Busy, Busy, Busy

Well, so much has happened in the nearly six months since I last posted. I have so much to tell you and I will give the quick version.

In January we had puppies, two boys and two girls... and all were sold by the beginning of April. This was great news, it's paying for our summer travels! We will be going to Seattle for a wedding, Cape Cod for our 20th anniversary, and Colorado for a Robertson Family Reunion. (yes, they are expensive dogs.)

I began jogging in the mornings and I was loving it. Then my work hours were changed and I was too lazy to get up that early to jog. At work we were told that 5 teachers and 8 aids would be cut from next years line up, I am one of them! That's okay actually, I've really missed my free time and the creative juices are ready to burst! I'm eagerly awaiting unemployment. It has caused me to make some decisions, I am going back to school to finish my degree to become a speech pathologist.

The kids continue to get older (but not me) and more fun! Jacob got his drivers license in January, now I send him to the grocery store! Taryn continues to dance and Christy excels in school. Christy also graduates from the 8th grade this week. We took a few pictures of her with

Shilo.

Maury parents bought us this awsome ceramic grilling, smoking barbeque. We are totally

enjoying it! So far this week he's used it every day, cooking chicken, fish, steaks, veggies, quiche and cobbler. So yummy!

I turn 43 next month, so being the

rebellious child that I am, I had my nose pierced! Will I ever grow up?

My sewing

and crafting will begin soon! I've had a few friends comment about how they wish they knew how to sew, SO, I am cleaning my studio and working to make it a more friendly "classroom" setting so that I can have those people over and teach them the fun and beauty of sewing!

When life gives you lemons?

Sometimes life give you lemons.  We all know this.  And we all say the same thing...  Make lemon-aid!

Recently I brought these lemons home from my mom's house.  She said, "Here, take this one too, maybe you can blog about it."  Right away I began using the "normal" lemons.  They became soothing tea for a sore throat, lemon bars and lemon meringue pie.  

But the "odd" one sat on the counter.  I'd show it to anyone who would look at it, I even made a big deal over it.  But I never thought about using it.  Although it was interesting and wonderfully different, I figured it would not be useful.  I gloried in its strange deformity.  Then one day as I looked at it, I could see that it was getting funky, maybe a little furry too.  I would soon have to throw it away.  Yet I was afraid to cut it open and see just what was inside.  It just seemed 'wrong' to cut it open and then throw it away.  I actually stood there looking at this lemon, trying to decide if I should cut into it.  I had to make myself cut it.  

Open to the light of day it was still odd.   Formed in strange sections,  it made no sense to me how it became what it was.  I have taken horticulture classes,  I'm good at puzzles, but I couldn't see why it grew that way.  It was useless, or so I thought.  I tasted it.  It was sour.  Just like a lemon should be.  Although it seemed like something that should just be thrown out, I had to make the existence of that lemon worth the water, sunlight and carbon dioxide it had consumed in it's short life.

I made one more cup of honey and lemon tea.