speaking of blue jays!

Look who decided to take a nap in my garden this afternoon.

I was very worried for his safety, since numerous of his predators live in the woods here. I put a bottomless birdcage over him and called my friend, Cindy Monell. She is a wildlife enthusiast. She told me that the fledglings get too big and fall out of the nest.The moms and dads know where they all are and spend their days
taking food to them in their various locations. I had no idea!

But here is is happening!!!

He is a cute little thing. I hope he survives...

He is sleeping again as I write...
under the old garden swing this time.

my rusty pump

There has been a sound coming from the side of my house for a few years now. Doug and I have both tracked it. But when we get to where we think it is coming from, it suddenly stops. Only to resume, you guessed it, as soon as we leave. I finally decided that it was a loose section of the drain pipe that gets moved by wind gusts. Until...the other day. When I became suspicious that something else was going on.Ah ha!
And just to confirm my suspicions...I looked it up on wikipedia.
"Blue Jays also have quiet, almost subliminal calls which they use among themselves in proximity. One of the most distinctive calls of this type is often referred to as the 'rusty pump' owing to its squeaky resemblance to the sound of an old hand-operated water pump."You might as well come and get something to eat. We have just refilled your feeder.
Have a good evening and take some extra to your mate. I am sure she is anxiously waiting the arrival of the baby birdies any day now!

Larry's

Today after school, I took Brianna to our standard meeting place in the Ocala National Forest where her grandmother was coming to collect her for a couple of days. The air conditioning only works on high in my car at the moment and we were tired of high, so we unrolled the windows. Brianna had brought along a Shania Twain CD and she was laughing that we were quite the country girls on the back roads!

As I was driving through Altoona, (population 88, area .5 square miles per 2000 census) I noticed Larry's.

Mental note: Stop a Larry's on the way home.

There were some cool looking blanket flowers there. Apparently, they grow really well in our area, but nobody sells the ones with the great big blooms. They are a winner for Larry because I am not the only person stopping by to see if I can purchase some of those flowers. Unfortunately, they were planted! Larry did tell me that he was collecting seeds for next year.

So, now I am at Larry's, and I am not going to get blanket flowers. Larry's little nursery is in the front yard of his trailer home. I think I should buy something...fortunately, this is not a problem, because he has some great stuff.

I finally decided on two Rose of Sharon plants and a hanging basket. I had left my purse in the car. I asked Larry, "Do you take Visa?" No, he doesn't. He takes cash and checks. I don't carry checks and I seldom have cash, but I think I might have some. So I tell him that I need to check and see if I have enough money.

"Oh, don't worry. You can take the plants and drop the money by whenever it is convenient."

I did have enough cash. And Larry has new patron!

to you

Dear Ones,

In the olden days and I have to confess, even now, I went/go to the mailbox with a small level of anticipation that there would/will be something really interesting there. If it is not Christmas or my birthday and I haven't ordered anything in particular the chances are slim to none. I am reminded of a not so nice note that Melanie once wrote to all her friends in California who promised to write, but then didn't when we moved to the UK. I couldn't let her send it. I think it was titled "Death Letter." But I did keep it and one of these days I will run into it again and then I will blog it and know where it is forever more. (One of the benefits of blogging.)

After we moved home from England came the advent of email. That was in the good old days when the only emails you got were from the few friends that actually had your email address. Nowadays, my email is used more like voice mail. Hey, I have a quick question when you have a minute. Plus all the trash that somehow manages to get past the super duper filtering systems. The best part of emails these days is the comments that are forwarded there from my blog. (Another benefit.)

But let's talk about blogging. It's like getting a little note from a friend. They tell me what they have been up to. I can post a comment and let them know I enjoyed hearing from them. When I post a blog, the dear readers stop in and often say hello through their comments as well. It is just a feel good time of day. (Numerous benefits implied here.) Sometimes, I want to keep feeling good and check more than once! I appreciate my google reader for doing the tough work for me and then letting me know who has left a message.

