KJ's summer trip - Days 1 and 2

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Well, he's gone. After several weeks of frantically getting KJ ready to leave for camp, I dropped him in Georgetown yesterday. There was a cook-out for families and an orientation that scared the parents half to death. After a 45 minute presentation on bear and moose safety (complete with graphic photos), I was ready to take my baby and run. We found out afterwards that they wanted to make sure the campers understood the seriousness of bear safety, AND that the parents were not scheduled to see the presentation. There was a last-minute schedule change so the parents got to sit through the orientation too. The campers were flying out this morning to Seattle, Washington where the Mountain Men bus is waiting for them. They will get to spend several hours at the Pike Street Market before heading out to Deception Pass State Park.

I probably won't hear from KJ more than a couple of times, if that much. One of the parents will be getting periodic updates from the camp director and letting the rest of us know what's been going on and where they are. I'll update the map as the campers travel.

I'm a Mazda Miata!

You like to soak up the sun, but your tastes are down to earth. Everyone thinks you're cute. Life is a winding road, and you like to take the curves in stride. Let other people compete in the rat race - you're just here to enjoy the ride.

Take the Which Sports Car Are You? quiz.

Thanks for the warm thoughts, everybody.

I'm still here, just busy getting KJ ready to leave for Alaska. Things are really okay here. I've just been in a mood lately...perimenopause sucks.

This story makes me sick. What kind of asshole teacher burns ANYTHING on a student? He should have been fired and then prosecuted just for that. Teaching intelligent design and purposely not teaching evolution is just gravy.

I had jury duty twice this week, once on Monday to find out where I would have to go and when, and then again on Wednesday to actually sit through the jury selection process for this trial. The defendant was pleading guilty. We were just going to have to decide the punishment. I was not picked, thank goodness. I don't think I could have looked at the photos without being physically ill. I figure the defense struck me off the list as soon as they found out I currently teach 2 through 5 year-olds. It's ironic that I've been registered to vote continuously since age 18 and have never once been summoned. NOW, with all that is going on...I get summoned.

By the way, the June 10 thing did not go as we hoped.

I don't think I've mentioned that our neighbor's dogs, our "foster" dogs, are about to be OUR dogs. The neighbors are moving and asked if they could leave Roscoe and Curly here. Of course, we said, "yes." Curly somehow hurt his leg a couple of weeks ago. After giving it 5 days to improve, I finally took him in to the vet. It is muscular so he is on an anti-inflamatory. So anyway, Sammie, Roscoe, and I went for a walk in the woods across the street this afternoon. Curly stayed behind so he could rest his leg. It was about 94 degrees today, but the wind was blowing hard so it was okay in the shade.

Come on, Mama. Let's go!


Wait for me, Roscoe.


There is a corn field behind the woods. There goes Roscoe...but where is Sammie?


It's shady in here, Mama.


I'm pretty sure this is the trail we want.


We need a rest stop.


Sammie ran ahead with Roscoe until we came to this.


You first, Mama.


Roscoe and I have both been on these trails dozens of times so we had a nice walk. This was Sammie's first time so HE had an adventure.

KJ's party Tuesday night was a blast! We all had a great time bowling and visiting. Though we had 25 people, I actually got so involved bowling that I only got a couple of pictures.

This was the cake.

This is Kelsey, KJ, and Savannah.

We have known the families who came to the party for 4-5 years. During this tough time, we have learned who our true friends are. Words cannot adequately express how much we appreciate and value their support. Thanks guys!

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After Sammie and his Freddie Kruger-like nails sliced me open again yesterday, I took him to the local groomer to have his nails filed. He was sooooo scared...poor baby. From the time we walked through the door until the time we left took a whopping 5 minutes, but Sammie shook the entire time. She sprayed him with some doggie cologne and tied a cute little neckerchief on him, before handing him back to me. He was so CUTE and smelled so gooood. Unfortunately, his cologne triggered a migraine (in me, not Sammie) so we both took a little nap when we got home.

