Thursday, February 28, 2013
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
I might weigh less in the hall.
At dinner tonight Steve and I were discussing who should take the last biscuit.
They're nothing special. Seriously. Pillsbury. Only I place a ton of butter in the pan before the biscuit dough, so they are very tasty. Usually these are rationed out to the family, but for some reason we had a child unwilling to eat his, and so Steve and I were having this discussion.
We both thought the other person should take it.
"No, no," I said. " I'm kind of... I have a doctor's appointment coming up next month, and I'm not exactly happy with where the scale is."
This is where Nick piped up. "You mean in your bathroom?"
They're nothing special. Seriously. Pillsbury. Only I place a ton of butter in the pan before the biscuit dough, so they are very tasty. Usually these are rationed out to the family, but for some reason we had a child unwilling to eat his, and so Steve and I were having this discussion.
We both thought the other person should take it.
"No, no," I said. " I'm kind of... I have a doctor's appointment coming up next month, and I'm not exactly happy with where the scale is."
This is where Nick piped up. "You mean in your bathroom?"
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| Nick - self portrait Feb. 2013 |
Monday, February 25, 2013
I'm Still Here!
I'm sorry I haven't written anything for ages. I DID warn everyone there might be a lull or two as I occupy myself with actual life experiences. Just because I haven't been blogging doesn't mean I haven't been thinking about blogging.
It's snowing here this morning. Again. I woke and looked out the window and thought I'd stay home from church. And that's saying a lot, because for this particular atheist / humanist, I'm pretty religious about my church. Of course, it's pretty much tapered off NOW, and I'm feeling that I should head over to help sing the hymn we've been practicing. It's tricky, as it's in zulu.
Anyway, despite being irritating and stretching February beyond it's allocated time frame, the snow is actually quite pretty. I tried to capture it in a photograph, but it's the movement of the snow that's really amazing. So... I tried video.
These are rough. I didn't edit them at all. But I still thought they were neat.
It's snowing here this morning. Again. I woke and looked out the window and thought I'd stay home from church. And that's saying a lot, because for this particular atheist / humanist, I'm pretty religious about my church. Of course, it's pretty much tapered off NOW, and I'm feeling that I should head over to help sing the hymn we've been practicing. It's tricky, as it's in zulu.
Anyway, despite being irritating and stretching February beyond it's allocated time frame, the snow is actually quite pretty. I tried to capture it in a photograph, but it's the movement of the snow that's really amazing. So... I tried video.
These are rough. I didn't edit them at all. But I still thought they were neat.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Movie Queen
There was a time when I could waltz into the Academy Awards (or a room where the Academy Awards were on TV) and have seen every single film. Or almost every single film. Usually the ones nominated for Best Picture, and probably most of the Actor / Actress categories.
Of course, that was back when going to the movies was my go to activity for any given day.
These days, it is not.
Of all the movies talked about or nominated for Academy Awards this year, I have seen two. Three if you count Wreck-It-Ralph.
Actually, this isn't true. I just went back to double check the list, and it looks like I had already seen a couple before making my Must See list, and then I crossed two off the list since I made it. There are still, like, fourteen movies still on there.
Anyway, I've seen four of the nominated films. Including Wreck-It-Ralph. And Brave. It would have been six, but I din't watch Frankenweenie with the boys, or the Band Of Pirates movie, either.
Still, (and on to the point of this post) I was sitting and taling about movies with the boys and I could actually see the day coming when I could take them to see a few of these movies. Sure, they might think they were boring, but did I not sit through Amadeus as a child? Why could't I bring a nine year old to see Lincoln? OK, maybe not. But a few of them. Right? Maybe? In maybe just a couple of years?
Of course, that was back when going to the movies was my go to activity for any given day.
These days, it is not.
Of all the movies talked about or nominated for Academy Awards this year, I have seen two. Three if you count Wreck-It-Ralph.
Actually, this isn't true. I just went back to double check the list, and it looks like I had already seen a couple before making my Must See list, and then I crossed two off the list since I made it. There are still, like, fourteen movies still on there.
