Life's Little Lessons...

I think the glowing ring of planet Saturn looked lovely around our home - however, there are limits.  Explaining that sidewalk chalk and 'side-house' chalk are two different categories, isn't always easy with a kindergarten-er.  I was hoping the big storm would melt the artwork away...but no luck.

So it was with a scrub brush and a large bucket of soapy water that took all the evidence away before daddy's return home.  Don't you wish all our mistakes could just be washed away so easily...?

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road -- and Other Winter Wonders

Georgia, The Fearless Chicken

Why did the chicken cross the road?  Because she was southern and had work to do on the other side.  Meet Georgia (or so I've dubbed her).  She's a little, black and white hen found pecking on one of the four corners of this 55mph intersection near our home.  (Only in the South)...  She's obliviously to any danger around her, and when you think about it, there's not many predators that would care to stalk under such conditions...but Georgia isn't bothered.  Her head is down, working hard, doing her daily routine.  Each day I find her alive I laugh with joy.  She is a wonder to me as she embraces every morning with a goal and ignores the road blocks around her.

I continue to be tickled and pleasantly pleased with the wonders and happenings of our winter season - here in the good ol' South.  The 11th of December is our oldest son's birthday and the start of our festivities.  Luke continues to be our steady anchor, and we are very proud of his excellent grades.  

Despite his chaotic sleep schedule, he managed to ace every final and continues to hold the house record as the fastest controller in the south-east. We don't know how he does it, but are grateful he is enjoying school..finally.

The day after is our Wedding anniversary, and although we were married December 12, we tend to celebrate October 12 (the day we met).  A couple days after, Bailey and Marshall arrived from Washington state.  We had them sneak into Toby's school Christmas party and he was beyond excited to see them!  Bailey was happy to visit his old elementary school -- but Chimene was a bit staggered to see how many teachers remembered who Bailey was....he seems to leave an...unforgettable impression...shall I say? (we love you Bailey).

Christmas passed peacefully and the visit with the boys much too quickly.  It was nice to have Marshall here and at times it felt like he had never left his place in front of the PS-3.

What is wrong with this picture?  Nothing.  That was the bewildering truth of it.  When I asked these two pre-arch-enemies if they would sit together for a pic, they both agreed simultaneously -- so the winter wonders continued. (By the way, Tate did great in her school play 'A Christmas Carol'. )

Tobes and Ryan

Our county school system allowed for 3 weeks and 3 days of holiday this year -- however, as many of you know, a few days before school was to start back, Georgia was given a very white and unexpected winter.  While most of us mums were looking forward to the return of sanity, we had to hold out an extra week.  Our state is not a snow ready place, so only the brave and four-wheel'n could get out and around safely.  

MrChckn

Matthew was one of the few who could make it into the operations center at AT&T.  I still don't know how he managed to work a 48hr shift, collect workers from their homes, pick up and bring in meals for everyone and even help an old man in a new mercedes out of the snow...but he did.  He was home for precisely 4 hours of rest, then back out again.  I love my motorcycle racing, hockey playing, hard working Sailor hubby!  He reminds me of Georgia the chicken -- (I think his nickname of 'mrchckn' is more fitting then ever now.)

Monster Jams

I often wish I could hibernate through winter, (and some would argue that I do).  I've had myself square in-front of my sewing machines, sewing Toby's summer clothes (and a pair of pajamas) and completely blocking out the many to-do lists (which includes cleaning house and obviously updating our blog).  I tend to get immersed in things and forget to come up for air now and then.  But what's really amazing, is that my husband just tells me to keep doing what makes me happy.  I think perhaps, Toby might be wearing summer clothes earlier then we think...the weather report says about 70 degrees today (that's about 21 c to my British friends)  just 2 days before the end of January -- now that's a wonder! 

All is well.  My heart is full...and I found more chickens on the side of the road. Remember, no matter how hard life gets, keep your head down..and just keep pecking...?

To Market, To Market to Buy a Fat Pig...

...Home again, home again, jiggity, jig.  My mom often reminds me when I haven't been posting on Kirkpatricks and Co.  Despite what you may think, not every day around here is as noteworthy as others might think.