On another Sammie note, he likes to toss sticks into the air when he is outside. Apparently, this is great fun, because he'll do it for 30 minutes straight. This afternoon, I let him outside and watched as he ran out into the yard a little ways. He immediately started the stick tossing...wait, that's an odd looking stick...what IS that? I threw on my shoes and walked over to find Sammie tossing a 6-8 inch portion of a dead snake. There was even part of its spine sticking out one end. There were two snake pieces that something, probably an owl, decided it was too full to eat. Oh, the lovely aroma of decomposing flesh. Ewwww! After nixing using KJ's toothbrush on Sammie, I decided to just give him a milkbone.

positive things

Sometimes life has a way of sucker punching you...so in an effort not to wallow and to be more positive, I'm looking on the bright side.

GOOD things that are happening: (I won't be posting the bad.)

* David got the job he had applied for several weeks ago. His current temp job will end today or tomorrow and new job will start next Wed. It will pay enough for us to make ends meet without me getting a second job.

* KJ is all set for community college this Fall. He will be taking American Music and General Biology. He is very excited.

* My work schedule for the Fall is such that I can add in an extra center on Wed. mornings since KJ will be at CC anyway.

* Sammie has now made it a night, a day, and a night without any accidents in the house.

* KJ's birthday party is tonight at the bowling alley and I am NOT stressed about it at all. We should have a nice, relaxing time.

* KJ is volunteering at Zoo Camp Mon-Fri for the next 3 weeks and is really liking it so far.

* KJ managed to get enough money for his birthday that he was able to buy the iPod he wanted. (8G and pink)

* David built a cute little drum set to put on KJ's birthday cake. I'll take a pic at the party tonight.

* I'm sending in the last of KJ's Alaska forms and money today so he'll be all set to leave at the end of the month.

family pictures

I've been asking for two years to get a family portrait made. FINALLY, I got the men in the family to actually go. During the session, we noticed that the photographer had us in some... how should I say this... awkward, unusual, strange poses. We found out afterwards that we were her first group working by herself. Almost all the pics with KJ have massive glare on his glasses, but we have been PROMISED that the lab will remove the glare for the prints. We DID get some decent shots, but we definitely laughed hard at some of these.

Heeeeere I come to save the daaay! Suuupermom is on her waaay! For the record, I never stand like this.


David will now lay hands on KJ to exorcise the demon.


My turn to try and heal my poor son.


Maybe if we both lay hands on him, it will work. Leave this child, Satan. Leave him!


Hurry up and take the damn picture. My back is killing me.


This looks like someone's idea of an acid trip. Whoaaa, I'm getting dizzy.


I think the rest are pretty decent once KJ's glasses glare is removed. The next two are the same shot, one is bronze and the other sepia.



This is one of my favorites.




*sniffle* My baby turns 15 next week.




*sigh* I'm going to cry now. KJ can not possibly be this big.


Boy, my legs are short. Can I please have a shorter stool?


It's GQ David.


Are we good-looking or what?



Yes Mom, I ordered lots of prints. You're getting an 8 x 10 of this one and several 5 x 7's of others.

Remember the cute little bed we bought for Sam? (By the way, we're calling him Sammie.)

Well, he only slept in it the first day. We now use it to store his toys. He also likes the cat toy with the ball in the ring. (I know these pictures are awful. I would like to just say once again that I despise Kodak Easyshare and can hardly wait for the return of my Photoshop.)

Like most babies, however, Sammie prefers to spread his toys everywhere. Yes, that drumstick is his. I took these pictures last week and he has actually acquired a few more toys since then.

If you're wondering where he sleeps...look at that yawn.

Looking sleepy...

...and 3 and half minutes later, he's out. That would be David's side of the bed.

