Good Things

Despite all the "It goes so fast", "Enjoy every minute", "They'll be gone before you know it" advice, I wasn't emotionally prepared for this day.  I thought I was; really.  I made it through football season without tears, I wasn't sad when he decided not to play basketball his senior season; not even his last prom brought a tear to my eye.  I had been telling myself all along that I had done my job.  He's prepared. We had instilled in him a faith in God, a strong work ethic, a sense of responsibility and loyalty, a love for all that is America.  I was ready.  I was so proud.  And then graduation day came and he said "Bye Mom, I'm gonna head over to the school now.  I'll see you in a few minutes."  And that started the waterworks.  I just couldn't bear to watch him go. Despite my tears I was so happy for him and so proud.  I look forward to watching the way he will meet the world head on.  I cannot possibly describe the pride I felt as he addressed the crowd at graduation with such confidence, humor, and intelligence.  There are good things to come from my boy.  REALLY good things.

Congratulations Ash.  Here's to many more GOOD THINGS.

It's In Their DNA

Because I have my degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Kansas, I spent many hours debating Nature vs. Nurture.  We also frequently discussed what toys you should allow children to play with (i.e. should boys play with guns and swords?) That was of course before I had 4 children of my own.  I'm here to tell you, it doesn't matter what toys you give 'em, boys are going to turn it into a gun or a sword.

Exhibit A

And girls, well, they will turn the plastic packaging for garden hose washers into a phone.

Exhibit B

Here's to imaginative play at any age!

Yeah for Moms!

What a way to spend a chilly Mother's Day morning in Kansas!  27 of us moms and kids left Louisburg at 6am and headed to Overland Park to participate in the Mother's Day 5K.

As you can see in the background, it is a tradition for groups to decorate a port-a-potty.  Ours was "The Powercat Potty" and we had a fabulous time covering it from head to toe in purple.  Being a Jayhawk myself, I liked to think of it as a LOUISBURG WILDCAT POTTY, but I must say I was very proud of the way it turned out.  During the race the boys stayed back to gift the Powercat Potty patrons with purple Hershey's kisses, chewing gum, and purple hand sanitizer.  Our potty placed 2nd in the competition to the group that wins it every year.  Can you say RIGGED?

All along the race course were husbands, dads, brothers and kids cheering on the special women in their lives.  Our own Andie even placed 3rd in her age group and 89th overall out of 3432 entrants!  

I can't think of any other way I would have wanted to spend Mother's Day morning.  We will definitely be adding this to our tradition list.

Our sentiments exactly Julia!

It's Official

Many things have become official lately.  We have moved from our big house in the country to our beautiful house by the lake in town, we have a contract on our big house in the country (yeah!),  and we have a son getting ready to graduate from high school (what?).  What I'm referring to though is the official start of summer for me; planting my pots for back deck and front stoop.  I'm not lucky enough to live in a temperate climate like Mary Ann, so each spring I must drag out the pots, make a dash to the nursery, and get my hands dirty.  Ahhh summer!

If only my hibiscus could live in the yard and greet me year after year!

Moss is my favorite to line my wire forms, but who knew it is harvested right alongside some illicit drugs!  Every nursery that is lucky enough to get it in the door is witness to its immediate disappearing act. Coco fiber mat will have to suffice this year.  With a little TLC these babies will cover it right up anyway.

Fuscia geraniums in hanging baskets.  Love, love, love

Don't try to hide beautiful hibiscus bloom.  You may just be the star of the show!

Things I Don't Like

Okay, so I am copying Andrea's idea, but it just got me thinking.  So here goes:

1. Laundry, you are a cliche, but really, must you breed in the dark corners of every closet AND the laundry room?  There must be a solution.  
2. Mean girls.  13 or 55, I just don't like you.  Peace on earth will begin with us, girls so let's not tear each other down.
3. Musty towels.  Enough said.
4. Flying, stinging insects.  I know, I know you are necessary for my beautiful garden, but frankly, I'm afraid of you.
5. Cigarette smoke
6. Grammatical errors.  Call me a speech snob, but blame it on my parents if you will.
7. Liver and onions.  Really?  Mom and Dad, this was cruel and unusual punishment.  The one meal that could make me become a vegetarian! 
8. Helicopter Moms.  You know, the ones that hover around everything their children do, get in the airspace and kick up dust everywhere in their wake.

Why? or Things I Discovered While Cleaning My Kitchen Cabinets

My kitchen cabinets have been calling to me for quite awhile now.  Most days I tell them "hush, I have much more important things to do!"  However, an impending move has me clearing spaces in my home that haven't seen the light of day for 11 years.  So, inspired by Andrea's List Project, I thought I'd share with you some things unearthed from my kitchen cabinets today:

1. 9 boxes of food coloring- Can there possibly be enough Easter egg coloring left in my lifetime to use this much?  
2. 4 jars of cinnamon sticks- Apparently we haven't been drinking enough "spiked" cider.
3. ###!!! bottles of expired medication- If you are in the medical or pharmaceutical field, please just ignore this item!
4. A pedometer- Mom, I think I received this from you in my stocking a few years back.  Sorry!
5. Door code to a vehicle we no longer own- My husband and my father-in-law have both been locked out of said truck.  A locksmith was called on each occasion because the code was nowhere to be found.
6. 6 packages of expired yeast- Try as I may, I did not inherit my grandmother's ability to make fabulous homemade bread.
7. A box of Tapioca pudding- Must have been purchased during one of my first 3 pregnancies on a craving-induced grocery store run.

Unfortunately, I could continue with this list, but alas, another corner of my home awaits me, my yellow trash bag, and my vacuum.

Wonderful Obsession

I recently came across a photography technique called "through the viewfinder."  It involves taking photographs with a "top" camera through the viewfinder of a vintage camera.  Well, what was a girl to do but buy a couple of vintage cameras off eBay and give it a try!  I waited patiently (not really) for my Argus Seventy-Five and my Kodak Duaflex II to arrive.  The happy pair are pictured below.

Using an empty cereal box, i built my contraption for the Duaflex II, instructions courtesy of Russ Morris.

                                         

The following collage shows some of my favorite shots so far.  The top two were taken with the Argus and the bottom two with the Kodak.  I have to say my favorites are taken through the Argus Seventy-Five.

There is no doubt this will become another wonderful obsession!