A HOUSE DIVIDED

Monday, June 23, 2014

Ken & the kids were up by 3:30 this morning getting ready to leave to go to Elk City to catch the Greyhound bus.  I was up, too, not because I particularly wanted to or because they were noisy.  Instead, I was up because a spectacular thunderstorm was going on that I couldn't sleep through.  But at least it meant I could see the kids off.  I was able to go back to bed and get a few more hours of sleep, though.

Upon awakening, I had a message from Jonathan.  Apparently, the bus was to leave at 8:00 a.m., not 6:00.  Now, this was my mistake, but I'll tell you now, my eyes are getting old and the print on the itinerary is tiny.  Eights, sixes, and nines look an awful lot alike; I especially have a hard time with them on the computer.  So none of the three was very happy with me.  But it was helpful, in a way.  Ken couldn't have taken them so late and I would have been rushing back to do stuff I needed here.  Plus, as Ken said, they would have missed out on the lightning storm as they drove and it was (I hear) really cool.

The kids got on the bus all right, with Jonathan texting me updates as needed.  The house was eerily quiet as I got ready for my morning stuff.  About 10:00, Brother Sturges, the Regional Director of Seminaries and Institutes, came by to give me a little orientation.  That included a stack of books, videos and binders.  If you wonder what I'll be doing with my kids gone...it'll be studying for Seminary.  On top of that, I'll have a big training, with teachers from all of Western Oklahoma, in August.  It's a big, somewhat intimidating job.  The church does not take Seminary lightly.

After that, I had to zip over to Walmart and get supplies for my creative writing class that afternoon at the college.  I grabbed a bite to eat and headed over to WOSC.  My class is three-hours long, with a snack break in the middle, and runs through Thursday.  The classroom is really cool; the college is very high tech!  I have a Smartboard, which functions as a screen, an electric whiteboard and a computer monitor.  Also, the overhead projector projects right onto it.  Awesome!  I could get used to that.

I have four students in the class: two teenage girls and two girls around 11, I'd say.  One is the granddaughter of a sister in our ward and is friends with Analiese.  We also have a "kid wrangler," a teen who sits with the class, fetches things as needed, and escorts the students to and from class and snack time.  Today's wrangler was a young man named Noah, who seemed to entertain the girls as much as anything else.

It was a good class.  They had fun and were excited to be learning about being creative and expressing it through writing.  I showed them a video, we talked about parts of speech and did exercises, and ended by decorating composition books to be journals.  Already they are asking if I'll teach this next year and were even excited that I gave them a "homework" assignment (writing in their journal).

My busy day wasn't over.  I went home, got changed, went to water aerobics, came home, got changed, went grocery shopping with Ken.  I am tired and my feet ache something awful!

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

I had told Jonathan last night to let me know when they have their big layover and bus transfer in Phoenix at 3:30 in the morning.  So, I got woken up then.  I couldn't go back to sleep until I knew they were on the road again, so I figured I'd get up, have breakfast and do a little work and then go back to bed after hearing from Jonathan.

Today is Nasly's birthday.  After class, I'm going to take her to dinner.  I had promised her an "American" birthday cake so I got this fancy cake mix and am baking carrot cake...at four in the morning.  At least it smells good.  On top of that, I started reading through the Gospel Teaching and Learning book for Seminary teachers.  I'm not sure how much retention I'll have this time of morning, but we'll see.  As it is, I am already struck with how much trust the Lord puts in the Seminary teachers to live worthy to have the Spirit and help guide the students to have a testimony of Christ and His Atonement.  It's hard to feel like I'm worthy and capable enough of that great a responsibility.  I know I always felt my Seminary teachers were so spiritual and knowledgeable; as a teacher now I don't feel that way about myself at all!  It's a lot to live up to!  This is going to be a very humbling experience, I can tell.

Second day of class at WOSC was all about story-writing.  The bad thing about this is...I could take a month and it might be enough to cover the subject.  So we went over some basics (plot, setting, characters) and I gave them a bunch of handouts they could take home and work on over the summer.  Not because they have to...but because they WANT to!

In the middle of class, I get a text from Jonathan...and then one from my Dad.  They are in California safely!  Thank goodness, the trip was the only thing that worried me!  I guess Dad brought Rachel and Ammon with him to pick up the kids and they all chattered loudly and crazily all the way back to the house!  It sounds like a good start, that makes me happy!

I took Nasly out to Chinese food tonight after dropping the cake off at her house.  She apparently loves Chinese, so that was a good choice!  She was so cute about it all and kept hugging me and thanking me.  She had said her mom had spent all their money going to Honduras so she wasn't going to have a birthday celebration.  Well, I gave her a little one with me!  The waitress at the restaurant is Hispanic and heard us speaking in Spanish, so she would talk to us in Spanish, to which I replied in English.  Too funny!  Nasly and I spent at least two hours eating, laughing, and talking about the gospel, which she is still new to.  She is eager to come to Seminary and be a part of my class in the fall and even wants to do her scripture mastery in English.

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Ken is at work and the house is so QUIET this morning.  I figured my kids would forget all about me once they reached Grandma's house, but Jonathan has been texting me some this morning.  They went to Jay & Logan's baseball game last night and had a good time.  Wendy is keeping me in the loop, too, by sending pictures of the kids together.  I am willing to pay the price of solitude to give my kids this opportunity (and my nieces and nephews, too!)

Today's class was AWESOME!!!  We started the first part by describing things using all of our senses.  I had brought Jonathan's rabbit, Twilight, to class to use as their example.  I could have brought anything, a flower, a piece of fruit, fabric, but I felt this would be more interesting to the girls.  And it was!  They loved watching him hop around the room and sniff things, they dug deep into his plush fur and...got a whiff of his cage - Phew!  I think our smell phrase ended up being "retchingly scented."  This was all before snack and was plenty of fun, but afterwards!  Wow!

