I sure am glad that my sister-in-law, Annie, convinced me to start a blog. So far, I'm not an everyday blogger, but I certainly have enjoyed keeping in more direct contact with my Nevada relatives. With blogging, I can tell more about my daily life without it seeming like I am talking non-stop about myself. Sometimes, when I send out a family email, I feel like all I am saying is "blah, blah, blah, me, me, me, me." But blogging doesn't make me feel conceited because people can choose to read it or not.
I visit several blogs - some are scrapbooking, some are animal related, some are just moms writing about their families, some are creative and odd, some have wonderful writing, and I always read Annie's 2 blogs (and she is the only other family member to have one so far).
While reading Annie's blog, I have been inspired to read some of the books she has mentioned. I am currently listening to Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - only the audio book was available from the library. I am really enjoying this book, and it has further inspired me in several topics that I was already interested in.
When Annie posted a picture of the strawberry jam that she made, I realized how much I miss the strawberry jam that my grandmother used to make. So yesterday, I went to my mom's house and we made two batches. It was so easy! Why haven't I tried this years ago? I bought extra jars and Sure Jell and sugar yesterday so that I can make more. I've already given away two jars to my brother. Tomorrow, Abbie and I will go to the Farmer's Market to buy more strawberries.
I plan to make regular visits to the Farmer's Market this year - which was inspired by Animal, Vegetable, Miracle - and Annie gets some credit too since she suggested the book.
Annie has also gotten me interested in composting. I still haven't bought the composter yet, but I will!
Annie, thanks for the pictures you post and the ideas you share because all of this really does make a difference to me! And I enjoy the up-to-date family info and photos.
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, May 26, 2008
Long Weekend
On Friday, Abbie had her Spring Ballet Performance titled "Come with Me to the Emerald City." Her group had one number; they were the Lollipop Guild. Her group did really well. She struggles just a tiny bit with being nervous, but I told that she was veteran now - this being her fourth recital. Every time I think I'm going to change ballet companies (I have a whole list of complaints that I ignore most of the year, but all of it starts getting under my skin by the end of spring), I change my mind when I see the Spring Performance. The teachers choreograph the whole thing from scratch - from the handmade costumes to the sets to the dance routines. The first part of the recital was a shortened version of The Wizard of Oz. After the intermission, the older girls did numbers to songs from The Wiz and Wicked. It was a great performance.
At the ballet company that Abbie goes to: there are several things that influence whether you get a good part in a performance: 1) how well you dance (obviously), 2) how many classes you attend, 3) how many extra classes and workshops and summer classes you take, 4) how much money your parents donate to the foundation, 5) how much your parents volunteer for productions, costumes, set design, website maintenance, cleaning the studio, and a host of other duties, 6) how well the dancer adheres to the dress code, 7) whether the dancer wears a bun to every class, and much more. For a while, I was immune to all these spoken and unspoken prerequisites, but if Abbie chooses to pursue ballet long term, I can see that I am going to have to "pony up." This year, I've already given in some - I took brownies and soda to the reception after the performance and I made small donation of the foundation. After the recital, Abbie went to sleepover at the neighbor's house. I bought her her first sleeping bag for this event so she was really excited.
On Saturday, we drove to Greeneville to Horse Creek where my mom was camping. I love, love going to Horse Creek. My brother, sister-in-law, and niece were already there. My niece, Haley, had brought her new, fluffy, white kitten with her - THAT got me sidetracked for a while. I HAD to play with that sweet thing! Then we went fishing (only kids and seniors are allowed to fish since this is a National Park). Abbie loved it. She and Haley caught several trout that my brother cleaned and grilled. My brother taught Paul how to clean a fish and he enjoyed learning how to do it. Back at the campsite, cicadas were finishing the last of their metamorphasis process - it was interesting to watch. Abbie and Haley ran all around the campsite collecting the hard cicada shells that were stuck to the trees and bushes. Unfortunately for the cicadas, my brother collected them to use for bait. Ah well, I guess that is the circle of life because the trout loved them! Later, we went on a long hike. I think this was the furtherest I've ever gone back into the mountains at this site. We were late getting back for supper. Outside the forest, it was a really warm day, but inside the dense canopy, it was cool so we kept a nice fire going. I think playing in the fire is one of Paul's favorite activities. Throughout the day, we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, played cards, and sat around the fire talking. We left around 9:00 because we don't have a tent anymore. We are seriously thinking about buying a small teardrop camper. I hope we can find one! We drove to 2 RV places this weekend, but they didn't have any. I'm going to call on Tuesday and see when they expect to get some.
