It amazes me how such a big structure can also look so delicate and refined. We zipped down the stairs pretty quick to meet Chris at the dock on the Seine to take the Batobus back to Notre Dame.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Eiffel Tower
The guide books say it was constructed for no other reason than to impress and I must say the Eiffel Tower certainly succeeds at that. It is a magnificent structure and my guess is it is the most photographed building in France and maybe in the world. AR and I climbed the stairs to the second floor which was the cheaper choice, with a very short line and the view was sufficient for us. Lots of people were picnicing in the park below. It was another hot day but there was a good wind and we went close to sunset.
Deportation Memorial
This memorial is in a small park like setting behind Notre dame. Each little crystal light represents a French Holocaust victim (200,000). It is an emotionally moving and respectful display that encourages us to "Forgive But Not Forget."
Monday, July 25, 2005
Camille and Anna Rae
Camille and Anna Rae became pen pals when they were in 6th or 7th grade. She was Anna Rae's first French friend. Finally in Paris they got to meet each other face to face! Camille and her parents drove 4 hours from Lille to meet us. We spent the day together; visiting Montmarte which is the neighborhood that was frequented by Toulouse Lautrec and also has the Sacre'-Coeure which is a beautiful but relatively young church (130yrs). We also walked on the Champs-Elysees and looked in some of the ritzy stores. We walked a heck of a lot and it was hotter than blazes. While Camille writes pretty good English, she is VERY shy and hardly said a dozen words in English all day long! Her mom spoke a little English, her dad none and
Chris and I as you know are totally ignorant of any French other than bonjour, merci, oui, non, pardon, bon apetite, and au revoir. So guess who did most of the communicating....Anna Rae.
She must've been exhausted by the end of the day. This visit was a good example of how a French family went out of their way to extend hospitality towards us.
Chris and I as you know are totally ignorant of any French other than bonjour, merci, oui, non, pardon, bon apetite, and au revoir. So guess who did most of the communicating....Anna Rae.
She must've been exhausted by the end of the day. This visit was a good example of how a French family went out of their way to extend hospitality towards us.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
Tuilieres
The Tuilieres Garden was once the private property of kings and queens. While they say it has been newly renovated, I found it quite disappointing as gardens go. I disliked the dusty, gravelly paths and none of the plantings were anything to 'write home about'. However, there were some relaxing outdoor cafes in the park that offered great vantage points for people watching. I also liked the way the
path of the park leads your eye straight to the Place de la Concorde (where the Tour de France ended today; Yeah Lance!)
and the Champs-Elysees.
path of the park leads your eye straight to the Place de la Concorde (where the Tour de France ended today; Yeah Lance!)
and the Champs-Elysees.
Looking Out Over Paris
This photo was taken from the tower of Notre Dame. do you seethe Eiffel Tower in the background?
So Classic
Ok. I expect to hear you "oooh" and "ahh" over this shot. If pressed to choose it is probably my favorite photo from our trip, or at least from Paris. I like the green of the statues against all the greys.
Notre Dame
That's me in the left hand corner. Chris and AR gave me the hardest time for taking oodles and oodles of pictures of Notre Dame. It was just so irresistable to me; it was directly across from our hotel, it is wonderfully ornate, it sits still and looks good in any light! The one picture I missed was of the day we arrived when it was POURING rain. There was lightning and thunder and streams of water were whipping in the wind from the mouths of the gargoyles.
Marion and Anna Rae
We also managed to visit Anna Rae's first host family. Anna Rae had some school books to return to them so we made somewhat of an impromptu visit. This is Marion, one of her 3 host sisters at this family. Marion was ana exchange student in Seattle in '03-'04 at Ballard H.S. and in fact she is visiting in Seattle right now.
We hope to have her here for dinner at least once. After her visit in Seattle Marion will head to Toronto where she will be joined by her parents and they will help her settle into an apartment as she begins her first year at the University there.
