I am amazed.... truly amazed

Just when you think you have seen every aspect of your child, they go and do something totally amazing. Many of you know Meggie and all the activities in which she participates. So many of my family has encouraged, cheered her on, and supported her creative outlets. Well, this past week I was once again left speechless. Megan and Robby had auditioned and received parts in "Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice". Megan got the lead, Elizabeth Bennet and Rob was a dashing soldier....very handsome young man. Megan spent hours upon hours practicing her lines and was able to memorize about 100 pages of dialogue.

Through the years, since Meggie was 4 to be exact, she has loved the stage and acting. She has had roles in numerous plays, through school, church, and community theatre. Her landing the role of Elizabeth Bennet was the ultimate achievement of her lifelong love of theatre...thus far. This was her senior performance.

Last week, Mom and Dad Chapman drove from Denver to see the play and spent the weekend with us. It was a great time. On Thursday night there were a few snags in the play with some of the actors stuttering, hesitating, or just looking a little unsure. Meg was so calm, controlled, and did not bat an eye or miss a beat when thingsdidn't go exactly as planned. Friday's performance was unbelievable. I admit it... I cried. All of Meg's friends came. As we were taking our seats I looked around and watched literally dozens and dozens of her friends taking their seats. Our friends, the West family, all came, aunts, uncles, inlaws and all. Meg gave the performance of a lifetime. People were sitting on the edges of their seats rivited and silent as they leaned forward in anticipation. When Elizabeth told Mr. Darcy off... the audience gasped and made comments like, wow, Ouch, and "Incredible".. they cheered her several times and gave her a standing ovation. She was misty eyed when she looked out over the audience, but there was still an exuberance in her face that could not hide the exitement and joy she had in this particular performance. I cannot remember all the parents, students, and friends who came up to Bob and myself to congratulate us. Megan received flowers from so many people and she was told that it was truly an "Emmy Performance" by our local news paper reporter and theatre directors from Town Players. I am so very proud of the kids. I am so proud that they have the where with all to commit to such a great endeavour, to stick through when the lines weren't sticking in their heads, to practice hours and hours on end.... but mostly to follow through and not whimp out when faced with such a great challenge. So, now that the Fall Play is over, Megan is looking at universities and is concentrating on putting her portfolio together. So... please, please, please, Pray for her and her decisions that she will be facing the next few months....and thank you for listening and letting a misty eyed mommy write about her "Elizabeth".

The photos are not here yet from the play, but I do have some recent ones of the Fall Formal. I took these photos of Meg and her date (platonic friend) at, of all places, a laundromat.

Wow can You Believe this???

Two posts from me in a week! Feeling so lazy here. Do you remember how I posted about the creative methods that my mother used to motivate us to clean our house..... "the Insurance Man is Coming" routine worked well.. I have tried that one and have failed... but alas, God has given me a way to get them all working...

Our local Historical Society puts on a "Parade of Homes" tour every year as their main fund raiser. They choose four historical homes and sell tickets for people to tour the homes. We have been asked in years past to do this and haven't felt comfortable enough to do it.. They asked us again just this past week and I said, "yes" even before talking it over with Bob and the kids. I was thinking.... "here's my chance".... my "chance" at what??? Why to get them to totally clean everything and fix the things that need fixing around here.

My creative kiddos.....polite way of saying chore challenged.... pitched in and cleaned their bedrooms cleaner than I have seen since we moved in here nine years ago. Did you all know that Andrew's carpeting is a really pretty shade of blue and grey?? Bob spent hours clearing off his dresser and going through his pile of things. Anabelle was such a great trouper and really helped a lot. Megan was gone most of the weekend competing for oral interp, but her room isn't bad at all... she's the child with OCD.

The committee chair toured the house a few minutes ago and loved everything he saw and even gave me a great book "Skeletons of the Prairie" as a little thank you. Bob & Carol Wagner (retired City Attorney), Stan Fox (our current City Attorney who lives directly across the street), and we are three out of the four.... people won't have very far to walk with Bob & Carol being next door to us.

Well, I have a few months to get everything ready, so we should be good... we really only have some minor repairs and upkeep thinkgs to do, so I won't be too bad. I am so glad that I said, "Yes"..... Well, Have a great day and if you ever hear me say, "Hurry and Clean your Room, the Parade of Homes is coming through," you'll know why.

