Be here, and happy, now.

Why are people posting that they are sad? I've been told (a lot) recently that my life should a shambles, sheer dismay and woe; but I don't see it. I honestly feel that I need a gratitude mop to sop up all the goodness and sweets. If you are really, truly sad may I suggest buying a cruiser bike and ride it until it groans under you and you feel happy as you fly around in the sunshine? Try to be grateful for Your problems, you really don't want anyone else's.

Mr. Rogers, the Beloved and Missed.

--> FACEBOOK CONVERSATION <--

ML: I am looking OH SO ATTRACTIVE with tissues stuffed up my nostrils. Gotta love spring colds/allergies/whatever it is.

H: Ha! I was just wondering, sadly (C has a fire going), if I could slither up the stairs unnoticed. My puffy eyes, runny nose and blotchy skin must look so lovely. I've been crying -- reading about Mr. Rogers! Meanwhile, my kitten allergies have kicked in. I HAD to teach Miss M how to hold the sweet, furry, purring kitty! For a long time ... As Mr. Rogers would say to You, "I love you just the way you are!" -- I say it too M!

about an hour ago · 

ML: Well aren't you just sweet (as are the furry, purring kitties). But why have you been crying over Mr. Rogers?

38 minutes ago

H: Oh, I LOVE Mr. Rogers! I've been looking for something for a very special young man's 15th (!) birthday next Friday ... 

The more I read about Mr. Rogers the more I admire him. He was a man of complete integrity & humility, & unlike so many famous men, he was consistent & true his entire life. He cared passionately for children & what is Best for their positive growth; this is so sorely lacking in 2010. If K would have Mr. Rogers as a role model & not men with tricked out names like: Tiger, Jay-z or Jesse James, if he is 9/10ths like Mr. Rogers, I will die a happy mother.

When Mr. Rogers passed away K & I cried together.

I'm actually surprised at how strongly I feel for him. Just read that he showed up in Eddie Murphy's dressing room at Saturday Night Live when EM was making fun of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (with drug addicts etc.). When EM saw him, naturally he swore [great] and, naturally, Mr. Rogers hugged him.

I see a lot of Christ's example in him, the humility, intelligence, deep spirituality & love of children.

(Hey, thanks for a blog post here!)

E is for Ettiquette OR L is for Late OR T is for Tardy Thanks.

That's kinda a Rocky & Bullwinkle title. This post is not about new furniture or cute clothes... just cleaning up and posting so that I can remember what I said/did. ---> BORING for most.

In May 07 I went to SF and visited 2 schools for deaf children: The Auditory Oral School of San Francisco. (Man, I wish I could dot that "i" with a heart!) at 1234 Divisidero, 94115 and also the Jean Wiengarten Peninsula Oral School for the Deaf in Redwood City
I have finally written those thank you notes. Late is better than never. Here it is, each modified slightly:
Hello ML & KS, Hello JC,
It was a pleasure to tour your program in May 2007 (!) I have wanted to write since to say thank you for sharing your insight, experiences and inspiration. I have also wanted to write something grans and glorious about progress in Utah. Things are progressing and your examples are making a difference -- so without waiting another day [or getting detrailed by a cancelled house tour, IEP mtgs, traveling to SLC for speech, dealing with USDB, job changes, 5 children...] I want to write and tell you: THANK YOU!

The foundation that I started (Journey to Hear, to help deaf/HH children in Utah County) with 2 other mothers has been stalled for a variety of reasons. One mother moved to Logan (2 1/2 hours North) to join Karl White's new program [Sound Beginnings].

Recently we decided to pull our daughter (4) out of Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind, hoping she will make more progress in a regular (hearing) pre-school rather than in the fractured USDB program. These decisions are hard to make and life interrupts...

Thank you again for taking time to talk with me, letting me tour your facilities, watch your enthusiastic teachers and especially for sharing your experience with me.
Sincerely,
H

T is for a Triffle.

Wanna go?!





A lovely Sunday for triffle.

Valentine Special: Rejection Lines... perfect for all your confectionery put downs.

Before embarking on the confrontation cookies (see previous post) we came up with a list of rude, but not mean, things 12 year old boys and older girls could say to someone they would like to know less. Once I reached my 20's I realized there were many scenes that I didn't have the script for. Just trying to help my kids learn the script. :)
Here are some examples that I am trying to teach SKJN&M:
Someone asks you to babysit, go on a date etc.? I'd love to but I can't.
Someone asks you a very personal, and inappropriate question? Why do you ask?
What is your phone number? 8o1-WAY-WRNG. [just give a wrong number, practice before you need it.]
::X::X::X::X::X::
The phrases needed to be short and slightly funny. Here is the list we came up with:
Scram
Plop
As if
Don't even
ha ha ha ha ha
1800 GET LOST
Get Lost
Thanks for Asking
Next Time
Not U Again
Just Try.
Ha Ha NO.
Go Away
UR A ...
Poop
Nasty
Forget It
& Who Are You?
What's that Smell?
Maybe next time?
No Thanks
No
Now Go Away
Hardly
Love to, Not
Right
Gross
Sick
In Your Dreams
My favorite: What's That?

Nice ones:
Cutie Pie
Ask Me
I hope.
Cool Cat
(heart) of Gold
Smiley Face
Cupcake.
Hey Z! Have any contributions?

M is for the Mayflower.

N drew this in a fit of concentration while at dinner at a friend's house on Monday. He said he wanted to draw and he meant it. Around here we all have that urge sometimes, rarely getting the chance to act on it. I'm so glad that we had the huge paper for him and the markers out. After he finished several drawings he told us all of the details. He also told us about friendship.

Last night he played with his beloved cousins for several hours. He was soooo happy. Thanks P & M for letting him play while C figured out wheat storage. Sweetie-pie M had a great time too! :)

I love the Thanksgiving holiday. The idea, the significance, the American-ness (in the very best sense of that word) of it.

Today our menu includes: Leek stuffing made by K, mashed potatoes by N & J, turkey (shaped) carrot cake :) by C, messes made by M, place cards made by S, pies made by DFM & SRM, the turkey cooked forever by H...

Hope you are having a great day!
H

T is for Thank You!

Last Thursday my pal and cupcake maker extra-ordinaire Steph H. brought a box of her finest to US! Oh wow. It was heaven, a heaven with celestial cupcakes and a llama and beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains. When S & K, the civilized ones, came home we had afternoon tea. Later J & N arrived and demolished, I mean devoured, a few. (I had already tucked one away for C.) Mlle. M, who feigns being civilized, polished off a white one before we even served her the hot coco.

Thank you Steph! If you want some of your own check out Dear Lizzy, 10953 N. Alpine Highway Highland, 801 492-0022.