This day in my history

I rode the elevator down from the ninth floor to the parking garage with my five month old strapped in his umbrella stroller and the little hand of my two year old girl's wrapped in mine. We were headed to the car for the forty minute drive home. I had pondered a bottle feeding for my son up in the doctor's lobby that we had just exited, but decided against it, he could easily make the drive home, as we hadn't been in the well-child-checkup as long as I had anticipated.

In one long moment in time, the elevator's door opened and we emerged onto the cement platform as the lights started to sway and the creeks of the steel and cement started to give eerie remarks. I pinched my daughter's hand so tightly and leaned against the cement wall just as the elevator doors were coming to a close. The lights flickered, on-off-on-off, the sign that read, 2nd Floor, swayed back and forth on it's metal chain, as a car slowly inched it's way towards us. My daughter sensing my fear from the creepy surroundings playing around us asked, "Mommy, what's wrong?" as I instinctual said, "Just pray." And we did out loud together, "Help us, Jesus, Help us, Jesus" all the way to the van.

We were in the middle of our largest earthquake in our state's history at 6.8, and it lasted 45 seconds. We were smack dab in downtown, known for "it's the worse place to be" in an earthquake because of the lack of stability as it perches up many hills with hollow undergrounds. I imagined outside a disaster zone. I kept waiting for ambulances, being next to the hospital, to sound left and right. I kept waiting for the crumbled up building to emerge on us at any moment as we ran as fast as we could to the parked van.

I threw both of my children into their car seats and swirled up around each floor's ramp as fast as I could go. No body else in sight, no other cars, until I reached the top. The gate attendant was waving people through, complimentary parking, she had a look on her face that just said, "Scram!"

Out in the sunlight of the city, I kept looking all around waiting for signs of destruction. I saw nothing. As I continued toward the freeway, more and more cars began to exit the city with me, but no damage was witnessed along my path. Thankfully. Later I learned of the damage in the city, but it started a few blocks North of where I had been, and I had headed South. Thankfully again, otherwise I know that I would have really lost it wondering about my own town and my family and my friends.

It turned into a long drive home as many were hitting the road to check on their houses all at the same time. The cell phone grid was locked up, I could not contact my husband for many hours. He left work taking the route home that would by pass his parents (safe) and his Grandma (safe) and then to our house where we met up about the same time (safe). It had been a long drive, to which my son had lulled himself to sleep with the car's motion and the then late bottle feeding had not been an extra situation to contend with.

We had damage to our home's contents, but the structure of our house was okay. Some items had to be tossed, but I am reminded frequently of the Earthquake when I dust the china closet or the piano bench and see the scratches and nicks upon them. It was a different sensation to walk into our home and see things "messed up" knowing that we were not burglarized, nor home to make the mess.

We were all on edge that first night, knowing that after shocks were possible, but thankfully we have been EQ free since ... and we hope to keep it that way! My husband, the documentary type of guy in our family, happened to take this snapshot of our girl that afternoon. I remember I was sitting across from her in the family room, my son was on the floor playing under his gym mat, while I was trying to get a phone connection to my parents.

No words needed

Photographs taken today by Elle J's son, age 8.

Thanks, Cora!!

I have been reading and cuddling with this cutie during the afternoon while the kids have been home from school. Thankfully, they are not sick. No, they are home because that fun Sun Princess that my daughter made the past weekend is being haunted by the Snow Princess that was put back in her closet.

It snowed during the night. But not enough snow to create a winter wonderland outside to play. Just enough snow to create a headache in the house when: 1) I stop to think about our end date in June now being Monday, the 22nd and 2) I am about ready to grab a pillow and scream into it because I am tired of hearing my son tell me how bored he is.

I think two of us in this household woke on the wrong side of the bed when we saw that white stuff and heard the school district's voice mail; my son and me. However, I finally found relaxation during my cuddle time with Cora, and now my son has found his "something to do" by playing a chase game with Cora. Our sweet heart is a great form of therapy. I am now confident that we are out of our blahs and the rest of our day will be okay.

