I can see clearly now....

During the last half of the school year, Mary would frequently complain that she couldn't see the chalkboard at school and insisted that she needed glasses. I was worried that it was peer-related, since I knew that several of the girls in her class wore glasses. Nevertheless, her teacher put her in the front row.

I mentioned all this to the pediatrician when I took her in for a well-visit a couple of weeks ago. She did a quick vision exam, and said her vision was about 20/70. So I finally took Mary to an eye doctor.
She got glasses this week. She is so excited! She doesn't need them all the time, but she has been wearing them anyway for the novelty of it. Now, wherever we go, she is constantly saying things like, "Look at that! Wow, that sign says...." I feel kind of guilty for doubting her.

I can remember getting my first pair of glasses. I had just graduated from high school. I got them just for driving and wearing in class. But the first day that I got them, I drove to Target to get something, and I marveled as a walked around the store... I could see everything and read all the signs!!!! What a feeling.

And now I marvel that I can see clearly without glasses or contacts. Hooray for Lasik!!!!!

John Adams

Jay and I just finished watching parts 1 and 2 of the fantastic HBO mini-series "John Adams." I highly recommend it! It was extremely well-cast; the acting is excellent, especially Paul Giamatti. I admit I was initially surprised to see he had been cast in the title role, but I was impressed; he has proven himself to be quite a versatile actor. (And they did a fantastic job of making David Morse look startlingly like George Washington!)

I hadn't realized that the mini-series was based on the bestselling book (Jay's favorite) by David McCullough (Jay's favorite author), which I have been meaning to read. But now I'm going to for sure.

Web

I just finished reading this wonderful classic to Jack. I read it to Collin and Mary when they were four as well. They all loved it as much as I do. What a lovely and touching story of friendship, loyalty, love, and sacrifice. I cry just as hard every time I read it. I hope this wasn't the last time. I suppose I can read it to my grandchildren.

Recently, Jack came in the house to tell me that there was a spider web on his bike. I was distracted, and merely replied with something like, "Well, just brush if off. It won't hurt you." After a pause, Jack went on to say, "Mom, spiders don't like humans... only pigs."

4th of July Weekend

We had a fun weekend up north, away from the heat. We drove up Wednesday evening to my parents' cabin in Pinetop. Then we spent the day on Thursday hanging out with Jay's family at his parents' place in Vernon (about 30 minutes away).

Grandma's latest acquisition

The cousins all played baseball on the front lawn

And of course they loved riding Grandpa's "four-wheelers"

We spent Friday (July 4th) in St. Johns (another nearby town) where we have every year since I can remember. My mom's sister lives there, and it's fun to visit with family and enjoy the small-town activities, like the BBQ and foot races at the park.

Jack took 3rd place.
Here is Jack showing off his prize quarter (1st place wins a dollar coin, 2nd place a 50-cent piece, and everyone gets a box of Cracker Jacks).

Mary took 2nd place last year, but didn't place this year. Same with Collin (for some reason I didn't get a photo).

I think Jay probably won't race again after he took a spill this year and may have cracked a rib! (Darn those sneaky pot holes in the grass!)

Mary had to climb her favorite tree... like she does every year.

On Saturday, we had a reunion with my dad's side of the family in Snowflake (yet another nearby small town). I have many happy memorizes of summer fun in Snowflake. We met at the park where all the cousins enjoyed playing together, and we did lots of eating, playing, visiting, etc. Jack with his buddies Sam and Juliette

Jack and Sam with their precious water balloons

My cousin took all the little kids for rides in the pony cart. What a treat!

Jack was too afraid to ride one of the big horses, but he finally got brave enough to ride the pony... with plenty of assistance from my awesome cousins. (The one in front in single... any takers?)

Here is Collin riding. Mary rode too, but apparently I didn't get a photo (though I did get some video). Hey, I even rode a horse for the first time in at least 15 years! Thank goodness there are no photos of THAT! (I think there is some video though... uh oh.)

Sunday we went to church in Pinetop and enjoyed more visiting and nice cool weather! My favorite thing to do when we go to the cabin is hang out and talk on the porch swing. Ahhh.

We decided to drive home Monday morning instead of fighting the Sunday afternoon traffic. Back to the heat. Bleh.

We're off!

We are headed to the cabin for the long weekend. Happy Independence Day!

Magazines

I subscribe to too many magazines, namely this one, this one, this one, this one, this one, and this one, as well as the Ensign, New Era, and The Friend. I used to receive "Blueprint" as well (another Martha Stewart mag), but the publication went in the tank after less than a year. They still maintain the blog associated with it.

