Kai's quotes usually require a bit of introduction or at least some background information to be fully understood. This time, though, not so much...
Jeff and Kai were watching the UCONN Huskies basketball team on tv together this morning and Kai says to Jeff, out of the blue:
"I think I'm starting to come around on this Kade guy."
This is sweet. I laughed because Kai is so obviously fond of his brother. At least to us who see him interact with Kade on a daily basis. They don't always get along (who does?) but they do most of the time.
It shows, too, that Kade is getting older and is able to keep up better. Not physically, for Kade has always believed he can do what Kai does (and most times is right). But mentally, too. It is so cool to see their relationship change as they mature and grow. It's totally fascinating and heart warming.
Kai, the thinker, has spoken.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Kade's story
Tonight Kade and Jeff read books together before Jeff went to sleep. When Kade came out, he wanted to write a story, too. He let me type it here for you to read too!
How I Found Pandy
by Kade
Pandy was walking along in the jungle. But then a tiger came. So Pandy ran as fast as he could. ZOOM! Pandy was scared. The tiger was right behind him. Then I swooped in and grabbed Pandy and took him home.
The end.
Pandy and Kade
How I Found Pandy
by Kade
Pandy was walking along in the jungle. But then a tiger came. So Pandy ran as fast as he could. ZOOM! Pandy was scared. The tiger was right behind him. Then I swooped in and grabbed Pandy and took him home.
The end.
Pandy and Kade
Misc pictures I'm finding as I clean out my inbox...
OK, so one of the things Jeff asked me is why I have over 200 messages still in my inbox. Well, I guess it's because I still wanted to keep them to respond to those...but it seems more likely that I wont get to them. In this new view of those looming messages...I am going through and figuring out what I truly want to save and what I don't. I found these pictures first off. A blast from the past year at the Live and Learn Conference and the LIFE is Good Conference.
I'm thankful to the wonderful women who sent them to me!
Live and Learn. Muddy Kade.
LIFE is Good! Kai and friends.
I'm thankful to the wonderful women who sent them to me!
Live and Learn. Muddy Kade.
LIFE is Good! Kai and friends.
A better picture from Flo...
Here is a better view of the face work I did for the Mardi Gras party. Thanks, Flo!!!
Acts of service
How I love my man. More than just for his acts of service. Yesterday he was working from home and working on our home. We came back from our Mardi Gras party and found the house in complete order and taken care of in a way that it desperately needed, but that hadn't happened for a bit. I am so thankful and appreciative.
It is more than just the gift of a clean home. It is the gift that allowed me to sleep in and not feel I 'had' to get things done. It has allowed me to play here on the computer. It has allowed me the ease of cooking for the boys. It definitely filled my 'love' tank. I am so thankful.
So, thanks, Jeff. Thanks for your acts of service day. Thanks for the gift you have given, and continue to give. I certainly do love you!
It is more than just the gift of a clean home. It is the gift that allowed me to sleep in and not feel I 'had' to get things done. It has allowed me to play here on the computer. It has allowed me the ease of cooking for the boys. It definitely filled my 'love' tank. I am so thankful.
So, thanks, Jeff. Thanks for your acts of service day. Thanks for the gift you have given, and continue to give. I certainly do love you!
More Tinkering.
I gave the computer to Kade before I could get everything down...so here is the video that goes with the pictures from the last post! I love how they build these structures and then find ways in which to interact with them! As you may already know, Jeff is wonderful at modeling the 'anything goes' attitude!
Tinker Toy creation from Beachbum on Vimeo.
Tinker Toy creation from Beachbum on Vimeo.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Where to start?
Well, I think I will start with today and work backwards...
Mardi Gras. Well, for us, it hasn't been a part of our lives so far. However, we have friends who enjoy this celebration. So, off to the internet to do some researching about it and talking about what we are going to dress up as. Well, to the boys, they just love being what they love to be. Kai was a ninja and Kade was Luke Skywalker ***correction: BlackOut Skywalker***. I was, well, me - but a bit on the 'out there' side of me. I did enlist Annie's help. She had a nice couple of shirts that I wore. I had some striped tights (blue and green) (don't ask why) that worked for the funk factor. I also used Kade's face paints to set myself up with a painted design. As an aside: when at park day someone says the pink does stain the face, not only believe them, but remember! So, this is what we looked like on our way to the party.
We had a wonderful time! The boys love playing with their friends. I didn't realize it until we got home and I was taking our things out of the car that Kade had made his own mask. I was happily surprised by this. He is so creative, but when there are friends to play with it can be tough to stay still long enough to design things. What made this one even more special for me is he says I can keep it! ****Kade has now decided Jeff can have the mask. At least I know it's going to a good home!****
Forgot to mention. The party had several homeschoolers there. One woman asked me questions about what we do, how we do it, and how we make it work. I answered the best I could. It's a tough thing to describe to someone who doesn't really want to trust themselves or their kids *that* much. She mentioned she has a hard time getting her and her daughter enough physical activity. I don't know what to say to people when this comes up. First, I haven't been physically active for a long time, but hope to get back to that now that my foot is again pain free. Second, I couldn't force my kids to be still if I tried. Now, they don't really do anything that I can always categorize...except for Kai's karate. Sometimes we go swimming or something like that. However, I find we just end up doing things. For example, today Kade found the flashlight and started playing with it. There are so many options for these. The other day we played flashlight tag (note: it's better outside than in...and probably better for the neighbors if you start playing before 9:30pm). Today, however, he brought it to me and asked that I move it around and not let him 'catch' it. We used to play with our puppy this way. Cats love to do it. It's been seen on Family Guy. Chasing a light can, at least to Kade, be incredibly fun. So fun that you spend thirty minutes playing it. Yes. 30. How can I explain this to someone who thinks things need to be planned, coordinated and or committed (P, C and C) to? Granted, there may be times when my kids will want things that are P, C and or C'd, but they seem to be creative enough to find ways to be active, without me having to ever pressure them.
It was pretty funny watching Kade.
=====
Food. Well, you may know I have been trying to celebrate food. For many this is an easy task. I have one friend in particular of whom I just love to watch interact with what she eats. I normally don't enjoy watching people eat. And, I really don't like watching her, either. What I do like is how much she expresses her joy of the food. You can see it in her eyes. She dabbles in everything individually first. Then starts mixing an matching. She savors the tastes and simply enjoys food.
This is such a paradox to me. My body needs food just like every other being. Yet I do struggle to enjoy it. So, watching my friend really helps me. It proves that I can love food and the flavors it brings. I can enjoy the smell, texture and flavors. It is possible. Yet, I don't always. I am sensitive to textures. I love flavor, but it has to be a certain flavor at a certain time. I have no delusion that I'll ever enjoy food the way she does. I do hope I can at least gain an appreciation for the sustenance I do intake. See? I even write about it clinically! What I truly want is to appreciate food so that I get full nourishment from it and actually get to the point where I remember to eat and look forward to it. To help get me there, I have been taking pictures of food that I like. My tastes are crazy, but I'm willing to work from where I am!
Kai picked up a sweet potato and asked for us to buy it so he could taste it. OK, no problem. We brought it home and I cooked it. He didn't like the taste, but I do. I worked at a restaurant a long time ago that had a sweet potato pancake that was so tasty. I looked on the internet and found a recipe that I thought would make something similar to what I remember. It did! Yum is what it is! Here is a picture (just to be true to my word).
=====
Cool creations is what I think of when I see this:
Now, they boys immediately thought of getting the fan out and seeing if it would actually move...so there is a video coming.
Well, that's it for now. I'm going to go dye some clothes and play with my family.
I lied, I have more to post. Just not this second.
Mardi Gras. Well, for us, it hasn't been a part of our lives so far. However, we have friends who enjoy this celebration. So, off to the internet to do some researching about it and talking about what we are going to dress up as. Well, to the boys, they just love being what they love to be. Kai was a ninja and Kade was Luke Skywalker ***correction: BlackOut Skywalker***. I was, well, me - but a bit on the 'out there' side of me. I did enlist Annie's help. She had a nice couple of shirts that I wore. I had some striped tights (blue and green) (don't ask why) that worked for the funk factor. I also used Kade's face paints to set myself up with a painted design. As an aside: when at park day someone says the pink does stain the face, not only believe them, but remember! So, this is what we looked like on our way to the party.
We had a wonderful time! The boys love playing with their friends. I didn't realize it until we got home and I was taking our things out of the car that Kade had made his own mask. I was happily surprised by this. He is so creative, but when there are friends to play with it can be tough to stay still long enough to design things. What made this one even more special for me is he says I can keep it! ****Kade has now decided Jeff can have the mask. At least I know it's going to a good home!****
Forgot to mention. The party had several homeschoolers there. One woman asked me questions about what we do, how we do it, and how we make it work. I answered the best I could. It's a tough thing to describe to someone who doesn't really want to trust themselves or their kids *that* much. She mentioned she has a hard time getting her and her daughter enough physical activity. I don't know what to say to people when this comes up. First, I haven't been physically active for a long time, but hope to get back to that now that my foot is again pain free. Second, I couldn't force my kids to be still if I tried. Now, they don't really do anything that I can always categorize...except for Kai's karate. Sometimes we go swimming or something like that. However, I find we just end up doing things. For example, today Kade found the flashlight and started playing with it. There are so many options for these. The other day we played flashlight tag (note: it's better outside than in...and probably better for the neighbors if you start playing before 9:30pm). Today, however, he brought it to me and asked that I move it around and not let him 'catch' it. We used to play with our puppy this way. Cats love to do it. It's been seen on Family Guy. Chasing a light can, at least to Kade, be incredibly fun. So fun that you spend thirty minutes playing it. Yes. 30. How can I explain this to someone who thinks things need to be planned, coordinated and or committed (P, C and C) to? Granted, there may be times when my kids will want things that are P, C and or C'd, but they seem to be creative enough to find ways to be active, without me having to ever pressure them.
