How I Spent My Birthday........

Originally written the evening of April 25th......


So, Louise, my dear friend, whose love language is so obviously gifts..........she specializes in gifts that resemble acts of service.......called me this morning and told me to meet her at her house about 11:30-ish so I could follow her to our destination. She said for all of us to wear flip flops.....swim suits and to bring beach towels. With a high of only 61* expected.........she said 65*......I was a bit scared........but I obeyed.......and brought a sweatshirt, too!



So, we left the house........and on the way.........it was the start of........






........ a very good birding day! The kids said it was because it was my birthday.......and all of the birds came out for me, to celebrate.



First, we watched a Great Blue Heron soar and then land......but I did not get my camera out in time. Then, above you see the next bird. We think it was a kestral hawk. We saw it again......or another one later over the lake. On the way to the lake, we found the Snowy White Egret we discovered in the marsh the other day..........this is only the second time since we have lived here.....20 years.........that I have seen an egret in the area.





Not sure what bird this was.........I think it was the heron......Matthew took the picture.


So, we arrived at our hometown lake.........where we have not been since last September. Where it is often too cold to go to in April. It was a sunny day, and comfortable enough........but for that wind. The wind chill factor definitely brought our temp down. But, it was tolerable enough.....and Louise set out a delicious picnic............she remembers everything.......it is her way. There was pastrami, of course, and cheeses, other deli meat, two kinds of mustard, mayo, bakery bread, 4 or 5 kind of chips, a homemade pasta salad, sliced tomatoes, avocados, pickles, sodas, waters........and cookies, cupcakes & gummy bears!

While we ate, Miranda, Louise's daughter, almost 6 years old, and Malachy explored down by the water. We just shared conversation......and enjoyed having the entire beach to ourselves......it kind of felt like we were on a deserted island. :)






Garrett, Louise, Sarah, Malachy & Miss Miranda walked down to the lake.......to discover the driftwood treasures along the shore. Nice view, eh?







This is "our" lake.........the kids have grown up here........Malachy & Miranda have always known this lake......and will grow up here, too........and so will Miranda's little brother........who is due to join the family sometime at the end of July, early August.....hopefully before I need to take a road trip to San Francisco!




This was one of the uninvited guests at my birthday picnic........they were so well-behaved today! They never barged into our party. I am actually one of those people who enjoys gulls. We also saw cormorants flying over the lake several times..........and once, I think I saw a bald eagle......it sure looked like one..........but I am not sure they camp out near this area.

Maddelyn and Anne showed up a bit late......because Anne was not ready to leave when it was time to go and she needed her own car in order to get to her play on time. This was our picnic base. Sarah made the cake........it was chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.....my favorite!! The cake was oh-so good........so moist!! This is the best ever chocolate cake we have ever tried. It is our standard.........the one we always go back to.......and the one I have not left for a very long time. Mmmmmm.

******

Anne said Sarah wrote my name on the cake.......and then asked Anne how it looked. Apparently she had written C-a-r-i on the cake........Anne said: Who is Cari? I guess Sarah takes after me.........I am infamous in my family for my gigantic birthday banner for Tony which read: Happy Bithday!

I saw Matthew standing, with this background, and had to have it memorialized. It was a beautiful day..........and Matthew loves this mountain........his mountain.

















It was definitely a bit chilly when that wind came up.........even the boys, Matthew & Garrett took shelter in the beach towels.

















Sarah loves......I mean really loves Louise. She thinks Louise is one of her most favorite people in the whole world. She is one of mine, too.

















And, not sure if it was the last bird of the day.....but there was this lone sandpiper at the shore.......he was very busy. I just sat and watched him for a bit.


Oh, of course, we also saw Canadian Geese, Stellar Jays, swallows, Western Scrub Jays and pigeons. :)

The lake was painted with several different colors today.........can you see the subtle changes in colors in the above photo?

I know you can see the BIG volcano (it is actually two......both peaks are volcanoes)......do you see those two smaller bumps with snow to the right of the big mountain? That is where the ski park is located where the kids hang out all winter........as much as possible.........never enough!

