Final Salute

I am listening to NPR right now. They are discussing a book called Final Salute by Jim Sheeler. It chronicles his experience in notifying families about the death of a loved one in the service of their country. It is heart-breaking to hear. I think I want to read it, but I'm not sure yet.

If you can, read an excerpt here. It's not a pleasant read, but sometimes the most important things we do, individually and as a collective whole, are the hardest.

Thank you.

Blue and White interiors make me happy

I do love blue, it is so peaceful and calming. Here are a few blue and white photos I found on Villa Anna, a site full of pretty interiors.



Could it be that I love this one because of the blissful stripe of water calling to me in the background?

And speaking of tempting, turn-my-knees-to-mush loveliness, I leave you with this.

Thank you Oliveaux.

Our own bean stalk

This spring a magic bean stalk grew in our front yard. My grumpily sceptic husband didn't believe and wanted to pull it up. But I insisted, and so up it grew.

The week before we were planning our trip up to find our own golden-egg laying goose, we came home to find it knocked over by some evil spell or perhaps a strong wind. Either way, our dreams of an early retirement are dashed.

My picture mosaic

Okay, I finally did one. Here I am.


1. Brooke at Sunset, 2. linguine pesto, 3. Willow Lake Sunrise, 4. Sunny Side Up, 5. the bb, 6. lemonade, 7. Sailing Holidays, 8. cookie monster, 9. For Marlene, 10. bless from above, 11. Carse of Gowrie - Hazy Scottish View, 12. On A Perfect Day, Everything That Matters In Life Can Fit Into A Single Frame

Nie Nie

If you haven't heard about Stephanie Nielson, an unfailing optimist and blogger, and her husband's scary crash, read about it here. Today there are Internet auctions all over to raise money for their medical care. There are so many great places to give. Two great places to start are Design Mom and A Room Somewhere.

And if you don't have money to give, prayers are even better.

When I'm busy and life

Or is that just life?

Anyway, when I have the most interesting stuff to blog about, I don't have (or take) the time to do it. This is what we've been doing.

Rachel finishes her 7th year of life.

Scott finishes his 5th.

The three oldest took swimming lessons and loved it.



My girls started school.


Charity got 5 shots and a checkup (13 lbs - 25% and 75% height)

We had a big birthday bash and took pictures of our Yellowstone shirts that never made it to Yellowstone, but spent a hot and smelly week in the garbage can.

Scott started Kindergarten! He's doing great so far.


I also had my aunt and uncle stay with us for a few days. She even taught me to knit (the favored GERMAN way of course). My first scarf will be forthcoming.

A Spot of Sun

Twilight

The Sun gose down
The Moon and Stars
Come Out Twilight
Is here. All the
mols are in ther holes.

--Rachel

How to Win Friends and Influence People

The classic How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie is on my currently reading shelf. My husband read it long ago, very long ago in middle school I think, and it changed his life. Well, I was feeling like I needed to win some more friends and influence more people, so I decided to read it.

I'm guessing you wouldn't mind having more friends and influence either. So I am starting a chapter by chapter book report to share with you. We will all be able to better control the people around us!

Just kidding.

So, here is Chapter 1: "If You Want to Gather Honey, Don't Kick Over the Beehive"

Don't criticize people. Even if they really, really deserve it. Period. Try to understand people and cut them some slack.

Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain---and most fools do.

But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving. (p. 36)

Olympic medal count

This is a geographic view of the Olympic medal count so far this year. If you go here you can see all maps for past years. 1980 is interesting, remember that is the year so many people boycotted the Olympics in the former USSR.

The Wilderness Stinks

The wilderness stinks. And I don't mean it's lousy, I mean it smells bad. Don't worry. My husband agrees. Read all about it here.

MaLM - Fish names

As if we didn't have enough mouths to feed at home, Matt brought us home 13 more, 12 gold fish and one Betta. Despite my initial denial, I really am enjoying them. Actually, I'm a little upset with our Betta (female=not so aggressive?) who seems to be taking a few bites out of our goldfish. In the spirit of love and acceptance, we have been naming some. So this week's Make a List Monday is

Good fish names we have used
1. Stripe (named by our kids) I secretly call her Mesa, short for checkerboard Mesa
2. Slip - small and mostly white
3. Opal - large, pearly, pretty with a chuck out of her tail.
And ones we haven't used yet
4. Whisper
5. Luther
6. Feather
7. Michael Phelps

What would you name your fish?

Good Parental Advice

I just found a little nugget of pure wisdom on Every Day I Write the Book.

It will be February. Things will be bad. You will consider vitamins, glasses, more exercise, more sleep, more chores, less TV, more rules, fewer rules, and organic food. Just wait. Things will get better when the snow melts. This will happen again at the end of summer, and then school will start.

I whole heartedly agree. Today school started, and I'm feeling saner already. And I miss my girls a bit, too. Scott starts next Monday.

Newport, all 366 pictures

Just kidding, but still probably a little overkill. It's for my parents.

Why do I love white and windows so?

I am so drawn to beautiful white interiors with a lot of big windows. In real life, I need more color, at least I think I do, but I always love pictures like these I found on Things That Inspire.

Yellowstone reunioning

My husband's family had a great reunion in Yellowstone last week. Besides loving the beautiful land and amazing geothermal activity, we played games, celebrated a retirement and just had a little too much fun with the walkie talkies.

Here are a few highlights.

Hayden Valley

Wading in the Firehole river


After swimming in the Firehole River



This one rained down on us.

Grosgrain: A great new-to-me blog

I found a new blog called Grosgrain by Kathleen Dougherty. She makes adorable clothes and then gives them away! How cool is that? Here is the latest one, an adorable swimsuit.

Grosgrain: Summer by the Lake Swimsuit GIVEAWAY!!!!