13 going on debonair

Thursday morning, after I returned home from delivering Helena to the high school and was in my bathroom putting on my face, Will walked in and asked me,

"How do I look?"

Now, usually, this is a daily ritual with Helena.  She is the one who always wants my opinion on her look for the day.  In the past, Will has just thrown on whatever was most convenient and called it good.

So, with some surprise at the question, I turned to look at him.

He was in a white collared shirt, with a tie, slacks, dress shoes, and a classy sweater!  He also smelled freshly showered, and had his teeth brushed.

In complete surprise now, I asked him why in the WORLD was he dressed like that for school?!

He informed me that he had a test in ballroom. 

I asked if she graded on how kids dressed.  He said, "No.  But you dance better if you look good."

Picking my brain... this is for you, Sarah!

My friend, Sara, posted this on her blog and challenged her friends to post their own versions. So, here is mine!



Making... messes. All around the house and everywhere I go. I have good intentions to organize and de-clutter. It all ends up in new piles in new places and now I don't know where anything is

Cooking... nothing. I am the world's most abysmal cook! Bill used to do all the wonderful cooking for our family, but ever since he was diagnosed with Ciliac Disease, he has lost the ambition to make yummy stuff. I can't really blame him.
Reading... Voices by Ursula K. Le Guin. From the YA section of the library. I like young adult fiction better than adult fiction. It is much harder to accidentally run across rated R (or worse) content that way! Next is the complete works of Hans Christian Anderson.
Wanting... the nasty old crusty snow and muddy, boggy mush to be gone!!! I am ready for warmer weather.
Looking... for an office desk for my spare room so I can move all my scrapbook, computer, and office type junk out of my dining room. Then I can look for a sideboard! I love the classifieds!
Playing... nothing at the moment. That is truly sad! I need more play time in my life, apparently!
Wasting... money. I know we could be more frugal, but I get worn out constantly monitoring bills and finances. Sometimes I just ignore it unitl it bites me in the butt.
Sewing... nothing. I was not born with that gift. That is my Mother's great art. I am content knowing that if the world burns to ash and there is no other option, I could sew to keep my family from going naked.
Wishing... it was summer vacation already. I love long hot summer days spent cooling off at the pool and warm summer evenings listening to the crickets sing. Winter is overrated.
Enjoying... every moment spent happily with my kids. I am thrilled that they still confide stuff to me.
Waiting... for my husband to finish the yard. Very patiently, though. I am just so grateful that he is willing to work so hard at the house and yard. I know he is doing it entirely for me, because he really couldn't care less what is looks like, so long as it is home.
Liking... myself at the moment. I have gotten up at 5:30 am for the past week and a half and went to the gym to work out. I walk there in the early pre-dawn chill. I feel pretty proud of myself for that.
Wondering... if I will be able to come up with 7 more fun 30 min. activites for Kindergarteners without going completely insane! I definitely prefer older students!
Loving... my kids so much it hurts inside.
Hoping... that my kids will succeed in life. Praying for that, too.
Marvelling... at the wonders of God's creations. Still.
Needing... a facial, a housekeeper, and a chef.
Smelling... fresh out of the shower beautiful Helena!
Wearing... work clothes. This sounds worse than the reality. These slacks are my most comfy, and the outfit is actually very cute.
Following... my kids around the house and picking up dishes, cups, and utensils. It doesn't matter how many times I tell them 'don't take food in your room!', or 'clean up after yourself!' They say 'okay, Mom' and do it anyway. Harumph.
Noticing... a metal mixing bowl on the fireplace mantle with leftover, stale popcorn that I missed. Double Harumph!
Knowing... that it'll never end until they move out. Heavy sigh.
Thinking... that I don't really mind as much as I probably should, because I am just glad to have my kids at home still!
Bookmarking... the school grade access sites so I can keep tabs on their grades.
Opening... a new bag of dog food and a new bag of cat food. I know. Awe inspiring.
Giggling... at the goofy things my students say sometimes! Especially the kindergarteners!
Feeling... overwhelmed, at times. I feel like a juggler. I keep a lot up in the air, and sometimes I drop the ball. I am a wife and mother first of all. But I am also a teacher and an artist. I somehow got finagled onto two city council boards... the Arts Council, and the Steel Days Committee. I will be the Director of the Steel Days Art Show (notice all the capital letters? I am hypervenillating already) for summer of 2010. I run the household finances. I do the laundry and the dishes. I am the impetus behind the lackluster cleaning of the house. There are times I want to escape from it all. That is when I bury myself in a book. So I guess I want to escape a lot. But I am grateful for all the experiences and all the love I give and receive. And I am super grateful for my husband and kids! All the rest of it could go away, but I couldn't live without them!