Thanks, Cora!!

Would you ...

While I wait for the library to give notice that my hold of Watership Down is available, I bought another book at Target over the weekend. I feel like my daughter; never can have enough books to read. I chose Still Alice by Lisa Genova.

The inside book jacket tells you that the book depicts the life of one with early-onset Alzheimer's disease. My friend, whom I usually chat with on Tuesday nights, is enjoying the warmth of Florida right now, lucky!, so I opted for reading time while my daughter was taking her jazz class last night. I sat in the car and read page after page after page of this new book. I got to a scene in the book that I felt was rather intriguing.

I am not far into the book and the main character already received her diagnosis of having early-onset Alzheimer's. She asks her doctor what it means for her three adult children. The doctor states this:

Each of your children has a fifty percent chance of inheriting this mutation, which has a one hundred percent change of causing the disease. Presymptomatic genetic testing is possible, but there's a lot to consider. Is this something they'll want to live with knowing? How would it change their lives? What if one of them is positive and one is negative, how will that affect their relationship with each other?

What would be my answer if this was posed to me? Would I want to know in advance if I would develop Alzheimers, or would I want to know in advance if a loved one was going to have the disease in the future? I think my answer would be No. I worry to much as it is, I do not think I could handle knowing my future to that level. Every time I would misplace something, I would worry. Every time I would forget an acquantance's name, I would worry. I do not think I could handle the truth.

What about you?

It's like Pop Rocks

Pop Rocks. Remember the candy as a kid, or maybe your children have them in current day? They pop and fizzle in your mouth. They are a surprise attack of popping on your tongue. You can hear them pop in your head. It feels like an explosion in your mouth. Tiny little pop.pop.pop. and not necessarily in any pattern or rhythm.

Imagine if that was the sensation of your teeth.

I could not sleep last night because my front teeth were popping like Pop Rock candy. My orthodontist upgraded me to the Korea rubber bands (they actually say Korea on the package as opposed to Japan that I had the last time). They are a thicker band, so it makes for a more cumbersome attachment process and the bands like to detach themselves at the most inappropriate times (like driving, in a piano lesson, or talking to the store clerk).

Last night, just after placing a new band, my jaw felt super tight. It felt like if I moved my jaw even the slightest, that the band would snap off and pinch my cheek. So I just was still and didn't move anything. It is amazing how during the course of an adjustment period (6 weeks) that some days are harder than others. You don't see it coming, just all of a sudden something is different. The five nights prior felt like any previous night. But all of a sudden last night was the first night it felt completely different.

And then, as I was laying still and pondering all of this, my front teeth started to Pop.

First my right front tooth. Then my left. Then another on the side. Pop. That was odd. Pop. Wow. Pop. Again? Over and over and over. I finally started to anticipate the Pop and got it right more times than not. Was I hearing the movement of my teeth? Was I hearing the roots actually breaking to be repositioned? I have no clue, but that is how I fell asleep.

This morning, the Pop Rocks are back. What an odd feeling and I hope it means that the braces are working and that perhaps I will have an earlier release date! It will make all of this Pop craziness worth it.

Sun Princess

Remember the Snow Princess (above) my daughter made which worked incredibly well to get winter snow falling in our neck of the country? Well, she finally agreed to put it back on her upper closet shelf IF she could make a Sun Princess to replace it on the counter. Figuring how well her Snow Princess worked, I was all for it!

We ventured to the craft store to gather the goods and she made this over the weekend. The weather has been great, and we are hoping this little cutie will bring us great weather until Snow Princess returns in November. We really do not believe in superstitions, but we do laugh at how well these Princess' work!!

After photos

I am now posting a picture of my husband's den after he finished painting it a few weeks ago. After some lighting changes, it is finally complete. I think it looks really warm and professional, and I like looking down the hallway to the burnt red wall.
Here is the after photo of our porch; the section that was updated. The other half of the patio remains the same with two chairs and a small table. I think it looks more welcoming. Cora has been eying the bench when it was in the sunshine earlier today. I can imagine her sprawled out next to me in July when I am reading a good book; while the kids run wild around the cul de sac with friends.

