Spring Quarter

I sometimes feel that people look down on you for being a non traditional student. I also feel that going to school and getting a good education is the best thing that I can do for my family, and as an example to Lib. I give kudos to stay at home moms, but in all truth we could just not make it at this point if I was not working, and working towards something better. People tell me that we could cut back, and I am sure we could, I just do not think I would be happy if we could not have things like our Cosi membership, our one week a year at the Beach, and even having the money to go out of town to visit family and friends. I am too deep in the school loan cycle to not go to the finish line.

This quarter I am taking a cultural diversity class for educators, a computer technology class for teachers, and 19th century Latin American History. The cultural diversity class should be the most interesting. It really makes you question how you see yourself, and other people. Our first assignment was to reflect on our first experience that you recognized as being different than you. I remember visiting my mom's step sister in Columbus in the 1982, I was three. Her husband was black, but what I recall was his hair, not his skin. He had a huge Afro. I remember thinking how cool and puffy his hair was. It was not until several years later that I realized he was black. Many times we say that we do not see color. I think the world would be a much better place if we all saw color and embraced our differences as individuals and as groups instead of pointing them out.

Day one, week one down, eleven weeks to go....

If anyone was wondering Alvin and the Chipmunks was cute, oh and my neighbor has MRSA, I will be cleaning our house some more.

Blooms and Butterflies

Today we visited the Bloom and Butterflies exhibit at Franklin Park Conservatory. Mike's parents came down and we all went together. It was a surprise for his mom, and she really was surprised. The butterflies were just magical. Fluttering everywhere, landing here and there, and the beautiful coloring.





This Blue Morpho landed on Libby's coat and was content there for at least ten minutes.









The conservatory also had a train exhibit set in three climates the desert, the Himalayan mountains, and the rain forest. They had scale models of some of the most famous architecture in the world. We saw the Taj Mahal, the Great Pyramid, and my favorite Hagia Sophia, among others. Hagia Sophia was built by Justinian in Constantinople, and is one of the earliest Christian churches. Even after the fall of empire it was saved and used as a Mosque. Today it still stands as a museum. Although we are not Muslim I find true appreciation for the preservation of the building and the phenomenal blue mosaics inside.

We then traveled to a couple of tool stores that Libby and I suffered through. We did find some black granite to put in front of the fireplace. Now we just have to find a weekend to do it.

We then went to Hoggy's for a early dinner. If you have never been to a Hoggy's you should go. It is really good BBQ. Mike had brisket and I had pulled pork. The best part is the corn bread. I could eat that for dessert.

Now we are at home for a quiet evening to watch Alvin and the Chipmunks... which for the rest of you comes out on video this week.

A few of my favorite things

Soooo, Mike gave me Bare Esceuntuals make up for Christmas, you know the Bare Minerals stuff from the infomercial late at night. He picked mine up at Sephora at Polaris. I had asked for along with my super duper lighted tweezers, but I did not think he would really spend that on make up with out me there.

At first I did not like it. It takes a little while to get the technique down. Swirl, tap, and buff is not as easy at it looks. Fast forward three months later... I love it. It covers without being heavy, and it looks natural. Best of all it evens out my skin. I am doomed to break out for the rest of my life, after all my dad is sixty and still does. Imagine my excitement yesterday when I noticed that Target is now carrying the box sets! Hopefully I get some more party gigs soon so I can add to my collection.

In addition to my makeup love, I also love dressy Libby in cutesy stuff. Tomorrow I am going to attempt to construct her a pillowcase dress.



I have some great vintage Wizard of Oz fabric. I hope it turns out cute.


Also in my quest for cuteness I have renewed my love for smocked clothing. I figure I only have another year or so to dress her in this stuff, and the great part is, SHE LOVES THEM! Daddy does not, says they are dorky, oh well, I'm the one who buys most of his clothes any way.







All in all we are enjoying spring break. We are having a friend over to play this afternoon. I have most of the house clean. I hope it stays sunny so we can play outside. Tonight I am going to finish my lesson plans for the rest of the school year. I think I work at one of the few places that requires lesson plans a month at a time. In every public school it seems you can turn them in the week before, or even Monday that week. Since we do not make our own copies either it is nice that everything is done. My one complaint is I often over plan, and then I never get to the things I want to. Oh well, only nine weeks left.

Battle of the Bulge, Part Duex

Several months ago I posted that I was starting Weight Watchers again.... well that was a miss fire.

I started again this morning, and I have had a fairly good day. That was until we watched Modern Marvels, it was about Krispy Kream doughnuts. Now I am craving SWEETS!

I will subject myself to a public humiliation as a means of motivation.

