Feeling Melancholy

On Monday, I checked my driver's side mirror for a spider web. There had been a web, most every day, for 3 weeks. When I first saw the orb weaver working on its intricate circular web I thought to flick it off with a stick. My fascination for the hard work and natural beauty of the web won out, though. The fastidious little brown, orb-weaver would create a web about 6 p.m., then have the web eaten and the window left clean the next morning. Talented and tidy...such a great combination. There was a night, last week, when I needed to make a run to the grocery store and I saw the busily moving body diligently at work for the evening. I just smiled and jumped in Michael's truck for the trip. The poor spider did have to make a few 40 mile an hour rides to my mom's house and home. The kids would worry all the way if the spider would be okay. I found myself hoping to get a stop light so the little one would have the time to scurry back to the safety of the side mirror housing. Sometimes it would, sometimes it would just set about repairing the strands that kept it tied to the car.
Well, on Monday I came out of the grocery store and pulled out of the parking lot and the spider's little body tumbled from the mirror housing. Since I was in the middle of the road I needed to keep moving to avoid an accident. I watched as the silk thread snapped and my little spider companion blew away. I figured it had died a few days before, so I wasn't surprised. I just felt an overwhelming feeling of melancholy for this little, natural artist that put a pretty web for us to be dazzled by, then clean it up so we didn't look like trail trash driving around town. So long, my eight-legged pal!

::::::::::::::::::Picture Day:::::::::::


I'm going to help at the elementary school for picture day. It should be a day of organized chaos. I hope to come out smiling in the end, too!

::::::::::::::Another Layout for Noah's Baptism Book::::::

This is a photo of Uncle Benjamin trying to help Rebecca depress the spring on the pogostick, but she was just too light. He tried jumping on the pogostick, but the 80 lb. weight limit kept him from having any fun.
_{Credits: Jacque Larsen's Frog Legs, Fonts: DJB LIZ and DJB Julianna in a Hurry Darcy Baldwin, Kate Hadfield's Doodle Frame}

::::::::::::::::::::::Yearbook::::::::

I've been working on learning the program for the school yearbook. The learning curve isn't too bad. There is some functions that I would like to work differently, but it is okay, so far. I have been asking around for some one with a better camera to take the 5th grade photo, or let me borrow, but no luck, yet. I have about 3 weeks, so I hope to have it figured out soon.

Off to school! Take care.

Not Camera Shy, Just...

Camera Clueless::::


<sub>Rainbow Kit by Karen Lewis at www.thedigichick.com
Fonts: DJB MICHAEL by Darcy Baldwin, Artistamp Medium


School house freebie and background paper by Jacque Larsen, Doodle frame by Kate Hadfield, Krafty Alpha by Edeline Designs, Font: DJB Mandy by Darcy Baldwin, Word art by Emily Merritt

Studio Paris by Debra Tope, Evitangel freebie by Cinnamon Designs, Bus doodle by Kate Hadfield, Font: DJB Julianna In a Hurry, and DJB Mandy by Darcy Baldwin @ The Sweet Shoppe, Distressed frame overlay by Something Blue Studios, Krafty Alpha by Edeline Designs</sub>


Yesterday, I took out some stuff to recycle, started a load of dishes, then laid down to read my book (Mrs. Dalloway)while waiting the last 30 minutes for the kids to come home on the bus. I set my glasses down for a minute, then I heard banging on the door. Apparently, I can fall asleep! I don't think I have had proper sleep in 14 years and since my short cat nap doesn't really count my record is secure. ;) It is nice to know my body still can sleep okay, if given the chance. I think I must have the need for spontaneous napping because I'm pretty sure if I set out to nap someone would have called, or I would have a thousand things going through my mind that would have distracted me.

:::::::::::::::::::::Jonas Brothers:::::::::

Rachel was invited to go with a friend to see the Jonas Brothers in concert. She called me all giddy around 11:00pm to tell me she was on the way home. She plopped into bed a little after 12:00am. Surprisingly, she was hard to wake up today. I hope she blogs about the concert. She said Demi Lavato was the opening act and it was Demi's birthday, as well. Brynna was so kind to invite Rachel.

