Random Tuesday Thoughts

1. Why did the previous owners of our home plant all the flower bulbs in the woods instead of the flower beds?

2. The "Not Eating in Restaurants" and "Not Eating Desserts for Lent" diet is the easiest way I have ever lost weight.

3. I never thought I would have such a hard time trying to get a job in the public schools.

4. Giving my kitty love is one of the most relaxing things I do.

5. Even though my hubbers and I are home alone together (children at the in-laws), we are still both on our separate computers. For now.

6. I am not a sweets person. But give me one of those huge Hershey kisses, and it's gone in a day. Despite Lenten resolutions.

7. I sleep ten times better when I'm alone in the bed.

8. One of my students told me this past week, "I like you, but I don't like 'peech." Rough day for both of us.

9. If I could figure out how to kidnap my parents' dog, and they wouldn't find out, I would.

10. There's a reason why my new Lands' End swimsuit was on "clearance". I won't get graphic with you.

She's BBAAACCCKKKK!

Gracious. I've had the hardest time getting back into my blogging habit. I'm not even sure exactly why. So, I'm officially calling it my Blogging Sabbatical.

In a celebration of The End of the Week of Rain, we went back to the field where the fire was the other week. I've noticed for a week or so that our view of the field no longer looks black from our dining room window. There's been a green tint where the new grass is growing back in. It's also kind of swampy in spots and Alan and the boys were frog hunting. The frogs (Spring Peepers?) were really loud. Alas, none were to be found.
Matthew loves poking around in the woods and fields. He is such a nature boy. Remember his love of sticks? He and I ended up hiking around a good bit longer than Alan and Michael did and our list of "treasures" today included a blue golf ball, two bottles, a goat (?) skull, and several bones. Matthew is a pretty sensitive little tyke, and I've been struck in the past year or so with how he really needs some quality Mama Time like we had today. He made several comments about what a "good team" we are. I think I am not always sensitive enough to speaking this "love language" of his.

We've started making a pile of the golf balls we've found during our field adventures. Only one blue one so far. That was the treasure that Michael claimed today. At this point, it's hard to see - other than some charred trees - where the fire took place. Interestingly enough, we did find a box of matches on one of the "beachy" areas near the creek. Not sure if that's where the fire started or not, but it certainly did prompt a teachable moment again.

Sometimes I AM A Smart Girl

OK. So Budget Queen Julie has been doing very well on the Dave Ramsey Path to Financial Happiness. In the past three months, I have really worked hard to put us on the straight and narrow, and it is - HA! - "paying" off.

That said, I still really needed a couple of new swimsuits for this summer. I have had a Lands End swimsuit that I adored like this one for years (without the skirt but with a "bikini"-ish bottom). Alas, it met its bitter end when we went to the beach this past fall. Evidently the chlorine in the pool was at a frightening level, because not only did it drastically alter the color of my suit, it also s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d it way, way out. Such that I just tossed the suit in the trash when I got home.

Now, I love a good Lands End swimsuit. Well, as much as I'm actually going to a "love" a swimsuit. They are always well made and don't fade very much and fit pretty well. But, it hurts my pride to pay $90 for a swimsuit. Guess what: they have some great suits right now on the "Overstock" section of their website. So, coming soon to my house will be this little number for only $12.99 (originally $99.50). They currently have 147 different suits available in this section alone. FYI.

But my price savings for you, O Blogging Audience, do not stop there. I hate paying for shipping. HATE IT. What a waste of money. So, I decided to try googling "Land's End Free Shipping." You never know, right? While I didn't find any promo codes right off the bat, I did find a number to call: 1-800-963-4816. So, I called (it brought me to the Land's End shipping department or some such location), explained that I had found this number on the internet, and asked if it was possible to get free shipping. The very cordial associate gave me the "code" and "pin" to use. And, it totally worked!!! And it is being shipped (well, "they"...I did feel myself get suckered into another charming suit) to my home in 3-7 days.

So, enough with this rain and forty degree weather. I'm ready (in 3-7 days) to hit the pool!

Hiatus

It's been a bit crazy around our house this past week. Alan worked an insane amount of hours. We received a humongous, earth-shattering cell phone bill. I ran all kinds of errands since I was on Spring Break. And you know what? I just haven't felt like my usual blogging self. Hopefully, my chipper spirit and sharp wit will return soon. Because right now? I feel like a half-wit.