I took this shot and then Malachy threw a rock near him and he got up and flew around us and overhead for about fve minutes. He was so fun to watch. It was as if he put on a show for us of all of his flying skills. Miranda and Malachy and I sure enjoyed his show!

Anne & Maddelyn told me that the florist called and said they had flowers for me. They said I could pick them up on my way home from the lake......this is what was waiting for me!

Aren't they sweet! They smell good, too! The card read:

I sure hope they are from my husband! :) He is out of town for four days............and is so not into presents or birthdays..........so, if it is him.....I AM surprised! :) I guess I will find out on Monday........

We got home..........and I meant to take a nap............but I ended up posting my daybook........and then organizing all of the photos off my camera so I could delete them.......and start fresh.

Eventually, someone asked what was for dinner........and I said I was too tired to cook. Garrett asked what I would make if I was not too tired............I told him I had some pork steaks in the fridge. He said, "If I were to make the steaks, what would I do first?" So, I told him..........and then when they were in the oven.......he cut up red potatoes and seasoned them and tossed them in olive oil.........two trays! Then he followed this with washing lettuce and preparing all of the veggie toppings for the salad. He prepared a salad bar. He made a lovely three-course meal..........ALL>BY>HIMSELF! And, he is only twelve!

I am so proud of him..........it was all delicious.

Then.........I ended the day by coming here.......and journaling my day.

Time to go to bed.........just in case I actually work tomorrow! (I didn't! phew!) Oh, my! It is almost midnight!

Love & Blessings!

Chari

MY HEARTS' HAVEN DAYBOOK 2009

Here is my daybook for Saturday, April 25, 2009




Outside My Window.......a sunny day, as promised by weather.com....I have been waiting as patiently as I could for this day.........sunshine! I just wish it was supposed to be warmer.......but I guess 61* will feel pretty warm after yesterday..........when it was 36* at 10am when I was driving to town..........and there was snow everywhere........all of the trees dusted all the way up to the top of the mountains.

All three weeks of April have had at least one 70* or plus day......and at least one day with a dusting of snow. I can take the teasing..........though it is hard. I can stay hopeful........the calendar shows me that May and June are just around the corner. yes.

I am thinking........who "stole" my internet connection? I have checked everywhere........I am guessing Anne took it with her to Patty's house..........and forgot to bring it home......grrrrr. Everyone is still asleep........so I guess I will find out later.

Hmmm. I just checked her car and school bag.....nothing there. Patty's?

UPDATE: Turned out she had mistakenly left it at the college, sitting in the hallway.....phew! It was still there when she returned today. She is so lucky!

I am thankful for.............my friendship with Cindy. We went to a play last night at the college, at which Anne was the assistant director and propmaster...........and then she treated me to dessert at one of those old diners that has been around since the 1940's. It was nice to visit.........though I think I talked her ear off. :)

We ususally try to do "lunch" whenever both of us are at work at the same time. She is a hospice nurse........I help bring them in.........she helps them to go out. She is a wonderful person...........so I am guessing she is a wonderful nurse. :)

From the kitchen.........I know there is a naked chocolate cake in there..............and some pork steaks in the garage fridge........dinner will probably revolve around that.......as for breakfast............can't decide between a sprouted wheat bagel........or oatmeal.......something soon.....my tummy is growling.

I am wearing........Nevada-Reno Wolfpack socks from my dad.............to keep my feet warm.........some blue and white striped lounge pants handed down from Louise........a loose green shirt my dad bought me at The Gap.......loose and comfy

I am creating........hmmmm.........not sure.......will have to think longer on this......

YEAH, I wrote this last time........but sleepiness disallows the brain for creativity sometimes, ya know? I WANT to scrapbook.........

I am going...........to try to drive no where today........last week was one long day of busy-ness after another. Today is my break. I hope tomorrow is a break, too........I desperately need it. I am scheduled to work tomorrow...........and I pray they cut me because they don't need me. I am scheduled on Tuesday, too.......and I already know I will be working then. I am going to go take a hot bath with a hot cup of Irish Breakfast Tea........which I have not had for over a month.......avoiding caffeine due to my remedy.........and with Walden......though I am tempted to call Willa. Oh, I can't.......my phone just died.

