "good" duvet cover and sprinkled rose petals on the bed and placed candles in the room.

The next day, Wednesday May 3, we met Cody & Nicole (and their families plus Grandma) in Tooele to watch them get married. (Only got video, sorry.) They were a bit nervous, but lovely, and we're so happy for them. And, no, she's not pregnant. It's an unfortunate forcing-the-hand issue from Cody's family --their loss! They stayed that night in a hotel, and came over the next day to see us off.

************

We spent four days in Southern Utah for the Thomas Jefferson Education seminar. TJed is one of the many methods I use for homeschooling. It's about building statesmen. It was started by Dr. Oliver DeMille, who then co-founded the George Wythe College (George Wythe was Thomas Jefferson's mentor). The crux of the TJ method is 1) Classics, and 2) Mentors. A "classic" can be any medium, not just literature, that you learn something from over and over and over and over again. A "mentor" is someone that will INSPIRE you in a certain subject, not just "require" you to parrot back information. The TJ method also includes phases of learning and "steps" of methodology.

It is a very good book and can be used in any area of life- financial, marital relations, physical health, etc. This was the 3rd year I've heard Dr. DeMille speak and it absolutely reaffirms not only why I homeschool, but my love for our founding fathers and the wonderful statesmen that they were.

Gene and the girls stayed around the hotel and enjoyed the swimming pool while I attended the seminar. After the lectures we went out to eat and I got to join them a couple of times at the pool. Emma loved her little life jacket and hated it when we'd get too close or hold on to her. Sarah is getting really good at swimming & diving under water for objects & propelling herself.

*****

It was such a wonderful week on so many levels. Congratulations Cody & Nicole! We love you both and wish you the very best.

the week in pictures 4/25

That's right. I now have a SIX YEAR OLD. Sarah had her birthday party this past weekend at a local "bounce house". All of her friends came; we had 8 little girls running around bouncing, playing, scooter-ing, dancing, eating & bouncing some more. It was a lot of fun, and not one of those horrid places where the staff are idiot teenagers and totally incompetent, they were very attentive and ran things so smoothly it was kind of shocking.

Have you ever known somebody for a while and thought "they remind me of someone" but couldn't put your finger on it? It's been that way the last few months or so with my daughter, Sarah. And I've finally figured out who she reminds me of. Laura Ingalls from Little House on the Prairie. Like Laura, Sarah is just so grateful--almost all the time. She said "Oh Mom, this is the BEST birthday EVER!...thanks for being my Mom." She just kept oozing with gratitude. And then she'd throw in a little quirk like "My friends ROCKED the party!" Seriously. I have no idea, don't ask. I'm just so thankful to have a grateful daughter.

Well, between cutting cake and video tapping I was able to get a few snapshots.

Sarah (second one on left) with her friends.

Some girls wanted to bounce, some wanted to scoot, others played arcade games.

One happy birthday girl with her gifts.

After the party, Sarah & Madison decided they wanted to *bounce* even more on our trampoline.

Happy Birthday Sarah -- We love you!

the week in pictures 4/17

Early in the week, Michelle (my dear friend of 16 years), hosted an Easter Egg hunt at her house. She has an incredible back yard and, of course, it was covered with eggs that she thoughtfully hand filled with candy and toys. But, was that enough? Oh, no! Michelle also handed out Easter cups with chocolate bunnies to each child. Sarah and Emma had sooo much fun. Thanks Michelle!!! We love you!

Here's Sarah (blinking) holding her basket with 12 eggs, a cup and a bunny.

Emma loved the eggs but had a hard time getting them open.

****************

Wednesday we went to our first Homeschooling Health Co-op class; Sarah gets dropped off at the older group and I stay with Emma for the younger toddler class. We made a map of our body and learned about exercise, while Sarah's group learned about nutrition and hygiene.

Saturday night we colored the eggs and bathed the girls. Then I got their baskets filled and laid out their dresses for Sunday. The girls woke up at 8am to search for their Easter baskets and eat a quick breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, fruit smoothie and toast before church. Here they are in their Easter dresses.

