We've Been Reading

Let me give you the back story...

I like to read (duh, no surprise there)  I think I mentioned awhile back that I also tend to "live" in my books...they become very real to me in my imagination and sometimes there are certain books that I literally can not stop thinking about...it's usually the books that are extremely well-written and/or have complex characters and plot lines.  It just gets my brain going and it won't stop. 

Recently another mom had suggested I read Hunger Games...now, after reading a couple other books recommended by fellow moms, i.e. The Help, Sarah's Key...I had a feeling that I was going to be in for it once again...

What do I mean exactly?  Oh, just that I was probably not going to be able to put the book down, I'd think about it constantly and force myself to wash dishes and take a shower because it would be hard to pull myself away...

I was not mistaken...

The series was intense, well-written (except for the last book where the author completely dropped some of the characters and left us hanging)   I know that I shouldn't be surprised, but I guess I am still shocked that today's society feels this would be an absolutely appropriate book for young adults (which translates into later elementary school for some families)  The content and imaginative graphics were even much for me to handle...As a "thirty-something" I found myself immersed in the storyline...

Being an adult, I was able to recognize myself slipping into that "obsessive" realm and quickly grabbed other books to pull my mind away...

To some, I know that might sound silly...but when you "devour" books like I do...you have to be aware of your own self and tendencies...therefore I wrote THIS post about my girls and how I tend to be a tad overprotective of what they read...for me, there is emotion and experience linked to stories...and therefore, I want to be sure that they read things at the appropriate time for their maturity level:) 

Anyhoo...all that to say...I thought I'd write down the books that we girls HAVE been reading or have read in the past...especially since I have such stellar organizational skills and when Little Munchkin grows a bit more, we'll need to revisit these books...

I know that I've already mentioned in the past:  Ramona Series (by Bevery Cleary) Trumpet of the Swan & Charlotte's Web (E.B. White),  Clementine Series by Sara Pennypacker (LOVED this series)Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series, American Girl Historical Books, Boxcar Children, and the Disney Fairies "novels" :) We've been through many of these and they are great "filler" books for those in between times as well...

Some other great read alouds and independent reads (depending on the reader's level)

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Trulane by: Kate DiCamillo
     *beautiful story, very similar to "Hitty, her first hundred years"
Kenny & The Dragon by: Tony DiTerlizzi
     *LOVED this book...you can do voices with the characters...fun for boys too
The Myserious Benedict Society by: Trenton Lee Stewart
     *just discovered this series...puzzles to solve, really gets your brain working. It reminded me of the idea from XMen with the good versus evil with a plot to take over the world...this is on a MUCH lower level...the "evil" being secret messages coming through the TV:)  I really enjoyed it and Sweetpea's reading it now:)
Zoo School by: Laurie Miller Hornick
     *Peanut loved this book as an independent read...just fun:)
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by: Brian Selznick
     *unique...unlike any novel I've read aloud before...
Princess Academy by: Shannon Hale
     *one of my favorites...it has a scary scene in it, so Peanut had to wait awhile to read this one, but it's so strong with character development and emphasis on learning...I just loved it!
The Moffets by: Eleanor Estes
     *my girls liked this more than I did...just a fun read...older story though...set in 20-30's
The Penderwicks (3 in the series) by: Jeane Birdsall
     *favorite series of ours...the 3rd book came out last year I think...we have enjoyed this...it opened discussion about blended families, because the mom has passed and the girls' dad finally remarries...just sweet, realistic, but not "mean" relationships shown...
Peter and the StarCatchers by: Ridley Pearson & Dave Barry
     *Sweetpea loved this book...can't say I'd recommend the rest in the series, and if you have grown up loving Peter Pan & Tinkerbell...this is just a new twist:)
Half Magic by: N.M Bodecker & Edward Eager
     *Peanut loved this one...this one made us laugh in that the premise is that they have a coin that works half magic...so basically it gives you only HALF of what you wish for...it's tricky how they figure to use it:)  Fun book
Harry Potter by: J.K. Rowling (just the first 2 books...we're deciding on #3 for our 4th grader currently???)
       *I loved this series because of the author's abilit to write and weave words...however, the content, as the series continues, is one that I am hesitant to expose to my girlies...Peanut does not read these, but we've allowed Sweetpea to read the first 2 so far...Again, goes back to that "obsessive" thing...although evil is a reality, even in our day now...not sure she's ready to handle the depth of it at age 10 in the world of Rowling's created world:)  We'll see how it goes as she gets older:)

I know that I have mentioned some of those before, but we just sat at the table quickly before the school bus and put a quick list together of some of our favorites...I'm sure I'll need to add more as they come to mind:)

My youngest Little Munchkin has her own "books" that she likes to listen to currently:)  She is listening to the entire series of Mercy Watson by: Kate DiCamillo.  I'm not going to say that Ms. DiCamillo is a literary genius, because quite honestly, these books annoy me a tad:)  However, I do think that Little Munch likes the fact that she can be like her older sisters and listen to books on CD:)  We are also listening to fairy tales, folk tales, etc read by Jim Weiss...if you need some good travel CDs, his are awesome!  We love listening to The Lion and the Mouse, Stone Soup, Three  Billy Goats Gruff, etc..

