Mommy Brain

Saw this at Meg’s and decided to play along.

Accent: Growing up in Washington State, I don’t have one. Pretty generic American, I guess. Though I pick up accents, especially when I’ve been watching a lot of BBC. Noah could always tell when I’d been watching Monarch of the Glen - he said I talked like Lexie.

Breakfast or no breakfast: Definitely - and I must have protein. I like the low-fat breakfast Lean Pockets with eggs and sausage. Or toast with peanut butter. And coffee, though I’m not supposed to have it because of my GERD.

Chore I don’t care for: I’m with Meg - any type of housework is low on my list of favorite things to do.

Dog or Cat: Neither - I’m not much of an animal person. And, we have a small house and four kids…

Essential Electronics: Laptop, MP3 player, and PDA.

Favorite Cologne: I used to wear Nokomis, but I don’t wear any perfume any more. On men, I like Cool Water - but my hubby doesn’t wear cologne, either.

Gold or Silver: Silver.

Handbag I carry most often: Burgundy purse. Usually accompanied by a tote full of books.

Insomnia: Occasionally - usually hormone related.

Job Title: Just one? Homeschooling mom, freelance writer, chief cook and bottle washer.

Kids: One daughter: Natalie, 11. Three sons: Noah, 10; Jonathan 8; and Josiah, 6.

Living Arrangements: A very small house that we’re trying to sell so we can move into something bigger.

Most Admirable Trait: Compassion. I’m also a good listener, I think.

Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: Most of my naughtiness occurred after I was no longer a child, at least technically. I did skip school once, but I got caught. Oh, and once I got my driver’s license, I used to sneak the car out at night for junk food runs with my sisters. My parents slept through just about anything. Oh, and I got drunk on champagne at a wedding at which I sang - but it wasn’t my fault. That’s enough true confessions for now.

Overnight hospital stays: Five days for Natalie’s birth, but I was only considered a patient for two. I stayed three more nights in a “parent room,” because Natalie was in the NICU. I can’t remember if I stayed for one night or two with Noah’s birth. Four nights with Jonathan’s birth - an emergency cesarean. One night with Noah when he was 17 months old and had croup. Three nights with Josiah’s birth - a repeat c-section and tubal. One night for gall bladder surgery.

Phobias: Spiders, crossing old bridges in the car. Oh, and I’m not so hot about heights, either.

Quote: My favorite, or something I say? One of my favorites is on the header image above. I say “crap” more often than I should.

Reason to smile: My kids can always make me smile.

Siblings: Three younger sisters: Andrea, Debra, and Marni.

Time I wake up: On a weekday, 6:30 or 7. On weekends, I like to sleep in until 9.

Unusual Talent or Skill: Unusual? Hmmm… I can alphabetize words really fast.

Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: Peas. Shudder.

Worst Habit: Procrastination.

X-rays: My ankle twice, but it was just sprained both times.

Yummy Stuff: I’ll go with Meg’s answers: Chocolate, Cheesecake….

Zoo Animal I Like Most: Like I said, not much of an animal person.

I tag Sheila at Dodging Raindrops, Eileen at Books and Hooks, Karen at Praise the Lord and Pass the Prozac, Lisa at The Funny Farm, and Lawanda at Lovin’ Life.

Today was just what I needed. Kevin and I and the boys drove up to Trail, B.C. to swim and play at the Aquatic Center. (Natalie is spending the weekend with Grandmama and Papa.) We stayed for about three hours. I swam for an hour and a half, showered, and then sat and read until Kevin and the boys were worn out and starving. We went out to eat where I had some very yummy stuffed mushrooms (so not on Weight Watchers ). A quick stop at Tim Horton’s for coffee and then the ride home, during which I managed to doze off in spite of drinking a large Tim Horton’s with two creams and two sugars.

The kids are now getting some game time in, Kevin is dozing since he had to stay awake to drive us home, and I’m going to watch the second half of Anna Karenina. I bought the version with Sophie Marceau and Sean Bean (!) a while ago, but have been saving it until I had finished the book. I watched the first half last night while Kevin was gaming, and it’s just okay. But it is Sean Bean, so I will force myself to finish it.

Karen tagged me to do the Seven Random Facts Meme, so here goes:

~ I love the beach, but hate the ocean - the underwater part of it, anyway. I hate movies that feature underwater scenes - Finding Nemo is about the only exception. Those underwater aquariums - where the water is all around you and you can see all those fish and sharks swimming around - make me freak out, which Kevin discovered on our honeymoon. Guess I’ll never go snorkeling.

~ I have only lived in one state - Washington. I’ve lived in the northwest corner, southwest corner, and we now reside in the northeast corner.