Date with the sun shinning bright

It has been gorgeous weather all week! We have been enjoying the warm sun streaming through our open car sunroof. I am sure my friends in Texas and Arizona are laughing at the thought of the temp here, and that it qualifies for "warmth" ~ but it does!!

My son received a Best Offense star at Basketball today for making wise shooting moves and scoring a basket! Three days later, and the Globetrotters are living strong in his mind. Hey, hey.

While my parents-in-law took the kids after the game for a day of fun at their house, my husband and I enjoyed a lunch out and then some shopping. We are redoing our front porch. It has been a little stale lately after a large palm bit the dust during the cold winter.

After searching through multiple stores, we found some great pots to fill the large gap, a mat (that was the biggest challenge), and some art work for the wall by our door. We didn't get the mat right, so we will have to keep searching and are now looking for a neat outdoor carpet. We also noticed that we really need an extra chair to fill in another gap spot. We will hit the nurseries tomorrow after church to get the greenery for the pots.

After a little quite time here, we will then head over to my parents-in-law's house to celebrate Grandpa's birthday dinner. The kids are busy helping Grandma decorate a cake and preparing for their three cousins to arrive.

On Wednesday, the girls created a video for Grandpa and since he is a golfer, they themed it around golf, complete with bloopers. It is very entertaining and full of the drama that those girls know how to perform. Not to be left out, my son then created (with the help of his dad) his own video for Grandpa; centered around the tricks he picked up from ... The Harlem Globetrotters. His video is equally as cute!

Enjoying my date-afternoon with my hubby and looking forward to family time this evening.

Perhaps a Repeat in '09

We are starting to think and plan for our Spring Break and Summer Vacations. We just might have to go back to our favorite beach; so far it is in the lead. It was the best! Waking up early to catch the low tide and being able to touch and feel sea creatures was a great way to start our days. The fog was crisp, but the sun followed shortly, to break out a gorgeous day of warmth. Playing in the sand. Lounging by the pool. Hanging out at bon fires. Relaxing. Family. No clock. Just us. My style of vacation.

Harlem Globetrotters

I remember the Harlem Globetrotters when they would come to my elementary school to show their tricks and to give their motivational speeches. I wish my children had neat assemblies like we used to; and I've noticed they do not have as many field trips either.

So, when we heard that the Globetrotters were coming to town, we took our children to see them. The kids had so much fun! My son was so inspired that he came home and went straight up to the dance floor with his new souvenir basketball to try out some tricks. We let him stay up late to finish his routine ~ it is so fun to see the kids get excited and inspired; sometimes it takes so little.
He's been all basketball today too. Hoping his new love will last a good while.

Cousin time

We have mid-winter break from school this week and the kids enjoyed a Cousins Day today. My daughter went to her Aunt's house to play with her ten year old and (soon-to-be) twelve year old girl cousins. I picked up their brother and brought him back to play with my son at our house. The boys had fun with Legos, and ventured outside to play in the warm, spring like sunshine.

Double Take

I have many options to take as my route home from my orthodontist appointments. I could go all freeway taking me along a lake route, but I find that to be very boring because the lake is some what hidden by a lot of industrial type of buildings. I could go another direction that is still all freeway, but through a more mountainous-heavily wooden region, but I find that a little dangerous because the strip has had a bad rap in the past for one of the most dangerous stretches of freeway in the state. Although it has improved immensely in the last ten years, I only drive it when I have to. Or I could go the half country-half suburban route. I opted for the later today on my drive home from the orthodontist.

I was just nearing my final destination, Safeway, when I did a double take. About ten car lengths ahead of me, sauntering across the road from one wooden patch to the next, was a Cougar. He was big, and it was not a dog. It was a Cougar.