We decided to do pink this year. Note the matching handbags--too cute!

Sarah looking like Jackie Kennedy Onasis. ;)

Emma simply looking sweet! It was a little too windy for a great pic.

I hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend. And now that all the *sugary-sweet* holidays are out of the way, here's hoping I lose those extra pounds!!! :) I tell ya', Halloween thru Easter is a killer for someone with a sweet tooth.

beauty and chaos

**UPDATE**
Per request from CMHL I will post the bulleted list of balls, and give detail about the "bowling ball". First, please allow me a disclaimer; that I think few people are busier than full-time working Mom's. My own mother, for example, after a divorce, became a full-time worker/single Mom to 5 kids & full-time student. Now THAT'S busy! But, like I said, it's all relative. And in my little, quiet and very blessed life one "ball" can make a big splash.

• Home Educator (that alone should be enough)
• Currently remodeling the walls and floors in our basement (pics to come soon)
• Relief Society teacher (the women's organization in our church)
• Enrichment co-leader (a weekday women's org. in our church)
• Visiting Teacher Supervisor (a stats/district thing for the women in our church)
• visiting teacher (kind of like a fellowshipper)
• Secretary for a Home Educators committee (monthly meetings w/ a newsletter submission)
• local District Leader for the state-wide Home Education association (meaning I'm over approx. 200 homeschool families in my town. Responsibilities include:
• updating the main database each *April* by calling &/or visiting these families,
• moderating the online support group & message boards
• hosting play groups, fieldtrips, etc.
• attending conventions and becoming *savvy* in the legalities of homeschooling laws in our state.
• ...and then there's a bunch of little stuff like: planning my daughters birthday party, attending my book club, putting in our garden, and trying to find time to exercise.

The district leader thing...200 people this month...THAT was the bowling ball! But, like I said I volunteered. I'm passionate about home education, but I feel such a obligation to church duties too. Something has to give...**

---------------

Words of Wisdom: Don't bite off more than you can chew!

We all know this, right?

Yet, personally, I have this theory- that one can do more than they feel capable of, if only they are in the moment when they need to be. Your kids want you to play with them? -Do it. Be in the moment. Your neighbor needs help? Find a time and do it. Be in that moment. You need to finish a project at work? Be in that moment. In theory, if our mind is focused, and not thinking about the hundred of other things we should/could be doing, we can move seamlessly from one moment to the next accomplishing a great deal. Like I said... In theory.

Then again, I suppose there comes a time -for even the best juggler- when there are just too many balls in the air. Which ones do you drop? All of them? How can the juggler keep his act going while eliminating one ball at a time?

I guess this is where prioritization comes into play. Definitely those that you love should not be dropped! But, what about the balls that you should keep in the air (simply because you've been taught for years that's what you should do) vs. the balls that you're passionate about (okay, that last one sounded kinky. sorry.) ??? Group A of people counting on you vs. Group B of people counting on you.

I was thinking about doing a bulleted list of those proverbial balls, but it's all relative anyway, right? Suffice it to say that I just got thrown a rather large ball...a bowling ball...a flaming sword of sorts, and now my theory is out the window and I have to drop a ball. Sad truth is that the large ball wasn't really "thrown" at me, I voluntarily picked it up. Maybe I just need to learn to say "No", or my favorite (coined by a dear friend of mine) "Sorry, I wish I could, but, I don't want to." :)

Anyway, this past week we were able to have a couple moments of fun amidst the chaos... that I've created. So, here's a couple pics for your pleasure. And P.S.- If you don't hear from me for a while it's because I'm trying to balance my juggling act.

Sarah & Emma at the park...

...playing house.