We hope to have her here for dinner at least once. After her visit in Seattle Marion will head to Toronto where she will be joined by her parents and they will help her settle into an apartment as she begins her first year at the University there.
Saturday, July 23, 2005
View from the Chateau
Photography was not allowed inside the chateau. This is the view from outside the looking toward Menthon. I know I have some relatives who are 'novice readers' of my blog. So this bit of advice is for you: if you want to see a bigger version of any picture just double click on the picture.
Chateau de Menthon St.- Bernard
Talk about waking up and thinking you were in a fairy tale; this is what we could see by looking out Gerard and Moniques' kitchen window. The Lords of Menthon who have had descendents since the 11th century, still occupy the premises of the castle. I hiked up to it alone on my second morning in France and took the tour.(Something, to my surprise, that Anna Rae has not done!) The tour is set up like a theatre production; as you move from room to room you are greeted by young actors and actresses dressed in 11th century garb and they take on a role and tell you about the room you are in; unfortunately for me it was all in French. I really enjoyed it just the same and if I ever go back I would do it again...with a translator!
Anna Rae with Family # 3
That evening we went to dinner at the home of Anna Rae's third family. Saying 'Family # 3' doesn't mean to cast a cold and impersonal tone; by numbering them you can get an inkling of Anna Rae' development in learning the culture and language. For example: family #1 got 'baby Anna Rae' because last August she knew not a word of French, family # 2 most likely got the 'middle school Anna Rae' (You know how kids think they know more than they do at that age?) and now family # 3 gets the personality closest to the Anna Rae we have at home now. Anna Rae liked all her families but this one was special to her because she arranged the invitation to stay with them. The first 2 families were Rotary placements that were scheduled for her before she went to France. In the picture you see Anna Rae, Anne, Phillipe, and Hugo. They fixed us a fabulous dinner with all the courses: champagne, mixed nuts and crackers as an apertif, a salad of sliced tomatoes, cucumbers and pickled beets and bread was on the table by now too, then an incredible stew of salmon and scallops in a tomatoe base and rice on the side,then came the cheese board with Brie, Comte, and another soft cheese I can't recall (I LOVED all the cheese I had in France!) Dessert was a berry torte or pie. Oh yes, we drank a white and a rose wine with our meal; and yes it felt strange at first to have Anna Rae drink with us.
At the Castle Wall
This is taken at the wall surrounding the castle in Annecy. I like the view looking down and out at all the red roof tops.
the breeze kept the heat from being unbearable. I remember I was feeling quite exhausted at this point, jet lag was setting in.I didn't even protest when Anna Rae said she didn't intend on taking us into the castle because, in her words, "There is not much to see."
the breeze kept the heat from being unbearable. I remember I was feeling quite exhausted at this point, jet lag was setting in.I didn't even protest when Anna Rae said she didn't intend on taking us into the castle because, in her words, "There is not much to see."
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Second Host Family
This is the Coupe-Callens family (minus a son who lives in another city). We had lunch with them on our first day in France. Actually is was more like the main meal: apertifs, a salad, baked potatoes and shish kebobs off the grill, wine, cheese, bread, and berries with ice cream for dessert. I am not going to even begin to name the cheeses; there are so many, more soft cheeses than I ever knew existed. Stinky? Yes! But definitely delicious. Caroline, the daughter, is going to be on an exchange in the Detroit area this coming school year. After eating we went to the pharmacy that they own. It is a very hi-tech place with a robot that shelves and retrieves medicines from a stockroom. The robot scans each item as it is shelved or sold so that they have an up to date inventory at all times. It was very interesting to watch it zip back and forth retrieving items from the shelves in the stock area.
Anna Rae and Chris
Yes, I know, it looks just like they stepped into a post card. It really is that beautiful. Anna Rae's friends thought
her dad was 'cute' which of course pleased him no end! Boats go in and out of certain of the canals but it is strictly forbidden
to swim or wade in them and I never saw anyone even try it, although in the heat, I certainly was tempted.