We talked about poetry, I showed a couple of video clips and read a few poems, even letting them help me decipher Tennyson's "Crossing the Bar."  It was great, but then it got even better.  I introduced them to blackout poems.  That is where you take an already existing text, like a newspaper or magazine article, or a page out of a book and find significant words in it to make up a poem of your own, while blacking out the rest with pen or paint.  I had copied off pages from four books: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Ender's Game, The Hobbit, and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy.  My three girls in attendance took the first three pages to work on and my teenage boy assistant, Eric, took Hitchhikers.  This was the first time he wanted to actually participate in writing!

They were marvelous!  In particular, the one girl who took Ender's Game made a lovely poem about sitting under a tree and even drew a tree with the sky and sun above and the ground below.  One line mentioning resting beside the tree was...resting beside her tree!  I was serious impressed.  All of the kids (even my helper) LOVED the activity and couldn't wait to try it at home.  One girl said, "You really like poetry, huh?"  The truth is, I haven't been that inspired to do it or even read it, but today changed everyone's minds, mine included!

The evening was almost anticlimactic.  I went to water aerobics and then to dinner with a girlfriend from church.  However, sitting in Applebees talking our heads off for two and a half hours probably isn't insignificant.  Tarah's a beautiful person inside and out and it was good for the both of us to have time to bond better.  I'm so grateful that, a year after moving to Altus, I can say with confidence that I have friends here.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Final day at WOSC Kids' College.  We worked on Personal Narratives today (basically, essays about a specific moment in your life).  Not as exciting or snazzy as stories and poems and no bunnies were present in the making of this writing, but I think they still learned a lot.

And enjoyed the class.  Because, as they were leaving, they said to me, "See you next year!"  Will I be doing it next year?  I don't know.  It was difficult getting students.  But maybe we can get the word out and have more next time.  Also, I've learned a lot of things and I'd make changes to how I'd teach certain things.  I think it was a good experience for all of us.

The kids and I Skyped some later in the day.  Jonathan & I had been texting back and forth and Ken wondered why he didn't just call or we Skype.  So, they got on Grandpa's computer and we had a good visit.  They are having fun, though Jonathan looked beat.  He's doing Youth Conference there this week on top of having just arrived by bus.  I asked my mom if she was tired of them yet.  She said, "Nope!  Not yet!"

Ken and I had a nice quiet night this evening.  Finally.  I made dinner and then we just sat on the sofa cuddled together listening to Jeff Foxworthy on Pandora.  Ken loves the Blue Collar tour and all the redneck jokes.  I like Bill Engvall (the sarcasm just drips off of him), so I didn't mind.  It was nice to not have anything specific to do.

Friday, June 27, 2014

Ruth, my visiting teacher, came over this morning to help me weed my veggie boxes.  Poor things, they were being strangled.  But we got a good two hours worth of work put in and enjoyed our visit, too.  The weather cooperated nicely and didn't really get hot till around 12:30 when she was going home.

We had doves and a bluejay visit us.  Plus, my honeysuckle is blossoming out a second time, which is lovely to smell!  Oh!  We have pecans coming on our trees.  I saw them...

Other than water aerobics, I stayed home and did housework.  I did not want to go anywhere or do anything.  I was tired!

Saturday, June 28, 2014

Lucky me!  With the kids gone, I had to clean all three rabbit cages myself.  One at a time, I'd put a rabbit in the front bathroom while I emptied and cleaned each cage.  After that was done, I cleaned the bathroom.  I've put down these doggie pads (like flat diapers) around the cages to help catch some of the mess and it seemed to help some.

I made beef stroganoff for dinner tonight to serve with rice for the missionaries.  They liked it and ate it almost all up, but what really thrilled them was the homemade chocolate chip cookies I'd made during the day.  You'd think they'd never (or rarely) had them!  I know at one point one had eaten six, but I think the new elder ate more!  It was no biggie, just chocolate chip, but apparently it struck their missionary hearts.  I gave them the rest to take home - I'd made about four dozen.  I don't really need more temptations around here.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

I have a confession to make.  I didn't post photos all last week and almost didn't this week.  Why?  Because I couldn't find my camera.  I've been sweating it all week because I didn't know where it was.  What if it fell out of my purse when I was out?

I really wanted it, too, because next week Ken & I are going to OKC for a couple of days and I wanted to take pictures of the city.  So I've been hunting in all the usual, and unusual, places.  No go.  It seemed frivilous, but I prayed, too.  I didn't want to have to admit I lost it to Ken and I didn't want him to feel that he needed to buy me a new camera.

So, I get ready for church and I go to the closet to get out my church bag.  And there, in the front pocket of my bag, was my camera!  I can't begin to tell you how relieved I was.  I wasn't really worried about losing photos, I only had this one of the kids putting together their puzzle:

All's well, that ends well, I always say.

SCHOOL IS OUT!

Monday, June 16, 2014

Jonathan is counting the days.  Today and tomorrow he has tests in Aviation Mechanics.  And then he is done!  But, he still has to go the last day because he has to have 200 days in the class.  Weird.  I don't know what he's going to do with himself.

Beyond a little reading (which is pure pleasure), I'm not asking Analiese to do any lessons this week.  She's too hopped up on anticipation for California to be of much good.  She and I, instead, have been reviewing our packing and traveling items.  She even went shopping with me to help me figure stuff for them to take!

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Jonathan did well on his test yesterday - 90% - and even better today - 98%!  He's ended his year on a very positive note and is confident for Airframe next year.  By the end of that year, if he does well, he'll probably have a job on the Air Force base waiting for him.  Amazing!  I'm so grateful for this program, it's really helped him narrow down and focus on what he wants.  Plus, learn the value of hard work and studying.

He only went half-day, because there was nothing left to do.  So, as a reward/treat, I took the kids to that church-in-the-old-movie-theater in the town square where they were showing "The Lego Movie" for free.  The place was packed, but we got seats together and enjoyed it.  It was a little corny and sometimes random, but we laughed and had fun.  The kids have been dying to see it.  

We're still working on that puzzle.  It's almost done, the main buildings and such in it are completed.  We exult greatly whenever we find a piece that fits.  This has been so much fun!

