Ode to a Plant

Sunday afternoon John and I were talking and we realized we hadn't been interrupted in at least 5 minutes.  Odd considering everyone was awake.  We then noticed it was surprisingly quiet.  Not a good thing, necessary.  John went to hunt everyone down.  Mark parked in front of the TV (surprise), Jack playing Lego's and Emma lying on the floor in her room.  John said she was lying on the floor moving her arms and legs as if doing jumping jacks.  What was odd was that she was repeating "Photosynthesis" over and over as if chanting it.  He watched her for a full minute before asking, "What are you doing Emma?" 

 She replied, "Playing."   

"What are you playing?"

"I am pretending I am a plant.  Now move, your in my light." she scolded.

Oh. Ok.  

Ouch.

Saturday evening we took the kids out for a walk.  They were super excited.  School was only 2 days away and you would have thought it was Christmas.  Safe to say they needed run off a little steam.  We made them all ride their scooters, because walking can actually turn out to be more difficult.   Mark is in the custom of jumping curbs, ramping his scooter and generally trying to get the largest scrape or cut he can.  He has a t-shirt that says, "I do my own stunts!" for a reason.  As the walk progressed the kids established the pecking order.  Typically  it goes by birth order although, we do have bumping , jockeying for position and the occasional illegal pass.  The kids took turns letting Ginger pull them along, (just another something to fight about, we like to keep it interesting).  We came to the church parking lot where there are lots of good curbs, ramps and speed bumps to ride over or on.  Mark came to a median and jumped it clean and landed on the other side.  Jack stopped his scooter and got off and just stared.  "I have Never seen Mark do that before!"  he exclaimed.  He couldn't believe it.  He just kept staring. I got the feeling he was calculating the odds or the trajectory or something scientific.  After about 30 seconds Jack says, "Well I should have said, ' WoW, I've never seen Mark do that without hurting himself."  

Farewell To an Old Friend

We mourn the loss of a dear friend this Sunday.  We have known it for over 14 years.  It served us well and was always there when were needed a break.  It was unfortunate set of circumstances that led to the demise of our dear friend.  Some might call it "homicide"  others "old Age".  What ever the name, it was past it's time.  John seems to be taking it the hardest,  calling it a senseless loss that could have been prevented.  Although saddened, I am glad to be free of it's massive size, and look ahead to redecorating.  The rips and tears in the leather now unrepairable.  It could not be saved.  After numerous attempts at disposal, it is survived by the once swivel, and now stationary recliner.   Preceded in death by the white washed entertainment center, coffee table, sofa table and two end tables.   As the first furniture purchased by a newlywed couple in 1994 it represents the end of the 90's decor and the beginning of what we can hope is a new sleeker style.   It was a good sofa and will surely be missed by those who sat on it's comfy leather seats.  We can only hope it finds another family who will love its deeply cushioned seats and large padded armrests.  May it rest in peace.  

We spent the day cleaning out getting rid of two broken chairs and the beloved sofa recliner.  All for the greater good, regardless of what was spoken by others. 

  

We finished restoring our antique parlor chairs which sit regally in our living room now.  Many of you may not have known that I purchased these on eBay only viewing two pictures and the word of the seller.  After a much to complicated delivery, which took almost 2 months to get here, we finally received them.  John was not to pleased at the condition of the upholstery and I was sure I was about to be baned from ever using the Internet again.  However with much elbow grease and many hours spent researching upholstery.   We finally got to work...

and are very pleased with the results.  Even John admitted we should think about going into the re-upholstery business.  