Ok... here it is... so long since I last posted. It's been a crazy busy time of year. The kids are all so very busy with things and daily schedules... the boys with piano, scouts, music, chorus, plays, school work and all those fun things. Megan got the lead in the High School Play Pride and Prejudice. They are putting the play on November 3-4 here in Watertown.....

Well, I really don't have much to write right now. Church is keeping us busy and we are really trying to keep up with the changes and things that need to be done.

I am sitting here listening to Megan telling a kid why she absolutely loves being home schooled. She is too funny. She has also determined that she is going to home school her kids as well.

It's late and I am heading off to bed. Hi Mom... talk later.

~~~Mary

I'm back!

Boston is such an incredible town... I absolutely love it there. My week was such an incredible high that I feel ike I am still hobering above the ground about two feet up in the air.... Amazing food, people, shopping, fun and excitement.

So often I think that I will never be published and I become so negative and down hearted thinking that my layouts and creations are just crap and n one really likes them.. Well, I guess that 's not entirely true, my family likes my stuff. We, to hake a long story shorter than long here goes.

I made a canvas collage of Tim Holtz thanking him for doing such a great job. He is a true artist and I have a lot of respect for him. I turned in my creation at the CKU registration/information table as required prior to the deadline and had tucked it in a manilla envelope so people wouldn't be checking it out and some Tim Holtz stalker wouldn't steal it. On Saturday while I was walking past the talbe, I noticed that the envie was there but that it was empty. I immediately thought that someone had ripped it off. But alas they hadn't and I won 1st place and a 50.00 gift certificate to CK. In all the excitement and getting ready for CKU and my trip I forgot to take a photo of my creation so I have email CK and Tim asking for an image to be emailed to me. I am praying that someone will get me a digital of it.

The trip was a blast and I was able to get a bunch of fun things for the kids...

story to be continued tomorrow..

Mary

Such a busy busy day ahead.

Well, it's here.... departure day for Boston! I am all packed with enough junk for a full week of any and all types of weather we come across. My supplies are all tucked away in my check in luggage and I will be making a last minute run to develop some more film.

The kids are still sleeping and I really hesitate to wake them up..... they will be having some pretty busy days this week themselves. Meggie not only has her full load of school work from me, but starts up at the high school on Thrusday, as does Robby, but also has life guarding 9 hours every day until the pool officially closes on Saturday evening. Bob and the kids are going to try to keep their regular schedule and keep up on all the things I do around the house. I wrote out detailed lesson plans and have the kids on a new chore system. We've had it in place and it seems to run pretty smoothly since the beginning of July. Sooooo, I am praying that I don't come home to a house that is in need of condemming.

Well, this is going to be short and sweet.... If you are reading this blog, it's because I love you enough to let you glimps the meandering of my infantile brain...ha ha ha..

I hope that you all have a wonderfully blessed week and always, always remember..... I LOVE YOU!!!!

~Mary

The End of the Season.

Anabelle had her last softball game last night and it was great. She had so much fun playing ball this year. It was so fun to watch her play. She is the smallest girl on the team with most of the other girls being at least a full head taller than her. Her team shirt looked like a dress on her, but that's ok. She really took her season seriously. You all would have laughed to see her get all serious and squint at the pitcher. She didn't hit any home runs but consistantly got base hits. She was just there to have fun and I am glad that she had this opportunity. Her team was the "Fruity Pebbles" and they had bright red shirts.