Happy Blogiversary to me! One year amazing the world with my prose. Lots of fun, lots of memories. Looking forward to year number two.

Aftermath

Matthew and I crossed the creek this afternoon to check out the fire damage while brother and Daddy napped. Just a warning: I am The World's Nosiest Person. I know that's not something I should be proud of, but there it is. Matthew is always up for a hike, and he loves his Mama time (Quality Time personified). Having hiked around in that field this winter, it was kind of stunning to see it burned to a crisp. Matthew was full of questions, like "Why do you think those kids thought it was a good idea to set a fire?" and "Where do you think all the animals went?" Teachable moments, right?

He and I both got pretty dirty. Truth be told, fire or no fire, Matthew and I could tromp around in the woods all day long, as suggested here.

Please click on the panoramic picture to enlarge it so you can really get a grasp of how wide an area it was that burned. Behind me is the half of the field that was undamaged. The fire burned almost as large a section as this field into the woods on the right side of the picture. Tall trees were left standing, but little scrubby stuff was toast. Literally.

Someone on the other side of the neighborhood likes to drive golfballs from their backyard out over the field and into the beginning area of the woods. We must have found 30 golfballs today. Some were still perfect. Many were charred like this one.

Last interesting find of the day: one of the firemen left his axe in this rotting tree. They were so busy over there that I guess he put it down and forgot it. I pulled it out and Matthew really, really wanted to carry it. That axe probably weighs as much as he does (which is not saying much since Mattie is such a slimmy), so I did not choose to share that responsibility. I'm sure you'll sleep a little easier now knowing that your tax dollars at work is now safely back in its home at the firehouse.

Going Up in Smoke

I was driving home from an errand this afternoon, when Alan called me from home to tell me I was missing all the action. Turns out, two little neighborhood hoodlums (FYI - not my children) were practicing hijinks in the cow pasture (sans cows) behind our house. As a result, the field caught on fire. Burly Worker Man and Associate were some of the first to notice, and Alan called 911. Up roll the firetrucks. And the afternoon's entertainment was assured.

Michael loved the action even more than Matthew, I think. We tried to keep him out of the firemen's way, but he kept creeping back. Here he appears to be helping get the water through the hose. Or at least providing running commentary.
We had firetrucks from several different departments. Lots of action, which brought out all of the neighbors and there was a festive, chatty feel in the air. It was almost as exciting as the cow stampede we had a few years back. Although, nothing can really top that. We have the best neighbors (hi Carol!), and I'll have to remember that emergency vehicles really bind us together.

I never saw flames. They were the highest in the 15 minutes of hullabaloo before I got back to the house. I did see plenty of smoke, though. So much for opening my Brand New Windows for some fresh air. As it turns out, the fire did spread up the hill in the woods directly behind our house (cow pasture is kind of behind us to the left).

The firemen were really sweet to the boys. Here's one giving Michael "five". Michael was in 7th heaven. Michael is, by the way, standing on the boxes of our new siding. That won't hurt it, right? Pretend you don't notice the big dent in our house when you come to visit.

We also had a Forestry Chick come out to check on the situation. She was a very attractive Forestry Chick, and I did notice one of the young firemen dudes chatting her up. Romance on Buckey Court! All thanks to kids playing with matches!

You should have seen the hose. It went on and on and on and on and on. You see, our backyard was the best way to get to the cow pasture, but they had to go across our backyard, over the creek, through the woods, etc. You'd think they would have ended up at Grandmother's House.

The lower guy is standing in the creek while the other two pull the hose along. All told, they were hard at work for two and a half hours. And one fireman told me that was his fourth fire that day. I hope they have some really good coffee at the firehouse.

Got Some Pot?

OK. Yes. So, a few days before Valentine's Day, one of my students had a special little treat for me. So nice. You know, the regular teachers always get remembered at holidays, but the "special area" teachers are often forgotten even though WE WORK JUST AS HARD. Thankfully, I am clearly not bothered by that as I am well aware that just being with my students is gift enough. Ahem.

So, it was quite a pleasant surprise when my (student) Matthew lurched out of his classroom and thrust a Valentine card and a terra cotta pot with enclosed flower bulbs into my hands. I said, "Matthew, what is this?" and he replied, "It's for you for Valentine's Day!" So, I cooed and exclaimed about it all the way to my room. He's been an interesting one this year - lots of emotional and some physical issues that have made his school year challenging. In any case, I have absolutely fallen for this kid, and while his (divorced) parents have issues with each other, they have both been wonderful to me. His mother was the one who did this in December, so I wasn't surprised that she would be so generous again.