 

T-I-R-E-D

I have been up late the last week doing various things such as quilting.  Twice I was purposely up, once I was up dealing with my asthma, and once i was up because apparently a pot of coffee before bed is not a good idea.  Despite my late nights, i have been maintaining a 6:30 am wake-up time.  This way I am still able to have the kids up by 7 am (our going back to school routine.)  This morning I was awakened at 6 am my my neighbors lawn care service.  I woke up thinking, "That cannot be someone cutting the grass at this hour!"  oh, but it was.  My second thought was, "where am I?"  It turns out Emma had a nightmare, which i barely remember waking for, and i must have gone to lay down with her, because that is where I woke up.  Although, the memory of it all is lost.  The neighbor who had the lawn service doesn't even live there anymore!  I made it appoint to call the realtor who is handling the sale of their property and complain.  I should have called and woken her up at 6 am.  But I didn't.  I would like to say it was because I was being nice, but that would be a lie.   Actually, I didn't think of it until after my 2 Nd cup of coffee at 7 am.  Maybe I should start the mower up at 6 tomorrow and give her another ring?  

After grumbling around for and hour.  I  embarked on a day full of deadlines.  I have a quilting guild meeting tomorrow.   Since i put a notice in the newsletter officially announcing my new business, I felt I should take something to show off my work.  I don't know about the rest of you,  but I have a really hard time promoting myself.  So, I have been stressed out all week worrying about my quilting skills.  Trying to get one quilt off the quilting frame so I could get another on to display at tomorrows meeting.  Also, at each meeting we have a block of the month to make, a fat quarter to bring in and I happened to volunteer to bring in a snack tomorrow.   Yippee.  So, today I spent trying to climb out of a hole I dug for myself.  I was up late finishing the quilting on my Christmas Quilt.  This morning I cut out the binding and cut out the pieces for the block of the month.  TA-DA! 

Here is my Christmas Quilt still unbound.  As it is at this current moment because I am typing.  Hey everyone needs a break.

Here is my block for the block of the month. 

Mark and I finished making a banana coffee cake to take in.  Now I just have to finish the binding.  Which always seems to take FOREVER!  Typing it all down it doesn't really seam like i did very much today.  Until you add in the fact I still had to do my mommy duties.  

At about 1-ish we had friends come over which really increased my proficiency.  I sat down to start the binding,  and I got really tired.  I do alright on limited sleep, as long as i keep moving.  Sitting down was a big mistake.  I just kept getting more tired.  I think I poked myself like 20 billion times with a pin or a needle.  (so what's a little blood.  It is red and Christmas is represented by red and green right?)  I really, really, really wanted to take a nap.  But,  taking a nap when the kids have friends over can be bad.  I can see the mom coming over early.  

"Is your mom here?" she asks innocently.

"Yeah, but she's sleeping."  they reply.  

HAAAAAAA!  Not so good. So, I just made a pot of coffee and had a pepsi while it brewed.  Tomorrow I sleep.

School

School is upon us.  Today was meet the teacher day.  I woke everyone bright and early this morning, fed them a healthy breakfast (brownies and milk, at least it was breakfast) and threw them in the car.  I was prepared for lots of moaning and groaning, about how summer was too short and they don't want to go back to school.  Oddly enough they didn't complain.  They were actually excited about going back to school.  What that says about me I can only imagine.  The teachers all asked if the kids were ready and they all replied "Yes."  As a matter of fact, Mr. Ochoa,  Jack's new teacher, said Jack was the first student he had that replied they were ready for school to start.  Face it my kids are weird.  We received orientation packets and school policy lists to sign, lunch menus and curriculums.  Emma even received her first weeks spelling words.  Of course, she studied them on the way home, see I told you. Weird. They immediately came home and started going through the school supply lists and sorting supplies, putting their names on them and packing their bags.  Did I mention school doesn't start until Monday.  They did not get their organizational skills from me.   They are actually excited  which i guess is better than the alternative.  I am sure we will still have some fears and anxieties to deal with sunday night.  But, basically they are ready.  

