tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81056792024-03-13T09:50:58.964-06:00LRHSTarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.comBlogger2033125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-46087142319658664932018-02-26T12:41:00.000-07:002018-02-26T13:38:43.839-07:00Hello again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AVpXXUbhoAE/WpRXQnMhwAI/AAAAAAAAMu4/ywizEVBfaMoxcAy_-fVosiG_jXAfDRFBQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_2920%255B1715%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1320" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AVpXXUbhoAE/WpRXQnMhwAI/AAAAAAAAMu4/ywizEVBfaMoxcAy_-fVosiG_jXAfDRFBQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_2920%255B1715%255D.jpg" width="290"></a></div>
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Last Friday, I was lucky enough to be allowed (expected, even!) to go to Take Your Parents to School Day. There weren't a ton of parents there, as I expected, since one's parents are absolutely the most uncool things possible if you're in Middle School. For some reason, though, Daphne is not completely embarrassed by us yet, and so, I got to go to Art class and English with my 6th grader. I'll take it as long as I can get it.</div>
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A little over a week since the shooting in Parkland, and I admit I was spooked being in a school. I looked around the Art room, one of the few classrooms with windows, and wondered where we would shelter if the unimaginable occurred. Or, was there maybe a door at the end of the hall we could just run out? I forgot to look before the bell rang, and then it was too late. </div>
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After Art we went to English, where I was greeted by Daphne's amazing teacher who told me, not for the first time, that she LOVES my kid. I believe her. She loves all of her students She calls them "mine." I have to admit, I got a little choked up, and thanked her for loving my kid. There are no windows in the English classroom. No closets. No escape routes. Just a locked door. And a teacher who loves her kids.</div>
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I spent a lot of time working in public schools. I was a tutor at in inner city school in Dallas. Two actually. Neither of which had any security to speak of. I subbed at several different schools, from K-12, in a suburb of Dallas, and I also taught Special Ed and worked as a Speech Pathologist in the same district. I loved my kids, too. </div>
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I know from that experience that teachers do more than teach. They also counsel, referee, nurse, discipline, motivate, and sometimes even feed their students. I had to call child protective services more than once. I was stalked briefly by a scary father who suspected I was the one who called CPS. I had to attend meetings and help decide the plans for students with Special Needs. I had to break up fights. I had to console kids who were crying over bullies or bad grades or troubles at home. On top of all that, I had to plan and teach and grade and report. It's a big job.</div>
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When the dismissal bell rang after English on Friday, I went into the locker area with Daphne to get her stuff, and then through the halls to the exit. It was crowded, and loud and chaotic. A lot of the kids were taller than me, so it was hard to see down the hall. And I thought about a shooter. If there had been a shooter at the other end of the hall with a semi-automatic rapid fire assault style weapon, it wouldn't have mattered one bit if I was an armed teacher, adept or not. There were probably 200 kids between me and the end of the hall. The odds of shooting an innocent kid would have been overwhelming in a normal situation, much less in chaos and panic.</div>
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Arming teachers is not the answer. They have enough on their plates. More guns are not the answer. I don't know what the answer is, but it's not those things. We have an opportunity here, and clearly a desire to do something. But we don't have the leadership. If I was in charge, I would immediately set up a task force to study the problem scientifically and come up with rational, reasonable options. I would not cross my arms and pout at Governors who dare to question me. I would not bow to the whims of lobbying organizations. Complicated problems deserve thoughtful open-minded discussion. That seems like such a no-brainer. Sadly, that will not likely happen in a political climate such as this. </div>
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I think I am going to get back to blogging. I'm hoping it will not all be political in nature, but I do need an outlet at times like this. Parkland is heavy on my mind and heart. It didn't have to happen and I'm struggling with that. I can't imagine how those kids are going to feel going back into that school later this week.</div>
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Anyway, hello again, blog. Tomorrow is another day. Maybe I'll post some pictures of puppies or something. </div>
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Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-64324487060043672132016-09-08T09:08:00.001-06:002016-09-08T09:08:46.457-06:00Full Circle<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5KahTvvm5lw/V9F-07gY84I/AAAAAAAAMoo/GTReufayyyA/s640/blogger-image--1536883547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5KahTvvm5lw/V9F-07gY84I/AAAAAAAAMoo/GTReufayyyA/s640/blogger-image--1536883547.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I was in 5th grade, I joined one of those Columbia House record clubs, where you send in a penny and you get 10 records, and then you just have to buy three more "at regular price" before you can then "cancel at any time." Turns out, those record clubs were kind of a scam. Live and learn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the plus side, that is how I ended up with the Eagles' Hotel California record.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can't remember all of the records I got for that penny, or how I chose them. I have a feeling I asked my Uncle Danny for advice about what to choose, because he was a cool teenage drummer at the time. The ones I remember clearly - because they are brilliant - are Hotel California, ELO's Out of the Blue, and Crosby Stills and Nash's CSN record - the one with "Just a Song Before I Go," where they're sitting in the boat on the cover. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This was the time when I really started developing my own opinions about music, and my own personal preferences. I started listening to FM radio, critically. Before that, I just listened to stuff my parents had around, like the Sound of Music soundtrack and Elvis' Blue Hawaii, or whatever they played at the pool or the roller skating rink in the late 1970s (disco and KISS).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hotel California had a huge effect on me. I listened to it over and over, and stared at the album cover for hours. I feel bad for kids today who don't get to experience the joy of the album cover. I'm glad vinyl is making a comeback, although it's clearly more for people like me than for kids, most of whom are happy with their soul-less MP3 technology.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MkjDx2JJdec/V9F-9CM6ktI/AAAAAAAAMo0/_1Mhn1SuKpY/s640/blogger-image-670862556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MkjDx2JJdec/V9F-9CM6ktI/AAAAAAAAMo0/_1Mhn1SuKpY/s640/blogger-image-670862556.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Daphne is starting to develop her own taste in music, although it is, whether we meant it to be or not, strongly influenced by Kevin and me. At least it is for now. She is a classic rock and alternative kid, through and through. She has no tolerance for today's pop music. I try to tell her to be more open minded...it's not ALL terrible. I have to admit I like a little Justin Timberlake now and then. (I am right there with her on Taylor Swift, though. Call me a snob, but just no). But she is all about bands like Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, the Kinks, and so forth, including of course, the Eagles.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">She recently said something to me about how it's not fair that she will never be able to go see all the bands she likes because most of them aren't bands anymore (and a lot of them, sadly, aren't ALIVE anymore), so when I saw that there were still some tickets left for the Don Henley show at Wolf Trap last night, I decided to take her. School night or no school night.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We went with her best friend, Abby, and Abby's mom. We packed a picnic, and got there super early to get good seats on the lawn. And then, it stormed. While we were waiting on line to get in. Fortunately, Abby's mom had four ponchos (!) and we didn't get nearly as wet as everyone who wasn't prepared. And then, the skies cleared.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9ypL-eU-PFc/V9F-_flqqzI/AAAAAAAAMo4/DoAoiW2SKxI/s640/blogger-image-835686749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9ypL-eU-PFc/V9F-_flqqzI/AAAAAAAAMo4/DoAoiW2SKxI/s640/blogger-image-835686749.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And we had our picnic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kMlUVuV1_-Q/V9F-yOXAUKI/AAAAAAAAMok/pDVfudfFq2Y/s640/blogger-image-1919840310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kMlUVuV1_-Q/V9F-yOXAUKI/AAAAAAAAMok/pDVfudfFq2Y/s640/blogger-image-1919840310.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And we watched the show.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--HWjQY6MhlU/V9F-6vgF0xI/AAAAAAAAMow/6KbKEDCy_Vw/s640/blogger-image-684058138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--HWjQY6MhlU/V9F-6vgF0xI/AAAAAAAAMow/6KbKEDCy_Vw/s640/blogger-image-684058138.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My "classic" phone does not take good pictures from far away, but you get the idea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was greatness from start (Seven Bridges Road) to finish (Desperado), and Daphne could hardly stop smiling. Just before the encore, it started to rain again. We took cover under a bridge, but, being the experienced concert-goer that I am, I noticed that the security guards had let their guard down a little, so I grabbed Daphne's hand and we moved into the aisle under the part of the venue that is covered, getting us much closer to the action for the encore. I could tell Daphne was hesitant to be a rule-breaker, but when the first notes of Life in the Fast Lane started, she forgot to care about the rules. So much so, that she even DANCED. Daphne doesn't dance. Ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The next song, ironically, was All She Wants to do is Dance, and at that point it was clear what was coming next. Daphne was giddy, and I almost cried, standing there with my happy little girl, singing all the words to Hotel California with a few thousand other people including Don Henley.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cx36zPixExc/V9F-3r7H71I/AAAAAAAAMos/nZ_xEzuMoA0/s640/blogger-image-1951222915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cx36zPixExc/V9F-3r7H71I/AAAAAAAAMos/nZ_xEzuMoA0/s640/blogger-image-1951222915.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today, she and Abby wore their concert t-shirts to school, just like my friends and I used to do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Full circle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Eventually, Daphne will branch out and discover her own music. Or maybe she will stay on her current path. I'm just happy to be part of it. </div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-65911102536447707972016-09-01T06:45:00.001-06:002016-09-01T06:45:16.908-06:00September<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KK-_EOMO5vc/V8gi3ATba_I/AAAAAAAAMoQ/i91u2zYWdwI/s640/blogger-image-39995501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KK-_EOMO5vc/V8gi3ATba_I/AAAAAAAAMoQ/i91u2zYWdwI/s640/blogger-image-39995501.