I subscribed only to The Ensign until after I was married. When I became a homeowner, I finally started taking "Better Homes and Gardens" at my sister's suggestion. I finally added "The Friend" once I became a mother (even though my first child couldn't even read yet), mostly because I was called to serve in Primary and needed it as a resource. And that was it for many years. I recently added "The New Era" because Collin was reading through "The Friend" too quickly, and it seemed like he needed something a little deeper.

So, now I have all 3 church magazines and it will stay that way. But somehow I added all those others! I had decided to quit "BHG" because it has gone seriously downhill over the years (it seems to be mostly ads these days) but they begged and begged me to stay, offering me 2 years for the price of one, plus a free gift subscription. I couldn't resist.

Several years ago I subscribed briefly to Martha Stewart Living, but cancelled after a year since everything was way too, you know, Martha-Stewart-ish. But they kept begging me to come back, and finally made me an offer recently that I couldn't refuse. Then they offered me a deal on "Everyday Food" (another Martha mag) which I know my sister-in-law likes, and well, yes, I took it. Ditto with "Blueprint." Uh oh.

I the meantime, I had already signed up for "Real Simple" to replace BHG. I enjoy it, and plan to keep it. But then my sister-in-law turned me on to "Domino" which is very fun, and I got a really good deal so once again I couldn't resist. Then the same publisher offered me "Lucky" which was much different than all the others which are mostly "domestic" in nature. But I thought I would try it out since it might help me figure out what to wear. (Could YOU resist a 12-month subscription for $10?)

This all happened within a matter of months. Yikes! What had I gotten myself into? I had justified the first few as practically a necessity since I was trying to get my house organized (when I decided we didn't need a bigger house, just use our space more efficiently), and they offered many good ideas which have been very helpful. I figured I would give them all a try and only keep the best ones after the first year was over.

The year came to an end and I really liked all of them and couldn't decide which to keep. Soooo, I renewed them all. Oops. Now I'm regretting it. But I still can't decide what to do. I still have several months to go on my second year, and I am reluctant to let any of them go. But I really do have too many to read.

So, I need some advice here. I am definitely dropping BHG, no matter what they offer me, and definitely keeping "Real Simple." (It fits my life the best.) But I'm undecided on the rest. I have a love/hate relationship with Martha, so maybe I should drop hers. That would be 2 more down. Domino and Lucky are tough. They are both really fun, but probably don't really fit me, but I would like to keep one of them, since I need some "style" in my life.

What should I do?

More of an obsession

I just finished reading this book. You probably already know that I am sort of obsessed with Jane Austen, and "Pride and Prejudice" in particular (I hardly lack for company, you know), so you won't be surprised to learn that I found it quite entertaining. It was not as revelatory as I had hoped, and much of the dialogue (which really couldn't be helped) was quoted directly from the original book. But the author stayed true to the story, for which I was grateful.

45 Years

My parents celebrated their 45th anniversary on Saturday. Aren't they cute? My mom wrote the following to her family on that day:

"After 45 years we still love each other...even more. We woke up this morning on our anniversary day in a very quiet house. We love having people live with us and visit everyday, but it was a very special treat to just have each other on June 28th. It was just the way we started 45 years ago….alone. Our gourmet breakfast was Russ's famous omelet with Pico de gallo. As we savored every bite I was thinking that eternity would not be right without this fabulous food. No one makes a better omelet than my husband!!!!

After a few Saturday chores, Russell asked me where I wanted to go for lunch and I chose the Royal Palms Resort on 52^nd Street and Camelback. It is just a few blocks away from were I grew up and I love going back to visit my old neighborhood. Today memories flooded back as we passed 56^th street and I thought of my last night at home on Valencia Lane with my wonderful family. I remember I had a little wave of sadness at leaving, mixed with excitement about my upcoming marriage to the most wonderful man in the world and our dreams of life together.

One never knows exactly what life will bring, but if a marriage begins the Lord’s way and we fulfill our roles, walking by faith, great joy will come. For us it took faith to bring eleven children into our home, having learned from the first few that it is no easy task to care for a child’s physical and spiritual needs. We were willing….and the reward has been great!"

My parents have an amazing relationship, and they are a wonderful example to me (except that I'm not going to have 11 children!). Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad! And thanks for being such wonderful parents!

Magic Music Kidz Show

Last night was Collin and Mary's musical theatre performance. This was Collin's 3rd year and Mary's 2nd year participating in the "Magic Music Kidz" workshop put on by the music department at a local community college. It is a fantastic program, and the kids love it!

They both did a great job. We are very proud of them.

Tasha Tudor

Tasha Tudor died last week at the age of 92. I have been in love with her illustrations since I was a little girl, and I still am.

She illustrated about 100 books, some of them authored by her. But even if you think you have never heard of Tasha Tudor, you are probably familiar with her art if you have read "The Secret Garden," "A Little Princess," and Robert L. Stevenson's "A Child's Garden of Verses."

