School Supplies

I love school supplies. I especially love brand new school supplies, the smell of freshly sharpened pencils, the crispness of pristine composition books, and the sound of a just opened box of crayons. My orders for books, curricula, and other supplies have just been submitted to Rainbow Resource Center and Shop.com. There is a twinge of excitement knowing that in a few weeks packages will be arriving in the mail. This year we are psyched to be studying Medieval times - Renaissance, and Geology and Space. What could be more fun for little boys to study than knights and castles and planets and galaxies? Because we only just finished reading tonight about the fall of the Roman empire, I have decided to begin school the first week of August. I'm hoping that an early start will take some of the pressure off later in the year when we feel the need for an extended holiday.

Last year was a difficult one, homeschooling only added to the difficulty and stress, but this (academic) year is "brand new with no mistakes in it". I feel free to focus my attentions on more complex tasks and even have the capacity to plan ahead once again. The divorce created a foggy haze over time so that, in the beginning I could see only one day at a time. Eventually, as it lifted, I could look a week or two into the future and schedule things, but more than a month ahead was just inconceivable. Now I'm thinking through the school year, scheming my next birthday party and even anticipating next summer's family reunion and beach vacation (Lord willing). I can hardly comprehend that a year has passed since my trip to Japan, that my baby daughter is now finally potty-trained, that my seven year old son can draw better than some of my former 7th grade students ever could, and that my 5 year old son is writing me letters to tell me about his feelings! So even though I felt like in many ways I didn't accomplish all I had hoped to over the past year, under the circumstances, we did quite well.

While we won't have all the fresh workbooks, colored pencils and crisp texts yet to begin next week, we do have plenty to keep us busy until all the packages arrive.

Twister casualty

Today while shopping I decided to buy a new game for our family. K has been getting into board games and asks daily, if not hourly if I'll play monopoly with him (which I'm already tiring of). So I bought Twister. It's something somewhat active, reinforces cooridination, balance, and skills like color and right and left identification. It's an educational but fun game, and one of my favorites. They were excited to get started as soon as they came back from M's tonight and so, while the oven was heating up for me to put in dinner, we played a quick game. This game ended suddenly when I fell knee first right onto the tip of my left middle finger. Those cartoon depictions of what happens when a finger gets smashed is no exaggeration. Somehow I managed to hold in all the nasty things I wanted to blurt out while clutching my wounded digit in agony. I think all that the kids heard me say was, "Owwwwwwwwwwwwwww owww owwwwowww". I can't type with that finger which is making for beaucoup typos, sorry if I don't catch all of them. The whole underside of the tip is black and blue, but since I just painted my finger nails red the other day, I'm not sure how the nailbed is. I'm sure it's gonna get real purty.
The kids continued to play several more games, and I got the job as "Spinner". Six hours and 2 naprosin later and it's still throbbing.

***Update: After looking up some info on the net and talking to some friends who are experienced with broken fingers, I have concluded that I probably sustained a stable fracture. I don't want to pay $300 for an xray and expert opinion when really the only treatment is to splint it and immobilize it for about 4 weeks. The splint was about $3 at Eckerd...it'll be just fine, eventually. And this is my first broken bone EVER.

In stitches

You'd think that since I'm a seamstress, seeing my 7 year old son's knee being stitched together after a bad fall wouldn't faze me. I thought I had a tough constitution when it came to these kinds of things... In high school biology the other girls in my lab group wouldn't do any disecting of the critters. They left all the gorey cutting and removing of organs to me. I found it completely fascinating and wondered on occasion if I had what it takes to be a nurse or doctor or even a veterinarian... So, when Dr. Bala started to poke around in K's knee to determine if it was numb enough to be sutured (it wasn't, by the way and required more anesthetic) ewwww, I started to feel a little queezy. I watched him sew and admired his technique, but as soon as he tied off the fourth and last stitch and snipped the blue thread, I felt the room swooshing. I nearly fainted, which is highly unusual for me.

On top of all that drama, I couldn't find the insurance card, forgot my cell phone, forgot my wallet, forgot my checkbook... I did have my purse with me, which was full of useless junk. I happened to take out my wallet at home to check for the insurance card and forgot to put it back in. My phone had been charging but was finished, and my checkbook usually resides in my bag, but for some reason it had taken a brief vacation. Several years ago, all this unpreparedness might have sent me into a mild panic attack, but I guess I've learned somewhere along the line that it isn't the end of the world when you forget those important things, it's just a complete nuisance.

K was a soldier through it all (after the initial high-pitched screams resulting from his painful fall and the sight of his own blood). I think he enjoyed (and is still enjoying) all the special attention.

Memorial Gardens

On Saturday I went to the grave site of my late sister. I hadn’t been there in at least 10 or 12 years. It was a tough visit, but I got to tell her some things that were on my mind lately, and just cry and sit a while. It’s a beautiful place. I’m still glad I chose the plot near the pond, not that it matters to her very much, but for me and others to visit it’s really peaceful and lovely. This month marks the 17th anniversary of her death. While there, I realized that I have now lived more of my life without her, than with her. I still miss her.

See more progress on: grieve past hurts

Kids say the darnedest things...

Today the boys had fevers. They missed their first day of bible camp and were mostly lethargic all day. After the ibuprofen kicked in, they perked up a little before bedtime. I happened to pick up some of their baby books and journals I wrote in during my pregnancies stacked by my bed and took a little stroll down memory lane. D found me doing this and laid himself on my bed next to me, and was interested in the sonogram pictures. Then we came to a picture of my enormous maternal belly and D said I looked like a "big fat man". Nice. He said now I look like a "medium lady". While reading little bits in his book I came to an entry I thought I'd share here.

January 3, 2003 (D is just a few months passed his 2nd birthday.)
This morning while I was still in bed, D came to me saying he wanted to be undressed. He proceded to take all of his clothes off, including his diaper and climbed up on the bed. He looked down and said, "My penis is sort of a snowman!" K came running over to see and said, "Hey, snowman penis!"

At the conclusion of reading this D burst into giggles. I wonder if he will still find this story amusing when he is seventeen? Heh heh.

B-E-N-G-I-E-S

I took the kids to our very first drive-in movie last night! I have wanted to go to a drive-in for as long as I can remember. When we first moved to Timonium, when I was about four, there was drive-in theater about a half mile away. I remember driving home at night and passing that giant screen and seeing dracula three stories high right along I-83. My parents never took us, (they probably had good reasons) and several years later it was torn down and a Holiday Inn was built in its stead.

I decided that I wasn't going to wait any longer, and when I saw that Cars was playing it was a perfect opportunity. (What better place to watch a movie about cars, than in a theater designed to watch from your own car?) The children had asked me to take them to see it. Pixar has done it again...another excellent movie that kids and adults can enjoy, with a good moral to the story too. [Ooooooh, and the short animated film which precedes it, "One-man band", is superb!]

Kids under eleven are free at Bengies, and my ticket was $8, not bad. They charge $7 to bring your own food, but I opted for the whole drive in experience and planned on getting our snacks there. The food prices seemed reasonable but it was a hassle carrying everything back to the minivan with the kids. Next time, we'll bring our own and not forget the bug spray! I got a bunch of skeeter bites, but I really enjoyed being outside to watch the movie. It was the best of both worlds: gorgeous nite, great movie, the best company, the perfect date with my munchkins. This is my new favorite way to see a movie.

Bengies Drive-in has been talking of shutting down for a number of years, but they keep coming back. They are celebrating 50 years of running. It's a great family movie experience, a great date opportunity and it's relatively inexpensive considering if you're a night owl, you get three movies for the price of just one! We stayed for part of the second feature "Akeelah and the Bee" which looks like a good one, but it was too late for us to stay for the whole thing.

family photo

About two months ago, after church one Sunday, I signed up for our family to have our picture taken for the forthcoming pictorial church directory. I must have been so sedated from the sermon that I wasn't thinking straight when I picked the time slot of 4:40pm on this lovely Wednesday afternoon. I guess I was thinking something like, well it'll be after L's nap, so she'll be perky and fresh. Or perhaps none of the morning slots were available, and I didn't want to interrupt naptime, I'm not exactly sure what the reason was. I hope it was a good one...