9th grade registration.... ALREADY?!

I'M NOT READY! I'M NOT READY!! I'M NOT READY!!!!

My youngest child brought home his 9th grade registration yesterday. He is looking at and planning his first high school credits! How did that come about?! I can't possibly be old enough for such an event. Yet, here we are.

The school is offering 1st year Japanese for the first time next year. Will knows that I was going to require that he chose a language next year and was in an agony of indecision over Spanish, German, or French. Not anymore. He is DETERMINED to take Japanese. Quite excited, actually. I explained that it is much more difficult because you have to learn several completely different alphabets; it is nothing at all like English. He thinks that is the coolest part about it!

Thankfully, Trina and her kids learned Japanese during their time in Japan, so I have a ready resource just a phone call away. She is also boxing up her Rosetta Stone software and shipping it to me so that Will can get a head start on the class over the course of the summer.

Because Japanese, Band, and Seminary are full year courses, Will has only one 1/2 year elective left to choose. He can't decide between History of World Wars (Social Studies elective credit), Metal Shop (CTE credit), and Computer Tech (required of everyone to graduate). Tough call. I gave him some pros and cons for each choice, but will leave it up to him to decide.

I think Computer Tech might be a good candidate for online summer course. The school district has an online high school for those who need to catch up on credits, and for those who want to get ahead. In the summer before 9th grade Helena took Fitness for Life (required PE credit) online. I think I will connect with Celeste Baker (her son, Dallan, is Will's best friend) and see if we can register both boys for Fitness for Life together this summer. It is good to do online stuff together. Helena and her best friend, Caitlin, plan to take Financial Literacy (another graduation requirement) online together this summer.

Doing online requirements opens up options for taking the fun stuff during the school year. Helena wants to take photography classes and Will is interested in welding. Both want to open up their schedules in their senior year. I say 'great'!

The Auto Show

Last weekend we had a family party day!

First we went to the Auto Show. We wandered around, climbing into all sorts of cars and looking at all the new-fangled bells and whistles being offered nowadays. I found my next car! I really liked the Hyundai Santa Fe! Of course, a convertible Jaguar would do, too! ;)

After the Auto Show, we headed over to Jordan Commons for dinner and a movie. Dinner was food court, so everyone got something different. Will and I shared a fish and chips, that he thought was just as good as Ivar's. The food court workers seemed flattered when I told them (and explained what Ivar's is) as I returned to order scones for the kids. Those scones were fantastic, too! Jordan Commons is definitely THE PLACE to go for movie night!

The movie was Avatar in 3-D. Three hours of immersive and very loud 3-D movie left me with a splitting headache; which turned into the precursor of a week long head cold. The movie was fun, though; and Will wants me to buy it when it comes out on DVD. I wonder if the DVD version will offer 3-D?

After all was said and done, we dropped Helena off at Kirsten and Paul's house (at 11 p.m.) so she could spend the rest of the 3 day weekend with them.

We need to plan more fun weekend activities like that! It is really important to build fun memories during these teen years! What should we do next, I wonder?

Sunrise on the Wasatch Mountains

Here is another scenic photo for you. I took this the morning we drove Matt to the airport, then drove to West Jordan to pick up my new hutch. The sun was just rising as we returned to Utah County. I am a sucker for scenic shots!

My new China Hutch!

I have found another classified treasure!!!