As she was on the field, playing shortstop, I watched her and thought of how quickly time flies. I don't want her to grow up. Not yet. At the beginning of the season we took her shopping for a glove. She refused everyone we showed her. We did go home with a bright pink batting helmet, a ball, a new bat, and water bottle. But.... no glove. When we got home we told her that we were going to have to go out the next day and get one and she said that she only wanted to use "Daddy's Red Glove". Bob still has his glove from when he was little and it's actually the perfect size for her little hand. Soooooo... she used "Daddy's Red Glove" the entire time. As she played different games throughout the season she took such good care of "Daddy's Red Glove". When it was her team's turn to bat she would keep the glove next to her on the bench. She didn't throw it in the dirt like the rest of the kids. She took such good care of it. Even at home she had a place for the glove. I was thinking the other day, about "Daddy's Red Glove". It's been on a lot of kids' hands. It's seen a lot of action. It's one of those tangible things that has touched a lot of little kids' lives. If this little red glove could talk it would tell us of Bobby Chapman's youth. It would tell of Mike, Steve, and even Amy's t-ball and softball games. It would tell how David and Bob used to throw the ball back and forth for hours on end. It would tell of the time Megan pitched a fit because she wanted to use "Daddy's Red Glove" instead of the brand new one we bought her. It would tell of the times Robby used it and was upset because a kid on his team grabbed the glove and threw it in the dirt. It would tell of Andrew and Nathaniel taking such great care of it. And Now, another season has ended and another Chapman has had the opportunity to become friends with "Daddy's Red Glove".

More tomorrow..

Love you.
Mary

Lots going on... we have been so very busy
We have new kittens that are so sweet and cute.. thtey keep all the kids jumping and running after tumbling balls of fur. Suggles is still weary of the new additions.. She keeps her distance. and just glances at them from time to time... she has no desire to grace them with her presence.. too fun.

Lots going on with my scrapbooking and website stuff. I just sent in five layouts for consideraation from a major magazine.. God willing, I'll be picked up someday. I really enjoy scrapping and making things. but I find that there are times when I just have to walk away from my scrap area and grab my knitting bag and knit away.

Carole Holdahl has taught me how to knit. I am making socks for Meg, a layette for Steve & Stacey's Baby, wash clothes, and a baby blanket... fun to have many jobs going at once.. when I tire of one, I just pick up the others.

Well, I have to get the kiddos going on some fun summer things... like...getting outside and getting some fresh air.

Love you all
Mary

Seems like forever since I blogged.

Lots happening around here.. nothing of great significance, just everyday life hustling and running the kids to and fro. Meg is busy, as usual, life guarding at the water park.. she is so tanned. She wears spf 50 but still has tanned. Robby is keeping busy with his paper routes, and playing piano. Andrew and Nathaniel keep busy with the same activities as always. I have to say that since we have been home from vacation that I still am exhausted from the trip.. it was so long.

Right now I am trying to get the library/school room into shape and get all of last year's work filed and textbooks stored. I will be starting up with lesson plans the very end of July/beginning of August. Meg is in her last year of high school. She is looking at a few colleges.. all private design schools.

Something quite sad happened last night and I am not sure how to handle this... as many of you know, we have adopted three little kitties, quite young.. 3 weeks... they are adorable. Last night Robby had two friends spend the night and they had Robby's kitten upstairs with them.. They fell asleep before putting her back to bed and one of the guests rolled over on the kitten in his sleep and she died. Robby is the saddest that I have ever seen him.. he cried... Today is kinda quiet around here. The kids are all in mourning. I want to believe and be able to assure them that God has a special place in heaven for all of his creations... Please, if you read this pray for Robby and especially for his friend that was involved.

What a sad morrose way to end an entry.. hopefully tomorrow will be better.
Love you all.
Mary

We're Home.... There's No Place Like Home


This is so very true. We got home from our very long vacation late on Saturday night and felt so relieved to pull up in the driveway and see the house still standing tall waiting for us to come home. As we drove up the driveway I noticed that our lawn had been mowed, my gardens had been watered, and our trash can had been put back where they belong. Justin did a great job taking care of the homefront for us while we were away.

Sunday was spent in a whirlwind trying to unpack, reorganize, and do some grocery shopping between church services and meetings. It was a long day. I was looking toward the rest of the week with a little fear..... My schedule is a crazy one this week. I spent the entire day Monday in the car taxing the kids around. Anabelle had swim lessons at 9, Meg to work at 11:30 (her car got a flat while we were away and Bob didn't have time on Sunday to fix it ) boys to deliver coutea, 12 lunch, 1:30 piano lessons, 3:00 deliver Public Opinion, 4:00 boys swim lessons and pick up Megan, 5:00 pick up Boys, 5:45 Meg back at work, 6:00 dinner, 7 pm Boy Scouts.
Whew,, I need a glass of wine!