We still do lots of picture books with Little Munchkin too, but she's wanting to get into "chapter" books to be like her sisters...so we've discovered lots of Fairy books, Katie Woo, Hopscotch Hill School and others similar to that:) 

Currently, all 3 girls are listening to me read The Secret Zoo by Bryan Chick...it was recommended to us by my nephew (who happens to be 8 years old:) If we like it, we have the rest of the series on hold for them to read independently...Then I'm going to peruse Summer of the Monkeys & Cricket in Time Square as options for the next read aloud:)

 I think I will always enjoy reading aloud to the girls...I hope they'll let me do it for many years to come!

Swams, Gucks and Elephant Tusks

So...we went to the zoo today:) 

We are having some very unseasonal weather here lately...

I'm not complaining...not one bit...nope, quite the contrary...I'm just praying that it continues long enough that we just skip winter altogether...

Because of this sunshine and warmer air, we took advantage of our free day to head out to the zoo with some friends...

A group of moms with their youngest kiddos...just hangin' together at the zoo.  We enjoyed a few moments for Lunch (if you want to call running around the picnic tables, dropping pretzels, refusing cantelope but begging for cookies, racing to the polar bears and back, squirting yogurt, and asking if there were any more treats...LUNCH) 

It was a rag-tag team of hooligans though...everyone was running or pointing out the "gucks" and other animals...whilst the moms all tried to have conversations that sounded like this:

"Yes, so I'm struggling with feeling like I can actually finish anything really well...wait, where's Little Munchkin...oh, there she is over by the polar bears...oh my, does he need some help...Christy, do you have a wipe for my hands, I need to get the pretzels back out...what honey? what did you need?...oh, okay, hang on a minute...where's the bathroom?...we need to head in that direction...it's like I'm trying to be all things to each of my girls...where's Luke? ...Oh my, Kara, I'll get the stroller...hang on...no, I don't have any more cookies honey, we can maybe check the car for another treat later...we're going to go to Habitat Hollow now...why do they call prairie dogs, dogs?  they don't look like dogs...I guess it's the same as a guinea pig...maybe it should be a prairie pig...don't throw the leaves honey it'll get everyone all yucky...let's go find a place to sit down and eat...WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN?...what were you saying about your struggle now?

I know that to some, that will be hard to follow...I guess that's my point...I am  amazed coming away from afternoons like today, how we have conversations that make sense...but we did somehow...and we had such a good time being out:)  I've shared lots of pictures over on facebook, but I'll post a few more here:)

Visits

My parents came to visit this past weekend.  I think it might have actually been an entire 2 months since we have seen them.  The girls were ecstatic and asked daily, "What time are Grandma & Papa getting here?"

I finally let Peanut give them a call to find out the specifics...they weren't listening (or accepting) my answer to their question, so I thought I'd let them call.

Turns out, I was wrong...they were going to get here before the girls got off the bus on Friday.

This was a slight change in my plans...which meant that I wasn't going to have as much time to get ready doing all the necessary things...

My to do list consisted of:

change all the sheets
clean the bathroom
vacuum both floors
plan meals and go grocery shopping
get laundry finished

What this translates into:

spraying Febreeze in every room so that it actually "appears" that I did some cleaning

Yep...makes ya want to come visit me doesn't it:)  I'm all about efficiency friends!

We had a good weekend nonetheless and Italian Stallion and I actually got to have a little date night while we left the girls with the grandparents and auntie:)

Looking forward to a busy week ahead...

Things they don't tell you...

Italian Stallion grew up on some "acreage"...

I did not...

I grew up where you could reach out your window and touch your neighbor's backyard...

In the winter, snow drifts were just little mounds in between everyone's driveways or up against the side of each house down the street...

In the summer, the sprinklers were basically shared because it always reached your neighbor's grass anyway...

If a phone rang, everyone ran in assuming it was theirs...

This is not the case where we currently live...

Don't get me wrong...it's not that I abhore the 3 hour tractor grass cutting routine, or the hours of shoveling a driveway that looks like a short street, or having to put on boots to check on the garden...

I'm really not complaining...it's just different...it's not bad, better or worse than anything else...

HOWEVER, what I wasn't prepared for was the whipping of wind and the damage it can cause when there aren't other houses to soften the blow...

This morning a LOUD bang scared all of us as we were preparing to get out to the bus stop...I thought for sure Little Munchkin must have launched herself off the top of the stairs or from Peanut's loft bed...

after I swallowed my heart back into my chest, I had a hunch that I may have been mistaken and went to the front door...low and behold, my beautiful storm door (which has already been damaged once by the wind) was once again smashed off it's hinge and bent in a most awkward position. 