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just knowing it is September today has done wonders for my mental state. Nothing can suck the life out of a person more than August. But it's NOT August anymore. It's September. And that means running and knitting and pumpkin spiced lattes and apple pie and all kinds of goodness. So let's do this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mq909TJpNrg/V8gi0tRT1ZI/AAAAAAAAMoM/3UCl-qK_o8M/s640/blogger-image-2012180377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mq909TJpNrg/V8gi0tRT1ZI/AAAAAAAAMoM/3UCl-qK_o8M/s640/blogger-image-2012180377.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-2242569694378207052016-03-15T11:19:00.001-06:002016-03-15T11:19:59.729-06:00Cookies and Beer and other Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vpG1TwuxtDo/VuhEPjrHuoI/AAAAAAAAMns/MHz5X1Wzs2g/s640/blogger-image--93146298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vpG1TwuxtDo/VuhEPjrHuoI/AAAAAAAAMns/MHz5X1Wzs2g/s640/blogger-image--93146298.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our last snowfall of the season happened a couple of weeks ago. It was the perfect snow. Really pretty, but not deep enough to have to shovel, and the kids still went to school. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sA3O3o5MJKc/VuhEDSK69rI/AAAAAAAAMnc/-IPWAvru9b4/s640/blogger-image-473366129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sA3O3o5MJKc/VuhEDSK69rI/AAAAAAAAMnc/-IPWAvru9b4/s640/blogger-image-473366129.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I have still been in a big funk about Donald Trump, plantar fasciitis, and now our local school board (who elected these people??!!). But trying really hard to have perspective and focus on the positive. I'm doing my part by voting and wearing my stupid boot and sending emails to the school board, so I feel good about those things, even if they don't seem to have much impact.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There have been some things lately that have gone well.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eUWqjWLlutY/VuhD9Og5uXI/AAAAAAAAMnU/_G2hPwWMwU8/s640/blogger-image-77163634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eUWqjWLlutY/VuhD9Og5uXI/AAAAAAAAMnU/_G2hPwWMwU8/s640/blogger-image-77163634.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The girls had a really fun cookie booth at a local brewery, which beat the heck out of standing out in front of the Giant in the cold. The bartender/brewer came up with beer and cookie pairings, the girls sold a ton of cookies, and I got to eat the best barbeque I've had in a long time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UcAOUE-MJRM/VuhEMtgLcKI/AAAAAAAAMno/ztIXfPTnutk/s640/blogger-image-247748741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UcAOUE-MJRM/VuhEMtgLcKI/AAAAAAAAMno/ztIXfPTnutk/s640/blogger-image-247748741.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Meanwhile, Kev brewed his own beer here at home, which should be ready iin a week or two.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_yuqFS9C_ik/VuhEAN_ZWsI/AAAAAAAAMnY/kirOHk4Bm6Y/s640/blogger-image-70515401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_yuqFS9C_ik/VuhEAN_ZWsI/AAAAAAAAMnY/kirOHk4Bm6Y/s640/blogger-image-70515401.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Girls on the Run has started, and Daphne seems to be enjoying it. The 5K is May 15, and I am hoping to be ready if my feet are better by then. Did I mention how much I hate not being able to run? I hate it. Especially now that the weather is nice. I know it would improve my state of mind.</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v_GoThrw_gs/VuhEJQY4O2I/AAAAAAAAMnk/1-sS_d_GPGQ/s640/blogger-image-1902643530.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v_GoThrw_gs/VuhEJQY4O2I/AAAAAAAAMnk/1-sS_d_GPGQ/s640/blogger-image-1902643530.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cookie season is winding down, and now all that's left to do is collect the last bit of money, choose an activity to spend it on, and deliver cookies to our Gift of Caring donation recipient, Special Love. The girls had a goal of getting 250 boxes donated for them, and ended up selling 270, which is awesome. These cookies will be distributed to families affected by pediatric cancer. The girls really worked hard telling people about Special Love and asking for donations, and the community really responded well. So that's a good thing. Focus on the good things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pvOUT-D-3U4/VuhD6A0yPmI/AAAAAAAAMnQ/-fM5hH5qanI/s640/blogger-image-202941814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pvOUT-D-3U4/VuhD6A0yPmI/AAAAAAAAMnQ/-fM5hH5qanI/s640/blogger-image-202941814.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Plus, one day last week, Daphne gave me this medal. Kev got one, too.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sL6QBvP93LM/VuhEGSjMXwI/AAAAAAAAMng/fkDhBDmwUJo/s640/blogger-image-1788997933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sL6QBvP93LM/VuhEGSjMXwI/AAAAAAAAMng/fkDhBDmwUJo/s640/blogger-image-1788997933.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, I guess not everything is doom and gloom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In fact, next week, I get to go see my family, see my childhood best friend who I haven't seen in over 30 years, and meet a cousin I never knew I had until about a month ago. Good times. Focus on the good.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tales from Indiana coming soon.</div></div></div></div></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-62160119560808736822016-02-25T12:03:00.001-07:002016-02-25T12:03:12.298-07:00Thursday Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bQh1aHh9RfE/Vs9P1kCXDcI/AAAAAAAAMm4/HlZ90y3boEo/s640/blogger-image-1450423560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bQh1aHh9RfE/Vs9P1kCXDcI/AAAAAAAAMm4/HlZ90y3boEo/s640/blogger-image-1450423560.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today, I have the blues. It has been a rough few weeks, and as much as I have been trying to focus on the positive, I'm having a hard time. I must be really naive, but I never in a million years thought there were so many people in this country who could support the asinine and sometimes scary ideas of a clearly terrible human being. Donald Trump is a bad human being. Bottom line. He has no redeeming qualities that I can find. He is not presidential in the least. He is a bully. He is childish. He is an embarrassment. I feel embarrassed to be American in a way that I have never felt before. It's all making my stomach hurt and making me want to burrow into the couch under a really big blanket until someone makes it all go away. All I can do is vote, I guess. But I just feel so sad and disappointed in people and concerned about the state of things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I used to be able to run when I felt bad like this, and it would make me feel a million times better, but I'm still injured and now I have to wear this stupid boot at night for at least three weeks, and after that, I still might not be able to run. So that's got me down, too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-36Q7RZ_02fE/Vs9P7whfwxI/AAAAAAAAMnA/qBR2Ewaqirw/s640/blogger-image-2012827820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-36Q7RZ_02fE/Vs9P7whfwxI/AAAAAAAAMnA/qBR2Ewaqirw/s640/blogger-image-2012827820.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I know, I know. Things could always be so SO much worse. But I'm allowed to take a day off from being everyone's cheerleader now and then. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Over the weekend, we took a couple of days off from everything but fun. We went down to Shenandoah to stay in a cabin and go snow tubing. One of the most fun things I have done in a long time. It was great to be off the grid with my nice little family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-knKDZWXRmQo/Vs9P4vNxoUI/AAAAAAAAMm8/EwO-2tdmfcs/s640/blogger-image-40919600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-knKDZWXRmQo/Vs9P4vNxoUI/AAAAAAAAMm8/EwO-2tdmfcs/s640/blogger-image-40919600.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now that we're back, I am up to my eyeballs in Cookie Season. I can kind of do it in my sleep at this point...it's my 5th year! But it still takes time and energy and coordination, which is hard to manage when you're burrowed into the couch under a really big blanket.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rlUBna7QshQ/Vs9PypyGYSI/AAAAAAAAMm0/Uw6hXax8800/s640/blogger-image--413730527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rlUBna7QshQ/Vs9PypyGYSI/AAAAAAAAMm0/Uw6hXax8800/s640/blogger-image--413730527.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At least it's distraction from politics.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">OK...enough of this. One more hour before Daphne gets home from school and I should use it wisely. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happier things coming soon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-61762529525815352842016-01-28T10:48:00.001-07:002016-01-28T10:48:04.066-07:00Feet Don't Fail Me Now<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p_Fl8TD3_ko/VqpURtOCIaI/AAAAAAAAMmY/dmgenkwaF9U/s640/blogger-image-1420417773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p_Fl8TD3_ko/VqpURtOCIaI/AAAAAAAAMmY/dmgenkwaF9U/s640/blogger-image-1420417773.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rehab has officially begun. I visited a very nice local podiatrist this morning, who gave me an encouraging diagnosis, and hope that I will run again. Stretching, ice, and a month of anti-inflammatory medication, and then we re-assess. I am going to dutifully follow all of his instructions, and hope that I'll get the green light at the end of February to ease back in. Fingers crossed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Daphne wants to do this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f5BXNxYGWQ8/VqpUUx-Di6I/AAAAAAAAMmg/6zW5Vkf163U/s640/blogger-image-1580566722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f5BXNxYGWQ8/VqpUUx-Di6I/AAAAAAAAMmg/6zW5Vkf163U/s640/blogger-image-1580566722.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's an obstacle 5K with an ice cream theme on June 25. So, that's my goal. Sounds messy, but you only live once I guess. It gives me a goal and it gives Daphne a reason to be excited about running. Not sure what Kev will think of this. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But first, I have to fix my feet. </div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-76057230924307602092016-01-27T08:34:00.001-07:002016-01-27T08:34:04.249-07:00The Snowtopia<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-12q9jp4Q9n0/VqjdRy3VM2I/AAAAAAAAMkw/XlFyXKrIYTA/s640/blogger-image--263404782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-12q9jp4Q9n0/VqjdRy3VM2I/AAAAAAAAMkw/XlFyXKrIYTA/s640/blogger-image--263404782.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We knew it was coming, so there was much preparation and some panic. I managed to get all the groceries and essentials taken care of by Thursday, so on Friday morning, when most people were either hunkering down and doing their last Milk/Bread/TP/Marshmallow runs, we decided to go get snowshoes. Slim pickins at Dick's Sporting Goods, but we managed to find three adequate pairs of snowshoes and we were ready for Winter Storm Jonas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zwxfqXmnWoc/VqjdauvsZ9I/AAAAAAAAMlI/hfZLs1WNOPg/s640/blogger-image--854132248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zwxfqXmnWoc/VqjdauvsZ9I/AAAAAAAAMlI/hfZLs1WNOPg/s640/blogger-image--854132248.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The snow started Friday afternoon, and Daphne was excited to make her first real snowball of the year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Over the next 36 hours, we went from this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_CjWpFP7CBk/VqjdFU--rGI/AAAAAAAAMkQ/g_FX9ur-Ybc/s640/blogger-image--1440749793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_CjWpFP7CBk/VqjdFU--rGI/AAAAAAAAMkQ/g_FX9ur-Ybc/s640/blogger-image--1440749793.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OxmZ4ZehU9k/VqjjXsfizPI/AAAAAAAAMmA/oAmsnMNgDss/s640/blogger-image--1849552311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OxmZ4ZehU9k/VqjjXsfizPI/AAAAAAAAMmA/oAmsnMNgDss/s640/blogger-image--1849552311.