~ My daughter and I are planning to participate in NaNoWriMo this year.

~ I was a theater major in college and acted and/or sang in several plays, including A Comedy of Errors, Love’s Labours Lost, The Water Engine, Once Upon a Mattress, The Hostage, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Steel Magnolias.

~ I am a very light sleeper, which is why Kevin has spent the last several weeks sleeping on an air mattress in the living room while he gets over a sinus infection that makes him snore louder and more continuously than usual.

~ I can read anywhere, anytime, no matter how noisy or busy things are around me.

~ I have a really bad habit of interrupting people - especially my husband. He hates it.

I saw this at Quoth the Maven, and thought it would be a good way to continue my week of meaningless posts.

Full name: Carrie Eileen Kitzmiller.
What are you most afraid of?: Biggie: losing a child. Not-so-biggie: Spiders.
What is the most recent movie that you have seen on bootlet?: I don’t know what bootlet is. If they mean “bootleg” - I don’t.
Place of birth: Bellingham, Washington
Favorite food: Pizza.
Natural hair color: Brown. With more and more grey every day.
Ever been a Neat Freak?: I can hear my mom laughing all the way from her house. Um, no.
Ever been skinny dipping?: Mom, close your eyes - yes.
Love someone so much it made you cry?: Yes.
Ever been in a car accident?: Yes - and it was completely my fault. Thank God, no one was hurt. Except me - but only minor bruises and sore muscles.
Croutons or bacon bits?: Can I have both, please?
Favorite day of the week?: Friday.
Favorite restaurant?: Stefani’s Oak Street Grill. After years of only mediocre restaurants in our little town, we now have a restaurant with delicious food and wonderful atmosphere.
Favorite flower?: Dutch Iris.
Favorite sport to watch?: Football.
Favorite drink?: Non-alcoholic: Pepsi. Alcoholic: Colorado Bulldog.
Favorite ice cream?: Cherry Garcia or Chubby Hubby.
Warner Bros. or Disney?: Either - I love movies.
Ever been on a ship?: Does a ferry count?
What color is your bedroom carpet?: Don’t have a carpet in the bedroom - hardwood floors.
How many times did you fail your driver’s test?: None.
Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail?: Andrea, who’s working on a little secret project for me.
What do you do when you’re bored?: Read.
Bedtime?: 10:30 or 11:00.
Favorite TV shows?: House, Bones, Lost, Heroes, Jericho, and Life. If there are any other TV shows with one-word titles, chances are, I’ll like them.
Last person you went to dinner with?: Kevin - last Wednesday as an early Valentine’s Day celebration.
Park or zoo?: Parks are better for sitting in the sun and reading while the kids play - and I’ve never been much of an animal person.
Favorite colors?: Purple and dark green.
How many tattoos do you have:? None.
How many pets do you have?: None.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg?: The chicken, of course.
What do you want to do before you die?: Visit Ireland. Write a book.
Have you ever been to Hawaii?: No.
Have you been to countries outside the U.S.?: Canada and Mexico.

Let me know if you play along.

I am re-watching You’ve Got Mail. Close to a perfect film: Meg Ryan, Tom Hanks, witty dialogue, and books. Early on in the film, Meg Ryan’s character, Kathleen, talks about what her mother did when she started her bookstore. That she wasn’t just helping children find books, but she was helping to shape who they would become, because the books we read as children have a direct effect on the kind of people we become.

I started thinking about the people who helped me find the books that shaped who I have become. And wishing that I had a way to thank them, to tell them what a profound impact they made on my life.

Teresa Johnson was one of the librarians at the Sedro Woolley Public Library. My sisters and I spent hours and hours there. This was back in the day when we could holler to Mom, “heading to the library,” hop on our bikes and go. Teresa was a personal friend of the family, and so we had “behind the counter” privileges: we got to stamp books and cards (this was before the computerized age, of course) and help re-shelve books. We also got first look at the new books, before they even hit the shelves! I have Teresa to thank for many of my favorite books, like From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, the Trixie Belden series, and Anne of Green Gables. There was also this one book from the non-fiction section, but I can’t remember the title. It was a book about a rich man who built a beautiful dollhouse mansion - for his wife or daughters, maybe? The pictures of the dollhouse’s opulent rooms, with absolutely exquisite details - they must have been falling apart by the time my sisters and I were too old to check it out anymore. Our last name, Shannon, nearly filled the check-out card. (Anyone remember the book?)