Bending down in my sweaty pajamas (I actually exercised this morning) I surveyed the damage...as the wind, ice and rain pelted me, I started to yell to the girls to get me a screwdriver....

Peanut, my ever astute little one began running all over the house bringing me all the flat head screwdrivers she could find...of course, I needed the other kind and so my clothes were soaked through and my hand frozen to the storm door by the time she was able to locate one...

The television was vying for Sweetpea and Little Munchkin's attention and therefore their "help" in the matter was rather limited...I mean, come on, Mommy versus Curious George?  there's an obvious winner there I suppose...not sure why CG trumps Mommy freezing her fingers off for a 4th grader, but I'm going to chalk it up to the fact that they aren't allowed much TV at all, so basically a bright screen must put her into a trance...UGH

While struggling to keep the storm door in place, I bent down to unscrew what was left of the hinge on my beautiful door...when it was said and done, I closed and locked the door and that was the end of it...The wind is still whipping outside and you can hear it howling all around the house:( 

Thus ends my dream of a storm door on the front of the house...

Also, a reminder to get dressed, in warm clothes, before the children get ready for school...you just never know...

Continuation of thoughts...

I felt the need to clarify or perhaps delve a bit deeper into my reasoning behind books that I read and ultimately choose for my girlies…not because I feel the need to defend myself, moreso for when I eventually print off this blog for my girls to have as a keepsake one day, they will have their mother’s crazy ideas on paper…and perhaps have a little insight into what in the world she was thinking way back when…

So, onto the book thing…

I think there is a fine line…a balance, if you will, between ability and context…let me explain…

When I taught elementary school, I had groups of identified readers…my goal was not for them to realize which “group” they were in, and therefore I mix-matched them often, but I knew which ones were at a higher ability level than the others.  However, at the same time, I was dealing with the hearts and minds of innocent 9 and 10 year olds (in my 4^th grade classroom). 

Often trying to find a book that was at an ability level to fit my high readers AND have the book contain subject matter that was relevant, and appropriate for their actual age was a difficult task.

Now, for some this may not be a big thing…some reasons being: some kids just aren’t that much into reading, or they want a  quick story, so for them it doesn’t matter the “challenge” level, but just the storyline itself.  Therefore, they would independently choose books that were more “age” appropriate rather than “ability” appropriate. (am I talking in circles yet?) And some might argue, that that is just fine because glory-be they are reading and isn't that the most important thing!  To that I would agree, in part…you do want to develop a love for reading, especially in those that it might not come easily.

Now, for those readers that love to read and you can’t seem to keep their hands full of books, it becomes a challenge…and here is my “deeper thinking” concerning that…

When I read a book, I often “become” part of the book…i.e. Anne of Green Gables…oh my goodness, I became Anne…I thought like her, acted like her…fell in love with Gilbert Blythe and tried to see the world through her eyes.  In that story, my imagination went as far as she did…my “relationship” dreams only went so far as Anne’s did in her story… I think Gilbert might have whisked a lock of hair off her face at the end of book 1.

I found that as I got older and started reading “teen” books, the “relationships” in those books were more serious…acting more “grown up” than perhaps they actually were…So, how did that affect me?  Well, being who I am, I started to see MY relationships in that way…my daydreams drifted to whatever I had read, and if I could insert “real life” people in my visions, then that made it all the better…do you see where I’m going with this?

Even as a married, adult woman, there are times that I read stories and have to clamp them shut because I don’t want THAT picture in my head…I don’t want my mind to wander to things of that nature and dwell on them.  In this way, I have to “be careful little eyes what you see”  especially when the “things” that aren’t appropriate are glorified rather than held accountable for in the story.

I think this is true for not just things of a “relationship” matter but in violence and evil as well…as well as a whole slew of other things while we’re at it.  When I put a book into the hands of an inexperienced 10 year little girl, I need to be sure that the content that will be playing in front of her eyes is something in which she can handle to the extent that it won’t be what she dwells on…it won’t be what she imagines once the book is closed…or if it is, then those things upon which her gaze falls, should be appropriate and cause feelings that spur her to think of things that are : “Phil. 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

This could be an appropriate relationship, it could be the consequence of a choice made, it could be the victory of good against evil…

I’ll give another example…I loved reading the series Hunger Games…I thought all 3 books were great (well, except for book three’s character development because it totally left you hanging when it came to certain characters and it just cut it off completely with the epilogue) It was reminiscent of the Colosium  days and Hitler and power and it almost felt like you were reading Animal Farm all over again.  However, if you are me, you fall in love with characters and cling to them…I did so with Katniss and Peeta and Gale.  There was some descriptive violence and awfulness to the story…and it was rightly shown as evil and wrong and therefore I could swallow it…however, as I thought of teenagers reading this book as it showed peeta and katniss sleeping together each night (innocently of courseJ ) I couldn’t help but wonder how many teens put themselves in that position and thought, “oh wouldn’t that be cool to do…if I were in that position” etc etc etc…As a married person, I have already “been down that road” so to speak, so that “snapshot” didn’t dwell in me…except as it related to what I envisioned teens or those that shouldn’t have those physical relationships before they get married, thought…

Again, not everyone thinks like me..I get that…and maybe I put too much of a bubble around myself and my girls…at the same time, I know that “Romans 7:18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out”  Therefore, I do all that I can to hedge my thoughts as such…all the while still searching for great writers and superb literature…this is where my challenge continues to lie!