Oh! Louise has called me and I am going to go to meet her at her house to go to "our destination" for a birthday outing.........I will let you know later!

I am reading.........I have finally finished "S.T.A.B.L.E.," a textbook for a STABLE class I have at the end of the month the topic being for post-resuscitation of the newborn and stabilization of the infant being transported. Stiil barely reading The Confessions of Saint Augustine. And almost through one essay in Walden; Or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau. Still reading The Wind in the Willows aloud to the boys.

And, I quickly read Child of the Jungle by Sabine Kuegler. This is the story of this woman's life..........her parents raised her and her siblings in a very remote jungle of Indonesia, as the first white people ever to interact with many of the inhabitants. I feel she wrote it well.........I enjoyed it. I just feel bad that her parents sent all three of them as mid-teens back into the "world" for education.......but had not really prepared them for it. Not only that, but teens need their parents just as toddlers need their parents..........and these teens had to fend for themselves. I think if their parents wanted them to get a Western education......they should have sacrificed a few years out of the jungle..........to care for their burgeoning young adults. A lot of heart ache could have been prevented.

I am hoping.............we can accomplish all required of us by June 4th.............when my calendar shows a bit of freedom. I may make a to-do list.....and, I would love to have warm days to accomplish these things. This busy-ness is why I am not going to be able to blog much.

I am hearing......hum of the computer and Garrett breathing as he stays warm in my bed..........and Doris Day songs.............yeah, I am a little different. :)

I am wondering.......if I have already lived half of my life............or if today is my half-way mark? I am 45 years old today...........and it feels kind of freaky knowing that the first 45 years ZIPPED by .......time is racing, racing.........what does God want me to do with the second half of my life? My grandma is going to be 88 years old in June. I want to be her age some day. And still scrapbooking??? :) My father-in-law is almost to 86 years old..........and still travels all over the country visiting his relatives and kids. I want to do that.

Around the house.......I am not in the same "I can clean the house up in 20 minutes" place I have been over the last few years. It has been a bit sloppy for the last few weeks.......is it months? And, I cannot take it anymore!

Now Showing..........I watched "What's Eating Gilbert Grape?" the other night.........when I should have been sleeping. Well-acted..........Leonardo Dicapprio was AMAZING portraying an 18 year old.........I think he was autistic.......but they never said....I think. There is one, er, two bad parts.....so I will not share it with the kids.......plus it was just plain depressing........

We have started the second disc of The Planet Earth, a BBC series from Discovery Channel. They spent over 25 million dollars making it.......and it shows. It is absolutely wonderful and amazing!!! See it if you can........we are getting ours from Netflix.

In the schoolroom.....and OUT of the schoolroom....Bach, squares & rectangles, multiplication, fractions, pi, circumference of a circle, decimals, copywork, grammar, spelling, baseball, piano, singing, American history, chicken egg development, picture books "starring" chickens, Saint stories, First Holy communion notebook and prep, play rehearsals, tee ball & baseball for the two little boys.............and more

One of my favorite things.........a yummy pastrami sandwich, mustard and pickles only..........from Johnny's Pastrami......where four generations of my family love, love, love to eat! I have mentioned it on my blog before........we try to go there the day before we go to Disneyland. You can see photos here.

Why is it on my mind? Well, Louise called this morning, and asked me "What else is on a Johnny's Pastrami sandwich besides pickles?" Now it is heavy on my mind...... :)

Signs of the seasons............my pear tree is blooming.......see weather above.......I have purple grape hyacinths and daffidils........the lawn is getting quite green........a few days last week without leggings or sweatshirts........little league.....

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...........hmmm....let's see.....