...Completely crazy this afternoon. L began her nap at a decent time of roughly 1:30pm. Our power cut out at about 2 pm, interupting the boys computer time, which prompted the eldest to have a sulky spell since he hadn't had a turn yet. After a call to BGE and a brief wait, the power came back on, the boys finished their game and I folded a gargantuan pile of laundry. L is still sleeping. After the laundry is put away, K asks to play Candyland (my least fave kid game) and I am able to convince him that he is much too old for such childish games..."it says ages 3-6 on it"...so we proceed to play our very first game of family Scrabble and are completely emersed, when suddenly I remember our errand today and ask, "K, what time is it?"
"4:15, Mommy."
"Shoot, we've got to get our pictures taken!" and I begin the flurry of brushing my hair and checking my make-up and then proceed to wake our sleeping Beauty...We are pottry training again, after a bit of a relapse, so I plop her on her potty seat and she begins to cry, still dazed and half asleep. Then I try to wrestle the unhappy princess into something to wear. She's sitting on the changing table completely naked refusing everything I hold up, even her ever-popular icecream cone t-shirt. (At this point I don't care what she wears as long as it's something. I gave up on the idea of all of us coordinating, that's not really our style anyway.) Then I decide she's going to be unhappy no matter what and wrestle her into a dress and matching panties while she cries and exclaims, "NO DRESS, MOMMY" repeatedly. Her face is red, blotchy and tear-stained. I hold her and she wipes her snotty, teary face on my shirt. Great, now I need a fresh shirt.

It is now 4:30...we will be late getting to church. My mom announces from outside the kitchen window that she has picked a lot of peas, I refill a sippy cup and still have to get everyone in the car.

Somehow we manage to get there only five minutes late. Not bad I'm thinking. L has stopped crying finally but still is blotchy and grouchy. She clutches me and her pink doggy and her sippy cup like a life line.

We are called into a room by a young man with a quirky British accent. I'm thinking, "Is he on drugs or is he just trying to be peppy for the kids?" It was bizzare and I felt a little uncomfortable. After many attempts to get the little Miss to smile, an Elmo doll appeared and seemed to do the trick, but not before a million obnoxious noises and faces were made at her. It's no wonder I look glazed over and annoyed in most of the pictures.

The one we chose but didn't buy, since the smallest "package" was over a hundred bucks, has everyone smiling to some degree. I think the kids look the best, but hey, so what? It's just for the church directory anyway. To remember the insanity I get one free 8x10 print. Oh, yay.

The Kitchen!

I apologize for the poor quality of these camera-phone pics...but for now it's all I've got that's fast. Here are a few different views of the kitchen, which to my great delight is now finished (save the glass fronts for two cabinets and the lazy susan for the corner cabinet.) That cute boy in the pictures is my artist/thinker, "K". Notice the ginormous fridge which could've eaten the old one for lunch...and the double oven! I now have twice the baking power than I did before...watch out! It's kind of hard to tell, but the walls are now a pale robin's egg blue, referred to by the contractors as "Joyella's surprise". As you may notice, if you've been in my old kitchen, some things are rearranged and the new bar feature is my brainchild. The kids love it, it provides a great place to snack, draw, view the toads stationed there or chat with me as I cook.

All this kitchen goodness was made possible by my dad and mom and of course, The Great Provider of all things. To them I am very thankful...

A Multicultural Weekend

My children are away with their father this week while our kitchen is being redone. Having the extra free time has been a little like a mini vacation, even though I have no sink or stove, the food is all packed away, there is dust everywhere, and the contents of my kitchen are stashed in odd places throughout the house. Friday was swinging to big band, Saturday was Mehndi and Bride and Prejudice with the girls, Sunday was pizza, Italian ice and Kung Fu Hustle , and tonight I went to a beginning swing class (to reinforce my freshly learned skills) and stayed for the Latin I class. We learned the Merengue. (Only in America.) I have wanted to take social dance lessons for at least 15 years. It was something M and I often said we should do, but never did.

On Friday night I was given a few helpful hints by a few of my partners. Tonight the instructor's assistant (who was filling in as lead since we had twice as many women as men) told me I follow really well. It is actually quite enjoyable to not lead I am finding, just follow and keep in rhythm. I am finding a good many parallels to partner dancing and relationships. Here are a few, you connect the dots:

1. When dancing don't look down at your feet, look ahead and just feel the movement of your partner to guide you.
2. Don't get too close or you may get stepped on, too far away and you get out of sync.
3. Look into your partners eyes when you take a turn, it keeps you going in the right direction.

I could have danced all night.

Last weekend my friend gave me a flyer for The Friday Night Swing Dance Club and I decided then that was how I wanted to spend my next kid-free Friday night. I invited a fellow I barely know to come with, we had dinner first at the Bayou Blue Cafe (yes it was a date, and no, I'm not posting any of those details here) and then got some directions from a helpful rent-a-cop on the Avenue. However, at dinner I learned that my companion works nights and would have to be off at nine-thirty p.m. (Some detail either he failed to mention earlier, or I had completely forgotten.) We took the one hour swing dance lesson, the instructor had fun pointing out all my stupid mistakes, and I learned that I have alot more to learn! After the lesson, the Crabtowne Big Band kicked up the music and the hall at the Boumi Temple was rockin'. Once I saw that it looked like a pretty fun crowd, and not all octogenarians, I decided to stick around even though my date had to leave. I'm so glad I did. I smiled and laughed and danced with numerous partners all of whom dance/lead differently so it was really good practice for me, especially since I learned I have a tendency to try and lead... Being a beginner dancer at this function was humbling, but all of the gents I danced with were so polite and fun and graciously smiled when I screwed up or missed a beat or didn't know the step. One man even taught me how to Fox Trot and another had me twirling to the Hustle. I'm really glad I didn't wear my high heels, extremely glad I used BodyGlide (I highly recommend!) in those places prone to friction, and pleasantly surprised to discover only one blister on the ball of my right foot.

While all this swinging excitement was happening inside, the most awesome thunder/lightening/downpour of a storm was happening outside. When it was time to leave I relished the cool summer(ish) rain barefooted as I slowly made my way out to my car in the lot. (There were several men standing under the awning, skiddish about fetching their cars for their significant others without an umbrella. It's just water guys...what's the big deal? Plus, after getting all hot and sweaty while dancing, what could feel more refreshing?) I put my bag and shoes inside the Green Machine and dawdled in the puddles for a while longer allowing myself to get thoroughly soaked before my ride home. It was superb!

Thursday Thirteen

It is said that you can tell a lot about a woman by the things in her handbag...So here are thirteen items in no particular order from my bag pictured below:
1. cell phone
2. wallet
3. 40% off coupon for Jo-Ann fabrics
4. 2 quick snap cameras (one to be developed but I keep forgetting to drop it off)
5. 1 pack of Orbit sugarfree gum, cinnamint flavor
6. compact sewing kit (it looks like a compact, but it's really a sewing kit-with a mirror)
7. tiny yellow matchbox like car, but smaller
8. almost nude lipstick in leather case with mirror
9. checkbook
10. church bulletin and newsletter
11. my watch (needs to be taken to Smyth for a new battery, which is another errand that I keep forgetting)
12. plastic baggy with 2 tea bags inside
13. cool purple pen I confiscated from the kind man at the photo drop off place the last time I was dropping off film (I offered to give it back after oohing and ahhing over it, and he told me to keep it.)

bonus items: swatch of fabric from bag I made for mom, car keys, 2 old shopping lists, a receipt, and a check to deposit.

Voici mon handbag

This bag I made for myself, to try out an idea...I bought the Parisian themed fabric while in Japan, thinking I would make something to go with my bathroom theme...then decided it would make a great bag! Notice the hot pink lining for pizzaz.