Teresa didn’t just open my mind to the world of books, however. When my parents went away for a weekend, Teresa would come stay with us, and she would bring her dress-up trunk. A trunk full of old prom and bridesmaid dresses that were the inspiration for hours of imaginative play. I’m sure my future theater major originated in that trunk. Teresa also brought videos of musicals, ballets, and operas. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The Pirates of Penzance, The Scarlet Pimpernel.

She didn’t stop with videos, however. She spent her hard-earned money to take my sisters and I to the ballet and to the theater. Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet, and The Nutcracker as danced by the company of the Pacific Norhtwest Ballet. Symphonies, operettas, and ice skating. A huge part of my taste in music and literature and the arts can be directly traced back to those trips to Seattle. Dick’s Drive-In burgers before the performance, mud pie at Red Robin afterward. What memories.

I got a Christmas card from Teresa - I do every year. She’s still single, still works at the library. And, knowing her heart, there is another generation of girls who are learning to love books, the theater, and the ballet.

Miss Jane Dooling was my eighth grade teacher. That was the only year I spent in Christian school - the tuition paid for because my mom was the church secretary. I have many memories of that year. My first boyfriend. My first kiss. I remember walking to Miss Dooling’s house when news reached us of the Challenger disaster. We sat in her living room in stunned silence, watching the news, not fully able to comprehend what we were witnessing.

And her books. She would bring stacks for me to take home, and as soon as I finished, there was another stack. I don’t remember all the books that I borrowed from her, but one series in particular stands out in my mind - the Betsy Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace, with the wonderful line drawings by Lois Lenski. More than the books, though, I remember her unbridled generosity and willingness to share. I was an awkward 8th-grade girl - braces, glasses, the whole bit. But Miss Dooling valued my opinion about the books she loaned me! When I returned a book, she would ask me questions: What was your favorite part? Which character did you like best? Did he or she make the right decision? I learned how to think about my reading from her - more than from any book report I ever wrote during the rest of my school years.

I’m not sure what happened to Miss Jane Dooling. I don’t know if she ever married, if she’s still teaching. But I’m fairly sure of one thing - she is still a book-lover and a book-sharer.

As I now share these books with my own daughter, I am grateful to these two women for opening new worlds to me.

Thank you so much for all your wonderful thoughts and words of encouragement this week! I am so glad to know that not only do I have dear “real life” friends, but I have all of you, too.

Our week is going much better. No one else has come down with the stomach bug; it may have been just something he ate. Kevin hasn’t been offered a job, but we are emotionally better and trusting. And this morning, my mom called and told me that she had a couch and loveseat for us. Gently used. Now, since most of you haven’t seen our furniture, this may seem like no big deal, but it is. Our couch and loveseat are literally falling apart. Kevin has re-attached one of the arms a couple of times. All of the cushions are pushing out of the upholstery fabric. They were used when we got them, and we’ve had them for several years. With all four of our kids. No, to be fair, Natalie really has nothing to do with the furniture falling apart. But the boys do. Most definitely. When we thought we were selling our house, we planned to buy some new furniture with some of the proceeds before we moved into a bigger house. Now, moving is put on hold indefinitely, but at least I won’t have to look at that ratty old furniture any longer. Mom and Dad are bringing the “new” ones over tomorrow morning. God is good.

Tonight, we’re going to watch Spiderman 3. We have a Tae Kwon Do promotion tomorrow. The boys aren’t ready to promote again yet, but Natalie will be testing for her yellow belt with green stripe - catching her up with Noah and Jonathan. Usually, we play hooky from church on a Sunday after promotion, since we spend all Saturday at the dojang. We can’t do that this time, because the kids all have speaking parts in the Christmas production, and need to be at rehearsal. Sunday afternoon will be low-key - not even a football game to watch since the Seahawks play on Monday night this week. On ESPN, which we don’t have. Oh, well, if they play the way they’ve been playing, I won’t miss much.

I have a bunch of links for you - I’ve been saving up for ages.

~ First, if this is real, it’s amazing.

~ If you’re old enough to remember what life was like “way back” in 1994, check out this: What if 24 was produced in 1994?

~ This comic shows what I’ve been experiencing watching the Seahawks play this season.

~ If you are as tired of the way people - like, you know - talk nowadays as I am, check out this comic. Here’s another by him: The Impotence of Proofreading. (Warning: PG-13 humor. Make the kiddos leave the room.)

~ Christopher Paolini and Random House have announced that the third book in The Inheritance Trilogy (the first two are Eragon, and Eldest) will be released in September of 2008. And it’s not a trilogy anymore, it’s a Cycle - there will be a fourth book. The link includes a video of Christopher talking about his writing process and how he knew there had to be two more books.