Monday-usual drive all over, from one town to another.......oh, piano is in the evening instead of afternoon.....tee ball game for Malachy

Tuesday-I work

Wednesday-I am taking a class all day.......little boys to Shawna's all day........rest of kids to college class and then to Patty's for math and whatever

Thursday-testing at the charter school for the kids (note......I do it for the charter school.........I do not ever teach to the test.......we do our own thing.period. ......the tests are meaningless to me.....and I teach the kids the same) -tee ball game for Malachy

Friday-Sarah goes to see the pediatric cardiologist in the morning and then the usual driving plus help Matthew work on set-building-take Maddelyn to see the concert band concert at the college

Saturday-take a college student from San Diego to see waterfalls and other natural history around here.......before he moves back home!

Sunday- Mass........rest!!!???

Special prayer requests on my mind this week.........that the homeopathic practioner can find the right remedy for me.......the last did not cure me............and private intentions.

St. Gerard's List..........Tonia, Suzanne, Louise, Victoria & Erica.....and we can add two of our nieces......both in New Hampshire: Clara due with #5 and Suzanne with #2. So strange to write that.........I knew both of them when they were babies!

I am currently scrapbooking..........June? Where are you??? I kind of thought I would scrapbook all day for my birthday........but I think that will not be. Maybe this afternoon???


I am exercising.........I think I only got on the treadmill once last week due to not being home all week long...........but, it went well! I should get three days in this week........

Here is picture thought I am sharing........

Malachy dressed up in Maddelyn's ballet recital costume when he was about 8 months old.....or is he 18 months old?










God bless!

Love,

Chari

My Hearts' Haven Daybook

This daybook was originally written on Wednesday, April 15......and could only be posted now......


Outside My Window.......looks like another week in a row of snow and freezing temperatures mixed with 70* days......glad the 70* are waiting for the weekend....can't wait. all that to say......it is freezing cold outside..........gray.......with a thick dusting of snow on the ground........and snow still spitting! BRRRRR.

I am thinking........I wish nitrates did not give me headaches. Marty could not find a nitrate-free ham this Easter. The ham he did buy was muy delicioso!! But....it hurts my head. :(

I am thankful for.............my husband doing the taxes every year and leaving me out of the project. :) SO INCREDIBLY thankful......

From the kitchen.........not sure what's for dinner.

I am wearing........a pink night gown with flower print.......and an old Nevada-Reno Wolfpack sweatshirt, to keep warm, of course.

I am creating........hmmmm.........not sure.......will have to think longer on this......

I am going...........to be a chauffeur, for the day, as usual......meet with Shelly, kids from math, kids to rehearsal, Garrett to and from baseball.......yadda yadda yadda....translated: ad nauseum :)

I am reading.........still: S.T.A.B.L.E., a textbook for a STABLE class I have at the end of the month the topic being for post-resuscitation of the newborn and stabilization of the infant being transported. Finished Those Who Love by Irving Stone. Also just finished an amazing and wonderful book: The Family and the Cross: The Stations of the Cross and Their Relation to Family Life by Joseph Breig. It is one of the BEST books I have ever read. I want to see if it has been republished......it is from 1958, I think. I have also re-started The Confessions of Saint Augustine........I am starting it over. And, I have just started Walden; Or Life in the Woods by Henry David Thoreau. Reading The Wind in the Willows aloud to the boys. A LOT of heavier stuff than usual..........wonder if I can keep it going on?

I am hoping.............it warms up very soon. I want my bones warmer. :) I just checked the ten day forecast........and it is supposed to be near 80* by next Sunday.........oh, Deo Gratias!!!!!

I am hearing......the chatter of six children in their morning routines...........

I am wondering.......if I should go get "something....anything" done

Around the house.......I got a kitchen counter and desk decluttered....AND, this is HUGE: ALL of the snow, ski, boarding gear put away for the rest of the year...AND the garage revamped...AND all of the games put away and re-organized. All of this took only an afternoon because it is one part of my life I have organized well.......and I work on it about every 8 weeks out of the year. to maintain it. It is nice when an organization system works. Too bad I cannot get the rest of the house in that same order.....my poor desk.....my poor husband.

Now Showing..........Kung Fu Panda, Planet Earth, disc one........old musicals like High Society, Oklahoma, etc, for the voice students' homework. Northanger Abbey for the girls and their friend.