I read several blogs of people I don't even know. They don't know I read their blogs because I don't leave comments either. They are my real life soap operas. What will CJane say about the ordeal of childbirth? How does Lawdy come to terms with never being done? Will Meems ever give enough clues about where exactly in central Florida that she lives so that I can drive over and admire her beautiful garden in person? It makes me feel great about the whole brotherhood of man thing or I should say sisterhood of woman thing because I read blogs written by women. And, I hope that someday in one of those random, stranger than fiction ways, I will run into those women and thank them for their insights/entertainment.

And so fellow bloggers and dear readers, today I just want to say thanks to you all. Because of you, every day feels a little bit special.

garage "before"

Oh no!

Where are the after pictures?

There are NO AFTER PICTURES.

Yet.

We did take 3 loads to the dump. I can hardly move. I am sore from head to toe. You know how on those "organize your home" shows, it all happens in less than an hour. No such luck. We worked from 9am to 7pm.

I am hopeful that one day, I will post some after pictures.

parents who care

When I went into school Thursday, I was dismayed to find that the behavior of my students was not up to par. Later, I told my husband that you know it is a bad day when your very best student also takes home a note about a rough day.

This morning when I arrived at school, he and his mom were waiting for me at my classroom door. He had an apology in hand. She wanted to know more specifics and if more discipline measures should be meted out over the weekend.

As a teacher, I am grateful for parents who support those of us who teach and care for their children. As a member of society, I am grateful for parents who insist on standards that make our world a better place.

Nobody is perfect all the time. Not even my hard-working, polite student who almost always calls me "ma'am" instead of Mrs. Carter. I hope he has a great weekend. He does deserve that!

forgiveness

I have been pondering about an experience that I had in Washtington, DC. It was the Sunday when Cherylyn and Tanner and I took the kids on a walk. As we were going along the trail, we saw a man coming toward us walking a minature doggy. It was a very cute doggy and Clark, being obsessed with any doggy, cute or otherwise, was in the full throws of happy anticipation of the moment when this man and his doggy would be near enough for some kind of exchange. But then, just as the man and doggy were approaching near enough, he swooped up his doggy into his arms and held him as humanly far away from us as possible as we passed. We were quite surprised! So much so that we ended up not even having the normal friendly greeting that generally passes between strangers when out on a Sunday stroll.

A little while later, and quite out of blue, Cherylyn said that maybe his doggy was not friendly and he was trying to protect us. Though she could have chosen to believe he was Scrooge reincarnate with a dog, she chose to believe that he was perhaps protecting her son.

I have thought how easy it is to take offense from strangers. Those offenses are often forgotten quickly. Offenses from people that we actually know and love are sometimes harder to deal with. For myself, I am caught off guard and even dismayed at the potential that others have to wound me. I personally have been dealing with two inflictions. Was the intent sinister, or were the offending ones clueless that they had gashed me with their sword when they weren't even looking? And likewise, how many times have I inadvertently bumped into another. I am grateful that at the very least I do "not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due."

It is one thing to forgive and to forget. And it is another to actually impute a positive spin on disconcerting experiences. I have been learning lessons from my children since they were born. I still am. The stitches and bandages are in place!

and Doug was...

Which Twilight novel character are you?

You're Jasper Hale - You have a calming personality and a simplistic way of looking at life. People like to be around you because you can help keep peace and are friendly to everyone. Although you do have a quiet side, you would be well balanced with a bubbly, spunky mate.
Take this quiz!

Hmmmmmmmmmm.....

remembering when

Today, Brianna gave her first talk in Sacrament Meeting. She did such a nice job. She wrote the talk herself last Sunday, so that she could look it over during the week. I helped her find some useful links on lds.org on her computer and Doug printed a couple of talks that she asked him for so that she could use them as a reference.

That got me to thinking about the first talk that she ever gave in church. That was in junior primary in the Coral Springs Ward and the Pompano Beach Stake in south Florida. She had only been living with us a few months and was still having a hard time sitting quietly in Sacrament meeting. She was three, and she was a Sunbeam. She said the words to a little known primary song called God's Love. I had printed pictures from the internet to show the children and remind Brianna of the various parts of her talk. She had memorized it. It was wonderful.

Her testimony has grown and it is a blessing to see her in YW striving to do her best and continuing to broaden her knowledge of the Gospel. It is wonderful!

is this me?

Which Twilight novel character are you?