Mama's got a brand new bag

I made this for my Mama for her Mother's Day gift. I'm horrible at documenting my work, but the very knowledge of the fact that there are some people reading this who like to see my projects sometimes reminds me to take a photo (even if it's just a crappy one on my phone cam). This bag features a zipper, one strap and two interior pockets, one of which is perfect for glasses...all elements that I knew my mom would appreciate in her handbag. She proudly totes it and is a great promoter!

little dresses for sweet nieces

Top: for Aislinn, a little crinkle cotton knit nightgown with lettuce edging at hem and sleeves.
Bottom: for Ava, a tangerine stripe cotton knit crossover dress with contrasting floral trim at neck. (I intended to do a lettuce edge here too, but this knit didn't have the stretch and recovery for it to look nice.)

First Fruits

The garden is coming along quite nicely. So far we have planted lettuces, sugar snap peas, two varieties of tomatoes, basil, a pepper plant, various beautiful herbs, and the strawberry bed is really looking promising this year (for the first time ever!) I have covered the bed with net tulle to keep out the birds and chipmunks, so perhaps this year I'll be able to make some jam. I checked yesterday and should have picked the five that were nearly ripe, because the rainy weather caused some of them to prematurely rot. Oh well. These two will be shared among the children.

Baa Ram Ewe

What fun can be had at a sheep and wool festival? Well, if you are a color and texture loving person like MK (MK's summary of the festival is here ) and me, you'd have loads of fun petting delicious skeins of yarns and bundles of rovings (pictured), fingering woven, knitted and crocheted textiles, admiring skillfully crafted spinning wheels and looms, and patting angora bunnies, goats, sheep, llamas and my favorite, alpacas! There were a pair being sold for $1500, and it was sure tempting...(I think I've mentioned here that is one of my dreams, to have an alpaca farm. I am doubtful of it actualizing, but it still remains an interest.) I saw so many beautiful colors and patterns, my eyes could scarcely drink them in, and choosing my favorite yarn would be impossible. The two skeins I came home with, however, are a gorgeous deep, dark varigated purple/black/indigo wool/camel blend. This fiber "blooms" when washed and tumbled without heat, which means the fibers open up and get very, very soft almost like felting. It is my intention to make a shawl, poncho or some kind of wrap for myself...I'll try to remember to post it when it is ever finished.

Dating myself?

Last week I had coffee with my cousin at Donna's and liked the waiter so much, I decided to return this weekend...Well, the food there is really good and the location is pretty too. I have never eaten at a restaurant alone before. It's been one of the things to do on my list of things do to now that I'm single. I'm not sure if sitting at the bar to eat counts as dining alone, but I've got to start somewhere. The bartender was really nice, and since I was the only one keeping him company (even though it was an insanely busy night there) we made pleasant conversation. I also got to see some of the behind the scenes stuff which was fun too. Like the worn out waitress who had the table of 15+ people who had a bill of over $300! She said she didn't even know how many were at the table, they kept coming and going. The disappearance of the white wine "special" and the impailing of the bartender's hand on the snapped stem of a wine glass. (I saw three glasses break while sitting there.) I was able to keep an eye on my favorite waiter too, but wasn't feeling bold enough for anything beyond that. After my delicious roast beef sandwich and pinot noir, I took myself duckpin bowling. I'm a horrible bowler, in fact, for the first few rounds I accidently was hitting the reset button instead of the clear lane button (so that lowered my score a bit). I bowled two games at 77 the first and 66 the second, I couldn't even break 100! And these were duckpins people! I think the swirling colored lights and strobe effects for rock'n bowl were impairing my performance... then I ended the evening with Inge and Greg playing some games and talking until the wee small hours of the morning. (Thanks again you two for putting me up! or was it putting up with me?)

Next morning at the Christian Life and Witness class, I sat next to my friend Nancy and when it was over, she remarked, "You're a fun date. No pressure at the end either." I have to agree, I was a fun date. I'll have to do it again sometime.

Semper ubi sub ubi*

I guess she was punchy after having been up until 8:45pm while the kids attended DC4K and I attended DivorceCare tonight. I had the children change into their pjs in the car before we headed home, in hopes that one or all the children might doze off during the thirty minute car ride. I even told the boys to keep their voices quiet, so L could fall asleep. But before we had even pulled onto I-70 she was grabbing shoes off the seat next to her, flinging them behind her whith a flourish, and laughing hilariously. The boys didn't find this very funny, since they both got hit with sneakers. When she ran out of shoes she started hurtling their shirts and pants back at them, and laughing with the most evil flair. Finally, all that was left were the underpants, and she grabbed and flung them too, while hollaring "Underwayah! Underwayah! Underwayah! Ha Ha Ha Ha." I couldn't fight it any longer, I was concentrating so hard on stifling my laughter, that I missed my exit and had to back track a bit to get to I-695. Needless to say, no one fell asleep on the way home.

*"Semper ubi sub ubi" is a little play on Latin words meaning: Always where under where. It makes little sense on paper, but when spoken, kids learning Latin find this phrase very amusing.

Loving the Netflix!

I started my free trial offer of Netflix last week. (I watched Office Space last week, totally hilarious btw!) What a great idea! This is so much better than schlepping three kids into the Blockbuster only to have them argue and complain about the movies I suggest and having their heads filled with all sorts of suggestions from movie covers and posters. I'm super exited to be getting the first dvd of season 1 of THE MUPPETS! It should be arriving tomorrow...I'm not sure who will enjoy it more, me or the children. Netflix also has a huge selection of obscure movies too, like 321 Penguins episodes and old movies I've been looking all over for such as Hot Lead, Cold Feet. Best of all no late fees!

Joyellabunny wishes you a happy Lord's Day!

Al Fresco

We only have one bathroom in our cute little abode. Oftentimes it happens that two or three of us need to "go" at the same time, which is a source of minor frustration for the boys especially. The other day while I was having my turn in the lav, I heard an impatient knocking from D. Instead of waiting a mere two minutes, he "went" right out the kitchen door. I guess that Prettiness was impressed by this skill of relieving oneself in the open air, so she also tried it. Unfortunately this was her first attempt at peeing while squatting and made quite a mess. Just about an half hour ago, without telling me she needed to go, she slipped out the kitchen door and had another "go".... this is a difficult skill to teach a two-year-old, and even I am not 100% accurate but that may be due to lack of practice (it's been a while since I've been camping). Perhaps I should just put her little potty outside during the nice weather.

Simply gorgeous weather today, by the way. It reached the upper 80's and was sunny with the perfect amount of breeze. I would have gotten up early and enjoyed more of the day outside, but I spent a late night catching up with MK until 1:30 am. I did manage to get to the park and walk three miles this morning. Then I had to catch up on the sewing work I've procrastinated all week long. But really it's been an enjoyable day. Tomorrow's forcast: back to the 60's. Gotta love the weather in Baltimore, if you don't like it, just wait five minutes. A week and a half ago, it snowed!

*The lovely cluster of red tulips is blooming right outside the wonderful fence my dad built last year to protect my garden from the very hungry white tail deer that like to graze here.

Another Fresh Start

I spent a good chunk of the weekend at the Fresh Start Seminars this weekend. I attended this last year and was, to put it mildly, a tad overwhelmed. It is a lot of information to absorb in a short period of time. Last year I found that I was somewhere in the vacinity of "Depression" and "Acceptance" on the slippery slope of recovery. I am glad to say that this year I find myself on the brink of the final stage of "Forgiveness". I say on the brink, because I haven't actually told M that I have forgiven him. I'm not quite there yet, but I believe that I no longer hold the wrongs he committed against me against him. Sometimes I even pray for him, although I confess it isn't on a regular basis.

So, I've been pretty busy lately. Some of you have expressed disappointment in the reduction of my posts. All I can say is, "Get a hobby people!" No, I'm kidding. I appreciate that some of you enjoy reading these bits of my thoughts and daily life. Thank you for continuing to check in.