I have had my Mom's old china for years now. And for all of those years it has been stored in an old cardboard box. I have been unhappy about that. It was always such a hassle to pull it out and clean it up to use for special occasions; then wash and pack back up immediately. In fact, I gave up using the china a few years back. But, oh, how I wanted to use it! I love that china!

Well, TA-DA! I found this like new hutch listed in the classifieds and snatched it up! It even lights up!

I think the china looks so grand displayed and I can't wait to be able to use it! Now I just have to get all the scrap booking stuff crated out of the dining room and off my table so we can eat in there again!

I can't tell you how fun it is to search the classifieds! I think it is so much more fun than just going shopping. I set a budget for what I am prepared to spend, then surf... sometimes for months until just the right item presents itself. How can you beat that?!

When Matt came to town...

I am sorry I have been neglecting this blog! I'll try to do better now that the holidays are over, but I have so many things on my plate right now that I'll have to schedule it in my planner to make sure it happens!

Matt spent his 10 day leave with us for New Year. I wish we had been able to plan lots of exciting things for him to do. There isn't a lot around here to do, though; especially when you're on a budget. I hope he wasn't too bored (though I know he was). We also no longer have a room dedicated to him. It reminds me of those shows you see on TV where the parents convert the child's room into something else the minute the kid moves out. But, really, we are in the limbo of waiting for our next remodel phase, and planning a guest room for when the next kid moves out.

Anyway, while he was hear, we all got sick of hearing "DROID!" every few seconds. His new phone has this automaton voice that says that every time he receives a text or e-mail, which is pretty much ALL THE TIME!

Another highlight of Matt's visit would have to be the number of IN N OUT burger joint visits Matt made while he was here. In the short time he was here, he became a regular of theirs!

On the 9th, we hosted an open house so that friends and family could stop by and see Matt while he was here. I scheduled it from noon to 8 pm, but I really should have just had it in the evening, since that is when most everyone came. The photo above is from the open house. It was good to see everyone. Now we simply have too much soda left over. I wish Matt could have taken it with him on the plane so I could have it out of the house. I suppose I could just pour it down the drain...

Now that he has gone back to San Diego, I miss having another driver around to help with errands.

The end of Christmas 2009

I always consider the disposal of the Christmas Tree to be the close of the Christmas season. After that, there is just miserable months of cold and snow until March and the beginning of Spring.

We have burned the tree the past couple of years, and this year was no exception. Helena tried three times to strike a match to get the tree started, but was unsuccessful. Finally, Bill came over and started it up with a lighter. The tree was engulfed in flames in moments! It is sobering to think of what you happen to my home it the tree went up while still in the house.

The last shot is of the smoking ruins of the tree. Now I just need to get the last of the garland down so we can move forward with the year.

Silver Strand Sunset - San Diego

After wandering around Imperial Beach for a little while, we drove up Silver Strand, a sandy spit of land connecting Coronado 'Island' to the mainland. Silver Strand actually has lots of housing and an elementary school on it! I am just green with envy for the kids who get to grow up completely surrounded by warm ocean waves and beaches on one side, and calm bay sailing and water skiing water on the other!

Isn't this a completely gorgeous sunset?! We pulled into a beach parking lot to allow me to take this beautiful shot.

We then drove over the Coronado Bay Bridge and returned to Miramar. All in all, it was a really fun day just relaxing and exploring. The only money we spent was on park entrances, lunch, and gas for the car. My best vacation memories are all of days like this.

South to Imperial Beach - San Diego

After exploring Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument, Bill and I followed the San Diego Bay shoreline towards the downtown area. We were both hungry for lunch and thought we'd keep on eye out for a Carl's Jr., or something.

The something turned out to be a little hole-in-the-wall Mexican cafe on Scott Avenue. It was quite a dive, and very delicious! I guess it would be hard to find bad Mexican food that close to the border.

After lunch, we followed I-5 south to the southern most incorporated city in California, Imperial Beach. There we drove as far west as we could, then as far south as we could. We found the most south-westerly townhouse in the continental United States! No, it was not for sale. South of it was the Tijuana Slough and a State Park, then the border. In the photo below, the largest shot is of Imperial Beach with Mexican headlands in the distance.