::::::::::::::::::::Speaking of Kind::::::::

My neighbor, Kristen, needed some vinegar for a marinade, so I gave her a few tablespoons. In return her daughter brought over two delicious slices of steak. The taste was delightful. I'm hoping for the recipe!

Off to go walking and help in the school library! :)

Ramens Will Burn if...

you forget to add water.



Though the acrid smoke has past the smell lingers. Think...burnt popcorn smell. My dear oldest, son, Aaron, is sustained by Ramen noodles. I think he would wither and die were it not for these little wavy dried bits of carbohydrates. Oh, and let us not forgot the load of sodium. His current favorites are Chili, Chicken and Roast Chicken. When he is feeling a bit wild he mixes them together. Yes, he can take a walk on the wild side. So, why you may or may not ask, did he burn said wavy treasure? I'm sure it had nothing to do with staying up until the wee hours of the morning to play the computer and watch Dr. Who. He was a bit distracted getting ready to go mow the neighbor's grass. He wanted to grab a quick small meal, so he grabbed the Ramens like he does most every day, placed them in a bowl and popped them in the microwave. He ran to the bathroom. I had my back turned trying to put 2 boxes of frozen pizza into our freezor. After a few seconds I jokingly called out, "Aaron what are you burning?" The smell was getting worse by the second. I turned to look at the microwave and saw billowing smoke. I grabbed the door and looked at the smoldering ramen noodles sans water. I grabbed the bowl and stuck it in the sink and turned on the water. AHHH! More smoke!

I sit here with the windows open, the air conditioner off, and the door open praying the mosquitos are too confused by the burnt carbon to find my legs and arms.

Aaron opted for a bowl of Breyer's chocolate ice cream with Hershey's syrup to hold him over while he mows the grass. One must always have back up plans if you should, per chance, burn your first choice.

::::::::::::::A Just For Fun Layout::::::::


<sub>Just having some fun with the love birds.


Credits: Kate Hadfield: Love Birds, Diner Doodles, Vehicle Doodles
Jacque Larsen/Kate Hadfield Cleaning Doodles, Tea Party, Celebrate, Tooth Fairy Doodles
Jenna Desai: Doodled Border
Alpha: Darcy Baldwin's Spotty Alpha
Catrine's Chalked Alpha and Explore Solids
Font: Cheapskate Outline, Calvin and Hobbes</sub>

:::::::::::::Family Swim:::::::::::

We finally got to go to family swim time at our local pool. The kids tired themselves out and drank abit of chlorine. Rachel would like to warn against embibing chlorine. She said it made her stomach hurt.

During our last 20 minutes at the pool I was playing with Eve in a smaller circular pool inside the lazy river set up. I was on the other side of the circle and she said, "Come and get me!" So, I went underwater to grab her and she surprised me by swimming past me to the other side. She and I found this to be quite a fun game. She got so much more confidence to use her swimming skills and stick her face in and swim across. She was so proud to play and be able to swim. I am so proud of her, too!

:::::::::::::Walking::::::::::

I did my 5 mile walk and it was another situation where it took 2 miles for my foot to feel okay. Surprisingly, my foot hasn't hurt as much after the fact as it has in the past couple of weeks. Maybe my foot is getting better, or I have permanent nerve damage? Hmmm? I'm going to check the store for those Ace Bandage thingies and look for one for arch support.

There are a couple of new regular walkers at the park that smile when I pass. I call them "The Double Mint Twins". They appear to be in their early twenties, shaved heads and about 6 feet tall.

:::::::::::::Family Reading:::::

The kids and I got a kick out of last night's chapter of Tales From the Hood. Puck has an allergy that is so too funny. The Ferryport Landing librarian is great and the razzing Puck gives him is hilarious, too!

:::::::::::::Today:::::::::::

I'm taking Aaron to the store to spend a few of his hard earned dollars, I have a Yearbook meeting and the guys are leaving for a rock climbing trip/camp out.

Take care! I hope y'all have a great weekend!