Missing Laura

The bad thing about camp is that there is no contact with your child for the whole week. I am dealing a bit better with this, than in the past, but I still get freaked out. I constantly wonder how she is and if she is having a good time. I know. Let go, let go.

Becca and I are off for dental appointments (me) and a hair cut (her).

I hope all of you have a wonderful day.

Last of the New Mexico Pictures

Becca in a Civil War camp at Fort Union.

In Roswell, even the street lights look like aliens.

This is our descent into the caves at Carlsbad. We descended 1,000 ft. total.

The cliff dwellings we were crawling through at Bodlier. There are over 3,000 dwellings found here to date.

More New Mexico Pictures

This was Laura in a Pueblo People dwelling at Bondelier National Park. The cave dwelling dates back to the 1400s.

As you can see, Laura does not like her picture to be taken.

This was a rich folk cave dwelling. Four or five rooms. How big are our houses? Something to ponder.

Becca feeding a Blue Jay at "The Living Desert Zoo" in Carlsbad.

New Mexico Road Trip

This is obviously a scene from the caves. Sorry for the fuzziness. We had so much fun.

Becca brought home an alien.

Becca looking up at the witches finger.

Laura went with us too, but she hated having her picture taken. I did get a few.

As you can see, I am still trying to get these darn pictures posted. Give me grace and I will eventually figure it out.

Laura is off to camp, so this will be a great week to spend some time with Becca. My mom comes to visit next week.

Happy Monday.

Getting ready for Elim

Today is packed. No students, but I have a lot of shopping to do. Laura leaves for camp Elim on Sunday and I have to get her ready to go. This includes a goodie box, cards for every day, clothes, etc.. She loves it there and I love that she goes. It is a nondenominational christian camp in the woods. She canoes, hikes, studies the bible, worships, swims, etc. She always has a blast. I always miss her.

I wish you all a happy Friday.

Tom's alright.

Tom's endoscopy went just fine yesterday. Becca got a great kick out of watching him recover from the versed. He was wheeled in and asked for a flashlight instead of his glasses. I think he was still subconsciously thinking back to Carlsbad. I am just so thankful that all is well.

Now I am on to thinking of healthy things to make for dinner. Does anybody have an especially good summer salad recipe that goes well with burgers?

My mom is to come and visit on July 7. I am praying that this will be a nice, relaxing time for her. We are all troubled by my younger sister, Jennifer. I can't go into details on a blog page, but the situation has gotten ten times worse than in the past. Please say a prayer for my sister, her children and their safety.

I am off to clean the basement. Oh what fun....Oh what fun.....

Back from the caves.

We had an absolutely wonderful time on our short little getaway. We packed bunches in. I hope to have pictures posted soon, but I have to wait until my computer genius is feeling better. If any of you hate hearing about others' vacations, skip today's blog.

On the way down we stopped at Fort Union on the Santa Fe Trail. I am a big history buff, so I loved it. Fort Union was a supply depot for travelers on the Santa Fe Trail and was also a training and storage supply facility for soldiers during the Civil War. There was a pretty famous battle fought near there (Glorietta). After a couple hours of Civil War, we moved on to Roswell, New Mexico. Yes, the cite of the big alien landing in the 30s. Again, photos to follow, but the street lights look like aliens. The outer space kind, not the people kind. We spent the night in Roswell and then we went on to Carlsbad. It was amazing. God does amazing work. It was so beautiful and so vast, I can't put it in words. The caves bothered me a bit in the beginning as I am claustrophobic, but once I spent a while down there, I was fine. The sheer beauty took my mind off of being 1,000 ft. underground. We spent five or six hours underground and still didn't see it all.

We then went to the surface and watched a million Mexican Bats leave the caves at dusk. It looked like a huge swarm of bees only bigger. I was amazed that they all know when to leave at just the right time, every day. I also thought that it was amazing that out of a million bats, each mama bat recognizes its own baby when she returns in the morning. We were worn out, but mentally fed at the end of the day.

On Sunday we started back home. We stopped at a little zoo called the "Living Desert". It was lots of fun, but soooo hot. 104 degrees to be exact. We traveled on to Las Vegas, New Mexico, where we spent the night. No bright lights here folks. Michelle, I am sure I didn't see you there. Las Vegas, NM is a hole on the side of the road. Almost a ghost town, but the history loving side of me was enthralled. I loved imagining what life must have been like 150 years ago. It reminded me of "Gun Smoke". Remember the show? If you do don't admit it because it was a while ago.

On Monday, on the way home, we took a side trip through Santa Fe and on to Boldier National Park. It was amazing. We climbed and walked through the cliff dwellings from the Pueblo People. They dated back to the 1400s. It was amazing to discover that just because these folks lived in a cave, they had a lot going on. They were brilliant in how they hunted, kept time, communicated. We touched the pictographs on the walls. No T.V., but lots of communication going on. Through this communication, we could see that they worshiped, valued family and just lived day to day. Just like we do today.

