The Grad

Julia's pre-K graduation ceremony was so cute; they sang songs, got their diploma then hosted a reception in their classroom. It was great.

Memorial Day

National Cemetery in Grafton, WV
for US veterans, Jason's papaw is buried there, visited today.

Traci & Alec before we went to the YMCA for "pool party and movie"
Benton as catcher (he kept calling himself the umpire) at opening baseball game.
Laura before her dance recital "Sesame Street"
Spencer knows how to drive the ATV and without a license too! Took me on a guided tour of the neighborhood through the woods, stopping to visit neighbors and their chicks, look at catfish in a pond, many woodsy sights. It was fun.

Laura--Little House on the Prarie

Pioneer dress, pantaloons (she calls them panty hose), bonnet and apron I made for Laura.

Friday: Personal improvement day

Sparkly toes and french manicure.

Saturday: green-"Being together day--plan special family outing/gathering, include everyone."
Sunday: white-Feeding your soul day-read good books, attend church meetings & glean everything possible from each person you talk with or listen to."

Thursday: Learn all you can day

Learned the value of some of my knives and guns.
Took a new route to work, researched some ongoing projects, learned how much it costs to hire lawn care for the summer.

Friday is pink "personal improvement day". "Take time to discover that neglected perfume or a new hairstyle; freshen or refurbish an old outfit. Teach your children the joy of taking time for personal grooming & development. Teach them about skin, hair & nail care as you groom yourself."

Wednesday "Create something exciting day"

Amy is hosting a webkinz party for out kinz-pets. "Two of these things don't belong together" Can you guess which ones? Galeena plays with the webkinz while I am at work. Now I'm going to finish sewing Laura's pioneer dress.

Thursday is "Learn all you can day" "New, thrilling ideas are everywhere, waiting to be grasped. Re-explore books, visit the planetarium, zoo or art gallery & delight in everything you see & read." My plan: a guitar lesson with Mark DeQuasie. Can't wait.

Tuesday: Warm thoughts & actions day

Well the picture is a bit misleading but the thought is the same: I filled a basket for a friend who was struck by a truck while walking her dog but is home now in a back brace. I loaned her a book, gave her a mini-loaf of my lemon poppy seed bread, some candy, lavender hand lotion and get well card. I dropped it off on my way home from work and we chatted for an hour.
I'm also writing a couple of congrat and sympathy cards to mail out tomorrow.

Wednesday is Red "Create something exciting day" "Prepare an innovative, fun dinner or unusual after-school treats or a surprise for the whole family. Let your children & husband know that you can also be fascinating. Do something ordinary in an extraordinary way. Life is as interesting as you decide to make it."

Monday: yellow-Love your home day

Daisies I picked while on a walk this evening. Also planted spiderwort, several herbs in my garden, cleaned the kitchen and hung up a spice rack. I do love living here on the river.

Tuesday is warm orange "Warm thoughts & actions day" Do everything with kindness, patience and understanding.

Rainbow Week

From the book "Take time to smell the dandelions" by Karla C.Erickson. When the girls were little, we used to have "Rainbow Week" occasionally to change the routine and add spice. It is a suggestion the author uses to keep negative thoughts at bay. Each day has a color and a project with a purpose.
Amy & Mary are joining me this week. Anyone else want to try? Monday is bright yellow--"Love your home day". "Devote your time and energy to creating something which reflects the love you feel for your home. Even if the project is nothing more than fresh flowers from the garden creatively arranged, savor each moment. Yellow is a cheerful color. Fill your project with that feeling."
Check tomorrow to see our projects.

Mother-daughter luncheon

At Mom's church the theme was "buttons". Very interesting. Good eats.

Linus Project

Sister missionaries helping make Linus Project quilts. Including 2 mom made, this makes 5 done and 2 in process.

Gardening

My lettuce patch:

Oasis also tomatoes.
Fairy toadstools?
Lots of yard work and gardening to be done this time of the year but that's what I love (except got a bad case of poison ivy two weeks straight). My mower and weed whacker are both broke which creates a bit of hardship.

Mother's Day

Flowers from Mary:
Flowers from Katie:
Fruity apron from Bec:
Wow, what a great mother's day. Phone calls and messages from all my girls. I'm so lucky.

for Sam

"Jungle Fun" quiet-style book for Sam. He has his arm in a cast he calls it his "robot arm". This will keep him occupied. It'll fold up accordian-style.
"

Quilt

Bruce's "Home Sweet Home" quilt
Bruce loves the quilt I made for him out of homespuns. He said it'll be just the right size for snuggling up with the kids to watch a movie.

Quotes Mom's Day

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to these questions:

How did God make mothers?
-He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
-Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

Why did God give you your mother & not some other mom?
-We're related.
-God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?
-My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
-I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

What's the difference between moms and dads?
-Moms have magic-they make you feel better without medicine.
-Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you gots to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
-On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
-Diet. You know, her hair-- I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
-She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
-I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

May Day

Dawn on the river. Feng shui wisdom says if you wash your face at dawn on May Day from the dew of flowers, plants and grasses then everyone who looks on you only sees beauty and youth. That is my secret.

Oh I Love a Rainy Night

Julia, Amy, my hands

Julia is all decked out for April showers.

Here Kitty Kitty quilt

Galeena loves the kitty giant pillow.

Julia & grandma
Julia has a fun time with the kitty print blocks in her raggedy lap robe. We play "I Spy" looking for green kitties, kitties with hats and things like that. It has flannel on the back for softness. I had enough blocks leftover to make a giant pillow for TV viewing especially for kid company but Galeena thinks it is hers and has taken it over.