On a completely different subject, remember Taylor? He was over visiting yesterday afternoon and helpfully caught this rat snake. It was in the chicken coop eating eggs. He took it with him to release it elsewhere. I'm nearly positive this is the same snake I was dragging down the driveway by his tail 2 weeks ago. Oh, I think I forgot to tell you that story. To make a long story short, the snake was beside the house. I got it by the tail and started running down the driveway backwards pulling it along. My goal was to get it into the woods across the street, but the snake turned to strike at me so I swung it around by its tail and sent it flying into the side yard. The snake took off up a tree before I could get to it again. Anyway, Taylor took it home with him, intending to release it today. He called this morning and the snake had escaped in his garage. Taylor's mother will have a heart attack.

We got some news today about that subject I can't discuss. For those of you who pray, June 10 will be an important day for us.

Scarborough Faire

Our homeschool co-op drama group performed at Scarborough Faire today and they won 1st place! Their play was a 10 minute version of Julius Casear. KJ played the part of Brutus. The video was too big so I uploaded it in two parts.

Here are Portia and Brutus.


This was the award ceremony.

one more baptism pic

I forgot to post this earlier. My brother and sister and their families came down for KJ's baptism. This group plus KJ's stepmom's family made for a large group.

KJ drumming for talent show

Last night, our homeschool co-op had an open house. We started with a talent show where KJ performed a drum solo. I forgot my camera, but his dad got it on tape. (Thanks Kevin!) You can view it here. The kids also got to display some of the work they had done this year. After the talent show, we had a break to view their work and have finger food, before getting to see the drama group's play, Julius Caesar in 10 minutes. They will be competing this Tuesday at Scarborough Faire so I'll tape it then.

By the way, KJ got baptised this evening at his dad's church.

Newest family member

Today, KJ and I had our final day of co-op for this school year. The drama group practiced the entire time since their competition is next Tuesday. I stayed outside to visit and help watch the younger kids. When one of the other moms showed up carrying a basket holding two puppies, I groaned inwardly. There is a reason I can not go to the animal shelter... I can't stand the thought of a homeless animal! The mom had adopted the momma dog from the animal shelter and the nursing puppies came along with her. Now that the pups were weaned, they needed a good home. One of the pups was very active, while the other preferred to snuggle, be held, and sleep. Guess which one I could not resist? David was in town so I called him to come check out the pup in person. (knowing full well he could not resist such a sweet face) The pics aren't great as I won't get my Photoshop back until my computer returns.

Meet Sam, our newest family member. He is 7 weeks old. (His eyes aren't blue. It's just the flash.)


Sam likes David, and David likes Sam.


Sam likes to sleep.


alot


He gets VERY relaxed.

Look what I got!

Karisma thinks I need a hug. She is right. Thanks Karisma.

Things are getting somewhat back to normal around here. I worked at the zoo most of the day on Saturday for the Earth Day celebration. I was in charge of the silent auction where I ended up buying a painting done by a turtle, and a purse done by LaFou, the education alligator. I found my camera cord so I'll take and upload pics later today.

How to lose 20 lbs.

Mom #1 wants to know how I lost 20 lbs. I should mention that I have 25 more to go.

1. Keep a headache diary and realize that eating chocolate gives you massive, writhing on the bed in pain, migraines. Once your brain makes this connection, the thought of eating chocolate will make you nauseous. You'll lose about 6 pounds just from cutting out chocolate. Then you'll finally realize just how MUCH chocolate you used to eat.

2. Work spring break camp at the zoo. The exercise will cause you to lose about 3 more pounds.

3. Now, that you've lost a little weight, your blood pressure will get too low, especially at night. While you are screwing around with your blood pressure medicine, you will mess up so badly trying to keep it and your caffeine consumption (Dr. Pepper) balanced, that you are nearly fainting at night. In desperation, cut out all caffeine which cuts out your daily Dr. Pepper's. You'll lose about 4 more pounds. On the positive side, you can also cut your blood pressure medicine dosage in half.

