Monday, July 13, 2009

Bits and Pieces of Our Days

Woke up at 5:15 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep. I spent 45 minutes thinking that I should go back to sleep. I didn't go back to sleep. I've been up for an hour. I should have more to show for it.

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Saturday, a dear friend took Betsy and Ramona to the Ashfall Fossil Beds. Yes, that's right -- cool fossils right here in Nebraska.

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Saturday night we went to an anniversary party -- old college professors were there. I suddenly felt quite stupid. One of these guys can actually read hieroglyphics. I feel as if there are parts of my brain I haven't tapped for years. But the spinach/feta bites were delicious and gave me something to talk about (or gave me a reason not to talk as I shoveled more of them in my mouth ....)

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Yesterday, we picked up all the kids' projects from the county fair. They came home with loads of purples and blues and spending money from the ribbon premiums. They were thrilled with their accomplishments. The free Dippin' Dots (thanks, 4-H, for the food coupons) didn't hurt either.

We've done 4-h for three years now, and every year I say I'm going to drop it. June gets hectic, and we're always behind on the things we planned to finish. This year's stress led me to announce that next year "We are skipping 4-H!" and when fair day rolls around, "I'll just pay you twenty bucks apiece!"

Yes. I really said this. And I'm pretty sure I meant it. But, then, I take a look at everything my adorable kids accomplished:








Ramona's artwork and the sewing she did on her "I Love Jesus" banner? Betsy's gorgeous purple-ribbon cake? Anne-with-an-e's potato bread moving on the state fair? Can I really put a price on all of this?

I'm gonna have to up it to at least twenty-five.

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Did you watch The Next Food Network Star last night? We were aghast that they didn't send Integrity-Challenged Debbie home.

Grrrrrr.

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4 comments:

Lenetta said...

1) I am coming off of 2 years of insomnia and need to get into the habit of getting up earlier. But then the little one hears me, and gets up earlier than she should . . . and I think about the sleep I might have had . . . and so far it's just easier to stay in bed till 7. :>)

2) If you ever get out west, visit Ash Hollow near Lake McConaughy. Quite worth it in my mind, but I grew up near there so I'm biased.

3) Funny you should mention mommy brain drain - I've been a bit wistful lately as I've found my attention span has changed so much from my college days. Does it ever come back, I wonder?

4) Also funny you should mention 4-H as I've been thinking about it lately. Hubs didn't participate as he grew up on a farm and, as his dad put it, they did 4-H every day. I did a bit. Since there isn't a very close nearby homeschooling group, it might be a good thing to do . . . Your girls' projects are lovely!

Jennifer said...

What neat projects! I'm so impressed! And I missed this week's show. I'll have to catch it in rerun.

Theresa said...

Congratulations girls!!! Way to go!!!

Karen said...

Love seeing their projects! I was in 4-H sewing as a girl in Saskatchewan. Fun! BTW did you know there is a movie of Ramona & Beezus in the works? My husband's work is supplying some of the gear. They're filming here in Vancouver. We're excited. Boys enjoyed the books thoroughly once they realized how naughty Ramona was and they of course adored Henry and Ribsy...