Money.

I'm wondering if my Diet Coke habit is making me poor. I'm not only wondering... I'm blaming it. How many times do I stop and get myself a Diet Coke and the girls a water? Hmmm... it adds up doesn't it?

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/105017/Spend-%2410-Today-Be-Out-%24100K-Torrowmo

This morning, I found this article and thought, "This supports what I've been thinking about! I must stop drinking Diet Coke. I must stop drinking Diet Coke."

Now, this Diet Coke thing is like my cigarettes. It's not just like I've been accustomed to one a day. It's more like at least three a day. When I've kicked this habit, I'm sure my health will improve as well as the health of my wallet.

Mr. Rogers

Today I came upon this blog about Mr. Rogers.

I love it!

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/5943

Trees

Jason, the girls, and I went to Bergeson's for trees on Monday. We got two pear trees, ten Black Hills Spruce, and one grape vine. I'm just sitting around waiting for my pears to grow. That's four years. Four years. A long wait.

How long will it take for those Spruce to grow? How long will it take for me to be able to climb those trees? I'm not sure. As I fell asleep last night, I told Jason how happy I was that we had trees in common. We both love trees. I asked him if he'd like to climb trees with me. He laughed; "Of course."

There are a few trees in our yard that Jason wants to take down. I told him I'd like to climb them and saw off the branches like my dad did at his house. J. thought I was absolutely nuts.

"Why not wait until it's already felled?"

I sighed; "Why not?" and rolled over started reading "Smart Dog." ( A book recommended by Natalie)

Jason giggled and fell asleep.

*********

While Monday was for trees, Saturday was for plants. I maneuvered thirty tomato plants out of Eckstein's Greenhouse. Jason asked what we were going to do with thirty tomato plants. Every year, he is surprised with my love for tomatoes and peppers. Maybe next year, he'll just count on his lovely wife picking out about thirty tomato plants and twenty green peppers.

This year, I didn't go nutso on the flowers. I just let the girls pick some out. I picked a couple out, but really the tomatoes and peppers are my priority.

Do it

The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can't find them, make them.

- George Bernard Shaw, playwright

Old Rooster

Old Rooster

Unknown- May 23, 2008

Old Rooster died peacefully
in his rocking chair
late this Friday afternoon.

He leaves behind him
seven wives of many breeds
several unhatched eggs.

Wow

Listen to all, plucking a feather from every passing goose, but follow no one absolutely.

- Chinese proverb

Wedding bliss.

Tree

I went for a bike ride this morning. :) All by myself. No one but me. That's heaven on earth. Afterwards, I climbed a tree for the first time in about 20 years. At least. It was so beautiful. When it was time to get down, I tried to swing down just like when I was a girl to get to the next level. My butt got stuck.

I guess that's more bike riding for me.


I used to love to climb trees as a little girl. I always thought that I was invisible up in a tree. The world always looked so much better up in a tree

"We cannot do everything at once, but we can do something at once.

- Calvin Coolidge, American president

Tooth Fairy

Last night, Allison put her tooth under her pillow. She had her tooth in a special treasure box she got from the dentist. Allison's tooth wasn't leaving. It wanted to hang out it in her mouth a little longer than usual. Allison's permanent tooth was growing crazy and towards her tongue. Allison hates the dentist. Sorry. She really hates the dentist.

I picked her up from school. She walked alongside me with her braids and polka dot tights.
"Mom. Is it going to hurt?"
"Ummm... I hope not."
"Mom. I don't want to go."
"Sorry"

The dentist took one look and said; "Yep she's takes after Grandpa Bob."

He put the laughing gas on her nose, and she whimpered with fear. He gave her the nummer for the shot, and she gagged. It was not pretty.

When the doctor pulled out her tooth, we saw that her baby tooth still had a root. Uff.

It was suggested that the tooth fairy be a little more generous than usual.

She was.

Don't stand still!

When you stand still, you reject the struggle, and you refuse to change and grow. Ultimately, you reject fulfillment, happiness, the dance for joy and everything else that is eternally good.

- Matthew Kelly, classical actor and game show host

The trees.

The trees woke me up this morning. A little too early I may add. They must have woke Jason up too as he just poke his head into the living room and gave me a look.

"The trees woke me up." I called.

He shook his head and went back to bed.

Often, as I fall asleep I look at the many branches and follow them like a maze. It's amazing to me that God could give a tree so many fun crazy branches.

The tree asks me, "So Miss Smartypants, am I a Maple?"

"Umm no. Sorry. I think you're a box elder."

"Oh." The shock of being such a lowly tree disappoints it.

" I should say sorry." I correct myself. "Box elders are one of my favorites."

"Really"

"Yes. You have the best branches. They're wild like Natalie's hair."

"You really think?"

"Why yes. And remember your buddy? The one that fell after the storm?"

"Do I ever. Gilda. Poor Gilda."

"She was hollow. Completely eaten by bugs. And she still stood. So proud. Remember Gilda. That must have took courage for her."

"I will remember Gilda. Thanks. Now go back to bed."

"I can't. I'm too excited about your branches."

Job

This fall, I have a job.

Can ya believe it?

:)

7th and 8th grade... woot woot!

Weird.