You're Carlisle Cullen - You are very intelligent and have high moral standards. You truly care about people and helping them. Your knack for solving problems and pleasing two warring sides makes you unique and a desirable friend to have, even if sometimes you have to tell people what they might not like hearing. Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

the jewelery store

I needed a new battery for my watch. I went to see Mr. Merry at Merry Jewelers downtown who advertises that we should "make every occasion a Merry occasion"...lol

Mr. Merry is 92 years old. He works Monday through Friday until noon, except on Wednesday, when he goes golfing. He told me all about the new house that he is building on Lake Gertrude which is "awesome", (his word!)

He said that you get old really fast and that he is "super old". He said he doesn't expect to live a long time but plenty of years to enjoy his new house. I asked him if he knew my neighbor, Mr. Gatch. Oh yes, he answered, I have lived here since 1925. Sure, I know his whole family. (I think that would be since he was 9 and Mr. Gatch was 13.)

I really enjoyed our visit. Why, oh why, didn't I have my camera with me today so that I could have had a picture with him.

to celebrate

our 32nd anniversary today, we went to see...which (pun,haha) we thought was wonderful!

earth day

I was a junior in high school when the first Earth Day was celebrated.
Today, Earth Day is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities.













More than a half billion people participate in Earth Day Network campaigns every year.













Happy Earth Day from the spot of the world that I enjoy!

LDS Prom

I had a great date for LDS prom! It was at the DeBary Country Club this year. Dinner was good and it was fun visiting with friends from our stake and the one the we were split off from.






Three of my four Laurels were at the dance tonight. Jordan, Melissa and Tori. They looked especially beautiful. I had to say it like that because I always think they are beautiful.

shopping buddies

I just love Tricia's double stroller. She gave it to Cherylyn...which made it possible for me to check out Tysons Corner and Tysons Galleria on Monday and Tuesday this week. These are my two shopping buddies. They were awesome. We also went to the park and after about an hour of fun for Clark on the equipment, they got to go on a stoller hike...where I did all the work and they enjoyed the scenery in style!

cherry blossoms and bluebells

Our Sunday walk at Riverbend Park.

washington, dc

Weather.com
The great temperature divide
It is cool East and Northwest, but very warm northern Rockies to Southwest. Changes are coming to all areas.

My flight hit the front.
It was scary.
I am glad to be safely here.

friday more fun at the lake

We invited the Boone's over for more fun at the lake. It was Wyatt's birthday! Kasey skied with us. Tricia had an amazing run, and I was glad that I MADE her ski. I am pretty sure she loved it. Doug, Brianna and I also had our first run of the season. Loads of tubing was done by all.

sea world

I had never taken advantage of my status as a teacher as Sea World until now. Teachers get in free! It was wonderful and I can't wait to go back. First, we went to the dolphin show. I didn't want to get wet, and so I sat well away from the "soak zone" with Bella and JB. Later in the day we went to see Shamu.



Based on our experience at the dolphin show, I didn't think that much "soaking" went on. Of course...Shamu soaked us!

shopping on tuesday

After work Tricia and I headed to Orlando for shopping. We decided to check out the Prime Outlet.


I noticed while uploading the link that the webpage says:

The following stores will open later in the month of April (stay tuned for exact dates!): BCBGMAXAZRIA Factory Store

Let me tell...it is open! And we had a good time shopping there.

waiting for monday

We had all been anxiously waiting for Monday afternoon. It was our first opportunity to head for the lake. Everybody was having fun.

Bella was particulary funny riding on the tube with her hands over her eyes to protect herself from spray.

As usual, Jonah wanted more and more and faster and faster.

Carter wanted less and less and slower and slower. He was quite the helper on the dock pushing us out and pulling us in and he had lots of good ideas for dumping the passengers on the tubes!

Courtney even went for a ride with Brianna on the Airhead.

conference

My favorite visual memory of conference weekend was looking into the faces of Jonah, Carter, Courtney and Brianna as they were sitting on the family room floor eating cinnamon rolls and watching the broadcast.

On Saturday morning when Elder Scott announced that he was going to talk about abuse, I thought that I did not want to listen to that talk. Then I chided myself and decided to pay attention. Can I just say that I thought it was remarkable. Most things he had to say are true about any kind of sin. I've pondered about what he had to say since then and I am glad that his talk is now available online. I also think he is amazing for taking on such an incredibly difficult subject in general conference.