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But 32+ inches of snow cannot stop Team Holt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FYgevWppaYk/VqjdOmQhc9I/AAAAAAAAMko/U55o3iFiIUI/s640/blogger-image-1593176452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FYgevWppaYk/VqjdOmQhc9I/AAAAAAAAMko/U55o3iFiIUI/s640/blogger-image-1593176452.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ElIH5BUJr9E/VqjdXlY5h7I/AAAAAAAAMlA/6Gtc_DbJDys/s640/blogger-image--563701892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ElIH5BUJr9E/VqjdXlY5h7I/AAAAAAAAMlA/6Gtc_DbJDys/s640/blogger-image--563701892.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jDv84GICqnY/VqjddeV_WqI/AAAAAAAAMlQ/-dubAIdzlQc/s640/blogger-image--974601407.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jDv84GICqnY/VqjddeV_WqI/AAAAAAAAMlQ/-dubAIdzlQc/s640/blogger-image--974601407.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fort!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lf-A3vYfsxY/VqjdUlAW1TI/AAAAAAAAMk4/QmRETaoHdac/s640/blogger-image-678833230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lf-A3vYfsxY/VqjdUlAW1TI/AAAAAAAAMk4/QmRETaoHdac/s640/blogger-image-678833230.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Snowshoeing!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iqYe6OMZyGI/VqjdLQ5QuxI/AAAAAAAAMkg/PBJ9EwD6yIE/s640/blogger-image-1899822056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iqYe6OMZyGI/VqjdLQ5QuxI/AAAAAAAAMkg/PBJ9EwD6yIE/s640/blogger-image-1899822056.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sledding! Um, well, ATTEMPTED sledding.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Most people are very complainy about all the snow, but I don't mind it, really. The four hours of shoveling wasn't the most fun thing ever.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mbBL7w0NOvM/VqjjO-Iz2WI/AAAAAAAAMlo/36XMemkHxdc/s640/blogger-image--1107574723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mbBL7w0NOvM/VqjjO-Iz2WI/AAAAAAAAMlo/36XMemkHxdc/s640/blogger-image--1107574723.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NZE6etcBhgM/VqjdIY_rmLI/AAAAAAAAMkY/bu3c0IZEhts/s640/blogger-image--1144001430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NZE6etcBhgM/VqjdIY_rmLI/AAAAAAAAMkY/bu3c0IZEhts/s640/blogger-image--1144001430.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vyT8Ok0fiS0/VqjjUnxXIHI/AAAAAAAAMl4/3-r3DDmL6Xo/s640/blogger-image--1558885606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vyT8Ok0fiS0/VqjjUnxXIHI/AAAAAAAAMl4/3-r3DDmL6Xo/s640/blogger-image--1558885606.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bu we managed. We got the driveway done on Monday, and so we had what Kev called the Driveway to Nowhere until the plow finally came yesterday. I drove a car last night for the first time since last Friday. Can't say I've missed driving a car all that much. But I have to admit I didn't like the trapped feeling, and I was starting to worry about missing my podiatrist appointment, which is tomorrow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M8D33bvnDPw/Vqjjaw6DOAI/AAAAAAAAMmI/shy6O62qyKg/s640/blogger-image--329848921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M8D33bvnDPw/Vqjjaw6DOAI/AAAAAAAAMmI/shy6O62qyKg/s640/blogger-image--329848921.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-De8DvW3aWLE/VqjjR34ro_I/AAAAAAAAMlw/TSMmJ8moquI/s640/blogger-image-1282061626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-De8DvW3aWLE/VqjjR34ro_I/AAAAAAAAMlw/TSMmJ8moquI/s640/blogger-image-1282061626.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Daphne got to spend the last several days doing all the things kids dream of. Missing school, hanging out with friends, making snow caves, snow balls, snow dragons, eating snow cones, and so forth. And drinking enough hot chocolate for a lifetime. School is cancelled for the rest of the week, so we have three more days to make the most of things, plus the weekend, which I hope involves more snowshoeing, and perhaps a Pictionary rematch (I was ROBBED!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, I'm not going to call it Snowpocolypse or Snowzilla or Snowmageddon or whatever they are calling it this year. I'm just going to try to have as much fun as possible. This doesn't happen every day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But maybe a snowblower for Christmas next year?</div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-64262353433825459782016-01-20T11:49:00.001-07:002016-01-20T11:49:02.871-07:00NOOOOOOOOOO! And also, YES!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UN0-cKvNAhE/Vp_WnREcG8I/AAAAAAAAMkA/cm8v0eSY1Ok/s640/blogger-image-1455359124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UN0-cKvNAhE/Vp_WnREcG8I/AAAAAAAAMkA/cm8v0eSY1Ok/s640/blogger-image-1455359124.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last week, the lice letter came home from school. So far, so good at our house, but precautions have been taken and Daphne has been reminded more than once about the evil that lice brought into our home last summer. I can't go through that again. Pony tails and rosemary shampoo until we're sure the classroom is clear. Problem is, you can never REALLY be sure, because the parents don't always tell. Parents. TELL. PLEASE. It is your civic duty.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On a happier note, we are supposed to get big big snow this weekend, so we will finally get to try out this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9e0cYyrkAIc/Vp_Wk_4dxtI/AAAAAAAAMj4/Qqy6YAgW5yY/s640/blogger-image-1738285897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9e0cYyrkAIc/Vp_Wk_4dxtI/AAAAAAAAMj4/Qqy6YAgW5yY/s640/blogger-image-1738285897.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">YAY! I have been waiting and waiting for big snow and finally it's coming. I can't wait. My favorite is when there is so much snow that cars can't go down our street and it's really really quiet. It's almost never quiet. A rare treat. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here is a picture of a loon because all week I have been thinking about Maine. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9SeqWlx-hng/Vp_WiDANVcI/AAAAAAAAMjw/ocb9bb0kGSQ/s640/blogger-image--1844632998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9SeqWlx-hng/Vp_WiDANVcI/AAAAAAAAMjw/ocb9bb0kGSQ/s640/blogger-image--1844632998.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can't wait to get back there. The thing is, now I have this stupid plantar fasciitis and I have to take time off from running and I hate it. But the only way I'm going to make it to Maine is if I take care of this now, so I'm going to a podiatrist next week to see what's up. In a million years, I never would have believed I'd be going to a podiatrist for a sports injury. Me! A SPORTS injury! That's so weird. You just never know where life will take you I guess.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Right now, life is going to take me into the kitchen for a snack. And then, maybe to the couch for a nap. It's that kind of afternoon. Very nappy. Pictures of snow dragons coming soon!</div><br></div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-77646406410331639122016-01-11T13:50:00.001-07:002016-01-11T13:50:02.450-07:00Magical Meatballs in the Mail and Maine Half Marathons<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o_Hhhwc1ApQ/VpQVXKuIbHI/AAAAAAAAMjI/x9BdgpkCNBg/s640/blogger-image--1121187129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o_Hhhwc1ApQ/VpQVXKuIbHI/AAAAAAAAMjI/x9BdgpkCNBg/s640/blogger-image--1121187129.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There was this one time, a few years ago, when I was procrastinating on the Internet at meatball-making time. And, since it's important to let the Facebook know your every move, I posted this: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well, these meatballs aren't going to make themselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And then, I got off the internet and made the meatballs. Only I found out later that what I actually posted was this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well, these meatballs are going to make themselves.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And thus began a long-running joke between me and my good Texas friends Anne and Jimmy about self-making meatballs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And today, via the magic of the Touchnote app (you should check it out!), I received a postcard (pictured above) featuring a photo of my magical meatballs, which Anne snagged off Facebook when it turned up in her Facebook Memories. Sometimes, Facebook is good. I love getting real mail!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fvOrFtRVsUg/VpQVU5zKhbI/AAAAAAAAMjA/GpSg_hc0DA0/s640/blogger-image--511943585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fvOrFtRVsUg/VpQVU5zKhbI/AAAAAAAAMjA/GpSg_hc0DA0/s640/blogger-image--511943585.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There is talk that my same friend Anne and our friend Emily are going to do the Maine Coast Half Marathon next year or the year after so I can do one before I turn 50. This is a BIG goal, but one that I think is do-able, especially if I have the motivation of running with Anne and Emily in my favorite state in the US. This race is really close to Kennebunkport, which is where I had the best lunch I have ever eaten, ever. So I am totally in. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(It was a lobster roll)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Meanwhile, at our house, the January purging of stuff has begun. Here is our donation pile so far:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QEnElHAblS0/VpQVZqG9tXI/AAAAAAAAMjQ/eaNbbHwSsrI/s640/blogger-image-242676821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QEnElHAblS0/VpQVZqG9tXI/AAAAAAAAMjQ/eaNbbHwSsrI/s640/blogger-image-242676821.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The only think I am really sad about giving away is Daphne's little kid drum set, which was an awesome gift from Uncle Jeff. The good news is that even though she has outgrown it, it paved the way to her playing the REAL drums, which is awesome. Hoping it paves some other little kid's way, next.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today, I went through shoes and t-shirts. I didn't take "before" pics, but these are the "after"s, and you'll have to trust me that things are much improved:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-igRtkVxokzs/VpQVeQ8pTGI/AAAAAAAAMjg/hP04Lz9rDpc/s640/blogger-image-752619898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-igRtkVxokzs/VpQVeQ8pTGI/AAAAAAAAMjg/hP04Lz9rDpc/s640/blogger-image-752619898.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-81znrUd5Bgg/VpQVcLqsVTI/AAAAAAAAMjY/-cyI9IVmb0A/s640/blogger-image-1657584597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-81znrUd5Bgg/VpQVcLqsVTI/AAAAAAAAMjY/-cyI9IVmb0A/s640/blogger-image-1657584597.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I think the kitchen cabinets are next. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Time to go start thinking about dinner. I wish I had some meatballs that would make themselves.</div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-24069345897500825562016-01-07T11:30:00.001-07:002016-01-07T12:23:42.586-07:00These are the Things I Could Do Without<div>In 2016, could we just please move on from:</div><div><br></div>1. Donald Trump<div>2. Man buns</div><div>3. Um...</div><div><br></div><div>That's pretty much it. No more Donald Trump or man buns. The world will be an infinitely better place.</div><div><br></div><div>On second thought:</div><div>3. Cilantro.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-16485646497061843742016-01-03T14:14:00.001-07:002016-01-03T14:14:35.083-07:00I Ran<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fwymgeWKh_o/VomPOQxFtfI/AAAAAAAAMiw/6K6iMMDsd1c/s640/blogger-image--1800509634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fwymgeWKh_o/VomPOQxFtfI/AAAAAAAAMiw/6K6iMMDsd1c/s640/blogger-image--1800509634.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sigh.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hello, blog. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, it's 2016 now, and I haven't blogged since last summer. I don't know why. But here I go again, and I hope to stick to it this time. I miss it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So many things I've missed writing about, and it seems like an impossible task to catch up on it all. Maybe sometime, I'll try. But for now, I want to write about how 2015 was the year that I ran. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I was always one of those anti-running people. Why would anyone want to run on purpose? I didn't get it at all. It's boring, it's painful, it's hard on the body.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But then, last Spring, Daphne and Kev challenged me to be Daph's Girls on the Run running buddy in the fall. So, I put it on Facebook so I would be accountable, I got a Fitbit and some orange Nike running shoes, and off I went. Very very slowly. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I started on the treadmill at Ida Lee, doing 2 minute run/walk intervals at 2.5/3.5 mph. That is REALLY lame, but you have to start somewhere, and that was about the best I could do at the time. 3.1 miles without stopping seemed pretty much impossible.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I remember the first time I finished a whole mile on the treadmill without walking, and by then I was up to about 4.5 mph. This was HUGE. A big day for me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sometimes, I'd go running on the trail with Daphne or Kev, or both. We ran on vacation at the beach and the lake place. But I struggled. A mile was about all I could finish without stopping to walk. Back at home, getting from my street to the bridge was my first Big Goal, and it took me forever to reach it. It's a little over a mile, on a very slight but constant incline, but it might as well have been 10 miles straight up a mountain because that's what it felt like to me. Hills became my nemesis.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kev encouraged me the whole time, which is not easy when the person you are trying to encourage keeps saying "I can't." But he stuck with me. And Daphne did, too. Seriously, that kid kept me going so many times when I just wanted to stop and fall into a heap right in the middle of the trail. "I know you can do it, Mom." So, I did it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I got a lot of encouragement from friends and family and other runners. REAL runners. I got lots of advice, too. Words of wisdom. Running is 90% mental. The first mile is the hardest. It will get easier. And so on. I didn't really believe any of it it, but tried to take it to heart. Maybe they were right. I hoped that they were right.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A few weeks before the 5K, I made it to the bridge AND BACK. A little over 2 miles. And a week before the run, Kev, Daphne, and I did 3.1 on the trail. Our own Team Holt family practice 5K. And then the actual big day came. And Daphne was sick. She was miserable. But she ran that whole thing with me and wouldn't let me quit or walk, even when I know SHE wanted to fall into a heap this time. We crossed the finish line together.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-olMJRGMdj_o/VomPHFjG4RI/AAAAAAAAMiY/cPhLb_RVuL4/s640/blogger-image-1490545820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-olMJRGMdj_o/VomPHFjG4RI/AAAAAAAAMiY/cPhLb_RVuL4/s640/blogger-image-1490545820.jpg"></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ytcQhXpaK24/VomPJoVyUqI/AAAAAAAAMig/sAaQnKZJJDg/s640/blogger-image--2030393885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ytcQhXpaK24/VomPJoVyUqI/AAAAAAAAMig/sAaQnKZJJDg/s640/blogger-image--2030393885.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This was truly one of the best days of my life. I never ever do hard things. I HATE doing hard things. Especially painful hard things. I mostly don't like doing hard things because I am not good at them. I only really like doing things that I'm good at. But this time, I did an impossibly hard thing and I felt like a badass for the first time in a long time (if ever). </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I discovered that I CAN do hard things.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I discovered that running really IS is about 90% mental. And that the first mile really IS the hardest.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And I discovered - and this is the really weird thing - that I love running. Not the whole time it's happening. I love it part of the time and hate it part of the time. But when I'm done, I don't remember the part I was hating. I just feel good. And now, I have become one of those people I didn't understand before. I am one of those people who HAS to run. I never ever would have believed any of this a year ago, but I think I might be a REAL runner. Still slow. But a runner nonetheless. Because I run. (And I run a little tiny tiny bit faster every day.) (Except on hills). (Ugh.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I started 2016 by doing a New Year's Day 5K with Kev and Daphne. It was hard. It was really super hilly and I wanted to stop and walk about a thousand times, but my little team kept me going. And all three of us crossed the finish line together. And it was awesome. A perfect way to start a new year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">TEAM HOLT!!!!!!!!!</div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6xk9Nt7pMyE/VomPMLTp3RI/AAAAAAAAMio/p0gGeQLG4Ao/s640/blogger-image--2071914361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6xk9Nt7pMyE/VomPMLTp3RI/AAAAAAAAMio/p0gGeQLG4Ao/s640/blogger-image--2071914361.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maybe next year, we'll do the 10K.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ty4Xza9ZdhM/VomPE3LLQOI/AAAAAAAAMiQ/9tEzfK7wn8s/s640/blogger-image-90661029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ty4Xza9ZdhM/VomPE3LLQOI/AAAAAAAAMiQ/9tEzfK7wn8s/s640/blogger-image-90661029.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">More blogging in 2016? I hope so!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy New Year, wherever you are. Go forth and do hard things. Be a badass. If I can, ANYONE can.</div><br></div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-9793318389704305452015-07-15T08:34:00.001-06:002015-07-15T08:34:09.974-06:00Summer - The Good<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4DpB5aOJINw/VaZvEPMtfEI/AAAAAAAAMWo/sM2iq-nCf24/s640/blogger-image--1288045851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4DpB5aOJINw/VaZvEPMtfEI/AAAAAAAAMWo/sM2iq-nCf24/s640/blogger-image--1288045851.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, in spite of the situation with the lice, summer hasn't been ALL bad. We harvested Murphy the cabbage, and donated him to the local food pantry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vGNf-Ud7LPc/VaZvYOmd-QI/AAAAAAAAMXo/IRveIraO0AQ/s640/blogger-image--1070539763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vGNf-Ud7LPc/VaZvYOmd-QI/AAAAAAAAMXo/IRveIraO0AQ/s640/blogger-image--1070539763.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sour cherries appeared at the farmers market, and so there was delicious sour cherry pie.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vOyRv1HgjMo/VaZvQyZYrYI/AAAAAAAAMXQ/mS1xkf4IwM4/s640/blogger-image--1170723440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vOyRv1HgjMo/VaZvQyZYrYI/AAAAAAAAMXQ/mS1xkf4IwM4/s640/blogger-image--1170723440.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Daphne and I took a road trip to Indiana, which was lots of fun.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dB2JNDNMntI/VaZvBu03MuI/AAAAAAAAMWg/gEok1TDuFxI/s640/blogger-image-1050262629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dB2JNDNMntI/VaZvBu03MuI/AAAAAAAAMWg/gEok1TDuFxI/s640/blogger-image-1050262629.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had lots of good food, spent time with good people and dogs, explored a cave, and found an old skool merry-go-round on a playground. Grandma came back with us and spent a couple of days.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--EWgKxsZZ5Q/VaZvML73zBI/AAAAAAAAMXA/Z-2m_TVBpII/s640/blogger-image--97327466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--EWgKxsZZ5Q/VaZvML73zBI/AAAAAAAAMXA/Z-2m_TVBpII/s640/blogger-image--97327466.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We went blueberry picking at my favorite blueberry picking place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wxvuv3F-4bU/VaZvGkaUUUI/AAAAAAAAMWw/591JH5xSTDw/s640/blogger-image-418327337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wxvuv3F-4bU/VaZvGkaUUUI/AAAAAAAAMWw/591JH5xSTDw/s640/blogger-image-418327337.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Blueberries are the best thing about summer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9OPEKYRMMJU/VaZu_d13PvI/AAAAAAAAMWY/95DPm7RWB3Y/s640/blogger-image--1611799831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9OPEKYRMMJU/VaZu_d13PvI/AAAAAAAAMWY/95DPm7RWB3Y/s640/blogger-image--1611799831.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Daphne started drum lessons. She's good! Her teacher is awesome and jams with her to Led Zeppelin songs. She loves it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eHSIi7Q-p_w/VaZvTTFDd9I/AAAAAAAAMXY/0w9b6LmEzcA/s640/blogger-image--1959999595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eHSIi7Q-p_w/VaZvTTFDd9I/AAAAAAAAMXY/0w9b6LmEzcA/s640/blogger-image--1959999595.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We went to HPNY for the 4th of July. We got spend time with cousins, go on a big hike through the woods, and meet the newest puppy, Tootsie, who is awesome and calm and nice.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-02GelcMbqzg/VaZvVgDxE0I/AAAAAAAAMXg/5Ho_ktlH3_0/s640/blogger-image-734029446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-02GelcMbqzg/VaZvVgDxE0I/AAAAAAAAMXg/5Ho_ktlH3_0/s640/blogger-image-734029446.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Plus we got to go kayaking around the lake, which was my favorite.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ORSr3h7BntM/VaZu81XKf-I/AAAAAAAAMWQ/UjmgYUe6YPk/s640/blogger-image--336983690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ORSr3h7BntM/VaZu81XKf-I/AAAAAAAAMWQ/UjmgYUe6YPk/s640/blogger-image--336983690.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have been back at work, teaching people to knit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LwO8QhvO8XI/VaZvJY8G_gI/AAAAAAAAMW4/yFyCYBRVVok/s640/blogger-image--903474724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LwO8QhvO8XI/VaZvJY8G_gI/AAAAAAAAMW4/yFyCYBRVVok/s640/blogger-image--903474724.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And Daphne is learning to make a quilt.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eTdO7aBQLDA/VaZvOd17GAI/AAAAAAAAMXI/XnIKeoAmP2o/s640/blogger-image--1136878321.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eTdO7aBQLDA/VaZvOd17GAI/AAAAAAAAMXI/XnIKeoAmP2o/s640/blogger-image--1136878321.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We all went to the movies on Sunday, and it felt almost like we were a normal lice-free family. I think we actually ARE a normal lice-free family now. But I don't want to jinx it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This weekend should be pretty low-key. I am hoping to knit, and make something with all these blueberries and go somewhere for a belated Father's Day outing since gin on the head shot the wheels off the REAL Father's Day. Poor Kev.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, summer isn't all bad. It's hot, but there are only 77 days until October!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Coming soon...the Facebook vacation. Worth it? Stay tuned...</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-10820380648128775612015-07-10T06:46:00.001-06:002015-07-15T08:09:36.197-06:00Of Lice and Gin<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Here are Daphne and Kev, celebrating Father's Day. You may be wondering why Daphne is wearing a Father's Day shower cap, and I'll get to that. But first, let's back up a little.</div>
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Since I last blogged a blog, Daphne turned nine. Her birthday was on Free Donut Day, which is awesome.</div>
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She spent the night with her girl scout troop in tents at the National Zoo. Lions roared in the night. Also awesome. Once in a lifetime.</div>
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She bridged from Brownies to Juniors. Again, awesome. (Look how pretty her hair is. Sigh.)</div>
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She finished third grade. Woohoo!</div>
