Today started off like many mornings, rushed to get to an appointment. I dropped Nora Beth off at the sitter and while driving to my appointment, I changed the radio station from kid bop music to the Oprah network. There was a discussion with a writer from Smith Magazine discussing Six Word Memoirs. This is a premise of a new book, just released. The topic intrigued me. How would I summarize my life in 6 words? How would someone else summarize my life? Their life? Is this summary final? Can it change from day to day, like shoes?
This thought obsessed me all day. What would I say? Would it be profound? Intellectual? Funny? Sarcastic? Emotional? Who am I? What has my life been?
Found love. Planted garden. Smiled often.
That's it! If I do not second guess myself, this is my life. It has meanings on many levels, not just the most obvious. It speaks to me and about me - at least in my own mind.
So for anyone reading this, does this do me justice?
What are your six words?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Under the Big Top!
Tonight I took Nora Beth, Shianne and her friend Holly to see the Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus. I had never been to a real large production circus before, so I was just as excited as the girls. We arrived just in time for the pre-show. The girls were able to go down to the center ring and meet some of the performers, see some acts close up and try on some costumes. They were surprised on how heavy the costumes were with all the sequins.
We were all amazed by the strength and flexibility of the performers. These two guys were able to bend in ways that I did not think was possible for the human body!
Nora Beth was amazed by the show. Her eyes were as big as possible. She never complained through the three hour production, even though it was WAY past her bedtime. She was very excited about her "Big Hat" that came with the cotton candy. She wore it through the whole show. When we arrived home, she insisted on having the hat in her bed with her.
We were all amazed by the strength and flexibility of the performers. These two guys were able to bend in ways that I did not think was possible for the human body!
Nora Beth was amazed by the show. Her eyes were as big as possible. She never complained through the three hour production, even though it was WAY past her bedtime. She was very excited about her "Big Hat" that came with the cotton candy. She wore it through the whole show. When we arrived home, she insisted on having the hat in her bed with her.
Tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I have to meet with my adoption mama. There is a very strong chance that her baby will be arriving tomorrow. Shianne has orientation at her new school. I also need to find a way to get the house clean and carpets shampooed since Lamar's mother is arriving on Saturday morning for a visit. Tomorrow is one of those days that I need a clone of myself!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Food Budget....THE END!!!
We arrived home from our trip with nothing in our fridge. I had done such a good job with food for the previous few days that we used just about everything up so there was no waste. What little produce I had, I gave to a friend since it would be past its prime when we returned. Breakfast was a rough one. No milk, bread or eggs in the fridge. Shianne found some french toast that I had frozen and made that for both Nora Beth and herself.
While on the trip we still stayed conscious of the food budget. Normally, Lamar would load up at the convenience store just before we left with soda, candy and chips. I packed a cooler for us with water, apples, jerky, nuts and crackers. The girls were content with these snacks and we did not buy the crap.
I made it to the grocery store in the afternoon and got the much needed basics. I kept to my list of essentials and did not allow myself any extras. This would be my last trip to the store under this budget.
So, for our final meal I made Indian Butter Chicken, coconut rice and steamed vegetables with my favorite popping seeds on them. The popping seeds come from a local woman who makes up her own curry blend. Our whole family loves her blends.
Now that we have come to the end - how did we do? I am happy to report that we were right on budget. This would be difficult to stick to on a regular basis, but it would be possible. I just really like to use some "exotic" foods for some of my specialties. Lamar and I talked about this and we are still going to keep a close eye on what we are spending on food, but allow for a little larger budget.
While in Costco yesterday I noticed that many of my regular items have gone up in price, some by as much as $2 per item. I am really seeing the stores bump up prices to accommodate for the increase in gas prices. This increase can really affect the budget. What are the holidays going to look like this year? I recently created a list of 200 basic grocery items and did a comparison between 4 local grocery stores on each item. I will have to adjust this list to show the price increase. Costco may no longer give me the best price on many of our staples.
