Make Martinis, Not War.

My new hat says, "Make martinis, not war".

Brinks Deli.

One of my favorite views.

work and play - california style

Luke begs to go outside to dig in the dirt, and cries when it's time to go in and clean up.

Luke's favorite ride: the helicopters.

Blue helicopters only.

Where's J'mark?

a train ride

We cleared (with lots of help!) a great big woodpile out from in front of the pig pen so that we could plant those three pomegranate trees in the back of Dad's vegetable garden.

We found lizards and black widows and mice and toads, even a few little skeletons.

Friday in California

This little guy keeps us entertained, and on our toes. I've been waiting since before he was born to hear him speak. It is just amazing to hear what he's thinking, feeling, wanting in actual WORDS. I love it! This morning I went in to get him up after he'd been jabbering to himself for a few minutes and when I walked in he said, "There's a mommy! There's a Ally! There's a black dog!" I turned and sure enough, those two dogs had followed me in. How special that we all have names.

Later this morning we went over and visited my Grandma Judy and Grandpa. Luke walked into their yard and said, "Yuck!" Now, if you know anything about my grandparents you will be surprised at this statement. Their backyard is gorgeously landscaped and intimately cared for. We looked all around and saw what Luke was pointing at: the flowers from their pistachio tree had fallen in the lawn and Luke said, "Yuck, messy!" Apparently he prefers a tidy lawn.

One more story. When Luke and I first got on the plane we saw the man we were going to sit next to and said brightly, "We're sitting next to YOU!" This stinky, rather large, grouchy old man said, "Great." in his most unenthusiastic voice. He stood up and we squeezed in near the window and before long Luke was staring at the man with rapt attention. I tried to direct his attention out the airplane window, but he shook his head and said to our neighbor, "No. Don't pick your nose!" Horrified, I saw the stinky old man with his finger nearly protruding from his eye socket, it was up so high. I wanted to repeat Luke's admonition, but was embarassed and instead politely told the man I wouldn't be offended if he asked the stewardess for another seat. Don't worry, he liked us as much as we liked him and before we even took off he switched seats with a much kinder, more hygienic man to whom I gave a great big "THANK-YOU" after the old man started hacking up mucus and spitting it into his plastic cup across the aisle from us.

First 24 Hours

We are in California, and the trip was as good as could be expected. We sat next to a very sympathetic man and took a couple really good walks up and down the aisle, and Luke even squeezed an itty bitty nap in. We were in such good shape after getting off the plane that instead of running straight home and going to bed, we stopped at In N Out near the airport watching huge planes flying in to land nearly above our heads, drove out and played on the beach, and then stopped at a roadside stand and picked up some fresh strawberries. Luke didn't care for the seaweed which his mother tickled under his chin, but he did learn his new favorite song which he sang over and over and over as we crossed the grapevine, "The bitty bitty bitty bitty bitty pie-der!" The perfect introduction to California.

This morning after picking sweet peas, feeding the doves, riding a little red trike, eating bran muffins next to an open dining room window, and grabbing trains off the track with Grampa's toy backhoe, Plain ol' Grammy and Wuf came by and Grammy celebrated her 75th birthday by getting right down there to play on the floor with Luke and his trainset. Luke recovered some of his lost travel hours by having a three hour nap in the afternoon, and was a lot of fun after a good nap - putting on his helmet before riding the horse. He's a charmer. Before they left they got good-bye kisses and hugs and Luke very affectionately said, "Guv-oo!"

First 24 Hours in CA

on a scale of one to ten:

14.

Photo Friday

one week old.

New backhoe book.

I will be posting on Monday, but not on Tuesday, and irregularly for the next two weeks. Thanks for checking in on us.

Tomorrow, tomorrow

Is finally Friday.

Is three days until we leave for California.

Is dinner and a movie with Derek.

Is on the other side of a (fingers crossed) good night sleep.

Is a break from lesson planning for Derek (and me!).

Is another opportunity for optimism to ignite.

Isn't

Today.

Unique Nature

"Due to the unique nature of this product, slubs and irregularities, normally considered flaws, are characteristic of the yarn and tend to create individual and richly beautiful garments."
-Patons Yarn

Sometimes I feel like my life is full of "slubs and irregularities" -
but I shall apply this phrase to my life and find some hope!
My chaotic, messy, screwed up life has a "unique nature"
which (potentially) makes it richly beautiful.
I just have to remember to see it.

Planted Friday

and already up!My grow-op

Rubber Boots

With all the melting we're having around here, it was definitely time to bust out the rubber boots. Luke loves them because he can put them on all by himself! We haven't yet gone out to splash in the puddles, but we stopped on the side of the road the other day and waded through some nice mud to break in these boots. Are they sharks? Are they bears? Who's to say.

These Boys

Luke and I found a $4 air popper at MCC last week and bought a special gift for Daddy. You can guess what night snack we've had nearly everyday since. This is what they do. Turn on some music, and wander around the house dancing with a bowl of popcorn. I just sit and laugh, because I don't like popcorn - but shhh! that's a naughty thing to say in our house.

Just a little color in this bleak week.

Friday's Soundtrack.
LISTEN HERE, WHILE YOU WATCH THE VIDEO, AND LOOK AT PICS.

Busy boy.

Tell him what he's won, Bob!

A brownie, a glass of juice, and a chance to color in an otherwise toyless environment!!

Yes, you think I'm crazy. At this moment I am agreeing with you a bit. Why am I potty-training my baby? Because, because, um, because...at one point there was a sane sounding answer.

All morning I sat with and talked about and demonstrated to Luke, how to use the potty. All morning I followed Luke around cleaning up his "accidents". Finally, just before lunch, I put him on the toilet (for the 87 gillionth time) and gave him a glass of water. He spilled the water all down his front, and !! he peed in the toilet.

We had a party.

Now I am tired.

Ever have one of these days?

Today is "one of those days"
when nothing is getting done.
Nobody is going anywhere.
No pictures are being taken.
No fresh food is being made.
No new projects are on the table.
It's gray and rainy,
I am tired but nap-less.
I have nothing to say.
Nothing to contribute to any joyfulness in the world.
So go read a happy blog.
This isn't it.

Batboy wants a cracker

Thursday after-naps

I love the swinging feet!

Thursdays, after Luke's nap, we have the neighbor girls over and lately we've been baking. Once it's in the oven, however, it's a free for all read-a-thon! This week we made brownies. Luke loves that when I use the kitchenaid the beater is like 5x bigger than the hand mixer. And all you salmonella fear-ers, fear not! This is just the frosting.

My most humble Pot

I started my pottery class last night.
I am not any good at it.
In fact, I'm lucky to have anything to show you at all!
But I had so much fun that I am planning on doing it some more.
I told my teacher: "I'm not good enough at it to quit yet."

My balls of clay.

Our prairie dog cat and her sore paws.

What is wrong with the above picture?
Can you see it?
That's right.
This little guy put his boots on ALL by himself
and then said, "Outside, need your mittens, Mommy!"

The results of spicy brainstorming, and $5 dollars
of materials from MCC.