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This is all great, right? So, why the long face? And the shower cap?</div>
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BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN THE SUMMER OF LICE.</div>
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We are a family with more than our fair share of critter invasions.</div>
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First, there was the Thanksgiving Mouse. Then, there were ants. And fleas. There was squirrell-in-the-wall day. And then more mice. </div>
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But THIS is the evil evil Summer of Lice.</div>
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Sometime between her birthday and the last day of school, Daphne put her head in the wrong place at the wrong time. </div>
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Do not let anyone tell you lice is "no big deal." It is a huge deal. It is a NIGHTMARE. There have been tears, arguements, battles, and moments of complete and total give-up. There might have even been cuss words. The stuff from Rite-Aid did not work. Lice these days have become SUPER lice, and are no longer affected by OTC treatments. Plus, it's toxic. I don't know about you, bu I don't like pouring pesticides on my kid's head.</div>
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So, eventually, desperation set in. The interenet was consulted. Various home remedies were suggested, including olive oil, tea tree oil, and MAYO. No way was I going to cover Daphne's head in mayo. So we went with the most experimental home remedy we could find. It was only tried by one person that we could find on the internet, but it worked for him and his family.</div>
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Gin.</div>
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Yep. Gin.</div>
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Not ketchup...the ketchup bottle was just the vehicle for completely saturating my child's head with distilled alcohol.</div>
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So, that is the reason Daphne was wearing a shower cap on Father's Day. Because Father's Day turned into Gin-on-my-Head Day. </div>
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Poor Daphne. </div>
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Poor Kev! It was not the greatest Father's Day.</div>
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Daphne spent four hours that day with a gin-soaked head. She couldn't even help me cook Kev's Father's Day breakfast because I was afraid to let her near the open flames on the stove! The last thing we needed was a kid with hair on fire, although I am positive the lice would not have survived it.</div>
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Anyway, several weeks later, after two more "just in case" gin-on-my-head treatments, countless hours of combing, and a very uneven (but cute!) haircut executed by yours truly, I THINK we are at the end of this terrible terrible experience. The gin worked!!!! DANG!!!!!!</div>
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There is always a chance we missed something and they could come back. But I am feeling hopeful for the first time since summer started. </div>
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In spite of the lice, there have been some happy fun times this summer, but I will save those for the next post.</div>
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I hope you are having a bug-free summer, wherever you are.</div>
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<br />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-88713691179846636402015-05-27T09:44:00.001-06:002015-05-27T10:08:04.732-06:00I am not Martha, and I Don't Care.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Today, I saw the word "tablescape" on an Instagram photo and it sent me right over the edge. Granted, the table in the photo looked lovely, but seriously. I can't take any more. All of this Pinteresting and Style Blogging has gone too far. Tablescape. You wanna see a tablescarpe? Look up there. That's our dining room "tablescape," with its mis-matched napkins and Daphne crumbs and homework papers. </div>
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I. Am. Done. </div>
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I love my dining room table. Wanna know why? Because I have dinner there with my family every night. Not because of meticulously folded napkins or fabulous centerpieces made of twigs and berries. </div>
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After seeing the word "tablescape" this morning, I finally got the kick in the ass I have been needing. I finally see how silly it all is. My house is never going to look like a magazine, and I don't care. Hey Kev! Guess what! It's FINE with me that the living room furninture doesn't really match. As long as I can sit on it and be comfortable and read "James and the Giant Peach" with you and Daph, that's all that matters. </div>
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I feel free like I haven't felt in years.</div>
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In other news, we took the girls to the dump last week. It was truly educational and inspiring. And it didn't even stink!</div>
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Over Memorial Day weekend, we decided to have a sort of Staycation. But I don't think I'm going to call it that any more because it's a word that sounds too much like tablescape, so I'm just going to say we hung around town and made the most of what home has to offer.</div>
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Kev took the day off on Friday, and we walked to lunch at this French place downtown that we've never tried. Mussels and Fries. Yep.</div>
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When Daphne got home from school, we rode our bikes to meet some friends at Dry Mill Winery, and Daphne climbed around on rocks while we ate cheese and crackers for dinner.</div>
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Saturday, Kev grilled some salmon and we ate on the porch (see tablescape above), and then camped in the back yard.</div>
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It was a cold and noisy night. One neighbor was having a party, and the one on the other side decided that 8:30 pm would be a great time to mow his lawn. Daphne slept through everything. Kev and I didn't get much rest. It's really weird to sleep in a hat. But it was still fun, and an adventure for Daphne.</div>
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She had Eggo toaster pancakes for breakfast, with chocolate chips and whipped cream for good measure (see tablescape below), and it was pretty much the best day ever.</div>
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Meanwhile, I knit in the tent because I was NOT inside cooking a big fancy breakfast (see tablescape above). </div>
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Good times for me.</div>
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Later, we went to the mall with an agenda, and got all kinds of things except the things we went there for. I got FitBert (above), and I love him. This thing is just what I needed. I feel obligated and motivated, and you just wait until November when it's time for Moms on the Run. Because I am going to run that 5K and I just might keep on going. Like Forrest Gump. I even have a coach! I love my kid. She made me do "Frankensteins."</div>
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The thing I was knitting in the tent is finished now. It's a cowl, and it's going to be a beginner class that I will teach at the Finch. I hope people sign up for it.</div>
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The whole time I was knitting, the yarn reminded me of cheetohs. I like the cowl, though, and will probably make myself one if we get some colors that don't look like snack chips.</div>
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OK...I have been sitting here long enough. FitBert is probably not too happy with me, so off I go to climb some stairs or something for a little while. </div>
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I hope you had a good Memorial Day. Stay tuned for the June Swirl. </div>
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PS. I feel like I should say, for the record, that the person who used the word "tablescape" is a wonderful person, who I like a lot. I just think there is a lot of pressure out there in the interwebs to have this Ideal Lifestyle, and I don't want to be part of that.<br>
<br>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-16510777452346805822015-05-19T06:07:00.001-06:002015-05-19T06:07:50.711-06:00The Storm before the Calm<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ocIOfaDQTmo/VVsm3m_GomI/AAAAAAAAL_A/znRYDSOWV_Y/s640/blogger-image--1691384330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ocIOfaDQTmo/VVsm3m_GomI/AAAAAAAAL_A/znRYDSOWV_Y/s640/blogger-image--1691384330.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It has been non-stop around here. The calendar is full, and there are still a few weeks before things settle down a little. All good stuff but it's pretty exhausting, and hard to find time to sit and knit or read or think. I end up doing all my thinking at night when I'm supposed to be sleeping. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Mother's Day was great. I requested that I didn't have to cook or make any decisions, and that's exactly what happened. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vzyLhH4FQtE/VVsnjENEt_I/AAAAAAAAMAw/qxw7Fg4rzog/s640/blogger-image-178306691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vzyLhH4FQtE/VVsnjENEt_I/AAAAAAAAMAw/qxw7Fg4rzog/s640/blogger-image-178306691.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kev made crepes. Daphne made me an awesome card and this painting, which I love. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4fLV6C1qnUU/VVsngnqErmI/AAAAAAAAMAo/uBfFNZlXMHo/s640/blogger-image-1337210505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4fLV6C1qnUU/VVsngnqErmI/AAAAAAAAMAo/uBfFNZlXMHo/s640/blogger-image-1337210505.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We went out for lunch, and Daphne and I did a little sewing:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uu_O3fn2LHM/VVsnSBtfiVI/AAAAAAAAMAQ/CdHH5tqlCdo/s640/blogger-image--256777156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uu_O3fn2LHM/VVsnSBtfiVI/AAAAAAAAMAQ/CdHH5tqlCdo/s640/blogger-image--256777156.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Definitely a good day. I have a nice family.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The weather has been weird. Hot and then nice and then cold and then hot again. There has been enough "nice" to spend a lot of time on the porch, or outside in general:</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QkfMGIy0kfQ/VVsnB-Vq7LI/AAAAAAAAL_g/nh2Ikbcz5Ms/s640/blogger-image--1890418861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QkfMGIy0kfQ/VVsnB-Vq7LI/AAAAAAAAL_g/nh2Ikbcz5Ms/s640/blogger-image--1890418861.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X1xStZvxnR4/VVsm_eDvEuI/AAAAAAAAL_Y/ag70QCNt6x0/s640/blogger-image-203884637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-X1xStZvxnR4/VVsm_eDvEuI/AAAAAAAAL_Y/ag70QCNt6x0/s640/blogger-image-203884637.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The school has challenged to kids to go screenless for 2 weeks and get outside more. That will be easy for Daphne. All she wants to do is play outside. That makes me happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6tQsq6vlKtk/VVsnKSe5f2I/AAAAAAAAL_4/1y8QoWgImFI/s640/blogger-image-1943836495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6tQsq6vlKtk/VVsnKSe5f2I/AAAAAAAAL_4/1y8QoWgImFI/s640/blogger-image-1943836495.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6PfRn27Qz2Y/VVsnIBTClbI/AAAAAAAAL_w/dGfpuodkLl8/s640/blogger-image--551572045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6PfRn27Qz2Y/VVsnIBTClbI/AAAAAAAAL_w/dGfpuodkLl8/s640/blogger-image--551572045.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Girl Scout year is almost over, and it seems like we have saved everything for the end of the year. Last week, the girls delivered cookies to the pediatric staff at the hospital, and all the troops from the school had a big picnic at the park. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DXDMagwHUTA/VVsnNPrxaQI/AAAAAAAAMAA/xqK3R7TrEVA/s640/blogger-image-63346991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DXDMagwHUTA/VVsnNPrxaQI/AAAAAAAAMAA/xqK3R7TrEVA/s640/blogger-image-63346991.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Right after the picnic, Daphne had field hockey practice. That was Friday night. Then, Saturday, she had 2 games.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0mUacxQQzIk/VVsnlSBjkgI/AAAAAAAAMA4/yEJ_GknuDkw/s640/blogger-image-496643702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0mUacxQQzIk/VVsnlSBjkgI/AAAAAAAAMA4/yEJ_GknuDkw/s640/blogger-image-496643702.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--1tbXJuzKv8/VVsnbzx_TAI/AAAAAAAAMAY/5gouZ7tJF3Y/s640/blogger-image-752480744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--1tbXJuzKv8/VVsnbzx_TAI/AAAAAAAAMAY/5gouZ7tJF3Y/s640/blogger-image-752480744.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a nice big storm on Saturday night which cooled things off a little.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeOeUp6Z2Ss/VVsneHSnCRI/AAAAAAAAMAg/_l_A11sCeSo/s640/blogger-image--570355552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xeOeUp6Z2Ss/VVsneHSnCRI/AAAAAAAAMAg/_l_A11sCeSo/s640/blogger-image--570355552.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fnr6Qs91Hsg/VVsm6To6fFI/AAAAAAAAL_I/6Z0EpYDODsw/s640/blogger-image-230304459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fnr6Qs91Hsg/VVsm6To6fFI/AAAAAAAAL_I/6Z0EpYDODsw/s640/blogger-image-230304459.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And by Sunday the rain had mostly stopped just in time for the Girls on the Run 5k.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L9fyGFZz5AM/VVsnFc3mBYI/AAAAAAAAL_o/8cJzzJE-2hk/s640/blogger-image-336731682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L9fyGFZz5AM/VVsnFc3mBYI/AAAAAAAAL_o/8cJzzJE-2hk/s640/blogger-image-336731682.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yARTwfINf54/VVsnPi2I8dI/AAAAAAAAMAI/UgyEYie2ke4/s640/blogger-image-119356413.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yARTwfINf54/VVsnPi2I8dI/AAAAAAAAMAI/UgyEYie2ke4/s640/blogger-image-119356413.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k05wKfQbpis/VVsm85nEB3I/AAAAAAAAL_Q/IQWqjPP2vBI/s640/blogger-image--1601357810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k05wKfQbpis/VVsm85nEB3I/AAAAAAAAL_Q/IQWqjPP2vBI/s640/blogger-image--1601357810.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kev was Daphne's running buddy again. She beat him by one second again. I love her face in the last picture. She was so happy and proud. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They have decided that next time, I will be Daphne's running buddy. This might be the biggest challenge of my life. But I am going to do it. I have until November to get ready.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Coming up, we have a Girl Scout trip to the landfill, a camp out at the National Zoo, and their bridging ceremony/cookout. Kev's family is coming to visit. I am hosting my book group and teaching knitting classes and going to various meetings for Girl Scout leaders. Daphne's birthday is coming up. Field Hockey continues. And end-of-the-year school stuff is happening (Field Day, Donuts with Dad, class party, teacher gifts, etc.) It's all really fun, but it's a lot. I told Daphne I am looking forward to summer, and I meant it. There needs to be a little slow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Daphne is turning 9 soon. That is half-way to 18. Good grief. We definitely need a little slow. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-74782382772914186782015-05-08T07:12:00.001-06:002015-05-08T07:13:32.683-06:00Another Shirt, and More Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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I have made it through the first seven days of Me Made May with three knitting projects, three sewing projects, and a screen printed tee shirt. Daphne even played along one day with a shirt and bag that she made at the Finch. I will never be able to make it 31 days without a repeat, but I am pretty stoked that I made it this far. Maybe next year I can make it through the whole month.</div>
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I also made another shirt this week. I'm saving it for a day when I plan to leave the house. That probably won't be today.</div>
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Daphne is sick. Again. So we're kinda stuck here. I need some Me Made Housepants for days like this.</div>
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On Wednesday, she was fine. She even ran a practice 5K in the hot hot heat after school. </div>
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While Daphne was running, I stood on the side of the track cheering and sweating and cursing the summer that is to come. It was only about 82 and I was miserable. I keep telling myself "at least there are berries, at least there are berries, at least there are berries."</div>
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We celebrated Star Wars Day (May the 4th be with You) with these pancakes:</div>
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I had a little trouble with the molds, but they were still delicious. Next time, I'll get some cooking spray. Seriously. Buttermilk. It's magical.</div>
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Daphne is home from school today, watching cartoons. I have chores to do, but I really want to sew or knit. Or watch cartoons with Daph. I think the best plan is to go do some chores now and leave the afternoon free for something fun.</div>
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Happy almost Mother's Day to all the good moms out there. You are all awesome. </div>
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OK, garden...time for a good soak before it gets above 70.</div>
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<br />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-4724048820581193562015-05-04T12:18:00.001-06:002015-05-04T12:23:47.233-06:00I Made a Shirt, and Other Things<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Sigh.</div>
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I am never going to be able to catch up on this blog. That makes me sad. There are months of things that happened, really good things, that aren't here. But I think the best thing to do is just start writing again and try to make it a habit, so here goes.</div>
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I recently made a shirt. It is pictured, above, but the color isn't quite right. It's really more "Harvest Gold" than it is "Kraft Mac -n- Cheese." It's also a little bit big. But that's OK. I learned a lot and I did it with no supervision. AND, I used French Seams, so take that, Project Runway!</div>
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In the world of people who make things, May is a big month. Me Made May, in fact. And what you are supposed to do is to try to wear something you made every day of the month. If this happened in November, I'd be in good shape. But you can't really wear a lot of knitted things when it's 80 degrees, so this isn't gonna be easy. I've made it to Day 4. We'll see how far I can go.</div>
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Speaking of Day 4, it's May the 4th, so Happy Star Wars Day to all the cool kids out there who celebrate that sort of thing. Our little family will be celebrating with Star Wars Pancakes for dinner.</div>
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Spring finally happened. It stopped being cold all the time, the cherry tree bloomed, and we've been eating on the porch a lot.</div>
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I have decided to try to learn how to keep succulents alive in container gardens. First, I have to get a container and some succulents. So this may not happen until NEXT spring.</div>
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I've been working at the Finch off and on, which is good. The other day, I was walking to work when suddenly and mysteriously my travel coffee mug started leaking in a few different places, so I was walking and coffee was dripping everywhere and I was making a big mess on the sidewalk and I was worried I would get coffee on my new handmade shirt which I was wearing to work that day for Me Made May Day 2. But, I was conveniently right across the street from the coffee shop, so I decided to go in and wash my hands, throw away my leaky mug, and get some new coffee to take to work. But the line was REALLY long, so I would have been late to work if I stayed, so I left and went to work with NO coffee and when I got there, there were DONUTS! Donuts on the one day ever I have no coffee. Stick THAT in your stupid song, Alannis Morrisette! But I guess I figure if a leaky travel mug and donuts without coffee are my biggest problems, life is pretty great and I should just shut up about it.</div>
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Daphne is good. She scored 2 goals at field hockey last week, leading her team to a 2-0 victory, but I missed it because I was working. She has recently become Led Zeppelin's biggest fan, and last night Kev taught her how to play Kashmir on the Fender, which is cool. The Girl Scout troop will be spending the night in tents at the National Zoo next month, which is very exciting, and Daphne will be 9 one month from tomorrow, which is very crazy.</div>
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Meanwhile, Kev is busy saving the world with satellite technology. You can see a story about it if you can find video of 60 Minutes from a couple weeks ago. SUPER cool. Really proud of him.</div>
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I am going to try to blog more. I miss it. Plus, I can't remember stuff that happens if I don't write it down. Happy Spring, everybody!</div>
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<br />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-18738693737722611722015-03-03T06:40:00.001-07:002015-03-03T06:45:47.504-07:00Embracing the WInter<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Daphne is at school today, which is a rare occurrence. They say it might sleet this afternoon, causing early release. It also might snow again on Thursday. I started making tally marks. Yesterday was Snow Day number 10. I am thinking we still have one or two more to go. And that's OK. I am embracing the winter. Because no matter how much snow we get, it will melt. It might be a pain, but it will go away. Everyone on the Facebook has been posting pictures of the beach..."Oh, I wish I was here!" they say. Not me. Snow > Sand. Snow melts. Sand never ever goes away. Plus, it's hot at the beach. I'll take the snow any day. And as you can see below, we've had a fair amount of it lately.</div>
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Our biggest snow happened when Kev was out of town. We got about 10 inches. It was on a Saturday, so it didn't affect school or anything. One of my neighbors came over to help me shovel, which was great because it would have taken me hours to do it by myself. I actually like shoveling, though, truth be told. Don't tell Kev. But I think it's fun.</div>
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We've been doing lots of wintry things. I took the Girl Scouts ice skating one day. It was a blast. I was the only adult to skate! All the other moms sat on the bleachers. I don't know why. Skating was so much fun! Daphne is getting the hang of it, I'm happy to say. We need to go back soon. And we definitely need to go back in summer when it's hot outside.</div>
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While Kev was gone, we had some Mommy and Daphne style chili. </div>
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There has been a lot of hot chocolate.</div>
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And sledding, of course.</div>
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There is a hill behind Daphne's school that is pretty good for sledding, so I took Daphne over there after the BIG snow. After about 15 trips back up the hill, Daphne was exHAUSted. I wish I had video of the dramatic slow-stomp back to the car. Can't. Take. Another. Step. Too. Tired. Need. Food.</div>
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After all that, it was a perfect night for chili dogs and the Karate Kid. Wax on. Wax off. That Mister Miyagi. So wise.</div>