So what is my next challenge, you ask? In October, I am joining some friends for the Locavore Challenge. I will post more details as we get closer, but the premise of being a Locavore is to eat only foods that originate in your local area. I just finished reading the book Plenty just in time for this challenge. This one should be interesting.
While on the trip we still stayed conscious of the food budget. Normally, Lamar would load up at the convenience store just before we left with soda, candy and chips. I packed a cooler for us with water, apples, jerky, nuts and crackers. The girls were content with these snacks and we did not buy the crap.
I made it to the grocery store in the afternoon and got the much needed basics. I kept to my list of essentials and did not allow myself any extras. This would be my last trip to the store under this budget.
So, for our final meal I made Indian Butter Chicken, coconut rice and steamed vegetables with my favorite popping seeds on them. The popping seeds come from a local woman who makes up her own curry blend. Our whole family loves her blends.
Now that we have come to the end - how did we do? I am happy to report that we were right on budget. This would be difficult to stick to on a regular basis, but it would be possible. I just really like to use some "exotic" foods for some of my specialties. Lamar and I talked about this and we are still going to keep a close eye on what we are spending on food, but allow for a little larger budget. While in Costco yesterday I noticed that many of my regular items have gone up in price, some by as much as $2 per item. I am really seeing the stores bump up prices to accommodate for the increase in gas prices. This increase can really affect the budget. What are the holidays going to look like this year? I recently created a list of 200 basic grocery items and did a comparison between 4 local grocery stores on each item. I will have to adjust this list to show the price increase. Costco may no longer give me the best price on many of our staples.
So what is my next challenge, you ask? In October, I am joining some friends for the Locavore Challenge. I will post more details as we get closer, but the premise of being a Locavore is to eat only foods that originate in your local area. I just finished reading the book Plenty just in time for this challenge. This one should be interesting.
Are we home yet?
We left Gold Beach this morning and headed up the Oregon Coast. Near Bandon we stopped at a wildlife petting zoo. Shianne was really looking forward to this. Here we are holding an 8 week lion cub. It was very sweet.
There were many animals roaming free. We were able to feed them. Nora Beth thought the animals swarming her for food was a bit overwhelming. We finally got her calmed down enough to get close to a pygmy goat.
We were able to hold some special animals. We held an albino skunk (descented) and this very cute opossum. It was blind and cross eyed, but had a face to melt your heart.
Afterwards we headed north to Lincoln City. We stopped at the outlet mall for some school shopping. I was so excited to find some clothes for Shianne. She has outgrown the childrens section, but is not yet ready for the styles in the juniors. This makes shopping difficult for her this year.
There were many animals roaming free. We were able to feed them. Nora Beth thought the animals swarming her for food was a bit overwhelming. We finally got her calmed down enough to get close to a pygmy goat. 
We were able to hold some special animals. We held an albino skunk (descented) and this very cute opossum. It was blind and cross eyed, but had a face to melt your heart.
Afterwards we headed north to Lincoln City. We stopped at the outlet mall for some school shopping. I was so excited to find some clothes for Shianne. She has outgrown the childrens section, but is not yet ready for the styles in the juniors. This makes shopping difficult for her this year.On the way home we heard the chiming of "are we home yet!"
Family trip, day 2
After sleeping in, we went to the beach to start the day. There was lots of running and playing. It was not very warm, but the shoes came off. The sand under your feet has to be one of the best feelings, in my opinion. The girls think the same way I do.
We went on a jet boat trip up the Rogue River. This is something Lamar had been looking forward to. Shianne loved it, but Nora found a way to complain the whole way. There was lots of wildlife to view. We saw deer, osprey, ducks, otters, seals, herons, elk and even a bald eagle. The latter was a very fortunate site. It was beautiful to see it perched high in a tree overlooking the river valley.
We did get wet on the trip, but that just added to the experience. On the way back down river we saw a beautiful sunset. We were all tired by the end of the day. A soak in the hot tub was definitely in order.
We went on a jet boat trip up the Rogue River. This is something Lamar had been looking forward to. Shianne loved it, but Nora found a way to complain the whole way. There was lots of wildlife to view. We saw deer, osprey, ducks, otters, seals, herons, elk and even a bald eagle. The latter was a very fortunate site. It was beautiful to see it perched high in a tree overlooking the river valley.