Sarah hand picked these daffodils from our own yard-

(they come up under the Oak tree and in the weirdest places). Gorgeous, no?!

aloha

My nephew, Brandon, who, at 17, just got accepted to BYU-HAWAII!!! Woohoo! Just two years ago he decided to quit public school and take charge of his own education. He also just got his associates from a local Community College. Congratulations Brandon!

spring caucus

How gorgeous is this?! This is what Spring in NC looks like! Here we are just getting some tulips and daffodils peeking through the cold, dead ground while the last of the snow is melting. My mother-in-law will eat this up, but I must admit I'm ready for winter to end. I like snow, I even love it sometimes, but November through March? -it really is getting kinda old now! Mostly, I want my kids to be able to go outside and run off the energy they've pent up all season long.

Last night I attended my first Caucus and it was exhilarating! Can I just say how much I love this system. Getting involved at the delegate level for County and State is critical people! It was SO nice to be able to talk with the candidates and see where they stand on issues that are important to me and my family (namely, freedom of choice in education) and who they support, etc. There was one gentleman who seemed less than enthusiastic to be there and admittedly didn't know his issues, where he stood or who's running. I was embarrassed for him. Hello? Why even be there? And then somebody nominated him. What the...? Thankfully he wasn't elected. It was also disheartening to see that, out of 500 registered voters in our precinct, only 18 people showed up. What's up with that? I plan on helping Sue to get out the vote and increase that number next time.

happy st. paty's day

Ok, so I don't know if I'm technically biologically "Irish", but on a day like today I think there's a little Irish inside all of us. And, because I promised my girls I'd take them to a restaurant and then to the park, I will make this a nice short post of some of my favorite GREEN things.

You know what they say about the green M & M...

Green Day!

There's nothing like a canopy of green leaves.

Yummy fresh scent!

Fried green tomatoes- made the North Carolina way!

This goes without saying...

Have a great Saint Patricks Day!

goodness

My 2 year old daughter, Emma, is currently obsessed with watching the Wizard of Oz. It's the only time I've ever seen her sit still for that length of time. She doesn't even do it for a Disney movie. Not that I like to sit my kids in front of the TV or a movie that often, but you should see her face light up and hear her giggle when we say that she can watch it AGAIN! I figure she could be watching worse stuff; something really stupid, disrespectful or violent, so I give in. I'm amazed at how aware she is of the plot. Emma gets genuinely sad when the mean lady takes the dog away from Dorothy and when Dorothy gets hit on her head by the falling window. On the other hand she gets so happy and laughs when the munchkins come out and when they all sing and dance.

It was while watching the Wizard of Oz for my hundredth time that I remembered having heard a parable on it, years ago, from Jack R. Christiansen. And I've made some observations of my own. Kind of like Star Wars, The Wizard of Oz is full of spiritual symbolism. I believe this life is a time away from our Heavenly Father, a time to be tested and prepare to return to Him. Much like Dorothy leaves her home and has to prove herself to the Great Wizard. I also believe that we have help, probably more than we will ever know, from guardian angels and friends to guide us Home. Much like Glenda, the good witch from the North (Heaven?). I also believe that we are much stronger than we give ourselves credit for, but that our Father knows our strengths.

All that said, there are a few things I find ironic, yet poignant, in the movie the Wizard of Oz. Have you ever noticed that, even though the Scarecrow claims he doesn't have a brain, he's the one that always comes up with the plans or ideas. And that, even though the Tinman claims he doesn't have a heart, he's the emotional one; always crying and "rusting". The rest of the group is always saying to the Tinman "Don't cry now, we don't have your oil can." The Cowardly Lion claims to not have courage, yet he readily admits his weaknesses and faults (which I think takes real courage). Even though he runs away and appears to be afraid, later the Great Wizard points out he's just mistaking courage for wisdom. Sometimes we need to run instead of fight.

My favorite part of all, however, is when the foursome are trapped in the tower at the witches castle and Dorothy throws water, in an attempt to put out a fire on the Scarecrow, in the direction of the witch. And the Wicked Witch mutters these words: "I'm melting, I'm melting...Oh! What a world, what a world! Who would have thought that a good little girl like you could have destroyed my beautiful wickedness."

