Compassion...it's what we all need.

Angie Smith over at Bring the Rain is currently on a Compassion trip for Bloggers to India.  Her posts each day are so touching, and so informative.  But her first post, Name, really hit home.  Please, go read her story as she shares it.  You can also read the other bloggers posts at CompassionBloggers. 

What happened to Spring?

We often joke in the Mid-Atlantic that we don't relly have Spring...but we normally have at least a few nice days between the bitter cold and Africa Hot weather.  Apparently Mother Nature is going through the change and is having major hot flashes.  It was in the 40's/50's for the highs through last Thursday, and then in the 90's this weekend.  That is almost double the temperature.  It has been insane, but it's supposed to be a short lived 4 day streak, with thunderstorms and lower temps (woo hoo 60's) coming Wed.  So far I've refrained from turning on the AC, and this morning it was downright pleasant for sleeping, but tonight it's back to the oven.  Thank goodness we have a nice, cool basement we can hide in.  Play area, tv, craft area and table for the laptop.  We even ate dinner down there (leftovers heated in the microwave, then water ice cups...not the healthiest, but it's too hot to cook.)

This is a busy week here (they all are, but this is worse than usual.)  Tomorrow, PB has her Maypole parent's dress rehearsal night and Monster has Martial Arts.  Thank goodness for family.  Wednesday I have to meet Monster's Title One Teacher for Reading (about stinking time) and Thursday?  I think we might actually be free.  But Friday night we have another Maypole practice, and a cookie/cake decorating class, then Saturday is the festival with parade (which I believe both children will be walking in...which mean I'm walking as well and Maypole, I'm going out for my birthday with friends and the kids are getting individual time with the mother and mother-in-law (divide and conquer is the theme here.) Sunday is my birthday, and PB has to play bells at early service for church.  Then lunch/dinner with the whole fam.  Whew, I need a nap just thinking about all of that.

Is school out yet?  I'm ready for summer break.

Road Trip to Washington, DC (Part 1)

We actually went to Washington, DC twice during my husbands two weeks leave. The first trip was literally the day after he came home. It was a bus trip arranged by the military 4H club to celebrate Month of the Military Child. It was Cherry Blossom Festival time, and we were dropped off just a block or so from the parade. Unfortunately, it took a little longer to get there than planned, and the parade was about to start, so the parade route was completely blocked by onlookers. We are nothing if not creative, and we quickly decided the steps of the FTC building would make a good vantage point.

See those people up on the high part? That's the rest of the family. It was so windy, and it was pretty high up, and the Monster refused to sit still, so the two of us climbed back down and went exploring on our own. DDS was able to take some nice shots of the parade, and maybe he'll upload them to Flickr at some point. But really, a parade is a parade, and unless I know people in it, I don't get excited. Monster apparently gets that from me, and we had a much better time searching for dandelions, climbing on statues, and just enjoying the day.

Finally, everyone was tired of the parade, and our group adventures began.

We wandered towards the Capital, since that was our next scheduled stop. We had to stop along the way and enjoy the Cherry Blossoms and some large rocks.

Then a visit to the Capital Building.

We gave Monster daddy's point and shoot camera to use while we were in DC and he took some nice photos. But my favorite was when he handed me the camera and asked me to take a picture of him.

After that, we had lunch in the Capital Cafeteria. Then we headed to the Air and Space Museum, since that was our bus pick up site. We explored a few of the rooms, did a few of the hands on activities,

then happily boarded the bus or home, exhausted.

It's spring, and I need a handyman

How do the days go by so fast but so slow at the same time.  I have so many things to write about, but by the time I've done the necessary chores, I'm so tired I just want to sleep.  And the words are backing up and I feel like if I don't get them out, I'm going to explode.  But then I sit down to write and I can't decide where to start, what to write about. 

I always feel a little spoiled when I talk about having a cleaning lady, especially in this economy.  But I seriously don't know how I would manage without her.  She comes every other week and scrubs my house.  This gives me the time I need to handle the other chores like laundry, dishes and such.  And coming home to that clean house is such a great feeling.  I will give up a lot to be able to afford her, but the truth is my husband's job is economy proof right now, and the extra money they get is there to help us adjust without them home. 

