No, this is not our garage...

it belongs to the neighbors I dislike so! Yes! Yes, that is poop. And yes that is where the dogs stay sometimes during the heat of the day. I know this because they bark at me when I take Rosie out to get the mail. Needless to say, this is only ONE of the reasons I dislike these people. But we think its enough. Click on the pic if you want to see it more clearly.

Dinner...

or the lack of! For dinner tonight, I fixed John's favorite peas with pearl onions, rice and Parmesan chicken. I timed it perfectly too. When John arrived home there was three minutes left on the, so I had time to set the table, pour drinks and put the other food on the table. There I was, with John standing next to me talking to me and Chloe eagerly awaiting the chicken, taking the chicken out of the oven. I set it down on the stove top and.....

I have no clue what happened. We were all amazed!

A peak into Jesse and Chloe's world...

with all the excitement that comes with it.

This morning in class Jesse was checking her pretest for Spelling when she says, "I missed 'cancel'!" Chloe sitting next to her says, "It's C-A-N-C-E-L." Jesse looks at me then exclaims, "I'm NOT smarter than a first grader!" It was too funny...you should have been there! Side note: the other day Jesse was playing her new CD game "Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader" and she won one million dollars! If only it had been real money.

Chloe on the other hand has had a pretty calm day. She now has a new fixation: sarcophagus. She has been studying ancient Egypt in history for the past few weeks and this seems to be her favorite part. I believe she just likes saying the word, but anything that makes her want to learn more! Yesterday at the library she got the Magic Tree House book, "Mummies in the Morning". I'm not going to complain at least she likes history...for now.

Happy Birthday Morgan!!!!

We hope you had a great birthday! We hope you had the chance to do something great for your 12th birthday!

How quickly things change...

don't blink! Well, I shouldn't have blinked. John called me yesterday afternoon while I was driving to TKD. He informed me he now has a new job. Yep, a new position. No, there is no promotion. I think he was sideswiped by it more than I was. Usually, they hear rumors for weeks on end about things going on or going to happen but there was nothing this time. Even his Commander and First Sergeant were taken off guard. The Sergeant Major of the state of SC made this decision (at least that how we think it came down). He is suppose to be in his new position by the end of September. I believe (and he can correct me if I'm wrong) he will be processing all the promotions for the entire state. We'll see how it goes.

So, I get to TKD and have all of that in my head. I am facing the wall putting our things down and turn to see Master Mike next to me handing me a red jacket and training book. For those who don't know, MM has been talking to me most of this year about becoming an
'instructor in training". As of this coming Tuesday, I will be in the red jacket learning how to teach TKD. I'm not sure how I feel about this one either. I usually sit on the side lines and tell the white and yellow belts what to do to fix something. Or MM gets me out on the floor to help with kicks. Lately, I've been helping a lot with the black belt recommendeds relearn all their forms (please don't think I remember all of them, that is why we have a book-but I don't understand it). I can also stand/sit up front during graduation. Really you don't do much. However, it is the warm-ups I'm worried about. I get wore out doing my own warm-up session, now I have to help lead another set. The good thing is Jesse and I will both be helping in the same class. The bad thing is Jesse and I will both be helping in the same class. She still looks to the side for help from me and now she won't be able to do that because I'll be out there with her.

Just when you get comfortable with the way things are, and have been, they suddenly change. I know there are a lot of changes going on right now with a lot of people, some are good and some are bad and some are just life. Change, I think, is what you make of it. John did very well. When his First Sergeant asked him how he felt about the move John told him it didn't matter what he felt because it wouldn't change the fact he was moving. No alarm or despair, just the realization there are some things beyond our control.

It's confirmed (self diagnosis)...

my nose is broken! I've been thinking since last Thursday's sparring that it was, but was not convinced. Sunday, while washing my face, I pressed down a bit instead of the barely touching it as I had been doing. Pain was instant, but not bad and still no swelling. Monday night John accidentally nicked my nose with is arm while trying to change the channel in our bedroom (you have to aim it just right). Last night was TKD and I took some ibuprofen before going; therefore, my nose felt fine. I guess I did not think what all the jumping, talking and everything else would do. This morning at 3:41am I knew...and it isn't all that pretty. I woke up in a lot of pain, so I finally got up to take something. While I was in the bathroom I looked at my nose. It has two puffy places on both sides of my nose and there is some purple now going from the bridge of my nose down under my eyes (left side is worse than the right). So, broken nose but I think it is more a hair-line fracture than a true break. I'm pretty sure if it was a true break I would have known last Thursday.

Yes, we are still here...

even with our crazy week. Just seems like when I think I am getting caught up, I just fall further behind.