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Last day of class for Jonathan!  Last early morning for me until August, when Seminary starts.  He's only going half-day again and brought a book to read.  He said that yesterday he spent an hour looking through all the pieces of planes in the shop - mainly because he had nothing to do!  So today he took a book, just in case.  They're going to grill burgers at the end, so I won't pick him up until 11:30.  Then he's free - Yippee!

You'd have thought he'd be crazy-eager to celebrate his "freedom," but he was only just quietly relieved.  Me, I was glad for no more early days!  Until August.

Oh, and we finished the puzzle!  At one point, the last piece was missing.  Jonathan and I had about given up (I knew it would eventually show up) and were about to go to bed when Analiese popped out of her room with the piece.  Sneaky girl!  Was she hoarding it?

Thursday, June 19, 2014

I'm not sure my kids think much of their "freedom."  Maybe it's because their freedom is Mommy's to-do list!  LOL  There's much to be done to get ready and there's stuff around the house I want done before they go to California.  Mainly it's outdoor work and they aren't enthusiastic about it.  The big problem is the "skeeters."  We've had more rain this year, which means more of the pests.  And Calamine lotion does NOTHING for the itch!

Ken took us all to dinner for Family Home Evening tonight.  After a drawn-out debate with the kids, we went to Fat Daddy's, which lives up to it's name but is still really yummy.  Jonathan had a HUGE burger and tots (He's a Napoleon Dynamite fan) and, not surprisingly, finished the whole thing.  I thought it was gross...it had jalepenos on it.

We had to play a game when we got home.  You see, it was Analiese's turn for Family Home Evening game and, despite going out, she insisted we had to play a game.  We played "Pirates of the Carribbean" Life and I thought one the kids was going to win.  Ken played pretty passively, which was unusual, and managed to win.  I was just along for the ride.

Friday, June 20, 2014

Jonathan went to mow someone else's yard today.  He decided to wear shorts, but I don't think it was a great idea.  He ended up with bites all over his legs.  And I can't decide if they're mosquito or ant... because both were present there.  She's got a huge red ant mound in her yard.

The guy from WOSC Kids' College called today and maybe next week's class will be on after all.  Gasp!  I figured it wouldn't, since I hadn't had any enrollees for that week at all!  So, I'd made plans that now, embarassingly, I have to cancel.  Plus, I have to get my act together so I can be ready to teach a class come Monday afternoon.  That morning I'm also meeting with the brother over Seminary.  

And Ken said I'd be bored with nothing to do!

Saturday, June 21, 2014

No basket this morning.  With the kids gone, it's too much produce for us to eat.  Ken doesn't even think about it and I really can't eat that much by myself.

Jonathan had to go finish his mowing job and then we went to Wal-mart for a little last-minute shopping for the trip.  The excitement is rising to a fever-pitch.  They may kill each other before getting on that bus, sparing me the chance to do it myself.  The packing is almost done, except for the last minute stuff we'll toss in Sunday evening. 

Major rabbit cage cleaning this afternoon.  If I have to take care of those three creatures myself for the next month, I wanted those cages and the areas surrounding, clean!  I swear my rabbit purposely tries to miss the box and pee outside of her cage!  I was on my hands and knees scrubbing the tiles in the bathroom.  At times like this, I really miss the rats!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

I think Analiese is going to dance and sing all day long.  How long Jonathan is going to stand for it will be the big question.

PUZZLING

Monday, June 9, 2014

Another night of thunderstorms & rain.  Another mushy, muddy backyard.  However, news reports from all around are talking about the lakes and rivers rising.  People are very happy to see the water.

Jonathan is only going to Aviation Mechanics half days this week, so I didn't have to get up so early this morning.  On the way to school, we picked up a friend of Analiese's who is moving to Georgia.  We took her to lunch at Taco Mayo for some laughs and a nice goodbye.

Homeschool PE was a workout for even me, today.  First, the kids had a demonstration on Irish dancing and learned to do a circle dance.  Jonathan wasn't thrilled, but I was...to take pictures!  Afterwards, I taught the kids a couple of games and ended up running around with them.  I haven't huffed and puffed like that in a while.

Still, I went to water aerobics.  My feet were killing me from before, but I figured that the water would feel good.  It did, but my legs and feet kept reminding me...I'd already had exercise for the day!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

After taking Jonathan home from class today (have you ever seen flattened turtle by the side of the highway?  There's one right by the entrance to the airport.), I drove to Lawton...again.  Don't ask.  It's sort-of my fault and the only way to break Ken out of an Asperger-induced freak-out was to go again.

This was not a take-your-time-and-relax trip.  This was in-and-out.  Still, I made a stop at Target trying to find some stuff for the kids to take on their California trip, like inflatable pillows for sleeping on during the bus ride.

It didn't take long to get my (Ken's) stuff at Sam's Club, but the lines were horrific and THAT was my wait.  Behind me in line was this really impatient lady who kept popping her gum and pacing back and forth between me and the two people ahead of me at the register.  I think I was as relieved as she when another register opened and she jumped over there (with a disgusted, "Finally!").  I didn't want near her, so I didn't follow.

Ken had told me to get dinner for myself on the way home.  Well, it's peach shake time at Chik-Fil-A, so guess where I went?  I wouldn't have cared about anything else, but I do appreciate a good chicken sandwich with lots of pickles.

I had purchased a puzzle at Target so Jonathan and I (for Mom & Me time tonight) started working on it.  It's 1000 pieces and not an easy one to complete quickly.  We enjoyed working on it; I don't know why I haven't thought of doing one before!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Jonathan and I almost had a turkey vulture smack into the van windshield this morning on the way to the airport.  It was by the reservoir and something had attracted it's attention there.  I'm glad it missed...it was pretty big and might have resulted in some major damage to my windshield!

Analiese came with me to pick up Jonathan today so we could go to Dollar Tree.  I'd read about this on Pinterest and thought it sounded fun.  I let each kid spend $5 there on stuff for Dad.  The only caveat: one "edible" goodie per person.  I didn't want them buying him a bunch of candy!  It was fun, though, and they got pretty creative.