The weather for the whole trip was just wonderful! Slightly overcast with a high of 65* F!

Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument - San Diego

We arrived in San Diego on Sunday night. Matt didn't get off work until 4:00 pm on Monday, so we decided to get a map and be tourists for the day! Our first stop, Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument!

You can see from the map, that is it the point of land that juts out as a penninsula, sheltering San Diego Bay from the full brunt of the ocean.

Point Loma was of obvious military importance to the bay during WWII.  There was a watch set and military fortifications ready to defend the harbor should the Japanese attack.  December 7th, 1941 was an extremely tense day for the men stationed here.

On top of the point there is an old lighthouse.  It dates back to 1855.  Horse and buggy days!  Can you imagine being the light keeper, Captain Israel, and his family?  He and his wife lived out here alone for more than 20 years!  Their daughter grew up wandering the shore, making friends with seagulls, since there were no other children for more than 10 miles.  Captain Israel's wife made the mirror frame above the living room fireplace by collecting shells along the shore.  The house is unbelieveably cramped!  It makes my little cottage seem like a mansion in comparison!  The bedrooms are tucked into the gables of the roofline and the stairs are a dramatic, but very narrow spiral!  Please note the toilet chair that was in the master bedroom!

Along the spit of land that leads to Cabrillo National Monument, there is a cemetery.  It is the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  Here is a blurb about it...

About 91,467 people are presently interred at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma. The rows of white headstones make their way down the 77.5 acres of gentle grassy slopes on both the ocean and San Diego Bay sides, with stunning views.

Open to the public, the cemetery is located along both sides of Catalina Blvd, south of Point Loma's residential neighborhoods and north of Cabrillo National Monument Park.

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery includes those Veterans of WW I, WW II, Korea, VietNam and the Gulf wars. Also here are those who fell in the battle of San Pasqual in 1846, as well as victims of the USS Bennington explosion in 1905.

http://www.sandiegocoastlife.com/attractions/san-diego-bay/landmarks-ft-rosecrans-cemetery.html

It was a very beautiful place!  There was a funeral going on as we drove past.

Traveling to Miramar

On December 27th (my Mom's birthday), Bill and I drove to Miramar Marine Air Station in San Diego, CA to pick Matt up for his 10 day leave. I was so excited to find out that he wanted to spend his entire vacation with us! I hope he doesn't come to regret that. We don't live a very exciting life here.

Anyway, the original plan was to bring the whole family on a little Southern California mini vacation. In the end, Bill and I decided to leave the kids on their own for a few days and go alone. We really needed the alone time. Actually, I really needed it. And the cost of the trip would have been much higher if taking everyone. It was right after Christmas and $ was short. It also meant we didn't have to find a neighbor to take care of the animals while we were away.

I was a little nervous about leaving the kids for 3 days. Only a little. Despite all the frustrations lately, I know that I have really high class kids and that we live in a very safe neighborhood.

On the way south, Bill spotted this neat atmospheric effect and asked me to take a picture of it. He called it a 'sun dog'. The large bright spot is the sun. The smaller one is the 'sun dog' as part of a corona around the sun. It looks like a Hollywood movie effect!

The traffic was great until we reached Las Vegas. That is when the freeway turned into a parking lot! We crawled forward at 5-20 miles per hour until about 15 miles into California! In fact, the traffic was so bad, several people decided to take matters into their own hands and left the freeway! They found an open gate to the power line access road and went buck boarding along at about the same rate as the freeway. I guess off-roading was preferable even if it wasn't much faster.

We had reserved a room at the Miramar Inn; an on base hotel. It didn't cost any less than the off base choices, but the atmosphere was very different! The weather in San Diego is so nice year round that the hotel hallways were actually breezeways! The only secure doors were the room doors. Everything felt very safe, though. The feeling of complete security was something that we would never have found off base. Everyone in the Ready Room (the complimentary breakfast room) was very friendly. We all knew that we had the Marines in common.

This is a picture of Matt at the on base McDonald's.  We ended up eating a couple of meals there.  It was just convenient and cheap.