The pace of my life recently seems to have sped up and I can hardly keep up, but I am enjoying spending more time in my sewing studio in the evenings as well as more time outdoors as the weather warms. Some of the work I have been doing is for my cousin's handbag business which I am pleased to say is growing. (Check it out, buy one for Mother's Day.) I expect that as the children get older that I will be spending even more time sewing. It is the one job that I continue to enjoy and feel I am really good at.

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts. You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary. But you sure can beat a good drum. "Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

Thoughts of a lanyard

On the second Sunday of every month, my sons, instead of having regular Sunday school, attend a presentation by missionary(ies) that our church sponsors. Every time they attend this "Second Sunday" they are supposed to bring their lanyard. I think this was instituted last year sometime, and prior to the change in the regular schedule I recieved a note in the mail explaining what this "Second Sunday" was all about and to make sure my children bring their lanyards with them on that Sunday. What the heck is a lanyard? I didn't bother to look it up, probably some minor crisis erupted in the house that I needed to attend to at that very moment I read the note. My children came home from their first second Sunday with a bright yellow lanyard hanging about their necks with some laminated tags dangling at their bellies, but really I didn't know that was what that thing was called, so for a few months, being still clueless I failed to send my children to church prepared.

Last week as I rounded the exit ramp on I-83 on our way to church, I realized, "We forgot our lanyards!" but we were running late already. Upon depositing the boys in their class I had a brief exchange with another mom who also had forgotten her child's lanyard, and I admitted that had it not been for Second Sunday, I wouldn't have known what a lanyard was.

On Friday night, I spent the evening in my sewing studio working and listening to the poems of Billy Collins on a cd that I had borrowed from the library. It had been quite a while since I had laughed so heartily, but it was his poem The Lanyard which really touched me. I could easily relate to the imagery of ricocheting through the room...I've often found myself lost in the dictionary after looking up one word and then just continuing to read like it was a novel. I couldn't decide if the tears I shed while listening to The Lanyard were because of my own feeble attempts at offering my mother tokens of my appreciation, or because now I am the recipient of such things. Perhaps it is equally both.

Wanna learn how to make one like Billy's? Here's how.

Beware...

Just in case you had forgotten (as I had): The ides of March here and here .

Would you, could you, with a mouse?

While I sit here tapping away at the keyboard, there is another tapping/scratching going on in the house. No, it isn't the children, they are snuggly nestled in their beds, I believe we've got ourselves a mouse in the house. I can't be certain, since the scratching and chewing(?!) sounds seem to be eminating from the dryer duct. The really weird part is that today it was about 83 degrees and I just had the dryer going about an hour or so before I started to hear the noises. It's not like the rodent needed to warm up, it's pleasantly balmy out tonight... The real question is how to let the little critter free. It's obviously trapped in the vertical ducting. And the other questions are, how adventurous am I feeling tonight? and can I sleep with all that noise right outside my bedroom door?

In other critter creature news, today K received part II of his birthday gift from me, two Fire Bellied Toads. One is bright green and the other is brown. K hasn't named them yet, but I'm hoping he comes up with something a little more interesting than "Browny" and "Greeny", which I think he was considering on the way home from the pet shop.

Alright, I just detached the flexible ducting from the verticle tube and lowered it to a cardboard box...maybe the mouse will just crawl out now and I can set it free... I guess I have to wait this one out. I don't want it running around freely.

update: I think the mouse is actually trapped between the walls! So what now? Just let it starve to death? Gross! And I just whacked a ginormous spider that scurried by. That one was big enough to charge rent! Oh, what a night.

Seven Years Ago

Seven years ago today, I faced the closest thing to my own death in the birth of my first-born son, K. It was a fairly easy pregnancy, however towards the end there were some concerns about the level of amniotic fuid, and the large size of the baby. I needed monitering regularly for the last few weeks to make sure he wasn't under stress. My doctor decided it would be necessary to induce labor at 38 weeks (2 weeks early). I arrived at the hospital at 5:30 am eager to deliver, a little nervous about the procedure, but anxious to see and touch my son. I was hooked up to IVs, and various other equipment and then I just had to wait...the contractions would slowly increase to push the baby down and out...Twelve hours later I was told it was time to push. After three hours of pushing and complete exhaustion my son was laid on my chest, but I was too weak to support him. Then they weighed him 9lbs 5oz! It was another hour before I was "patched up" again and then I was told to try and nurse him right away, I wanted to, but wasn't sure how to do it. A nurse helped me. In the lobby many relatives were waiting to meet this new person for the first time. I wanted to sleep and not be bothered by anyone, but allowed them all to come in in groups of twos and threes. It was overwhelming. Too weak to move, I was gurneyed to the recovery room as midnight approached; I hadn't slept or had a meal for thirty-six hours and was famished. My mother procured a grilled cheese sandwich from the cafeteria which I nearly swallowed whole and after sending my newborn precious son to the nursery, promptly fell asleep until about 5:30 am. I woke with a start, panicked that I hadn't nursed him enough but when I called for him they told me he was still sleeping. I was bed-ridden, still catherterized, because the staff decided I shouldn't have to get up for a while...they were right. Moving was the most excruciating experience (worse than the labor itself) and I was petrified at the thought of sneezing or coughing. The post-natal pain gradually decreased but lasted for months.

But that was seven years ago, today I am totally healthy, and fully functional. I have a very active and healthy son who can ride a bike without training wheels, can read, write, do addition and subtraction and is creatively expressive and thoughtful. He is, and has been since his birth, an easy going, mellow child- totally worth the effort and the pain. I am tremendously thankful to God for bringing this child into my life, and for his brother and sister (and that their births were virtually effortless compared to his).

Happy Birthday, K!

Two wheels good!

Today, K finally got the bicycling thing down! We've been working at it off and on since last Spring and it's just completely frustrated him. It warmed up enough for me to actually want to be outside, and I got my bike out, filled the tires and rode around the parking lot while the boys rode their scooters and Prettiness pushed a stroller around. Without prompting, K took his bike out too and tried riding it with the kick-stand down. When I suggested I hold on to his seat and run alongside, he was hesitant. I was patiently persistent, and finally he agreed to try. Once he got moving I didn't need to hold on, but I was giving him confidence, like Dumbo's feather. After a couple minutes, K said, "I know you aren't holding on anymore," so I stopped running. Just like that, he got it. I've never seen him prouder.

Wooosh

I had a good time in Philly with Tif again. We missed the First Friday galleries, because we couldn't find a place to park that was close enough. We drove around for about an hour looking...it was really, really cold Friday night. Tif said, "The artwork is good, but it's not that good," to want to walk ten plus blocks in booger freezing cold weather. I was disappointed though, I drove up early with the sole purpose to see the galleries. Then we walked to the Standard Tap for some warming pub fare, but discovered there was an hour wait. We were too hungry to wait, so we walked over to a place called "Azure" where we ended up waiting almost an hour anyway. At least the food was really good. But we did get to meet up with a some fiber artists on Saturday and check out their wares, and I realized that I need to nurture the creative/artist part of me more. (Apparently there are lots of fun things I can make with drier lint that I never knew about.) Just being in the city helps to recharge that creative spirit within me.

crummies in our tummies

Apparently it's contagious, and even though L's fever has subsided, she's not 100%. Now I've got "it" and thought today I was on the mend, but alas...none such luck, at least not yet.

K and D have managed to entertain themselves pretty well while I am sick, and have discovered one of my favorite childhood pasttimes, playing in the woods. Today they returned from their adventures covered in mud with huge smiles on their ruddy faces. Sometimes they dig for bottles and things, today, they were stacking tires. I guess even today people use the beautiful woods as a public dumping ground.