*What looks different about Chris? Do you notice?
her dad was 'cute' which of course pleased him no end! Boats go in and out of certain of the canals but it is strictly forbidden
to swim or wade in them and I never saw anyone even try it, although in the heat, I certainly was tempted.
*What looks different about Chris? Do you notice?
Annecy, 'The Old Town'
Anna Rae had us tightly scheduled from the first morning we arrived until we left for Paris 3 days later. Here we are in front of one of the canals in the old part of town. I was told that there were more
canals in the past but many have been covered to allow for building and road construction.
canals in the past but many have been covered to allow for building and road construction.
Giddy-up!
I have decided to write my updates on our European adventures through some of the 600 or more photos I have taken: don't worry I probably won't get more than 25 put onto the blog. How is this for a 'first morning in France' adventure? This is me riding Gerrard's horse back to the pasture after the horse's early morning swim in Lac Annecy. Chris rode the horse to the lake, Gerrard rode her in the water, and I did the ride home. I have pictures of them too, but like I said, I want to keep this at 25 photos or thereabouts.
Gerrard and Monique's House
This is the home that Chris and I stayed in during our time in Annecy, France. Monique was Anna Rae's choir director
during her year in France. More welcoming
hosts we could not have found anywhere.
Their house was originally the site of a
cider press. Well, actually the press is still in the basement apartment. It is HUGE: about 6 feet in height and nearly as big around. It is no longer in operation. If I had taken the picture from the front you would have seen the title of the house painted just under the roof line: Le Presseior (or however 'The Press' is spelled in French).
during her year in France. More welcoming
hosts we could not have found anywhere.
Their house was originally the site of a
cider press. Well, actually the press is still in the basement apartment. It is HUGE: about 6 feet in height and nearly as big around. It is no longer in operation. If I had taken the picture from the front you would have seen the title of the house painted just under the roof line: Le Presseior (or however 'The Press' is spelled in French).
The Wait is Over!
This is Anna Rae meeting us in the airport in Geneva on June 23rd. That is our friend, Gerrard, to her right. It was Chris' brilliant idea to take a picture, and I am SO glad he did! We were just so delighted to see each other. The phrase
'grinning ear to ear' could be used to describe any one of us.
'grinning ear to ear' could be used to describe any one of us.
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Gather around. Look! See!
The rule and slogan that the children were taught by the beach naturalist was "Bring the teacher to the creature, NOT the creature to the teacher!" So all morning we were hearing, "Come here, come here, look at this!" They were so excited and happy and rarely did anyone look up long enough for a picture; they were so fascinated by the life they found at low tide.
Wow! You kids are GREAT!
Nicole, the naturalist from Seattle's
aquarium was so surprised when one of my students ran up to her yelling "Come see the Mossy Chiton!" Chitons are plentiful but to have a kindergartener identify it AND be able to tell her he ate by using his radula, well that is impressive. Ok now, how many of my readers out there can tell me what a radula is?
aquarium was so surprised when one of my students ran up to her yelling "Come see the Mossy Chiton!" Chitons are plentiful but to have a kindergartener identify it AND be able to tell her he ate by using his radula, well that is impressive. Ok now, how many of my readers out there can tell me what a radula is?
Lovely Day for A Low Tide Field Trip
Last Monday, June 6 we took the kindergarteners to Emma Schmitz Beach park for a low tide field trip. The weather man's forecast of rain never materialized and we had a wonderful time exploring tide pools and eating our lunch on beach logs.
We saw lots of anemones, barnacles, chitons, whelks, mussels, bamboo worms, sculpins, moon snail collars and more but we only saw one sea star this time. All the more reason to go back on my own.
We saw lots of anemones, barnacles, chitons, whelks, mussels, bamboo worms, sculpins, moon snail collars and more but we only saw one sea star this time. All the more reason to go back on my own.
Moon Snail Shell
Ben squints into the sun as he shows off his find; an empty moon snail shell. He put it down gently right where he found it after I took the photo. All the kids were so good at honoring the ecology of the beach, although it wasn't easy.