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And we've been doing a lot of hunkering down on the couch to read. This book (Wonder) is one of the best books we've ever read. I think all kids should have to read it, maybe in 5th grade. Required reading. Daphne and I are reading this together, and we are also reading Matilda as a "whole family" book. We read a chapter at night if there's time before bed. HILARIOUS book. The Trunchbull. Genius.</div>
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On one of the recent snow days, we decided to put on our snowpants and trek through the snow down to the diner for breakfast.</div>
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And then back home, past the trail:</div>
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So pretty. </div>
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But the best BEST thing we have done to embrace the winter is take a little trip up to Blackwater Falls State Park in West Virginia to stay in a cabin for the weekend. It was perfect. </div>
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We got to try snowshoeing, which is hard work, but really fun.</div>
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And we got to spend a couple hours on the Awesome Sled Run of Awesomeness. Up the conveyor belt:</div>
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Down the hill:</div>
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Over and over and over. The most fun I've had in a long time, and a much needed family activity.</div>
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And then, s'mores.</div>
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WInter is awesome. When it was time to leave, Daphne cried. Big sad crocodile tears. Here she is. smiling through the sad. Poor kid. I felt like crying, too. I didn't want to leave either. Cabins in the snow with my family are my favorite.</div>
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Daphne was tromping around outside the cabin, and I took a picture of her. I kept looking at it because it reminded me of something. Then, I realized what it reminded me of.</div>
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Bigfoot. Buddy. Daphne. Yep.</div>
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Well, I think we might get one more snow on Thursday, and then I reckon Spring will start battling to make its appearance. I am looking forward to seeing colors outside besides white and gray, but still. Winter is good. So it's OK with me if it wants to hang around a bit longer.</div>
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Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-76517180235343746072015-02-11T08:45:00.001-07:002015-02-11T08:45:17.982-07:00A Few Quick Hits<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xyWMvWKvEks/VNt5Al580NI/AAAAAAAALbs/nKN8Ba5Ql58/s640/blogger-image-2073619937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xyWMvWKvEks/VNt5Al580NI/AAAAAAAALbs/nKN8Ba5Ql58/s640/blogger-image-2073619937.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have been craving breakfast tacos. I didn't think there were any such things in this town, but the People of Leesburg informed me that Anita's New Mexico Style Restaurant serves breakfast, so I went with my friend Chris this morning and got a burrito with eggs and chorizo and a mild green chili sauce which was good. So, it wasn't breakfast tacos, but it worked. And now I know where to go when I need a Mexican-ish breakfast. Yay!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-boVhVyWL9us/VNt4-N_yfBI/AAAAAAAALbk/N8DRIR1DZeE/s640/blogger-image--1170864225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-boVhVyWL9us/VNt4-N_yfBI/AAAAAAAALbk/N8DRIR1DZeE/s640/blogger-image--1170864225.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The girls were recognized by the Mayor and Town Council last night for helping decorate the town at Christmas. It was cool. The girls were really proud, and our awesome Mayor took a lot of time out to spend with them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KE9rIDhGfwk/VNt4nyxjqAI/AAAAAAAALac/njgKi8y4b30/s640/blogger-image--1465390898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KE9rIDhGfwk/VNt4nyxjqAI/AAAAAAAALac/njgKi8y4b30/s640/blogger-image--1465390898.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Daphne has decided to make origami Yoda Valentines this year. It's a lot of work, and probably some of the kids won't know who Yoda is. They are really cute, though. Handmade Valentines are good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a_QXbNbgyto/VNt4qqE5e5I/AAAAAAAALak/jZNwGDRIGvg/s640/blogger-image--1540660788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a_QXbNbgyto/VNt4qqE5e5I/AAAAAAAALak/jZNwGDRIGvg/s640/blogger-image--1540660788.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kev and I got to go out last weekend for dinner at the Wine Kitchen and the Woodshedders show at the Tally Ho. So much fun. This band is great. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1WDVvB9c_Bw/VNt4xhoT7EI/AAAAAAAALa8/MxYyZ8MHsZk/s640/blogger-image--848922305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1WDVvB9c_Bw/VNt4xhoT7EI/AAAAAAAALa8/MxYyZ8MHsZk/s640/blogger-image--848922305.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have been working at the shop a lot lately. I like it. But it's hard to work and do all the other things, too, so I feel pretty lucky that I don't have to be a full time working mom every day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w-j_XnexHQo/VNt5DLTW-mI/AAAAAAAALb0/qj8Y7iMPzi8/s640/blogger-image-1538906531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-w-j_XnexHQo/VNt5DLTW-mI/AAAAAAAALb0/qj8Y7iMPzi8/s640/blogger-image-1538906531.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are smack in the middle of cookie season. We built a fort with all the cookies.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nWEBQUWKSc0/VNt4vJcJRQI/AAAAAAAALa0/Zcbxf4U63L0/s640/blogger-image-1572373177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nWEBQUWKSc0/VNt4vJcJRQI/AAAAAAAALa0/Zcbxf4U63L0/s640/blogger-image-1572373177.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I started knitting some socks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-diy866umG1g/VNt40IDDu1I/AAAAAAAALbE/nsZCdr3Sq3A/s640/blogger-image--1465160537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-diy866umG1g/VNt40IDDu1I/AAAAAAAALbE/nsZCdr3Sq3A/s640/blogger-image--1465160537.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I got the piles picked up and generally put away, but I had to take everything out of the cabinets and start over and it took all day and made me sneeze a lot. I feel so much better now, though. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--cqO5wgUvsI/VNt42b1YipI/AAAAAAAALbM/nqsQfGsRH_E/s640/blogger-image-1756955698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--cqO5wgUvsI/VNt42b1YipI/AAAAAAAALbM/nqsQfGsRH_E/s640/blogger-image-1756955698.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rsTkZ8LvYQI/VNt4s4gAX5I/AAAAAAAALas/TNF-4naltoY/s640/blogger-image--1882750878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rsTkZ8LvYQI/VNt4s4gAX5I/AAAAAAAALas/TNF-4naltoY/s640/blogger-image--1882750878.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Daphne finished her sewing class.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DDHg6hsTvSY/VNt47hEiOYI/AAAAAAAALbc/Ncc1rbNKax8/s640/blogger-image-1181378038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-DDHg6hsTvSY/VNt47hEiOYI/AAAAAAAALbc/Ncc1rbNKax8/s640/blogger-image-1181378038.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is my new favorite snack.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vV0aTztWt8k/VNt45A8fcgI/AAAAAAAALbU/Qel2aQIrrNo/s640/blogger-image-214301858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vV0aTztWt8k/VNt45A8fcgI/AAAAAAAALbU/Qel2aQIrrNo/s640/blogger-image-214301858.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I am going to teach a class about how to fix knitting mistakes. I never would have believed it if you told me that six months ago.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qH4VNT4CWYI/VNt4lQz9DAI/AAAAAAAALaU/MVwqJ__fukI/s640/blogger-image-556987873.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qH4VNT4CWYI/VNt4lQz9DAI/AAAAAAAALaU/MVwqJ__fukI/s640/blogger-image-556987873.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I finished my honey cowl which I love and wish I could wear every single day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Slowly getting my groove back, I think. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Woohoo!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-67437550042648124852015-01-26T09:04:00.001-07:002015-01-26T09:05:22.901-07:00The Groove<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Today, it's snowing. There is no school, but not because of snow. It's a teacher work day and the students are off. It would be great if we could play in the snow, but there is barely any. The photo is from the snowday LAST week. There was barely any then, too, but there was no school. This winter has been a real disappointment so far. I want one good big snow. The kind that shuts everything down and makes it quiet on King Street because no cars are out. Maybe next week.</div>
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All of these snow days and delays and teacher work days and MLK holidays and things are making it really hard to get in a groove. Even though I got Christmas taken down and put away, there are still piles of homeless things everywhere. A giant purge is in order, but that will require a chunk of time alone in the house, which is very rare these days.</div>
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Daphne is home now, drawing a treehouse while I blog. But she really wants to play with me. And how can I tell her no? It's not like I can send her out to play in this pitiful snow. So, I think what I have to do is just try to enjoy hanging out with my kid and overlook the piles for a few more days. </div>
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Sounds easy enough, right? But, this is really hard for me. When all the chores I feel like I SHOULD be doing are right there in my face, it's hard for me to enjoy anything. I feel guilty taking 15 minutes to write in this blog. I can't just let it go. I live at my workplace. There is no "going home from work." I am just always there. There must be a way to turn it off, but I haven't found it yet, and I wonder if I ever will. Maybe if everything was DONE, then I could enjoy being home. But it is never ever done. Ever. So, I need a new strategy. And a groove. A good normal week with no snow days or holidays. </div>
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Or, perhaps a vacation. But that would only help temporarily.</div>
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Or, here's a thought. I need perspective. Because, there are no lions after all. I have absolutely no reason to complain about anything. The chores will get done. The piles will get put away. There will be plenty of time for ALL of that, and to sit and knit and sew and read and enjoy my family time. Right now, I am going to go play with my kid. </div>
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Free cookies!!??!! I am SO in!</div>
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<br />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-76371076350434493822015-01-13T11:27:00.001-07:002015-01-13T11:28:06.974-07:00We Interrupt This Program...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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So, I got myself all in the mood to start blogging again, and we lost the internet. For several days. No internet, no TV, no landline service. Yesterday, we finally got hooked up again. In the meantime, school kept being cancelled or delayed, so I couldn't get much done around the house. I didn't want to take down Christmas while Daphne was home because it makes her too sad. But finally, yesterday, I just had to do it. I dragged up the bins and loaded them up, undecorated the tree, and tidied up a little. All that's left to do is take the lights off the tree and take it outside for recycling. Last year, that was tough. There were many tears when we said goodbye to "Doug."</div>
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This year's tree is called "Fergus." We got him at Snicker's Gap, just like last year, and made an ornament from his trunk, just like last year.</div>