Ancestry and Roots

My aunt started looking up ancestry stuff awhile back...

I can't say that I wasn't interested.  I remember doing the same thing on my dad's side of the family while I was in high school.  His family is more of English and German heritage, whereas my mom comes from Scottish/Irish descent. 

Needless to say, after our little Glen Laurel getaway, my mind has tended to wander in the direction of all things "Celtic"...

I even had someone from our lifegroup tell me that his boss' name is the same as mine but she demands it pronounced differently because she is a firm believer in her Irish backgrounds, or some other such reasoning...

This was quite humorous to me seeing as our name is not an actual Irish name, rather it is the American version of the name "Cailin" in Ireland, meaning lass or girl.  Therefore to "pronounce" it correctly would necessitate it being an actual Irish name...which is "technically" is not...

but I digress...

The direction in which my head was going, was just settling upon those European countries every once in awhile.  Italian Stallion and I finally sat down to watch the Sherlock Holmes movie that tagged along with us to Glen Laurel one evening last week...and I came across this book shortly thereafter:


and I started reading it...I became mesmorized by names such as Florilyn and Courteney and Gwenyth...and I was immersed in the history and land that Mr. Phillips eloquently developed. 

Italian Stallion and I have discussed the dream of going to Europe with the girls when they are older and able to appreciate it...to get a bigger sense of the world they live in...

This post really has no other reason except to express my random thoughts as I "talk" my way to a conclusion...

The fact that within books I tend to escape and become a part of the story is something of which I am quite aware in myself.  I had a discussion about this with Sweetpea lately. 

We have allowed her to read the first two books in a series that others might label unsuitable or "unchristian"...she is becoming similar to me, however, as she grows in her love of reading...she is learning to recognize quality literature, character development and storylines that are well developed.  She has always done well with realistic fiction...Fantasy has been more of a struggle...being "black and white" with her understanding of the world around her, she often struggles in trying to grasp meanings that are beyond her imagination...

Therefore, the fact that we have allowed her to begin this journey in a fantasy series, has definitely challenged her and caused her to grow...much to the point that she is frustrated that she must stop for awhile...until we feel she is able to handle the not only more complex storylines, but the "feeling" that is in them...

I know that there are those that books do not affect them in the same way...remember I said that I tend to "become" part of the story...therefore, when I read something, my mind "sets to think on those things"...I have discovered that IF those things that I come away thinking upon, are not true, noble, right, nor do they lead me in a direction of "lovely", then it's not good for my heart...plain and simple. 

That's how I explained it to Sweetpea as well..

Others may see that as ridiculous or immature...but for me...it gives me a gauge by which I choose to subject myself so that I may enjoy literature, but also be on guard for the things that are most important.  For Sweetpea, as she learns to determine where her heart and thoughts are drawn, we want to be able to guide her and help her discern whether a book is just a fun read, a learning journey, a thought-provoking mystery or something in which she has to put down and walk away from.

I enjoyed this unexpected treat of the From Across the Ancient Waters...it attracted me because of the Scottish references, but it was also a read that not only allowed a sweet escape of which I enjoy, but set my mind on things that were good and noble as well:) 

I'm not really trying to give a recommendation toward a certain book...my style isn't necessarily something that others may enjoy...namely one of my BFFs who thoroughly enjoys nonfiction from which she can learn...where again, I rather like to escape instead:) But to each his/her own:)  I suppose Jesus enjoyed both, as he gave many facts, but thoroughly enjoyed telling stories as well:)

Anyhoo...that's my two cents for the moment:)

Blast from the past...

I've had a little trouble lately coming up with things to write about...not for lack of things going on in my life, but for lack of concentration...

This week I've had awesome friends come to visit (love you Tricia), met with our financial guy, met with our tax person, gone to the library, cleaned the kitchen at least 3 times daily, went to Bible study, played in the snow, exchanged wrong size jeans, went to Target, inhaled lots of coffee, listened to my girls play the SAME song on the piano a dozen times a day, attempted to fit in another piano lesson (due to the aforementioned), celebrated my brother's birthday, prepared for a photography class, tried to figure out how to get my blog into a printed book form, searched in my basement for old photos, chatted ont he phone with clients and old friends...the list goes on and on...