Touching a Sea Worm
The girls sorely wanted to pick up the Sea Worm but did as the beach naturalist requested and just petted it gently with a wet finger.
Monday, May 30, 2005
France, Italy, Other
Books about French and France, the Louvre, Italy, Rome, the Vatican and more. One of our favorites at present is Travelers' Tales PARIS edited by James O'Reilly and Sean O'Reilly. The story Monsieur Fix-It by Coleman Lollar has Chris convinced he must see the BHV, 'the world's greatest hardware store', according to the author. Only 23 days before we leave for Europe!
#54
We are all laughing and trying to sing FAST because the tall skinny taper candles kept bending down closer and closer to the cake.
Don't Worry, Be Happy
Seattle could not have asked for more lovely weather this Memorial Day weekend. Friday was a real scorcher which left us all wondering if this wasn't August instead of near June. It was not easy to get through the day in a kindergarten classroom with no air conditioning but we did our best by making cooling accommodations; we taught with the lights out which is very do-able in most of our building since we have lots of skylights. They were allowed to bring books outside at recess and they could sit in the shade to read. We are fortunate to have what is probably the most wooded elementary school in the city. Then, after lunch recess we soaked paper towels in cold water and passed them out to the kids and they thought that was great fun. It was quite a sight too; imagine a class of five and six year olds with their faces plastered with wet paper towels, sitting in a near dark classroom! We sang a song about sea stars, octopus and the like to end our day and they were off; eager to ask their parents to take them to a beach. The hot weather was a great primer for the 3 days to come which became cooler by about 10 degrees each day. Today I doubt that it got much past 70 which is perfect in my opinion. It has been a lazy weekend which I am trying to convince myself is OK. The patio table umbrella is up and I put new bamboo shades on the deck windows. We ate both lunch and dinner on the deck on Saturday. I went to Costco and priced luggage. I do not write much about our trip planning but suffice it to say we are going 'hard at it'. I had purchased 2 pieces of Eddie Bauer luggage from Target but decided it was too expensive so took it back.
The pieces which I thought were on sale at Costco, were NOT. Finally on Sunday morning I found 3 pieces on sale at Fred Meyers for 50% off! The selection was great; I had trouble deciding amongst all the colors, sizes and shapes. But this is it, I am not doing anymore luggage shopping! Sunday afternoon was fun! We went to our friends house and skated the Soos Creek trail then came back to the house and were treated to Valerie's excellent cooking. We had Copper River sockeye on the grill, and two very tasty salads and these great mango tortilla chips with mango salsa. I had made and brought along a cheesecake and ice cream for dessert. This was to celebrate Chris' birthday which is actually on Wednesday. I wasn't about to make a cheesecake just for the 2 of us! Besides, I think the Happy Birthday song needs to be sung by more than one voice to be official. After eating, Chris went outside and played frisbee with Lindsey and he had huge success teaching her to catch it behind her back. He thinks it is attributable to her dance training. She caught it 5 times in a row behind her back! Meanwhile we played Euker in the house. I did NOT do so hot. Fortunately my partner, Valerie, does not play 'for blood' and she didn't seem annoyed at the ridiculous errors I made. I like the game, just don't have much of an opportunity to play. The time just flew by, it was 8:30 before we left. Once at home I read my e-mail and was happy to find a newsy letter from Anna Rae. It is very hot there too as of late. She has been to a pool party and she has been boating; even got picked up from a party on the lake by her host parents. She has been invited to go to Paris again (in a couple weeks), this time with her host family. She continues to make new friends and with every day she realizes more and more how close she has become to so many people in Annecy. It is an emotional time and I feel for her.
This morning I weeded one flower bed and emptied the rain barrel on a few thirsty plants. In the afternoon I went on my St. Vincent De Paul calls with my friend and fellow Vincentian, Billie. Delivered food to 2 families, gassed up one person's car and made out 2 clothing vouchers. And now I think I will get up the energy to vacuum or write up a few report cards.