It was pretty funny watching Kade.
=====
Food. Well, you may know I have been trying to celebrate food. For many this is an easy task. I have one friend in particular of whom I just love to watch interact with what she eats. I normally don't enjoy watching people eat. And, I really don't like watching her, either. What I do like is how much she expresses her joy of the food. You can see it in her eyes. She dabbles in everything individually first. Then starts mixing an matching. She savors the tastes and simply enjoys food.
This is such a paradox to me. My body needs food just like every other being. Yet I do struggle to enjoy it. So, watching my friend really helps me. It proves that I can love food and the flavors it brings. I can enjoy the smell, texture and flavors. It is possible. Yet, I don't always. I am sensitive to textures. I love flavor, but it has to be a certain flavor at a certain time. I have no delusion that I'll ever enjoy food the way she does. I do hope I can at least gain an appreciation for the sustenance I do intake. See? I even write about it clinically! What I truly want is to appreciate food so that I get full nourishment from it and actually get to the point where I remember to eat and look forward to it. To help get me there, I have been taking pictures of food that I like. My tastes are crazy, but I'm willing to work from where I am!
Kai picked up a sweet potato and asked for us to buy it so he could taste it. OK, no problem. We brought it home and I cooked it. He didn't like the taste, but I do. I worked at a restaurant a long time ago that had a sweet potato pancake that was so tasty. I looked on the internet and found a recipe that I thought would make something similar to what I remember. It did! Yum is what it is! Here is a picture (just to be true to my word).
=====
Cool creations is what I think of when I see this:
Now, they boys immediately thought of getting the fan out and seeing if it would actually move...so there is a video coming.
Well, that's it for now. I'm going to go dye some clothes and play with my family.
I lied, I have more to post. Just not this second.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
I'm a Mom meme from Ronnie
I loved this as Ronnie had it on her blog!
1. What is something your mom always says to you?
Kai: I love you
Kade: I love you
2. What makes your mom happy?
Kai: Getting hugs
Kade: Me
3. What makes your mom sad?
Kai: Having to clean up everything
Kade: Yelling
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Kai: She tells jokes
Kade: she nibbles my ears
5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child?
Kai: Working on the farm
Kade: running races
6. How old is your mom?
Kai: 39 - almost 40
Kade: 39
7. How tall is your mom?
Kai: I don't know.
Kade: 50 feet tall
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Kai: knit
Kade: knit
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Kai: knit
Kade: knit
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Kai: knitting
Kade: us
11. What is your mom really good at?
Kai: knitting
Kade: knitting
12. What is your mom not very good at?
Kai: guitar
Kade: lifting stuff
13. What does your mom do for her job?
Kai: nothing
Kade: she does not have a job
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Kai: tacos
Kade: burritos
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Kai: she's lovable
Kade: she 'be's herself.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Kai: Frankie from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
Kade: Padame from Star Wars the Clone Wars
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Kai: watch movies.
Kade: swim, play and a lot of other stuff
18. How are you and your mom the same?
Kai: We have the same ears
Kade: we have the same eyes - not the color, though.
19. How are you and your mom different?
Kai: I like Chinese food, she doesn't
Kade: I'm a boy she's a girl and my hair is shorter.
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Kai: She says it every day
Kade: she kisses me a lot
21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Kai: He's lovable
Kade: probably the hair
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Kai: She stays home
Kade: The knitting store
1. What is something your mom always says to you?
Kai: I love you
Kade: I love you
2. What makes your mom happy?
Kai: Getting hugs
Kade: Me
3. What makes your mom sad?
Kai: Having to clean up everything
Kade: Yelling
4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Kai: She tells jokes
Kade: she nibbles my ears
5. What did your mom like to do when she was a child?
Kai: Working on the farm
Kade: running races
6. How old is your mom?
Kai: 39 - almost 40
Kade: 39
7. How tall is your mom?
Kai: I don't know.
Kade: 50 feet tall
8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Kai: knit
Kade: knit
9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Kai: knit
Kade: knit
10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Kai: knitting
Kade: us
11. What is your mom really good at?
Kai: knitting
Kade: knitting
12. What is your mom not very good at?
Kai: guitar
Kade: lifting stuff
13. What does your mom do for her job?
Kai: nothing
Kade: she does not have a job
14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Kai: tacos
Kade: burritos
15. What makes you proud of your mom?
Kai: she's lovable
Kade: she 'be's herself.
16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Kai: Frankie from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends
Kade: Padame from Star Wars the Clone Wars
17. What do you and your mom do together?
Kai: watch movies.
Kade: swim, play and a lot of other stuff
18. How are you and your mom the same?
Kai: We have the same ears
Kade: we have the same eyes - not the color, though.
19. How are you and your mom different?
Kai: I like Chinese food, she doesn't
Kade: I'm a boy she's a girl and my hair is shorter.
20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Kai: She says it every day
Kade: she kisses me a lot
21. What does your mom like most about your dad?
Kai: He's lovable
Kade: probably the hair
22. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Kai: She stays home
Kade: The knitting store
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Follow-up on sleep over
Well, the thing with Kade is he doesn't talk about the past much. He is all about talking with you if you want to talk about what is happening now. I think he sees it like he's wasting the present to talk about the past. I don't mind this, as long as I'm with him. When he goes off on adventures, though, this is tough.
So, off he went. Picked up by friends around noon thirty. Gone. His fun had begun!
Around 10:30, we got the call. Now both Jeff and I were surprised. Even though it's only his second sleep over, this didn't seem like Kade. Jeff jumped in the car and drove to get him. It's about a 40 minute drive, but well worth it if your babe is asking for you. By the time they got home, Kade was definitely sick. The head cold had come in quick and hit him hard. Looking back on it, I think he listened to his body and just knew. I don't think he thought of it in those terms, but still, he just knew he wanted to be home.
I have no doubt we wont be hearing from him the next time he chooses to sleep over. He'll be having too much fun.
When I asked him about what he did, he responded : "Mama, I was having fun!"
He did come home with the "Guess who" game. We have been enjoying it entirely too much.
So, off he went. Picked up by friends around noon thirty. Gone. His fun had begun!
Around 10:30, we got the call. Now both Jeff and I were surprised. Even though it's only his second sleep over, this didn't seem like Kade. Jeff jumped in the car and drove to get him. It's about a 40 minute drive, but well worth it if your babe is asking for you. By the time they got home, Kade was definitely sick. The head cold had come in quick and hit him hard. Looking back on it, I think he listened to his body and just knew. I don't think he thought of it in those terms, but still, he just knew he wanted to be home.
I have no doubt we wont be hearing from him the next time he chooses to sleep over. He'll be having too much fun.
When I asked him about what he did, he responded : "Mama, I was having fun!"
He did come home with the "Guess who" game. We have been enjoying it entirely too much.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Baby is gone...
...and what's a Mama to do? It's easier with the oldest one, now 19, but still tough. The 9 year old doesn't enjoy sleeping over at someone else's house. But the 7 year old? Well, he's enjoying himself. Spreading his wings. Having new experiences and finding his way in this world.
This is, truly, what I want. I want him to soar and experience life and find his way.
It would be nice if I didn't have to say good-bye first. Then request a love before you go? He gives me love with gusto, but doesn't look back. No hesitancy. No trepidation. No thought of anything but bliss.
How cool.
My heart does miss his little patter around the house. And his giggle. I miss getting milk 17 times an hour, or so it seems. I'll miss how he burrows his head into my arm when he's getting tired.
I know he's in good hands. I have no concerns there. They are awesome parents.
Just is hard on a Mama's heart.
I am happy for him. He's going to try and sleep in the hammock swing! How cool is that?!
This is, truly, what I want. I want him to soar and experience life and find his way.
It would be nice if I didn't have to say good-bye first. Then request a love before you go? He gives me love with gusto, but doesn't look back. No hesitancy. No trepidation. No thought of anything but bliss.
How cool.
My heart does miss his little patter around the house. And his giggle. I miss getting milk 17 times an hour, or so it seems. I'll miss how he burrows his head into my arm when he's getting tired.
I know he's in good hands. I have no concerns there. They are awesome parents.
Just is hard on a Mama's heart.
I am happy for him. He's going to try and sleep in the hammock swing! How cool is that?!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
From Jeff's Blog : Conference Fears?
I lifted this directly from Jeff's blog...
"Well, I am beginning to get amazingly excited about the first of our two unschooling conferences this year, Life is Good, held in Vancouver, WA on May 21-24. I absolutely LOVE conferences; they are ways to connect with old friends, meet new ones, relax, and celebrate all that is good and wonderful in our lives.