In the schoolroom.....and OUT of the schoolroom....what I wrote last time pretty much sums it up: Bach, squares & rectangles, adding to ten, multiplication, fractions, decimals, German, violin, copywork, baseball, piano, singing, American history, chicken egg development, picture books "starring" chickens, Saint stories, First Holy communion notebook and prep, play rehearsals, skiing & boarding (last weekend was LAST day).............and more


One of my favorite things.........watching Matthew build a set for their upcoming play!

Signs of the seasons............minimal snow.....buds on trees........crocuses at the hospital......a few more flowers out this week.......baseball.....bird sounds ever increasing.....swallows diving all around my house.......a freshly roto-tilled garden......ahhhh

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week........opening day of baseball on Saturday.......support Matthew in set-building (drive him here and there...sit with him at the school while he works)...make college phone calls......Anne has an opening weekend for the college play she is co-directing and working as the propmaster for.......maybe go see the play......hang laundry out on the line for the first time this year.......collect learning samples for school......aid Maddelyn in a homework project or two.......go over Matthew's senior project plans......take four of us to the dentist for cleanings and only one filling.....maybe work one day.......study for my class.......attend a three hour meeting/class at work...plus the usual!

Special prayer requests on my mind this week.........for Thomas Aquinas College and the family of its president, Dr. Dillon, who recently died in a car accident.....for Emily and her family.....for a young girl I know.....for Matthew and his doings.......and private intentions.

St. Gerard's List..........Tonia, Suzanne, Louise, Victoria & Erica.....oh, and adding Mindy, someone in our homeschool group

I am currently scrapbooking..........I read a scrapbook magazine from Creative Memories. I am kind of bummed....just when they got the magazine to be really top rate....they go and decide to close the magazine. Boo hoo. There are so many ideas in this last issue.....that I am looking forward to experimenting with....now, to get through some crazy days and try to do some scrapbooking. I don't see how :(

I am exercising.........well, I started the week strong......two miles plus a day for three days....I am feeling stronger.......I know I have more stamina for my days.....I pray I can keep up......wonder if I can take a walk outside this weekend in the warmer weather?


Here is picture thought I am sharing........

well....I.....have tried twice and waited forever for three fotos to load...it is not working this morning...so que sera sera.....

Love, chari

A Happy & Holy Easter week to you!

HE IS RISEN!

HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Love, Chari

The Resurrection of Christ and the Women at the Tomb

Fra ANGELICO; 1440-41 fresco; convento di San Marco, Florence

What the heck is "pond skimming"?

Do you know?

(Originally written on Saturday night, last.)

Well, I had never heard of it. I am not sure where I was yesterday, but someone told me all about it....or was that Thursday???

So, today, when I took the kids to the ski park......and I bumped into my friend Laurie, who is a manager at the park........and she was dressed in weird 80's clothes.........and she said she was going to go try this "pond skimming," I just knew I had to go check it out.

I also noticed an RN from the hospital in the bathroom, dressing down, and getting ready to go try it.

And, then I saw Katie, who is the local homeschooled girl who went to Germany last year with the Rotary.....and someone I have known since she was four years old.......in line to join the fun........

I thought I would come home and see if there were any videos online....so I could share my experience.....as a spectator, that is...........and I found A LOT of video!

I guess this is a fun spring skiing thing to do. Brrrrr!

This first video is very similar to what our park had today......but our hill was a bit steeper.......and to get out at the end you had to actually lift yourself into the air a bit to get out. More tricky!

The first skier down today was one of the co-owners of the park. He biffed good! OUCH! I was thinking: this is dangerous........are there EMTs here???

But the rest did not eat it as bad as he did.

So, you need to know.......this is extremely cold water.......as in there were little icebergs floating in the water. We also had a diver just on the edge of the pool or in it.......to help folks out. I thought that was a very humane thing to do.

Watch and see what you think...........

What I noticed today was this......you were least likely to get across if....