On Sunday, we skipped church. We made lunch plans with Paul's friend, Stephen and his family. After lunch, we went to Winged Deer Park to the marina area where there is a new playground. Abbie and Stephen's daughter, Addison, enjoyed wading at the boat ramp. After that, we were ready for ice cream and went to the Marble Slab. We stayed there for two hours talking. Abbie and Addison loved playing in the water fountain. They found two small snails and spent the majority of the time creating a snail habitat.
On Monday, we stuck around the house doing yardwork. I vacuumed and washed my car. Abbie loves to help with that. Paul spread some mulch and trimmed a big hedge along the back of the house. We had a picnic outside for lunch and dinner. There is a meatloaf that I make that I really like so I decided why not use the same recipe for hamburgers. So we tried it on the grill, and they were nice and flavorful. Paul tried out his new electronic grilling fork that he got for Christmas.
Abbie has 3-1/2 days of school left. Here comes summer!
At the ballet company that Abbie goes to: there are several things that influence whether you get a good part in a performance: 1) how well you dance (obviously), 2) how many classes you attend, 3) how many extra classes and workshops and summer classes you take, 4) how much money your parents donate to the foundation, 5) how much your parents volunteer for productions, costumes, set design, website maintenance, cleaning the studio, and a host of other duties, 6) how well the dancer adheres to the dress code, 7) whether the dancer wears a bun to every class, and much more. For a while, I was immune to all these spoken and unspoken prerequisites, but if Abbie chooses to pursue ballet long term, I can see that I am going to have to "pony up." This year, I've already given in some - I took brownies and soda to the reception after the performance and I made small donation of the foundation. After the recital, Abbie went to sleepover at the neighbor's house. I bought her her first sleeping bag for this event so she was really excited.
On Saturday, we drove to Greeneville to Horse Creek where my mom was camping. I love, love going to Horse Creek. My brother, sister-in-law, and niece were already there. My niece, Haley, had brought her new, fluffy, white kitten with her - THAT got me sidetracked for a while. I HAD to play with that sweet thing! Then we went fishing (only kids and seniors are allowed to fish since this is a National Park). Abbie loved it. She and Haley caught several trout that my brother cleaned and grilled. My brother taught Paul how to clean a fish and he enjoyed learning how to do it. Back at the campsite, cicadas were finishing the last of their metamorphasis process - it was interesting to watch. Abbie and Haley ran all around the campsite collecting the hard cicada shells that were stuck to the trees and bushes. Unfortunately for the cicadas, my brother collected them to use for bait. Ah well, I guess that is the circle of life because the trout loved them! Later, we went on a long hike. I think this was the furtherest I've ever gone back into the mountains at this site. We were late getting back for supper. Outside the forest, it was a really warm day, but inside the dense canopy, it was cool so we kept a nice fire going. I think playing in the fire is one of Paul's favorite activities. Throughout the day, we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, played cards, and sat around the fire talking. We left around 9:00 because we don't have a tent anymore. We are seriously thinking about buying a small teardrop camper. I hope we can find one! We drove to 2 RV places this weekend, but they didn't have any. I'm going to call on Tuesday and see when they expect to get some.
On Sunday, we skipped church. We made lunch plans with Paul's friend, Stephen and his family. After lunch, we went to Winged Deer Park to the marina area where there is a new playground. Abbie and Stephen's daughter, Addison, enjoyed wading at the boat ramp. After that, we were ready for ice cream and went to the Marble Slab. We stayed there for two hours talking. Abbie and Addison loved playing in the water fountain. They found two small snails and spent the majority of the time creating a snail habitat.