We got home late Monday night. We were exhausted and Tom was sick with a cold. He is still recovering, but a little better. Today, he is to have an endoscopy done. As a lot of you know, Tom's brother is recovering from esophageal cancer. Tom is clear. He is not a smoker or a drinker, so I am sure his is just fine. He does have Barretts Esophagus, so we want to keep an eye on things. Please keep us in your prayers today.

One more day.

One more day of classes, tomorrow. My ethics paper, personal philosophy, power point, and quiz are all DONE!!!!! Lecture today wasn't bad. I was sure dreading hearing an attorney drone on four five hours, but what he had to say made me feel better about what I do. I am not so scared about being sued. Aware, but not scared any more. Tomorrow should be fun. Class is about how to modify curriculum for SPED students and gifted kiddos. That's half the day. The other half is to be spent playing with cool toys. We will explore learning assistance devices for our SPED kids. That should be fun. Then, it is back home for major packing and cleaning. Michelle, you said that you have to clean everything before you go somewhere, I have that same problem. Much cleaning, very little time. I am doing my best and I am trying to let some of it go. That is a really hard thing for me to do, as many of you know.

I had a great talk with my sister, Tammie, today. It's good to have a sister that is also your friend. She makes me laugh. She has known me for 39 years. Besides my parents, she has been a soul mate longer than anyone else on the planet and believe it or not, she still loves me.

Take care all.

Still in school

I am soooo tired of class. Two more days and then I am done. It was so hard to sit through five hours of lexture today. Yesterday we got tips on how to create our power point that is 25% of my grade and today was on reading. Tomorrow is SPED Law. BOOOOORRRRIIINNNGGG!!!I guess it won't be if I ever get sued.

On a brighter note, we leave for Carlsbed on Friday. I can't wait.

Happy Day.

Deep thoughts on teaching.

Well, the summer classes are not so easy. In the last couple of days, I have had to develop my personal code of ethics AND my personal philosophy on teaching. My brain hurts. So does my heart. I am trying so hard to better my students. How can I write on paper all that I feel without sounding sappy? How do I put into words all the challenges these children face and that I wish I could take it all away? How do I put into words that half of them need new parents? Much pondering going on. That is all due on Tuesday. I have a nine page power point due on on Thursday and a quiz on Wednesday. Did I mention I have five classes to complete between Monday and Thursday? I must stop or I am going to be truly overwhelmed.

Tonight, the Bass' are coming for BBQ turkey breast. Tom Russell style. It will be good to sit and talk with friends. First, I have to go make sure my philosophy statement is in APA format.

Happy day all.

Back in class

Class today consisted of too much thinking for summer. It consisted of deep, deep thoughts. As in I have to come up with my personal code of ethics about education and my personal code of conduct. Deep, deep thoughts. It has to be 300-400 words, single page, single space, APA format. Sound familiar. School is still school. Oh yeah, I have a nine page powerpoint due next Thursday too. I don't know how much blogging I will get done. I get tired just thinking about all this work I have to do the next 7 days. I just keep thinking that in 7 days, I can have my summer back.

Getting ready to go back to class.

Tomorrow, I have to go back to class to complete my summer semester. I am NOT looking forward to it, but I know I have to go. I go to class tomorrow and Friday and then Monday through Friday of next week. I suppose that's not so bad. My brain is just not ready for deep thinking yet. It is still on summer vacation. I am pleased with school. So far I have made straight As. Again, I know this is where I am to be and what I am supposed to do so I just need to stop whining.

The girls are both home today. It is cold and rainy outside, so I think more house cleaning, violin lessons, and a game of some sort with the girls, is on the agenda.

Happy day all.

New Couch

I can't decide what to do. I got a couch yesterday off of Craig's list. It ends up, I know the folks from school. I LOVE the couch, but I hate the flower designs on it. At least, I think I hate it. There have been moments when I think it is not so bad. A friend came over this morning and just raved about how the couch fit in with my decor. My decor is very eclectic because I can't throw stuff away and I can't decide on what I want. I love the Americana stuff and I think that is where I am headed. The blue sort of goes with the other colors and the couch is super comfy. We shall see. Tom sat down on the couch and had a Hawaiian shirt on. He blended in just fine and we all thought it was really funny.

Today, I am going to try and clean some upholstery on a chair that belonged to Pookie. I hope I can get it clean. I really miss him and it makes me think of him.

Family

It was an interesting weekend. Here in Colorado, one could fish with no fishing license. I think we have taken the girls fishing one time in Florida, so we were excited to go. We bought our gear and the humongous night crawlers and headed to Palmer Lake. We went late in the evening on Saturday. No luck with the fish. The girls liked it though, so we went again at 5AM on Sunday, before church. No luck, but we did see a really cool musk rat. Do you remember the song? If you do, you are old like us. We went again Sunday, after church. No luck, but we did see a fellow and his two boys come along and immediately catch a trout. I thought the girls were going to strangle him, but they remained calm. We didn't catch a single stinkin fish. We did catch some great family time. The girls learned to cast and they got really good at it. There was a train track next to the lake, so Becca enjoyed getting a few pennies smashed. We caught up with each other and that was way more important than any fish. We will go again. A different lake, but we will go again.

