And you thought I'd never post them....

Halloween pictures.

Truth is, the picture of Iris was taken a day before so we'd have an idea of what she looked like. She and her sisters were in Blackfoot for Halloween, so I have no pictures to reference for anyone, including me - this is what comes of homeschoolers having no social life. *rolls eyes*

Anywho, before you look at them, I feel I must explain that I USED to be a mom that sewed costumes, or bought them, or went at least little extra out with accessories. This year I had way too much on my plate. I just flat didn't care. But I know how much fun it is for kids, so while my older daughters came up with costumes with the help of friends (a biker and a painter - you guess who was who), I dug around in my old abandoned sewing box and came up with these:

Queen Esther

The Candy Bandits

And you know what? I made the candy bandit capes and masks all in an afternoon - total no sew, and the boys had a great time. Here's some shots of them with their dad getting ready to collect the loot:

And this was me when they all went tripping out the door:

Happy it's over!

Maybe next year I won't be so burnt out. Sometimes moms just aren't ready for the holidays - and I'm wondering when Halloween became one of them! People add it on to Thanksgiving and Christmas anymore... did you know the some of the schools were out for "inservice" so the kids could "get ready"??? That was the way a teacher put it to me.

Wow.

My Paper Heart

Please don't just play with me
My paper heart will bleed
This wait for destiny won't do
Be with me, please, I beseech you
Simple things that make you run away
Catch you if I can

~ All American Rejects, Paper Heart

This song's chorus went round and round in my head last night at about 11:30. I had been writing off and on all day, in between lessons and meals... finally Redbeard picked up the kids and took them away for a few hours and I made some real progress on my novel. I had over 3000 words written. I was elated.

Then tragedy. The computer program (not the computer) crashed. What the heck? I am panic stricken, because I hadn't saved in the last hour. No worries, it assures me - it will recover the document. So I reboot the program.

Nothing.

I am frantic. I reboot and reboot... I reboot the whole system. NOTHING! I go to my saved copies - it deleted that too! All that writing, all that time, and NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING!

Finally at 11:30 I gave up. I wanted to start rewriting right away, but I couldn't - I was exhausted. But because I was in such a state of heartbreak, I couldn't sleep until well after 2 am.

No. This destiny won't do. I have decided from now on I've got to save in several places, so I don't loose so much so quickly.

I won't be brokenhearted again.


UPDATE: And a beam of hope shines shortly after I write this - my sister emails me with my revised first draft that I forgot I sent her. 1498 words recovered - I must only rewrite the German parts.

No. This destiny won't do.

If You Love It, Practice!

Well, it's true. My twins just might be potty trained before they hit the age of four. I was terrified they were going to remain resistant, but persistence pays off and now BOTH of them are requesting underwear in the morning.

I may faint.

"I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true - hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don't love something, then don't do it." ~ Ray Bradbury

Ray Bradbury is one of my favorite authors. I got to watch one of his college lectures a few years back when we had satellite TV - he inspired me all over again. I think of this quote, and I'm reminded of some of the things I want to be "good" at. In no particular order:

1. Womanhood. There's a lot that goes under that mantle. As a woman with children this adds marriage, children, running a house, nutrition, etc.... being a GOOD woman takes a LOT of practice! Although I will say that what constitutes a "good woman" varies between belief structures - I know those who think you MUST sew, quilt, or otherwise do handiwork to be a "good woman" - and I don't believe that at all.

2. Writing. I don't just want to write something that they slap on the market. I want it to be GOOD.

3. The gospel. I know that seems silly, but I think it takes practice to be a Mormon. Once you think you're "there" - you probably need a dose of humble pie. I could go on but I don't want this post to be about this today.

4. Friend. I think it's an art to be a good friend.

5. Teaching. Maybe that should go under womanhood, but not all women choose to teach. There's a book we just read call The Witch At Blackbird Pond, and I have to say I identified with the protagonist - I'd much rather teach and read and come up with unique ways of getting a principle across than do housework! Didn't mean she didn't HAVE to do housework, but she found a way to teach in her own style - that's me too. (If you haven't read it - it's a good book.)


There is only one thing I have to say about that quote that I kinda don't agree with. Just because I want to be good at womanhood doesn't mean I LOVE all the things that pertain to that part of my life. I don't love to cook. I don't love to do housework. I don't love to potty train. Obviously there are some things in life that we have to practice at whether we like it or not. We couldn't survive as a one income family if I didn't cook! But I love THEM, so I do those things anyway, and I practice so that they can enjoy me being a wife and mother - otherwise, life would be terribly unhappy. So instead of focusing on how much I dislike those things, I choose to focus on how I LOVE to have a clean house. I LOVE to have children say, "This is pretty good, Mom." I LOVE to see the excitement when my toddler runs to me and says, "Mom! I peed in the potty!"

Attitude and focus DOES make a difference!

Another point to add is.... quit beating yourself up because you aren't the best mom, the best wife, the best writer, the best cook, the best hostess, the best reader, the best teacher, etc. We all have different talents that make some things easier for us than others. And some of us need more practice... and sacrifices to the Burn Gods before we get as good as whoever it is we think we should be like. So QUIT IT! :)

Two Completely Unrelated Items of Business....

I want to highlight a new blog. E.R. Lumas is now blogging - you can read her blog HERE - she has many wonderful things to share, and she looks beautiful in her Halloween costume. Also she just shared about a Scottish ritual that was fun to read. I hope you'll take time to visit her and give her a happy "blog warming". :D

Also, I just had an interesting encounter with Athena this morning. I admit my distaste and scorn of the irresponsibility of the mass media colors the conversation, and I make no apologies. Why we're screaming about this stuff but no one has said anything about the modified food disasters that my mother has shared with me is completely unacceptable. Mom, why don't you post some links about that stuff? Anywho.


Athena came in from walking the dog and said to me, "Mom, what is this about cows?"

"I don't know anything about cows," I shared with her.

She points to the radio on her phone. "They're saying something about sick cows in California."

I roll my eyes. "And they were saying lemons were bad, tomatoes were bad, spinach was bad..."

"What's going on, Mom?"

"The media is keeping the public in a state of panic. No more flu news, so we have to move on to something new."

She screws up her nose. "Why do they do that?"

"Well, I believe that there are some that believe this country would be better off run by a socialist govt. Keep people in a state of panic and need long enough, and they'll hand over their freedom gladly. You did read Defying Hitler, didn't you?"

My teen scoffs as she heads downstairs. As she walks past me I hear her mutter, "Get a clue people. Watch Batman."

Now I have to go watch Batman because I've never seen it and I'm dying to know what she meant by that! LOL!!!

Finally... LEAF Pictures! :)

Before you get too bored with the pics, don't forget to check out the video at the end of Venus and Iris jumping into their masterpiece leaf pile! Enjoy! :)

We're ready... show us the leaves.

Wrestling leaves.... get it? hehe

Ta-da! Look at our super awesome pile!

Look, Ma... no bodies!

Almost stayed still long enough for a shot.

Hambone!

Ooooooo!

We call this, "Hambone II".

Wrestle, wrestle, wrestle... ha! I crack me up!

Hambone III!

The End.
(Don't ask me why she changed sweaters - I have NO idea!)

The video. Remember - these are not only leaves from my yard, but from the city park as well!

PS I'm feeling much better today. Last night Redbeard fed the kids and put them to bed, then served up a candlelight dinner of fried chicken, potatoes and veggies that he made himself! So sweet! :)