• 
  
  you were female.......NO women got across today


• 
  
  you were young.....only ONE kid got across.....though one who missed the first time did make it the second


• 
  
  you were on skiis.......while some skiers did make it.....the boarders had better luck

And, OF COURSE, Garrett asked in all seriousness....if HE could try. Like, I don't think so.........remember you are recovering from a head injury???? Duh.

Don't tell him.......but, I just might let him try next year......shhhh. If they do it again. They do not do it every year....but everyone had so much fun.....I think they just might.

I also found this other video.....kind of funny.......or not. Depends on who you are.......my kids and I laughed. What does that tell you? :)

And, here is one more.......and it is not like we really need one more video.....but, about 19 seconds into this video.....is one of our favorite runs. Too funny! Oh, and the music is fun....one of my own....and the world's......favorite pieces of music!

Fun??? You wanna try?

I did not see Frances anywhere......but I think she and her family would have loved this........and I wished I had grabbed Abraham!

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

Love, chari

P.S. I am SO EXCITED that I finally figured out how to put a video up! Yes!

Well, it is not as if I had ever tried before. :)

But now.....I can put my favorite youtube video on here.........one I am sure you are all familiar with....but if you are not.....you hafta see it! Watch for next week........

Haven Heartbeats

So, just some random thoughts.........that is what the Haven Heartbeats stands for.....right?



I tried all week to post......but I never felt like writing. I had some fantasy of posting something profound daily for Holy Week. Maybe next year........



I had an opportunity to chat with my brother-in-law David a few evenings ago. He and his family used to live here, in our town, but up and moved to New Hampshire about 12.5 years ago. That was a sad day.



Anyway, he and his wife Christine, have ten children.......only four are still at home......hey, that will be like us next fall! I have two more St. Gerard prayer requests now. Two of our nieces, Clara and Suzanne, are expecting babies the same week......the last week of September. It will be 5th and 3rd respectively. They both live in New Hampshire, too



Yesterday morning we woke up to four inches of snow. Of course, it is all gone this morning....and the sun is currently rising today. We have had a week of dreary weather.......except for that gorgeous last Monday....when it hit 70*!



Today is supposed to be near 60*.......and I think the plan is to take the kids skiing/boarding for their last day of this season. I believe we are even going to be brave and let Garrett board today. And, Malachy gets to play a big kid and join them for the day, too. The last few outings the kids have been able to take him on the intermediate ski lift. That is cool.



I am longing for Spring......and for FREE days...to get things done around here. Oh, and the energy to do it, too, would be helpful. :)



Speaking of energy, using the treadmill as many days a week as possible (so far, four times a week) has definitely made a difference in my energy, even in spite of the fact that my latest sleeping, or lack of sleeping, issue has been for my body and mind to wake up between 4:30 and 6:30 am, never to fall back to sleep. That is why I am here this morning, all by myself......peace and quiet!

It is kind of funny.........how self-absorbed blog posts can be. I don't really want to talk about myself so much......but, I guess if I actually wrote hard copy letters to my friends and loved ones...it might look like this blog.

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

So, that is all I got written this morning, before the hordes awakened.......and we had to get up to the ski park.

***

It was a good day up there. I will write a post all about a specific experience I had up there today........and post it tomorrow.

***

Malachy got to go on more intermediate runs today............and then when his papa got up there..........they took him on some advanced runs. Marty says he can do the whole park now......just no "tree skiing." What?!!?? There's tree skiing up there????

***

I came home and wandered around aimlessly for awhile and finally we put a documentary on....and I crashed hard. Unfortunately I did not get a second wind......I am still dragging. I guess the Easter feast shall be totally prepared on Easter.

***

I checked out the ten day forecast a few minutes ago.............all of the rain has been mostly taken out of the equation.....and I see by next weekend........we will be near 70*! I told Marty he had better get my clothes line up before next weekend! I think my weekend is not very scheduled......past opening day for baseball season here.

***

Got to go see if I can do anything to salvage my time tonight.......it is only a little after nine!

*****

EASTER BLESSINGS

TO ALL OF YOU!!!!!

*****

<<<*>>>

Love, chari

MY HEARTS' HAVEN DAYBOOK 2009

Outside My Window.......quite a chilly day.......will dip into the 20's tonight. It is April, right? There was a good dusting of snow on the ground this morning....and it still spits snow, but none sticking.