I have known that there have been Cougar sightings in the town that borders ours, it is much more rural and covered with woods and brush, but some of the stories make you wonder if they are rumor or fact. Today I found them to be fact.

The Cougar was headed toward a well-established neighborhood with acreage per lot and fancy style of homes. I would have pulled onto the street to warn any yard workers or children playing (yeah, can you imagine a lady talking to kids through her car window ... I know, what has this world come to where I would have to wonder myself), but this nice street of homes is blocked off by a security gate. No Cougar warnings for them. I am sure they are used to having this big cat up in their trees or on their property.

And to think I am nervous about the Coyotes that lurk among my woods and street. I would freak-out if we had to deal with the sly Cougar! Mums-the-word to my children, otherwise they may never jump on their bikes for a ride through the woods (with us) again.

Now I know why ...

Now I know why my piano teacher did themed recitals. It is time consuming and difficult to find songs that please each student and fall into the category of Recital Quality.

One recital I participated in growing up stands out the most in my mind; we performed The Sound of Music. My teacher's piano was in her basement which over looked her huge, secluded front yard. I can not describe all the details of the recital because it was "so long ago" but I do remember we had to dress the part in flowing skirts and bonnets. Acting was mostly performed by her three daughters while the narrator set the scene before each pianist' told their part of the story with their song.

I remember I was in those teen years when rolling of the eyes behind the scenes is common and I did not truly appreciate the novelty of this recital idea and what the parents must have enjoyed. However, I do remember that my song Sunrise Sunset was the most difficult version my teacher could find; I remember I had to practice hard to pull it off on that hot summer evening.

So, now decades later, I am planning my annual Spring Recital for my piano students. Choosing songs that will challenge them enough to last the next few months during lessons, while not over challenging them to frustration is a tricky deal. At the same time, I also have to keep in mind the mix of genre during the recital; some classical, some jazz, some popular, some favorites. Which of course is also matched by the need to make sure that the student actually enjoys their piece ~ nothing worse than playing something you just do not like. And finally, making sure that no two students play the same song (already had to disappoint one student today on that one).

As I sat in lessons today, going through my list of ideas with each student, I got some no head shakes ... sigh .... back to my library of music books to pour over in order to find just the right songs for each (I feel like I am running out of ideas) ...

The Sound of Music theme is beginning to appeal to me.

A must see

For those that have not seen this ... you have to watch the entire video to get the point and to see the uniqueness of this clip. Enjoy!

Feeling the love ...

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

My weekend started off right yesterday. I took an across-state-day-trip to see my soon to be 97 year old Grandma with my parents. We left before school for the four hour adventure, but returned home in time for me to tuck my kiddos into bed.

My Grandma's overall health is remarkable for a woman just three years shy of 100, but her mind is showing her true age. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to hear her say a few things that let me know that Grandma remains Grandma.

She was the one who liked to tease. Saying little jokes, a hint of sarcasm, a cute tease was her normal operation when I was growing up visiting her. Yesterday was no exception. Little sparks of energy of her quick whit shown through her confusions ... just enough to remind me that Grandma was still Grandma.

It was only a short four months ago when my Aunt was finally able to tear my Grandma's high heels away from her closet. My Grandma always wore high heels. Even when her doctor, her nursing staff, her family, her friends advised her otherwise at age 96. Along with the high heels, I have never seen my Grandma in anything but a skirt. She always wore lots of jewelry. And her nails were never with out color. Her hair freshly combed and curled, her lipstick and makeup were always applied.

This is what I found yesterday; my Grandma fresh from her morning nap with her make up and lipstick applied, her nails were of fresh pink polish, she wore a skirt, and was accessorized with jewelry. Her shoes were now a stylish loafer that looked comfortable and safe; a more appropriate match. My Grandma was still Grandma.

While she didn't remember the specifics about me; like whether I was married or had children, she remembered my name and how I fit into her family. That was important for me to hear and I was touched that I had not been forgotten. And ... to see her love pour out over this simple, little tease and joke, says it all about Grandma ... wanting to make sure that all her children are safe and well cared for:

Grandma: Are you married?