Anyway, I've seen four of the nominated films. Including Wreck-It-Ralph. And Brave. It would have been six, but I din't watch Frankenweenie with the boys, or the Band Of Pirates movie, either.
Still, (and on to the point of this post) I was sitting and taling about movies with the boys and I could actually see the day coming when I could take them to see a few of these movies. Sure, they might think they were boring, but did I not sit through Amadeus as a child? Why could't I bring a nine year old to see Lincoln? OK, maybe not. But a few of them. Right? Maybe? In maybe just a couple of years?
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Happy Day Of Love
I have a lot of issues with Valentine's Day.
While I celebrate the idea of spreading joy, leaving people small gifts, and chocolate in general, I find something wrong in the Hallmark idea that you'll be in the doghouse if you don't spend wads of cash on overpriced paper goods, heart shaped boxes of mediocre candy, and jewels, wine, and dine.
This year I came up with the bright idea of having the boys make their own valentines. After purchasing blank cards, doily hearts, glitter glue, and stickers, I spent five times more than I would have if I'd have simply gotten the Iron Man valentine's with the pencil goodies. Also, we ended up with cards that were... different. A heart sticker, and in Crayon "Happe-V-day. To You. Form Nate."
Anyway, what's done is done. Next time I know.
Next year, I'll print out the cards I found at College Humor. They are Puritan Holiday cards. Of which this is one. Enjoy your day.
While I celebrate the idea of spreading joy, leaving people small gifts, and chocolate in general, I find something wrong in the Hallmark idea that you'll be in the doghouse if you don't spend wads of cash on overpriced paper goods, heart shaped boxes of mediocre candy, and jewels, wine, and dine.
This year I came up with the bright idea of having the boys make their own valentines. After purchasing blank cards, doily hearts, glitter glue, and stickers, I spent five times more than I would have if I'd have simply gotten the Iron Man valentine's with the pencil goodies. Also, we ended up with cards that were... different. A heart sticker, and in Crayon "Happe-V-day. To You. Form Nate."
Anyway, what's done is done. Next time I know.
Next year, I'll print out the cards I found at College Humor. They are Puritan Holiday cards. Of which this is one. Enjoy your day.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
More Pictures Of Snow
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| there's a car under here somewhere - Feb. 2013 |
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| What will happen if we go out through the garage? Feb. 2013 |
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| back deck, pre-shoveling. Feb. 2013 |
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| Wait... I used to be able to get out this way... Feb. 2013 |
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| You want me to dig out the car? This is as good as it gets. Feb. 2013 |
Saturday, February 09, 2013
And Now, Photographs of Snow
So... um... It's snowing here?
In case you hadn't heard, it's snowing in the NorthEast. A lot. They knew it would. They predicted up to 2 feet of snow, and people started freaking out, and then the amount of possible snow kept rising. We could get over 36 inches of snow. There would be winds! Oh! The Winds! And it would be COLD!
I bumped my usual Friday shopping day to Thursday morning. The grocery store was already more crowded than usual. "Bread and Milk! It's going to snow! I need bread and milk! And five cases of bottled water!" And of course, people would bring up the blizzard of '78. "Our street wasn't plowed for a week! We went to the store on a sled!"
Anyway.
They cancelled all of Friday. They cancelled most of Saturday.
It snowed all day Friday, and we got....eh. Snow.
It is now Saturday morning.
I went to let the dog out. This is what I saw.
In case you can't make it out, it's out back porch with about a foot of snow pressed against the door. I quickly realized that Gunther, once out, would have to pee on the porch because he would never make it down the porch steps. So I let him out the front door.
Gunther couldn't go more than two feet. He didn't know what to do when he got down into the snow. He just kept turning around and coming back. And, to be fair, there is a lot of snow out there. You can tell when you look at my car.
And the fron porch itself had a good deal of snow on it. Which is odd, because it's a covered porch. It doesn't usually get snow. Even the doorknob got snowed on. There were winds, I tell you.
