Checking In and Signing Out :)

Hello friends,

It's been a whole month (and a day) since I last posted, and I have really had no desire to post again. There have been a few things going on, some of which are hard to articulate because they are deeply personal (not in a bad or worrisome way - just more of an introspection that seems long overdue), but also because I'm not finished thinking. ;) In a nutshell, here's the scoop:

- Many of my friends are on Facebook, which is convenient (and sometimes weird) for me. It's less time-consuming (unless you count Wordscraper), more immediate, and it serves a need of mine to keep up with friends who are all over the country.

- I've mentioned before that this blog has a sort of identity crisis - it feels random and disjointed to me, and I also feel like I have to be careful if I say something (such as about homeschooling) because I don't want to offend my friends who don't, and who especially aren't supportive of it. Those who do homeschool, and who read this blog, probably don't want to hear about all the other stuff. But mostly, I don't feel like it's really a true representation of who I am - my thoughts, my life, all of it - nor do I feel like it makes sense for me to keep coming back when it's becoming less and less important to do so.

- ...so, I think, for now, this is the last post. I hope that at some point, I will find my way back again, but it probably won't be here. If I'm going to work on defining a purpose, I want to start fresh. It's a low priority for me, but not something I am willing to dismiss altogether.

So, this is it. :)

I can't leave without including a bit of an update, though.

First, we had a great Halloween. Well, except for the cold and rainy part. :( Still, it resulted in plenty of candy, so it's all good, right? Plus, afterward we went to a Halloween party with friends, and that was best of all. And, it was warm and dry. :)

Molly was Joan of Arc at the Halloween Party held by her riding instructor; her costume had to be modified because of the weather, so you just need to pretend that the gray sweatshirt is armor. :)

Before that, Molly and James participated in a History Camp with our charter school. This was a 4-day program where the charter school kids attended our county's "Pioneer Village" - a village recreated from (actual) buildings from our county's past. Yes, they're moved to the village and used to help set the scene, and then most of them are furnished (with period items, if possible) so kids can see what they used to be like way back when. The charter school kids spent three intensive days learning and experiencing pioneer life, including making candles, cooking popcorn in an old-fashioned closed skillet over a real fire, tin punching, making corn husk dolls, etc. On the fourth day, the charter school kids and the teachers within the charter, man information tables tables all around the village, and become 'docents for a day', explaining, demonstrating, and teaching about 900 county public school kids who come in for about half a day, all the things they've spent the last three days learning. Molly taught at the tin punching table, but James chose the corn husk dolls (seriously, I was shocked). The cool thing was that this was easily the most popular table, and James was the star 'teacher' - it just must be his gift - he was complimented by visiting teacher and the teachers from our charter. It's always gratifying to see your kids find something they love.

Molly is the one in the middle {as always ;)}

James put his own spin on cornhusk dolls - he helped the kids make capes and swords for SuperCornhusk Hero. ;)

Before that, we spent a day in the Sequoia National Forest, among the giants. Very. Cool.

Just one of a million amazing views along the road in the Sequoias, on the way to Giant Forest

This is the placard for the tree (The Sentinel) in front of which the kids are sitting (photo above)

Oh, and before I forget, James was invited to join the Boys Competitive Team at our local gymnastics studio. He was unsure if he wanted to do it, but he agreed to give it a try and he's doing REALLY well. It's been an awesome confidence boost!

And last, I'm a big fan of Pioneer Woman, and was moved by her husband and daughters' recent trip to the Dominican Republic through Compassion, so, during a lesson on the election process that sort of meandered into completely different territory, we found our way online and, eventually, opted to sponsor a little girl in Haiti. She is the same age as Molly, except that she was born on July 4th! <-- Was how she was chosen for/by us: James liked her birthday, and Molly liked that she was a girl the same age. (Bridget liked playing with her animals on the other side of the room. What can you do?) We are all excited about all that sponsorship entails, and are looking forward to learning more about her, too.