Me: Yes, I am married. His name is **

Grandma: Is he good to you?

Me: Yes, he is very good me to, Grandma!

Grandma (with a shake of her finger): If he is not good to you, tell him he'll have to see me!

Feeling my Grandma's love, feeling happy on this Valentine's Day!

Old Fashioned Pink Lemonade

We have made this recipe for Valentine's Day and gifted it to the kids' teachers in a new plastic thermos which they can reuse. It is a welcomed treat because it is so refreshing while they work so hard in the classroom. And our job making it is completely easy, especially now with my new KitchenAid juicer!

Old-Fashioned Pink Lemonade (makes 2 servings)
2 large lemons
1 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup sugar
2 large strawberries
ice cubes, optional

*Cut the lemons in half across the middle. Using a citrus juicer, squeeze the juice from each half. You should have about 1/2 cup of juice.
*Pour the lemon juice into a pitcher. Add the water and sugar. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
*Cut off the green stems of the strawberries. Cut the strawberries in half.
*Set a fine-mesh sieve over a small bowl. Put the strawberry halves in the sieve and mash with the back of a small spoon, pushing the berries through the sieve. Pour the strained strawberries into the lemonade.
*Stir the lemonade until well blended and pink.
*Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.
*Serve with or with out ice.

recipe from the Williams-Sonoma The Kid's Cookbook

Olympics 2010

In honor of the fact that the Winter Olympics begin exactly one year from today, I am reminiscing about our Whistler Vacation. While it was a rain fest during the middle of July when we ventured North, it was still the best place for a family get-away. Rain or shine, this destination is a definite must to visit repeatedly. Passing through customs in and out is more of a challenge than when I was growing up, but it is worth the hassle (some say passport, some say birth certificate, I guess it depends on the time of day/month/year you travel).

The kids enjoyed all the outdoor adventures that this resort offers. The beauty does not disappoint either. The shopping is a fun stroll and something to occupy that down time while you wait for your muscles to regroup after your last trek. The restaurant selection is a nice variety and much to choose from; from the ultra casual to the more dressed for the evening style.

Here we are playing up the Olympic Dream in the shopping district. Of course Mommy got the Gold, and for some reason the kids wanted to act like Silver and Bronze were not good enough. Go U.S.A. 2010!!

HoBo

My son. Completely content when working with gadgets in the kitchen.

His new gadget ... a HoBo Sandwich maker from my parents for Valentine's Day. A highlight, that it came with menus on the cardboard that wrapped around the square. Another highlight, that he can use this with an open flame. Another highlight, that it was the BEST egg ever!

Simple. Thoughtful. Lovin' his cooking gadgets. And just look at that smile!!!

Random Thoughts

Thank you for your book suggestions! While I have read the Red Tent years ago, I have yet to read Watership Down, so I will be venturing off to the library this afternoon to pick up that copy (it was not sold at Target). But what was sold at Target was Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay and it captured me as I stood reading the back cover and the first page in the book isle, despite the fact that the new American Girl movie titled Chrissa was playing from the demo tv overhead. My daughter is receiving that movie on Valentine's Day. I am looking forward to watching it with her; I've heard good reviews.

My niece came to her second piano lesson yesterday. She is a quick study, has great concentration, and is a joy to be around. I am glad that our schedules now match to where we can begin lessons together; Monday's got even more happy!

On a side note, she reminds me of my daughter. They are very similar in their mannerisms and it is not because they spend an over amount of time together. That would be nice, but I think it is all genetics. I remember my parents would comment how much my mannerisms were like my cousins, and she was a decade and a half older than me, so it certainly wasn't because we hung out together. Genetics are amazing to me. Miss Blue Eyes and Dimple ~ huggable.

My daughter received this cute shirt (Follow Your Heart) and necklace from my parents yesterday in honor of Valentine's Day. This is her pose during her piano practice before school this morning.