Oh! The title to the post. Father Mark said mass this weekend and he brought Billy Bass again to help him sermonize. How a fish ties in with Corpus Christi Sunday?...Don't get me going!
The pieces which I thought were on sale at Costco, were NOT. Finally on Sunday morning I found 3 pieces on sale at Fred Meyers for 50% off! The selection was great; I had trouble deciding amongst all the colors, sizes and shapes. But this is it, I am not doing anymore luggage shopping! Sunday afternoon was fun! We went to our friends house and skated the Soos Creek trail then came back to the house and were treated to Valerie's excellent cooking. We had Copper River sockeye on the grill, and two very tasty salads and these great mango tortilla chips with mango salsa. I had made and brought along a cheesecake and ice cream for dessert. This was to celebrate Chris' birthday which is actually on Wednesday. I wasn't about to make a cheesecake just for the 2 of us! Besides, I think the Happy Birthday song needs to be sung by more than one voice to be official. After eating, Chris went outside and played frisbee with Lindsey and he had huge success teaching her to catch it behind her back. He thinks it is attributable to her dance training. She caught it 5 times in a row behind her back! Meanwhile we played Euker in the house. I did NOT do so hot. Fortunately my partner, Valerie, does not play 'for blood' and she didn't seem annoyed at the ridiculous errors I made. I like the game, just don't have much of an opportunity to play. The time just flew by, it was 8:30 before we left. Once at home I read my e-mail and was happy to find a newsy letter from Anna Rae. It is very hot there too as of late. She has been to a pool party and she has been boating; even got picked up from a party on the lake by her host parents. She has been invited to go to Paris again (in a couple weeks), this time with her host family. She continues to make new friends and with every day she realizes more and more how close she has become to so many people in Annecy. It is an emotional time and I feel for her.
This morning I weeded one flower bed and emptied the rain barrel on a few thirsty plants. In the afternoon I went on my St. Vincent De Paul calls with my friend and fellow Vincentian, Billie. Delivered food to 2 families, gassed up one person's car and made out 2 clothing vouchers. And now I think I will get up the energy to vacuum or write up a few report cards.
Oh! The title to the post. Father Mark said mass this weekend and he brought Billy Bass again to help him sermonize. How a fish ties in with Corpus Christi Sunday?...Don't get me going!
Sunday, May 29, 2005
Lupines in Colors of Sorbet
What do you see? The Lupines are the obvious. But do you see the WWII Memorial Rose bud? How about the rhubarb leaf, the sage, the thyme, the lillies soon to bud,
the tubular bells, the Geum, just what do you see?
the tubular bells, the Geum, just what do you see?
Peony
At long last I have peonies! I inherited about 6 plants from my neighbor Helen (a magnificent rose gardener who is now within the gates of heaven, I am sure). Finally, after 5 years of waiting, I have two magnificient flowers with heavenly scent. So I will give them garden space and mulch one more year.
Poppy
The persistance of poppies rivals that of weeds. I must keep one or two but 'heaven forbid' that they should take over a whole bed!
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Row, Row, Row Your Boat
Nearly every year my team teaching partner and I take our kindergarten classes to the Center for Wooden Boats on Lake Union in Seattle. It is a fabulous field trip! The children are each outfitted with a life jacket and they set sail in an oomiak (Native American skin boat similar to a very long canoe). Half the class is paddling in an oomiak and the other half is making wooden sailboats inside the center. They use an already formed wooden hull, hand drill, dowel for a mast, hammer, nails, string, ripstop nylon for a sail, and 'Presto!", it's a model sailboat! Each child gets a turn at being a sailor and a boat builder. It is the best field trip for photos unless of course your camera gets wet. It only took a second but, a child yelled' "I dropped my paddle!" and I leaned over to retrieve the paddle and my camera slid off my lap into the 4" of water in the bottom of the boat. The camera actually dried out and I did not loose any of the photos I had taken but it did put a 'damper' on my photo enthusiasm for the remainder of the field trip.