And it's still snowing. That's the thing. Snow will be falling until 4pm. Saturday is cancelled. I may declare today non-stop movie day, except when we go outside. Which I'm nervous about, quite honestly. I felt like Gunther couldn't make it around the corner. I'm afraid I might actually lose a child in the snow.
In case you hadn't heard, it's snowing in the NorthEast. A lot. They knew it would. They predicted up to 2 feet of snow, and people started freaking out, and then the amount of possible snow kept rising. We could get over 36 inches of snow. There would be winds! Oh! The Winds! And it would be COLD!
I bumped my usual Friday shopping day to Thursday morning. The grocery store was already more crowded than usual. "Bread and Milk! It's going to snow! I need bread and milk! And five cases of bottled water!" And of course, people would bring up the blizzard of '78. "Our street wasn't plowed for a week! We went to the store on a sled!"
Anyway.
They cancelled all of Friday. They cancelled most of Saturday.
It snowed all day Friday, and we got....eh. Snow.
It is now Saturday morning.
I went to let the dog out. This is what I saw.
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| 2013 |
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| Gunther, Feb 2013 |
Gunther couldn't go more than two feet. He didn't know what to do when he got down into the snow. He just kept turning around and coming back. And, to be fair, there is a lot of snow out there. You can tell when you look at my car.
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| Feb. 2013 |
And the fron porch itself had a good deal of snow on it. Which is odd, because it's a covered porch. It doesn't usually get snow. Even the doorknob got snowed on. There were winds, I tell you.
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| Feb. 2013 |
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| Feb. 2013 |
And it's still snowing. That's the thing. Snow will be falling until 4pm. Saturday is cancelled. I may declare today non-stop movie day, except when we go outside. Which I'm nervous about, quite honestly. I felt like Gunther couldn't make it around the corner. I'm afraid I might actually lose a child in the snow.
Thursday, February 07, 2013
Whether there will be Weather
In Norton Juster's The Phantom Tollbooth our hero Milo runs across the Whether Man. Not the Weather Man.
Because, as he says, it's more important to know whether there will be weather than what the weather will be.
Last week we had a day that was so warm in the morning we got fog. A lot of fog. We couldn't even see the brook.
And then it got cold. Again. Brr.
They are predicting up to two feet of snow for tomorrow. We better get snow, or we will suffer the wrath of kids denied their rightful snow day.
In the meantime, I'm bumping up my weekly grocery run to today, just so I can experience the joy of hundreds of cranky people shoving each other for milk and hot dogs and bottled water.
And then I'm going to watch TV until my brain melts. Once the snow comes, I mean.
Because, as he says, it's more important to know whether there will be weather than what the weather will be.
Last week we had a day that was so warm in the morning we got fog. A lot of fog. We couldn't even see the brook.
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| fog in the backyard |
And then it got cold. Again. Brr.
They are predicting up to two feet of snow for tomorrow. We better get snow, or we will suffer the wrath of kids denied their rightful snow day.
In the meantime, I'm bumping up my weekly grocery run to today, just so I can experience the joy of hundreds of cranky people shoving each other for milk and hot dogs and bottled water.
And then I'm going to watch TV until my brain melts. Once the snow comes, I mean.
Tuesday, February 05, 2013
The Storm After The Calm
See, there was actually a couple of days this past week that weren't really busy.
I mean, don't get me wrong, I had things to do. But they weren't URGENT. They weren't things that needed to be done RIGHT AWAY. So I didn't do them. Or I started doing them but at a slow, leisurely pace.
Tell me what happens next. You know, don't you?
That's right. Other things popped up.
I sat down to make a few phone calls and the boys decided it would be a great time to try and kill each other with their fingernails. I volunteered for a (small) additional task on Sundays. I forgot that I was supposed to be rehearsing something for Sunday. I suddenly remembered I was supposed to attend Nick's Valentine's Day Party at school, and I need a craft suitable for 22 second graders. And at 9:30 last night I got an email from my DI co-coach saying she forgot to tell me she was going out of town, and I'd be on my own for the meeting today. That's me and 8 boys, and I have nothing planned.