~ I love Brett Favre. If the Packers are playing anyone beside the Seahawks, I want them to win. (Well, except maybe the Colts. I really like Peyton Manning, too. ) This is a great video tribute to Brett by his wife Deanna. By the way, one of my favorite Christian authors, Angela Hunt, co-wrote Don’t Bet against Me!: Beating the Odds Against Breast Cancer and in Life with Deanna, and their book has made the NY Times Bestseller list.

~ Speaking of favorite Christian authors, Today’s Christian Woman has an interview with Lisa Samson. Her blog, Author Intrusion, was one of the first I read.

~ Remember how I said I can’t listen to or read Ann Coulter anymore? Someone needs to read her the verses on how people will know we are Christians by our love and the whole “love your enemies” thing. Well, this video is a Jewish woman’s response to some of her comments - like the one where her idea of heaven is the Republican convention. Shudder. (Warning: PG rating.)

~ All moms will be able to relate to this comic.

~ Dana at Principled Discovery has posted eight very funny reasons to homeschool.

That’s all - have a great weekend!

I know it’s only Tuesday, but it’s been quite a week. Kevin called from work yesterday morning to tell me that he will be “down-sized” at the first of the year. Laid off, let go, whatever you want to call it. And I freaked out. I tried not to, but I did. We live in a pretty economically-depressed area, and tech jobs don’t come along very often. And when they do - well, let’s just say the pay is ridiculous. We’ve been very blessed with his job, and he received a good wage for our area. And now we’re faced with this huge life change.

When I told the kids, Natalie (who takes after her mom, being a “glass half empty” kind of gal) wailed, “Are we going to have to live on the street?” Which started Noah and Jonathan both crying. So I said, “Hey! Is Daddy’s job our provider? No! Who’s our provider?” The kids all gulped and said, “God.” and I said, “That’s right, so we don’t need to worry about this. We need to pray and leave it in His hands and trust that He will work this out.” And inside I’m thinking, “Yeah, but…”

So, anyway… Prayers would be appreciated. Prayers for a new job, prayers for peace for both Kevin and I. I’m trying to trust. God has come through for us so many times before, but it never seems to get easier to be in the place of uncertainty. Just a few minutes ago, I read Katy’s post at Fallible about Big Tests. And no, our test is not brain surgery, so I have that to be grateful for, right?

So, now that I’ve gotten the big thing off my chest, I have some other miscellaneous things I don’t want to forget.

All three boys stayed over Friday night at Don and Michelle’s house in honor of Nicholas’s 10th birthday. When it came time to say the blessing over dinner, one of my kids said, “Can we say Oremus?” Oremus is Latin for “let us pray.” All five boys then proceeded to say the Sanctus in Latin, and then in English. Here it is in English: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are filled with your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” I’d write it in Latin, too, since I learned it along with the kids, but I’m sure I’d spell something wrong. I wish I’d been there to hear them. Of course, we say it together - along with the lines we’ve learned so far of the Doxology - every morning before we start school, but how cool it is that they have Latin prayers in common with their best friends! Especially at the ages they are: kindergarten, 2nd, and 3rd grade.

When I was pouring cereal for Jonathan’s breakfast the other morning, he said: “Mom, you know how much you gave me last time? Well, give me that much, and then two dips more.”

Natalie broke a board at Tae Kwon Do tonight. She’s done it before, but I never cease to find it amazing that my little girl can break a board with her foot! She has posted a quiz at her blog; it would be really cool if some of you would visit her and answer some of her questions.

You’ve heard of National Novel Writing Month, right? Well, I guess it’s NaBloPoMo, too. That’s National Blog Posting Month. The idea is to post every day for the month of November. Only problem is, I just heard of it today, and I didn’t post on the 2nd. Oh, well.

Anyone reading the news on the Hollywood Writer’s strike and wondering what it’s all about? Here’s a concise post that puts some things into perspective.

I finished Inkspell, the sequel to Inkheart. I didn’t think it was quite as good as the first one, but I still enjoyed it very much. I was pre-reading it for Natalie, because I remembered reading a blog post that said it was much more grown up than the first. I agree, but I didn’t quite find the objectionable material that the review mentioned. I will be allowing Natalie to read it. I think the review mentioned something about teenage sex, but I didn’t read any of that at all. There was an implied relationship between a prince and his wife’s maid, who was sixteen, but the world of Inkspell is a fantasy world a lot like the middle ages, and in that world, girls were getting married at 14. The relationship is strictly implied, with the most explicit statement being that she didn’t leave his side, even at night. And they weren’t even major characters. So, anyway, if you were wondering about Inkspell, I recommend it. I would probably wait for Noah be a little older to read it (he’s 9) because there is some brief mention of Meggie noticing that her shirts are getting tighter up top - she’s thirteen.