Water is very symbolic for cleansing. But, I wonder, how many of us consider our own goodness? And that sometimes the only thing it takes for wickedness to prosper is for one "good" person to stand by and do..... nothing. Do we hesitate to be "good"? Are there times when we don't remember, or give credit to, our strengths and do nothing? Or are we aware? How many of us use the strengths of others for help...and bring a few friends along that are in need?? I know I'm guilty of misjudging my strengths at times, and also hesitant to use my "goodness" at times.

But, this I know, I'm very grateful for my family and friends (even the ones who lurk and refuse to leave a comment. heh.) and their strengths that help me be a better, good, person.

Some of my favorite lines in the movie:

• "I don't know, but some people without brains do an awful lot of talking."


• "He's saying 'oil can'". "Oil can what?" (hehehe)


• "...for twenty years I've been dying to tell you what I think of you, and now, well, being a Christian woman I can't!"

future olympians

While the "official" Olympics were being held in Torino, Italy we decided to host an Olympics of our own; on the homeschooling level.

For the first class we read about the history of the Olympics; how they started and about the symbolism of the rings, olive wreaths and cauldron. Then we took advantage of the fact that we live in a former host city and visited the Olympic museum, watched a movie and visited the 2002 Olympic cauldron.

The kids were then asked to pick a country that they wanted to represent and make it's flag, and also to prepare to give a report on an Olympic winter sport or favorite athlete. In the mean time I made 20+ torches and 20+ "gold" medals.

For the second class we met at the Utah Olympic speed skating oval and got to take a tour of the place and look at the ice track close up. An employee there was so accommodating and even put on the Olympic music CD for our "opening ceremony". The kids then entered, one at a time, as their chosen country, holding the flags and walked around the track. Sarah represented Sweden. They each took a turn giving their report. Sarah reported on figure skating -because she loves the pretty outfits and the way the girls spin and lift their legs. We then had a running race and handed out gold medals to everyone, since they were all "winners"!

I had so much fun doing this class. The group that we're in is so wonderful and adventurous and into learning.

The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Cauldron

Our homeschooling group at the Olympic museum.

Half of our group- waving flags and holding torches.

Our "gold medal" winners, after the races.

sweetest thing

The weekend before Valentines Day was jam-packed with festivities. These are the boxes Sarah and Emma made during the Homeschooling Valentine party. 22 kids --not a bad turn out! A little chaotic during the valentine exchange. Our host provided cheese fondue with breads and chocolate fondue with strawberries for us Moms.

Also before Valentines day was the county-wide Daddy Daughter Dance that Gene took Sarah to. The dance was open to the public for girls 3-15 and their Dad (or surrogate). Sarah was looking forward to it for weeks. I mean, what 5 year old girl wouldn't want to dress up like a princess for a dance with their Daddy?? We took her shopping for a special dress and then did her hair fancy in the back. Gene presented her with a rose just before they left.
Sarah said "Oh Daddy! That's so romantic. Thank you."
She gets this from watching Anastasia and Cinderella.

The world's greatest Dad with the world's sweetest girl!

At the daddy-daughter dance. Sarah with her friend, Junie, from our homeschooling group.

Gene said there were 150 Dad's easy plus a couple hundred girls. Good turn out! They had a lot of fun -played games and had punch and cookies. Then he took her out to dinner at IHOP.

It absolutely warmed my heart and made me fall deeper in love with Gene to see him doing this with Sarah! I hope it is something she will always remember. I think it's an annual thing and next year he'll be able to take Emma as well. You guys are the sweetest things!

superbowl time

It's one of the funnest traditions that our family has...Superbowl Weekend.

Every year we (16 of us) head up to Logan, UT to my brother's house (joining their 5) for food, fun, games and football! The adults always go out to dinner Friday night and then Saturday we play some kind of family sport. This year we played dodgeball at the local elementary school where my SIL works as a P.E. teacher. We also had skateboard races.