Mark started soccer this week with a new team.  His practices are 3 days a week plus games on Saturday.  This Saturday I sign Emma up for Dance, she wants to do Ballet and Jazz this year.  Then in 2 weeks Jack starts back up in piano and he is thinking about guitar also.  Then it will be back to the constant running of the mommy taxi.  I was worried this summer would go slow and i wouldn't have enough to keep them busy.  I guess I can put that worry away.    Still it will be weird the first day back, having all that free time to myself.  WooHoo!  I will miss them right up until I pick them up on the first day.  

Dogs and Dolls

Today was a busy, busy, busy day.  John worked from home, which always throws me off a little.  Today we also had a moving company coming to drop of an antique bedroom set for Emma along with assorted other things from Ohio.  In addition to needing to go to the grocery i also had to make a run to the post office, the bank, Walgreen, and Home Depot.  The movers were coming at 10 so the bank run was first. COD on the furniture.  Before I  left, I asked Emma to pick up her Bitty Twins and put them away.  Upon returning, i found the dolls on the floor and their clothes scattered around.  Emma, it seemed had forgotten to put them away.  I reminded her and she gave me the usual list of excuses.  I forgot, I had to go to the bathroom, I was going to do it on the next commercial.  (If you have kids i am sure you have heard them all.)  

The movers came.  Emma and i ran the rest of the errands, with the Bitty Twins now fully dressed.  We got home unloaded and the kids decided to swim.  On a trip into the house to get snacks, I once again found the Bitty Twins naked and laying in a pile with their clothing.  I picked them up and noticed they were damp.   I figured the kids had gotten them wet on their way in the house from the pool.  Why is it so hard to dry off before coming in from the pool?  I made a mental note to "remind"  Emma again.  When I did remind her  she said, "i did put them away."  Well if they were put away why did I just find them on the FLOOR! 

 After dinner we were getting ready for a walk, when I heard the kids screaming at Ginger.  It is not unusual for the yelling to go on in our house, so basically I tuned it out.  When I did resurface to take everyone out for a walk Emma said, "Mom, you will never guess what Ginger did?  She took my Bitty Twins!"  I said, "Well Emma, if you would have put them away."  She looked at me, rolled her eyes and through her hands on her hips.  "Mom,  you don't get it.  She didn't just take them.  She undressed them!!"  Sure enough the dolls were naked, for the third time that day and more than a little wet in places.  It appears Ginger not only like shoes, but also enjoys playing with dolls.

In Which We Blow-up Camp

OK, just so you don't think the camping trip was an entire flop here's another story.  

Last fall my mom and sister went to the Grand Canyon.  As a souvenir they brought the kids back a make your own pottery kit.  After begging and begging to make pots, I put the box away until I had the time to "help" them with it.  When we on our Grand Canyon trip this summer the kids went to a pottery demo with the ranger.  The ranger did a fantastic job.  She told the Native American story of how clay came to be and then each of the kids got to design their own pot.  Unfortunately, the clay had to be reused and the pots were collected.  The kids were sad that after all of their hard work they were unable to take their pots home.  I reminded them of the kit Nonna had brought back for them and they said "What Kit?"  Just love how that out of site out of mind process works.  I promised i would show them "later."  Then the camping trip came out of nowhere and i thought this would be the perfect place to make the pots!  You see the key to this whole pot process it that the kit is designed to teach the kids the "old ways" of making clay pots.  Which involves camp firing the pots.  We would have a camp fire definitely!  You just cant go camping without roasting marshmallows!  

Saturday morning we spread out the table cloth and got to work!  Now if you have never made a pot out of real clay before.  It can be a little messy.  This is not Playdoh, this is not even close to modeling clay or Sculpty.  With clay you have to add water, to help smooth the clay and keep it from drying out as you shape the clay.  Since we have had the clay for 9 months, before we ever got it out of the bag, it was a little dry to start with.  We had prepared the clay the night before.  Breaking it apart, with a knife (did i say a little dry?)  adding water and sealing it in a Tupperware container.  Nevertheless, the clay was still dry.  So we added, more water.  Well, did I mention it was Red Dirt clay.  Yep.  Mark was the first one to get clay on his shirt. (surprise).  Then after the shirt came off the chest, hands, forehead, arms and even tennis shoes became covered with red clay mud.  He looked like a indian warror preparing for battle.  John, who tends to be the cleaner of us parents, dilligently scrubed Mark's shirt, with no luck...Sigh.  