We got rid of our satellite. We had “channels” - as the kids called it - for a year, and then we gave it up. Good thing, we would have had to anyway after yesterday’s announcement. I’m just hoping that we won’t have to give up Netflix, too, or I might go crazy. The kids are going through Hannah Montana and Suite Life of Zack and Cody withdrawals.

Kevin and I are going out to dinner tomorrow night while the kids are at Awana, since it’s my birthday. I’m turning 35 - in forty minutes!

I guess that’s everything that’s rattling around in my mind right now. Rattling is the operative word. Sorry for rambling. I’m off to bed - it’s past eleven, and feels like past twelve, thanks to the time change.

So much going on - our September was INSANELY busy. We had Tae Kwon Do promotion, Kevin’s Dad’s visit, Jonathan’s birthday party.

In the middle of all of that - and the latest crisis with our neighbors - we have decided to get moving on selling our house and buying something bigger.

So - last weekend was spent purging and cleaning. Our real estate agent walked through the house this morning, but she had laryngitis, so said she would take notes and then call when she can talk again. We know there are a bunch of cosmetic things - like painting - we need to do to get ready. I get overwhelmed just thinking about it.

Did I mention I hate moving? Kevin and I have been married for 12 years. We’ve been in this house for seven of them. The first five years of our marriage, we moved six times. I’m not looking forward to doing it again.

I am leading worship this Saturday for a women’s mini-retreat at our old church. The leader of their women’s ministry department is a good friend, and she doesn’t seem to care what the pastor thinks, because she asked me to come back and lead worship at their overnighter last year, too. I am excited and nervous - I haven’t gotten involved with music at our new church, yet, so it’s been a while. I also still get sad because I miss the people at that church so much. It’s been a year and a half since we left, and we still don’t feel plugged-in at our new church. Of course, it took a year just to find it.

I have a new freelance writing gig writing for a new general content site at Catalogs.com. It’s fun and keeping me busy. For one of this week’s assignments, I’m supposed to write an article on the basic rules of American football - which I love - and keep it to 600 to 800 words. I’m finding this next to impossible. When you try to explain it, it’s really a complicated game!

I finished listening to Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult on audiobook. It’s a fantastic book. 4 stars. It would’ve been five, but sometimes she gets a little carried away with her metaphors so that you end up getting pulled out of the story and thinking, ‘That was an odd way to put it.’ For instance, instead of a couple making their way through a crowded room, they “embroidered” their way through. Because this was a fast-moving novel about a school shooting, I didn’t like being distracted from the story. The story itself, however, was very thought-provoking, and made me remember all the horrible things about high school and how awful kids can be to each other. This is the second Picoult book I’ve read - the first was My Sister’s Keeper, and it was excellent, too. I’ll be looking for more of hers. I also loved the woman who narrated the book; it was the same actress who narrated the audiobook version of Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen. She has a great voice for modern novels.

I’m taking a break from Kristin Lavransdatter. Part two is not holding my attention as much as part one did. It’s still very good, but it’s longer and there is more political information about Norway and Sweden and it bogs down occasionally. I put it aside and picked up Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout, which is very good so far.

Kevin and I have been watching the first season of Jericho on DVD and it’s intriguing. Look for a review soon.

Hmmm, what else? Oh, I love, love, loved watching the Seahawks trounce the 49ers on Sunday. They beat us twice last year, so this felt like a vindication. 23 to 3 - woo hoo! The ‘Hawks play Pittsburgh this Sunday, their opponents from the Super Bowl two years ago, when the officials made such lousy calls. Grrrr.

Anyone else watching the new season of House? What do you think of his method for finding replacements for Chase, Cameron, and Foreman? I miss those characters, but I like that there is more time for House to interact with Wilson.

Bones and Heroes have both been good, too - although the scene where Claire snips her baby toe off pretty much grossed me out. We also enjoyed the premiere of the new series Life with Damian Lewis and Adam Arkin.

The kids started their weekly class today. This year it’s a computer lab instead of science lab. They will learn some basic programming and graphic applications. Josiah joined them for the first time today - he was nervous, but he ended up loving it.

Quick Josiah story: We were driving to run errands yesterday, listening to Natalie’s Superchick CD. The first song pretty much rocks, and I looked in the rear view window to see my five-year-old Josiah head-banging, both hands in the “hang loose” sign. When I laughed, he looked up and said, “Rock on, freaky bro!” I still have no idea where he got that.

Well, that’s how we’ve been. What’s going on with you?