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Happy Mother's Day
It IS a wonderful Mother's Day even though my one and only 'honey girl' is far, far away in Annecy, France. She sent a sentimental (quite uncharacteristic of her) card which she translated and then added her own 'from the heart' message. Then today she called. She sounded SO happy. She has just moved in with her third and last family of her exchange and it is a move she arranged on her own, outside of the Rotary Club (but approved by them). By all accounts it is the most compatible arrangement of all. She says the family is very warm and conversation flows freely. They had a sit down breakfast today as is their Sunday tradition and for lunch they had a barbecue and when she called me the family was watching a DVD together. Today is not Mother's Day in France; this family togetherness is all just a Sunday pattern. She also tells me her bedroom is the biggest in the house and it has doors that open onto the patio which faces the pool. And she has her own bathroom; she is sure going to have some readjusting when back here in our little one and a half bath house! She is also delighted to be with this family because the son, Hugo, goes to her school and Colombe, his girlfriend, is also a close friend to Anna Rae. So,her social circle and family circle mesh nicely. It is really true, all a mother wants is for the well being and happiness of her children. So for me, my Mother's Day is complete.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Starting My Weekend Right
On Friday after work I went to the Fauntleroy Y for a Pilates class with my favorite instructor, Beth. Since the sky was blue (at least at that moment) she opted to take us outside for the class. As I inhaled "wide to the side" and exhaled "completely"
while gazing up at cedars, maples, sweet gum trees, and the fading flowers of dogwoods, I was able to let less pleasant events of the week slide away...even the student who stuck a carrot up his nose and then ate it upon the suggestion of his lunchmate. Eewww! Yes, it really happened.
while gazing up at cedars, maples, sweet gum trees, and the fading flowers of dogwoods, I was able to let less pleasant events of the week slide away...even the student who stuck a carrot up his nose and then ate it upon the suggestion of his lunchmate. Eewww! Yes, it really happened.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Tall Tulips
Aren't these just gorgeous? I do believe they are the tallest tulips I've ever grown. You know I always thought if I had really a lot of tulips I would become more cavalier about cutting bouquets of them. But although I now easily have 400 growing here and there throughout my gardens, I still prefer to view them kissed by rain or being coaxed open by the first rays of the sun and then closing mysteriously and standing a little taller in the cool evening air.
Rain Guage
Can you see that little red ball bobbing in the rain guage? It was emptied on Thursday and this picture was taken before the rain stopped on Saturday! Are you missing Seattle's soothing rain, Anna Rae?
You always appreciated a rainy day as an excuse to curl up with a book.
You always appreciated a rainy day as an excuse to curl up with a book.
Plink Plink
See the raindrops dancing in this 'full to the brim' urn? The rain has been pretty much constant this week. Since I had plenty of indoor chores and yet another cold, I really didn't find it too much of an inconvenience. The rain can stop on Monday. Then the kids can get out to recess and we teachers can keep our sanity.
Scattered
My husband, who from the beginning has scoffed at the idea of me having a blog ("Whenever will YOU find the time?") reminded me this morning that IF you have blog you should update it at least once a week. Unlike my daughter, I no longer follow my number of readers with a statistical tracking site so I really do not know if anyone reads this unless they send an email or leave a comment. Anna Rae is right; the fewer the comments the less inclined a blogger is to write. This is the end of my Spring break and you would think that I would find plenty of opportunity to write but instead I have a zillion projects scattered throughout the house and in my head. Rather than putting the past week into paragraphs I will use lists. So first, if I look at my glass half full:
1. I went into school and made up lesson plans with my team teaching partner.
2. I changed the places where my students sit; they always like to come back to that
surprise!
3. I changed my bank card to WAMOOLA card which gives money back to your school of
choice whenever you use your card.
4. I made 2 Doctor appointments for in Oct.
5. I called my health insurance company thinking I would need to appeal the bill for
my foot orthotics only to discover that YES! the entire $350. was covered!