We've found some pretty interesting things in the woods adjacent to our property. As a kid I used to play in an old rusted out VW convertible halfway down the hill. The story was that it was a getaway car for a robbery. The theives came up the driveway thinking it was a through street and when they got to the top, just gunned it into the woods. (At least that's how I remember it.) There was an old swingset, the tacky metal kind, but the ladder was procured by mom to be a climbing support for some peas or something. Many, many old milk (and other) bottles have been collected too. I like to line them up on the window ledge and let the southern sunlight dance across them.

Little Bed-Warmer

Nothing warms a bed on a cold night better than a feverish two-year old. L came home last night from her dad's with a temp over 101. So to pamper her a little, I granted her wish to sleep in my big comfy bed with me (and Pooh Bear, Doggie-dog, Meow-meow, and Bunny). There was hardly any room for me, but I managed to find a spot.

It's snowing again, just heavy flurries, no accumulation expected, and we are watching Sesame Street. I usually let the kids watch more T.V. or movies when they are ill, it's a special treat.

I'm not dissappointed to have our plans cancelled today. After a very busy week, and an even busier weekend, I'm still recooperating from all the activity.

Meltdown

Last weekend we had a small blizzard, by Thursday we were back to spring, and today most of the snow has completely melted. I'm glad I took my friend's advice and saved a dozen snowballs in the freezer, but shhhhh...it's a surprise for the kiddos.

The abrupt changes in the weather coupled with a packed week of activities and added responsibilities while my folks are away has taken it's toll on my psyche. Whew, I made it though. I'm pleased to have a chill and fun evening with the girlfriends tonight. I need to unwind.

Love Bites

Happy Valentine's Day !

I baked six dozen cookies today and yesterday to give as our "Valentines" at our home school Valentine Party this afternoon. The kids had a fun time with crafts, games and treats. I had enough cookies leftover to send some home with Chip as a thank-you for all his hard work clearing off our monstrous driveway and also take some to my friend who spontaneously invited me to dinner and blessed me with some beautiful purple Alstromerias. Not such a bad day afterall, especially considering this is one of my least favorite holidays of the year, there's just too much cultural romantic pressure. However, I am all for holidays which encourage the gifting of fine dark chocolate.

Can you dig it?

My biceps are trembling from the rigorous shovelling workout. Yesterday I spent an hour and a half clearing paths to the chicken feed (shed), chicken coop and from my door to the folks door. This way I can feed the animals without gearing up every single time. Today I was getting nevous as Chip hadn't come back yet and the trodden on places were beginning to get solid with ice. So, I tramped out with the kids and dug for about two hours. Later today, Chip interrupted nap time to tell me there was ice on the hill that the snow blower couldn't quite manage, meanwhile he had to get another part for the malfunctioning snowblower. I said to him, "If only we could redirect the energy those three guys are spending on snowboarding, we'd have this hill clear in no time." Extravert that Chip is, said something motivating, and those three highschool juniors took to helping me clearing a wide path all the way down the hill. They were even equipped with their own shovels. When Chip returned he was amazed at how much we had accomplished and he gave me the nod to go inside. To my pleasure, L was still fast asleep.

And here I sit once again contemplating dinner, and wishing I could sleep instead. Well at least I'm getting some much needed excercise. Can you guess where I'll be sitting* tonight?

* hint: it starts with "shiatsu" and ends with "chair"

It's 9 a.m. and I'm wiped out already...so far I've done this much in order to feed the animals...No more whining or I'm gonna snap. I didn't know that hard manual labor made me so grumpy with my kids. I was trying to improve my mood by singing "The Joy of the Lord is my Strength" but then L started pushing snow back into my nicely shoveled path and I became even more grouchy, and then repentant. She's trying to have fun, and I'm grouching about all the work- how like a "grown-up" to not see the fun and only the work....Well, later (after a nap?) we'll have fun making snowmen and sledding...I need to enjoy this blessing, and be thankful, not complain about it.

Diggin' Out

Well we got at least a foot of snow last night, and it's still coming down. I'm going to have to do some serious digging to get from my door to the shed and the chicken coop to feed them this a.m. I'm pretty sure that church will be cancelled, which I am grateful for (I had toddler room duty today).

It looks like mom and dad got away just in time!

It sure is beautiful though.

6"-8"

It has just started snowing. Light and soft, which from my experience means some significant accumulation. When it starts out heavy with thick, chunky flakes it is usually short lived. This week, I am queen of the hill once again. I'm queen of a blueberry bush and a cat (props to Yertle) . This means after the snow falls I may not be getting out for a while. Dad arranged for Chip to come and plow, but I didn't take any chances. I went to the crazy, madhouse of a supermarket this morning. Shopping carts were bumper to bumper in there, worse than last Saturday, the day before the "Big Game". Well, I'm stocked with winter essentials like milk, bread, popcorn, and chocolate. Let it snow!

So precious

My heart nearly burst tonight as K sang a little song to himself while I was cleaning up the dishes. It went something like this:

Whenever I need help, my mother is here
Whenever D needs help, his big brother is here to help him
My mother is always here to help me
I'm here to help my brother....

And for the Calvinists in the room:
L likes to "read the cat" (catechism). She was doing this at dinner tonight. Her favorite question (and only one she really knows) is:
#47 Whom did Christ represent in the covenant of grace?
L's answer "Lecka people" (His elect people)

My lying blogroll

I don't understand it, but my blogroll is supposed to notify me when someone has a new post...well for some it does and others it doesn't. Like one blog has been marked "new post" for several days and there isn't anything new there, while a couple others are never marked "new" even when there are new posts. Hrumph.

In other news, winter has returned. The Spring fling is over. No more 60 and 70 degree weather; flurries are scattering right now. I'm ready for Spring and warmth. My tulips are up about two inches, and yet I fear (and hope) for one more big snow. I finally bought a tobaggon, and I would like to try it with the children. However, next week is full of school events, and mom and dad will be cruising, so if we do get some accumulation, we are stuck. I'm not plowing this hill all on my own....no way.

Memory Lane

I mentioned a while back how I had gone to my 15th high school reunion and reconnected with some old friends I had known (and lost touch with) from my elementary school days. Last night I had dinner with two women, one of whom was my best friend for many years and then we gradually fell into different groups of friends, the other was her friend and coworker, a fellow single mama like myself. It was the perfect excuse to revisit one of my favorite restaurants in Baltimore, Ze Mean Bean Cafe. It was a great time of catching up and conversation, and funny to see how much (and how little) we've changed over all these years. [Melissa, you are still as cute and sweet as ever!]

My Funny Valentine

Don't forget Groundhog's day is tomorrow! Come on Spring!

Quote for the day:

It is terribly important to do certain things, such as wear overembroidered dresses. After all, the mass follows class. Class never follows mass.
Imelda Marcos


Now wait a minute, who ever said overembroidered dresses were classy?

Going Home

It couldn't have gone better. We arrived home after 12.5 hours of travelling (.5 hours faster than the trip down.) L only fussed briefly a few times because she had dropped a book or something, totally normal 2 year old frustration. Other than that, my children were virtually angelic! The weather was gorgeous and warm, we drove through the mountains and I was blessed to watch the sunset in the rear and side view mirrors while listening to the second half of The Fellowship of the Ring.

On Wednesday we visited the brand, spanking new Georgia Aquarium, which is very cool. There is theater seating in front of giagantic tanks to watch the aquatic life. It's mesmerizing. One tank has five Beluga whales, another also has a large walk through tunnel to view all sorts of ocean fish including whale sharks, sting rays and grouper and a third has a coral reef. The glass tank of the coral reef actually curves and extends overhead where we could watch the waves synchronized to music wash over us. Oh, they also have fun animals like otters, sea lions, penguins, sea dragons, jellyfish and enormous Japanese crabs and lots of hands on activities and "touch tanks" for the kiddos.

Is the universe shrinking again?

Yesterday I was an insect, and today I'm a crusty crustacean! Moving on up the food chain. :)

I am, I am Super(wo)man, and I can do anything!

