Heavens to Betsy Ross, it's been since July last year that I've done a "fivesensefriday"... I almost forgot how to do it. Feel free to join with me on your blog on Fridays to explore your five senses... for all two of you that read this blog... and then tell me about it so I can check it out:)
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TASTING-
St. Patricks Day left-overs for lunch
I scrounged up all the green things I could find in my kitchen for our special green dinner. Those naughty Leprechauns were sneaky and overturned the kitchen chairs and left green footprints on our counter. The king of the Leprechauns, Tade, proclaimed as he discovered this, "Dad is going to freak!"... it was pretty cute. The kids eventually found some treats left behind in the guest room, or "Nana and Pa's room".
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SMELLING-
Lemon Verbena Candle
from Target, it's my newest obsession.
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FEELING- completely CHANGED because of this post where Lisa of Almost Famous gives practical tips for cleaning... http://almostfamouslisa.blogspot.com/2011/03/practical-ideas-to-cleaning-try-em-out.html
It's like someone has finally given me permission to get rid of things. I had a major "Aha" moment when I read it, especially the "touch it once" rule and considering how much "energy" it takes to keep something. I've been cleaning for years, (or attempting to) and have been held back by certain obsessive compulsive tendencies. Now the trick will be to apply what I've learned... would you mind if I left a couple boxes of things at your place, just in case I need them in the future?
Also in line with this-
One of my all time favorite quotes by my mom when she asks what I'm doing and I tell her that I'm cleaning my house is she will always suggest that I "light a candle, and turn on some music"... works great until I'm too distracted by the music and I start to dance and forget what I'm doing.
Also in line with this-
My mom just stopped by, for reals, right as I'm typing this. My house is a capitol D for disaster. Is there anything worse than when someone surprises you with a visit and your house is trashed, when just the day before is was beautifully sparkling? I guess I don't know what that's like since there is always some corner of my house in disarray, but that is going to change. My mom was so gracious and acted like she didn't even notice the mess, but let's be honest, it's like trying not to notice that hobo sitting in that chair eating a slice of pizza... in his diaper.
SEEING- photos by Garance Dore.
Originally an illustrator from Paris, she takes street photographs similiar to The Sartorialist, whom I think she is in a relationship with, isn't that romantic?
HEARING- Mindy Gledhill Whole Wide World
Loooove her new video,
and super excited that she'll be in I.F. in May!
Seriously, this kids big round noggin is almost impossible to get shirts over, but I just keep telling myself, there's a big brain in there... and only mothers can say that their kids have big heads... mothers, and pediatricians. Charlie has been my tenderness through these rough days with my difficult three year old. When Tade is yelling at me that I'm a "poop slice!" or a "pee wax!" or a "butthead!" (I pray he doesn't say that last one at church, and he created the first two himself, impressed?), then I know I can scoop up my little wibble wobble walking man and get instant love and reassurance that there is goodness in the universe... not that Tade isn't good, I love him with all my heart, but even the relatives are suggesting we start his own website called "Tade-tastrophies".
Emily is a sweet and hilariously clever woman I met through a blog swap, and is living with her American family in Japan. She has written updates on the state of their area and the amazing things people around them are doing to help eachother. Just today she was able to "deliver" hugs to two girls staying at the Misawa Air Force Base... from their mothers. Emily's thoughts into what you really find yourself needing after a natural disaster are so interesting and made me rethink our preparedness. I was explaining to my son the other day that living in Idaho we won't find ourselves in the same situation as coastal parts of Japan, but we should be prepared for any emergency just the same. www.actegratuit.blogspot.com
Amazing Amanda whom I wrote about HERE, has a very special place where she shares her innermost feelings and inspires all to find sunshine amongst life's storms. I think you will be touched to read her words. It is humbling to me that she has decided to turn heartbreak into hope as she shares with others the message of forever families.
We decided as a family last year to cancel tv (cable and local) in order to clean our home of useless and worldly information and entertainment. This has been one of the greatest choices we have ever made. It has made such a difference in how we spend our time and the spirit we bring here. Occasionally I have withdrawals from some of my favorite design or food programs, but TV shows and commercials have become so frighteningly innapropriate, that truthfully, we are all surviving just fine without all that junk. Now we just watch movies through Netflix and DVD's, which are closely monitored. My next step is to get rid of the xbox... but then we might become perfect and have to be translated so might as well keep Lego Batman and Call of Duty on the shelf.
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When catastrophes happen in our own town or in the world we are the last to find out about it, especially if my computer is down, and since we don't take the newspaper (which I need to change), I rely on the internet to stay informed. I can't express how desolated I am catching up on the aftermath of the tsunami in Japan. I am grateful that I don't have tv to remind me everyday of what's going on, but at the same time I feel like I have my head in the sand. I feel helpless and desperate for those dear people. I must think of a way to help. Do you have any ideas? Maybe another joint effort with the kids and their friends is in order... or maybe I'll contact the Humanitarian Center of our church and ask them what the needs are.
For over a week now the Imperial Army has been attacking my computer, and Darth Virus shuts it down every three minutes... totally frustrating! Have you ever gone a week without a computer? It's like Chewbacca going a day without growling. Obi-Wan (Chris) was crazy busy getting ready for the big Bull Sale that turned out to be a huge success, so he wasn't able to come rescue me from the droid's predicament... I pretty much turned into Jaba for the week. So much for posting everyday, but I will continue to use The Force daily even if the internet doesn't witness my mad Jedi skillz.
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My very own Anakin (Tade) and I have been enjoying games of Jenga, and the following pictures depict a typical game... his facial expressions are better than Princess Leia's buns.