Have you ever been to a conference? Are you uncertain about going? Is your husband or partner resistant? I know what that's like, and it can be scary as hell - but so incredibly rewarding. Read on.
Every time another conference approaches, it reminds me of how I felt in the months leading up to my first one, Live and Learn in Albuquerque in 2006. When Ginger told me she wanted to go, I was pretty unsure - a conference? I mean REALLY? I've been to a ton of conferences in my professional life, and they are so - - well - - boring and formal. I mean, Conferences are places where we all wear name badges, and sit around at tables forcing conversation with people we don't know. Conferences are where we pick up 37 pounds of printed flyers and brochures that we'll never read again. They're places where we fight to stay awake all day so we can earn the right to go back to our rooms and watch TV. I mean, unschooling sounded okay - - I was even kinda enjoying it. Why the hell did I need to fly across the country to bore myself?
As the conference got closer, my concerns took a new turn. No longer was I worried abbout being bored; I was worried about being overwhelmed and unaccepted. What if everyone there already knew each other? What if I wasn't cool enough, or funny enough, or smart enough, or - - God forbid - - unschooly enough? I had serious visions that someone would approach Ginger a few days into the conference, point at me, and say "He doesn't belong here - - I think you should reconsider this unschooling thing."
When we were flying there, I began to feel better, but still had one nagging concern; all of these Dads were probably so cool, and they probably had neat non-traditional careers that allowed them to stay home and be with their kids all of the time, and how could I possibly compete with that? Did I even deserve to be here? What the hell would I do when I got to the hotel and the whole thing started?
And then we got there, and the rest of my life began. The entire weekend was a dream: I learned, I laughed, I cried, I relaxed, I played, I created, I asked, I answered, I dug deep, I slept, I stayed up all night, I followed my kids around everywhere they wanted me to and left them alone when they wanted that, I was challenged, I challenged, I made amazing friends from 6 months old to 70, and I came to one essential understanding of my life: happiness is king and rules all. My happiness, Ginger's Kai's, Kade's, and everyone else that we had a chance to interact with.
So here's what I did at my first conference, and why I think you should go:
I went to main presentations: the ones from Ren Allen and Ben Lovejoy stood out, primarily because they made me think about the love I have for my children and how much it can still deepen.
I went to circle chats and smaller meetings. My first circle chat was with Barbara Chase, and while way too many brain cells have left the building to remember the exact topic, I do recall feeling energized and excited by one critical thing: not everyone there was an "expert" or "radical", and they were all learning and growing, just like me - even the folks who have been doing it for years.
I went to SSUDS meetings. The Secret Society of Unschooling Dads is really just a cool acronym; there's nothing secret about it. My first SSUDS meeting was just dads and grandads and such, with lots of no-holds barred Q&A about being a Dad and unschooling. I asked tons of questions, and was challenged all along the way. It was rough for me, because many of the answers I got were strange and new - but the people who answered me did it from the heart, with no other goal than to make me a better unschooling dad. And then after the meeting and all through the weekend, they each sought me out to talk one-on-one.
I ran a fun shop. What a great way to meet people! Fun shops are just that; fun, fun, fun. We decided to make tissue paper kites ,and brought tissue paper, string, decorations, markers, glue sticks, etc. Kids and their parents just flowed in for the whole hour, and we found ourselves scrambling just to catch up and keep them all supplied! But we met so many cool people and cool kids, and that helped us make connections that led to deeper conversations over that weekend - and over the years since.
I participated in the raffle and instant gratification table. I got a chance to buy raffle tickets and bid on all sorts of exciting gift baskets and other cool stuff. The kids got to participate, too. Another fantastic way to meet people and experience new things.
I actually got on stage during the talent show. A bunch of the younger set got on stage and sang "Another Brick in the Wall", and I just couldn't resist! Subsequent years have seen me up dancing to "The Time Warp" and "Thriller", among other silly stuff.
I walked to a coffee shop every day; just to escape for a little while and get some "me" time.
I watched Cartoon Network for the first time. Before the conference, we didn't have cable at all; never had! But since that very first episode of "Courage the Cowardly Dog" I realized that TV is not an instrument of the Devil; it is another wonderful way to connect with my kids.
I let go. I let go of almost everything: bed times, TV control, the need to be right, the need to be on-time, the need to know where my kids were and with whom, the need to be in control - and most of all, my precon ceived notions that had defined unschooling ina rigid, formulaic fashion.
And most importantly, I learned. Without even trying, or wanting to, or planning to, or even knowing it was happening. While I learned things about unschooling, to be sure, I mostly learned about myself, my life, my family, my goals, my fears, and my passions.
A conference can be all of this, and more. All it takes for you to have a similar, wonderful, life-changing experience is to come and let it happen. Look for the people who look peaceful and are smiling; they're the ones who know and are there to help you make the same journey.
Hope to see you in May!"
****I want to add that if we don't see you in May, maybe we will see you in September at the Good Vibrations Unschooling Conference in San Diego!
"Well, I am beginning to get amazingly excited about the first of our two unschooling conferences this year, Life is Good, held in Vancouver, WA on May 21-24. I absolutely LOVE conferences; they are ways to connect with old friends, meet new ones, relax, and celebrate all that is good and wonderful in our lives.
Have you ever been to a conference? Are you uncertain about going? Is your husband or partner resistant? I know what that's like, and it can be scary as hell - but so incredibly rewarding. Read on.
Every time another conference approaches, it reminds me of how I felt in the months leading up to my first one, Live and Learn in Albuquerque in 2006. When Ginger told me she wanted to go, I was pretty unsure - a conference? I mean REALLY? I've been to a ton of conferences in my professional life, and they are so - - well - - boring and formal. I mean, Conferences are places where we all wear name badges, and sit around at tables forcing conversation with people we don't know. Conferences are where we pick up 37 pounds of printed flyers and brochures that we'll never read again. They're places where we fight to stay awake all day so we can earn the right to go back to our rooms and watch TV. I mean, unschooling sounded okay - - I was even kinda enjoying it. Why the hell did I need to fly across the country to bore myself?
As the conference got closer, my concerns took a new turn. No longer was I worried abbout being bored; I was worried about being overwhelmed and unaccepted. What if everyone there already knew each other? What if I wasn't cool enough, or funny enough, or smart enough, or - - God forbid - - unschooly enough? I had serious visions that someone would approach Ginger a few days into the conference, point at me, and say "He doesn't belong here - - I think you should reconsider this unschooling thing."
When we were flying there, I began to feel better, but still had one nagging concern; all of these Dads were probably so cool, and they probably had neat non-traditional careers that allowed them to stay home and be with their kids all of the time, and how could I possibly compete with that? Did I even deserve to be here? What the hell would I do when I got to the hotel and the whole thing started?
And then we got there, and the rest of my life began. The entire weekend was a dream: I learned, I laughed, I cried, I relaxed, I played, I created, I asked, I answered, I dug deep, I slept, I stayed up all night, I followed my kids around everywhere they wanted me to and left them alone when they wanted that, I was challenged, I challenged, I made amazing friends from 6 months old to 70, and I came to one essential understanding of my life: happiness is king and rules all. My happiness, Ginger's Kai's, Kade's, and everyone else that we had a chance to interact with.
So here's what I did at my first conference, and why I think you should go:
I went to main presentations: the ones from Ren Allen and Ben Lovejoy stood out, primarily because they made me think about the love I have for my children and how much it can still deepen.
I went to circle chats and smaller meetings. My first circle chat was with Barbara Chase, and while way too many brain cells have left the building to remember the exact topic, I do recall feeling energized and excited by one critical thing: not everyone there was an "expert" or "radical", and they were all learning and growing, just like me - even the folks who have been doing it for years.
I went to SSUDS meetings. The Secret Society of Unschooling Dads is really just a cool acronym; there's nothing secret about it. My first SSUDS meeting was just dads and grandads and such, with lots of no-holds barred Q&A about being a Dad and unschooling. I asked tons of questions, and was challenged all along the way. It was rough for me, because many of the answers I got were strange and new - but the people who answered me did it from the heart, with no other goal than to make me a better unschooling dad. And then after the meeting and all through the weekend, they each sought me out to talk one-on-one.
I ran a fun shop. What a great way to meet people! Fun shops are just that; fun, fun, fun. We decided to make tissue paper kites ,and brought tissue paper, string, decorations, markers, glue sticks, etc. Kids and their parents just flowed in for the whole hour, and we found ourselves scrambling just to catch up and keep them all supplied! But we met so many cool people and cool kids, and that helped us make connections that led to deeper conversations over that weekend - and over the years since.
I participated in the raffle and instant gratification table. I got a chance to buy raffle tickets and bid on all sorts of exciting gift baskets and other cool stuff. The kids got to participate, too. Another fantastic way to meet people and experience new things.
I actually got on stage during the talent show. A bunch of the younger set got on stage and sang "Another Brick in the Wall", and I just couldn't resist! Subsequent years have seen me up dancing to "The Time Warp" and "Thriller", among other silly stuff.
I walked to a coffee shop every day; just to escape for a little while and get some "me" time.