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He's been a really great tree, but now all you have to do is walk by or breathe on him and his needles fall out in giant clumps. I think even Daphne realizes that it's time for him to go.</div>
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Thank you, Fergus, for being an awesome Christmas tree and making our house smell so good! We will miss you.</div>
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I am excited to have Christmas put away because now I can get back into some sort of normal routine, sit and knit without feeling like I should be doing something else, and maybe even read a book. Does anyone know of a good book I can read? I need some ideas. I also plan to improve my sewing skills this year, so I need to make some time for that. I love Christmas, but it's just all the SWIRLING...by the time it's over, I don't even remember it. I have to find a way to stop the swirling next year. Be glad you don't have to spend any time inside my brain. Especially at Christmas time. I need to figure out the secret to SLOW Christmas. Slow is good. There needs to be more slow. </div>
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OK, I have just a little while before Daphne gets home from school, so I am going to go make good use of the time. But not in a frantic swirly way. I may even knit.</div>
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Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-24739781887011757772015-01-06T06:34:00.001-07:002015-01-06T06:38:03.371-07:00Hello...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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So, it's January now. 2015. And I haven't blogged since the Great Mouse Invasion of Last Summer. When I left off, we were just about to catch and release "Lucky," our seventh, and thankfully LAST, mouse. I hope blogging about it doesn't jinx it, but since then we have been critter free. So in spite of all the wild internet rumors that are probably flying around out there on the facebook about the reason for my sudden absence, we were NOT overtaken and enslaved by the mice.</div>
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Why did I stop blogging? I don't know. August was busy, and then school started, and then suddenly it was Christmas. I have a lot to catch up on, I guess. Today, it snowed but school is going on as scheduled. Last year, this would have caused at LEAST a two hour delay, but there's a new superintendent in town, and it looks like he means business. Facebook is on fire with mad mommies. Reports are that the roads are pretty bad, but luckily Daphne only has to go 2 blocks on the bus, and our street is looking pretty clear.</div>
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It's quiet here. It's still snowing. It's that really pretty sparkly snow that looks like glitter is falling. I figured if there was ever a good time to finally blog a new blog, this is it. Plus, I am avoiding having to take down Christmas. I just can bring myself to do that yet.</div>
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The problem is, I am so far behind on this blog that I don't know where to start. I think what I should probably do is go back through my pictures from the last several months and do some "flashback" posts to get myself caught up. </div>
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But here is what is on my mind today. New Year. I like that. I need that. The holidays were sometimes fun, but also tough and stressful and really sad at times, and I am ready for a fresh start. Yesterday at Wegmans, they were playing Hall and Oates, and Van Morrison, and REM, and it was so nice to listen to regular songs again instead of Santa Baby for the 700th time.</div>
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This year is going to be good. I can already tell. So stay tuned for that. </div>
Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-51149990588123544852014-07-29T07:01:00.001-06:002014-07-29T07:01:26.411-06:00Space Invaders<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YJkwopTISJ4/U9ebJIoVvqI/AAAAAAAAKrQ/2OWY-4ydhMU/s640/blogger-image-806201298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YJkwopTISJ4/U9ebJIoVvqI/AAAAAAAAKrQ/2OWY-4ydhMU/s640/blogger-image-806201298.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Guess who is in there? Yep. Mouse Number Seven.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">SEVEN!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm too freaked out to open the drawer and look, but I KNOW because I can hear him in there, trying to escape from the trap. Little scritch-scratchy sounds, slowly driving me insane, like in the Tell Tale Heart.</div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Kev isn't here. He had to work the night shift last night to support the launch (finally!) of his project. During dinner, we watched the rocket carrying the satellites head up to space to get them into orbit. So cool. I got a little teary-eyed during separation. So, Step 1: Getting the things to space, seems to be a success. Now, the hard part, getting them to do what they're supposed to do up there. I have confidence. But it's mind-boggling to me, all this space stuff. Amazing. </div><br><div>Here's what I want to know. If all these scientists can get rockets and satellites and things to space, why can't they invent something REALLY useful, like personal forcefields? Because that is what I need. Then I could stop worrying about mice crawling on me or scurrying across my feet. </div><div><br></div><div>We are still going through an almost daily Catch and Release ritual with these mice. I have this mental image of hundreds, maybe THOUSANDS, of mice, having a big mouse party under my house. Soon, they are going to become organized and plan their take-over. They will come streaming out of the oven drawer in a big mouse wave, with their little round ears and stringy tails. It probably doesn't help that I'm reading a Stephen King novel, but I think I'm going a little crazy. The mice are winning.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm not sure how much more of this I can take. We are a "no-kill" kind of family, but these are desperate times. One of these days, Kev is going to come home and find me huddled up in a corner (up on a chair, of course!), rocking back and forth, slowly humming some creepy children's song like Three Blind Mice over and over.</div><div><br></div><div>I'm only sort of kidding.</div><div><br></div><div>On a happier note, Daphne and I had a fun day yesterday. Lunch, book store, Sweet Frog, playground. I love the Polar Vortex.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wNbpQR70t34/U9ebE018tCI/AAAAAAAAKrI/yoXXRca2ZF8/s640/blogger-image-470542597.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wNbpQR70t34/U9ebE018tCI/AAAAAAAAKrI/yoXXRca2ZF8/s640/blogger-image-470542597.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">OK. Time to get going. I hope Kev gets home soon to take our latest captive down to the creek before he gets so mad that he Incredible Hulks himself into my kitchen to take his revenge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Seriously. Forcefields. Come ON, Science!</div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-28520461271739622782014-07-23T13:05:00.001-06:002014-07-23T13:05:32.088-06:00What's Worse than Catching Mouse Number Four?Wanna know? OK. Here's what's worse:<div><br></div><div>THINKING you caught mouse number four, only to discover that mouse number four just triggered the trap but wasn't ACTUALLY caught and is therefor still at large, waiting to scurry over my feet at any moment.</div><div><br></div><div>Things to be happy about:</div><div><br></div><div>1. The knitting classes I taught last night were so much FUN, and my students left happy and confident. Yay!</div><div><br></div><div>2. Tomorrow will be way less hot than today.</div><div><br></div><div>3. I screened a shirt today. And Friday, I will teach kids to screen shirts. My shirt is about knitting.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-97zUGUiPOys/U9AHakoc7mI/AAAAAAAAKpY/TnHUCWJdZk4/s640/blogger-image--1539202146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-97zUGUiPOys/U9AHakoc7mI/AAAAAAAAKpY/TnHUCWJdZk4/s640/blogger-image--1539202146.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">4. Project Runway Season 13 starts tomorrow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">5. Ice Cream.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">6. A whole weekend with NO PLANS.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">7. My Hall and Oates Pandora station, which is GREAT as long as you are standing by to "thumbs down" any Huey Lewis or Phil Collins nonsense.</div><br></div><div>I think I'll go listen to it now...</div><div><br></div>Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8105679.post-63166108151880043432014-07-22T13:21:00.001-06:002014-07-22T13:40:19.711-06:00Resident Evil<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Here is a picture of a nice bluebird. The bluebird of happiness. But today, I am NOT happy. Do you want to know WHY I am not happy? </div>
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I will tell you anyway.</div>
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Because the people next door got a stupid divorce and the lady moved out and she took the stupid cats and since we have been back from Cape Cod, we have caught THREE mice in the drawer below my oven and there is at least one more that we know of, and probably even more than that and I am FREAKING OUT. </div>
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Ugh. </div>
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Kev said I would feel better if I blogged about it, but he was wrong. And that is saying something because he is only wrong 3% of the time. According to him. </div>
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I don't feel better at all.</div>
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I hate mice. They are dirty and they carry diseases and they poop everywhere and if you aren't careful, they get in your food supply. And you never know where they are lurking or if they are at any moment going to scurry by and run across your feet which are essentially bare because you are wearing your summertime flip-flop style slippers instead of the heavy duty winter ones that keep your feet warm and safe from being trod upon by wayward rodents. </div>
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Here is the routine: 1. A trap is set in the drawer below the oven. 2. A mouse is caught in the trap. 3. Kev (my hero!) takes the trap down the street to the bike trail and releases the mouse by the creek. 4. I clean the hell out of the oven drawer. 5. More poop is eventually discovered and we start all over again with step number one.</div>
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I can't go on like this much longer. And to make matters worse, Kev has THREE work trips coming up and I will be left here to deal with the mice alone. I can't be expected to do step 3 without a Haz-Mat suit. Seriously. And when I told Kev this, he just laughed at me because I am "like a cartoon." Then he said maybe if I played my Hall and Oates Pandora station it might drive away the mice. Salt in the wound.</div>
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So, that's why I am not happy. I am so grossed out. I know these things are to be expected when you live in a 106-year-old house, but this is a problem that needs to be solved because I can't live the rest of my life going through steps 1-5 over and over and over again, and worrying about mice scurrying over my feet.</div>
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At least there are no lions. But all bets are off if something crawls across my feet. Sigh.</div>
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Calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean, calm blue ocean...</div>
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UPDATE: DANGIT I just checked the trap and there is a mouse in it. That's mouse number FOUR. It will just have to stay in there and wait for Kev to get home. </div>
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When will this nightmare end? </div>
<br />Tarahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12842990147449290343noreply@blogger.com2