So, in an effort to bring some humor and light-heartedness to today, I went in search of a post I wrote a long time ago...it is copy/pasted below...it makes me laugh...just because it's my life:)

Have you ever seen the movie UP?

Ya know when the dog is talking (yes, I know...dogs don't talk...he "talks" through a speaker thing on his collar...but anyway...) He's in the middle of a long discourse that would explain the entire situation of why the older gentleman and the young boy have happened upon him...all of a sudden he turns his head, "SQUIRREL!!!"

Yes, that's me...

Oh, let's sit down at the computer and start working on my bl..."LAUNDRY"...

My, there are lots of clothes to do today, I need to get a basket for the drier..."VACUUM"

Holy cow, the floor in here is filthy, good thing I got the vacuum out..."MIRRORS"

Okay, the mirrors are awful, how did the girls manage to get toothpaste all the way up here, I've got to get up on top of the sink to be able to rea..."BLEACH THE TOILET"

Whew, that smells much better, now I'll just scrub around the edges here and on the floor, I've got to move these ribbons out of the wa..."ORGANIZE THE DRAWERS"

Where did this come from? I think I saw a match to this in the kitch..."DISHES"

The dishwasher is full again? how did that happen? I just emptied it an hour ago...this is crazy, I guess I'll just start collecting the dishes from the office first..."BLOG"

Oh Darn...I didn't write my blog...and now it's time to make "DINNER"..."GET THE GIRLS OFF THE BUS"..."CHANGE THE LAUNDRY OVER"...good grief...

Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

I almost missed the bus...AGAIN

So, time management is not my forte...

I know this...

my husband DEFINITELY knows this...

my children NEED to learn this...

I tend to believe in "efficiency" which translates into: "how much stuff can I cram into a small amount of time and still manage to get where I"m going without being toooo incredibly late?" See, I'm not all that affected by "lateness"...I rather enjoy "grand entrances"...much to the chagrin of the entire, rest of my family...

However,

This morning as I was:

cleaning the kitchen
packing lunches
making pancakes
making coffee
fixing apple juice cups
taking laundry out of the drier
finding a show for Little Munchkin to watch
warming up coffee in the microwave
trying to locate someone's boots
stomping downstairs in search of jeans for Peanut that didn't have holes in them
warming up coffee AGAIN in the microwave
listening to Peanut read her book aloud
signing Sweetpea's binder
getting vitamins
warming up the coffee AGAIN

I failed to watch the clock...or maybe I was actually watching the clock, but the batteries are going so it's kinda slow...but whatever the case...the next thing I knew, Sweetpea was already out the door to the bus stop and Peanut and I were still scrambling to find our shoes...

And then I heard the bus...and low and behold, it was out there...waiting...

bless her heart for running outside with me and not crying! She had to follow crazy Momma who was donned in her sweat pants and polka dot rain boots, white winter jacket and sunglasses...looking quite dapper if I do say so myself...

Because of my eldest's keen ability to "inform", she was able to let the bus driver know that we were just running a tad late and could she hang on until her little sister made it...

she did...Peanut got on the bus...Mommy dropped her COLD coffee in the garage and allowed all the other parents at the bus stop to feel quite good about themselves this morning!!

It's no wonder I needed a nap this afternoon...Efficiency people!!

Lies I have believed recently...

* I am overweight and need to either starve myself or exercise into oblivion.

* people are only nice to me because they're polite...they'd rather not really spend time with me.

* when people are subtly rude to me, they are actually quite upset with me and want to "stick it to me" in a way that doesn't make them look mean, but get still gets their point across.

* I'm only as good of a wife and mother, as it relates to how clean my house is.

*we will never retire...ever...my husband will have to work until he can barely walk and our children will never make it to college...

*3 pieces of chocolate can't do any harm at 11 at night...and if you add some coffee with lots of cream and maybe a few pretzels and nutella, it's STILL not going to do a thing to the scale in the morning.

*if it's 9am and I plan on trying to exercise, shower, clean the kitchen, make the beds, have a cup of coffee and check facebook...I should definitely be ready to get in the car by 10am.

*I can totally get at least 6 hours of solid sleep if I get to bed by midnight.

There were a few more rather degrading lies that entered my head as well...it's crazy how Satan likes to have haydays every once in awhile...:)  All is well though...I'm happy to say that I'm getting better at recognizing "lies" and seeing them for what they are...I suppose it also helps that I have a hubby who can call me out on it...and that I have 3 innocent faces watching me for guidance:) 

Some of those "lies" are just plain time management issues...of which I've had for forever (or so I've been told)...I rather like to think that I enjoy grand entrances (not being late:) 

Other lies have just been brought to my mind because my focus is off...

And others yet, may in fact be true...however, I have a choice as to whether I will allow them to determine my attitude, or better yet, my course of action.

I don't have all the answers yet...I'm just plugging along like everyone else. And, I'm learning to make better choices onto that which my mind settles...

