"Hey...I think that box is for me!"

says Cassie. She is truly the nosiest thing that ever walked on four legs. Every gift-opening occasion--birthdays, Christmas, you name it--she's right there, checking out everything that comes out of every package. It's actually pretty funny.

Here our baby, Megan, turns 12. Not quite sure how that's happened so fast. I remember turning 12, and it doesn't seem like THAT long ago. Guess I should be feeling old. Sometimes I do . . . but I think about this quote:

"None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm." (Henry David Thoreau)

That DOES sound like a drag, but sometimes it is hard to keep enthusiasm alive. I think I need to learn some new stuff, meet some new people, go some new places. Hmmm...I'll have to give that some thought.

Just noticing in this picture how UGLY the couch is. But the price was right at a garage sale 6 years ago!

Music!

Finally added some music here -- just a few songs for now--ones that I've been enjoying. I'll tell you right up front, I DON'T enjoy the music from "God is in Control" but I do love the lyrics. Here's the refrain. . .

God is in control

We believe that His children will not be forsaken

God is in control

He will choose to remember, and never be shaken

There is no power above or beside Him, we know

God is in control

Oh, God is in control.

Good reminder.

Up top is a sunrise . . . Tuesday's to be specific. A point and shoot camera through the window and screen somehow doesn't quite capture the beauty. My computer is in front of our bedroom window, and while doing a little writing it was quite awesome to watch the sky go from black to gray to all sorts of rosy colors. Very inspiring.

This morning was another early start - 5:30 a.m. It was my day for stable chores. That's inspiring too, in its own way. I'll share some barn pictures soon!

My work blog http://www.econobusters.com/ is a much more happening place than here. I'm so blessed to be able to work from home, doing what I enjoy.

3/21 edited to add - okay I just removed that song...it came blasting on when I checked my blog this morning before my second cup of coffee and scared the pants off me. So, it's gotta go . . . way too jarring.

A Sweet Simple Pleasure

Yesterday I woke up early in the morning to the sound of birds chirping in the woods behind our house. It just poured happiness into my day. Spring has returned to Pennsylvania, and I can't tell you how sweet it is!

Maybe it's because I was born in the Caribbean . . . I think I missed out on the "enjoy the winter" gene. Or else I just had a limited dose of it, and it's all run out. I sure love me some sunshine and shirt-sleeved days. It's such a contented, joyful, comfortable feeling.

I was thinking recently about mornings in Trinidad, where I grew up. I remember how bright, bright sunshine would flood in through the windows, and the house would be surrounded with a cacaphony (is that how you spell it?) of roosters crowing, dogs barking, neighbors calling . . . it seems like nothing there happens in partway measures. All five senses, engaged, all the time.

Enough reminiscing. Life is rattling on. Never dull, that's for sure. Full, busy days bunched into weeks and months before we realize it. Maybe that's why I so enjoy those few moments in the early morning, in the half-light, when I can wake up slowly . . . with the cheerful, chirpy birds welcoming a new day.

On the road again. . .

Heading off to Canada in the weeeeee hours of the morning tomorrow.

Here's a quote I've been enjoying from Theodore Roosevelt. It's not rocket science, but it can be life-changing, especially in times like these.

Teddy says: "Do what you can, where you are, with what you have." Alrighty then, let's do it!

How to write an article in one night

1. Resolve not to remove bum from desk chair. Use duct tape if necessary.
2. Disable all networking applications such as IM, facebook, and email.
3. Turn off phone and cell phone.
4. Just start typing. Do 100 words.
5. Eat 2 Starbucks chocolate coated coffee beans.
6. Type 100 more words.
7. Eat 2 more chocolate covered coffee beans.
8. Repeat steps 6 & 7 as neccessary until article is completed, by which time you will have consumed 34 chocolate covered coffee beans and sleep will be the farthest thing from your mind.

Disclaimer: Not recommended for every day usage. If symptoms persist, reorganize your life.

Two confused dogs

It doesn't take much to confuse Cassie (the blonde on the left) at the best of times. I told you we moved a peninsula counter in the kitchen. See the one along the left wall? Well that used to jut out into the room. We basically swung it around 90 degrees to run along the wall instead. Well, that peninsula used to mark the boundary of where the dogs were allowed. I did NOT want them underfoot when I was cooking, nor did I want them sneaking by the fridge into the laundry room and pantry.

All of a sudden one morning, they come up from their basement hideaway and "What's this?! Who stole the fake oak wall?" Utter confusion. And Cassie, bless her heart, is examining the itty bitty hole in the flooring where the electrical conduit came through when the counter was in it's original spot. They're still quite edgy about it all, several days into this new set-up. As for me, I'm loving the extra space . . . and training them to stay behind the little spot on the floor. What WILL they do when we fix the flooring?

Just when we thought spring was on its way . . .

we're dropping into the single digits tonight . . . -10 to -15 F with windchill. Good grief. At least we didn't get any more snow like the east side of the state.

Just thought I'd share the newest addition to our kitchen. A few years ago I bought this stained glass hanging for my sweet Aunt Grace because she loved cardinals. She went home to heaven just about a year ago, and recently her husband gave this back to me. So the birdies have come back to Pennsylvania to roost. Jim just hung it up in the window for me yesterday and I love it.

In other kitchen news, we moved a very awkward counter peninsula that has been bugging me for 5 years, so that the kitchen is now a big open rectangle. Much better! Picture tomorrow.

Off now to get ready for co-op tomorrow. I teach a writing class to 6th and 7th graders, and co-teach a world geography class based on Around the World in 80 Days to a group of about a dozen kids ranging from 2nd to 7th grades. That class has been a lot of fun - a lot of interesting food and art and games from all over the world . . . very organic learning. Gotta love it.

Last week we were learning about India and had the kids wrapped up in saris and dhotis (bedsheets!) and eating Naan with dahl, with mango on the side. And we played snakes and ladders. Betcha didn't know that originated in India - tied in the with the whole good karma/bad karma reincarnation thing. It's VERY bad karma in snakes and ladders to land on a snake's head.