Tuesday was much of the same craziness but minus the Cotuea delivery and piano lessons. I am so glad that Meg is life guarding at the water park...same place where swim lessons are taught. This past vacation really brought home to me some important life lessons that we tend to take for granted. There is a big world out there with so many people that have sacrificed and bled for the preservation of our country and for the freedoms that we so take for granted. Seeing all the different battlefields and walking where so many lost their lives during the Civil War really was a somber experience. The kids were so in awe of everything and shared their thoughts and reverence for all the men that fought on both sides of the war. So often we think that the war was fought over the issue of slavery. It wasn't.... so many of us put Mr Lincoln up there as a savior, he wasn't. Mankind has a way of rewriting history to make it more palitable and comforting. Before heading south we studied quite a lot on the Civil War era and battles/geography/political viewpoints/laws/arguements, etc. from both sides. Sadly, Mr. Lincoln was bound by the constraints of his time and was prevented from doing so much more than he did. In reading through the legal jargon of the Emancipation Proclimation, President Lincoln only gave freedom to slaves in states that were in open rebellion against the union. Slavery was previlent in states as far north as Maine and those slaves were not given their freedom until much later. Lincoln freed the slaves in the rebelling states as an economic way to cripple the states in hope of expediting a victory for the north... No workers = no production= no funding for the war... etc. Sadly, too is that most people think that the men of the south were fighting to keep their slaves.... they weren't... they were fighting in order to preserve the integrity of the state. All major ports and manufacturing was done in the south and the north wanted a piece of the revenues that were enjoyed in Dixie. Well, enough of my history lesson. I just came away from so many of the battle fields and cemataries thinking that so many of these fallen and lost soldiers were someone's son, husband, father, brother, loved one, and their lives were so cut short by greed and pride. How tragic is that?

The big thing that I noticed when driving up our driveway on Saturday night was this...our home seemed so lonely sitting there with no one running up the drive way or sitting out on the veranda and it too, must have been happy to have us home. Does this make sense???


Love you!
Mary

Posting From Nashville!!


Yes, you are reading correctly, I am in Nashville, on vacation with the rest of the DF. We are visiting Bob's sister's family. The kiddos are having a blast and are keeping so busy. We have been spoiled seeing all the Civil War sites, eating good southern food, and enjoying southern hospitality. There is nothing like it. My family, as you all know, knows no stranger and will feed any or everyone that comes over. It is the same here. Last night we had the most incredible bar b qued ribs that I have ever had. Robby actually ate 7 huge ribs. Cathy made corn bread pudding and "unbaked" potatoes. I got both recipes so those of you who come to visit will have a chance to try these. Definitely comfort food.

We stopped in Arnold, MO on the way here and visited with Uncle Mike and Aunt Dolores. It was really great seeing them and chatting for a while. We are going to try to stop on the way home as well and hopefully see Jeanie and kids...they were on vacation in Branson.

We have toured a few civily war sites, cemetaries, and the Hermitage. We are planning to get to Historic Franklin for some shopping...girls only. The guys are heading downtown to see some more historic stuff. Bob took Meg, Stephanie, and Robby to a "show". they watched a few bands and then left. IT's too hot to do the zoo thing. We head to Atlant on Monday and will take in the Cyclorama...An incredible site to see and experience.

Well, I have to run. I just wanted to touch base from the road to tell you all that we are doing great, are all enjoying our time, and love you all so very much!

Mary

"Please come to Boston for the spring time"



I did it!!!! Registered last night for CKU Boston!! I am so glad that's over! I was stressing out like you wouldn't believe. All the weird things happen to me.... Registration opened at 8 pm eastern, soooo at 5:15 my time I get online and make sure I am logged into the CK site and it's good. I make dinner and check again to watch the count down clock at 6:15 and I have no internet connection.....WHAT!!!!! I try for five minutes, yell at the kids, and the DH about someone messing with my laptop that they know no one is to touch, and realize that the internet is out for all our computers....5 in the house but that's another story..... called the provider and guess what.... for the first time since we have had internet, service is out for all of eastern South Dakota and a majority of Minn. for Prairie Wave, our provider. I call my friend's house....she's at work....her DH is home... I ask..."who is your internet provider.... it's midcontinent......"Don't go anywhere, I'm on my way over"....he probably thinks I've lost it....I get there in record time and at 6:35 our time I log in and am fine.... I explain the urgency of me needing his computer, which, BTW is a lot faster than mine for some odd reason.... Think I may switch to midcontinent...hmmm.... I refresh the screen a few times and am able to register at 6:58 my time and am finished in 2.5 minutes flat!!! I have never typed my Visa number in faster in my life...lol.... My Friend's DH is standing there with his mouth hanging open and I say.... "You think I'm fast...you should see Carla when she has your credit card in hand"....lol..... he didn't think I was funny.... I printed out my class schedule and thanked him again...and left him standing there shaking his head....It's a good thing they are great friends....he would really think home school families are nuts...