Emma and Jack remarkably did not get covered with the red clay, I however, did not escape the carnage.   

Jack and Emma were quick to form and finish their designs which we placed in the sun to dry.  Mark took longer unable to get his design to form the way he wanted.  He wanted a bowl shape and the clay was to brittle to get the walls to form without cracking.  Then I got a idea.  Lets use one of the plastic bowls as a mold and form the bowl over it.  Brilliant!  Not so brilliant.  I  mentioned we left to get ice.  Well, by the time we returned Mark's bowl was cracked.  We didn't take the mold out quickly enough, so as the clay dried it shrunk and cracked the bowl.  We pried the clay off the bowl, ground it up and, yup, added more water.  Down went shirt number two.  Now this time we wrapped the bowl in plastic and then clay so we could remove the bowl without cracking the clay.  AH-Ha.  Now, we were fortunate to have a water spicket just to the right of our campsite.  Which made clean up easy.  Now if you have ever dealt with red, clay, icing, food coloring, etc. you know red anything doesn't clean up easy.  As a matter of fact, some of my fingernails are slightly orange, still.  You may also remember that  the desert southwest doesn't believe in drainage.  So under the spicket there was no drain, just rocks.   Basically, we created a red lake next to our campsite.  Which is LOADS of fun to ride your bike through. While Jack and Emma may not have gotten clay on them while forming their pots, they did after they drove their bikes through the "lake" a couple dozen times.  Yeah.  Anyway, after Mark's pot had dried, we felt it was safe to take out the bowl,  we tried.  yeah, yeah, yeah we tried.  Well you see,  the bowl we used was the same bowl we mixed the clay and the water in to reform the bowl in the first time.  Basically, it was covered in a mixture known as slip to potters.  The bowl was stuck to the plastic. Oh sigh.  So we rip it off the mold yet again,  mix the clay, yet again, add more water, yeah, lost shirt number three  and then reformed the bowl over a clean bowl wrapped in clean plastic.  (At this point, I am ready to KILL my mom, sorry mom)

Anyway, they all dried, thank goodness for dry heat and 100 degree temps.

We sent the kids out to collect small sticks and logs for the building of the campfire.    Which is thankfully something we don't have to bribe them to do.  We started a small fire.  For this process we needed to set the pots onto hot coals then cover them with pine needles, pine cones and sticks then stack more logs on top.  In the morning presto, ceramic pots!  TA-DA .  As we got the fire started we set the pots on the grill rack next to the campfire.  The pots need to warm up so they don't crack when placed on the coals.  After the coals were ready we used a stick, because the pots were HOT to place them on the coals.   We continued the procedure as described in the instruction booklet.  Just prior to Ginger freaking out about the ants.  We hear a BANG! POP! and stuff goes flying.  What the @#!#$!  A piece of  Emma's pot had blown clean off.   Then another BANG !  A POP!  Kids screaming and crying.  Pots are exploding, pottery shrapnel was  flying every wear.  Smoke and steam is pouring from the fire.  You can hear the hiss of water boiling and you realize.  The clay was not as dry as we thought.  Apparently.  We are under attack by our own campfire!   Eventually the exploding ceased, thankfully we only had 4 pots. Everyone crawled out from where they were hiding, not unlike the seen in The Wizard of Oz when the witch leaves and Glenda exclaims, "It's alright you can come out now."  Hey, we may even be about the same size.  

 

We left everything in the fire and the next morning we uncovered what was left of our Exploding Pottery.

Now we just have to figure out how to use this as this years science fair project.