Last Saturday night was the YW portion of General Conference. I thought the talk that Elder Eyring gave that night was beautiful and inspiring for all women in the church. He said,

"That enemy of your soul knows you and your goodness. He knows that if he can turn you away from walking in the light, he can both capture you and stop you from helping others along the journey. He knows how good you are and your power to teach and influence hundreds of Heavenly Father's children in this life—and thousands over the generations that will follow your path. If he can get you to wander away from the light on your journey, he can do harm and bring misery to many.

"The fact that you are listening now is evidence that God recognizes your great importance and that you have chosen to walk in the light He offers you. Such choices are not always easy to see clearly. You make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness. Some of the most important choices are about what you set your heart upon...

"It is by faith that you can lay hold upon every good thing. I pray with all my heart that your faith will be increased that you are a daughter of a loving God. I testify to you that you have been one of the valiant ones to reach the point where you now are in this journey of life. Just as you are marked as a target by the enemy of righteousness, you have been protected and watched over by your Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. They know you. They know all of the forces and individuals around you. They know what is ahead of you. And so They know which of the choices you make, which of the desires you decide to satisfy, and which of the circumstances around you will make the most difference in keeping you walking in the light. I testify that by the Spirit of Christ and by the Holy Ghost, you may walk confidently in whatever difficulties will come. Because you are so valuable, some of your trials may be severe. You need never be discouraged or afraid. The way through difficulties has always been prepared for you, and you will find it if you exercise faith.

"You must have faith to pray. You must have faith to ponder the word of God. You must have faith to do those things and go to those places which invite the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost.

"I promise you that within the next few days you will feel the illumination of the Spirit of Christ and the Holy Ghost in your everyday life. When you walk in the light, you will feel at that moment some of the warmth and the happiness that will finally be yours when you are welcomed home again with the hundreds and perhaps thousands of others whom you will bring with you, who have walked in the light because you did...

"...there are both true servants and angels to help you along the lighted path. I so testify in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

where has all the money gone?

Doug recently did a consulting job for the company that he works for now. He was paid the consulting fee all in one check and he gave that check and his first paycheck as a regular employee to me at the same time. I took the checks to the bank and they told me it would be a few days before I could access the money, which was fine. A few days later, I was cashing a different check at the bank and asked about the deposit that I had made. The teller told me that it was in the account. But when I went online a couple of days later...it was not there!
The next day I went to the bank as it was already after hours.

First, I went through the drive up window because it was Saturday and I didn't think the bank was open. The teller was having trouble and asked me to come inside. Once inside...well, first my stomach started hurting and then my face. (Those are my favorite stress points.) I am standing there thinking relax...relax. Finally the teller says that she can tell that I made a deposit, but she is having trouble locating it.

At l-o-n-g last she says, "Who is Brianna?"

the jet skis

It's a blog-able event every year now. Because our jet skis are about 12 years old and in human years that is about 112. Doug and I have gone down to the lake almost every morning this week with a specific task in mind. And today...it happened. They were ready to go! So Brianna called all the YW. Not all of them could enjoy the day with us. But these beauties did.

shopping adventure

Brianna and Nellie had lunch with me and then they went shopping and I went shopping at Millenia Mall. We even managed to run into each other. And once we were in the same store and the same time and didn't even know it. I noticed lots of !bright colors! for summer.

cheers for B

Brianna just finished her first year of Florida Virtual School Advanced Math. She finished with 99.04% in the class. Her teacher called me yesterday to say that she thought Brianna ought to skip Math II and go straight to Math III. I told her that Brianna had to work very hard to keep her math grade and she does every extra credit assignment as well. It has been a lot of hard work and tears at times but she has done very, very well. Following is the note she received from her teacher today on the final exam:

Brianna~

WOW! You need to give yourself a pat on the back! You just finished a very challenging task. The exam consisted of concepts from 4 modules and you were able to successfully answers questions on all those wonderful concepts=)

You should be so proud of yourself!

Mrs. Dahlquist

truman's birdhouse

When I was organizing some files today, I found Truman's picture of the Birdhouse that he painted in preschool last year. I just love it!