These are Frog Eggs

Glacial Ridge

And so, I went to Glacial Ridge this morning with the elementary students. We had so much fun looking at frog eggs, Indian Walking Sticks, and Milkweed. Students collected scat, took GPS locations, and took many digital pictures of their experience at Glacial Ridge near Fertile. Many students were excited over every discovery and exploration. We observed wildlife as wildlife observed us.

Mother's Day!

And so it was Mother's Day. All was good. I had breakfast in bed. I got beautiful flowers. Natalie and Allison made me homemade cards. Perfect. I do have to say that my favorite gift was the gift from Allison. She picked out a T-Shirt with some of my favorite colors. It also had a big wave and an announcement about a surf competition. Along the side the caption reads "Size Matters."

A Day at the Farm!

Because Allison played hookie on Friday and missed her trip to Mrs. S's house we got to go on Saturday....

Notice the snow.


In May.


May 10.


Allison got to feed the cows.


Drive the tractor.


And of course, jump on the trampoline.


We got to watch! What a fun day. Allison is so lucky to have a teacher who let her come over on her day off.

Rumor has it Allison got her name on the board for chatter last week.


She was almost in tears.

Graduation

I graduated! Time goes by quickly when your having fun! I took time to relish in my accomplishment and sing the songs and wear the cap and gown. I have so much to be thankful for. I had so much fun! Jason was so proud... Natalie and Allison were bored. They told me several times. At least they won't forget it! But hey!They are all wearing Dragon gear! Here I am in the class of 2008!

To swear off mistakes is very easy. All you have to do is swear off having ideas.

- Leo Burnett, advertising pioneer

Good luck with that one!

After being not finding my paperwork, I decided to get my fingerprints taken. The security office is on the other side of campus so I walked. I always have so many fabulous memories on the walk through campus. I think of the dorm rooms and the silly fights and the silly parties we had. 11:00pm... Life was just starting back then. Seemed like the perfect time to make a pie run at Perkins. Fast forward 14 years later. I'm in my flannel jammies, watching re-runs, and writing in my blog.
I noticed birds eating worms in the grass and a little gray bunny rabbit under the deck of a building. I wanted to pick her up. And, I remember, Oh yeah... "I'm allergic." The trees only had buds. Parents were touring campus with their graduating seniors.... wanting to meet their student's advisers. Poor advisers....

MSUM

Today, I went to MSUM for my final class. Well, it was a breakfast sponsored by the Alumni Association. We had speakers and mingling. I'm not sure attendance was taken. I was there. That's all that matters.

Also, I had to get last minute licensing paperwork done.

As one of my favorite students would say; "Good luck with that one."

Of course, looking at my transcript one last time I saw that there were four classes not transcribed correctly. My worst nightmare came true. At least, it could be corrected.

My professor was not available to sign off of my license so I left it there while I went for lunch. When I came back, she still wasn't there.

She'll have it ready for me tomorrow. Right?

************

MInivan-license-graduation...

Jason finished up with the mini-van. I know my little dear (the mini-van, not Jason) is getting old. It's nice to have her back. Jason's car sheds "stuff" on to our hair if we sit up too straight. I'm so glad to have my mini-van back.

I applied for my license yesterday. My license to teach. It's kind of a James bond thing...

I've got a license - license to teach.

Grammar
Prefixes
Suffixes
Etymology
Inferences
Paragraphs.

A license to teach.


I will graduate on Friday. The girls and Jason will be there amongst others... (their names are being cleverly not being published..) I'm so excited.

But what's next?

Will I find a job? I hope so.

Paulo Coehlo

This is beautiful.

Bees for Jason

Bees for Jason.

Gee Bees

Jason got his Bees. He's so thrilled. Its another dream come true. Why does he have dreams such as these? Don't ask me. We've been together for a long time, and I still don't understand that guy. WE all have obsessions. My obsession is reading, writing, and teaching. I'm fond of youtube videos...

Jason just has a ton of obsessions. Bees, Beer, Worms, compost, Ron Paul, Beer, Bees, chickens, gardening, building guitars. Just to name a few.

Jason wants honey. To make wine. As you can see, the girls are excited for the bees. When Jason added the bees to the hive, they couldn't stand the wait. They were so excited. I hate to admit it. I was too.

Natalie did an excellent performance! Bravo! We're always so proud to see our serious faced little girl put her heart into something!

At Knaack-a-palooza last night, Jason's imaginary band played. Here is a video of him playing and me dancing!!!

I'm not sure how there can be a world without Levi.

Here is a short video of Allison's Kindergarten play. She is so much fun. This is the beginning of the end of kindergarten. I'm so proud and sad at the same time. Where did the time go? Mrs. S. gave the students a class reward. Allison's was "Friendliest." (This is not a surprise)

Natalie will be in a piano recital on Sunday. I'm excited and proud here too. I'm one of those moms who pushes their kid to play piano because I wish I play piano better. I'll stop pushing the piano if she resists strongly. So far it's only a small whine.

Tough grader.

Yesterday was my last day in the classroom. I passed out the students' projects. I think I'm a hard grader. OOf. Next time I'll remember, if you're going to be a tough grader, remember the faces of your students when they got their papers back. Uggggg............ hmmmmmm. I'm sure every teacher questions their own grading techniques. It's probably better for me to be a tough grader and make them work for it. But, I know there's a few who worked hard and still didn't do so hotly. It makes me sad.