So... add to that the extra karate class planned on Wednesday to help prepare for a future tournament, someone testing for a new belt, a playdate, and each child needing 20 valentine's for their friends...
I'm freaking. Taking deep breaths. One day at a time. Drinking lots of herbal tea. Once I write it all out and plot it on my schedule, I can identify the last task, and then I'll know which day I'm looking forward to. I'm not sure, but I think it's February vacation.
I mean, don't get me wrong, I had things to do. But they weren't URGENT. They weren't things that needed to be done RIGHT AWAY. So I didn't do them. Or I started doing them but at a slow, leisurely pace.
Tell me what happens next. You know, don't you?
That's right. Other things popped up.
I sat down to make a few phone calls and the boys decided it would be a great time to try and kill each other with their fingernails. I volunteered for a (small) additional task on Sundays. I forgot that I was supposed to be rehearsing something for Sunday. I suddenly remembered I was supposed to attend Nick's Valentine's Day Party at school, and I need a craft suitable for 22 second graders. And at 9:30 last night I got an email from my DI co-coach saying she forgot to tell me she was going out of town, and I'd be on my own for the meeting today. That's me and 8 boys, and I have nothing planned.
So... add to that the extra karate class planned on Wednesday to help prepare for a future tournament, someone testing for a new belt, a playdate, and each child needing 20 valentine's for their friends...
I'm freaking. Taking deep breaths. One day at a time. Drinking lots of herbal tea. Once I write it all out and plot it on my schedule, I can identify the last task, and then I'll know which day I'm looking forward to. I'm not sure, but I think it's February vacation.
Saturday, February 02, 2013
What Day Is It?
Nick has his on waffles with chocolate syrup and lots of strawberries and blueberries. Andy prefers his in a bowl with lots of Cinnamon Life cereal sprinkled on top. I like a scoop of coffee in my coffee.
So many possibilities. It's Ice Cream For Breakfast Day.
I know, it's so odd, but once a year it's a great pick-me-up, and one of my life's missions is to get more people to do this. Spread the word!
Friday, February 01, 2013
Ice Cream For Breakfast
It's February, the longest month of the year.
But tomorrow will be February 2nd.
February 2nd is Groundhog day. Where the groundhog peeps out and if he sees his shadow, we have 6 more weeks of winter.
It's also Imbolc, a pagan holiday celebrating the first signs of spring.
But more important than both of those, it's also Ice Cream For Breakfast day. Really. It's a real thing. Don't believe me? Look at this site. And also this one. And this one.
If I didn't invent this most magical day, I sure and heck am going to help spread the word about it! Ice Cream! For Breakfast! Do it, and spread the word!
But tomorrow will be February 2nd.
February 2nd is Groundhog day. Where the groundhog peeps out and if he sees his shadow, we have 6 more weeks of winter.
It's also Imbolc, a pagan holiday celebrating the first signs of spring.
But more important than both of those, it's also Ice Cream For Breakfast day. Really. It's a real thing. Don't believe me? Look at this site. And also this one. And this one.
If I didn't invent this most magical day, I sure and heck am going to help spread the word about it! Ice Cream! For Breakfast! Do it, and spread the word!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
I made this
I made this for dinner the other night.
I was so proud of the way it turned out. It looked really good. The hen wasn't as tasty as I'd hoped, but the asparagus was really yummy, which proves the point that everything is better when wrapped in bacon. Also, I improvised an onion stuffing which tasted awesome with the rice pilaf.
The end.
I was so proud of the way it turned out. It looked really good. The hen wasn't as tasty as I'd hoped, but the asparagus was really yummy, which proves the point that everything is better when wrapped in bacon. Also, I improvised an onion stuffing which tasted awesome with the rice pilaf.
The end.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Old Crazy Neighbor Lady
It's been cold here. I know, I know, it's been cold and freezing everywhere. I'm not saying we're any different.
But the other night I came home and the thermometer in my car said "1."
One. 1. It's so insulting when it's a temperature. One.. What is that?
And the kids, they are just so... they refuse to wear hats and gloves. They bring them to school in their backpacks.