That's it, I think. By the time I click "Publish Post", it'll be my birthday, but it's my wishes for you that I want to impart - Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas (Happy Hanukah, Season's Greetings - whatever works), and most importantly, best wishes for a wonderful 2009. It seems that we have good reason to hope that it will be so.

Peace to you,
Natalie

New Retirement Plan

This was sent to me by my FIL, so I take no credit, but I thought it was funny (and good enough for filler for a post here):

NEW RETIREMENT PLAN

If you had purchased $1,000.00 of Delta Air Lines stock one year ago you would have $49.00 left.

With Enron, you would have had $16.50 left of the original $1,000.00.

With WorldCom, you would have had less than $5.00 left.

But, if you had purchased $1,000.00 worth of beer one year ago, drank all of the beer, then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have $214.00 cash.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle. It's called the 401-Keg.

A recent study found the average American walks about 900 miles a year.

Another study found Americans drink, on the average, 22 gallons of alcohol a year. That means, on average, Americans get about 41 miles to the gallon.

Christmas shopping

Oh, stop. Of course I haven't done any, but that doesn't mean I've not been thinking about it. Honestly, I've really wanted to put a stop to all of the over-the-top gifting that goes on here on Christmas Day. I asked the kids a few days ago if they remembered ANYTHING that they received last year, and do you know that the only one who remembered anything at all - was Bridget? Who only just turned 4 at the end of June, mind you, but she has used her Rescue Pack probably more than any other gift any of us received last year - yes, sadly, even including the Wii.

Anyway, so I've been thinking that, amongst ourselves, we'd only make home-made gifts for each other, which leaves the one gift Santa brings to each child (and stockings), and what the extended family sends. I did broach the subject with the kids - they're less than impressed with the idea, of course.

However, even trying to find ways to cut back (as much because I just don't want the financial waste that occurs - spending hundreds of dollars on things that rarely get used - or remembered, as I want to keep the gimmes and the dreaded clutter monster contained), I have fallen in love with this, for Bridget:

The Magic Cabin Tree Fort Kit

Seriously, how cute is that? And also seriously, check out the "Super Saver" price! Considering that I don't want to spend more than $500 TOTAL for the holidays, this is a serious (!) problem. I've debated separating it all out - so, say, Santa brings the fort, and the in-laws generously provide (the money they usually send should cover the difference) all the extras (which will necessarily have to be wrapped separately). The only problem is that I am not considering anything else so extravagant for the others - not because I don't love 'em, but because I can't think of anything they'd really enjoy more than what they already have. Hmmm...maybe James would like an electric scooter (since he likes the one Molly has), and I'd still like to buy him a telescope (he's not interested), but really, he has plenty of things I thought he'd like, but that he doesn't really enjoy very much.

On a more financially agreeable note, I've been blog-hopping again, and found this awesome "make your own" child's tent (teepee) posted by Sew, Mama, Sew, who, apparently, isn't technically the creator of this fine item - instead, she hosts the tutorial, which is written by Meg, of Boutique Nutmeg Designs. If you followed the tent link, did you see those two beautiful words, "no sew"? I think even I can do this. And I'm also thinking that this could be a fun Christmas gift for Molly, who recently tried (unsuccessfully) to build a teepee in our back yard. And if I were to give this to her, does this make me totally cheap? Or just keenly aware of, and responsive to, what each child would enjoy, irrespective (more or less) of the cost of each item?

The thing is, James plays almost solely with his legos and army guys, and Molly plays with her extensive collection of (now play quality) Breyer horses, or else she draws. Sometimes, she'll try her Nintendo DS, but she's more active - she prefers scooters and pogo sticks and bicycles to most anything that's going to keep her sitting still in a seat. Occasionally, she'll hunker down and hide away to read - that's another reason I think this tent/teepee thing would be awesome for her.

So, I don't know, but I think I'm on the right track - whether it includes the little fairy house above, I don't yet know, but wouldn't it be nice if it did? Because I would love to (see Bridget) play with it. Heh heh. :)

And...OH OH OH! How cute is this? I think I'll make it for...myself. Wish me luck - I mean, I own a sewing machine, but it's not like I know how to use it. It's just as well that it would be for myself, anyway - I'd likely be pretty embarrassed to give my crooked-lined sewing mistake to anyone else.

