I found these directions on a bag of ICE! What does this say about consumers these days?

New 'Do!

Well everyone has their summer 'do now. Bella got this one. I actually like it on her quite a lot. People look at my kids and , well, I don't know what they think. Then they talk to them and seem to be amazed at what they can discuss intelligently. Like you shouldn't be this smart unless you come from an Ivy League background.
I know some folks seem to really relax behind the status quo. And there are times when I can really get behind that. I really resist big change. We have been talking about moving to about an hour from where we are now (better schools) but I REALLY do not want to. I have lots of good reasons to stay. There's the drive time to work (40 min. jumps to 2-3 hours, daily), not to mention gas. I really love being close to The Park. Where we are now is only 20 minutes from downtown. All of my friends are here. And I do not make friends easily. Rats...
But, when Rosa was in high school we dyed her hair Napalm Orange. I was SO excited and when we were done, it looked so good. Beautiful with her green eyes.
Once a person has to get out in the job force, once schooling is done and you have get approval and acceptance from someone for their livelihood, coloring your hair Napalm Orange or getting a mohawk are not really options. As humans we do judge each other by how you dress, wear your hair, etc... Human nature, but what a shame.

Memorial Day feast

Tuesday morning. I'm up and getting ready for work.

In the end for our Memorial Day cookout, we stayed at home and invited my mom-in -law and our friend Len over. And Hot Damn if we didn't feast. Rosa fixed her own creation for devilled eggs and they were SO good. Molly fixed the dressing for the slaw and even Bruce liked it! Ysabel fixed the salad and the banana pudding. It was so good! I fixed the grilled chicken and the bbq'd ribs and the potato salad. We all ate like we were starved!

I love to cook for my family, but I espcially love to cook for others. It's such a blessing to have family and friends around the table, laughing and talking and eating.

I hope YOU had a wonderful weekend, as well.

I love Saturdays!

Well, I got up and went to Michele's this morning. I was astounded to see how many folks had already been there!
I am inspired today to clean my bathrooms. Now I have bleach in my nose and I'm rather enjoying it. And while I'm cleaning, I pretend I'm the Little Princess (Burnett) or Laura Ingalls Wilder. (O.k. to laugh. This is actually advice I give my kids.) Unless I have on music or NPR. There's something very satisfying about cleaning down to the corners. This does not happen often, I assure you...
And Bella is quite put out that she is the only one home to help. (grumpgrump) "This is not mine." "Where does this go?" "My stomach hurts." "I'm tired." "Let me tell you about my Webkinz." (Or the horse I found Byer Horses. Or look at thrick I taught my Nintendog.)
Molly is away. She spent the night with Lydia for Lyd's b-day. At the Omni Hotel downtown. With a pool. And they went to see "Prince Caspian". And they are going to the aquarium today. Rosa is out today with one of her friends. A rare occasion. But away playing. Bruce is sleeping after coming in at 7ish. And we are home... Therein lies the rub for Bella.
However, she and I get to make the plans for our picnic on Monday without interference. We will plan it all and everyone else will have to deal. Nyah! Good heavens, I sound contrary. Must be the bleach.
Mmmmmmm... And I have to get my mom today. Wonder what color the sky is in her world today.

The Last Day

YES! Today is the last day of school for our school system! MY last day is June 4 and I'm liberated until the end of July. I love being a 10 month employee! I have masses of work to finish before I go and my office to re-organize. But then I'm FREE! Free to get mom's medicare fixed up Free to take over homeschooling Bella and start with Molly. Free to clean into the corners of my house. And back yard. And garage. And go to the pool! And see Kristen! And Susan! And Camp! WOOT! I love summer break!
Sorry if you feel I'm rubbing this in your face but I am truly excited!
Zoinks! 6:00 am! Gotta go get dressed!

Playing catch up...

Well, I took the day off on Wednesday to take Rosa and Ysabel to the END OF THE YEAR EVENT for Georgia Virtual Academy. It was held at Lake Lanier. I hadn't been there for 25 years... I didn't see much to reccommend it. Especially with the drought. The event was nice. I got to meet Bella's teacher, with whom I will be working as we finish up her school this summer. (Started late, y'know.) She got into playing volleyball and dodgeball with some other kids. Weather was overcast but fine. I really wanted to find some parents in our area to connect with. People are so reticent. I mentioned this while we were talking with Mrs. Peters (the teacher). She said a lot of the parents in our area left public school due to religious reasons. Perhaps that's why they avoid us. Rather liberal on the lifestyle side of things, you see.
I got out of the house this morning at about 7:45 to walk and take pictures at Stone Mountain. Kristen took my kids for the night last night. God Bless her. I know I post a lot of pictures on my blog. I just haven't had time to start another for just pictures. Heck! There are hardly enough hours to do this one! When I loaded them after I got home, I thought, "Yeah. This is what it felt like." It was about 55 degrees when I got out there. REALLY lovely. My mp3 player froze up and would not play, which turned out to be a blessing. We got to Stone Mountain Park so often that I forget how much good hiking is there and how really beautiful it is. If only the camping weren't so blasted expensive ($50.00/night! Zoinks!)

I think I got some pretty nice shots. I was surprised to find trees where the deer had been eating the bark. I got a couple of close reflections of trees in the water that look like they've been Photoshopped (sp?).. You could think that you're up in North GA. except that you can hear the cars on the road thru the park occasionally and people laughing now and again.

I hiked for about 2 1/2 hours. Then my stomach reminded me that I'd had 2 slices of bread for breakfast. Aha. And I had not brought water. Again. And my chores were nagging at my brain. Ah. The burden of being a responsible person. "Alright! I'm coming!!!", she hollers to the dishes...
TTFN!

sheepish...

Turns out, it's all about the pms...

Aha. Aha ha ha... (Pass the Midol, please...)