Then, come Sunday, after a quick jont to church we race back home and get ready for the fun games that Don has prepared. And food. Yummy BBQ, or Fajita's, 7-layer bean dip, oysters...yum! It is always so much fun -we look forward to it all year long!

Emma (making a funny face) and Sarah playing at Uncle Don's.

Saturday skateboard races in the school. Dean's a blur at the far left, dragging Laura. Gene's holding on to Emma and Sarah at the right.

Everybody vegging during the Superbowl (minus some kids and a couple teenagers).

My brother, Don, (aka "Uncle Donny") with the goods for the quarterly score winners! Thanks Don for such a fun weekend every year! We love you!

birthday fun in photos

I've eluded to the fact that my birthday, last month, was great and this is, in part, why- Gene took me to the Sundance Film Festival on opening day. I have wanted to go for years now, but for some reason, always seemed to miss it.

I would love to report that I mingled with the rich and famous (as I went to Sundance as much for this reason as for the films) but, sadly, I can not. Turns out that if you want to "mingle" you must pay a club price quite equal to an "arm and a leg". Not to mention the waiting in line for hours. That all said, I did still have a blast! We were gone ALL DAY and left our kids with my niece who got permission to get out of school. Thanks Alyssa (and Flea)! For opening day it was surprisingly easy to find parking, in fact, everything that day went surprisingly smooth.

I love that, at Sundance, after the film ends there's always a Q & A period with the Directors and Actors. In the morning we saw a comedy that was also the world premiere for the director/actor. It was a huge deal for him and he was very humble about it, even when Roger Ebert, having sat in, came up to him and gave him his card! We ate lunch at a nice hotel cafe and then saw a drama that was well acted but very depressing. Next year I hope to end the evening on a lighter movie.

Roger Ebert talking with the director Hadji about his movie. (He gave it a "thumbs up".)

Me with Hadji at the Sundance Film Festival. I love the up-the-nostril angle and how pasty-white I am! Ugh! Home girl needs a tan!

In addition to the Sundance Fun-filled weekend, my SIL, Lorraine, took me out to lunch at the Macaroni Grill and then later joined my Mom in taking me to the movies!!! Thanks Lorraine, Mom, Flea (for the clothes) and dear hubby! Y'all rock!

ways in which i'm like elaine benes

• Elaine wore a Baltimore Orioles hat to a Yankees game. I once wore a Dallas Cowboy shirt to a Dallas vs. Giants game in New York.
• Elaine is a writer/editor. I like proof reading.
• I, too, HATE the movie The English Patient. And I doubt that a visit to the Tunisian desert would change my mind.
• Elaine is referred to, from Kramer, as a "man's woman." In high school I had few girl friends and was considered "one of the guys."
• Elaine has moral issues. I can't stand to see pregnant women smoking.
• I've had to ask the person in the stall next to me for some toilet paper. Thankfully got some -more than one ply.
• Elaine doesn't like dogs. I've screamed at dogs barking in the night.
• Once at a swimming pool I had an unfortunate "nipple" incident.
• Elaine likes a "big salad." I like a big cobb salad.
• I, too, have slivered my way through an employer's cake -though it was only 1 day old.
• If I find something I really like, I would buy a case of it.
• I've gone out with my share of "mimbos".
• When surprised or shocked I'll shout "SHUT UP!" Elaine shouts "Get Out!"
• Sometimes I feel like I live in Bizarro world -with a mirror for everybody close to me.
• And, lastly, while I don't like Jujyfruits, I might consider buying some candy at a movie theater (instead of sneaking it in).

lazy wednesday post

February has been a busy, yet fun, month -with a super fun Super Bowl party, homeschooling classes, book clubs and birthday parties. Emma just turned 2! That speaks for itself.

I have neglected this blog, but I have a short break today (before planning our HS Olympics class and attending my Educators meeting) and thought I'd better do something. I got this from Nilo. Hang in there, this weekend I hope to post oodles and oodles of pictures from the last six weeks.

1) Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.
"...to lessen, to make less severe, to alleviate." The Oxford Collegiate Dictionary; word alleviate.

2) Stretch your left arm out as far as you can and see what you touch.
The refrigerator. We like keeping the laptop in a main room of the house.

3) What is the last thing you watched on TV?
The Olympic coverage on NBC last night. Watched Ted Ligety (Utah native) win Gold in the Alpine race -Woohoo!!!

4) Without looking, guess what time it is.
12:49

5) Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?
12:34

6) With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
My children playing & screaming & laughing & staking their claim with their valentine boxes.

7) When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Last night (Valentines Day), going out to dinner with my husband -yummy!

8) Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
The homeschooling message boards, which I check faithfully every morning for co-op class and fieldtrip info. Love the ladies on that site!

9) What are you wearing?
*sigh* My pajama bottoms and one of my favorite long sleeve shlumpy shirts. Totally uncoordinated. Totally comfortable.

10) Did you dream last night?
Yes. A very wacky and disturbing dream about Nazi's and sexual preferences.

11) When did you last laugh?
This morning. On the phone with my SIL.

12) What is on the walls of the room you are in?
Mail holder, white board and nothing else. We're going to be painting soon! :)

13) Seen anything weird lately?
Not so much "seen", but "heard" TOO MANY weird stories this past week. All real. Explains #10.

14) What do you think of this quiz?
okay so far.

15) What is the last movie you saw?
I honestly can't remember. I'll have to get back to this one... Fun with Dick and Jane.

16) If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
I'd put the "multi" part into a saving account and live off the interest. But I'd easily spend a cool one mill to pay off our newly remodeled house, buy another house back East, then vacation, savings for my kids, etc.

17) Tell me something about you that I don't know.
I spent two years ballet dancing on toe shoes. I've also torn the ligaments in my right ankle so many times I'll never be able to dance that way again. Which makes me kind of sad.

18) If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
Geographically, I'd make an island in the middle of a shark infested ocean, like way out there by the Marquesas Islands, for all the scum of the earth to reside. Like Alcatraz, without the possibility of escape. As far as human nature goes, I'd make everyone have a sense of humor about themselves.

19) Do you like to dance?
Love to! Although an insulated thirty-something getting jiggy with it isn't very attractive.

20) George Bush?
That's not a complete question. What about him? (told you I like to dance)

21) Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?
Clarissa. If my husband could pronounce it correctly.

22) Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?
I like Caleb.

23) Would you ever consider living abroad?
For a short time in a favorite country. Even shorter in a non-fav place.

24) What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?
"Welcome home! Do you like what I've done with the place?" (As I would surely be checking heaven out and because He knows I like interior decorating.)

Well, there! Twenty four random questions for your lazy reading pleasure.

bueller? bueller? bueller?

I just watched the most amazing video from 20/20 about American kids becoming increasingly more stupid -thanks to big government and the public school systems. It is 40 minutes long, but worth the time & commercial free to boot!

Wait! Let me get out my soap box.......
There.

It makes my blood run hot -the lack of education that American children are receiving.
As it is, in America, the schools are staffed with seriously under-trained & undisciplined teachers, the curriculum is anything but challenging and the monies allotted schools are managed poorly by bureaucratic officials -going mostly to facilities and NOT to books, tests or programs that directly affect learning.

As a home-schooling parent, I know first hand that the government doesn't want to make it easy for, much less help, children to get an education unless our money goes to the state school that we're "assigned" to because of our zip code. Even then, if you're lucky enough to live close to a "good" school the standards are sub-par and, in my opinion, not an option for my children.

If, indeed, schools competed for enrollment by staffing outstanding teachers with challenging curriculum, and the schools were disciplined and safe and offered a range of activities, and each teacher- each school -was held accountable for failures with the threat of being shut down, I think we might actually see progress in our students, instead of the shameful amount of drop-outs or illiterate teens that we see today. If, indeed, money was not limited within district boundaries, but attached to the child with freedom of choice of institution, then the education -the learning- would be limitless.

