random ramblings...

Life travels faster than light sometimes. Can it really be mid-February? The sun is shining and the snow is melting, but I warned our students that Spring has not quite arrived. I expect at least one more cold spell before winter releases it's frosty grip.

This sunshine creates such energy. I wish I could bottle it up and sell it! Yesterday in a fit of warm-weather induced greatness, I cleaned my room top to bottom. It looks beautiful adorned with new curtains and free of books, clutter and dust-bunnies!

Heart health was highlighted at our church ladies' meeting this month. A family physician outlined risk factors and taught us how to recognize the signs of a heart attack. She chanted (to the rhythm of the "Pepto-bismol" commercial,) "Chest pain, arm pain, indigestion, trouble breathing, cool clammy skin." We all laughed as we recited and did the actions along with her, easily commiting this to memory. She also introduced us to this excellent website: http://www.thehearttruth.ca/. Enjoy!

on packing and procrastination

What a marvelous day! In 24 hours I'll be in Phoenix with my darling! The only drawback to wonderful events such as this is that they usually require pre-planning and packing, neither of which I excel at. So I told the kids to prepare their own bags. I think this is a win-win because it means they can do it (not me :-) and if they forget things they will learn for next time! Of course I will check the contents of the suitcases of the kids going to Grandma's. (I don't want her to be inconvenienced by a 12 year old boy who might be happy to wear the same outfit all week and use the suitcase for a more important cause: carrying electronic entertainment!)

I've discovered that when I have something unexciting that must be done, I tend to complete all sorts of other things which get ignored during busy days (or weeks or months.) Hence the update to this blog...

So just as I wrote this, Julia phoned and asked how my packing was going. lol - her timing was perfect! As we discussed what it takes to get ready, I realized that this isn't so difficult and with this newfound inspiration I will sign off now to complete preparations for this exciting adventure!

choosing cheerful :-)

Today is a great day! It started with a lovely shower (to wake me up since last night was late.) My shampoo promised that I will have 2X the shine in my hair and my conditioner will make my hair smooth and sleek. My bodywash assured me of silky skin, and my smooth blast deoderant will keep me smelling good all day; with products like this, how could I go wrong?

The euphoria ended as I left the bathroom to wade through my laundry room. My new laundry schedule isn't quite off the ground - and neither is my laundry. :-( But on the bright side, there's so much room for improvement!

oops - I wrote this 2 1/2 months ago and never finished...

So to follow up these thoughts, I'm still learning to choose to be pleasant, the laundry is less of a mess than before (but still never done,) and I hate the 2x shine shampoo because my hair looks greasy (now I'm trying Dove for real beauty ;-)

back to organizing

Second day on the schedule. :-) We did great until this afternoon. After 2 pm, we got a little distracted with running to Costco for a few groceries and then painting our paper mache creation. I also spent some time moving the paper monster from my room into the schoolroom. (When I moved my desk some time ago, I emptied it's entire contents into the corner of my room - bad idea - the seemingly innocent contents have been multiplying quietly and this insidious paper monster is threatening to devour my domain!)

My new plan is to declutter the schoolroom a little every day, while living in the beautifully uncluttered rest of my house. At least my room is a restful place again. :-)

In an attempt to gain inspiration, I remembered a book I started before I got sick this summer. I'm not sure what the title was, but it was something about 40 days to perfect organization. If only I could find it...

time and treats

Today is the first day on our schedule which I finally created last week. So far, so good. I even planned computer time for me! So here I am. :-)

My daughters have cameras now, so I actually have pictures!! Here the kids are enjoying Saudi Arabian coffee with Rakan. His family sent the gorgeous coffee pot and small cups you see in the picture as well as all the supplies to make coffee. The beans are light colored, and they add saffron and cardamom to the coffee as well. Delicious!

Rakan treated us to Saudi food twice. The rice is beautiful and flavorful - there are raisins and cloves in it, and some spices to add flavor and color, making a rainbow of light orange, pink and white - add a little of the fiery hot sauce and wow!! We also had several lamb, chicken and vegetable dishes.

The pastries you see (for dessert) are SO tasty! It's a very flaky crust with pistachios and honey (I think!)

long time no post

wow, it's been way too long...

It was an interesting summer to be sure. Having little or no energy was a new and often frustrating experience, but I'm encouraged greatly as I am gradually getting better! :-)

We've been incredibly blessed by our wonderful exchange students who have enriched our lives immensely. Our family is enjoying learning about other cultures while sharing our traditions and Canadian ways with students from around the world.

This summer has been rich in relationship building, reading and relaxing. I'm thankful for an unforgettable summer, and look forward to continuing to find balance in my activities.

School is in full swing, and I'm sitting at the computer presently avoiding the task of list making. A few of my children have requested a list of their daily activities so they can have the joy of checking it off. So I will endeavor to provide this for them. I suppose it will also make my life easier since I won't be interrupted with the sing-song refrain "Mu-uuuuuum," every few minutes. (perhaps I'm overly optimistic ;-)

Sadly, my friend Julia (lucky me - also my sister-in-law) has moved away, so we will miss their family - especially Katy will miss her cousin!

Thank you Bre for telling me how important it is to write here and stay in touch - I'll try to be more faithful!

calaway excitement

Calaway Park... a day of dizzying daring for some... and lazy meandering for others (well, for me anyway.)

We had a perfect day at Calaway Park. We left early, fortified with a hearty breakfast of pancakes, arriving just after the park opened at 10am. With our half price coupon, the entrance fee was only $103 for all 8 of us, including all rides and shows (making this dutch mom very happy.)

We immediately separated into small groups - speedy, dizzy, and very slow - going our various ways and staying in touch with radios.

The very slow group had a great time watching the little ones on their rides and taking photos (my brother Dave brought his camera and took some amazing shots :-) After a while, Katy was bored, so Mom, Julia and I watched the camera and little kids, and Dave took her and Amaris on several exciting rides (they are actually tall enough for some fairly terrifying ones!)

We were thrilled to connect with the Neumann family and had a picnic lunch midday together, then spread out across the park again so everyone could enjoy it at their own pace.

It was definitely a highlight of our vacation!