She went to bed with a sore throat and woke up with a stuffy nose. We are opting for one dance class tonight (jazz) and will pick up an extra ballet class tomorrow, with her regular scheduled class on Thursday. After observing my daughter's home practice on Sunday, my son started to do some "ballet jumps", half mocking his sister. She laughed and thought it was funny that he could not point and jump at the same time.

So then I stood up to try the challenge and I too could not do the requirement. It felt like I was not going to clear the landing and instead come crashing down on the knuckles of my toes. I eventually got it to work ... and then I had an entirely new appreciation for my daughter's abilities. Seriously, she makes it look so easy, when in reality, it is not so. Way to go, Kid!!

And those are Elle J's Random Thoughts for today!

Looking for a good book and why

I know the Twilight series is on the top of a lot of people's book list, but I just don't think it sounds appealing; you will really have to convince me that vampires and love really go together (or maybe I have a misunderstanding about the book).

I am looking for some insight on what "next book" I should dig into. I just finished The Shack. Prior to that, a very opposite story line I read was Firefly Lane. I found both interesting in different ways.

I like a lot of dialogue in my books. I am not much into just descriptive writing or thoughts; although I enjoyed Eat, Pray, Love immensely. Chick flick stories are good, but I really prefer more deep thought provoking books or social issue type of books like the Tortilla Curtain and suspense thrillers like a Jodi Picoult book. I know, I already hear some of you saying, then read "Twilight", right?

While I won't be headed to the big book store Barnes and Noble very soon, perhaps there is a book worth buying at Target, I am going there tomorrow. Maybe I will browse and see what I can find ... maybe it will be Twilight. Do I dare?? Just the thought makes me wince. Hmm.

Fresh Orange Juice

My son made fresh orange juice recently from the Kitchen Aid Juicer I received as a gift. I only bought a few oranges from Safeway to try it out, and it was so easy, and we loved every drop! I was surprised at how much juice came out of each orange ~ this juicer really works! This time we bought a huge bag of Costco oranges so he can make some more.

On a follow-up note, my husband rocked on the painting today! The office scattered about will have to wait to be returned to the room until after the paint dries. But the color looks great! I will post pictures another day of the finished look ~ stay tuned.

Now what ...

This day has been spent with basketball, cookie baking, homework helping, budget doing, and packing. No, not packing for a trip (I wish I were on the Hawaiian Islands like our friends; seeing her photos via blogland makes me drool), rather, my husband is packing up his den in preparation to paint! Yea, the days are finally here!

Our hallway leading to the den is stacked with his stuff, and our dinning room, and a corner of our family room. He has a lot of stuff. But he works from his den 4 out of the 5 work days, so I really can not complain as I have grown fondly of having him home more days than being away.

Now what ... we will be getting ourselves freshened up and then our family will be going to a friend's house for dinner and playtime. It will be a fun way to end our on-task afternoon.

Friend Day

I have this neat friend who is just a good person to hang out with; whether it is for a long stretch of time or a quick stop at the local cafe, she is inspiring. I have already posted about the loss she has suffered in the (now) last 18 months, and I continue to be amazed at her strength. I do not know what I should other wise expect, but I think I can not truly imagine the pain, heartache, loss, anger, all the emotions we are capable of ... and to see her just walk in grace.

Speaking of grace, I had read a blog post the other week about extending grace towards others. Maybe not honking at a car that cut you off, or getting exasperated at the person putting their groceries on the conveyor belt every-so-slowly, or the waitress that forgets just about every part of your dinner without repeated reminders. You just never know what they are going through in their life. Because you would never have known it about my friend during her fight to keep her husband alive, the struggle that first month after his death, and the ongoing ups and downs of raising three beautiful girls to be strong, courageous little beings.

I remember thinking and praying when my friend was walking the end with her husband, that I just wanted the strange world to embrace her with so much grace and love. I prayed the store clerk would give her a quiet smile, that people would let her merge into traffic on her way home from the hospital, that her garbage man would just put the cans back the way he found them, rather than scattered about the sidewalk. Little things to make her path more smooth.

