In a Sentimental Mood

I had to find a couple photos for work.
It got me thinking about my music from early childhood.
Music is always important to me,
but this stuff is in my cell makeup.

By 8, I was choreographing dances to songs like,
"The Gambler"
in my front yard with friends-Along with donning this happy Brownie beanie which coiffed
my "Dorothy Hamil" hairdo my mother was rather attached to.
IT WAS THE 70's!

The other songs that brought back joy are on this RETRO LOVE
playlist you're hearing now if you have your sound on.
FM100. We sang together in the Pinto hatchback.
Had to throw in a little Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, though.
I remember this from the skating rink.

Other poignant memories:
Dad's banjo.

Mom wearing a head scarf, sunning herself in the back yard.

Cleaning on Saturday morning. We put a vinyl on the player
and the family did chores while rocking out to John Denver, Roger Wittaker,
Air Supply and more.

My parents took me to my first concert at 8- Air Supply.
I was in love. Had many records. Drove my brothers nuts.

Aw, I won't ever have to relive it,
I've got the music.

The laugh of the day:
Green Smoothie.
Ever tried it?

It's the craze in athlete's or anyone's nutrition:
Just blend a mixture of veggies, fruits to offset the highly GREEN taste,
possibly a protein power,
and voila, you have a heavenly protein power drink.

My version?
After 30 beastly minutes on the treadmill- or mill stone??
slash recumbent bicycle,
I whip up a frothy, chunky drink with what I have on-hand:
Free tomatoes from my neighbor, Spinach and cucumber.
Yes, water and agave nectar to entice.
Do I have apple juice, an orange or lemon zest?
NO! Add a scoop of protein powder and my courage to the mix.

Needless to say, it took about 20 minutes
to choke it down AND a fresh commitment
to myself to keep the necessary ingredients around
so I never relive this morning's high school science experiment:)

Try it some time. The word, "Gratitude" comes to mind.

Deb

These are my 7 cousins, missing their mom.
This is one, tight-knit family.

This is my Aunt Deb.
Deb was one of the naturally funniest people I know.
Jo could put rabbit poop in her hand and it would make her laugh harder:)
We laughed about everything. Even the saddest things.

She had more hot dog jokes than anyone else!

This is my Aunt Deb.
She's an angel now.
I miss her.

Nov. 1953-Aug. 27, 2009

We kicked-off the week with a camp-out, Dad's idea.
And what fun! The kids are hiking
in the above picture.

They loved it all. Well, until Donovan got blisters
and the boys headed back to the parking lot with Dad
and.....
Ivy lead the way up the mountain.
"I just want to see what is at the end of the trail, Mom."
What a sport!
We enjoyed everybit of this overnighter
and hike.

Donovan now suffers from "pyromania!" He tried to light every stick on fire. Harrison just took lots of pictures, mainly of nature. He wants to get the photography merit badge now.

I love to cook while camping. I'm best at the propane stove thing, but we got breakfast down this time: Make sure the flames on the fire are high and set the griddle right in. Fun! Good thing everything tastes great when you're camping:)


Let's hike!




My little happy campers.

We're definitely going to do this
activity more often.







Below: The kids' invention- "Door of Doom" ride. We do crazy things when we're camping and deprived of electronics. We have video, but we'll spare you:)

No more teachers, no more books!

Back to the books.
It is time. Time to go to school, time to go to work.
I suppose I'm ready.
I've been thinking about this for a few weeks now,
in fact, getting excited about my new post at the school.
I'm only worried about doing homework with kids,
making dinner,reading,
getting people to bed on-time and all of this nonsense.
It's what we do though, right? We can do this again.
Wishing YOU luck and feel-goods.

*Be sure to check the bottom of the screen for favorite video clips*

Today is about art-journaling.
Catching up with thoughts and feelings in a way that only
needs to be understood by an artist.

This is how I get out of my head
and get it onto paper where I can sort it all out.

Look at Maxfield Parrish's work up there:
It needs no explanation, just one look and you feel it.
Wow!

Who is your favorite artist?

H with 2 awesome grandmas

Fillmore on the 4th!
We live for the celebration with family:
From the parade down main at 10 am
to the fireworks on grandma's lawn at 10 pm.
Here are a few of the things that happened this year...

The Bonds- Where are Megan and Tyson?

Donovan and Connor on the a.t.v. Buddies!

Here's Grandma, Beth and Suzie- 3 stand-up-comedians.
They're hilarious together!

Cousins Shelby and Morgan- and new puppy, Daisy.

So, thanks, Shelby for providing so much entertainment for the kids.
Mine were in 7th heaven.

Girls, girls, girls! They had a blast. They even pose for the mommies:)
Macy, Ivy, Campbell and Azi

What would the 4th be like without the sideyard scrimmage?
Football game-
quote of the day when Satasha got knocked down by her
boy cousin: "Sissy!"- brother, Chase

Yummy Dutch oven chicken and fixin's, laughs, stories and more stories,
games and Deano's pizza at the Carnival. Main street USA, pretty much.

So many I didn't get pictures of, but we had a blast and we love you all!