I did have a great talk with Phoebe today. I do love to hear her voice on the other end of the phone, rather than reading her name attached to something on the computer! As always we discussed everything. For two people with differing opinions we sure find a lot to agree on! She told me a story I had heard years ago, but had not thought of in a while:

A man was standing in rising water when another man came up on a log and offered to share the log. The man standing in the water said, "No, the Lord will provide." The water was rising quickly but soon a another man came by with a raft and offered the first man a ride. Again he said, "No, the Lord will provide." The water was still rising as yet another man came by in a boat and offered the man a lift. Yet again he said, "No, the Lord will provide." Well, the man drowned. And when he got to heaven he asked God, "Why did you let me drown?" God replied, "I gave you three chances!"

Thought provoking, whether you pray or not.


Today, the family went on a journey. We set out across town to Rosewood Market (organic store). It reminded me of the "German/Japanese store" in Augusta. I have found an answer to one of my questions: Yes, you can buy non-genetically modified (GM) cornstarch. I bought some today. What we have decided to do is go totally organic on dairy and be very picky on other things. No, we are not giving up on all things (well, except yellow #5 and trying to stay away from GM things). As a matter of fact, I made cupcakes tonight and the girls, and John, were in heaven. Just so you know, the organic milk we have been drinking is excellent, it's fat-free but taste like whole milk! There are a lot of new things we are attempting around here but I think it will all be for the best.

As for the momma cat and her three kittens, the momma was here tonight but there were no kittens. They were all here this morning, so I'm not sure what happened; but I'm hoping they all make it back tomorrow. We'll just have to wait and see.

And now there are four...

yes, the momma cat came back today. But she brought three kittens this time. The newest kitten seems a little older than the others. He/She is almost twice as big as the other two and black and white instead of gray and black. I needed to go to Wal-mart for a couple of things so John wanted to pick up some kitty food. I wonder where exactly this is going to go.

Our home...

is our sactuary. I'd like to think so anyway. Home should be a place where the heart and mind feel peaceful and at ease. When you look around you realize you are surrounded by all the people you love and who love you. When I look around our home I see things that remind me of people who I have loved and no longer here. A rocking chair that belonged to my grandparents. My grandfather's American flag from his funeral. Pictures of those loved and lost. These things make me sad and happy. I am sad our loved ones are gone, but so joyful that I have possession of items that make me think of them daily.


I spent some time out on our front porch today. A place I have not lingered very long recently because of the heat. Today felt different. Today it said, "Sit a spell and take a load off." I did. I could faintly hear the goings on inside the house but all-in-all it was quiet. I sat watching birds gliding by in front of our home. A baby lizard came out of it's hiding place from somewhere on the porch. Today, our front porch was my sanctuary. A place to reflect and ponder the questions of the day. To reconnect with myself quietly and dutifully. It actually became the place I had imagined two years ago as we started building this home. A place for quiet thought. A place to soothe my soul when it felt the need the most. A day of emotional turmoil and frustration. But somehow our porch with it's wonderful rocking chairs seem to erase some of it.


I was reminded of my Grandfather's farm and the rocking chairs on the front porch. I went there often to escape the turmoil of twelve grandchildren in the house. There in the room where the front door was, I don't know what they called that room because it seemed more of a pass through than a room but too large to be called a foyer, another rocking chair I would escape too when outside was not an option. That is the rocking chair I now have. I suppose most of my life when I have searched out a quiet spot there has always been a rocking chair involved...maybe I should put one in the living room.

Our Friday night visitors...

Do you remember the cat that came by a few months ago? Well, she came back last night. She came back with two adorable little kittens.
Of course John, with his big heart, immediately went to the refrigerator to find them something to eat and gave them water. The girls sat in our bedroom watching them out our French door for quite awhile...until Rosie became very frustrated with the lack of attention.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist...

I'm really not.

I have just started (and almost finished) "The Unhealthy Truth: How Our Food Is Making Us Sick-And What We Can Do About It" by Robyn O'Brien. I saw her a few weeks ago on GMA and wanted to see more about her healthier approach to eating. This is something I've been slowly working on the past year for our own home. And while there are some things we are terrible at letting go (Dt. Mt. Dew for instance) there are some things that went and no one noticed. So I thought this book would help me a lot on the journey I had already started. Well. Just let me tell you this, if you get paranoid easily don't read it. On the other hand if you have some difficulty (medical or behavioral) with your children, may I suggest you read this. Even if you don't believe everything in the book (it is all backed up by outside info) you may at least find something that you can take away. Maybe it's "Marsha has lost her mind!" At least it would be something.

I spent most of our lunch telling John everything I've read so far. I don't quite understand all the science but I do get the gist...genetic food is out there and you are eating/drinking it when you don't have a clue you are doing it.

Yes, I heard about genetically engineered food long ago like the rest of us. However, in my little world where I am queen I thought that I would be given a choice when this stuff hit the market. I know the substitute sweetener I use is one of them but I don't let my girls have much of it because as my doctor told me they don't know if it is good or bad. So, I've been limiting it. Little did I know the milk we've been drinking contains some things you probably don't want to know about.