I am not perfect. I fall from providing grace to strangers too. I just like to remind myself of that honest feeling of hope that I just wish so much for all those in a little down turn in life to feel from others; strangers included.

Seeing my friend makes me happy. It reminds me of what is important. And I like this photo of hope that my husband took of her and her beauties last fall.

Ballet Coaching

My daughter has started her annual ballet coaching classes for her upcoming Exam under the Royal Academy of Dancing syllabus. This will be her third exam spanning over three years, but you would think the studio expects the students to have been studying for the past ten years. The leap from last year to this year has been huge. Major.

We are attending three classes a week and I am at the point where I have to take a deep breath and relax before I walk into class or watch her practice. The reason why I am internally keyed up is because this is important to my daughter. She works hard and takes her dancing seriously. As with all parents, when you see how badly your child wants to succeed, you want it just as badly for them.

I think the teacher sensed it today. The nerves of the students. The wide eyes and pen to paper of the mothers (parents are allowed to watch coaching classes). Miss P* gave the stern teacher speech about practicing and studying and commitment. It was a perfect coaching type of talk and I was behind her all the way. Except for one part. We are struggling with the vocabulary. Yep, my daughter needs to know all the French words for every-thing-that-is-expected of her. First, I can not even pronounce them correctly and end up butchering the dance combinations when I try to help her study. Then there is the whole trying to decipher the definition of each word to know whether what she is practicing goes with the word.

It wasn't until after class tonight, when I had my pow-wow with Miss P* to share my concerns in private, that I learned some few tips about the vocab. For example, En Face (given syllabus definition is FORWARD) really means to just Face Forward ... not to move forward, or to point forward, just to face forward. As opposed to Devant (given syllabus definition is FORWARD) means to Point Forward ... not to move forward or face forward. Not to be confused with En Avant (given syllabus definition is FORWARD) means to Move Forward ... not to point forward or face forward. Wow!! Did I even get that right here?

That is just one example...there are 21 French words and definitions my daughter must memorize, know, and put to use during her exam. And when the definitions are not spelled out in complete sentences (like I did here) on the syllabus, it causes much confusion. I am not a dancer, I am a piano player. And she's only 10 ... sigh ... I know, I know, give me some cheese for my whine?!

But ... now that we are cleared up and corrected, she is confidently now headed in the right direction. Whew! And the bonus factor of talking with Miss P* after class ... she said that she is not worried about my daughter, that her technical skills are great, and that her expressiveness is coming out in her dancing. She was very proud of my girl.

Yeah, it was a fun drive home.

The Shack

This picture was taken by my husband while we were at the Grand Canyon last fall. This woman was with a man and they were taking turns doing this pose while the other took their photo. My husband, standing back and not making notice of himself, also snapped the shot. I like it.

I am reading The Shack by William P. Young and while I am not finished reading, I find it intriguing. And I can't really say why. Like the Da Vinci Code, I have to keep reminding myself that it is someone's fictional story. While I believe the Bible is the truth, I find myself getting caught up in some one elses' storytellings and interpretations, not holding them as truth, but more as a "stop my brain, let me process this thought ... Huh!" kind of thing.

I find myself open when reading a book or hearing a story or watching a movie that parallels subjects such as; God and truth, ethics and morality, politics and democracy, in other words ... deep stuff ~ and then when it is all over, I have to sit and ponder for awhile because my brain feels a little over whelmed. I find myself having to grasp that one what that I learned, before I can move forward.

Sometimes I change my opinion and sometimes I don't. But I am glad to be free and open like this woman in the picture.

Athletic Club Etiquette

I may not be an athlete in the true sense of the word; eat only health foods, take tons of vitamins, drink plenty of water, work out until you drop tired and barely able to move, and then get up and start all over again. No, I am just the average gal in the gym on a routine basis, getting my heart pumping and my muscles just barely burning.