Interestingly enough, Tasha Tudor did not live in the time period she recreated through most of her art. In fact, about 10 years ago, I was surprised to learn that she was still alive. I had assumed she would have died long before I was born considering the world represented in her illustrations.

She born in 1915, but was so fond of the 1830's that she spent most of her life creating that world around her. She raised her 4 children in a farm house in New England with no electricity of running water.... on purpose. She cooked on a wood-burning stove, wove her own fabrics, made candles and soap, and dressed in the style of the early 19th century.

Her most recent home was built in the 1970's (by her son, using hand tools), but looks like something from 1830's, and is filled with antiques from the period.
I especially love her book "A Time to Keep." I enter a dream world each time I read it.

I was so pleased to find it still in print, and snapped up a copy for myself (my parents' old copy is very worn and tattered because of me, I'm sure).

(an illustration from "A Time to Keep")

Sadly, this book, "The Dolls' Christmas" is longer in print. But as soon as I can find an affordable copy in decent shape, it will be mine. (I'm sorry, but $25 for a copy in "poor condition" is simply not acceptable.)

Don't Bother

Since I am an unabashed fan of Jane Austen, I am always eager to read any book that has anything to do with her. And so I picked up this book from the library without knowing anything about it. At the time, I didn't even know it had been made into a movie.

[I find that a great many mediocre books are made into mediocre movies. Since Jane Austen has a lot of fans, publishers and movie produces are probably just as eager as I am when they hear that name.]

Generally, I like to read books that have been recommended to me by someone I know and trust. I need to remember that in the future. I didn't really like this book... thank goodness it was short, so not much of a commitment.

I just couldn't relate to or sympathize with any of the characters. Their stories were all interesting enough, but I just didn't find any of them likable. Oh well. Besides that, there were too many gratuitous uses of the "F" word. Just plain stupid.

I don't think I will bother renting the movie.

A Familiar Face

At the store today, one of the clerks (a slender and attractive 30-something woman) looked at me and said, "You look really familiar." Immediately, the other clerk (a much younger woman) said, "Yeah, to me too!" However, neither of them looked familiar to me. It didn't phase me though, because for some reason, I hear the phrase "you look familiar" a lot. I must have one of those faces.

Anyway, I smiled and I told them "I get that a lot." Clerk #2 nodded and said, "Oh, you must have one of those faces." But Clerk #1 continued to look at me while Clerk #2 rang up my purchase. Then she said, "Did you go to M___ High School?" Well, that was unexpected.

I replied that yes, indeed I did... did you? And yes, we both graduated the same year. I asked her name and told her mine. Her name sounded vaguely familiar, and she said mine was familiar as well. (Give me a break.... there were approximately 1000 students in my graduating class, and YES, it's been a long time!)

But nothing about her face was familiar. I suppose she must look quite a bit different now than she did in high school. But then so do I! I can't believe she recognized me (or at least my face) since we hadn't been friends back then. (Yes, I do remember my friends!)

I asked her if she was going to be attending our 20 year reunion (YIKES!) in October, and she said yes. (So am I, somewhat reluctantly... and Jay even more so.) I sort of felt bad that I hadn't recognized her.

But as I walked to my car I felt even worse when I thought about how 20 years after high school she was working as a clerk at Payless Shoes. Then again, maybe she was feeling sorry for me.... suburban mom, more than several pounds heavier, and three kids to show for it.

I hope she has her dream job. I know I have mine.

I think Drew would be offended....

In the early days of the TV show "ER" people would approach me on the street to tell me I looked like Dr. Susan Lewis on ER (actress Sherry Springfield). I started watching the show just to see what they were talking about. But apparently "MyHeritage" thinks I look most like Drew Barrymore. I'm not sure she would be too thrilled to hear that.

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities

Celebrity Morph of Jay

For some reason "MyHeritage" believes that Matthew Broderick is the celebrity who looks the most like Jay. So much for Jon Cryer.

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities

Cousins and Lego's

My kids never get tired of playing with their cousins. Besides the ones who live nearby, my sister and her kids are in town for a month... she has one the same age and gender as each of my children, so they are thrilled.

All day long I have had a total of 6 boys (ranging in age from 4-10 years old... and Mary) playing at my house.... swimming, eating (holy cow, these boys can eat a lot!), swimming some more, and playing with Lego's.
Have I told you how much I love Lego's? Well, I do. They are the best toy ever invented. They keep all 3 of my kids busy for hours. Every child who comes to play at our house wants to play with them. When the grandkids are at my mom's house, that's what they want to play with.

They have also been playing with these little Star Wars space ships as well, which are always a big hit around here.
But nothing compares to good ol' Lego's.