On Monday, we stuck around the house doing yardwork. I vacuumed and washed my car. Abbie loves to help with that. Paul spread some mulch and trimmed a big hedge along the back of the house. We had a picnic outside for lunch and dinner. There is a meatloaf that I make that I really like so I decided why not use the same recipe for hamburgers. So we tried it on the grill, and they were nice and flavorful. Paul tried out his new electronic grilling fork that he got for Christmas.
Abbie has 3-1/2 days of school left. Here comes summer!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Medicine
I'm probably prejudiced, but I think medications are great! Used as directed and under supervision of a doctor, they provide many benefits to people who need them. But I'm no expert. Not in the least.
But the reason for my post today is that I have recently seen a dramatic change in my dad. Here's the history: once he took early retirement, my dad spent all his time just sitting around, doing nothing except sleeping or watching t.v. He used to work outside a lot: gardening, piddling around. He also cooked a lot. I have many nice memories of my dad either in the kitchen cooking and whistling or outside (usually without a shirt) gardening and whistling. For about six years now, since his early retirement, he's done none of that. I clean his house and pay his bills because he won't. His personal grooming and hygiene has also gone down the tubes.
My dad doesn't have many health problems, but he does take 3-4 medications on a regular basis. I won't list them here, but one medication that he's taken for most of his adult life is valium. This is many people's "nerve pill" of choice. I don't have anything against that. Although it's just a bandaid, it helps people, and I have many relatives who take it.
He recently decided to stop taking valium (I'm not sure of his reasons), but it has made a dramatic difference. My dad has taken a new interest in his old hobbies. He's planted tomatoes, peppers, okra, and eggplant. He's doing his laundry. His handwriting is not as shaky and he seems more clear eyed and clear headed. He's driving and getting out of the house more. He had a chicken coop built, and he's going to start raising chickens again. Paul says that stopping this medication can make him feel better (mainly, I think this medicine was not needed due to some of the other meds my dad takes). When I pointed this out to dad, he said all he used to want to do was to sit around, but he didn't know that this particular medication was the cause. I didn't either (although I suspected, but I could never get him to listen to me). I feel bad about all of dad's wasted years sitting around the house, but I'm really happy that he's back to his old self.
I honestly thought my dad would never change - that his "sitting around all the time" existence would always be the same. But he's proven me wrong before, and he's done it again. It just goes to show that you can't give up. Sometimes making one change can alter your path. My dad will be 68 this summer.
But the reason for my post today is that I have recently seen a dramatic change in my dad. Here's the history: once he took early retirement, my dad spent all his time just sitting around, doing nothing except sleeping or watching t.v. He used to work outside a lot: gardening, piddling around. He also cooked a lot. I have many nice memories of my dad either in the kitchen cooking and whistling or outside (usually without a shirt) gardening and whistling. For about six years now, since his early retirement, he's done none of that. I clean his house and pay his bills because he won't. His personal grooming and hygiene has also gone down the tubes.
My dad doesn't have many health problems, but he does take 3-4 medications on a regular basis. I won't list them here, but one medication that he's taken for most of his adult life is valium. This is many people's "nerve pill" of choice. I don't have anything against that. Although it's just a bandaid, it helps people, and I have many relatives who take it.
He recently decided to stop taking valium (I'm not sure of his reasons), but it has made a dramatic difference. My dad has taken a new interest in his old hobbies. He's planted tomatoes, peppers, okra, and eggplant. He's doing his laundry. His handwriting is not as shaky and he seems more clear eyed and clear headed. He's driving and getting out of the house more. He had a chicken coop built, and he's going to start raising chickens again. Paul says that stopping this medication can make him feel better (mainly, I think this medicine was not needed due to some of the other meds my dad takes). When I pointed this out to dad, he said all he used to want to do was to sit around, but he didn't know that this particular medication was the cause. I didn't either (although I suspected, but I could never get him to listen to me). I feel bad about all of dad's wasted years sitting around the house, but I'm really happy that he's back to his old self.
I honestly thought my dad would never change - that his "sitting around all the time" existence would always be the same. But he's proven me wrong before, and he's done it again. It just goes to show that you can't give up. Sometimes making one change can alter your path. My dad will be 68 this summer.
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