1. A is for age: 34.

2. B is for beer of choice: Corona - but it’s been a long time since I had one. I’d rather have a glass of wine.

3. C is for career right now: Homeschooling mom

4. D is for your dog’s name: Don’t have one, don’t want one.

5. E is for essential item you use everyday: Computer

6. F is for favorite TV show at the moment: House

7. G is for favorite game: Cranium

8. H is for hometown: Sedro Woolley, Washington

9. I is for instruments you play: Piano

10. J is for favorite juice: Don’t have one.

11. K is for whose butt you’d like to kick: I’m more of a silent protest kind of person.

12. L is for last place you ate:13. M is for marriage: Married for 12 years so far.

14. N is for name: Carrie

15. O is for overnight hospital stays: Tonsils, two c-sections, gall bladder surgery, one night sleeping next to Noah when he was 15 months old and had the croup.

16. P is for people you were with today: My family.

17. Q is for favorite quote: The one by Erasmus about buying books. Can’t think of it word for word.

18. R is for Biggest Regret: Not something I want to post on the internet.

19. S is for status: Sitting on the couch, using the laptop. Kids asking me how long until I’ll take them swimming.

20. T is for time up woke up today: 8 a.m. I love Saturdays!

21. U is for underwear you have on now: White

22. V is for vegetable you love: Steamed cauliflower

23. W is for worst habit: Worrying

24. X is for x-rays you’ve had: Ankle

25. Y is for yummy food you ate today: Waffles

26. Z is for the zodiac sign: Scorpio

Hat tip: Kev

For those of you who haven’t been reading Mommy Brain since the beginning or would like to know more about me, I have re-written my about page and added more information about myself, my family, and who we are.

Thank you for all your kind comments about my short break. The week was wonderful, and went by so fast. As I drove away from Mom and Dad’s house last night with tears in my eyes, I was praying that it won’t be another two years before I see Andrea again. The kids all had so much fun playing together. I wish they were closer!

And our week was also poignant with the knowledge that next June, my youngest sister Marni and her family will be moving to St. Louis so her husband can attend seminary. Since Marni is in Coeur d’Alene - only 2 1/2 hours away - we usually see each other every couple of months or so. Her Peter is six weeks younger than my Josiah - they’re both 5 - and they love each other! I am happy for them that Hans will be fulfilling his dream of attending seminary, but St. Louis is a long way from here.

I received four boxes of school supplies and paper and curriculum and craft supplies yesterday - two from Office Depot, two from Rainbow Resource. Just in time - we start back to school on the 27th. So my next week will be full of planning and sorting and the kids oohing and ahing over new books. Even Jonathan, my most reluctant learner, said, “Can we start tomorrow?” when he saw all those shiny new books.

I have a ton of links saved to share with you - I may get to those later today, I may not. We’ll see! Hope you’re all having a terrific weekend.

I saw this meme at Lawanda’s a while ago, and I’ve been saving it until I had time to do it right.

1. Who was your best friend?
Fran Leanos, Jennifer Jones, Tobi Gaddis

2. Did you play any sports?
Not unless you count our family croquet games on the 4th of July.

3. What kind of car did you drive?
Either my parents huge green station wagon, or a dark blue Plymouth Scamp. I drove the Scamp in college, too, and my friend’s boyfriend had a Dodge Dart of the same year. Those two cars are made by the same manufacturer. Anyway, he figured out that his keys would open and start my car, so he thought it was funny to come on campus while I was in class and move my car from the east parking lot to the west parking lot, or vice versa.

4. It’s Friday night. Where were you?
Probably babysitting or at a movie.

5. Were you a party animal?
No - though I did enjoy cast parties after opening night. But I didn’t really do any drinking in high school.

6. Were you considered a flirt?
Maybe a little bit - but only with guys I knew really well.

7. Were you in the band, orchestra or choir?
Concert choir and jazz choir.

8. Were you a nerd?
Yep. Got really good grades, wore glasses, sang in choir, was in drama and French club - the whole nine yards.

9. Were you ever suspended or expelled?
I got in-school suspension once for the only time I ever skipped school. Had to spend the whole school day in this basement room where the walls were painted the color of split pea soup.

10. Can you sing the fight song?
Not anymore.

11. Who was your favorite teacher?
Mr. Mathews, my choir teacher was number one favorite for being a great teacher and wonderful person. Mr. Jury, my lit teacher for expanding my literature horizons. Mr. Heuterman, my US and world history teacher, for making history interesting.

12. What was your school mascot?
A bear cub.

13. Did you go to the Prom?
No. Our church had a “prom alternative” where we dressed up and went out to dinner at a nice restaurant. Our church at the time was just a tad legalistic about things like dancing.

