Grounded!

I am having to ground myself.

From reading.

If I have a vice, it is definitely reading way too much. Sometimes, it takes the place of cleaning, sleeping, cooking, interacting with others, paying bills, and all the other things I SHOULD be doing. Sometimes, that's OK. Sometimes, it's excessive.

In the past two days, I've read two books. I've enjoyed them immensely, but I have ignored the rest of the world. With my upcoming vacation, I need to focus a little more on cleaning, packing and organizing the kids. So, I am vowing not to read any more books until Wednesday-when our vacation begins. *Magazines and Internet sources are excluded from my grounding*

If successful, I may tackle my other vice: Pepsi.

Nah, that's just crazy talk.

Lonely Days

My sweet Syd left for soccer camp this morning. She was excited--and a little nervous--but mostly excited. Each morning they will be working on soccer skills, but in the afternoon, they will be canoeing, swimming and learning self-defense techniques. She's excited to practice a few of those on her testosterone-crazed brother.

I have to confess, I MISS her. She isn't my shadow girl (that being Lauren), but she is a quiet source of comfort. During these summer days, we exercise together, then clean the house and take care of the yard. She won't talk your ear off, but I enjoy listening to her little stories and thoughts. She is such a treasure. I think the plants already miss her too. I KNOW the kitchen misses her detailed cleaning (Oh wait, that's just me again missing her.)

I once read that from the moment they are born, we are helping our kids learn how to leave us. Of course, I read that when I had toddlers, and I was just excited for any type independence. But now that real LEAVING is in the near future, that idea holds more weight with me. Except I think they got it wrong.

Maybe its the kids who are teaching us how to let them go...

Small Town 4th of July

You know, I'm a sucker for small towns. I know that they aren't the fanciest, most spectacular places. But I'm always impressed with what they can provide with little resources. The Fourth of July holiday was no exception.

Our celebration began with the parade in Round Valley. The highlight of the day was this giant Statue of Liberty. Wow!
Later in the afternoon, we went out to Lyman Lake for a BBQ with my parents and Kellie's family. My mom always goes "all out"--so we had this fancy set up. It was wonderful for blocking wind. The kids enjoyed skipping rocks, playing catch and searching for anything cool. When it got dark, we were treated to a twenty minute firework show. Not much is more fun than watching fireworks with young kids. Their enthusiasm is contagious.

At church on Sunday, we stood to sing the "Star Spangled Banner". As the congregation belted it out, I thought of how lucky I am to be surrounded by communities that still honor and respect America. The big shots of the world can argue about politics and principles, but here in the little towns of America, we live our beliefs with pride. Without excuses or apologies.

God Bless America!

Jill of all Trades, Master of None

At the end of every school year, I sit down and write a list of all the things I want to accomplish during the summer break. It usually includes a few school related things, a road trip, and a mucking of closets. One thing that has made the list for about 8 years now, is "make a quilt".

I don't have eight quilts now. Just eight lists. A long time ago, I went to Homemaking, where a lady was teaching how to make those fringe quilts. I got all gung ho. I bought all the material, cut out a BUNCH of little squares....and then put them all in a bag in the back of the closet.

You see, I can't sew. At all. In my life, I've made a pair of shorts ( in 8th grade), two baby quilts, an apron, and a table cloth. That's it. I really don't have to. My mom, bless her heart, hems and fixes some things, and Ryan does the rest.

*Side story* I think that's when I knew I was in love... One day, while we were dating, Ryan needed a pair of shorts, so he took some old pants, cut them off, serged the edges and hemmed them. Impressive. Thank goodness his mom taught him how to sew, or he would be out of luck living with me.

Anyway, this past week, I got a wild hair, and decided I was going to make that quilt. In fact, it was also going to be a denim quilt, because they are so darn warm. So, I cut and sewed and pieced and sewed (and ripped out seams) and sewed. And ended up with a not very big quilt. But I kind of like it.

My sidekick, Lauren, declared that she loves sewing, because is "brings people together". (She sat by my side the whole time, cutting thread and pushing the backstitch button). Syd thought it was funny, because she sews better than me. Ryan was proud that I would try something new.

I don't know if I will make another one.

Right or wrong, that seems to be the way I work. I am interested in LOTS of things. I've gone through gardening, toll painting, writing, scrapbooking, (one) quilting, blogging, baking, photography etc. I like them all. But once I've gained a tiny bit of competence, I like to move on to the next thing. I don't think I'm looking for any particular hidden talent, I just like to say that I've "done that". On the other hand, unless you are some sort of prodigy, all things take practice and commitment in order to achieve a higher level of success. Some people do that. And do it well. Ryan and Sydney are that way. Thank goodness the world needs all of us.

So now, I will mark off "make a quilt" on my list. I do have enough material to make another one if I want to. But for me, part of the excitement is coming up with a new thing to learn.

I better update my list...

The Big Day

Liz and Jake's Wedding was Friday evening. All of my kids played a small part in the festivities. Lauren was one of the gift collectors. Which really translates to "the best dressed girl playing somewhere on the grass".

Syd and her friends were the invaluable kitchen and serving help. Which translates to "absolutely wonderful girls that worked their tails off". And later danced their tails off.

Cade was the best man and in Lauren's eyes, also the best brother.

Do You Ever Think About Pioneers

Now, me, I like playing on my computer, sitting under the air-conditioner and drinking Pepsi. While I have experienced pain, it is not something I go out and look for. (And then call it fun).

But Ryan and Syd, they are a different story.

First, Sydney. You know how your heels split when they get dry? Maybe it's just me... Anyway, the ball of Syd's foot split open a few months ago. We tried to keep her feet cushioned, lotioned and pampered. She has used super glue to keep it together most of the time. Well I guess is wasn't working. For better or worse (usually worse in my mind) she likes to take things into her own hands. No asking for help from this girl!

A couple days ago, she came into my room and announced that she has sewn her foot back together. Yeah, you heard me. SEWED the cut in her foot. As in, needle, thread and ice (to numb it). Sure enough there were about four little stitches in her foot. She has since taken it out, but it did give it time to heal the deeper part of the cut. I'm still in shock. And a little nauseated.



Ryan's pioneer adventures began when he went out last weekend to hunt buffalo. Now, I really don't know how to properly describe the finer points of hunting and stalking buffalo. So let me just skip to the best parts.

The second day of hunting, Ryan and Quinn crossed the tracks of a herd of buffalo. They tracked them, and found a herd of about 20 animals. They watched them for about two hours, mostly just appreciating the animals. Ryan picked out one of the bigger ones (an old cow without a calf) and shot it. After Ryan killed it, he and Quinn pulled back to gather their stuff and make sure it was dead. Approaching the animal, they were surprised to find that the rest of the herd had formed a barrier between the dead animal and the hunters. Ryan and Quinn tried to yell and whistle to scare them off, but instead, the herd charged! They chased Ryan and Quinn halfway up a hill before giving up the chase to regroup around the buffalo again. After more yelling the buffalo finally moved on and let Ryan get up to the kill. It wasn't until then that he looked down and realized he never tied his shoes that day.

Wouldn't it have been unfortunate if his epitaph had read, "Gored by a buffalo with his shoes untied"?!

After that, I'm just glad he's still around (and I will soon have lots of meat in my freezer).

My New Rule

Wouldn't the world be so pretty (handsome) if all boys had to wear tuxedos?

But then I guess I would have to wear something besides shorts and T-shirts.

Still....