We did get wet on the trip, but that just added to the experience. On the way back down river we saw a beautiful sunset. We were all tired by the end of the day. A soak in the hot tub was definitely in order.
Are We There Yet?
We left early this morning for our trip. I really wanted to show the girls the Redwoods in N. California. The trip started out great. About the time the Jamba Juices ran dry the "are we there yet?" started to chime from the back seat. I put in a movie and all was well. When we bought our van, I thought the VCR was a bit excessive, but now, I can not live without it for a long trip.
We made great time getting to the California/Oregon border. There is a small grove of Redwoods just over the state line. The girls were amazed with how big the trees were. Shianne had been through the Redwoods before Nora Beth was born.
We stopped and walked around a bit. Nora was just amazed by the size of the trees. Of course, Shianne was looking for bugs and other creepy crawly things. The forest smelled so good. A wonderful sweet earthy scent.
We left the Redwoods and headed north to Gold Beach. This is where we would spend the next few days. The girls were so excited to see the ocean. We rented a cabin next to the beach. They also enjoyed the hot tub overlooking the ocean.
We quickly made it to the beach to let the girls run off some energy. The tide was in and the wind was blowing. We saw a kite being flown by someone who obviously knew what he was doing.
The girls looked for fun rocks to throw. Of course, Nora Beth began to dance to her own music. It was very cute to watch her spontaneous but elaborate production.
We made great time getting to the California/Oregon border. There is a small grove of Redwoods just over the state line. The girls were amazed with how big the trees were. Shianne had been through the Redwoods before Nora Beth was born.
We stopped and walked around a bit. Nora was just amazed by the size of the trees. Of course, Shianne was looking for bugs and other creepy crawly things. The forest smelled so good. A wonderful sweet earthy scent.
We left the Redwoods and headed north to Gold Beach. This is where we would spend the next few days. The girls were so excited to see the ocean. We rented a cabin next to the beach. They also enjoyed the hot tub overlooking the ocean.
We quickly made it to the beach to let the girls run off some energy. The tide was in and the wind was blowing. We saw a kite being flown by someone who obviously knew what he was doing.
The girls looked for fun rocks to throw. Of course, Nora Beth began to dance to her own music. It was very cute to watch her spontaneous but elaborate production.Monday, August 25, 2008
A Little Mermaid and BBQ Fun
Nora Beth found this towel in the upstairs bathroom today. I had forgotten all about it. She was so excited that she had to take a bath just so she could wear the towel!
We went to a BBQ at a friends house tonight. Of course, Nora Beth was not hungry when the food was in front of her, but as soon as the cake came out, she was STARVING! Her piece of cake was gone quickly.
The girls had fun riding the tractor toys down the hill. Nora Beth was surprised when the tractor went so fast. Shianne of course loved the speed. Fortunately there were hay bails set out to cushion any "out of control" tractors.
Lamar had fun playing "Sling Ball." Of course his game got better (in his eyes only) as he finished his snow cone flavored with vodka! We must find us this game for our next BBQ (Slingball that is, we have the vodka LOL!)
We even got a picture of Lamar and I together. It was a fun evening, but we had to cut it short since we are leaving for our trip early in the morning.
We went to a BBQ at a friends house tonight. Of course, Nora Beth was not hungry when the food was in front of her, but as soon as the cake came out, she was STARVING! Her piece of cake was gone quickly.
The girls had fun riding the tractor toys down the hill. Nora Beth was surprised when the tractor went so fast. Shianne of course loved the speed. Fortunately there were hay bails set out to cushion any "out of control" tractors.
Lamar had fun playing "Sling Ball." Of course his game got better (in his eyes only) as he finished his snow cone flavored with vodka! We must find us this game for our next BBQ (Slingball that is, we have the vodka LOL!)
We even got a picture of Lamar and I together. It was a fun evening, but we had to cut it short since we are leaving for our trip early in the morning.
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