I watched Cartoon Network for the first time. Before the conference, we didn't have cable at all; never had! But since that very first episode of "Courage the Cowardly Dog" I realized that TV is not an instrument of the Devil; it is another wonderful way to connect with my kids.
I let go. I let go of almost everything: bed times, TV control, the need to be right, the need to be on-time, the need to know where my kids were and with whom, the need to be in control - and most of all, my precon ceived notions that had defined unschooling ina rigid, formulaic fashion.
And most importantly, I learned. Without even trying, or wanting to, or planning to, or even knowing it was happening. While I learned things about unschooling, to be sure, I mostly learned about myself, my life, my family, my goals, my fears, and my passions.
A conference can be all of this, and more. All it takes for you to have a similar, wonderful, life-changing experience is to come and let it happen. Look for the people who look peaceful and are smiling; they're the ones who know and are there to help you make the same journey.
Hope to see you in May!"
****I want to add that if we don't see you in May, maybe we will see you in September at the Good Vibrations Unschooling Conference in San Diego!
A new photo shop movie
Well, I was able to cobble together this new video. At then end, there are some videos of Kade and Kai exploring the photo booth options and learning. I really enjoyed watching the boys do these. I also found some adults who joined in the fun! Enjoy it!
Photo booth part 2 from Beachbum on Vimeo.
Photo booth part 2 from Beachbum on Vimeo.
Kade's new favorite music video
Just had to share. He very much likes this one!
In fact, he just came over to see : "Who was playing my video." He especially likes the rockin' part close to the end.
In fact, he just came over to see : "Who was playing my video." He especially likes the rockin' part close to the end.
I have been graced by this:
Laura gave me an award!
These are the rules to accept the award:
1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award for their creativity, design, interesting material, and also contribute to the blogging community, no matter what language.
2. Each award has to have the name of the author and a link to his/her blog to be visited by everyone.
3. Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that presented her/him with the award.
4.The award winner and one who has given the prize have to show the link of "Arte y Pico" blog so everyone will know the origin of this award.
5. To show these rules
Madeline is an amazing woman I so hope to get to know better in this lifetime.
Gail who shares my knowledge of what it is like to be letting her children walk a new path on their own. A woman who is gentle and kind and who is shy and observes far more than I do.
Frank I just love. His blog is witty and he has me looking words up! I love his passion for life. I love his ability to rant and still make sense.
Pink Prickly Pear is just a hoot! I make a note of *not* having food or drink in my mouth when I read her blog. This has been learned through experience of loosing it and almost bathing the computer in the goods! Go check her out.
Stark Raving Mom hasn't written enough to satisfy my daily blog reading needs...and I would love to see her write more. Since I know her in real life, I know how much she can and does add to my life.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Hooked on your blog...
A new friend (met via blogging) has given me another opportunity to express some happiness. Jean has given me this:
It is referred as the "Hooked On Your Blog/What Makes You Happy/6 Random Things" meme.
I am going to express 6 things that I didn't last time - especially since I can now have 6 more to express!
1. Nature.
The ocean is so beautiful. But, I so enjoy the mountains and the trees. Here are a few pictures I have that I just love.
Here is Kai sitting on a cropped tree in the middle of the woods on Redwood Croft. We had great fun wandering around the paths and finding these cool spots to rest and watch. The sound of the ocean breeze coming through the tree tops was incredible. Very soothing.
These are the dogwood that bloomed in mass on our property in Tennessee. I love the way the red barn in back makes the white pop out and look so beautiful. I love the texture of the dogwood blooms. I loved having them right outside my window. I remember growing up with them, too. In the mountain pass going from Redding to Mt. Shasta the forest was full of both the white blooms and pink blooms of the dogwoods there. I always enjoyed the 'Easter Holiday' trips down south to visit family. Mostly because we would pass these blooms and we would get to see Castle Crags. So much of that country up there speaks to me. I remember one early morning when my Dad and I were driving together and we were able to see the sun rise on Mt. Shasta as we traveled toward the southern pass. That feeling - I still feel when I just think of the beauty of it. Nature speaks to my soul, I do believe.
The creatures that come to visit the flowers are pretty fascinating, too. I have been stung more times than I care to count. And yet, I'd get a butterfly bush in a flash! I really enjoy watching them buzz from spot to spot. This busy gal was on the flowers here in our area. Great to see them be able to feast during the winter, too. Not something one gets to see in other parts of the world.
I guess I am going to mention the boys here! I love to watch the sunset. Several times the boys have been willing just to go down and watch it. I enjoy watching them interact with their preferred nature inter-actives.
2. Music.
Music makes me happy inside. It's the counterpart, for me, to nature. Even Jeff will notice if I haven't been listening to enough of it, he will nudge me to do so. I guess you can see/hear how varied my sounds can be on the play list. Even that isn't as ecclectic as I actively listen to. I love listening to it. I love making it. I love watching people make it! Bring it on.
3. Friends.
I really have made some really good friends. I value them. I value what they bring to my life.
4. Tin Whistle.
Some of you may already know how much I love the tin whistle. I hope to some day (soon?) have a low D. :) My favorite artist has to be Joannie Madden. If you haven't heard her yet, listen to her here...
5. Craftiness.
No, not that form of the verb. I am not clever with people or putting said people in certain situations. I am talking about the other crafty - the working with materials to make cool stuff kind of crafty. I have just done my first decoupage glass lanterns for some special people in my life. This makes me happy.
6. Authenticity.
I welcome it. It makes life real and allows us to feel everything we want and need to. It allows us to build relationships. It allows our children to be authentic and exactly who they are supposed to be.
Now, I will share this with 6 more bloggers. I am going to share with a few of the people whose blogs I read regularly.
1. Kat craft fever
2. Hummingbird Haven
3. Second to the Right
4. Warts and All
5. The Wonderful Happens
6. Blog of the Zombie Princess
Thanks, Jean!
It is referred as the "Hooked On Your Blog/What Makes You Happy/6 Random Things" meme.
I am going to express 6 things that I didn't last time - especially since I can now have 6 more to express!
1. Nature.
The ocean is so beautiful. But, I so enjoy the mountains and the trees. Here are a few pictures I have that I just love.
Here is Kai sitting on a cropped tree in the middle of the woods on Redwood Croft. We had great fun wandering around the paths and finding these cool spots to rest and watch. The sound of the ocean breeze coming through the tree tops was incredible. Very soothing.
These are the dogwood that bloomed in mass on our property in Tennessee. I love the way the red barn in back makes the white pop out and look so beautiful. I love the texture of the dogwood blooms. I loved having them right outside my window. I remember growing up with them, too. In the mountain pass going from Redding to Mt. Shasta the forest was full of both the white blooms and pink blooms of the dogwoods there. I always enjoyed the 'Easter Holiday' trips down south to visit family. Mostly because we would pass these blooms and we would get to see Castle Crags. So much of that country up there speaks to me. I remember one early morning when my Dad and I were driving together and we were able to see the sun rise on Mt. Shasta as we traveled toward the southern pass. That feeling - I still feel when I just think of the beauty of it. Nature speaks to my soul, I do believe.
The creatures that come to visit the flowers are pretty fascinating, too. I have been stung more times than I care to count. And yet, I'd get a butterfly bush in a flash! I really enjoy watching them buzz from spot to spot. This busy gal was on the flowers here in our area. Great to see them be able to feast during the winter, too. Not something one gets to see in other parts of the world.
I guess I am going to mention the boys here! I love to watch the sunset. Several times the boys have been willing just to go down and watch it. I enjoy watching them interact with their preferred nature inter-actives.
2. Music.
Music makes me happy inside. It's the counterpart, for me, to nature. Even Jeff will notice if I haven't been listening to enough of it, he will nudge me to do so. I guess you can see/hear how varied my sounds can be on the play list. Even that isn't as ecclectic as I actively listen to. I love listening to it. I love making it. I love watching people make it! Bring it on.
3. Friends.
I really have made some really good friends. I value them. I value what they bring to my life.
4. Tin Whistle.
Some of you may already know how much I love the tin whistle. I hope to some day (soon?) have a low D. :) My favorite artist has to be Joannie Madden. If you haven't heard her yet, listen to her here...
5. Craftiness.
No, not that form of the verb. I am not clever with people or putting said people in certain situations. I am talking about the other crafty - the working with materials to make cool stuff kind of crafty. I have just done my first decoupage glass lanterns for some special people in my life. This makes me happy.
6. Authenticity.
I welcome it. It makes life real and allows us to feel everything we want and need to. It allows us to build relationships. It allows our children to be authentic and exactly who they are supposed to be.
Now, I will share this with 6 more bloggers. I am going to share with a few of the people whose blogs I read regularly.
1. Kat craft fever
2. Hummingbird Haven
3. Second to the Right
4. Warts and All
5. The Wonderful Happens
6. Blog of the Zombie Princess
Thanks, Jean!
Friday, February 13, 2009
How do you spell fun?
Well, there are many fun things in the world. Thanks to our friend, Beth Fuller, we have a new way to spell it. S.T.R.A.W.
Now, go get one that has a bendy end.
Put one end under a naked armpit.
Put the other end in your mouth and blow.