As I hear my husband's shower begin around 4:20 a.m. I somehow slide (our bed is quite high and with my short legs you can take the slide part literally) out of bed.  I stumble in the dark and manage to find my croc slippers and with more fumbling my robe.  By 4:30 am the kitchen is purculating with Matthew's coffee and there are 2 large eggs slowly frying in a small bit of butter.  By 4:40 I'm joined at the counter by my freshly showered husband who is enjoying his eggs, toast, large glass of 2% milk with everything dunked in his favorite "Sweet Baby Ray's" Barbecue sauce (yuck for me too).  On the weekends he gets hash browns and Turkey Bacon with that.  By 4:50 Matthew is downing the last bite, and with a complimenting smack to his lips he tells me "I'm Hung" (as a thank you for the breaky) and kisses me goodbye.  He is trailing his lunch in hand that I have somehow managed to make in-between the short conversation between 4:40 and 4:50.

For the next 10 minutes I sip my cocoa and relax by emptying the dishwasher and drainer.  As 5 a.m. rolls along I start Tatum's shower and gently wake her.  By 5:20 I am banging on the bathroom door telling her to save some hot water for her brother and hurry up (this time not so gently).

6:10 finds two teenagers eating homemade pancakes (or French Toast) - Luke with his maple syrup and Tate with her boysenberry.  By 6:30 lunches and gatorade are shoved into backpacks and a rush for the trunk as 1 guitar, 1 extremely large purse and 2 very heavy backpacks are thrown into it.  Toby is half asleep and securely fastened in his carseat.  Big sister is curled up next to him moaning, "poor thing" and covers him with his blanket.  The two pampered teens are then off on the bus and now it's Toby's turn to get ready.

While Toby sits blurry-eyed on the sofa, I warm the last half of my cocoa on the 30sec microwave cycle and try and get 10 more minutes of solitude.  10 minutes goes by so fast.  While the little guy is eating his pancakes, I try and sneak a load of laundry in.  Before we know it it's 7:40 and we're off collecting our next door neighbor (and Toby's best friend).   


The day is filled with errands, more laundry, cleaning, grocery shopping, cooking, baking, sewing, blogging, doing bills etc.  Then the whirlwind starts all over as school is nearly over and there are children to collect from clubs, girlfriends and other after school activities.  There is dinner, dishes, homework and yes...somehow, more laundry...and more dishes.

So you see...our days probably aren't much different then your own.  I thought though, that I might share with you my recipe for my homemade laundry detergent (yes, I make my own -- surely you do too..?  After you milk the cow, right?  The children and I seem to be sensitive to a lot of soaps and so this has really helped:

1 Bar Fels Naptha grated
1 Bar Ivory Soap grated
2 cups Washing Soda (not baking soda)
2 cups Borax

Mix together in a large container.  I have a rather large front loader, so I use a slightly heaping 1/2 cup in the drum BEFORE I put the laundry in.  I also use the warm cycle (hot for towels and whites).  This has made our clothes quite clean and fresh smelling -- and it's easier on the septic system (and pocket book) too.  (4 cups of Ivory Soap Flakes would be ideal in place of the bar soaps, but it's nearly impossible to find these days).


There you go.  Just a day in our life. X  (I promise I'll try and have a story for you soon).

Under the Weather

It's something I don't like to talk about.  I've been in denial these past 2 weeks, but the fact is I've gone through two very big boxes of kleenex tissue and I'm starting to get irritable.  I keep telling my body I'm ready to be 100%, but perhaps my ears are still clogged.  This little bug just lingers, and like an uninvited guest in our home, I keep telling it to leave -- but politely.

Matthew was very sweet.  He brought home these flowers, along with some juice and other medicinal items on day one...and if I had been feeling better I would have taken a pic when they first arrived -- but here they are at 2 weeks.  Nice of them to linger with me through this.  Thank you darling! X

Gum Drop Blues

I am forcing a smile on my face today.  I'd like to think that I am easily adaptable to change, but as the summer for us is ending and the new school year begins, I feel that heavy remorse setting in -- as I say goodbye to one warm season and hello to another.  

I guess it's not really "Hello"....its more like an ostrich squawking and sticking his (her) head in a hole -- trying to hide from all the forced transformation around me.  And while in that dark hole, I managed to find a rather large package of gumdrops that I had bought some time ago...and I ended up popping them in my mouth, thinking the bright colors and sugar might make me feel happy...which they didn't...

Our youngest starts Kindergarten tomorrow.  The MSS (Martha Stewart Syndrome) took control as I prepared and followed the extensive student supply list.  As we waited until the last possible minute to register our child, I could not order the nice school labels in time and ended up making a set of my own.