Apples and a Big Brother

Bridget and Daddy
9.19.08

On Friday, we went to our charter's annual apple orchard field trip. I wish I'd remembered to take a picture of the actual orchard, because it occurs to me that most folks wouldn't recognize these...trees. I mean, they are trees, of course, but they are also a lot smaller than those I remember seeing on the east coast. Fortunately, the apples are still delightfully delish, and apple picking is still just as fun - maybe even better since the littles don't need ladders - at least not for apples on the lower branches.


I always wanted a big brother, so I was thrilled that my first baby was a boy. I just melt whenever I see him do things like this - like reading I Love You, Stinky Face to his little sister.

This 'being a mom' thing just rocks.

::Save Lori's House::

Sometimes, just when things seem to be more or less on an even keel, something will happen that forces you to stop everything and Do Something About It.

I had hoped that, tonight, I'd be in bed earlier, but I happened to check my bloglines one last time, and caught the most recent entry to my new favorite kiddie craft blog, The Crafty Crow.

But instead of another fun activity, there was a graphic, and a short paragraph, about a woman who was at risk of foreclosure on her home. This, of course, is the sad reality for many people in our country right now. The difference here is that she's a single mom of a 7-year old son, and she's bedridden, and on a respirator, because she has ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease).

My father had ALS. It is a merciless disease, and one without much hope, and I cannot imagine laying in a bed, knowing I didn't have very much longer to live, and struggling to come to terms with not being there for my child as he grew up. It was hard enough watching my father struggle with his emotions, as he gave voice to his grief and anguish over knowing he'd never be able to play catch or go fishing with his grandson. Even now, the memory of that day is so viscerally painful, with the sadness of the loss - for all of us - as (or maybe more) searing now as it was nine years ago.

I donated, but I also felt that I needed to share Lori Hall Steele's story. If you feel compelled to help in some way, then so much the better.

Save Lori's House (information and paypal donation link)

The Lori Hall Steele Fundraising Blog

A poignant essay written by Lori Hall Steele, about her then-4yo son's fear of losing his mom

Yesterday's Babycenter blog entry about Lori's situation

Catsup? Or Ketchup?

I keep saying I'm going to update the blog, but really, I still haven't really worked out why I do it at all. I'm still here for now, though, and I promised pickachers, so let's get right to them. There's a good mix of animals and...my kids. Who are, from a scientific point of view, also animals. Anyway.

* * *

This here is Beau. Nope, apparently we didn't change his name from that which he was given by his foster mom. The important thing here is to check out those ear tufts. I have never had a cat with ear tufts before; I love 'em. And he is a Really Sweet Kitty. Funny, too.

I promised you sheep, and so you shall have them. The other day, on our way home, we turned up the street before ours and... this is what we saw. Despite the fact that our little street isn't well-traveled, our neighbors were still doing a fine job of gawking (too).

That is, until the owner of that house discovered them eating away at her lawn (and bushes). She promptly shooed them away...

which pretty much meant that the show was over, except for this little lady, who gave one last, wistful look at the green grass. I don't blame her, though. I miss green grass, too - having it more than eating it, I mean.

A couple days later, our dogs alerted us to a crisis of wooly proportion. On the hillside adjacent to our...hillside, there were the sheep. My dogs, despite the fact that their breed is designed to protect sheep, did not get that memo. They are definitely not happy about the sheep. Nope.

Enough with the sheep, though, already. Let's (quickly) visit a parade. That's Molly (sort of) in the middle - to the left of the middle - on a horse they later learned was NOT parade-savvy. The lady next to the horse is the owner of the ranch where Molly takes her lessons. She had to walk next to Tug the entire parade route because he was really ornery. Figures, huh? He's the oldest one - supposed to be bomb-proof - and maybe he is, but not parade-proof.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch('s parade float), Bridget was thrilled to get to ride on the hay wagon. I know she doesn't look thrilled in this picture, but trust me - it was way better than walking.