Kade truly enjoyed this adventure for quite some time. It makes one of his favorite noises. Don't know what noise it makes? Well, you'll just have to go get a straw and find out!
Now, go get one that has a bendy end.
Put one end under a naked armpit.
Put the other end in your mouth and blow.
Kade truly enjoyed this adventure for quite some time. It makes one of his favorite noises. Don't know what noise it makes? Well, you'll just have to go get a straw and find out!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The longest post ever, continued.
I can't say enough how much I truly appreciate Prana. He has helped me so much along this healing journey. If you are looking for someone who can use essential oils, massage and cranio sacral work, he's truly amazing. Shazia is a wonderful woman, as well. I am grateful to have them in my life!
As an aside, they are looking for someone to buy their storefront. They are still going to provide the healing services (both restorative yoga and Prana's list of healing arts) and wish to sell the store part of their business to allow them to focus more on the afore mentioned healing arts.
****
There is a discussion about love and understanding going around with a few friends of mine. It brings up an interesting point. Are we ever truly understood? We were talking about this statement someone made :
"No one will ever understand you. Realizing this is freedom. No one will ever understand you—not once, not ever. Even at our most understanding, we can only understand our story of who you are. There's no understanding here except your own. If you don't love another person, it hurts, because love is your very self."
We progressed and a friend said :
"I was thinking that so many people's ideas of marriage includes feeling "understood." However, what if this idea is an illusion? What if we are working with a false dynamic?....What about love? Love, for me, goes beyond pheromones, lust, parental attachment, shared interests or even mutual respect. I have always believed that love was a choice, actually a series of choices made each and every day. As each day is filled with more gratitude, awe and joy-- I find it more and more difficult not to love. Love no longer feels like a decision, more than it is a daily certainty."
Heavy stuff. But important to think on once in a while. I wanted to put here what I wrote. More to explain how I operate and to show where I am on this journey through life. Here is what I responded :
"Two things on this.
First, I don't think we understand anything. For me it is about accepting and allowing a fluid-ness to that accepting. Understanding isn't a part of what I do, I guess. I can see progressions of things and see how someone got from point A to point B, but I don't understand it. Does that make sense?
Secondly, for me, love is just a part of me. It doesn't come from loving myself. It doesn't even come from my choices (for I can and do sometimes hurt those I love without even knowing/intending it). Sometimes my acts of 'love' are not good for other people. I don't feel like I choose to love. I do choose to follow it, or not.
Loving people has always been an amazing phenomenon to me. As I said, I can't control *if* I love, I can only control how I respond to it. How much I allow my thoughts to concentrate on it. How I interact with it. I have always loved everyone I see, first thing. I don't *understand* why. I just have accepted that it is. Sometimes I see that someone is unhealthy for me to be with, or who's choices I can't accept. My love is still there - it just is in a holding pattern, so to speak.
Maybe this is connected with my 'cup is half full' - usually more than half full personality? Don't know.
What it has meant in my interactions with others is varied. Many disbelieve I actually love them, that I am truly this happy a person, and sometimes they react in fear. Some have said they see it as a 'glow' or as just happiness showing through. I'm sure some see me as the 'princess' of insufficient light.
Thankfully, Jeff sees it as a good thing!
No matter how you see love, it is real. Understanding can be varied in so many ways. We all see things from our own perspectives. This allows for so many versions of the same thing. Emotions are real. How we describe emotions will be as varied as those who are asked to describe them.
****
Jeff and I were talking about my blog a bit back. I have been meaning to write down here how I feel about our discussion. Jeff was saying he expected this blog to be more about unschooling.
I have purposely left out the 'definition' of unschooling simply because I feel there are many others out there who have defined it. For more in-depth information one can look through Joyce's page or Sandra's page. They have spent years collecting unschooling information.
I haven't felt the need to define it here on my blog. But I consider my blog to be about unschooling. I talk about our passions, our pastimes and about how we live or lives. I show how involved we are in each other, how happily we support each other in our pursuit of what we love to do and I feel as if I have shown how following my own passions help my family members see that it is an important thing to do. I read in front of my kids, I knit in front of my kids, I blog in front of my kids, I henna in front of my kids. My kids follow their passions in front of me. Annie even dyed my hair! We are all a fluid part of each others' lives and we get involved in the excitement and joy of each other. Is that not what unschooling is truly about? For me it is. I can see the world get bigger for my kids every day. I see more of the world through their eyes. We each learn something everyday. Our life brings never ending possibilities.
So, in essence, this (to me) is very much an unschooling blog.
****
We need to see Auntie Mary. It has been far too long. Kai was saying this week how it just is not good for us to go this long without a visit. We miss her so much! So...the calendar will just have to clear enough so we can go!
****
Jeff has to go out of town on business every once in a while. We miss him much when he goes, but also know it's just part of the corporate game we play right now. Jeff and I are different in so many ways. I have a love/hate relationship for how he prepares/packs for things. He is a last minute packer. I am not. So I have a tough time when we pack as a family to go places. When he is traveling alone, I truly love to watch him buzz around packing at the last minute. I find it quite precious that he has me clean his glasses for him and how he needs to get the tiny screwdriver out to tighten the glasses hinges before he leaves for the trip. These are endearing things.
Mainly I love counting down, with the kids, the hours until we get to see him again. Kai started the hour count when we had 9 hours left. The minute count started 3 hours before. I'm sure he would have included seconds if there was a clock that showed those readily!
It's nice to have everyone under our roof now.
I have been known to say that even if Jeff was home 24/7 it still wouldn't be enough time for me. Crazy in love still after all this time.
****
Kai went to a karate seminar this week. I love his passion for this. He came home saying it was the best seminar he has *ever* been to. How cool is that?! I didn't take the camera, but saw Sensei Michelle with one. As soon as they post pictures on their site, I'll see about getting some for here, too.
These seminars are a great way for Kai to learn more about his art. He is loving every moment of his learning. So cool.
There will be another seminar in March. I'll be sure to take the camera to that one!
****
I have started knitting again...watch out!
****
Annie has now passed all her tests for completing core! She is a happy girl. I was able to go down and sit and be her 'test subject'. We were both worried that my hair (although nice) is very thin. However, she has played with it before, so seemed to have no trouble dealing with it during the test. She started out with the dying testing. They were given shaving cream to demonstrate the application of dye. She did great on the parting and the actual application. After showing she knew how to do four types of tinting/dying, she went on to rolling for perms. She mentioned afterwards that she was glad I had a straight cut, because there were only the wispy parts of my hair to deal with and not layers, too. Plus, since I don't have a ton of hair, she ended up not needing all the rollers! How cool is that?! Anyway, after the "perming" I was treated to a hair washing/massaging and then, was gifted to a blow dry and curling session. All in all, it went from 9:30 to 1:50. It was a long time to test, and it was only the hands on testing that she had to do. Yesterday they tested the written stuff. So far, she seems to be happy with the results. And I'm proud of how well she did.
****
I wanted to post a follow-up mehndi picture. Here is the last design I did a full week after application. I am so pleased with how well the stain stayed. I am getting comfortable with how I like to mix it and what I like to add. Hopefully it wont change a lot when I get another bag of henna powder. I am liking how well the sifted henna applies. No lumps!
As an aside, they are looking for someone to buy their storefront. They are still going to provide the healing services (both restorative yoga and Prana's list of healing arts) and wish to sell the store part of their business to allow them to focus more on the afore mentioned healing arts.
****
There is a discussion about love and understanding going around with a few friends of mine. It brings up an interesting point. Are we ever truly understood? We were talking about this statement someone made :
"No one will ever understand you. Realizing this is freedom. No one will ever understand you—not once, not ever. Even at our most understanding, we can only understand our story of who you are. There's no understanding here except your own. If you don't love another person, it hurts, because love is your very self."
We progressed and a friend said :
"I was thinking that so many people's ideas of marriage includes feeling "understood." However, what if this idea is an illusion? What if we are working with a false dynamic?....What about love? Love, for me, goes beyond pheromones, lust, parental attachment, shared interests or even mutual respect. I have always believed that love was a choice, actually a series of choices made each and every day. As each day is filled with more gratitude, awe and joy-- I find it more and more difficult not to love. Love no longer feels like a decision, more than it is a daily certainty."
Heavy stuff. But important to think on once in a while. I wanted to put here what I wrote. More to explain how I operate and to show where I am on this journey through life. Here is what I responded :
"Two things on this.
First, I don't think we understand anything. For me it is about accepting and allowing a fluid-ness to that accepting. Understanding isn't a part of what I do, I guess. I can see progressions of things and see how someone got from point A to point B, but I don't understand it. Does that make sense?
Secondly, for me, love is just a part of me. It doesn't come from loving myself. It doesn't even come from my choices (for I can and do sometimes hurt those I love without even knowing/intending it). Sometimes my acts of 'love' are not good for other people. I don't feel like I choose to love. I do choose to follow it, or not.
Loving people has always been an amazing phenomenon to me. As I said, I can't control *if* I love, I can only control how I respond to it. How much I allow my thoughts to concentrate on it. How I interact with it. I have always loved everyone I see, first thing. I don't *understand* why. I just have accepted that it is. Sometimes I see that someone is unhealthy for me to be with, or who's choices I can't accept. My love is still there - it just is in a holding pattern, so to speak.