And tonight, that would mean that I"m not going to eat that peanut butter blossom that is calling for me in the kitchen!!  woohoo...point for me!

Ode to my Brother

Today is my brother's birthday.  He's a Valentine's Baby...

He hates it basically...

But, I can understand...I mean, who wants to share their birthday with another holiday...? (If you want to call today an "actual" holiday, but that's another post in and of itself...let's not go there right now)

However, it behooves me, as the older (and wiser...ahem) big sister, to take this opportunity to bestow upon you the mentioning of the "qualities" that make him who he is:)  or at least, why I love him so much!

And though he will probably want to wring my neck afterwards, I'm pulling the Big Sister card...AGAIN...and will do it anyway.

And so I begin...

*cough, cough*

Don, my dear brother, I do love you so
though I pulled out your hair so long ago

we were called the "Old Man and his sister, Mean Ween"
but, Oh MY, we were cool...a super hero good team!

You took the back seat to my talent and  smarts
but, really, we know who stole all the hearts

You put up with much...yes, my"big sisterly" fuss
but you see the real me, and still don't throw me under the bus

I'll love you forever, knowing you're with me to the end
couldn't imagine a better brother and sooo blessed to call you friend...

So, my poetry isn't all that much, but the point is that I am so thankful for this day, some thirty-odd years ago...God knew what He was doing when He gave me a little brother...OH man, did I treat him rotten though...it's true, the pulling out of the hair...I bossed him around like none other...and he came back for more...that's the thing about him...no matter what, he loved me...I could throw so much "stuff" at him, (and sometimes still do:) but, he doesn't give up on me...ever...

He's the one that I talked to about marrying my Italian Stallion...he's the one that walked with me through all the ups and downs of our early life...We can be so alike at times and then completely different.  We can infuriate each other and turn around and tease and laugh until we cry...I guess that's what makes family sometimes...

What is amazing to me as well...is that with my "girls" and his "boys"...it's a whole new generation of relationships...and I'll be honest, it brings a smile and sometimes tears to watch them all interact...just so thankful...so, so thankful!

Happy birthday Don...I hope you have a great day!

I love you!

Being ME right now looks like...

*It looks like boiling hot water on a stove and pouring it into a bowl at 2am so that Peanut can try to calm down from coughing.

*It looks like devouring the 2nd and 3rd books of the Hunger Games series during private moments in the bathroom or just plain staying up too late.

*It looks like sitting on my hands and feet because they feel like ice ALL THE TIME and wondering if I have some sort of circulation problem because good grief, I'm COLD!

*It looks like folding laundry on the couch in my music room because the laundry room is too cold to stay in.

*It looks like drinking water out of my VERY cool lens cup.

*It looks like sewing LOTS of camera straps so that I'm ready for future photography classes.

*It looks like NOT watching Once Upon a Time because I feel like it's getting a bit ridiculous...because fairy tales aren't ridiculous at all right? 

* It looks like a lot of pizza and breakfast nights cuz Momma isn't wanting to cook.

*It looks like reading lots of Pinkalicious books and Half Magic to my girls.

*It looks like wearing lots of layers and old, old slippers...because did I mention that I'm COLD?

*It looks like driving a mini van that is filled with old french fries, empty cereal bowls with spoons, and masses of paper, trash and toys strewn all over because by the time we pull into the garage, I"m either too tired, or, you guessed it, too COLD to do anything about it.

*It looks like trying to come up with something other than cantelope and goldfish crackers for Little Munchkin to eat.

*It looks like having conversations wtih yourself in the mirror and wishing you had a voice recorder so that you could actually remember what you wanted to blog about in the first place.

*It looks like dreaming about Florida and floating down the lazy river in a bathing suit without flab hanging over the edge of the inner tube...key word here is DREAMING.

*It looks like staying up too late either reading, playing pinterest or editing photos...or doing laundry.

*It definitely look like doing laundry...my piles are calling me...

Thank you Pinterest...I think...

The time spent sitting in front of my computer screen into the wee hours of the morning has now increased due to a "sweet" little site called pinterest...

Where else can I waste more time but still feel like I'm getting something accomplished because I'm looking for "ideas"???...at least that's what I tell myself!

I felt somewhat justified during the upcoming "Valentine's" season due to the fact that I located some new ideas with regards to the valentine cards...

Here are the girls' cards for this year...

However, I've now decided that perhaps the cheap $2 box of cards next year is MUCH more cost effective than the $5+ I spent on suckers, glow sticks, photo prints and pure exasperation as we tried to assemble them AND their mailboxes before school the next day!

In other news...

*Italian Stallion is making progress on the basement...No, we won't make our "year" finish deadline, but maybe by summer?

*we still can't seem to figure out the whole "asmtha/acid reflux/coughing till she pops all the blood vessels in her face" issue going on with Peanut.  It's frustrating to say the least.