14. If you could go back, would you?
Not for a million dollars.

15. What do you remember most about graduation?
That it was long and hot. Singing “Lean On Me” with two friends.

16. Where were you on Senior Skip Day?
We didn’t have one. Our principal made an announcement that anyone who participated in a group skip day would not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

17. Did you have a job your senior year?
Yes, I worked afternoons at a financial planner’s office, answering phones and doing filing.

18. Where did you go most often for lunch?
We had a closed campus, so I ate lunch at school.

19. Have you gained weight since then?
Um, yes.

20. What did you do after graduation?
I don’t remember - how sad is that! I’m sure it was something with my family.

21. What year did you graduate?
1990

22. Who was your Senior Prom Date?
Didn’t go.

23. Are you going/did you go to your 10 year reunion?
I didn’t go. The schedule they sent involved meeting at a sports bar, a beergarten, and a BYOB barbecue. Now, I love a glass of red wine - especially with dark chocolate - but I remember what many of the people I graduated with were like in high school, and that itinerary was just an indication that not much had changed. Not my type of party.

Wow - that one brought back memories! Let me know if you play along.

I saw this at Andrea’s and decided it would be fun.

Here are the questions Andrea asked me:

1. If you wrote a book, what would it be called and what would it be about?

If I ever do put enough words down on paper to be a book, it would be a novel, but apart from that I don’t know. I have several ideas, but none of them fleshed out enough to be a book.

2. I’m coming over for dinner; whatcha makin’?

I’m not! Kevin will grill hamburgers, I’ll have a potato salad in the fridge that I made yesterday, and I’ll serve lots of chips and cold drinks. That way we can just gab and gab while Kevin does the cooking!

3. Are you going to do the prom thing for your homeschooled kids?

Wow - I haven’t even considered that! Since Natalie’s only in 5th grade, I have a while to think about it. Prom was never a big deal to me when I was in school, so who knows?

4. What do you wish your middle name was?

Actually, I’ve come to like my middle name, now that I don’t have grade-school aged friends who make fun of it!

5. If I ever do meet you (someday, I’m prayin’) what will I find most surprising?

How sarcastic I can be - that’s why I know we will get along so well!

Okay, here’s how this meme works:

The Rules of the Meme:

1. Leave me a comment saying anything random, like [the food you hate most in all the world]. Something random. Whatever you like.
2. I respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
3. You will update your [blog] with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be asked, you will ask them five questions.

So, if you want to play along, leave me a random comment!

Sallie at A Gracious Home has created this fun meme:

Apple Jacks or Captain Crunch with Crunch Berries?
Crunch Berries!

Band or Choir?
Choir.

Class Ring?
No.

Ducks or Battleships?
I mostly took showers. If I took a bath, it was to relax and read.

Earning Money?
Lots and lots of babysitting. The summer between my junior and senior year I worked doing filing and answering phones at a financial planner’s office. I continued to work for him my senior year after school.

Favorite Teacher?
Mr. Mathews, my choir teacher

Go Back and Do Over?
I didn’t have that great of a school experience, so no, thank you!

Home Economics?
I took home ec in junior high - hated the sewing, but enjoyed the cooking.

Indoor Recess?
I don’t remember this.

Jacks or Jump Rope?
I loved playing jacks!

Kickball or Dodgeball?
Neither - I hated both.

Lunchbox?
Brown bag.

Musical?
We didn’t do any musicals in high school. We did The Pink Panther Strikes Again and it had one memorable song. A guy I had “gone out with” in junior high and ended up dating again in college lip-synched “Mr. Sandman” in drag. In college, I was involved in a musical radio play of The Water Engine, sang and danced in Once Upon a Mattress, and sang in Anything Goes.

Number of School Districts?
One.

Orange or Apple?
Apples, unless the orange is a satsuma.

Playground Equipment?
Swings.

Quiz Team or Debate?
Neither.

Recess?
Foursquare or teatherball.

Spring Break?
Our three family vacations all had the same destination: Victoria, B.C. I can’t remember if they ever fell on Spring Break, though.

Team Sports?
Nope.

Unfulfilled Dream?
To have a book published.

Valuable?
Friendships that still exist, although only by mail. Great memories of choir and drama.

Walk or Bus?
Both at different times. I also rode my bike.

X Country or Basketball?
Neither.

Year?
My sophomore year. I played Miss Brooks in “Our Miss Brooks.” So much fun.

Zzzzzz’s?
Any science or math class.

If you decide to play along, let me know! Also, Sallie has a Mr. Linky up at her site for this meme.