But when it comes to Athletic Club Etiquette, I think I know a thing or two about what not to do. As I was sitting on the bench this morning, pumping a lil'iron, it kinda came to me. All the little things that are just unspoken rules at the gym that I wish others would clue in on to make the hour more pleasant.

Here is my short list:

*If you happen to be next to me on the treadmill, and you choose not to turn on your personal television which is connected to your machine, then please do not peer over to my machine and get cozy at watching my show. Just turn on your own, please.

*If you see me by your locker ... should I say ... if you see that you need to move your door and step a few inches away from my locker so that I may put my coat and keys away ... then please do not take that moment to use your Axe Body Spray as if it were going out of style as I am standing right! beside! you! You know, mist does travel and that smell is not my style.

*Learn how to use the weights or just go. Throwing your back in a hard 45 degree angle to lift the bar is not the correct method. I am not a Personal Trainer, but I can just tell that you should just learn how to use that equipment.

*Don't sit at a machine and gab with the person to your left, others would like to keep moving and you are obliviously holding up their cardo pulse.

*Wiping off your machine upon completion is just polite.

*We are in stressful times in our national economy ... so whether or not you are at the gym to de-stress or relax, others are ... so just don't say, "Hey, is your company giving out lay off notices yet?" It is a real mood killer.

Feel free to join my sound off about Athletic Club Etiquette via comments.
Happy Exercising!

My new favorite dish

I got a great Vegetarian cookbook as a gift from my parents. I like it because the recipes are easy and make sense. While I enjoy looking at cookbooks that lean toward the fancy side, I am a practical person and go for easy if I am the one cooking. The recipe below is easy.

Also, it passed with a thumbs up from both of my children ~ which is saying a lot since my daughter is just now, at age 10, breaking out of her comfort zone of noodles, hamburgers, and oatmeal. Okay, that is an exaggeration, but not by much.

For left-overs, you can omit the tortillas and eat the rice mixture with a touch of sour cream or guacamole mixed in, shredded cheese, and heat to warm. Yum too.

ENJOY!!!

Large tortillas
1/3 cup finely chopped, seeded tomatoes
3 T minced onion
2 T minced bell pepper
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 cup cooked black beans (cooked from dry; or canned, drained)
1/2 cup salsa
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup guacamole

1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Wrap the tortillas in foil and place in oven; heat for 5 to 10 minutes or until the tortillas are warm and pliable.
2. While the tortillas are heating, combine the tomatoes, onion, and bell pepper in a small bowl, set aside.
3. Stir together cooked brown rice, beans, and salsa. Cook over low heat until heated through; about 4 minutes.
4. Remove the tortillas from the oven. Place a generous amount of the bean mixture in the center of the tortilla. Top with shredded cheese, guacamole, (sour cream is good too) and the tomato mixture.
5. Fold the tortilla and enjoy!

Premature April Fools

It is the First of the month, but of February not of April, right? It was before church this morning when I was busy getting the dishwasher emptied before cleaning up the breakfast dishes. My kids were upstairs getting ready; my husband was on the way to the shower. I had just put away all the clean dishes, loaded the dirty ones, and was about ready to flip up the door when I noticed that the soap dispenser's lid was closed. What?

I exclaimed out loud that I think I had just put away every dish in the washer as dirty. I started flipping through the silverware drawer, the cupboards, trying to figure out how I could have missed that I was emptying a dirty dishwasher.

My kids heard my freak-out and bent over the stair rails and yelled down, "Mom, are you sure?!" I kept looking; no, everything looked clean. In fact, I remembered some of the cups had the water puddle on top. Well, that's just great. The dishwasher is broken and we just steamed our dishes clean.

My kids said, "Are you sure?!" so convincingly and urged me to open up the soap lid. I finally took their advice and ... it was empty ... and that is when the giggles started. My son. My son had flipped the lid closed as a joke and kept it quiet all. morning. long. waiting. for. me. to. empty.the.dishes.

I was up the stairs in nothing flat tickling my son and telling him the order of the months! January ~ February ~ March ~ April ... He got me.