I drove 13 hours yesterday in the "Green Machine", from Baltimore to Atlanta with all three kiddos. We made 4 stops at Rest Areas, 3 roadside pullovers, 1 gas station refill, and one Burger King break. I had gotten minimal sleep the night before, since little L is having intense teething pain. But by the grace of God, I was alert the whole way and made it safely and without a headache. L cried and fussed a lot because of her teeth, and also since she is potty training, we had to stop frequently for her to "go" but my boys were perfectly patient. We passed the long hours listening to the Fellowship of the Rings (unabridged) on audio tape. We only got to chapter 11 or so (not quite halfway), but it helped entertain us all. We can listen to the rest on the trip home next week.

Here are some of my car trip strategies that helped make the trip go smoothly:

1. An a.m. and p.m. snack/treat bag for each child.
2. Stickers for L.
3. $store activity books, and crayons or markers. The Strawberry Shortcake one for L was what occupied her most of the way (that and the stickers).
4. A basket of board books and favorite toys on the seat next to L. The boys had backpacks they filled with favorite toys and activities.
5. L's potty came too. It made for easy for her to make "roadside potty breaks".
6. Audio book(s).
7. Lunch packed and ready upon request.
8. A map of the whole trip for the boys to keep track of our progress. (This helped me too.)
9. Caffiene and sugar in large quantities for me (totally off SBD for my trip, but OH freaking Well.)
10. Scooters for the boys to burn off steam at the rest areas.
11. Prayer. Thanks Mom, Dad, Jules, and others (and of course I was praying my way down too.)

Thursday Thirteen

Randy started this, and I thought I'd try it. Here are 13 things you wouldn't necessarily know about me from reading this blog:

1. I once tinted my highlights pink in the 80's, although it was my intention to turn them purple.
2. Every three to five years in Spring, I lop off my hair to a bob length and then grow it out again...it's been four years since the last time.
   
3. In my early twenties, I seriously considered becoming a milliner.
4. Instead I became an art teacher, and am now a mother and part time seamstress.
5. I don't like the title "seamstress" because it sounds outdated and sexist, although I haven't come up with a better one yet.
   
6. I don't like learning new electronic gadgets.
7. I am not a gadget person.
8. I have had five cats: Tiger, Lindsey, Booties, Jemimah, and Jasmine.
9. Jasmine was born in my parents' kitchen the week I graduated from highschool. She is still alive today, 16 years later.
10. I have had 6 gerbils and two bunnies.
11. I think birds make lousy pets.
12. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a veterinarian, until I realized I don't really like sick animals.
    
13. I think it would be really cool to raise Alpacas as a family business.
    

Four!

4 Meme

Four jobs you’ve had in your life: Telephone surveyer for the Republican party in 1988 (specifically for Helen Bentley's office), nanny (and mucho babysitting), reader for a blind woman, and art teacher grades pre-K - 8

Four movies you could watch over and over: Amelie, A Room with a View, Star Wars (original trilogy) and Holy Grail

Four places you’ve lived: Quezon City, Philippines; Baltimore, Maryland; Columbia, Maryland; and Chantilly, Virginia

Four TV shows you love to watch: (Love is too strong a word... How about 4 shows I will watch): Smallville, Sex in the City, Beauty and the Geek, and SNL

Four places you’ve been on vacation: France, Netherlands, Colorado, and Cape May N.J.

Four websites you visit daily: (daily?! how about weekly?) Google, Yahoo, my bank, Divorce Source

Four of your favorite foods: (only four?!) Dark Chocolate (any form), fresh crisp apples, croissants (which are off limits), and pizza

Four places you’d rather be: in bed sleeping right now, in my studio being productive, somewhere new and exciting with a good friend(s), G-Street Fabrics with a bag full of cash

Four albums you can’t live without: Okay, I'm not really like that about music, but here are my current faves of my small collection that I've been listening to most frequently: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb- U2, Hopes and Fears-Keane, Hot Fuss-Killers, and Final Straw-Snow Patrol

Phase II, potty training, and B.Daman

Here's what's going on in my home....

South Beach Diet Phase II. It's much, much more doable and yet, as I reintroduce fruits and wholegrain carbs it is difficult not to overindulge. We all enjoyed chocolate dipped strawberries for dessert which are actually on the diet plan! Mmmmmmm yummy.

Potty training is still in session. Little Miss Prettiness averages 2 oopsies a day....but considering how many times she is successful, I really can't complain. I'm hoping sitting in a car all day Saturday heading to my sister's home won't set her back.

Went to Toy'sR us last night with the children to buy a birthday gift for my nephew. The store was the most packed I've ever seen in (save Christmas week), and it wasn't until we were checking out that I noticed all the gigantic signs announcing the stores forthcoming closure. I thought I was lucking out on all the post holiday sale prices. I purchased this new game for the boys, called B. Daman (pronounced "Bee Duhmon"). It's actually a pretty cool idea incorporating marbles with action figures which shoot the marbles in a variety of different games of accuracy as in "Direct Hit Battle" (DHB). Needless to say they are completely engrossed.

Ooooh, look, I'm a wiggley worm. You no longer need a microscope to see me. :)

finally

This morning when I stepped on the scale, it registered 2 lbs less than my start weight. Today is my last day on Phase 1 of SBD, although I have cheated a little. Last night I had a few glasses of red wine with a friend and then I followed them up with a few “Pocky” (a Japanese cracker stick dipped in chocolate.) Funny how after a night of dietary cheating I actually weigh less…I wonder what that’s all about?

See more progress on: lose 15 pounds

Lella Pie

I'm not sure how it began, but my family sometimes calls me "Lella Pie" or just "Pie" for short. I found this quiz (I'm a bit hooked on these goofy quizzes) and thought it appropos.

You Are Apple Pie

You're the perfect combo of comforting and traditional Those who like you crave security

What Kind of Pie Are You?

but really it's a tie, I had to take the test twice....so the alter pie ego is :

You Are Pumpkin Pie

You're the perfect combo of uniqueness and quality Those who like you are looking for something (someone!) special

What Kind of Pie Are You?

Even though I think the description suits me, I don't actually like pumpkin pie...my favorite is Apple. So which do you think I am, Apple or Pumpkin? and What kind are you, anyway?

How weird are you?

Today I thought I'd check my weirdness quotient: it turns out, I'm not as weird as I thought...only 30%. Have a very Freaky Friday the 13th!

You Are 30% Weird

Not enough to scare other people... But sometimes you scare yourself.

How Weird Are You?

Pinkeln Pause*

Little Miss Prettiness is showing all the signs for potty-training readiness: she doesn't like to wear a wet diaper, she can undress herself, she can communicate her need to go (if not wearing a diaper). So last night we bought little girly "training pants" which barely stay up, since she's very petite for a two + year old, and some Strawberry Shortcake underpants which she loves so much she carries them all around. She even brought a pair outside to play this afternoon. Today is our 2nd day at this, and not doing too badly either. She is definitely getting it--when she's naked from the waist down, her success rate is much higher. So L is our resident nudist by day...at least for now.


~After only two accidents in the morning, L consistently used the potty the whole rest of the day! I put the diaper back on for naptime, it was wet when she awoke, but still very warm, which means....she probably didn't go until she woke up. This is very exciting....not the best timing, but exciting nonetheless.


*German for "pee break", pronounced: pink-eln pow-seh

My name is Chubby...

We have a little family joke/skit where I smush my cheeks in with my hands and say:

My name is chubby, my mama's chubby, my papa's chubby and IIIIIII'm chubby. One day my mama said to me, "Chubby? can you smile through all that fat?" And I said sure ma, see. [attemptting to smile with cheeks smushed , results in hillarity from my children]

D likes my "squishy tummy".... it makes a nice pillow, he says. It's "comfy" he says.... (not when I try to squeeze into that cute skirt in my closet that fit me last year). Urg.

Sometimes I want to give up. I don't think I've lost anything other than my patience on this South Beach Diet. It is day #9. Yesterday I caved and ate half a plain donut, but the previous night I had thrown up all my salad I ate for dinner (not on purpose), so I thought I deserved a treat. It used all my will power not to eat the other half later that day.