Of course, I wrote a thank you note and tucked it into his speech folder last week. And then I received this email from his mother this week:

From: "Matthew's Mother"

Sent: Mon 3/2/2009 9:50 AM

To: Julie

Subject: Thank You Note

Hi Julie;
I received your lovely thank you note for the flower bulbs. Unfortunately, I did not get a gift for Valentine’s Day. Matthew and I only gave you a card. I asked his father if he purchased a gift and he said no. I am at a loss.
"Matthew's Mother"

Ummm...yes, I am at a loss, too, because I know I am not confusing Matthew with another student. And then it occurred to me that perhaps his mother sent it in for one of his classroom teachers, but he inadvertantly gave it to me. So, I shot off an email to his mother saying that if she had sent it for one of his teachers, I would be glad to "deliver" it on to that teacher (see - I can be tactful at times). And today, I stopped by his classroom to see which one of his teachers didn't get to take their bulbs home. And they both confirmed that they each had their own pots of bulbs at home, and they each specifically remembered his mother bringing that pot in - a day or so after she brought their pots in - and telling them it was for me.

I haven't heard back from his mother so, for now, I still have [someone's mystery] pot rolling around the floorboard of my van. Really not how I want to phrase to the cop if I get pulled for speeding.

March Fools

Rats. My computer wouldn't upload pictures yesterday, so I wasn't able to post these until today. I am so ready for spring I could scream, but obviously, this is what the first day of March brought. And it was so beautiful and so much fun for the boys that I can't really complain.

I swear. We are going to stop buying our kids toys and just wrap up some sticks that they find in the woods for Christmas. I have never seen kids who were so into sticks and rocks and dirt. I guess that's what I get for coming from an all-girl family.
My poor, sweet little Matthew in his girlie pink boots. He is so flexible in being willing to wear them. Here's the story: we were expecting our first "snow" (such a strong word for what we typically get around here...I typically just think of it as "white dirt") while Alan was out of work. Literally every penny was going for the essentials or other ways to save us money (i.e. refinancing our home). Snow boots weren't high on the priority list when a) "white dirt" does not require high leg coverage, and b) I like to eat. My sweet sister passed on these pinkies that her youngest had outgrown. Matthew was a skeptic at first. But he'd so much rather just get out in the snow that he really didn't care. That's a boy comfortable in his masculinity, right?
Oh my gracious was this ever the most beautiful snow day. We had been talking about going sledding on the hill beside the town hall in Beech Mountain, NC (did it last year...so much fun...and feet of snow to play in) this coming weekend, but now we don't need to go. Monday was so bright and crisp and SNOWY. Snow everywhere. And living in the woods like we do, the scenery was incredible. I love this snow tree picture.

Why does the girl who loves to take pictures have two children who hate to have their pictures made? Drives me crazy. Why can't they be more like The World's Most Adorable Nephew Austin (hi Shannon!) and give me that picture perfect pose and smile? Oh, well. They are perfect - of course - in every other way, so I'll throw them a little slack. Below, I had to promise Michael that he could go down to the "beach" area of the creek to play if he would let me take his picture. It's kind of like when I promise to let him play with knives if he will just scratch Mommy's back a wee bit longer.

What's not to love about a boy who tells his Mother "You make the best oakmeal ever!" and "I can see some ice stickles!" and in response to being asked if he is ready to go out in the snow, he replies "Yes, Mother Dear!" He may wipe his nose drippings on me at times and he may toot when I'm drying him off from his bath and he may give me the pout and large tears when I tell him it's too early to be up at 6:15 am, but he sure is the funniest little dinosaur-obsessed boy I've seen.

I've never seen "ice stickles" like these at our home before. This is a picture I kind of wanted to put on my Photog Blog but I'm too busy with obsessing (clearly Michael gets his obsessive tendencies from me) about my house over there. The snow is mostly melted now, and I'm sure school is back on tomorrow. So, let's bring spring along with it.

I Like Starting My Morning This Way

Matthew (while crunching "Staurosaurus" cereal and watching the news): Mama, do you think next time they are going to elect a president that daddy should be elected?

Mama (distracted from her FBing): Ohh....definitely!

Matthew: Me, too. 'Cause I hear there's a swimming pool in the White House.