Today’s the day - the sun is shining, the tank is clean…

Actually, the house is only moderately clean, which is what makes a party held on the internet such a great idea! My blog always looks nice - thanks to Ron and Andrea, the wonderful folks who run Homeschool Journal - so I don’t have to do any last-minute clean-ups like I would if you were actually coming to my house.

So, what makes a great party? Music, food, conversation, right? As I was pondering what to write for my “party post,” I realized that the kinds of parties I enjoy really demonstrate that I have a split - or multiple - personality. And I know my blog readers are all of various tastes and persuasions. So I decided to have party “stations” - kind of like kindergarten for grownups. (I will also try not to begin any more sentences with “and” or “so”.)

Football blow-out!

At our first stop, you will find a table laden with Pepsi, tortilla chips and guacamole, seven-layer dip, hot wings and all those really unhealthy fun finger foods.

We can watch my tape of the Super Bowl, talk about the Seahawks season, and I might even let you dish on your team of choice.

Music will be all-American faves such as Toby Keith, Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson.

Friends and Family Game Night

Next stop, game night. The table will be covered with potluck dishes - so whatever you feel like bringing! We’ll play Cranium, Family Fun, Pictionary, and Outburst. The kids can join in or run around in the basement or overdose on GameBoy. No music - there’s so much noise and laughter we wouldn’t be able to hear it!

Book Club Soiree

Things quiet down some at this station. We’ve got bread and cheese and good wine. The CD player is set to rotate Josh Groban, Kate Rusby, and George Winston. And we’ll talk about books, books, books, books, and more books.

Girls’ Night Out

Food of choice: Chocolate, of course! We could watch (and sigh over) Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy or Hugh Jackman in - well anything! - and then gab the night away.

Play Date

Coffee (or tea) and delicious scones - graciously provided by my friend, Michelle, because I’m not much of a baker. We’ll watch and listen to the kids play while we talk about homeschooling, our faith, church, and anything and everything that comes to mind. For music, hmmm… how about Chris Rice, Casting Crowns, and Jeremy Camp.

Now, if I did things right, all of the above links should take you to previous posts in my blog that will give you an idea of what my blog is all about, and what I’m like. I hope you enjoyed the party!

If you want to participate in The Ultimate Blog Party, click on over to 5 Minutes for Mom. Janice and Susan are graciously hosting this week-long blog-extravaganza! You’ll find details on winning prizes, and a long list of other blog party participants for you to visit and get to know. Have fun!

Thank you for all the encouraging comments. I appreciate you all so much. I am blessed by the friends I’ve found through blogging - something I never anticipated.

I’ve been doing some more thinking - and writing - about what I’m feeling lately and I’ve had a “well, DUH!” moment. Here’s what has happened since January:

~We left our church of nine years.

~I had a major health crisis stemming from an allergic reaction to an antibiotic, which has left me with some sort of anxiety/adrenaline problem that hasn’t completely resolved.

~Someone that I considered one of my best friends has pretty much let the friendship die since we left that church. I’ve made an effort to get together and stay in touch, but she’s too busy and the phone calls are never returned.

~My parents moved out of Colville. Yes, it’s only to Chewelah, which is 30 minutes away, but it still has made a difference. Now that Mom is pastoring a church, they are extremely busy. I was used to dropping by (or vice versa) a couple times a week for short chats. Now I’m lucky if I see them every couple of weeks or so.

~I stopped leading worship and singing in church after years of being involved in that ministry.

So, well, duh - no wonder I’m sad! I HATE change. I like stability and sameness, and we have had one change after another.

After talking some things through with Kevin tonight, I also realize that I’m dealing with anger. I thought I had forgiven the pastor of our old church, but I’m beginning to see that forgiveness is an ongoing process, not a one-time thing. When I think about nine years invested in a church body: the hours of board meetings and worship committee meetings and choir and worship practices and Bible studies - and then think about the fact that now we’re having to start over, it makes me mad! And I know that is a completely selfish way of looking at things. The church gave us so much over those nine years: people who loved our kids and ministered to them in the nursery and Sunday School, people who loved us and prayed for us, a family. And I am grateful that we had all of those things - but it is so hard to know that it is over.

The other thing I realized is that I am lacking in patience. Settling in to a new church is going to take time. I can’t expect Sunday mornings to feel the same way they did at our old church. It will be “work” for a while - an effort to make friends and get involved. I just need to be patient and let God - and time - work.

So that’s where I am now - waiting. I’m also planning on finding a few hours to myself in the next few days to have a good, long cry. I’m smart enough to know that pushing the tears back all the time is not very healthy. And I also know that pints of ice cream and bags of Cheetos aren’t going to make things any easier. They might make me feel better for a short moment, but in the long run they make things worse.

Now if I can just remember that next time I’m grocery shopping.