6. I plastered holes left from molly bolts (about 2 inches across!) in our bedroom
wall and then washed the walls.
7. I potted 6 different herbs and added a garden book and gloves to make a 'basket'
which I delivered for the Hospitality House (women's shelter) silent auction.
8. I got a very nice haircut at Bella Vita downtown and then went shopping without
spending too much money.
9. I kidsat for a fellow teacher's little boy so she could go to a wedding. We
played UNO and I won.
10. I went to the Y and lifted weights or exercised in some way Mon. through Fri.
11. I investigated the benefits of our Mastercard and discovered that yes, we do have rental car insurance for our Europe travel.
12. I planted a short border of hot pink 4 o'clocks and white bush zinnias and I
think I cat proofed them with bamboo spikes.
13. Chris and I rented the DVD Sideways and enjoyed it but will never look at
Merlot wine the same. See the movie to understand.
14. I began reading The Time Traveller's Wife which is a novel that sucked me in
from the first 5 pages.
15. I went on 3 St. Vincent De Paul calls last week and 2 today. Each and every one
of those are a story in and of themselves.
16. I ripped out yards of stitches in Anna Rae's curtains as I attempt to alter
them.
17. I read Anna Rae's blog post from Friday Apil 15 and I smiled! I am so happy
that Andy finally got to visit her.
1. I went into school and made up lesson plans with my team teaching partner.
2. I changed the places where my students sit; they always like to come back to that
surprise!
3. I changed my bank card to WAMOOLA card which gives money back to your school of
choice whenever you use your card.
4. I made 2 Doctor appointments for in Oct.
5. I called my health insurance company thinking I would need to appeal the bill for
my foot orthotics only to discover that YES! the entire $350. was covered!
6. I plastered holes left from molly bolts (about 2 inches across!) in our bedroom
wall and then washed the walls.
7. I potted 6 different herbs and added a garden book and gloves to make a 'basket'
which I delivered for the Hospitality House (women's shelter) silent auction.
8. I got a very nice haircut at Bella Vita downtown and then went shopping without
spending too much money.
9. I kidsat for a fellow teacher's little boy so she could go to a wedding. We
played UNO and I won.
10. I went to the Y and lifted weights or exercised in some way Mon. through Fri.
11. I investigated the benefits of our Mastercard and discovered that yes, we do have rental car insurance for our Europe travel.
12. I planted a short border of hot pink 4 o'clocks and white bush zinnias and I
think I cat proofed them with bamboo spikes.
13. Chris and I rented the DVD Sideways and enjoyed it but will never look at
Merlot wine the same. See the movie to understand.
14. I began reading The Time Traveller's Wife which is a novel that sucked me in
from the first 5 pages.
15. I went on 3 St. Vincent De Paul calls last week and 2 today. Each and every one
of those are a story in and of themselves.
16. I ripped out yards of stitches in Anna Rae's curtains as I attempt to alter
them.
17. I read Anna Rae's blog post from Friday Apil 15 and I smiled! I am so happy
that Andy finally got to visit her.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Lenny's Big Idea of Five
Whoever would think that a 5 year old bilingual Vietnamese American child would know about the Eiffel Tower, but he does; thanks to 'The Rugrats in Paris'
A Week With No Anna Rae
Tomorrow it will mark one week since we have heard from Anna Rae which is unusual. Yes, we know she updated her blog on Wed. but usually we get an email or we IM at least once again during the week. If that isn't the case she lets us know that she will be busy. A skiing vacation? A new host family? Those are the positive thoughts. I also worry...maybe she broke her leg, or worse. Did she break one of the 4 Ds and they took away her computer privileges? Wouldn't Rotary notify us if that was the case? What IS going on?
On a less fretful note...our trip is taking shape, we have requested reservations in Rome and Florence. The Rick Steves and Dorling Kindersley travel books litter the dining room table. I listen to the French tapes as I go to work at least 3 times a week. My progress is SLOW; next to non-existent.