Maybe this is connected with my 'cup is half full' - usually more than half full personality? Don't know.
What it has meant in my interactions with others is varied. Many disbelieve I actually love them, that I am truly this happy a person, and sometimes they react in fear. Some have said they see it as a 'glow' or as just happiness showing through. I'm sure some see me as the 'princess' of insufficient light.
Thankfully, Jeff sees it as a good thing!
No matter how you see love, it is real. Understanding can be varied in so many ways. We all see things from our own perspectives. This allows for so many versions of the same thing. Emotions are real. How we describe emotions will be as varied as those who are asked to describe them.
****
Jeff and I were talking about my blog a bit back. I have been meaning to write down here how I feel about our discussion. Jeff was saying he expected this blog to be more about unschooling.
I have purposely left out the 'definition' of unschooling simply because I feel there are many others out there who have defined it. For more in-depth information one can look through Joyce's page or Sandra's page. They have spent years collecting unschooling information.
I haven't felt the need to define it here on my blog. But I consider my blog to be about unschooling. I talk about our passions, our pastimes and about how we live or lives. I show how involved we are in each other, how happily we support each other in our pursuit of what we love to do and I feel as if I have shown how following my own passions help my family members see that it is an important thing to do. I read in front of my kids, I knit in front of my kids, I blog in front of my kids, I henna in front of my kids. My kids follow their passions in front of me. Annie even dyed my hair! We are all a fluid part of each others' lives and we get involved in the excitement and joy of each other. Is that not what unschooling is truly about? For me it is. I can see the world get bigger for my kids every day. I see more of the world through their eyes. We each learn something everyday. Our life brings never ending possibilities.
So, in essence, this (to me) is very much an unschooling blog.
****
We need to see Auntie Mary. It has been far too long. Kai was saying this week how it just is not good for us to go this long without a visit. We miss her so much! So...the calendar will just have to clear enough so we can go!
****
Jeff has to go out of town on business every once in a while. We miss him much when he goes, but also know it's just part of the corporate game we play right now. Jeff and I are different in so many ways. I have a love/hate relationship for how he prepares/packs for things. He is a last minute packer. I am not. So I have a tough time when we pack as a family to go places. When he is traveling alone, I truly love to watch him buzz around packing at the last minute. I find it quite precious that he has me clean his glasses for him and how he needs to get the tiny screwdriver out to tighten the glasses hinges before he leaves for the trip. These are endearing things.
Mainly I love counting down, with the kids, the hours until we get to see him again. Kai started the hour count when we had 9 hours left. The minute count started 3 hours before. I'm sure he would have included seconds if there was a clock that showed those readily!
It's nice to have everyone under our roof now.
I have been known to say that even if Jeff was home 24/7 it still wouldn't be enough time for me. Crazy in love still after all this time.
****
Kai went to a karate seminar this week. I love his passion for this. He came home saying it was the best seminar he has *ever* been to. How cool is that?! I didn't take the camera, but saw Sensei Michelle with one. As soon as they post pictures on their site, I'll see about getting some for here, too.
These seminars are a great way for Kai to learn more about his art. He is loving every moment of his learning. So cool.
There will be another seminar in March. I'll be sure to take the camera to that one!
****
I have started knitting again...watch out!
****
Annie has now passed all her tests for completing core! She is a happy girl. I was able to go down and sit and be her 'test subject'. We were both worried that my hair (although nice) is very thin. However, she has played with it before, so seemed to have no trouble dealing with it during the test. She started out with the dying testing. They were given shaving cream to demonstrate the application of dye. She did great on the parting and the actual application. After showing she knew how to do four types of tinting/dying, she went on to rolling for perms. She mentioned afterwards that she was glad I had a straight cut, because there were only the wispy parts of my hair to deal with and not layers, too. Plus, since I don't have a ton of hair, she ended up not needing all the rollers! How cool is that?! Anyway, after the "perming" I was treated to a hair washing/massaging and then, was gifted to a blow dry and curling session. All in all, it went from 9:30 to 1:50. It was a long time to test, and it was only the hands on testing that she had to do. Yesterday they tested the written stuff. So far, she seems to be happy with the results. And I'm proud of how well she did.
****
I wanted to post a follow-up mehndi picture. Here is the last design I did a full week after application. I am so pleased with how well the stain stayed. I am getting comfortable with how I like to mix it and what I like to add. Hopefully it wont change a lot when I get another bag of henna powder. I am liking how well the sifted henna applies. No lumps!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Lots happening. This may be the longest post ever.
Well, as you may assume, we are doing things. The play-doh has been worked well. Games have been played. Kai read a book in one day. Kade drew pictures and even arranged his pokemon cards to make a 'boy'. The boys have wrestled and played. The boys have also been playing Stickicide 3 where they have been enjoying watching the stick figure get mangled in many ways. Basically suicide for stick figures (if it wasn't clear). Not for the faint of heart, but definitely a boy game! The boys have also found the big jugs we get water in and have been using them for drums, as a bazooka, and as a chair (only Kade can do this and he loves to try and balance.) Annie has been going to school, hanging out with friends old and new, and she dyed my hair for me. I have put on some mehndi. We have taken Annie to the chiropractor and dentist. We have gone to park day. I have spent lots of time on Facebook - especially since finding my brother, Andy, and my good friend, Beth Winslow, there.
There are many, many thoughts I want to put down in this blog post, so it's going to be all over the place!
Oh, before I forget. Here is Kade's boy made from his pokemon cards...note the pokemon comic book on the couch that Kade had been "looking at" (reading really, but he wont call it that).
****
We have been doing something similar to Ronnie (see her #5) and have been shutting off the computers when not in use. Since we have been home so much, it is mostly at night. Anyway, the boys really enjoy being responsible for the whole 'shut down' routine.
The other night as we headed into bed, Kade pauses at the door and says, "Mama, wouldn't it be funny if tomorrow when we turn on the computer it tells us to, 'Shut up'?"
****
You know when this normally preferring to be neat person has been busy following many pastimes (her own and helping facilitate others') when the laundry space looks like this:
There are as many clothes on the top of the washer/dryer as there are in the dirty basket and there is a load both in the washing machine and the dryer. Notice the pile of things on the floor? One pile is bedding and in the other pile are the socks that go in the basket by the door. The clothes hanging either need to stay as wrinkle free as possible (nice that they are slammed on that tiny hook!) or need to be ironed for Jeff's work. Ideally, I like to do a load of laundry a day. Fold it and put it away. If I do this, then we all have clothes to wear...in our cubbies. Otherwise...it's to the piles. I have to admit something here...I waited to take this picture until *after* I folded all the clothes. Before, we had been weeding through the absolutely huge pile of clean clothes on the floor in front of the dryer. So huge, in fact, that we had to push it aside to open the door to the bedroom then had to move it back to get to the bathroom! Yikes, you say? Yes.
Another sign is when you fill the dishwasher 3 minutes after you unloaded it. There may even still be dishes left to hand wash because they simply didn't fit in the dishwasher with the rest. There may even be enough to hand wash that when cleaning them you wind up not having enough room in the dish drainer!
****
Happy news for my Bro, Andy. He and his family will be reunited in less than 3 days! This is indeed incredible news. Their house sold in northern California and Diane, Mads and Nick are headed to VI to be a together family! Andy is very much enjoying his new job with benefits...and I can't wait to go see them!
****
There is this baby meme going around on Facebook. I thought I'd take Ronnie's lead and post mine here on the blog. I have included some pictures, just to make it a bit more personable and us.
In honor of Beth...
WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes.
WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? No. Had fun finding the wedding dress while 8 months pregnant...knowing full well I wasn't the first woman - nor will I be the last - to get married with bun-in.
WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Pure joy.
HOW OLD WERE YOU? 29
Kai bun-in for about 6 months.
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Had missed two menses. We found a cartoon with a stone age couple choosing the name of their child by putting papers with letters on them on the wall and throwing darts, blindfolded, at the wall. What ever letters they hit, they were writing down. "Drup" was what they came up with. So, Kai was Drup until we found out his sex through the ultrasound.
WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Jeff
DUE DATE? April 1st.
ACTUAL DATE BABY WAS BORN? March 29th. We found out he was going to be a boy and thought it would be the best April Fools joke if he came out a girl. Maybe this is why he chose to join us earlier?!
DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? One week, but just the nausea.
WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Bean Burritos.
WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Microwave pop corn. I still have a reaction to walking in that aisle of grocery stores. Also, Target was a nightmare to go in.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy. I remember the day we found out. Jeff was stricken. He vowed to start the emergency fund for hospital visits that very day. :) Oddly enough, Kai isn't the one who hurts himself in his daring things. Kade is more likely to.
Our precious boy.
DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? Nope!
HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? A whoppin' 50!
DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, friends at work held one for me. Diane organized one up in Yreka for friends and family.
WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? They told me when and where...
DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? Spotted in the third month. Was in the Army at the time. I went in on a Saturday, very concerned. The Dr. on duty told me I was "just aborting" and that I should come in on Monday to fully complete the job. Nice weekend it turned out to be. I was distraught the whole weekend. I went to the OB/GYN on Monday and he said I was fine.
WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula
HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Water broke 12 hours before contractions even started. So, I was induced. Didn't want to be, though.
WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Jeff.
WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Jeff and my Mom, Dr. Walker and the nurses.
WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Vaginal.
DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes. I waited a long time, though. The pitocin was more than I could handle on my own.
HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 7 lbs. 4 oz.
WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? 7:04pm. The night the UCONN Huskies won the NCAA.
WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Kai Sebastian
HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 9
Dr. Walker argued with Jeff about whether he would take this picture with Jeff wearing the ears. Jeff wore them throughout the whole labor. It was a great reminder to smile and breathe. I couldn't ask for a better man.
In honor of Beth...and because I wanted to include my second birth.
WAS YOUR Second PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes. We charted and planned very closely.
WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes.
WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Elation
HOW OLD WERE YOU? 32
The day Kai heard Kade's heartbeat.
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Since we charted, we knew when my temps didn't go down. We had to wait for the tests to work. Was difficult to wait!
WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? The man waiting at the door of the bathroom...Jeff
DUE DATE? August 30th
ACTUAL DATE BABY WAS BORN? September 7th. The midwife didn't tell me that the birth would naturally be delayed if there was still a nursling. It wouldn't have changed how we did things, just would have been good to know. I tandem nursed them for over 2 years. Best decision I made - fit very well with our family.
DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? I couldn't cook *and* eat what I made. So, the first months, Kai and I went out for breakfast. Jeff did the cooking from then on out so that I didn't have to cook dinner. I did get to the point of being able to fix breakfast for myself, though....eventually.
In disguise...
WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Had bacon every day for the first few months. When I could fix myself food I had a sandwich made of toast with cream cheese and a fried egg with spicy mustard. This I craved every day. Chocolate, too, but I'm not sure that was related to the pregnancy! Especially since I still have that craving. (Are you reading Jon?)
WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Microwave pop corn. I still have a reaction to walking in that isle of grocery stores. Also, Target was a nightmare to go in. Cooking meat.
WHAT WAS YOUR Second CHILD'S SEX? Boy. By this time Jeff was pleased with it. We had our girl in Annie!
DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? I knew they were who I was intended to have, so no.
HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? A whoppin' 50 again! I was thinner straight on than when I turned sideways.
Ready at 8 plus months.
DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, friends held one for me. In hind sight, though, I would have just had the party without having friends gift. It was very sweet of them, though, and we did appreciate it very much.
WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? They included me in the plans, somewhat.
DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? We were blessed to have a complication free pregnancy.
WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? We welcomed Kade into our lives in our living room. I would do a water birth again. Right now!
HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Water broke 12 hours before contractions even started. This time I wasn't worried and trusted my body to take care of things. I had an awesome Midwife team in Tosi and Claudia of Birthstream Midwifery. I went from 3 cm to birthing in 3 hours. I didn't really start laboring until I let go...which is when I stepped into the warm water. Things moved quickly after that.
WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? They arrived with the trough (yes you read right) around noon.
WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Jeff, Claudia and Tosi.
WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Water birth and vaginal.
DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? No. I didn't feel pain until his shoulders got stuck. Then, for only a few minutes.
HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 7 lbs. 2 oz.
WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? 4:00 in the afternoon.
WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Kade Nathaniel
HOW OLD IS YOUR Second BORN TODAY? 7
A sweet kiss from Kai to Kade.
****
After much time, we rented Love Actually. I so enjoyed this show! Jeff was good enough to watch it with me the second time, and he seemed to genuinely enjoy it. We are still laughing at some of the scenes. It's been a great conversation piece! We especially liked the deleted scenes. So, if you haven't seen those, I recommend them. I especially like the deleted scene of Liam Neesen and Thomas Sangster.
This is a movie I will enjoy sharing with others. There is something to be said for watching other people laugh and enjoy something.
****
Gratitude is something I try and express at least once a day and trying to make it last as long in the day as I can. I find this makes life so much more enjoyable! I don't know, often, what the day will bring. Gratitude helps me weave in and out of the projects and responsibilities I come in contact with on a regular basis. So why am I writing about it now? Because I feel so much joy at having these wonderful kids that challenge me, I am grateful for the friends in my life that spice things up and nudge me to see a bigger world, and I am grateful I have a soul mate who loves me and wants to be with me. Yes, gratitude is good.
Along these lines, I try and feel the gratitude for other, simpler things. Somewhere in my blog following I came across a post that talked about having a window they enjoyed sitting by when the sun was warming the spot. I have a window like this. It's in the kitchen, and I love to sit here in the afternoons. I'm including the picture for you. Soon it may become my little garden window.
I'm going to publish this now, even though there is more to say. If I don't I may never get something posted!!
There are many, many thoughts I want to put down in this blog post, so it's going to be all over the place!
Oh, before I forget. Here is Kade's boy made from his pokemon cards...note the pokemon comic book on the couch that Kade had been "looking at" (reading really, but he wont call it that).
****
We have been doing something similar to Ronnie (see her #5) and have been shutting off the computers when not in use. Since we have been home so much, it is mostly at night. Anyway, the boys really enjoy being responsible for the whole 'shut down' routine.
The other night as we headed into bed, Kade pauses at the door and says, "Mama, wouldn't it be funny if tomorrow when we turn on the computer it tells us to, 'Shut up'?"
****
You know when this normally preferring to be neat person has been busy following many pastimes (her own and helping facilitate others') when the laundry space looks like this:
There are as many clothes on the top of the washer/dryer as there are in the dirty basket and there is a load both in the washing machine and the dryer. Notice the pile of things on the floor? One pile is bedding and in the other pile are the socks that go in the basket by the door. The clothes hanging either need to stay as wrinkle free as possible (nice that they are slammed on that tiny hook!) or need to be ironed for Jeff's work. Ideally, I like to do a load of laundry a day. Fold it and put it away. If I do this, then we all have clothes to wear...in our cubbies. Otherwise...it's to the piles. I have to admit something here...I waited to take this picture until *after* I folded all the clothes. Before, we had been weeding through the absolutely huge pile of clean clothes on the floor in front of the dryer. So huge, in fact, that we had to push it aside to open the door to the bedroom then had to move it back to get to the bathroom! Yikes, you say? Yes.
Another sign is when you fill the dishwasher 3 minutes after you unloaded it. There may even still be dishes left to hand wash because they simply didn't fit in the dishwasher with the rest. There may even be enough to hand wash that when cleaning them you wind up not having enough room in the dish drainer!
****
Happy news for my Bro, Andy. He and his family will be reunited in less than 3 days! This is indeed incredible news. Their house sold in northern California and Diane, Mads and Nick are headed to VI to be a together family! Andy is very much enjoying his new job with benefits...and I can't wait to go see them!
****
There is this baby meme going around on Facebook. I thought I'd take Ronnie's lead and post mine here on the blog. I have included some pictures, just to make it a bit more personable and us.
In honor of Beth...
WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes.
WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? No. Had fun finding the wedding dress while 8 months pregnant...knowing full well I wasn't the first woman - nor will I be the last - to get married with bun-in.
WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Pure joy.
HOW OLD WERE YOU? 29
Kai bun-in for about 6 months.
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Had missed two menses. We found a cartoon with a stone age couple choosing the name of their child by putting papers with letters on them on the wall and throwing darts, blindfolded, at the wall. What ever letters they hit, they were writing down. "Drup" was what they came up with. So, Kai was Drup until we found out his sex through the ultrasound.
WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? Jeff
DUE DATE? April 1st.
ACTUAL DATE BABY WAS BORN? March 29th. We found out he was going to be a boy and thought it would be the best April Fools joke if he came out a girl. Maybe this is why he chose to join us earlier?!
DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? One week, but just the nausea.
WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Bean Burritos.
WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Microwave pop corn. I still have a reaction to walking in that aisle of grocery stores. Also, Target was a nightmare to go in.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Boy. I remember the day we found out. Jeff was stricken. He vowed to start the emergency fund for hospital visits that very day. :) Oddly enough, Kai isn't the one who hurts himself in his daring things. Kade is more likely to.
Our precious boy.
DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? Nope!
HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? A whoppin' 50!
DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, friends at work held one for me. Diane organized one up in Yreka for friends and family.
WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? They told me when and where...
DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? Spotted in the third month. Was in the Army at the time. I went in on a Saturday, very concerned. The Dr. on duty told me I was "just aborting" and that I should come in on Monday to fully complete the job. Nice weekend it turned out to be. I was distraught the whole weekend. I went to the OB/GYN on Monday and he said I was fine.
WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula
HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Water broke 12 hours before contractions even started. So, I was induced. Didn't want to be, though.
WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Jeff.
WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Jeff and my Mom, Dr. Walker and the nurses.
WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Vaginal.
DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? Yes. I waited a long time, though. The pitocin was more than I could handle on my own.
HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 7 lbs. 4 oz.
WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? 7:04pm. The night the UCONN Huskies won the NCAA.
WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Kai Sebastian
HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 9
Dr. Walker argued with Jeff about whether he would take this picture with Jeff wearing the ears. Jeff wore them throughout the whole labor. It was a great reminder to smile and breathe. I couldn't ask for a better man.
In honor of Beth...and because I wanted to include my second birth.