But I really need to find someone to help with the manly chores.  We have a distinct shortage of men in our family, and the few we do have aren't the handiest.  Today I fought with the lawnmower and weedeater, until I just decided I wasn't meant to mow.  Luckily my SIL mowed the front yard yesterday, and the neighbor has offered to mow for me when he mows his yard, so that will be one less thing for me to worry about.  I really don't mind mowing, but finding the time is hard.  And weedeating sucks.  This need is hitting home this weekend in my mind, and I dreamed this morning that someone hired a man for me while my husband is deployed.  I was so excited to have the "honey do" list getting whittled down, it was ridiculous.  (this is even funnier, since I rarely remember dreaming.  I've actually been told by a doctor that I probably don't dream, as I fall into deep sleep quickly most nights.  Sleep truly is my drug of choice...lol)

I'm hoping to get a few more things accomplished this weekend, and I'm hoping to find the time and desire to write.  I have lots of adventures to share.  In the meantime, I hear the laundry calling my name, and the dishwasher is joining in at the chorus.  Unfortunately for them, my bed's music is much more alluring, and harder to deny.

Feels like starting over...but not.

So this is the first day of the last six months.  And it seems a lot like the days a month or so ago.  But now the 6 months looms ahead. 

I started running through the activities of the week in my mind the other night, and before I knew it, I was at the start of next school year.  We have several busy months coming up, and the time will pass quickly, I know.

But today was rainy, and chilly, and Monday, and the day after I dropped him off at the airport.  Not a good day.

So dinner was potato soup and salad...it was easy and we had the ingredients on hand.

And now I wish the dishes would load themselves.  I need to get off my butt and do it myself so I can go to bed.

Thank goodness someone else cooks for us tomorrow night.

And with that, I will load my dishes, and trudge up to my bed alone.  That's one of the suckiest parts.

Vacation...of a sorts

My hubby was home for his two weeks of mid-tour leave, and left today to begin his journey back to Iraq.  We packed those two weeks with a lot of fun, and I have a lot to write about over the next few days.  We went to Washington, DC twice and met the Vice President once.  We went to New York and saw Wicked on Broadway.  We rode the motorcyle and finished projects in Monster's room.  We snuggled and laughed and talked and held hands.  It was almost like he hadn't been gone.

But tonight, I'm just trying to focus on getting through, and starting the second half of this deployment.  Of course we know we can handle it...we've been handling it for the past six months just fine.  But the next few weeks is going to be tough for us all.  We have to relocate that groove, and not focus on how much longer we have to get through.

So come back over the next few days and hear about the excitement!

7 days - in pictures

I'm participating in the 7 days run again this spring...and it's been fun!  Here's my shots so far.

Day 1

I was running all day Sat. and had originally planned a shot with my son in the mirror during martial arts.  But I didn't sit in the right spot, and I was running late, and I forgot.  So this is me kicked back that night.

Day 2

My hubby sent me flowers a couple of weeks ago, and these are the ones that were still alive, with a few daffodils added in.  The theme this day was Yellow.

Day 3

My son did such a great job Saturday that I promised him a new uniform.  Here I am hemming it by 5 inches so he can where it the next day.

Day 4

I was working very hard trying to get our paperwork organized and some general straightening done.

Day 5

Today's theme was fool.  I ran into the wall and dropped my ice.  Seems like a clumsy fool to me.

Day  6

And this is today's.  I'm sick, and I was contemplating a mikshake.  Too much work, so I had ice cream in a bowl instead.

Tomorrow's special shot will be a picture with my hubby...who will be home for his two week R/R.  YAYAYAYAYAYAAY!

sewing like a maniac

So, the plan for this evening was to come home, have some dinner, and do a little straightening.

Instead I spent it working on PB's Maypole costume.  Since they informed us tonight that we had to have costumes done by Friday morning for yearbook pics.  Good thing I was prepared and had it all cut out.  But it's going to be so cute...and she will look darling in it!