So far the benefits I have noticed from this strict phase of the diet:

1. I really appreciate natural sweeteners which I'm sure I had taken for granted. Artificial sweeteners suck!
   
2. My skin looks great (but that may be do to the facial I had on Friday).
3. I'm drinking more water.
   
4. Less cravings or "munchies" although I still snack on things like celery with cream cheese and nuts.
5. Eating a lot more veggies.
6. Becoming a more creative cook.
   
7. I sympathize much more with anyone who has ever deliberately tried to lose weight. It's tough.

I could list the negative aspects, but I'm trying to be optimistic. What has surprised me the most is how supportive everyone I've told about this has been. Two things come to mind, either they also think I'm chubby, or they see that I'm serious about this and want to be encouraging.

Love Notes

My eldest son, K, is learning how to write and read phonetically. Lately, he has taken to writing me love notes, totally of his own volition (not prompted by me in any way, shape or form). The first one said:

I luv u

and today another:

Momme luv mme up in [insert a picture of a heart]
K

K translated this second one for me. He said it means, in his heart he loves me. I told him how special it makes me feel to get his notes, and he was just beaming.... and I thought D was the "lover-boy"...

For Paul, who wants to see pictures of all my projects...

I was so inspired by the "Blogroll" I posted earlier in December, that I made this Mocha Yule Log for our Christmas Eve dessert. (Inside: vanilla spongecake rolled with mocha buttercream, outside: more mocha buttercream.) It was sooooo good. Oooh, I miss dessert.

skirt knock-off

I whipped up a knit skirt this weekend. I copied my favorite black slinky knit one I got from J.Jill in 2004. I always get compliments on it, so I thought I should make one like it. Mine is slightly different, due to a fabric shortage and the character of the knit I was using. It is a soft deep red color, sort of hard to describe (dusty cranberry?). I’ll have to take a picture next time I wear it and post it here.

See more progress on: sew more
Having some trouble getting the skirt to "show up" well in a photo. Here it is flat, to give some idea of it's design, however the fabric has a soft drape, and is a bit clingy through the hips and swingy at the hem, so it isn't the best example to show it's "movement".

Gimme some sugar

Hi, my name is Joyella, and I'm a carbo-choco-sugar-aholic.

South Beach Diet (official) Day 3:
I want sugar! I've actually been sugar-free, fruit-free, starch-free, and alcohol-free since last Wednesday -save a brief lapse for celebrating both the old and new years. This consisted 5 alcoholic beverages (over the course to two evenings), several chocolate dipped strawberries, one piece of french bread, two lady fingers also dipped in chocolate, oh, yes and the evil chocolate covered mini-cheesecakes....I lost count on those (thanks Liz). *sigh*

Am I off the wagon if I lick up a drip of chocolate syrup while mixing chocolate milk for my son? Do chocolate sprinkles count as cheating? I am "allowed" 5 mini-chocolate chips in a South Beach Diet "dessert"....5 MINI chips?! Pulllleez... a small handful of regular chips might tide me over...

But I think this dietary modification will improve my health and my cooking. Never before have I eaten so many vegetables at each meal and in between as snacks. The book has recipes, but I'm having more fun making up various stir fry dishes, salads, and omlette variations. I do miss bread, and fruit, but mostly it's the chocolate and general sweetness of sugar I miss. Well this phase lasts 2 weeks, then I get to add in fruits and a little chocolate and some whole grain starches. (For someone who secretly aspires to being a chocolatier and pastry chef, this diet is brutal.)

New Every Morning

Typically, I have found New Year's Eve depressing. All the reflecting on the past can really get me down. But this year I look to the new year with great anticipation. I am hopeful for better, no, much better things in my life in 2006. The Lord has been ever faithful in providing for me in all I have needed. Today I am bursting with gratitude, thankful for all of the very special people I have gotten to know over this past year. I've deepened old friendships and made new ones, and am even learning to break some of my old unhealthy relationship habits. This past year has had many pleasant highlights, and has certainly been better than 2004, but I am still happy to get it behind me and go forward.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Geographic what?

Last May was pretty much all about oral hygiene and dentistry for me. I had been suffering from some tooth pain, and when I finally got to the dentist and had x-rays done, it was discovered that I needed thirteen fillings and two were very near the need of root canals. I have a bit sweet tooth, to put it mildly, and that coupled with the fact that I hadn't seen a dentist since I was pregnant with my second-born (now 5 yrs old) meant some serious tooth decay. Needless to say I got all patched up after five trips to the dentist (in one month), lots of ibuprofen and a little vodka. Today was my biannual dental cleaning and the only news I got this time, praise God, is that I have geographic tongue, also called benign migratory glossitis. My tongue is going places people! Don't worry, it's not even contagious, it just looks weird, and for some people can cause sensitivity to spicy or hot foods.

I remember when I was a teen, I was on vacation with my friend Tif, and her family. We stayed in a little double wide trailer near Busch Gardens and Williamsburg. Anyway, her brother (whom I happened to have a mild crush on at the time) proudly displayed his geographic tongue to me as we were passsing each other in the hallway of the trailer. I thought it was weird, but then again so was he (that was his charm), so it fit perfectly. Now I have joined him with the rest of the 3% of the population who has this unusual condition.

My inner child

I took this test
and here are my results...

Your Inner Child Is Surprised

You see many things through the eyes of a child. Meaning, you're rarely cynical or jaded. You cherish all of the details in life. Easily fascinated, you enjoy experiencing new things.

How Is Your Inner Child?

So how about you?

Longwood Wonderland

Yesterday we had the pleasure to be treated by my dad to a trip to Longwood Gardens for their beautiful winter display of lights, flowers, and seasonal decorations. While daylight persisted, we toured the magical land inside the conservatory which is filled with exotic plants and flowers, water falls and decorations. They have been rennovating, and the conservatory won't be complete until 2008, but there still is plenty to see and enjoy. We saw a magnificent sunset before our dinner, and then the outdoor gardens were transformed by the darkness of night and the wonderment of electric lights. It was breathtaking. Perhaps those nearby may have thought me a tad obnoxious, because I kept exclaiming, "WOW! OOOOh, Wow!". To keep warm the boys and I held hands and did lots of skipping and running. We concluded the evening with the spectacular performance of the fountains (synchronized with colored lights to Christmas music). If you are near enough to visit, I highly recommend this outing, it's well worth the $15 per person.

A Frog Eat Frog World

What can I say? They are carnivores.....Only one froglet now, but his belly is nice and round.

Art Therapy III

Last year I had resolved to do more drawings to work out my emotions in a visual way. I started a drawing last year similar to this one, but never completed it. This one is mixed media; graphite pencil and pastel with some computer alterations. I call it "Letting Go".

The Chronicles of Narnia

I had the pleasure to see The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe today at the Rotunda Cinamatheque in Baltimore. So, here's my review of the film:

First let me say I am a huge fan of these books, I've read them many times so I know the stories pretty well. The film strays at many points from the details of the plot, in order to keep it suspenseful and action packed. These deviations are okay as long as they preserve the integrity of the story, which they do, so I'm fine with them. The special effects are far better than any previous rendition of this film I have ever seen, although there were a few moments where it was a little too obvious the actors were in from of a blue (or green) screen. I was especailly pleased with the character of Mr. Tumnus (James McAvoy), every time I've seen him dipicted, I have found him creepy or devilish, but this Mr. Tumnus was sweet and charming and actually likeable, as he should be. The actors playing the Pevensie children were also top notch. Kudos to Georgie Henley (Lucy) and Skander Keynes (Edmund) especially.

My biggest beef with the film are the bits of "humanity" they imposed mostly on Peter. In the books he shows strength and leadership from the onset. He's respected by his siblings, and even Edmund minds him in his sulky way. Not so in the film. Peter is a bit too wimpish, constantly wanting return home where it is "safe". I suppose this was to show his genuine concern for his siblings, but to me, it seemed cowardly. Once the children hear the prophesy from the beavers (in the book) there is no question in their minds about what they must do. They never had any thoughts of turning back.