I am thinking........I have SO MUCH TO DO TODAY! I better get going. I will write this off and on throughout the day...if I can manage it!

I am thankful for.............my friend Shawna......and her husband Jacob. Besides letting my little boys hang out at her house all day yesterday......and feeding them dinner while I got the oil changed in the car........it is a pleasure to talk with her......and I appreciate that when I inserted my foot into my mouth in a public display of forgetting to "think before I speak" they can laugh at me and with me.........and not take it all too seriously. And, I am very happy to have Jacob as a coach for Malachy's tee ball team.......and I love the way they both allow Garrett so much time practicing leadership skills........where, as the 5th child in my home he is not often allowed to exert that capability. Oh, and I appreciate that Shawna did not kick me out last night when it was getting late :)

From the kitchen.........still thinking on this.......tuna for lunch.......cheese pizza, homemade for dinner???

I am wearing........my treadmill clothes: a pair of pastel capris and a purple Curves shirt and my tennis shoes

I am creating........energy, with my exercising! Let's hope!

I am going...........to Davis tonight. Matthew, Marty and I will travel down to Davis for Matthew's outbound orientation with the Rotary Youth Exchange Program. Katie, who is my dear friend Sheila's daughter, will be traveling with us.........she went to Germany in the same program, and was Matthew's inspiration for getting himself out of the country :)

I am reading.........S.T.A.B.L.E., a textbook for a STABLE class I have at the end of the month (YES!!!! ANOTHER CLASS!!!) the topic being for post-resuscitation of the newborn and stabilization of the infant being transported. FUN. Actually, it has been about four years since I last took the class and there has been a lot of interesting research since then..........things seem more simplified. Also, just about finished with Those Who Love by Irving Stone. Finished The Phantom Tollbooth with the little boys.........and have started The Wind in the Willows aloud to the boys. I also read to them at night: Stories of Favorite Saints by Bertha C. Krall

I am hoping.............that the rhythm to our days will maintain and improve......a rhythm I have been aiming for since January!!!......and that we have a good, productive day tomorrow at the orientation.....and that the homeopathic remedy will cure these asthma symptoms........and that I can lose weight and get in better shape. There. I said it publicly. :)

I am hearing......the hum of a computer......that is all.

I am wondering.......if I should just post this as it before I go tonight.........so all of the tenses are right within my sentences.

Around the house.......slowly getting straightened up. I have a short term plan........and I hope the kids involved will put it into effect tomorrow!

Now Showing..........Travel movies from Netflix for Switzerland, Germany & Austria. A movie about Bach, for the little boys.

In the schoolroom.....and OUT of the schoolroom....Bach, squares & rectangles, multiplication, fractions, decimals, travel videos, copywork, baseball, piano, singing, American history, chicken egg development, picture books "starring" chickens, Saint stories, First Holy communion notebook and prep, play rehearsals, skiing & boarding.............and more

One of my favorite things.........a tuna melt!

Signs of the seasons............minimal snow.....buds on trees........crocuses at the hospital......spring skiing

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week...........too much to write now......but, it is Holy Week!

Special prayer requests on my mind this week.........travel prayers for the weekend.....and private intentions.

St. Gerard's List..........Tonia, Suzanne, Louise, Victoria & Erica

I am currently scrapbooking..........I just got an order of new paper and pages and an album and some tape refills.........I hope to scrapbook a week from Saturday. :) You know........all I want is a room to leave my scrapbook stuff out so I can do 0-30 minutes whenever I have time.............I think I will do leaver it out for the month of June........we'll see.

Oh! I almost forgot! I am getting some journaling done from the mid-eighties. That is a HUGE success! Scrapbookers everywhere are aware, eh?

I am exercising.........I am! FINALLY!!! Now, if it would warm up.....I would like to go walking outside.........can't go when it is cold.......it makes it hard to breathe.....and I couch for the rest of the day........ugh

Here is picture thought I am sharing........no time....gotta post now!

Love,

chari