*the redistricting committee meetings are over for the elementary schools...I"m thankful that I got to play a part...partly because it reaffirms my feelings of not really desiring to go back into the classroom again...BUT, it reminds me once again why I love teaching in any capacity and enjoy working together with others toward a common goal.

*I really like weak coffee with LOTS of cream...preferrably white chocolate, french vanilla or bailey's irish creme...more of 50/50 of 40/60 ratio (heavy on the cream side)

*I just finished the Hunger Games book series...doubt I will be able to stomach the movies, but enjoyed the books...it had that feel of: "there might be some underlying lesson or theme going on, but we're going to wrap it up in teen sci-fi for fun"  It actually made me want more character/relationship development, as it centered more on individuals (one in particular) and how that effected the world around her.  It was really well written and I finished all 3 books in less than 2 weeks...

That's about it on the home front here...still haven't gotten out to purchase my voice recorder...MAN, I've had some great blog posts written in my head, only to completely go blank when I sit in front of the screen....so I apologize for the randomness ...

Hope you have a great weekend!

Did I tell you?

I got one of these:

The one on the right is my actual lens...but the one on the left is:

a mug:)

Isn't that just so cool? 

A friend that attended a class I taught on photoshop, showed up to class with it...I'll admit, I was taken aback at first...I thought perhaps it was another lens and I was freaking out thinking, "what in the world is this woman doing giving me this crazy expensive thing???"  But, then I screamed and started jumping around when she told me what is was.

Let me tell you that getting back to normal after having a heavenly getaway is just a tad hard...it falls in the category of "Oh my goodness, I do NOT want to do anything but sit in a hot tub all day and eat cheesecake...but, the oven is starting to smell and I left the load in the washing machine for 2 days AGAIN!"

So, as I'm trying to get back into the swing of things, we've decided to just start racking up more "do to" items on the list...Italian Stallion has finally been able to continue working on the basement that we started last March and by "we" I mean, "HE"...It's one of those situations where "we" promised each other that we'd finish the basement by the end of the summer without fail, but IF something were to happen that was out of our control, then it would DEFINITELY be finished by December....

**cricket, cricket**

Yep, it's February and "we" JUST got the electrical hooked up...still looking for lights...

Anyhoo...this also means that I have to finish up MY end of the bargain, which means that I'm supposed to tackle the part of the basement that "we" refer to as the Black Hole...it's where all things old retainers, baby teeth and underroos live...where college books and cassette tapes rule...and department store bins of all baby clothes ages 0 months to 12 years are stacked up on an entire length of wall...

It's pathetic really ...and if I didn't connect a memory to every item down there, it'd be MUCH easier to just pitch it...it also doesn't help that every 2 weeks or so, I go down there rummaging around and coming up with "new crafts" with all the "supplies" I've found...it's sad really...

In other news, we're trying to determine what to do about school next year...for Little Munchkin, not me...oh heavens, I really did LOVE teaching...but after having children, I've decided (at least for this time being) that I have absolutely NO desire to teach OTHER people's children...to be honest, I just kinda like mine best...sorry...

Anyway, so we're trying to figure it all out because we've never had this "summer birthday" option before...Sweetpea was a non-issue...she was a winter baby...duh...5 turn 6 in Kindergarten.  Peanut was a harder decision, but mostly because she's close in age to Sweetpea and we wanted them together, we sent her as a 5 year old even though her b-day was so close to the end of the year...But, with Munchkin..UGH...hard call...because let's face it...with 2 older sisters that play school with you constantly, you don't have a chance...you are TOTALLY going to learn stuff without even trying...therefore, academically, you're ready to go...

And when your mother forces your older sisters to play with you...you learn how to adapt to older age children...so, basically, she COULD go to school in the fall...

What I fail to have a peace about is this:  SHE'S MY BABY!!!  Not to mention the fact that boys are normally held longer for school and the thought of a 16/17 year old in the same class as my 15 year old and "flirting" with her...okay, hold me back, cuz Mama Bear is going to get a piece of somethin'!!!

And so we are in the "dilemma" mode...or I guess I should say that I AM in the dilemma mode...Italian Stallion looks at things a little differently and is a bit more passive with it all...I tend to worry myself into a frenzy and spend hours upon hours on the phone and on the computer asking and reasearching and setting up meetings with principals until I can somewhat put a logical thought together with regards to a possible decision...

lord, I do NOT know how he puts up with me...

That's where we're at for now...we did manage to watch the Super Bowl...a little bit.  I spent most of the time trying to google pictures of the Manning brothers and their wives and kids...because really, it's all about relationships for me when it comes to football...

Italian Stallion just finished a book about Steve Jobs and we watched a short documentary on the guy as well...I think I mentioned before that me and Mr. Jobs wouldn't have gotten along very well...infact, I probably would have avoided him at all costs...don't get me wrong, thanks for the ipod sir, but good grief, we need to learn some compassion no?  (and by "we", I mean....)

have a great week!

Mystery Solved...