Chris just came downstairs to say good night (he is doing the sensible thing to adjust to daylight savings time and heading to bed early) and asked, "Have we heard from our daughter yet?" I answer "No." He is quiet and staring, contemplating the possibilities. I ask, "Well?" He responds, "Alright then, she's spent the weekend with a boyfriend!" and he is grinning, a teasing smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. So both of us are considering the possibilities and at the same time trying not to think about them or at least to think about them in a humorous light.
What has occupied me for four weeks? Student assessment, report cards (Sent home on last Friday!), Student Intervention Team Meetings, a TERC Investigations Math workshop last Saturday, Easter brunch with friends last Sunday, a NUA Literacy workshop yesterday (dynamic but time consuming) and two colds; the nastiest one still lingering. I went to the Y only once in the last 2 weeks. While it was necessary so that I could do report cards and 'nurse' my cold it always puts me in a foul mood to miss my exercise.
On the gardening front, everything is getting green again, including the weeds. The soothing sound of rain is welcome music to my ears. Unless you have lived in Seattle you probably can't appreciate the many hues of green. And those 150 new tulips I planted last fall...it's going to be worth every minute of hole digging.
On a less fretful note...our trip is taking shape, we have requested reservations in Rome and Florence. The Rick Steves and Dorling Kindersley travel books litter the dining room table. I listen to the French tapes as I go to work at least 3 times a week. My progress is SLOW; next to non-existent.
Chris just came downstairs to say good night (he is doing the sensible thing to adjust to daylight savings time and heading to bed early) and asked, "Have we heard from our daughter yet?" I answer "No." He is quiet and staring, contemplating the possibilities. I ask, "Well?" He responds, "Alright then, she's spent the weekend with a boyfriend!" and he is grinning, a teasing smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. So both of us are considering the possibilities and at the same time trying not to think about them or at least to think about them in a humorous light.
What has occupied me for four weeks? Student assessment, report cards (Sent home on last Friday!), Student Intervention Team Meetings, a TERC Investigations Math workshop last Saturday, Easter brunch with friends last Sunday, a NUA Literacy workshop yesterday (dynamic but time consuming) and two colds; the nastiest one still lingering. I went to the Y only once in the last 2 weeks. While it was necessary so that I could do report cards and 'nurse' my cold it always puts me in a foul mood to miss my exercise.
On the gardening front, everything is getting green again, including the weeds. The soothing sound of rain is welcome music to my ears. Unless you have lived in Seattle you probably can't appreciate the many hues of green. And those 150 new tulips I planted last fall...it's going to be worth every minute of hole digging.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Brilliant Forsythia
Our neighbor, Mr. Green owns this bushy forsythia. It sure provides a bright backdrop for our mailboxes.
Another Feline Visitor
This is the most recent interloper to our backyard, isn't she pretty? While not quite as wild as most of the other neighbor cats she is not exactly cuddly. She lets us pet her once in a while but
is not about to let us pick her up.
is not about to let us pick her up.
Bergenia
At one time I wanted to rip every 'elephant ear' out of my yard. I thought
them to be old fashioned (I still think they are) and boring. They also are a great hiding place for lots and lots of snails that chomp away at nearly every foliage they creep across. But over time I realized these 'old fashioned' plants were a welcome splash of pink in the earliest of spring and they fill up rockery crevices like nobody's business, leaving no room for weeds.
them to be old fashioned (I still think they are) and boring. They also are a great hiding place for lots and lots of snails that chomp away at nearly every foliage they creep across. But over time I realized these 'old fashioned' plants were a welcome splash of pink in the earliest of spring and they fill up rockery crevices like nobody's business, leaving no room for weeds.
Narcissus
Nothing hearalds spring more than the sunshine yellow of narcissus in neighborhood flower beds.
Helleborus
No woodland garden is complete without a
helleborus or two. I could do with three or four more. I think this burgundy shade
is particularily lovely.
helleborus or two. I could do with three or four more. I think this burgundy shade
is particularily lovely.
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