Antarctic Diorama : What Drama

What fun this day was. My fantastic son had a class project to do. A Diorama with his choice of habitat. Caleb chose an Arctic habitat. Today was the day I could help and dedicate my time to him and the project. What a job!!!!

It has turned out quite well, but not without lots of hairs out of my head and his. Just kidding. We used tissue paper of all kinds, some plastic animals and made some animals out of salt dough. We recycled packing material and were very creative in the design. I just hope that it does not look so much like his mom helped him. Before bed tonight he did look at it and finished the penguin and smiled. He likes it, but he still wants to make one out of a shoebox.

This weekend has also been full of homemade pizzas and great family movies that make you cry. Last night we watched "Where The Red Fern Grows" and tonight Caleb and I watched a fantastic movie titled "Duma". "Duma" definitely has adventure, imagination and peril, many of which makes you want to hide behind a blanket. I admit that one of us did and I wanted to also but hey! I am mom, hear me roar. The story draws you into the boy's life and the videography is astounding. Someday I will travel to Africa, but with a very long lens. The young boy reminded me of Caleb very much. And I loved learning about the Cheetah and their mannerisms. As for "Where The Red Fern Grows", this story is one of my favorites from childhood reading. Grab the tissues though. There are scenes in this movie that the lighting is breathtaking grabbing at my heart and making me want to be in the hills back home. Then listening to the baying of the hounds brings back memories of the nights I went coon hunting in the woods of North Carolina with my Blue Tick and the boys. The movie also shows perseverance and hard work, much of which is a lost art these days. Both of these movies are thought provoking and motivating for young boys. If you have not seen them maybe add them to your to do list, whether you be boy or girl.

Well, the day is almost complete, the snow is almost gone, the dishes are done and the animals fed. And now I must be off to bed.

Saturday Pastels

A fresh day!! I awoke this morning to the soft yet unwanted crow of the fall roosters stretching their voice cords. If only they knew it was Saturday and to take this morning off. I hugged my Bear, yes, you read right, Bear as in the Ted E. type, stretched my sleepy legs and wiggled my toes. A new day has been blessed to us all and work awaits. As I found my robe and walked through the dark room I gazed outside and let the soft pink and orange hues soften me even more. I took a moment to soak in the scene and thought briefly about breakfast. I love to write and blog but for whatever reason I keep thinking I have to put great pictures up with every entry. Then I realized this is my blog, I can do whatever I want. Why is it I keep thinking I have to do or be whom or whatever everyone wants me to be? My goal is to drop that thinking and just be me!!

So, with a new day wide open for adventure and discovery I am thankful. For those that are far away from their loved ones keeping the wolves at bay, I am thankful. For my precious Sadie that rarely leaves my side I am thankful. I am thankful and thoughtful this morning. I love my talent and gift and am excited about this year that I will use it to make so many others happy within.

I thought I had a little while but I hear the thumpity thump of my sweet boys feet and the entourage of dogs behind him. Breakfast is beckoning and so is coffee. And so are the sheep... do they ever stay satisfied and quiet.

Phoenix

Fast times with Gary Meek and CPP high....

Yes, Happy New Year and so much more

Looking at my unsettled future

Happy New Year!!!!

What does that mean to an eight year old boy? It means getting to stay up until after midnight and drink bubbly stuff that I don't really like, but I'm going to drink it anyway cause it is cool. (Sparkling Grape Juice) Some big ball drops and everyone seems so happy and "Look at all that litter!" and people are kissing!!! Yuck!!!" It means I have another day off of school. It means mom has to start her taxes again and papers everywhere. It means . . . . . . counting, counting, counting... 358 more days until Santa comes again. It means New Years Resolutions. Here are Caleb's for 2009...
1. Beat Lego Star Wars the complete saga.
2. Skip the third grade.

Isn't life more fun through the eyes of a child.

So today is Inauguration Day.
The 44th President. History has been made with every man before him being sworn in as an American President. Correct me if I am wrong but doesn't that mean that history is made every four years. I totally understand the significance, but that is what is so great about this great nation... he had the opportunity to do what he desired and the paths of his walk led him there. Each of us has the opportunity. Folks he is a man, just like all the others before him. What matters to me is his foundational beliefs, his love, hope and protection of what our country believes and his ability to fight for it and hold it steadfast and true. I am saddened about the way much of our country is putting so much expectation on one man. He is a man married to a woman. They have faults just like each of us, they are human. I see the Change bumper stickers. Folks, change begins with each and everyone of us. Where has that been forgotten? And now I feel that many of my countrymen are getting lost in the hype and forgetting the foundations. My prayer is that we as Americans rethink our so called progress, be thoughtful and see where it has brought us and how we can move ahead but get back the important things we have lost. With so much at our fingertips my deeply rooted belief is that we have lost more than we will ever know. When I turn the TV on, which is very little these days I cringe at what we as a society call entertainment. I cringe at those who do crime but never pay. I cringe at the realization that children are not taught right from wrong because there is always an exception to a rule. Wait a minute are there still rules? I cringe at how the media controls so much and yet no one seems to control them.

I am hopeful as I have always tried to be before and pray that Americans take this chance to better themselves and not wait or expect someone to do it for them. I do find it enlightening that during the election many got the impression that they would be taken care of once Obama was elected. How will he fulfill that? My guess is he will tell each and everyone of us that it is time for us to step up to the plate and be better people and make better choices. For that is what needs to happen. There will be many shocked faces I am guessing after it all sinks in, but I am hopeful in us. After all, we have the freedom of choice... or at least those that make it out of the womb do.