4. Read Feast Without Yeast and start eating healthy. You'll lose about 4 more pounds.

5. Have a family catastrophe that will cause you so much stress that you are sick to your stomach and can't eat for a few days. You'll lose a couple of more pounds.

6. Eat whatever the hell you want, because the ongoing stress will just keep pulling the weight off.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I used to always use my memory card in a slot on my computer. My current computer doesn't have the slot and I can't seem to locate my camera cord to upload. KJ did get his hair cut and re-dyed black, but the blue highlights didn't really take. Things are back to a normal routine around here, for the most part. KJ's co-op drama group is gearing up for their performance, so the parents are frantically helping with costumes.

I have deleted an earlier post. I will no longer be able to discuss that situation, so this blog will be returning to its regularly scheduled programming of inane subject material. Watch for pictures tomorrow as KJ will be getting his hair cut (finally), re-dyed black, and blue highlights added. I figure his head will look like a giant bruise. He went camping with his dad last weekend. His dad planned on them sleeping on an air mattress in the back of the pickup. KJ replied, "I'm a mountain man and a boy scout. All I need is my sleeping bag on the ground." I bought him a cot anyway.

Thank you

Thank you everybody for your supportive comments and emails. I really appreciate them.

KJ made it back

KJ made it back from his camping trip in one piece. He had a wonderful time and wants to go with this group again. He is at his dad's for the weekend, but I thought I would go ahead and post a few of his pictures. (He took 167!) Maybe I'll convince him to do a guest blog about the trip when he returns. FYI - all pics are bigger if you click on them.

This is the Mountain Men bus. It has no heat or a/c. Several of the bus seats have been turned so they face it each other with a small table in between. Each boy had to put his gear in a 38 qt. plastic container. The bus has racks above the seats that are designed to hold that size container. Each boy was also assigned a duffle bag for his sleeping bag, pillow, and coat.




This is where the duffle bags and cots were stored. KJ called it the lounge area since the boys would just lay back on top of the bags and nap.


Also in the bus is the head of a jackalope. KJ was excited to show me this picture and wanted to know if I had ever seen one before. "Ummm, you DO know that they aren't real, right?"
"No, Mom. I pulled on the horns and they are really attached." I explained how they were popular novelty items years ago.


He still didn't believe me and directed me to this picture.

The part I circled in red is a jackalope hunting license.

This dog, Brady, has gone on every trek and expedition since he was 7 months old. He is the Fort Smith Mountain Men dog.


He and KJ got along well.


The first day they drove to Balmorhea State Park. (395 miles) I'm not sure if this is there or on the way.




They spent the night and messed around there until after lunch, when they headed on over to Fort Davis State Park. (32 miles) They set up camp and hiked a little.

They had tents, but never used them.

They spent the night there, hiked up a mountain, and went to the McDonald Observatory that evening.

I can't believe how BLUE the sky is.

This is from the top of the mountain, I think. KJ is on the far left.


They went to a star party here. KJ saw and visited with the Education Curator from the zoo. She was vacationing in the area too.


After spending a second night, they headed out to Stillwell Ranch, just outside Big Bend. (93 miles) On the way, they saw some bald eagles who had a nest with babies.


On their first day there, they hiked Dog Canyon.


Big Bend has lots of cacti.


On their second day, they had a longer hike along the Rio Grande. The river is down in the ravine.


See, there it is. It's hard to imagine illegals scaling those cliffs to cross the border.


Well, maybe they could cross here. It looks doable if you were determined.


Now THIS would be an easy place to cross. Is that a tiny building on the other side?


Yep, it sure is.


Hope you didn't buy anything, KJ.


I know these next pics are in Big Bend, but I'm not sure where.




This is an adobe building. KJ is on the far right.




After their second night at Stillwell Ranch, they drove to Wolf Mountain Scout Ranch. (332 miles), where they had a final campfire and spent the night. The next morning, they got to shoot black powder rifles before returning to Georgetown. (66 miles)

KJ learned a ton including how to do a little cooking.