A couple of days ago I was driving to the school to pick the boys up, and I saw a girl walking home after the bus dropped her off. She was old enough to walk home from the bus stop. Maybe twelve?
She was carrying her jacket.
In her arms.
The thermometer in the car said "9."
9 is better than 1. But not so's you'd really notice.
I wanted to roll down the window and shout, "Hey! Little Girl! Put on your coat! It's cold!"
But the other night I came home and the thermometer in my car said "1."
One. 1. It's so insulting when it's a temperature. One.. What is that?
And the kids, they are just so... they refuse to wear hats and gloves. They bring them to school in their backpacks.
A couple of days ago I was driving to the school to pick the boys up, and I saw a girl walking home after the bus dropped her off. She was old enough to walk home from the bus stop. Maybe twelve?
She was carrying her jacket.
In her arms.
The thermometer in the car said "9."
9 is better than 1. But not so's you'd really notice.
I wanted to roll down the window and shout, "Hey! Little Girl! Put on your coat! It's cold!"
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Bed Head
Lately the boys have become a little involved with their hair.
Steve actually caught Andy trying to cut his hair.
I have tried convincing them that running a comb through it is the first step.
No one seems very excited about that.
Steve actually caught Andy trying to cut his hair.
I have tried convincing them that running a comb through it is the first step.
No one seems very excited about that.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Twilight Zone
We are now living in an alternate dimension.
A dimension where, when in snows, the school does NOT call at 5am to cancel, or even to delay the start time, which is has done in the past.
A reality where the school busses, after being so prompt ALL YEAR LONG, are more than forty minutes late.
A universe in which the school system calls and leaves a message at 9:15 letting us know the busses wil be late, a good 30 minutes after the buss has already passed, and a good 45 minutes after Steve told the kids they didn't have to go to school because they'd been standing out in the cold and snow for so long.
This can not possibly be the same world where the school system called to tell me the busses would be 10 minutes late, and then they were on time.
Alarmingly, this IS the same reality, and the same school district people that called and left four messages and various emails, alerting us that "THERE WAS A NOISE BEHIND THE SCHOOL TEN MNUTES AGO, WE HAVE ALERTED THE POLICE, BUT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING, SO DON'T WORRY!"
You know how I can not worry? Don't call me about squirrels in the woods. Call me when the busses are going to be fifty minutes behind schedule due to snow. BEFORE the busses get here. THAT is the job they should be doing. Not calling us every day with a new alert or trying to get me to staff the door and check ID's.
A dimension where, when in snows, the school does NOT call at 5am to cancel, or even to delay the start time, which is has done in the past.
A reality where the school busses, after being so prompt ALL YEAR LONG, are more than forty minutes late.
A universe in which the school system calls and leaves a message at 9:15 letting us know the busses wil be late, a good 30 minutes after the buss has already passed, and a good 45 minutes after Steve told the kids they didn't have to go to school because they'd been standing out in the cold and snow for so long.
This can not possibly be the same world where the school system called to tell me the busses would be 10 minutes late, and then they were on time.
Alarmingly, this IS the same reality, and the same school district people that called and left four messages and various emails, alerting us that "THERE WAS A NOISE BEHIND THE SCHOOL TEN MNUTES AGO, WE HAVE ALERTED THE POLICE, BUT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING, SO DON'T WORRY!"
You know how I can not worry? Don't call me about squirrels in the woods. Call me when the busses are going to be fifty minutes behind schedule due to snow. BEFORE the busses get here. THAT is the job they should be doing. Not calling us every day with a new alert or trying to get me to staff the door and check ID's.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
7 is a Lucky Number
There are times when I want to put on the brakes, to reach out and yank that lever that won't stop things completely, but will slow things down so that they aren't a complete blur. Then I would appreciate things more, wouldn't I? Then I would know to savor each moment before it evaporates into memory.
Today Nathan turns seven years old. I love him.
Today Nathan turns seven years old. I love him.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
That Said...
I still live to share stuff.