I could go on and on about it, I really enjoyed it. I went as a treat for myself, but also to preview it for my boys. After seeing it, I think it would be too much for them on the big screen. The film really plays up the whole chase of the secret police (wolves) and I'm pretty sure that would resurface in their dreams, sending them to me in the middile of the night. The evil beasts and Jadis herself (Tilda Swinton) are also quite eerie. I appreciate the PG rating ("for battle scenes and frightening moments") for the film because there isn't gratuitous violence or explicit gore where there certainly could be pushing it to a PG-13 rating, but it still is scary for children to watch. In fact, I think the battle scenes are less scary then all the suspense of the chase scenes and watching Aslan's sacrifice. I haven't made my final decision on it, but I'm pretty sure for the ages of my kids (6 and 5) it would be best to view in the safety and comfort of our living room, where we can stop it as need be discuss it. I'm sure they will love it too, bad dreams and all, but my sleep is too important to me.

I've been nudged

Dawn, has nudged me to share five random things about myself that (I'm guessing) I haven't yet disclosed to my readership....hmmmm, let's see.....

1. I hate to buy two of anything that are exactly the same. That said, I did however buy two identical black t-shirts last spring because I loved it (them) so much.
2. My favorite flowers are lisianthus , irises, and roses.
   
3. I double pierced my left ear (myself) when I was 18; it didn't go all the way through. About a year and a half ago I finally had it done professionally. It is a reminder to be true to myself, a literal earmark in the history of me.
4. I whistle very much like a tea kettle.
   
5. My new perfume, Vanille, I am told by my sons, smells like Lucky Charms. (This is supposed to be a compliment?)
   

So I guess I'm supposed to nudge someone else. Okay, MK, consider yourself nudged.

New Pets

Maybe you noticed (or not) but I have a new cyber pet here at snippets (scroll down). Solid is a sweet, cuddly bunny I adopted. Since no one likes a skinny bunny, please feed her a carrot, she won't eat for me. I also have taken in a puppy we call Aubergine, on my other blog. He likes to jump for treats. My kids are thrilled with these new pets, and I'll be honest, they are a lot less work then our little froglets. Yes, we have two very tiny little frogs now. We named them Camoflage (Cam) and Incognito (Iggy) since they change color.

*Props to Cindy, who's Lady Macbeth was so much fun, we had to get our own little cyber critters.

A little holiday humor

Christmas Carols for the Psychiatrically Challenged

• Schizophrenia - Do You Hear What I Hear?
• Multiple Personality Disorder - We Three Queens Disoriented Are
• Amnesia - I Don't Know if I'll Be Home for Christmas
• Narcissistic - Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me
• Manic - Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Street and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and Fire Hydrants
• Paranoid - Santa Claus is Coming to Get Me
• Personality Disorder - You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why
• Obssessive Compulsive Disorder - Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells .....
• Agoraphobia - I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day but Couldn't Leave My House
• Autistic - Jingle Bell Rock and Rock and Rock and Rock and Rock and Rock
• Senile Dementia - Walking in a Winter Wonderland Miles from My House in My Slippers and Robe
• Oppositional Defiance Disorder - I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause So I Burned Down the House
• Social Anxiety Disorder - Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas While I Sit Here and Hyperventilate

A Time to Die

I just received news from a family I was once a nanny for, many moons ago, that Matthew, age 15, recently died peacefully. For those of you who know me well (and long) you probably remember me sharing stories of this special boy who was burdened with many complications. He had an "undiagnosed disease of the central nervous system" that included cerebral palsy, mental retardation and epilepsy. I cared for Matthew in his early years, from about age 6 mos -2 1/2yrs, until his siezures became uncontrollable and he required constant care, hospitalization, and finally specialized foster care. I lost touch with the family over the years, and in the back of my mind wondered if he was still alive or if his prognosis had ever changed. Today I learned that no, he never progressed beyond the physical or mental capabilities of a three month old, although his body continued to grow. I am saddened by this news, and yet, relieved as well. It is terribly painful to see a child imprisoned by their own body and mind because of some bizzarre misfiring in the brain. I remember him happy and bright eyed, a lover of peanut butter and graham crackers (before the necessary feeding tube) and then he slowly slipped away... I loved that little guy. We called him Bud-Bud. The same morning of his death his grandmother also passed away. I think perhaps she was called to welcome Matthew into glory.

On a Roll

Randy, since you asked....this is what the picture below really is.

Blogroll please........

Friends it's been long in coming, but I've finally figured it out. Only trouble is it's way at the bottom of the page, so keep scrolling down. If you want a slice of the action, post me a comment or something. I'm only going to blogroll those whom I think are rollworthy.

*If at first you don't succeed... I did it! The roll has been called up yonder (higher) on the page.

WHAT?!

In the TTLB , I am only a Multicellular Microorganism today? What in the world happened? I've alternated between a Slimy Mollusc and Flippery Fish for the past several months, how could I deevolve this much? C'mon people link me. ;) I'm only one step away from becoming an Insignificant Microbe.

Coiffure

Perhaps this isn't the best photo to show it off, but my locks and tresses have a new look. I had a really great stylist at a Salon/Spa where I earned a good bit of Spa credit doing some decorative painting with a friend. It's nice to be pampered a little, although I have yet to have someone give me a better shampoo than the tiny Asian woman in that Northern Virginia Hair Cuttery I used to go to. That woman used some kind of ancient accupressure technique well worth the 12 bucks I paid for the mediocre haircut.

plug for Randy

My friend Randy is selling his very cool artwork here. Check it out, buy something, and support a very cool Christian artist.

The wonder of boys

Sometimes I worry that my sons aren't getting enough "man-to-man" time...and then there are mornings like these when I think they couldn't be any more "boy" than they are. Today after our lessons, K and D are playing walkie-talkies. Here's the "fun" part: one boy sticks the walkie-talkie in the back of his pants while the other (in the other room) makes farting noises. They think this is hilarious of course...I'm less amused, but boys will be boys. I'm glad they have each other, their bond of brotherhood will be tough to sever.

Olde Thyme Worship

I visited First Presbyterian Church this morning. Upon entering the building I was informed I was in for an interesting morning since the heat was out. (Glad I wore the thick tights, boots, a scarf and gloves along with my coat.) However inconvenient it was for some, I felt like I was back in a church of my forefathers, especially since Dr. Tom Martin (of Knox OPC) was preaching in his beautiful (Scotch?) accent.

A quick trip back to Japan

Last night I had the pleasure to revisit Japan by eating at Sushi Hana in Towson.
My experience was a bit different than this one, however it was still good food with the good company of an old high school friend. We met our waitress first when we ordered drinks at the bar, she was authenticly dressed wearing a kimono and lots of eye makeup. It was rather comical having her serve us, because it was apparent that she was eager to serve, however behind the bar it was so piled up with boxes, she was practically doing gymnastics to get us our drinks. When we got our table a few minutes later, she appeared again. Her English was rough, so we were curious to see if she understood us. She brought our order, well most of it. We dined on shrimp tempura rolls, California rolls, tuna rolls, and Philadelphia rolls (salmon with cream cheese). She forgot to bring us the eda mame and the miso soup, but since she didn't charge us for them, and we were so stuffed on the sushi rolls, we didn't mind. She did however, bring us some deilicious Japanese bubble gum with our check. I had fun chewing peach, and my friend liked the melon, "It tastes exactly like cantalope!" I replied, "Peachy."

Carnival of the Animals

One of the perks of homeschooling is getting to chaperone my children on cool field trips. Today we
went to a concert for kids at the Meyerhoff and not only heard beautiful music, but saw some pretty innovative puppetry as well. We had pretty good seats in grand tier right, and for myself and the two boys it only cost about 15 bucks.