Ran back home to see if Inet is up so I can check my email confirmation and it's still out...by this time a glass of wine is sounding really good....

The bottom line is this.... I"MMMMM GOOOOINNNGG to BOSTON!!!!!

Memorial Day....

Yesterday as I sat in church our visiting pastor preached about Memorial Day. It was a good sermon. It got me to think about the significance of this day. Why do we remember and pay homage to our fallen soldiers only once a year? Shouldn't we be remembering them all the time? I think we if just do this once a year some of the memories fade. I had a busy weekend that really started last Thrusday with a Co-op meeting. Friday I scrapped all afternoon and evening with Shelly. I was pretty productive. I am try9ing so hard to have all of the Kids' photos scrapped within this year.

Saturday was spent doing things around the house, going to a graduaction party, and enjoying the warm weather. Sunday was church, a long nap, and then time with the kids in our yard. We went out to lunch yesterday afternoon and had a nice relaxing day. On the way home from lunch we drove by the "new" out door water park. Megan will be life guarding there this summer. She is really looking forward to it.

Last night I had a nice long chat with my mom about God's providnece. He always provides. It's reassuring. Robby played piano for mom over the phone and Anabelle played the violin for her. Just some fun relaxing days for us. The temperature gage on the west side of the house read 105... I took a photo for proof....

We also put in our garden....almost all herloom tomatoes.... love tomatoes. Well, that's all that's going on around here. We are going to get ready to have a yard sale this coming weekend.

Love you all!
Mary

One more day...............

The kids will be out of school tomorrow. I , however, plan on continueing here at home with all our home schooling until every last little page in every book is completed. I think that sounds reallyl mean. but.....I think it's important for them to complete something worth starting.

I have a little confession to make. I am an American Idol Junkie. I love that show. I didn't miss a single episode and am so glad that I watched it from beginning til end. Taylor deserved to win, in my humble opinion. I am glad that someone "Not" typical won. He is very unique and different, yet so addictive to watch and to listen.

Well, I really don't have much to write about at this very moment, but I know that my mom loves to read my blogs every day so I have to write.....even if it's just something random. BTW.... Speaking of random.... Mom, you are going to love this..

Many of you know that Megan and her friend Stephanie were quite famous/infamous in our town four years ago when they decided to form their own crazy parade and ended up on the front page of the newspaper. For those of you who don't know.... the girls dressed in layers of pjs, robes, and tighty whities (on the outside of their clothes) put Neiman Marcus and Sak's large Bags over their heads (they had eye holes and even drew faces on them) A newspaper man spotted them parading around our block and took some funny shots of them. These girls have no humility. Well......... jump to last Friday..

Last Friday was the last dance up at the high school. Meg and Steph tend to look at things realistically and find the dance scene to be very fake and the average person up at the high school is really snotty. We live in a have/have not community....there is no middle class to speak of..... The kids from the upper families are very snotty and rude to average kids and are downright disgustingly rude to the less economically blessed kids. Meg and Steph are exceptions. They love, I mean LOVE, all the nice kids and just ignore the snots. This past Friday they dressed up in funny clothes, donned Mardis Gras Masks, (Huge two foot feather masks) and threw on some Depends over their clothes and went to the dance. They are really random. They danced with several people and were able to maintain their secret identities. . They were just having a good time.

The "talk" on Monday was "who were those girls?" Several discussions and debates were had about the secret identities of these girls. Robby even reported that kids in his classes were making guesses. Only a few people know their actual identity and a few actually guessed it was Steph and Meg. The bottom line is this....these girls are so secure in themselves to have some crazy random fun....not at the expense of someone else. I think maybe it's alesson to me and others that it's not about who you are financially, it's about having fun at the last high school dance of the year.