Jonathan went swimming at the base pool with the Scouts tonight, so Analiese and I watched "The Secret Garden" while working some more on the puzzle.  Both of the kids are really into it!  I think we're going to have to do more.  I find them up in the morning staring at it (It's on the coffee table) and working on it.  Better than tv or computer games!

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Today we had Ken's Fathers' Day dinner.  One, because I didn't want to cook on Sunday, two, because he was going to cook it on the grill himself, and three, because I wasn't about to feed expensive steak to the missionaries on Saturday.  Sorry guys, I have a budget.

Earlier, Ken & I had purchased meat from a local place using the gift card I'd won at the Rabbit Show in January.  Ken was pleased with his selection.  I marinaded the meat into three different marinades (two he bought, one I made) and scrubbed potatoes to go with them (I love potatoes baked on the grill) and made Caesar salad, his favorite.  It was all very yummy.

It's funny, but even during Family Home Evening, we worked on the puzzle!  Getting them to stop and do other things is beginning to be an issue...

Friday, June 13, 2014

Jonathan didn't have class today, but, since tomorrow he takes the ACT, I figured he should do a practice test.  What resulted was a teenage meltdown.  He's tired of school (it's almost over), he's anxious about the California trip, he doesn't want to do anything.

Luckily, I understand his modus operandi a little bit and know what to do and what will result.  First, I let him rant a while, leaving when I've about had it and want to say something.  Second, I wait about 30 minutes to an hour to let him cool off.  Third, he comes back to me and apologizes and does what I ask.  He's a good kids, just needs to blow off some steam from time to time.

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Busy Saturday!  I dropped Jonathan off at WOSC for the ACT, went home for a quick bite of breakfast, and then ran out to get my basket.  I came home, cleaned that up, and worked on making a salad for the Garden Club, which was at noon.

Went to the club, ate a little lunch (they always have a potluck and it's neat to see what they've been growing in a nice dish), then picked up Jonathan from the college and went back to the club for the rest of the meeting.    I wanted to go to Barbara's again to see her garden, now that the wind protectors are off, but Jonathan reminded me that he wanted to go home and mow the front lawn, so her garden will have to wait.

He mowed, I made brownies from scratch (I didn't have anything else in the house).  I got those out and then had to get working on the chicken enchiladas I was making for dinner for the elders (see?  They don't get porridge, I serve them good stuff...just not steak!)

Still, I ran late and was praying that the missionaries would be a little late.  They were, about 10 minutes, but even with that it was 10 minutes more before the enchildadas were ready.  I told them to eat salad slowly.

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Yes, it's Fathers' Day.  But there wasn't a big to-do about it in church.  The second speaker in Sacrament Meeting spoke about fathers (very eloquently and heart-felt...it was awesome) and I hear they passed out candy in Priesthood, but that was about it.

I gave the lesson in Relief Society today and was a little concerned since the topic was "The Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood."  Very brethren-centered and I wasn't sure how it would go.  But I'd done a lot of studying and praying, and...I'm not quite sure how I taught.  There was a lot of good response from the ladies about the priesthood and magnifying callings, but I don't quite remember all of how we got there.  That's the Spirit for you, guiding you when you can't guide yourself!  One of the sisters brought her non-member sister to church and I had really worried how the lesson would strike her, but she came up and thanked me afterwards.  Don't worry...teach with the Spirit!

Before we let Ken go down for his usual Sunday nap, we gave him his Fathers' Day gifts (well, the kids.  Mine was the meat.)  I had taken the kids to Dollar Tree and let them spend $5 on whatever they wanted for their Dad, but only one food item per kid.  They did a great job.  Jonathan got him a plastic lidded mug with an insert inside that he drew pictures on, some gum he likes, a small set of screwdrivers, and some bacon bits (I allowed it).  Analiese got him some cologne (Hugo knock-off), an air freshener for his car, chocolate-covered peanut brittle, and a Sudoku book.  Plus a card.  Ken was very pleased (he's easy to please) and enjoyed looking and talking over each item.

HOT BUNNY DAYS

Monday, June 2, 2014

Analiese and I started our day out by taking a walk around the reservoir.  It wasn't too warm yet and, with a stiff breeze going, no mosquitos harassed us.  We had wanted to go because we heard that there were goslings and Analiese never passes up a chance to see baby animals.

The reservoir is in two sections, one larger, one smaller.  Some people walk one, some the other, some both.  We walked the larger section.  Besides geese, there were ducks, water birds, and turtles.

There might have been fish, but we couldn't see any.  The water levels were up (some from the rain, some from piped in water), so that was good.  There are benches at random places around the reservoir, even some swing benches.

 We sat in one for a bit under the trees and just enjoyed the peaceful morning.

Finally able to get back to water aerobics; my crazy schedule can sure mess that up!  Lucky Doris is in Hawaii, so Edwina taught class instead.  We weren't bothered by kids because the outdoor pool is now open.  The sad things is (especially in Analiese's estimation) that the slides are being repaired (AGAIN!!??) so she doesn't want to go until she can enjoy them.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

It is getting plenty hot around here.  Our poor bunnies...I worry about them getting heatstroke.  We are still trying to think of a way to cool them off better.  They have a fan, we give them ice bottles and keep them out of the sun.  I hate the thought of having to bring them inside, though.  Messy & smelly...you can tell I wasn't really raised around animals.

As it was, I ended up having them come in for a while and we took damp towels to try to cool them off.  Fluffer was the worst, breathing hard and shaking.  She kept it up for a good hour!  Something has to be done!

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

I had the lickety-split-iest dental doings today of my life.  I went in to have two cavities filled, both on the right, one up, one down.  It took them all of half an hour to do them both.  Now, I think they weren't very big, which may have been part of it.  The dentist said it was because I was a good patient.  I told him I was, unfortunately, a pro.  Give me my bite-block and suck out my saliva often (I'm a drooler), and I'm good.