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| I asked Steve to take a picture of us in front of a huge toy train in NY. He got us, but left the train out. I guess one of us missed the point. It is a lovely photo. Dec. 2012 |
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Not As Often
If you are a regular reader of my blog, you will have noticed by now that I haven't really been... well, blogging.
This wasn't a computer malfunction, or some glitch of the site. It wasn't an oversight on my part, either. No, this was a choice. I made a choice to blog less often. Much, much less often.
And there are a few reasons for it.
First of all, if anything of immediate interest happens to me, I will probably post it on FaceBook sooner or later. I know, I know, it's horrible. And not everyone HAS Facebook. It's OK, Linda, I'll call you and send you emails. You too, Mom. Although I'm not sure what I'd say.
See, another thing is, I feel I am often scraping the bottom of the barrel to come up with something to post about. What was that cute thing one of the kids said the other day? Didn't I snap a photo of the boys in the few moments they were not fighting or eating or playing a video game? I'll use this one, even though it's blurry. Although I actually do believe that everything my kids do is amazing, I know the rest of the world doen't agree, and why should it?
Which leads us to a third reason. When I am looking for topics to blog about, I tend to ruminate on certain things which should NOT be blogged about. There is, surprisingly, a rather long list of these things. I do not wish to embarrass my children (too much.) I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I don't want to post about arguments or disagreeable things that will come back to haunt me later. I realize that, in the lifetime of this blog, I've done all three, without meaning to. And if there is something that I am particularly focused on, someone's performance in school, for example, or maybe an argument that I had with someone,.. If I am focused on that one thing, I may not be able to articulate much else.
And let's face it. I am a busy person. Between keeping my home livable and the floors relatively lego free, and making sure my children are getting to school, practicing piano, doing homework, getting to karate, between making dinner, volunteering, church, choir, and all that... well, I find I don't have a lot of extra time. And even when I do have a few moments, I would rather be reading or writing something else.
So.
There you have it. I will not be posting as often. I'm aiming for one or two posts a week. If we're all lucky, there will be photos.
I'm sorry. I really am. I have found that this blog is a treasure of past memories, a record of my children and how they have grown. I hope that not too many of you stop reading completely.
This wasn't a computer malfunction, or some glitch of the site. It wasn't an oversight on my part, either. No, this was a choice. I made a choice to blog less often. Much, much less often.
And there are a few reasons for it.
First of all, if anything of immediate interest happens to me, I will probably post it on FaceBook sooner or later. I know, I know, it's horrible. And not everyone HAS Facebook. It's OK, Linda, I'll call you and send you emails. You too, Mom. Although I'm not sure what I'd say.
See, another thing is, I feel I am often scraping the bottom of the barrel to come up with something to post about. What was that cute thing one of the kids said the other day? Didn't I snap a photo of the boys in the few moments they were not fighting or eating or playing a video game? I'll use this one, even though it's blurry. Although I actually do believe that everything my kids do is amazing, I know the rest of the world doen't agree, and why should it?
Which leads us to a third reason. When I am looking for topics to blog about, I tend to ruminate on certain things which should NOT be blogged about. There is, surprisingly, a rather long list of these things. I do not wish to embarrass my children (too much.) I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I don't want to post about arguments or disagreeable things that will come back to haunt me later. I realize that, in the lifetime of this blog, I've done all three, without meaning to. And if there is something that I am particularly focused on, someone's performance in school, for example, or maybe an argument that I had with someone,.. If I am focused on that one thing, I may not be able to articulate much else.
And let's face it. I am a busy person. Between keeping my home livable and the floors relatively lego free, and making sure my children are getting to school, practicing piano, doing homework, getting to karate, between making dinner, volunteering, church, choir, and all that... well, I find I don't have a lot of extra time. And even when I do have a few moments, I would rather be reading or writing something else.
So.
There you have it. I will not be posting as often. I'm aiming for one or two posts a week. If we're all lucky, there will be photos.
I'm sorry. I really am. I have found that this blog is a treasure of past memories, a record of my children and how they have grown. I hope that not too many of you stop reading completely.
Friday, January 04, 2013
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