I was feeling ahead of the game and relieved to be caught up with things.  Then our neighbor Christie called to borrow eggs and milk and happened to ask if I was ready for tomorrow.  I explained I was and proudly revealed how I had even labeled all the student supplies....which apparently was a mistake -- because apparently I'm not suppose to label them-- because apparently it's all thrown into a big sharing bin...and I will just stop there before I begin a not so comfortable conversation...

It's been a day of preparation.  I surprised Miss Tate when she arrived home from a Family Home Evening night at church with some t-shirts.  Tate had drawn a number of nice pictures this summer, so I copied a few of them onto transfers and ironed them on.  Yay!  She loves them.  

Portrait of 'Dr. Who' by Tatum Garrison

Can you tell who else she loves???


Matthew called to check on me and told me (as usual) that everything was going to be okay.  I looked outside the back french door and spied 2 sets of dove feeding in our garden.  What a very peaceful reminder that all is well and my heart is full.  Change is good and we must always keep moving forward -- even when it moves a bit too fast. X

Playing with Play Lists

Me in my Jeanie Jams

I got side-tracked this morning.  There are a hundred things that need tending to.  I thought that I'd quickly add a play list to the blog...and then three hours later I was still playing around with it.  I decided to create an 'Oldies' list, which not only brought on memory after memory, but kept making me think of song after song.

Opening gifts with brother, Renny

When Renny and I were little, we'd spend hours in the family room listening to mom's old albums.  We'd get on the big coffee table and dance like we were on T.V.  HA-HA!  (Of course, mom was NOT home).  But I do have very clear memories of my mom coming in the family room and dancing along with us (not on the table).  I remember thinking, "Wow, she's good."

Me, Renny and best friend Mike Banks (neighbor)

So the better part of my day has been filled with music and merry memories of two little latchkey children (when latchkey wasn't a bad word). X

P.S.  Adjust the playlist volume or turn it off by going to the bottom right-hand corner.  Or just put your computer on mute.

Oh, and if you'd like me to add an 'oldie', then tell me in a comment. :-)

Picnic in the Park

I had a few errands to do in my old neighborhood, so to pass some time in-between meetings, I took Tobes to the park near our old home.  He really enjoyed a larger space to ride his bike around.  His legs got plenty of exercise too.  He thought to bring a ball along, but after peddling several times around the green and playing on the playground, he lost interest.

It was such a hot day with medium humidity for our area.  I know it can (and will) worsen as dead on summer hits.  Even sitting in the shade, I felt myself dwindling and the energy was quickly sapped from me.  

I saw a couple of gung-ho, 'I need to get in shape now' joggers who were obviously already delusional from the heat.  Exerting even half the energy they were (at their age)  in the South's full blasted sun can seriously dehydrate you.  I had my 1/2 gallon of pomegranate lemonade and was getting really annoyed at the thought of having to use it to pour over their heads in an effort to bring them back to life.  Thankfully after a couple rounds they thought better and opted to sit in the shade after a long bout at the drinking fountain.
 

Every now and then a breeze came through, as did Tobes, stopping for more liquid and a piece of watermelon to cool him down every 10 minutes or so.  After two hours of sweating in the shade I called it quits.  We stopped at 'ColdStone Creamery' afterwards.  I had a mango smoothie and Tobes had mango sorbet.  I wish I never discovered these.  I'm getting very addicted to the mango pineapple mixture.

We met daddy at the rink from there.  Having a birthday didn't stop him from attending his game.  He loves to play and keep in shape.  Toby loves to watch him -- so do I ;-) , but we had to leave early.  I was exhausted and still needed to get the birthday cake taken care of...but I don't know why.  

When I tried to light the candle, Matthew would blow it out in less then a second.  On my third attempt he stole the lighter stick from me and ran off with it.  I need some of his energy.  The children found it quite humorous, and I just heaved a loud sigh -- life is NEVER boring.

Sunday was equally warm and just as nice for Father's Day.  Matthew loved the meatballs with BBQ sauce along with fried rice and corn.  Toby drew a picture and taped it on the door for him.  Most of the older kids were in a stupor, as with summer they have lost complete track of time and tend to forget what day and what hour it is.  Matthew is such a wonderful, patient father.  He cares deeply for each one of them and truly deserves a medal.  My favorite quote for father's is:

The best thing a father can do for his children, is love their mother.  