I gave in.  The rabbits are in the house.  Stinky, smelly rabbits.  Two, Alice and Twilight, are in the dining room, on either side of the fireplace where there's tile flooring.  Fluffer is in the big bathroom.  Her cage looks ridiculous there, but I refuse to have any cage on carpet.  Ugh!  They are messy enough.  On the good side, they are beating the heat much better and the kids see and interact with them more.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Happy, but not, today.  First, I managed to score a put-it-together-yourself console at Atwoods for $30.  Originally it was $99.  I think I did well.  It's going in the living room on the blank wall under Niles' painting.

NOT happy.  I had to buy a new water bottle for Twilight; his was leaking and they need their water in this heat.  So, I bought one at Atwoods.  Took it home, filled it up...the thing leaks WORSE than his old one.  Now I have to take it back; I hate doing that.

Friday, June 6, 2014

I am now just mentioning this, but my kids are going to California for a month in a couple of weeks.  It was Dad's idea and the kids were thrilled.  However...now they are driving me crazy with anticipation.  I'll be honest, it's really Analiese.  She gets something into her head and goes bananas, talking about it ALL THE TIME.  I have threatened to send corpses to California.

Jonathan is excited and will mention it, but doesn't go on and on about it like his sister.  I know he is excited because he gave up some summer activities here and a mowing job to go.  He'll be busy with adult-ish life soon enough.  One good summer with grandparents and cousins will be good for him.

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Got up early to go get my basket this morning.  Because the elders are coming to dinner tomorrow and not tonight, I had to figure out dinner for this evening.  Luckily my basket had corn in it, which my kids adore.  In fact, when I opened them up to cook them, they had a pink blush on them!  They didn't cook up so cute, the blush turned dark and they weren't as big and juicy as other corn I've eaten, but it was still a treat for my kids.

Mid-day, the kids and I went to Lawton for our shopping trip.  Usually I do it on a week day, but we didn't get the work money for Ken's employee goodies until Friday afternoon.  Luckily, our credit union has a branch in Lawton, so we went straight there.  We decided this time to eat lunch at Sam's first, and then do both shoppings together, rather than do one, put the stuff away, and go back and do another.  Good thing, too, because in the middle of shopping, it began to rain - hard - outside.  By the time we finished filling both baskets, the rain had subsided and we could get in the van and go home.  Nope, no rain in Altus.  Bummer.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Got our rain last night.  At one point, a loud crash of thunder woke me up, but I don't know when and I drifted off to sleep easily.  We got enough to make a pond in the back yard for a while...now it's just a mud hole.  I think we'll be leaving the house for church through the front door again.  Ken is now agreeing with me, we need to move flagstones into a path from the shed to the house.  This is silly.

Okay, cat's out of the bag.  I've been called to teach Seminary this fall.  It wasn't entirely a surprise.  I knew Jonathan's teacher was going to quit this year.  I was a little bit sad; she's a great teacher and I'd hoped for one more year with him.  But, somebody has to do it and I had a sneaking feeling that somebody was ME.  I thought of a couple of other people who could do it just as well, if not better, than me, but I got the call.  My worries are stupid anyway; getting up early and having to prepare lessons every day.  Of course, this means I have to be on my game and get to bed at a better time.  It's a new time for spiritual growth, too, so I guess I'm glad, if nervous.

TEETH

Monday, May 26, 2014

It's Memorial Day.  I know it's a day for remembering those who lost their lives defending this country, but I also use this day to remember my grandmother, Alma Carr.  She died on Memorial Day in 2003.  I had taken the kids to Riverside National Cemetery, to see the graves and there ceremony there with all the displays and the veterans.  It was very moving.  But I remember, too, getting the news later on in the day, of Grandma's passing.  It wasn't a huge surprise - she was missing Grandpa - but, too, it marked the end of a family era.  No more visits to Grandma.  She was such a symbol to me of what womanly strength is.  So, on this day, I also remember her.

We didn't do anything special today, not even barbecue.  Ken had the day off and was able to relax some.  I did my usual laundry and shopping.  Ken took Jonathan out to Chinese as a last-minute birthday gift.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Still having off-and-on rain.  While I shouldn't complain - we need the rain so terribly - I do feel a bit waterlogged.  Things just don't drain well here and there are plenty of puddles and mushy ground.  The parking lot at the airport still has two big muddy puddles in it that I have to maneuver around.  And the humidity...don't get me started.  Poodle hair!

Jonathan & I were going to give blood after I picked him up for class today.  The blood-letting place was so busy; I think there were at least nine people ahead of us and that doesn't count the bodies on cots already giving.  I had a four o'clock appointment, at the Cruz's, with the missionaries, so I figured I wouldn't have time.  Ken was going to go after work, so I called him and asked him to first pick up Jonathan and they could go together.

The Cruz's weren't home; I think we scared them away.  Last week we were firm - bold - they needed to do more than just say it was okay to come back.  We needed them to read, pray and commit - or no - but at least tell us so.  They don't have a car; they must have taken a taxi somewhere.  

So, I decided to go visit the Maldonados.  I'm Nasly's Visiting Teacher (well, one of them, but the other doesn't speak Spanish so half the time I just go myself).  I'm trying to get her to stay with me when her mother and younger sister visit Honduras in June.  I think it will be fun and a learning experience for her.  Also, since Rosa's been working Sundays lately, I said I'd pick up the girls for Stake Conference this Sunday.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

It was Jonathan's turn to go to the dentist today.  Before he could have braces put on, he needed to have a deep cleaning.  I keep bugging him about caring for his teeth, but like a teenager, he dismisses what Mom says.  The dentist - who has photos to prove his claim - is another story.  He does have one little cavity, but that may be removed during the braces process, so we are waiting.  His gums were swollen and he had a lot of plaque.  To be fair, with his crowded mouth, even the hygienist said she had trouble getting to spots.  But not all...

I had planned on going to water aerobics, but Jonathan's appointment was at 3:50 and they didn't even get us in until 4:10.  I should have known.  It is hard to get an afternoon appointment there, yet with his schooling, I don't have a choice.  I even made an appointment for the next check-up, six months from now, in December.  That was difficult, too, because they fill up fast!

