Hello, Friends!

I have so much on my mind, but I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about it all.  I am interested in hearing what you are up to, though!  I do get curious.  I know that many of the people that I originally started blogging "to" don't really read it anymore.  Mostly that is because we are still in touch in a more equal exchange through other media.  But there is the other aspect, as well, that needs to be addressed occasionally.  In the beginning, I blogged because I had infants who never let me finish a sentence in person or on the phone.  (I never put finishing my sentences over any needs of my children.  Personally, and in my own case, I believe this has paid off.)  Aside from that, it was somewhat journalistic, and a way to arrange my own thoughts.  This didn't go as well, actually.  It's no wonder, really.  The things one contemplates are not always compatible with what one relates to others.  So, my two objectives were not a good match.  Mostly I related what Was - not necessarily what I thought about it.  Not that those who are on intimate terms of friendship with me couldn't read between the lines....  My goal was never really to establish conversations.  However, whether it was my goal or not, this blog (and its predecessor) did include dialogs with my readers and friends.  I would like to encourage that again.  I miss it.

Here is a brief description of my recent past and present: 

Spring Break - the largest snow count we got was 15 inches.  It could have been slightly more, but it was so late in the season that we really weren't giddy about it.  We ignored it, for the most part.  We visited Gran on Wednesday.  We never saw her new cats, but the dogs loved us.  We had tacos at B&B, saw the amazing library, and chatted.  A lovely day.  We continued on to Mom's in the late afternoon, and had dinner with Mom and Dad at Imo's. Thursday we went to downtown Rolla and pretended to be tourists.  I took pictures and we visited shops.  There is a new cupcake shop, and we bought my mom birthday cupcakes.  There was also a used book shop and a rock shop, so we got more minerals and books!  We met my mom for lunch, and surprised her with birthday stuff.  After that we went to Lions' Club Park for a few hours before going back to Mom's house.  I cleaned house and stirred the stew she had in the crock pot, thinking that her company would come just before we left, but they were late and we never saw them.  We left around 7:30 pm, after having stew with my parents.  Friday, I offered to take the kids to St. Louis, but they were too tired, so we stayed in and watched CATS, the musical - the 1997 film version.  It is their new favorite movie.Saturday I spent in preparation for Sunday, which did not go as planned.  We had our own Easter in the morning, went to Josh's mom's in the afternoon, but didn't stay late, as his dad was going to work 3rd shift, and needed to go to bed.

Monday we met Josh for lunch, and yesterday I worked all day and then went to taiko practice.  It was a rough day.  Today I only worked my scheduled half day.  Tomorrow, too, and then I drive Michelle to Springfield.  We perform in the evening and spend the night.  In the morning, I will be taking back Michelle, Julie and Kelsey.  The idea is that I get back in time to get Grant and Abbie from school so Josh won't have to take off more than the half day on Thursday.

The show is going to be fun, but very physically demanding.  We are playing two half-hour sets, but there are only JUST enough performers available to do the songs - no one gets a break.  We will all be playing all songs.  It is a pretty easy thing for half and hour....but there will be two of them, and workshops in between, which aren't restful unless you are doing something wrong.

I don't much care for The Color of Magic, so I am also reading Ivanhoe.  Not much progress in either.

So...what movies have you seen lately?  Anything good?  How about books?  We know that I love books.  Anything worth recommending?  What fun do you have planned for the future?  What kind of a day are you having? 

Versailles Library

Snow, at greatest (measured) amount.

Kite!

 

 

 



News And Such

Hello, and happy First Day of Spring Break!!

We have about 11 inches of snow outside.  Yep.  Another late blizzard.  It was kinda pretty, and very impressive, and even had some thunder, but we are kind of over it, so we were only mildly amused.  It prevented me again from going to taiko practice, for which I was slightly miffed, but we all know that I love a good weather disaster.

The dust has won again, but I am regrouping and forming an attack strategy.  The battle is behind us, but the war is far from over.  I shall bide my time.  I don't want to give too much away, but if I were a dust, I wouldn't venture too near the frontlines toward the end of the week.

Saturday (the last nice day) we went out.  We went to the Chesterfield Mall and had lunch.  I also bought bubble tea for me and the kids.  After lunch, we shopped at a table that was set up full of ROCKS!  I wanted Josh to buy me the fossil bookends, but they were expensive.  Besides, the way my bookshelves are packed, there isn't really room for bookends, too.  I guess.  *sulk*  Grant got 5 different colors of calcite, and Abbie got a tourmaline "cat's eye" in blue, russet, and green.  She also got three tiny polished rocks.  I got a pink rose quartz.  Pretty!  And if you thought rocks were great, we are just getting started.  I also got USED BOOKS!!!  Abbie got a Nancy Drew and Grant got a Hardy Boys.  I got the only Sarah Addison Allen book I hadn't read.  I finished it about 24 hours later.  Very cute!  Makes me want to write.

We chose a park for Josh's giant graduation picnic, but it was booked.  I forgot how early wedding season starts.  We have another one in mind, and we are seeing about getting it reserved.  Cross your fingers.

My in-laws still haven't given me any hints about Easter preparations, so I plan to dye my own eggs with my own children at my own house, and I will bring a particularly delicious dump cake.  Problem solved.

There was a huge accident by Wright City on Friday, and Josh was stuck in the traffic.  We found out that night that our friend Jenn C was IN THE ACCIDENT.  It was a very tense hour until we found out that she was fine.  Hug your families, friends.

I think it's going to be a movie day. 

Last night, I cooked salmon.  It was huge, and the completely wrong size threw off my cooking times.  Other than that, though, dinner was excellent.  We had baked potatoes with Mexican blend cheese, and the salmon was seasoned with lemon, wine, dill and butter.  Perfect.

Obviously, I finished reading Guards! Guards! again, and I read Garden Spells, and now I am reading The Color of Magic, since I've never read it, on the Kindle.  (You were expecting a book that starts with G, weren't you?  Admit it!!)

Now for the other big news:

Starting a week from today (the regular return to school), I will have a long-term substitute paraprofessional position at the same school as my children.  I will work mornings daily, and possibly some full days.  There is going to be a new boy who needs his own para, and that duty will be split between myself and another woman.  Since he hasn't started attending yet, we don't really know his level of functionality.  I am hoping for a non-violent kid who can use the bathroom on his own...but we don't know yet.  Wish me luck!

On Wednesday, I will visit my grandmother, then continue to my mother's house.  I'll be back on Thursday, but I'm not sure of the time.

Talked to Brother a few times.  He made dinner for a sick friend, and when I talked to him yesterday, we was about to leave for Denver again.  We made tentative summer plans, but really I know he is hoping for a fancy internship.

Family game night was Stratego.

For breakfast we had orange/cranberry muffins.  Yum.

I hope life is good for you!

Here are some songs that I love:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki5aS5LSrQM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR7OIMc31yo


Happy snowyday!