Jennifro

BLUR

Wow, I must've really internalized that last post. Never did I think that would be my ticket to a four month hiatus, but I supposed I've needed it. It's 10:41 and I've been up since 5:05 when I woke in a panic that we hadn't actually purchased Mitchell's ticket to Vegas tomorrow. Rest easy, we did. I've made some good changes in my life, since we last spoke. And just now, as I'm about to utter them, I feel a powerful jinx coming on so I won't name them. But one does involve me becoming an early riser a few days a week. I have taken up early morning yoga and love it. I feel stronger and it's fun and rewarding to attempt some new tricks. I'm even learning a back walk-over again which I haven't done since probably 7th grade. I have joined the "wow it's incredible how much you can get done before 8 am" club and hope like helk I can keep it up. It seems I'll have to, considering we have decided to homeschool Mitchell and Nicholas. And as you can see it's going extremely well. I'm blogging and they are no where near the home school. To clarify, this is a private school home school so we feel no pressure to even think about starting until after Labor Day. Can you believe the decisions I'm free to make? Wait till you see how long Spring Break is!

I just got done making cookies in the middle of the morning. Something I haven't done in many, many years. I did it because we're out of cookies for the girls' lunches and also because I love a reason to be in my new kitchen. I can't believe anyone ever came up with the quote about how possessions don't bring you true happiness because as far as I can tell--this new prize HAS. It's about 95% done and I am thrilled with it. Maybe another four months will go by and I will be inspired to post pictures. The kitchen project took quite a bit longer than anticipated but I didn't mind--I was just thrilled to know it was happening. During the summer I have repainted the living room, hallway, my bedroom and kitchen, had the main level floors refinished, had a few furniture pieces recovered, dejunked the basement, gone through the food storage and purged the bad, literally organized every closet, dresser, drawer, and crap collector in the basement and main level. It has been a huge undertaking getting so much done and I am seriously proud of myself. I didn't know if I would ever find the drive to do such a thing. We still have a lot left to do--including clean out the attic, accessorize the living room, library, kitchen and my bedroom but the peace of mind comes from knowing that inside of those spaces, things are, for the most part, organized. I think my friend, Ann would be really proud of me. So would my mom.

One thing that has made me especially happy, has been getting rid of nearly everything in my kitchen. I feel like a newlywed (let's not go there) with all my fresh cooking tools, muffin tins, pans, dinnerware and silverware. I swear it has been like stepping into a brand new outfit every time I enter the kitchen in the morning.

Now I have to switch gears, call it good, and figure out how to become a teacher again. I'm using a Christian curriculum which looks pretty amazing but definitely challenging. It's a whole new mindset and learning curve, but I'm confident it will be doable. Nick and his parents are also helping so I'm lucky in that way. Nick and Mary graciously offered Nellie to be our school. They have literally cleaned the whole place out and next week Nicholas and I are going in to paint, hang chalkboards, visit ikea for desks and chairs etc.

On another note, summer has been wonderful and as usual I am devastated to see it end. This morning, when I left for class in the pitch black, I noticed it had already dropped ten degrees. Let's see how good I am when it's 30 outside. Mom and Dad have put their papers in for a mission and it's looking pretty sure they'll be here in DC so all us kids are shouting a big hurrah on that one. I'm happy today. Think I'll go lie down on the deck, eat a cookie, encourage my tan to stay a little longer, and learn some 3rd grade math.

It's nice to be talking again.