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Ken is home today because he is having a tooth removed today.  Another dentist trip...they will certainly get to know us soon!  He's rested up and has gotten a lot of work done at home this morning.  Jonathan will be happy because Ken mowed the front yard and weeded.

He decided to take me out to dinner for June "early"  I think he just wanted a good meal before the dentist pulled out his bad tooth and he was on soft foods for a few days.  We went to a prominent Mexican restaurant in town.  The ambiance and the service was great and the food wasn't half bad!  But Ken had a hamburger, who does that at a Mexican restaurant?  He thinks all Mexican food is loaded with onions - not true!  But I had chicken flautas and they were very yummy!

He came home one tooth-less.  The funny thing is, he has very long roots on his teeth.  The dentist really beat up his mouth trying to jiggle the bad tooth back and forth, trying to get it out!  I think he ended up doing it in pieces.  I remember when Jonathan was a baby and had a tooth removed; they commented that he had long roots, too.  Now I know where he gets it from.

Friday, May 30, 2014

I took Jonathan to the Vo-Tech today.  He had to take an exam to prove that he learned enough in his class to justify him going next year.  To pass, he needed a score in the low 80's.  He was very nervous about it, studying and including it in family prayers.  Well, I think it took him all of 15 minutes and he passed with a score of 93.  He was floating on Cloud Nine after that.

For me, it was pedicure day.  I had a toenail tearing and I didn't want it to tear too far.  Analiese chose my color, per usual.  So today, I now have banana toes.  

I had a meeting at WOSC tonight with the Kids' College people.  It was pretty much a get-to-know you thing and how to look on the website to see how enrollment in your class is going.  Some classes were doing great...almost full!  I can't really say that mine was.  I have one student per week's class.  I need four in each class to keep them open.  But...we still have time, they can enroll practically up to the day of the class.  However, now I'm really praying I get more students!  I've been working hard planning this class and I don't get paid for that!

Saturday, May 31, 2014

I was very busy today.  I started by getting my basket of yummies.  Ken stayed up a bit after getting off of Walmart and was amazed at how much I get for my money.  Then, after putting that away, I put fajita meat in a marinade and chopped up veggies for it.

Then, my biggie, I got to make apple pie like my mom makes it.  It's the Granny Smith (green) apples in a single pie crust piled high with a crumb topping.  I had enough apples from last week and this to make two pies and, luckily, I remembered my mom putting a cookie sheet under the pie pans.  Good thing, too, because, they leaked juicily over the side.  

Actually, having two pies was a good thing.  The elders weren't coming to dinner, they were coming over after Stake Conference in Lawton (1 hour away) to pick up their dinner and that meant I could give them one pie to split between themselves.  They were very happy to pick it up, I can tell you.  And my kids were sad that there wasn't more pie for themselves.

We didn't go to the session last night because of the distance.  We are going tomorrow, plus I need to do a Sam's run next week which means another Lawton trip.  I couldn't justify the gas for three trips.  We'd hoped to get the money for Ken's work goodies so that Jonathan & I could have gone today and gone to Conferene too, but it didn't work out.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

We were out the door by 8:20 a.m.  We were picking up Nasly and Gisela and taking them with us to Stake Conference.  Sadly, only Nasly came; Gisela decided to sleep in.  Still, we had a nice ride to Lawton, the kids doodling and such, Nasly and I talking about stuff...in Spanish.  I think I've got her talked into staying with us the week her mother goes with Gisela to Honduras.

We got there early enough to get a good seat and Nasly was surprised to see how many people there were.  She's trying to understand the difference between a ward and a stake.  There was a choir, small (not surprising because of the distances to travel) and mainly composed of missionaries.  Plus, this was weird, they didn't sing parts.  It was a little let-down.  

But the meeting was wonderful and spirit-filled.  The Stake President spoke as well as a counselor and the temple president and his wife.  The mission president's wife didn't speak last night, so they asked her to bear her testimony today.  And then Elder Villarreal of the 70 spoke to us.  He was fun to hear, but so genuine in Spirit.  I wasn't translating for Nasly, just adding a comment here and there, but I could tell she was enjoying him, too.  After conference, I dragged her up to meet him.  He's of Mexican descent, but grew up in the US, and served as the mission president in Columbia, so I was confident we could have a little Spanish conversation.  I introduced Nasly, and let the two of them go.  He told her (in Spanish) that she would never regret her decision to join the church.  She beamed and asked a couple of questions.  She'd been shy before, but was glad afterwards that I did.

The ride back from Lawton always seems so LONG.  I am tired and the road is so straight and uneventful that it is easy to get sleepy.  Plus, I'd brought along a picnic lunch since I knew we'd be getting out at noon and my troops would be ravenous.  But Nasly made sure I wouldn't get drowsy and kept me talking.  She's such a cutie.

CHANGES

Monday, May 19, 2014

Our schedule has altered somewhat.  Jonathan will be at the airport from 7:30 am to 2:46 pm (weird #, huh?) from now until June 18.  This is because the high school is almost out and he can use this time to study and prepare for the end-of-year-final.  Also, he'll have Fridays off, so he gets a longer weekend!

I had to pick him up from Seminary a little early to take him to the airport.  It also means I don't have to interrupt my day in the middle to take him to school.  He's had to make a lunch to take with him as well, so we had to shop for a few things the end of last week.  He made it last night; I didn't have to do it.  I just had to remember to bring it and his study bag when I picked him up from Seminary.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Got to go to the dentist today (yippee - not).  But, I take good care of my teeth so my cleaning was a breeze, even if Analiese thought it took a long time.  Dentist wants to remove and replace an old crown that isn't on right and can possibly cause trouble by trapping food in bad spots.  We'll see how much that costs!

I even had the opportunity today to play Spanish missionary.  The elders had me go with them to visit the Cruz's.  Neither of the elders speak a lick of Spanish; Eniquetta and Presenta (that's his name!) only speak a little English.  So, really, I had to carry the conversation.  It wasn't really interpreting; I just asked the elders what they wanted to talk about and I went on from there.  Plus, I had to train them not to give big speeches - give me a statement or a questions and let me interpret it.  I'm not that good or that fast.  Ken could do it, but he's always working.