WAS YOUR Second PREGNANCY PLANNED? Yes. We charted and planned very closely.
WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Yes.
WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? Elation
HOW OLD WERE YOU? 32
The day Kai heard Kade's heartbeat.
HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? Since we charted, we knew when my temps didn't go down. We had to wait for the tests to work. Was difficult to wait!
WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? The man waiting at the door of the bathroom...Jeff
DUE DATE? August 30th
ACTUAL DATE BABY WAS BORN? September 7th. The midwife didn't tell me that the birth would naturally be delayed if there was still a nursling. It wouldn't have changed how we did things, just would have been good to know. I tandem nursed them for over 2 years. Best decision I made - fit very well with our family.
DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? I couldn't cook *and* eat what I made. So, the first months, Kai and I went out for breakfast. Jeff did the cooking from then on out so that I didn't have to cook dinner. I did get to the point of being able to fix breakfast for myself, though....eventually.
In disguise...
WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? Had bacon every day for the first few months. When I could fix myself food I had a sandwich made of toast with cream cheese and a fried egg with spicy mustard. This I craved every day. Chocolate, too, but I'm not sure that was related to the pregnancy! Especially since I still have that craving. (Are you reading Jon?)
WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? Microwave pop corn. I still have a reaction to walking in that isle of grocery stores. Also, Target was a nightmare to go in. Cooking meat.
WHAT WAS YOUR Second CHILD'S SEX? Boy. By this time Jeff was pleased with it. We had our girl in Annie!
DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? I knew they were who I was intended to have, so no.
HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? A whoppin' 50 again! I was thinner straight on than when I turned sideways.
Ready at 8 plus months.
DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? Yes, friends held one for me. In hind sight, though, I would have just had the party without having friends gift. It was very sweet of them, though, and we did appreciate it very much.
WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? They included me in the plans, somewhat.
DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? We were blessed to have a complication free pregnancy.
WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? We welcomed Kade into our lives in our living room. I would do a water birth again. Right now!
HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? Water broke 12 hours before contractions even started. This time I wasn't worried and trusted my body to take care of things. I had an awesome Midwife team in Tosi and Claudia of Birthstream Midwifery. I went from 3 cm to birthing in 3 hours. I didn't really start laboring until I let go...which is when I stepped into the warm water. Things moved quickly after that.
WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? They arrived with the trough (yes you read right) around noon.
WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? Jeff, Claudia and Tosi.
WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? Water birth and vaginal.
DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? No. I didn't feel pain until his shoulders got stuck. Then, for only a few minutes.
HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 7 lbs. 2 oz.
WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? 4:00 in the afternoon.
WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Kade Nathaniel
HOW OLD IS YOUR Second BORN TODAY? 7
A sweet kiss from Kai to Kade.
****
After much time, we rented Love Actually. I so enjoyed this show! Jeff was good enough to watch it with me the second time, and he seemed to genuinely enjoy it. We are still laughing at some of the scenes. It's been a great conversation piece! We especially liked the deleted scenes. So, if you haven't seen those, I recommend them. I especially like the deleted scene of Liam Neesen and Thomas Sangster.
This is a movie I will enjoy sharing with others. There is something to be said for watching other people laugh and enjoy something.
****
Gratitude is something I try and express at least once a day and trying to make it last as long in the day as I can. I find this makes life so much more enjoyable! I don't know, often, what the day will bring. Gratitude helps me weave in and out of the projects and responsibilities I come in contact with on a regular basis. So why am I writing about it now? Because I feel so much joy at having these wonderful kids that challenge me, I am grateful for the friends in my life that spice things up and nudge me to see a bigger world, and I am grateful I have a soul mate who loves me and wants to be with me. Yes, gratitude is good.
Along these lines, I try and feel the gratitude for other, simpler things. Somewhere in my blog following I came across a post that talked about having a window they enjoyed sitting by when the sun was warming the spot. I have a window like this. It's in the kitchen, and I love to sit here in the afternoons. I'm including the picture for you. Soon it may become my little garden window.
I'm going to publish this now, even though there is more to say. If I don't I may never get something posted!!
Friday, February 6, 2009
February 6, 1999
Cast of characters:
Bob (best man and good friend of Jeff), Diane (Ginger's sister-in-law) holding Mads, Rich (good friend of Jeff), Andy (Ginger's brother), Barbara (Jeff's mom), Jeff, Annie, Ginger, Laura (maid of honor and good friend of Ginger), Dora (Ginger's mom), Jon (Jeff's step-dad), Auntie Mary (Ginger's paternal Aunt), Uncle Bruce (Mary's man), Chet (Ginger's dad) and Lori (friend of Ginger)
I have listed this because I didn't label any of the pictures in the slideshow below so as to keep it under 5 years long! This way you can pause and see the names of some of the crowd. Also, remember to pause the music on the side bar, for the slideshow does have music.
It was an incredible day. Rich brought the lei's with him from Hawaii. We were blessed that so many traveled so far to be there.
I especially love the 3 pictures where Annie has balloons tied to her hair. Also seeing Anne and Paul Benton; Annie's mom, Jan; Dorothea and Kirk (who mean more than they could ever realize); Jim and Jeannette, and so many more. We had the ceremony and the reception in a restaurant I had worked in called Tarpy's Roadhouse. The rehearsal dinner was at Stoke's Adobe (which Kirk and Dorothea own) and was incredible. If you ever are in Monterey, CA, go there! What a spectacular day...one I still savor; bask in the warmth of emotion. I may write more later. I just want to say how much I love our friends and family!
And how grateful I am to have found Jeff.
Jeff and Ginger on their wedding day February 6, 1999 from Beachbum on Vimeo.
10 years
of marriage and still happy he is my man! Thank you, sweetie, for all the fun times. We make a great gypsy couple!
I think I'll add this photo...heehee
I think I'll add this photo...heehee
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Tonight we have weather
Special weather statement came through : damaging winds, possible hail, heavy rain, lightning strikes to the ground. So where is my husband? Well, he is out on the patio, waiting to see it all. How strange it is to see this man who is usually so safe, be fascinated by strong weather.
Now, when I met him, he didn't enjoy walking in the rain. We then lived in Monterey. Although it doesn't rain a ton, it does rain during the winter months. I kept saying : I don't melt. Finally he stopped asking if I really wanted to go out. Now...somehow this means he can and should be in weather.
When in TN, he used to love sitting on the porch swing and just watch it pour down. There is nothing like that.
Tonight he was outside. Very fascinated and was almost disappointed we didn't get the hail. We did see the interstate on a mandatory slow down - with highway patrol setting the pace. At least we know they have systems in place to help keep the drivers safe.
Proof of rain today...
Tonight I finally got a chance to work some Mendhi magic. I am interested in researching the 5 petal rose...it's supposed to have mother earth goddess symbolism attached to it. Shall research it more. Here is my version.
Now, when I met him, he didn't enjoy walking in the rain. We then lived in Monterey. Although it doesn't rain a ton, it does rain during the winter months. I kept saying : I don't melt. Finally he stopped asking if I really wanted to go out. Now...somehow this means he can and should be in weather.
When in TN, he used to love sitting on the porch swing and just watch it pour down. There is nothing like that.
Tonight he was outside. Very fascinated and was almost disappointed we didn't get the hail. We did see the interstate on a mandatory slow down - with highway patrol setting the pace. At least we know they have systems in place to help keep the drivers safe.
Proof of rain today...
Tonight I finally got a chance to work some Mendhi magic. I am interested in researching the 5 petal rose...it's supposed to have mother earth goddess symbolism attached to it. Shall research it more. Here is my version.
in keeping with my promise to myself
I am grateful to be able to wear these right now.
Yesterday I wore these:
Today I'm wearing these:
I think I'll alternate each day... Now I just have to make a change in my wardrobe to fit with the shoes. I'm having fun.
Yesterday I wore these:
Today I'm wearing these:
I think I'll alternate each day... Now I just have to make a change in my wardrobe to fit with the shoes. I'm having fun.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Kai joins the blue belts!
This Saturday, Kai took his belt test. He was excited about the opportunity - and it was the much needed fresh air being blown into his karate sails. So....he actually was given his blue belt today. Jeff was kind enough to take pictures.
Park day
These days are like a rejuvination of spirit. It's hard to explain. They are fun and it's great to see friends and talk and play. But we have also charged our positive emotions and see life with more enthusiasm and enjoyment. Crazy, huh?
Well, Kai and Kade had a blast. Kade managed to play inside a car. Kai managed to play with friends and run and have quite time with those he wished. We missed some of our regulars (you know who you are) but really had fun with those we did spend time with...
Which leads me to this : I have been blessed, yet again, to put henna on a baby belly! Thanks, Jen!! Here are all the pictures she so nicely took...
Anne was at the park with her 3 plus Soren (6 days old)!!!
Well, Kai and Kade had a blast. Kade managed to play inside a car. Kai managed to play with friends and run and have quite time with those he wished. We missed some of our regulars (you know who you are) but really had fun with those we did spend time with...
Which leads me to this : I have been blessed, yet again, to put henna on a baby belly! Thanks, Jen!! Here are all the pictures she so nicely took...
Anne was at the park with her 3 plus Soren (6 days old)!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)