About a month ago, we visited an ostrich farm, where they raise ostriches for their meat, mostly. But separate from that area, they have a few that are sort of on display. These are a few of the babies:

And this one here is part of the official meet 'n greet team, at least in the sense that they are among the breed (I think there are three breeds? or four.) that is friendliest. This one will come up to you if you call her over.

Continuing our fowl theme for one more picture, here's a goose who lives at the little lake around the bend, so to speak. I just happened to like this picture - there's really no other reason for including it.

For the next month, we get to call this "P.E.". Or recess. Both, really. The kids (the two older kids) are taking a rock climbing class with a county-based homeschooling group. It is So Cool, and I suspect we'll be back after the month-long session is over. That's James and Molly on the boulder there - Molly is wearing the purple pants, and James is to next to her, looking at the camera.

Here's a close-up of Molly. The first day, she made it about half-way up the wall (the one surrounding that boulder in the middle), but today, she went to the very top twice. At the end of the class, she was exhausted - it's a lot of work!

This was my "school" table and one of (too many of) our bookcases, as I was preparing for the beginning of school. It is usually clean and organized (stop laughing).

Photographic evidence that, sometimes, they get along. Okay, truly, it's very blurry and clearly not a great picture, but it's one of pictures I've taken recently that I really, really love. It may not be saying a thousand words, but there are plenty there, and they all make me smile.

Last picture! Look at those cheeks! Oh, I know you can't really see them, but you know they're there. And as you can see, she was very proud of her (I think it's a) giraffe. I'm proud, too, even if I think it's more of an interpretive piece of art, if you know what I mean. CORRECTION: Bridget says this is a llama. I asked her, "It's not a giraffe?" and she said, "No, because it doesn't have spots." Well, I was right about the interpretive thing, anyway.

And that concludes the slide scroll show for today (this month). As an aside, I need to add something about a post I made earlier, but which I later deleted. It was about Barack Obama, and it was inflammatory and clearly so extremely biased as to be of little benefit in terms of actually documenting reasons not to support the senator, and I regret ever putting it on my blog in the first place.

I'm not a fan of big government, and I'm especially not a fan of Big Spending and Big Government, and those are *my* points of contention with Sen. Obama's platform. The rest is just details, or in the case of that video, an attempt to distract from should be a focus on issues, and where the candidates stand.

I strongly agree that we can't do four more years, but in my opinion, I think that the Democratic platform is a bit too much of an over-correction.

On the other hand, Sen. McCain made it a helluva lot harder (as in, impossible) to support him, when he chose Palin as his running mate. No. No. Not just no, but hell no. And despite my objections to the Democratic platform right now, I don't think Sen. Obama would make a bad president. On the other hand, as much as I'd like to be thrilled that a woman might be a VP, I just want to say - please, no, not that woman. The thought that a radically conservative chick (which really should be an oxymoron, go figure) might have a say in the selection of a Supreme Court justice appointment makes me want to weep. By comparison, I guess I only want to whimper when I read about Obama's plans.

The way I see it, my choices are a) Big Government, b) Losing ground on women's rights, c) not voting, d) writing in someone's name, or e) voting for one of the other (non-major party) candidates. I like Bob Barr's platform; ideologically, it is closer to mine than either of the other two. Realistically, though, it's sort of a non-vote, so I still feel like I have to choose between two platforms, neither of which are really representative of my own views.

Sometimes, I think it would be easier to be an ostrich.

Super Quick!

We had our charter school picnic this past week, and although I didn't want to go, it was at one of my most favorite places to spend a bit of time here in our little spot in the high desert. Probably because it doesn't look very desert-like.

Anyway, here are a couple of pictures from the picnic. There are more, of course, but this'll do for now, I hope. Be on the look-out for more sheep and a few pictures of the not-really-new-anymore kitty.

She was being a "jumping horse".

See what I mean? Sure doesn't look desert-like to me.
Just don't look beyond that little island-in-the-lake, okay?