That's all folks.
Love you!
Mary

PS.. When Bob found out he chuckled and then told Megan that he was embarassed. I reminded him that he was the first to buy extra copies of the newspaper when the same antics got them on the front page. He even posted a copy of it on our church bulletin board with a note that read...."Guess Who".

I, on the other hand gave her a high five and told her that her doing this one thing is a confirmation that she is her own person. She is strong and confident in who she is. For that, I am thankful..

Monday, Monday.....
Is this Laundry Day? Everyday is. What an incredible weekend we just finished. Anabelle had her friend birthday party. We had a house full of excited kids all about her age. It's been a long time since we had ten 6-9 year olds running through the house. I am so glad that a two hour party means that you get to send them all home except one. Belle wanted a "princess/robin hood" party but forot to tell mommy and daddy, so three kids plus Anabelle, were dressed up in costumes. Carole Holdahl's three kids had amazing costumes on. Her son, CUllen helped make them and is he ever talented! Lots of fun.
Megan had lifeguard training all weekend. Friday 4-10pm, Sat: 8 am-9pm, and Sunday 9 am-4pm. She was exhausted by Sunday. But,,,,,she made it through and will be guarding at the new outdoor water park. She is really excited.
We finsihed a lot of yard work and started gathering things for a yard sale. I have challenged the kids and myself to see if we can see enough "junk" at this yard sale to help with the cost of gas for our vacation... wouldn't that be a hoot! I don't know why I challenge myself this way. My Aunt Rose is very much like this, as is my mom, and I was speaking with Aunt Ro last week and we were laughing at the "game" we play....it's the "Hunt for the bargain,be a frugal as you can game" I love playing this game. I love a good bargain. I love seeing Bob amazed at me being able to feed our family homecooked meals every day and still havea stocked pantry and full freezer at the end of the month. It is truly a challenge. I love to plan meals and scour adds. It's not like we "Have" to. I think the days of beans and rice are still fresh in my mind and there are some days when I miss the simplicity of knowing that there wasn't a cushion in the check book....I still cannot believe that I used to feed our family of five at that time, on 189.00 a month, and we never did without milk, and the basics. Yeah there were a lot of beans and rice days, but we sure argued a lot less. We used to say, "Beans and Rice, and Jesus Christ" that's all we need. And it's true, still to this day, when I really look at the things that occupy my time I still believe with my entire being that those are really the things that we cannot live without.
So...while the yard is looking pretty good, the house is clean and all my laundry is caught up... I think I'll take a bunch of pictures for proof that yes, given the right motivation, we can accomplish much. I think I'll go have a cup of coffee and just sit in the parlor... Oh yeah, The piano man is coming to tune the pianos tomorrow. Robby, Andrew, and Nathaniel will be glad. I'll post some photos later.

Love you!
Mary

Another Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood!

Yesterday was probably the most beautiful day we have had this calendar year so far. The temperatures were in the 70s.. we had a light five minute rainfall around noon, and then.... not a cloud in the sky for the remainder of the day. We enjoyed a great dinner out on the veranda...Bob and Robby grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, and ribs, just to make sure everyone had what they like.

I had a meeting yesterday afternoon with the other home school moms in our region for summer planning. I am so gosh darn proud of myself...I didn't volunteer for a single thing! Can you believe that? So often I volunteer for every little thing that needs to be done, then I find myself with absolutely no time to enjoy my family. The truly unfortunate thing is this....Bob is the same way I am. He volunteers also, so with both of us volunteering for things, we are way too busy to keep up with the other things....like a garden, or painting the house..etc. Don't get me wrong, it's good to volunteer for things, just not everything that comes our way. I am learning to say "No" I no longer feel that I have to give excuses for turning down the plea for someone to teach crafts to 20 kids, or run the entire field day for our group. That was a nightmare!

This summer, we are concentrating on our little unit here at Liberty Hall. No outside distractions, just really focusing on home. Bob did something yesterday that really amazed me. He put in for vacation time. The man loses time eavery year because he doesn't take time off. So, this year he is taking two weeks in June, one week in August, and a week at Christmas. He'll still lose some hours, but not as much as he usually does.