Let me preface this post with a few disclaimers...or reminders so to speak:

1. I'm a former elementary school teacher and therefore, this will explain some of the "corny-ness" of which you will read...so just bear with me and smile and then move on to the next picture:)

2. Remember when I talked about "personality" tests and such...and how I'm an ENFP?  You do?  GOOD...because then you'll be so proud of my ability to "plan" and work with "details"...and I'm all about being a people pleaser:)

3. There may be moments in which I will delve into the arena of TMI...and for that I am sorry...but, I'm still coming off my "getaway" high, so you'll just have to forgive me:)

SO!!!

My husband works REALLY hard...really, really, really hard...I could go on and on and brag on him galore, but #1 that would sooo bug him and #2 it would take a realllly long time to get to my point...and we all know I have a hard enough time staying on track as it is...

Therefore, suffice it to say...he's worked hard, I've noticed and I wanted to do something special for him...

Let us take a peek at my "thinking process" (as I know this will bore you to tears intrigue you:) 

First off, he travels quite a bit, so he's used to hotels...he's also incredibly frugal when it comes to money spent on himself...PLUS, it's been difficult to find a good day for him to take break from work...

therein lies the dilemma...

I had friends that had planned special overnights for their husbands, but I was just plain nervous to bite the bullet...I had a million what if's...however, I so admired my friends for their desire to put their hubbys first and to try something new...kudos to you Kellie & AnneMarie!!! You are inspirational:)

so I started looking for bed and breakfasts...I thought that might be a nice change of pace...however, (and here is possibly some TMI)  the fact of the matter is that I didn't really want to be in the same "house" as other people...where other people could "hear" things...

you know, like if we were playing a card game and I yelled UNO too loud... ahem

Anyway, so I was google searching and talking with different people and I'm not sure how I came across this place, but it's this little Scottish Glen in the hocking hills area...I happened to call the receptionist, Loren, and we had a great conversation...which then led to multiple emails and bada bing, bada bang, we're fast friends!

While I'm busily planning a secret getaway, she tunes me onto deal in which I get 50% for a one night stay at this quaint Croft...which in essence is a 700 sq.ft. studio apartment complete with private bath, private deck, private HOT TUB...fireplace, entertainment center and includes a gourmet breakfast in the morning!  WHOA! Hello out-of-the-ordinary bed and breakfast!!

Well...my wheels get turning...the next thing I know, I'm leaving a magnifying glass on the seat of Italian Stallion's car and texting him things like, "Scotland yard is in need of your services to decode a clue...blah blah..." and "Dr. Watson requests your presence to uncover a sleuth..blah blah"...all the while Little Munchkin and I are running all over town leaving clues on his car and at his office...and picking up snacks and stuff:)

Long story short...I showed up at his office around 3pm and picked him up (in case you were wondering, my inlaws took care of the girlies, so I was at ease and could follow through with my plan) He wasn't quite sure where we were headed or what I had in mind...so I let him in on the secret and the THEME...

I broke out the Sherlock Holmes videos and the BBC miniseries "Sherlock"...and told him we were headed to Glen Laurel for a getaway:) 

It was perfect...It felt like we entered this little European glen with these little "dome-type" houses...almost reminded me of the smurfs, but not as polka-dotty:)  The Manor house was beautiful with it's stoic stone walls and big wooden doors.  I got to meet Loren in person and felt like I was meeting a long lost friend. 

When we walked into our Croft, we were immediately welcomed with Celtic music playing through the speakers ...we were able to sit by the fire and peruse the old journal entries of hundreds of past guests to Glen Laurel...so many anniversaries and romantic dates and proposals...

The attention that was paid to detail was amazing...from the little notes, to the walking sticks left outside our front door...down to shortbread Scottish cookies and bottled water for our hikes...

Needless to say, we took full advantage of the roaring fireplace and immaculate hot tub...we left work back in the city and were able to just relax and refresh!

 

In the morning we headed down to the Manor house for our breakfast...where we were met by the Chef who started us off with scones, porridge and juices...and then served us Eggs Benedict and French toast made out of crumpets...it was delectible...And, because this is their "off season" and we were the only guests on the premises, they boxed up the rest of the scones for us to take with us AND put a batch of oatmeal, chocolate chip cookies in the oven for us to take on our hike down to the waterfalls...

I can't say enough about the hike either...as I said, I hadn't been to Hocking Hills before and I'm sure there are countless trails and hikes throughout the area...but to be able to just head out back after a deliciously warm breakfast...and to just witness God's creation together...in the quiet...without having to tie someone's shoe or wipe someone's nose or carry someone because her little legs couldn't keep up...well, it was peaceful! And the weather for January was UNseasonal...and gorgeous!

To put it plainly, this wasn't just a hotel over night...it wasn't just a quaint bed and breakfast to relax..this was an Experience...and one in which I am so grateful we could partake! 

So thankful this guy asked me to marry him a long while back...couldn't ask for more!