Now, I don't mean to offend anyone who is an excellent teacher. I have many friends that have chosen that as their profession, and I love and admire them. However, I think...No! I know, that, sadly, excellence is becoming the exception rather than the rule in education today. It's hard to point the finger at any one area. Poor parenting is hugely to blame. However, until there are significant improvements and choices and freedom in government funded education, I have no choice but to educate my children at home -which is the way it ought to be and was decades ago anyway.

End of rant. Thanks for listening.

lazy post

Well, my birthday week is over, and folks can I just say it was one of the best birthdays ever! I will post some pictures and tell y'all about it soon. In the meantime, I got this from Nilo, who got it from Anika. Silly. Give it a try.

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Carla!

1. All of the roles in Shakespeare's plays - including the female roles - were originally played by Carla!
2. If the annual Australian Carla crop was laid end to end, it would stretch around the world seven times!
3. Lightning strikes Carla over seven times every hour!
4. The pigment Indian Yellow was manufactured from the urine of cows fed only on Carla!
5. Carla can jump up to sixteen times her own height.
6. You would have to dig through four thousand kilometres of Carla to reach the earth's core.
7. Carla was the first Tsar of Russia.
8. The book of Esther in the Bible is the only book which does not mention Carla.
9. Carla can not regurgitate.
10. The Vikings believed that the Northern lights were caused by Carla as she rode out to collect warriors slain in battle!

I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem

ramblings

Behold! My "light box" returneth! Have I mentioned how much I love snow? Especially now that I have kids and can send them out to make snow angels and watch them play.

The past week and a half has been rough. It started with Emma getting a cold and coughing so hard that she'd throw-up a couple times a day. Then I got it, then Gene, followed by Sarah -who's still battling the tail end. We could be described as apostate (inactive at best) with how we try to avoid the nursery at church this time of year. Keeping a house clean while I'm sick is like trying to rake leaves during a tornado -it's pointless. Thankfully I'm back to my normal self now, with energy to boot. My "urge to purge" and clean is back in full force. Yahoo!

• My daughter is so funny. Lately she's been adopting "air quotes" around silly sayings. For example: (air quote with her fingers) "What am I, chopped liver?" She's 5.
• We are starting a series of co-op classes, about Sea Life, with our Homeschooling group today.
• I can't concentrate on ANYTHING when Nick Jr. is on in the background. Seriously, there ought to be a study done about how their shows and music affect the mind.
• This is MY birthday week. I am very excited about some plans that we have, but I am superstitious, so I'll have to tell you about them later. ;)
• Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Here's hoping that we can come another step closer to his vision, his "dream".
• Hmmmm....maybe I should change the channel.

this week's soundtrack

Lately I've been a little pissy. Melancholy at best, but mostly very irritable.

Dolly Parton says it best in this song.

It really bugs me that I'm feeling this way right after the holiday season. I should still be enjoying watching my children play with their new toys, but instead I feel that I'm playing the role of Joan Crawford in "Mommy Dearest". I know a lot of people always say "enjoy them while they're young" but right now I would love to hit the fast-forward button to adulthood.

It's not so much my kids as it is the way that I feel my life is stagnant right now. I'm an artist. I went to college to major in Art Teaching (even got on the Dean's list), and I have nothing if not a wanderlust creative spirit in me. I'm like a fish out of water, literally suffocating, if I can't express myself in some form of craft or art. The problem being that I could really use a million dollars to get everything done that I want done. That, and I'm a bit of a perfectionist. However, if I can't do it perfectly all at once I often do nothing at all. I know it doesn't make sense.

So, I'm also in the process of making new years resolutions and about to through in the towel and say to hell with it all! Too much pressure, too much I want to do, too little time and energy! Hence my bad/melancholic/party-of-one-pity-party!

Any suggestions?