Homemade fish tacos for dinner...with a great creamy chipotle sauce recipe I found.  It was good, even the kids thought so.  Yum!

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Analiese and I have been using our early mornings together (since I have to be up to take Jonathan to class) to work outside in the garden.  We usually let one rabbit out to roam while we do so; we can't let all three - one would try to impregnant the others and the other two would fight and fur would fly!  I really like being out before it's too warm and just enjoy grubbin' around outside.

We planted a basil I bougt at Wal-mart yesterday and some cantaloupe and zucchini.  Because my planter plants were set aside, I can only do a little bit this year.  But I'm hoping, what with the compost bin ready, I will have some really good stuff for the fall.  They tell me that a lot of things can be planted here later for fall, like green beans.

Ken came home super-early today...as in, he was on his way home when I dropped off Jonathan at the airport.  The reason?  The drug dog kept sniffing his hands, insisting there was something there!  Ken was VERY irritated (it became a serious Asperger Day)  because he couldn't go in and went straight to Walmart.  It appears that the person he had to work with yesterday is always high and Ken figured that the contamination came from him.  He complained to HR who advised him "not to open that can of worms."  Ken said, "That is my main job that I support my family with!  I WILL open that can!"  Needless to say, he was at times grumpy, at times withdrawn for the rest of the day.  I even had him take me to out to lunch to try and help and it did...for a little bit.

Tonight Ken & I went with Analiese to her Activity Days.  It was the end-of-year activity (they'll start up again in the fall) and they had invited parents to come see what the girls had been doing.  Each girl had to stand up and talk about her favorite activity.  I hate to brag - but I will - my daughter was SO eloquent!  She talked about visiting the mayor of Altus and about his responsibilities in the city.  I think maybe we need to work on her speech-giving skills; there may be talent there!  As it is, she wants to enter the 4H speech contest next year.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Ken got back into the prison today, no problem.  But he took an extra long, extra careful shower and even did a bleach water clean of his steering wheel in his car!  I didn't think it would be a problem, but it was a major irritation to him!  And, he got teased a bit about it.  

Rabbit Club was tonight, so I took the kids (and Alice) and went.  Jonathan was antsy, not really wanting to be there, because he wanted to go with his friend Howard.  Howard was supposed to pick him up from there, but it took a little longer than Jonathan liked.

In the meantime, he and Analiese worked on a recycling/fundraising project for the club.  They took animal feed bags and made them into tote bags.  Analiese did fine; she's in the sewing club and knows her way around a sewing machine.  This was Jonathan's first time.  He really didn't want to, but he caught on fairly fast.  The gal who came to teach us how to do it remarked that his stitches were better than nearly all the others (and they were all girls).  But a sewing machine is a mechanical thing...and he's a dude who loves things mechanical.

Howard did eventually pick him up.  I let him spend the night.  Howard leaves for New Mexico on Saturday to work at a Scout Camp and then will rejoin his family in Las Vegas, where they will be moving in five weeks.  Jonathan is SO bummed.  So, I loosened the reins a little and let him spend time with Howard.

Friday, May 23, 2014

RAIN!!!  They predicted it and for once, it happened!  It's been getting very scary around here, the lack of water, and everywhere you see signs "Pray for Rain!"  At first they were at the churches, but now even the banks and other establishments are posting them.  I had read a news report the other day that estimated that a nearby lake, already at 26% capacity, would be dried up by 2016, if measures weren't taken.  We're going to need a lot of rain to help heal the land, but today is a nice start!

Apparently, the storm today is trying to make up for lost time.  My back yard is a swamp!  Analiese and I went return books to the library and had to go through the front door and a smaller swamp to go through the front of the garage to get to the van.  But we really can't complain!  Streets are flooded (no storm drains.  Well, not much.) but our books were due!

Jonathan went to the movies with Howard (X-Men), but came home in the late afternoon.  He was tired, having stayed up all night, and a little blue.  He cried some at the thought of losing his friend.  Friend losses twice in the space of a year is tough.  

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Still gray and a little drippy, but the water levels in the back yard have gone down.  However, it is a big muddy mess in the back, especially leading to the shed/garage.  I have a bunch of flagstones in odd, unnecessary places.  I think I will move them to make a path from the shed to the house for occasions just like this.  It would have been handy in the winter, too.

I can't believe how fast weeds grow.  I had a box completely empty of weeds and had planted some garlic chives, canteloupe and a zucchini there.  Today, there are grasses and weeds in there!  Analiese wants to know what we are going to do Monday for Memorial Day.  I told her, weed.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

I led the music in Sacrament Meeting this morning.  Bro. Lee had called and asked me to do it earlier in the week.  Ken thought maybe he was going to ask me to talk of give me another calling, but, ha!  Nope.  Sister Shields couldn't make it; could I sub for her?  No problem.

However, the Stake President and a counselor were in church today.  I was invited to speak with one of them.  I can't talk about it yet, but my husband was greatly amused by it.  In a couple of weeks, I'll let you know.  SIGH.

NEW WEEK, NEW OPPORTUNITIES, NEW ADVENTURES

Monday, May 12, 2014

Wind and dark clouds hovered over our morning.  By ten o'clock, booming thunder was distracting Analiese from her lessons.  And then...a little rain.  Not much, but enough to tide my tiny garden for the time being.  Still, I hate to be greedy, but we need more!

Look at this!  A poppy naturally growing amongst my weeds!

This time at homeschool PE, I was a little more social.  The kids were fine, the Doshers were there and they've gotten to know the others better.  Today, I got to know the moms.  Two moms of younger children were picking my brain.  They were especially interested in how I teach my kids Spanish.  That's actually a hard one, because I don't use a lot of curriculum (other than Discovery Education's Elementrary Spanish) and we have speakers in the home.  Still, it was nice to get to know them better.

Analiese had been panicked (for a short while) that the weather might cancel PE, but neither PE nor water aerobics were effected.  Though, the weather had cooled things off a bit and coming out of the pool was a chilling experience, literally.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Hippo Birdie to my big boy!  He's seventeen today...where did the years go?  In Seminary they brought in doughnuts to celebrate.  I am going to take him shopping for shorts and church pants after class.  Maybe first I'll slip him over to Braum's for some birthday ice cream!