The circle she draws (using other people's research) is amazing. The circle between pharmaceutical companies and the FDA is not right. What bothers me the most is that these chemicals that they are feeding us have been outlawed/banned in most of the other countries of the world. Did you know Kraft makes one mac and cheese for us and another to sell outside the US? All because of Yellow#5.

So, where does all this put me and the journey I've been working toward with my own family? It puts me behind. Yes, I'll start buying organic whenever I can, especially milk based products (milk, yogurt, cheese). But I am also going to start fixing most things from scratch. Yes, for me the slow cook it will take me hours to prepare a meal, but I'm hoping it will contain fewer antibiotics and other things we certainly don't need to add to our diets.

Story of the World I and II...

together. I have to admit that even I was a bit skeptical about doing two different Story of the Worlds at the same time. However, it has really gone quite smoothly. Yes, have way too many history binders because of it but they are color coded and so far I have not gotten confused (go figure!). I believe the girls are enjoying doing their own thing. They can not compare themselves with the other, which for Chloe being in first and Jesse in third I believe is great thing. I just hope things keep going they way they have been. The only issue I have is that Jesse is about to catch up with me and my notes (I am in chapter 7; she just started chapter 4). I need to work harder. LOL

Fun with food coloring...

yes, we have had lots of fun with our first two experiments in Chemistry. So far, Jesse loves Chemistry. Thank you universe! The experiments in the books we have are very easy; but with them comes some writing of what we did and what happened. Then if there is a new word it requires a definition from one of the three chem reference books we now have. I have to admit that I was a little worried about how it would go, but so far it is going very smoothly. I just hope it stays that way.

Pics from Friday's Graduation...

Chloe practicing before graduation.

The three of us after graduation.

Jesse turns 8!

Can you believe it? Jesse is eight years old! My parents came down today for Jesse's birthday, with them came gifts (again for both girls), vanilla cake (with pudding!), apple pie, stuffed cabbage (yes, the girls LOVED it), and. Oh! And tomato pie! Mmmm. I am so full!

Of course, Jesse had to open her present from Chloe early this morning...sound familiar?

The girls had a blast today. Chloe even had Grandpa playing "Morgan's Bistro". If you remember a few months ago they created their own menu for Morgan's Bistro and it still one of their favorite things to play. Grandma and the girls were upstairs for quite awhile today playing all kinds of things, until Grandma had to take a nap at the classroom table. She asked Jesse why there was not a place to take a nap up there. Too funny.

John had to work, but did get home in time to see my parents before they left. And of course the first thing he did was dive into the tomato pie. See. We were made for each other.

Of course, there were plenty of presents. Jesse got five new t-shirts and a new outfit. Chloe received another outfit (still in the fish theme). There was yet another present for both of them...a pottery wheel. They have been begging all afternoon to do it when John got home so we'll see what happens.

Fish go and fish come...

I haven't posted this, but both of our remaining fish died this week. One passed on Tuesday and the other on Thursday. Chloe was crushed. I told her that for fish I thought they lived a very long life (we got them April '08). John wasn't sure if he wanted more or not. Chloe won out, again, and we took the girls out tonight to get new fish. Five! Yes, we now have five new "gold" fish. I say "gold" because only one is all "gold". One is white with an orange spot on top of his head. He/she will be mine and John's because the girls were arguing over who got that one; it's name is George (I named it). Chloe's are the all gold one and one that is almost all black, with orange across its stomach. Jesse has one orange one with a black Mohawk going all the way down it's top side and one that looks silver. I just hope these fish live as long as the last ones did.

Chloe's First Mid-Term...

and what a night it was. Chloe had her first mid-term as a 1st Degree Black Belt last night. She did a great job. She did get a bit annoyed with Master Mike because when he was handing out certificates and belts he forgot her; she did speak up when he asked if he had forgotten anyone, but the damage had been done. John decided ice cream was in order, but she was still pouting a bit over it when we got home. She did a great job with her three board breaks and is using a new board now (green-yellow). I think she'll be breaking the green board before Jesse. Chloe shows no fear to the board and just plows through them.

Jesse and I were not mid-terming last night but we both sat at the desk with Master Mike. I think it is suppose to be an honor, but I'm not positive about that one. Jesse loves being up there. Because she is in the Jr. Instructor program she is there at all graduations unless she is graduating or mid-terming. It was my first time. He places students, with himself in the middle, by class rank to both his right and left. Who was ranked first (to his right) at the table last night? Jesse! She was very proud. She was actually the highest ranked student in the entire class (Brady was away). Who was the second (to his left) ranked highest student? sigh Me. Yep. Little ole me. Shocking isn't it?! Or scary?! I just can't choose.