We are all getting excited about going back east in a few weeks. We want the kids to see where Bob grew up. We want them to expreience the Smithsonians, and the Battle Fields of Virginia. We want them to walk VMI and see all the historical areas that have shaped our country. With Megan approaching her senior year, we really won't have this opportunity to have the five kids all together.. The only thing that would make this trip absolutely perfect would be to have David here with us. I miss him, we all miss him, but, his life is his and he is busy with work and being independent.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!
PS.. it's another sunny day!

Mary

Better Late than Never....

I really hate that phrase. I am not a late person. I pride myself on my punctuality. I live the Dean Immel montra....To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is inexcusable..... Mr Immel was my high school band/orchestra director. He ran a tight ship and we had an incredible music program at my high school.. Mt. Miguel... He was a perfectionist and I admired him for that...heck we marched in the Rose Bowl all three years that I was in high school...His brother, Jerald, was/is a composer who writes music for the movie industry and he wrote all of our material... incredible music. Sooo much fun. I am digressing.. This, too has become a trait of which I am not particularly fond.

We all have pet peeves and things that really "bug" us. I hate ending my sentences with dangling participals and prepasitional phrases..... My DH, Bob, hates that I sometimes ask him, "where is blah blah blah AT? it's the AT that drives him crazy... I hate that he uses the word/slang "got". ie... I just Got this. I hate that word. I also cringe when I hear little kids say, "I wanna go with..." With What? With Whom???

Another peeve is this... the uses of "I" and "Me". I had an interesting conversation with an English teacher the other day. We were having dinner and a gentleman, whom is prominent in our community, said "Going to Peir is a good idea if we can get volunteers to hand out fliers for Bill and I". I thought...man, no wonder our kids have problems with the English language. When he said that, he stopped himself and looked at me and asked if that was proper grammar that he used and I said.... wellll.. no, it should have been Bill and ME. The English teacher argued with me and insisted that Bill and I was correct. It drove me bonkers because I was taught in college that you simply take the other person out of the sentence and see if it makes sense. You wouldn't say...".....get volunteers to hand out fliers for I". Then the teacher said, well, technically, it's the indirect object that receives the modification.. blah blah blah blah blah... She argued. I could not believe it...Then I thought "another reason our kids in the public system are so ill-prepared for ACTs and SATs, and all the other measures of intelligence that are out there."

In the mean time....I am soooooo glad that we homeschool. I mean, I wouldn't want my children stressing out the already stressed OCD sufferers whom have to face every day with the knowledge that grammar is subject to the whims of trend. so.... this is really going to hurt.... I have to run before my kids decide they are going with...... urghghghghghg....

Love you!
Mary

She's Here....

The baby .has arrived. Yesterday at 5:30 I met the piano mover at Sandy's down in Clear Lake to move the piano, a gift from Bob's parents, out of their farm house. I was completely amazed at how simple it was for Steve, the piano man, to dismantle this baby. I thought that he would need a bunch of contraptions. He used a big carpect board with straps, a wide based dolly, and a ssw horse. No, he didn't cut her up! The saw horse was used to hold her up with he took off the first leg.. Then he rolled her on her side. I don't remember the rest, but he was telling us what to do. We had to push her out of Sandy's house, through her living room, kitchen, laundry, and closed in porch, across her long veranda and then use pipes like the Egyptians did when building the pyramids, to get her in the back of his truck. As he was saying "push, push, push," I started cracking up. I told him that he sounded like my OB during delivery. He really did! Then I thought, man this one isn't hurting at all.lol

We drove home and he backed his truck right up to the steps of the veranda (I threw that word in for my mom, who refuses to call our wrap around a porch..) and planked across. It was much easier getting her in and standing on three legs than it was getting her down and out. Robby directed us all as to where he wanted it put. It is now in the NW corner of our music room/parlor and looks beautiful. After all was set up and Steve left, Robby sat and played for a while.. It's really out of tune because of the move and Steve will come back in two weeks to tune both pianos for us. Snuggles, our cat, even got into the scene and had to check things out. When Robby was finished playing she hopped up on the bench and started playing the piano herself. Meg recorded her a bit then we scolded her. We are going to have to keep the lid down or she'll get in it.

So... the journey of the piano is over, at least for now. We are so very thankful for this gift and know that the boys', and later Anabelle, will get a lot of use out of it. I have to run....coffee is calling.