Something interesting happened with Laura, this weekend. She wanted to go to a party at the house of a friend we had never met. We called the parents and all seemed alright, but I just had a weird sense about this party. Laura left her email up on Saturday and the friend was bragging that her boyfriend had slipped into her room the night before. We did not freak, but we questioned Laura about the friend. We called the girls parents, but for some mysterious reason, the girl always answered and we couldn't get through to her parents. We told Laura she couldn't go to the party. What she did surprised us. We expected this big blow up. She didn't . It was as if she knew this friend was wacko and she WANTED us to tell her no. She needed us to draw a boundary. Wow, did we learn a lot. I learned that I have a good kid with a good head on her shoulders. I learned that we MUST stay on top of what our girls do and who they do it with. I am still digesting all that happened over the weekend. I am sure I will have more deep thoughts about this to post later.

On a lighter note. Does anyone know how to keep critters out of the garden? When we got home yesterday, something had bit my tomatoes off at the ground. The whole plant. I was steaming mad as I just put them in the ground last week.

Happy day to you all.

The Garden is in.

I finished planting last night around 9:00. I am sure the rows in my garden are not very straight as I was planting in the dark. This morning we took all four pets to the vet for a yearly check up. All were healthy, but now I am tired.

Becca is off to a birthday party. This is her third play date this week. She has turned into quite the social butterfly. Laura wants to go to a teen party on Sunday. For some reason, I am nervous about this. I will be calling some parents to see exactly what kind of party this is. Tom and I just play taxi.

My doctor visit yesterday went fine. My blood pressure is just fine. I have plantar faschiatis in my left foot. I bought a new pair of tennis shoes and a special heel cup to go in the shoes. The doc. put me on an anti-inflammatory med. and set me up to see a podiatrist. I think the new shoes are helping.

Have a great weekend everyone.

Getting old

Today I am off to the doctor for a check up on my blood pressure. I am so glad to be going because I need to discuss a problem that I have been having with my left foot. IT HURTS. I have babied this problem for a year and a half. It's time to see a podiatrist. If I self diagnosed, I think I have heel stones. I think I need orthotics. Orthotics and blood pressure. Yes, I am truly becoming old.

I got to talk to my good friend Janice, yesterday. I was so sad to learn about the passing of her father, last year. I realized, yet again, how much I have missed due to my hectic school life. I sure hope things are better next year.

It is sunny today, so I have high hopes of getting that garden in.

Happy day to all.

Still Raining

Still raining. I think I might plant the seeds anyway. I don't think I am gonna melt in the rain.

Becca is at Elizabeth's for a sleepover and Laura had a sleepover at our house. She has a new friend, Olivia. I am glad to see that she is expanding her bank of friends. None of them are bad, but she is going through that ugly middle school girl stuff and she always needs someone else to call for advise.

We are planning our trip to Carlsbed. It doesn't look like there is much between here and there. If anybody knows of anything cool to do between here and there, just let me know. If nothing else, we will catch up as a family and just talk.

Happy day all.

Rain

I wish it was raining with my seeds and plants in the ground. While Tom and I were at Home Depot, buying the plants, it started lightning and continued to do so on into the night. Today, it is rainy, cold and windy. I may go out and plant the annuals in pots, anyway. The tilling of the garden will have to wait. Darn it.

I will give five or six violin lessons today and work on cleaning the house. The inside has been partially neglected since school started. I am also itching to paint and redecorate a bit. I need to make curtains for my bathroom. I think I want to do all this stuff because it has absolutely nothing to do with IEPs, or lesson plans.

Michelle, I will get some pictures in here as soon as I figure out how to do it. I would really love a more friendly digital camera. It sure is good to be able to read blogs and catch up with everybody.

Love to you all.

Gardening

Today is gardening day. I must get it weeded, tilled and planted. Granted, my garden is quite small, but if I don't get it done, I will lose my growing season. It's sort of rainy and cool today, but I think I can still get out there and get it done. I am planting tomatoes, lettuce (per the request of Donna next door), herbs, and pumpkins. I might plant a little squash too as Laura and I love it.

We had a good time yesterday visiting and having dinner with the Ramirezs next door. It was so good to catch up with neighbors. Like I said yesterday, I feel like I am coming out of a fog. Tom smoked a pork roast and a turkey breast. Both Donna and I made salads. Donna made a banana pudding that was absolutely delicious. I have to find the recipe. She said it is called "Not your Ma's Banana Pudding" by Paula Dean. She said you can find it on the food network website. I need to look there, but not real soon as I am on yet another quest to lose some weight.

After dinner, we caught a late movie at our local theatre (it's just down the street). We went to see UP. It is an awesome movie, but you better have tissues handy. The main character reminded us so much of Pookie. Tom is still in a funk this morning, thinking about his Dad. Tom never cried at his Dad's funeral, but we all miss him in little ways, a little at a time.

Well, I am off to pull weeds and plant seeds. Sounds like a great day to me.