I went to WOSC (Western Oklahoma State College - right here in Altus) and applied for a position as a creative writing instructor for their summer Kids College program.  And I got the job!  I have to figure the curriculum on my own; I think that makes it more fun!  I am going to do one week (well, four days) for grades 4-8 and a second week for grades 9-12.  This college is very hip on tech, so I'll have computer to board access (no need for chalk or markers), internet access for videos, Ted Talks, etc.  I haven't worked in years (since Jonathan was 4) and I haven't done a resume since...even longer!  It was an interesting experience getting it done.  Now, I just need to smooth out my lesson plans.  I'm so EXCITED!!!

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

My son bought Legos at Wal-mart yesterday with some birthday money.  He ordered MORE today at Amazon with another birthday certificate.  SIGH.  His room is a veritable den of Legos.  I won't deny he enjoys it (and plays best with his sister when he's using them) but...really?  Ken thinks he's too old for toys, but I also know how relaxing and creative an outlet it can be for him.  You should see his organization system.  He has several tackle boxes that he uses for the express purpose of sorting out small pieces in shapes and colors.

Speaking of creative, Analiese and I, after dropping Jonathan off at Scouts, did some specific doodling called Zentangle.  Inside of blank shapes or lines that you create in a square, you use different patterns inside to decorate.  It was fun and gave us a chance to talk.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

I woke up with a headache...a bad omen for the day.  I really think I have some kind of bug.  I just feel...off.  After taking Jonathan to school and settling Analiese with her lessons, I actually took a nap!

But, ugh, I woke up feeling awful still.  I had to pickup Jonathan anyway and take Analiese to 4H Sewing, but I didn't want to.  I dropped into Wal-mart for something and proceeded to be sick in their bathroom.  No bueno!

Ken beat me and Jonathan home.  I went back to bed and left them to figure out dinner (and get Analiese).  Could I stay in bed?  Nope, we are having a Relief Society activity tonight and our daughters are invited.  They are going to have crafts, cooking and line dancing...do you think Analiese will be content to stay home?

Nope.  I dragged myself out of bed, pretended I felt well, and had a tolerably good time.  Analiese had a great time. She helped make apple crisp, learned the Macarena, and made a handkerchief doll (pioneer doll).  Plus, she ran around with her friends.  Believe it or not, Jonathan came, too, and was in the nursery helping to watch little ones (with his friend Chris and a member of the bishopric).  He didn't do half bad; when I went to get him, he was putting on a puppet show and using different voices.  He had the kids charmed!

Friday, May 16, 2014

Still not terrific.  I had recently cut all dairy out of my diet due to stomach issues, and that had helped.  But I am yucky now and have no idea why.  Bug, virus, food poisoning?

As I flopped around the house, doing the bare minimum (including laundry), my daughter thought she should help me feel better.  So...I ended up with a rabbit in my lap.  Hugs and rabbits are her answers to everything.

Moms are not allowed to rest, though.  I had to take Jonathan to someone's house to mow their lawn. Apparently, mowing is going to be his "job" this summer and, while one person who owns lots of rental homes has her own equipment for him to use, today this person did not.  So we had to fit the mower in the van, which meant loosening the screws on the handle so it would fold over - and fit!

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Touch and go, yet.  Eating a lot of plain bread and crackers (gets old quickly) because I am hungry...and afraid to eat.

Bountiful Baskets pick up was a meet-and-greet today.  I saw Jeff, the gentleman in charge of Kids College at WOSC, so I asked him a few more questions.  I chatted with Emily, too, a sister in my ward, who was right behind me as we wondered...what do you do with a Daikon radish?  Those things are huge!  And I ended my trip seeing yet ANOTHER homeschooling Michelle from our PE class. (I think Michelle's and Michele's are more likely to be homeschoolers than any other name! LOL)

Despite how I felt, I was determined to get some stuff done!  For one, I have the pallets, it's time to get my compost bin up!  The instructions on Pinterest (one of the few who actually DO something they see on it) were fairly simple - connect the corners with 14 gauge wire - but I had to do more.  We have too many strong winds to just leave a structure like that laying in the yard.  Jonathan & I staked around them and screwed the stakes to the pallets.  It is not a beautiful thing, just useful.  Maybe I'll eventually plant some flowers around it.  But now, I can toss my scraps in there and get garden gold out of it!

In between that, I made homemade, from scratch, banana cream pie.  I am not the best pie maker (I have such trouble with pie crust), but it turned out tasty.  Or so I'm told.  I did not eat dinner or anything when the missionaries came over because I had decided to eat some lunch (celery with hummus and a whole wheat flour tortilla) and was sick an hour afterwards.  Something's going on; I just don't know what.

And don't forget the hours I put in today before, during, and after all the other stuff above working on a Relief Society lesson.  It was interesting to me - the topic was Truth - and I finished it late into the night.    Besides Pres. Smith, I found a great BYU talk by Pres. Uchtdorf on truth, plus I have Elder Bednar's book "Increase in Learning" which applies as well.  I was so tech saavy, too (pat on the back), because, after I merged it all together in a Word file I did NOT print it up.  I sent it to my iPad, where I'll just read it off there.  So much better than a bunch of papers!

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Major Bummer!  We are only having Sacrament Meeting today, no other meetings.  Apparently a water pipe broke in the building and there is no water and no bathrooms.  And here I had this great lesson!  Beware of pride, I guess.

There was a large spot of carpet in the hall, and a bit of tile too, soaked with water.  We came through the front entrance, so we didn't see it, but everyone who comes through the back did!  I've wondered about the plumbing in that building for a while; toilets seems to overflow easily and water seems to come from other areas at the weirdest times.

Agh!  My allergies have kicked in today.  I do not want them.  I want to be able to go outside and enjoy it.  I can't smell my honeysuckle through a stuffy nose (and no, the honeysuckle isn't the problem).