We're good :-).  All and all it's been a great week. X

80's Romance

I've been hearing 80s songs all week.  Rolling down the isles of my favorite Asian food market, I sang to Cyndi Lauper's Change of Heart, and it hasn't stopped since.  Here's Matthew the other day after asking him to play me something romantic.  He plays by ear, so he has to have the music on.  Is there any woman who doesn't love this song?  Sigh...It is Soooo romantic.

I'm so glad the piano gets some use -- and just as glad Matthew talked me out of selling it.  Hopefully Toby will be on it soon with lessons.  I love music...and my romantic husband. X

Calm and Clean

Photo by: The Big Harumph's

I've been doing a lot of cleaning out tonight.  Life has been so busy lately that I've neglected our family blog.  Between accepting requests for posting and product reviews on Just for Jack, and taking care of the home and children, I feel a bit dizzy and 'un-centered' at the moment.  It's funny, but I find organizing gives me such a calming affect.  That probably sounds nauseating to some, but for me it's therapy.  It's just that when everything is a muddle in the home, then it becomes a muddle in my head.  And somehow tidying up the home, begins to tidy up my head.

Oh well...nevermind.  We've also been trying to settle up plans for our time in Devon.  I think I've finally figured out the bulk of it (see how that cleaning has taken effect already?).  In the meantime, I know many of you have been asking about Sunny.  We have finally found him a lovely home.  Noah's Ark is an animal rehabilitation center.  When I first phoned in they didn't think they could take him, but the next morning the Ark called and said they had permission to place him at the center.  I thought it was funny how a simple little gosling got so much attention among these exotic animals.  I think he'll be just fine now.  (I still find remnants of him from time to time if you know what I mean.) It would seem Sunny is also feeling calm and organized as well.

Here is a funny clip of an Ostrich that was swooning over Matthew.

Yard Work

We haven't named him yet...but he is part of the family now.

That 'Green' thing up there is Matthew's answer to our new above ground sprinkler system.  He's wanted to buy it for over a year now and finally gave into his consumer spending.  

It is very colorful and Toby is quite fond of it.  It's called the "John Deere Traveling Sprinkler" and it does drive around, above the grass, swishing water about at an even pace.  Nice and 'inconspicuous' isn't it...?  Toby and friends had a good time running through it's wide range of spray -- however, their fun was stopped early when it started to storm..we've had a pretty steady flow of rain ever since -- figures. 

(Toby wanted his haircut like Marshall's)

Grandma and Grandpa will be on their way soon, to visit us here in the South.  Toby is extremely excited.  In preparation, Matthew and the boys have been tidying the yard.  Matthew is a bit surprised at my lack of assistance in the garden area.  It's never been my strong point -- not that it couldn't be...I just feel there is so much left to be done inside, and I can only concentrate my efforts on one thing at a time. 

Besides, once I get my hands on the garden -- It will look like a cross between an English courtyard and a Japanese Park -- I have too much vision at times.  There are moments when I can see it so clearly, that I almost forget it hasn't been done yet!

Marshall, Bailey and Toby helped out though -- well, Toby tried.  Sunny was right along beside them most of the day, although I failed to get a picture of that.  Shame.



I think they all did a lovely job -- even without me. ;-)

I especially love the flowers Matthew planted by the letterbox for me.  X

And little Miss Tate has been working hard on her math in prep for her EOCT that begin today!

Take Two

There's a little baby goose curled up on my feet, sleeping and coo-ing as I write this.  Yes, Sunny is back.  Matthew went to check on him the next afternoon (you know, after I wrote that heart warming, tear jerking dedication to Mother Earth and Father Sky).  

He was found several yards away from the rest of the geese.  Turns out he was abandoned and treated very uncivil in my opinion.  So most of my days since have been spent sneezing and wiping up after this fluffy MONSTER.  No, he's good.  He's just a goose after all.  He played in the rain yesterday, while Matthew and Bailey worked in the Yard.

Life has been moving right along.  Tatum celebrated her 16th Birthday and shortly after I had a lovely Mother's Day dinner with my family.

I now have 2 bionic eyes, as my surgery was completed.  Dr. Levine was very good.  It's nice to see clear again.  

Toby asked me a question yesterday, and maybe you can help him answer it.   He was talking about what he was going to do when he grew up and in mid sentenced he stopped, looked at me and said, "Mommy, where am I going to find a wife?"

At Thai Restaurant

Oh yeah, Matthew thought y'all might want to see where he works..