Weight: Well you must think I am nuts if I am going to share that....
Height: 5'3"
Shirt Size: Large
Pants Size: 16 (oh my, I can not believe I just told the world that)

I also started working out this morning.

Wish me luck to overcome my cravings.

Easter weekend

Jeez ignore my fat face....

Blessing to all on this Easter Sunday. Whether you are Christian or not it is time of figurative and literal renewal for all of us. Their are buds on the trees and tulips popping up around the house. Who cares if it is snowing.

We started our day by planning to go to one church, and then we ended up at another. We attend the Episcopal Church with our neighbors and it was very nice. The lady Libby and I set with was the oldest living member of the church, she was baptized there in 1921. I love spending time with older people as we do not have any living grandparents. We can learn so much from that generation.

After church we walked to Annie's Cheesecake and Tea Room (http://www.anniescheesecake.com/ ) for Easter Lunch. It is a cutesy place, but the food is the best. We feasted on potato casserole, blueberry french toast casserole, eggs, bacon, fruit salad, and Mike had more traditional Easter foods.

We walked a couple of sunny downtown blocks back to the car freezing our bare legs off and went for a little ride out into the country. We then returned home and watched movies and played Webkinz all afternoon. A relaxing day was had by all.

Yesterday morning we attended an Easter Egg hunt at the school. Libby had a good time with her friends, while the other moms and I chatted about the correctness of making a tomb out of paper plates. Some of my students were there too, which was okay. They are at the age where they still think I live at the school. We ran around yesterday afternoon, visited Pawpaw, and had yummy Chipoltle for dinner. Libby used some birthday money to buy American Idol for the Wii so we played that for several hours yesterday afternoon.

Friday night was the monthly girls night out! Yes, that is right folks... we go out once of month sans children and husbands. We ate dinner and had some drinks, and then ventured off to the Orange Carpet. I am glad to report that there is indeed orange carpet on the walls inside. I would not go out all of the time, but once a month is a nice break from the norm. We did not even feel bad doing jello shots on one of the most holy days of the year. Happy Birthday, Melissa!

Parenting...

Why is it that we are so judgemental of other parents? In the secret life of a mom I feel that many women judge others for varied reasons. They work, they stay at home, they are disciplinarians, they are not, they are trendy, they are not, the list could go on and on. I can share the silly joy that I felt when I saw one of those "perfect moms" from preschool that I never saw in an outfit more than once at the pool-- and gasp-- she had cellulite on her legs like the rest of us.

Yesterday we were in Wal Mart and Libby threw a fit. I do not tolerate fits in stores, and therefore we promptly left. Of course Libby was screaming at me like I was a child abductor as I was dragging her out of the store. I could feel the eyes of every mother, woman for that matter burning into my back as I triumphed in my own battle against misbehavior. Instead of feeling confident in my decision, I felt embarrassed. Why? Because they were staring at us.

This was a nice lesson for me, it is okay to discipline, too many parents do not these days, and I can deal with the embarrassment. I can not deal with a naughty sassy child in public, and that is okay.

On a better note, we were able to spend the better half of two hours playing outside this afternoon, and we are going to reattempt the shopping trip this evening. Thank you God for the sunshine!

Five Years....

My little girl turned five years old last week. It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant, and we started the whole process of becoming parents. After five years I have a walking, talking, READING, little thinker. I can remember what an acomplishment it was when at five weeks she held her head on her own, at five months when she was sitting up and teeth were erupting, and now we are at five years. Life truly does pass you by before you have a chance to blink.

We had a crazy and wild princess party to celebrate her special day! Lots of kids, an inflatable tunnel, tons of classic birthday party games. I thought it was nuts, but fun was had by all. Several of our good friends were able to make it too. Thanks for coming in guys if you read this.

With her birthday also comes some sadness. Tomorrow marks the first year since my mom died. How quickly this year has gone. Sometimes I still find myself wanting to pick up the phone to call her, just to hear her voice. As I reflect on five years of my child's life I wonder about the insight that she could give me about raising two girls into adulthood. If this experience has taught me anything it is never take for granted the people that you love. Whether that be family or friends life is too short to hold grudges for long. I am thankful for each day I had with my mom, and for the friendships that she passed on to me. Her dearest friend from childhood has become one of my dearest friends, and Libby's "Miss" Kathie. We may not have Nan anymore, but I am thankful for Kathie in our lives.

I am thankful for my friends for putting up with me. I am thankful for Mike, for his understanding, and for his unconditional love... I have not been an easy person to love this past year.

Oh, and a big public congrats to my dear friends in Utah that are going to be a mommy and daddy! We love you.