Love you,
Mary

Sucessful Hunt...

It has been a few days since I last wrote because my weekend was a crazy blurr. So much happened. Bob took the boys camping. Meg, Anabelle, and I had fun being at thome with one another. The play is officially over...thank goodness. I obviously survived taking care of the pets, doing the boys' paper route, mowing the yard, and participating in a Cyber Crop at the website I help hostess, Swap4fun. I have been trying to get things organized for piano delivery on Thursday.

The kids are getting excited about the piano and I have decided to put it in the parlor instead of the dinning room. We are moving the upright to the dinning room... it's a large room, more like two bigger rooms put together, but, I don't want the baby around food and foot traffic.

With Mom's day this weekend I am looking forward to Bob grilling on the porch. I hate fighting crowds, it's not relaxing and I worry about the kids....whether or not they are eating, if they need more drink, cutting Anabelle's food, etc. It's a lot of work taking five kids out for a meal. Not to mention expensive. Bob doesn't understand this. I just like him cooking every once in a while.

Back to the title of this entry..... Yeah... the hunt for dark chocolate paid off. This evening Bob and I went to Wal Mart of all places, and found 72% dark chocolate.. Gheridelli makes it and it's so yummy. Only a pinch will satisfy that chocolate fix. lol. So, if you are a dark chocolate person I would make a beeline over there. If you are a milk chocolate person you may consider switching.....Milk Chocolate isn't "real" chocolate... Just look at the title.... Milk then chocolate.. the first ingredient in this 72%er is actually "chocolate". I could go on but hey, that's a whole lot of blogging to do.

Well, I know that I have bored the socks off of you, so I will go and round the kiddos up to start our school day.
Have a fabulous day!

Love you!
Mary

A Busy Weekend Ahead....

This weekend is going to rush by me like a freight train going down hill without breaks! I just know it! Bob and boys are all going camping with the Boy Scouts. This evening and Sat evening are going to be devoted to the play. Tomorrow night is the last performance. woo hoo!! Saturday is also National Scrapbooking Day.... it's going to be an all weekend event. My swap site is hosting a cyber crop and is giving away tonds of stuff in contests. We were able to get about 25 major companies to donate scrapping supplies for the give aways. I am teaching two classes during the crop. For those of you who scrap, you may want to drop by.... the link is on the right of my blog page... just put my name, Mary/chappyere1 as your referral and your membership will be accepted.

Well, I have to run and get the kiddos finished with their school work so they can get out of here and go camping. Have a fabulous weekend. See ya on Monday.
Mary

Wanting Chocolate

I admit it, I am an addict... I am addicted to chocolate. Not the regular milk chocolate that can be found in every store...nooooo... that would be too easy of an addiction to feed. I am addicted to super dark high octane chocolate. I search high and low through various stores and online sites to find that "perfect" level of cocoa listed. The higher the number...the better the chocolate. Have you noticed that the first ingredient on most candy bars is sugar, then corn starch, then fat, etc.. and cocoa is usually way down the list. I am in search of the piece of chocolate that has cocoa listed as the number one ingredient. Some chocolates contain 72% or higher..Endangered Species is a good brand.. A friend told me that she saw some chocolate that had 91% and I am in search of that one, although she says that she can't remember the brand. I think she's just teasing me.

The reason I am talking about wanting chocolate is because there are so many things in this world for which we can search high and low. So many of us are looking for that "perfect" blend. Why is this? Is it because there is something lacking in my life? Is it because, like a smoker, drinker, or drug addict, my body truly craves that addiction? It's funny how our bodies grow accustomed to certain things, only to develop insatiable appetites for things that are usually not so good for us. We are so intuned to those things that we are craving, yet we tend to ignore the things that our bodies, minds, and beings truly need. Why can't I develop an insatiable appetite for God's word? For Prayer? For Spiritial insight? Is it because I am afraid of what I may face? I think it is. I am truly afraid that I willl have to give up my chocolate addiction, my scrapbooking addiction, my blogging addiction...and so it goes on and on and on. So..I guess what I am getting at here is that I need to concentrate more on my mental/spiritual self instead of the physical desire for dark chocolate. I know this is such a random entry, but it is what is on my mind.

Blessings and Prayers for an incredible Day!
Mary