School is Almost Out for Summer

 After my walk this morning I just had to take a photo walk around my yard.  It is blooming. Raindrops on roses, favorite things, you know the song.  Anywhoo, it's pretty out there.

I haven't written for a bit. Busy with the usual.  I am packing up to go camping next week. I am on a reading kick. And I'm still in school.

In March I wrote that I was back in the classroom as a substitute teacher. 

 I am trying to finish the school year strong. The kids are tired, the teachers are tired, and it's the middle of June.  It needs to be over.

I have really enjoyed substitute teaching this Spring.  I can pick and choose when I work.  Hubby and I can have some days off together. There is a lot of flexibility with this gig.  Obviously, I am not going to teach music or P.E.  Know your talent level and stay within it, that's my thinking.

I have subbed on a first grade field trip to the beach and on a fifth grade field trip to the skating rink. 

 I am not gonna lie, it is STRESSFUL! All students were accounted for and safe at the end of these field trips. Thank you Baby Jesus.

 And no, I didn't skate.

 I have filled out four behavior plans each hour in a kindergarten class in addition to helping the two students in that classroom that speak very little English. Whoa, that teacher has super powers.

I have sent back packs of food home with students that do not have enough food for over the weekend in their house.  The school takes good care of these little friends and I am thankful for that but I worry about what summer means to some students.

I have laughed a lot. And I have come home and cried.

I get artwork for gifts and even better I get hugs in the hallway from kids I maybe taught a day last week.  Hey, Mrs. R!

I get compliments. Three kindergarten boys were reading with me at the table when one of them says to me, you smell good, another leans over, sniffs and says to him, she does!  There was a general consensus at the table that I smell good.  Probably better than fifth graders after recess, just sayin'.

I get random questions. In the middle of working on an assignment...

Mrs R.?

Yes?

Are you Asian?

Uh mm no?

Oh, well what are you?

I'm Dutch.

So is my Mom!

Who is your Mom?

It turns out her Mom and I were friends in high school.  I ran into her Mom last week and we had a good visit with a lot of laughter.

I know the weather song, the days of the week song and the months of the year song. I know there are many ways for kindergarten and first grade classes to do the calendar. And every student will cry out, thatsnothewaywedoit, if I don't do it the way their teacher does it. Yeah, well, she isn't here is she?

I love the actual teaching and when I look out at the class and see light bulb moments.

I love the friendly and helpful the school secretaries.

It great to be back at school.  Of course, that is easy to say when Summer vacation is just a few days away.  The summer vacation, Christmas vacation and just random days off are pretty nice.

And now I have a good excuse to buy school supplies.  I love, love, love new pencils and markers. And last but not least, I get to go school shopping in August for new clothes. Right?

It's Christmas Today!

Merry Christmas! It feels like Christmas.  I went out to Hua Ka'i Annie, our '57 Aloha trailer, today. I am getting her ready for camping and rally season.  I unpacked all of the gifts and things I've purchased since last season.

First up, I bought Hubby a bucket BBQ at Crate and Barrel.  He has been using charcoal more than gas to grill lately, so I thought this would be fun. They are $16.97, so not a big investment. The legs fold under and it looks easy to transport.

My most exciting purchase was my new bike.  I've had it in my online Walmart cart for months. I love it! It is a very comfortable bike and has seven speeds.  No cruiser for me, a slight incline can seem like a mountain if you are riding a cruiser.

 It says, 'it's five o'clock somewhere" on the frame, it includes the basket, bottle holder and bottle opener and a parrot that squeaks. And a big seat, a big comfy seat!

 My bag of gifts for friends, hostess gifts and card supply is replenished.  Everything fit in the white gift bag and is ready to go. 

New flamingo sheet set, new pajamas for me (because everyone needs three pairs of trailer pajamas), a new beach towel, a kitchen towel from Maui, new covered bowls, and paper supplies.

 I have a little nod to deer in Annie.  The deer pillow was found on a field trip with the Pie Pal Gals this winter.  Every time I see it I think of their friendship and the fun day we had in Arlington.

 Happy hour prep is getting real.  I love my new to me vintage snack and drink holders that Leslie brought me from Tennessee. The little wooden spoons for dips that I found at the University village Sidewalk sale will be handy. Drink umbrellas with flamingos, yes please.  

And cocktail napkins, shake your grass!

I did not photograph all of the cocktail napkins as I don't want anyone sending me to a twelve step program for cocktail napkin addiction.  Mind your own business, we are all have our issues.

 New toys for all of our river and lake adventures.  There are matching flamingo glasses for the flamingo float, not pictured.

 Max and Kassie bought Hubby and I new recliners for Christmas.  Thank you kiddos!

In the background is a new hose that is going to make camping easier.

 Several years ago I purchased a Coleman folding table at an estate sale.  It came in its original box but it had a scrape that I decided to cover with a sticker.

One thing led to another.

 Hubby and I started picking up stickers at rallies, breweries and restaurants to add to our collection.  It has been fun for us to add all of the new ones since last summer.  Good memories and trips!

Hubby's cousin, Karen and her family collect patches and sew them on a blanket.  It's their picnic blanket.  It is really great and I loved their idea so I adapted to the stickers on a table.  I had threatened to steal their blanket but they know I love it and they know where I live.

The last day of school is June 20 and I am hitting the trail on the 21st for a trip with my camping sissies.

I am giddy at the thought!

Merry Christmas to me!

EDITED TO ADD:

I almost forgot the scissor jacks and these will be life changing for me.  The vintage jacks are cute but a lot of work.  These are en route and Hubby will install.

Random Again

Still here, just a little busy.  Here comes a random post to get caught up.  Speaking of caught up, Hubby finished Christmas gifts.  He built corn hole games for the kids.  I don't have a picture of Danny's set, it is a Seahawk set like Sam's and is getting shipped to him.  Hubby does beautiful work.  No, he is not making any more sets, don't ask him to because we have other projects... the Curtis Wright!

Hubby also finished rebuilding his new old bike.  He saw this bike at a neighboring farm in George, WA when he was six years old.  Recently, Max was able to get the bike for him.  He took it apart and rebuilt it. New tires, and brakes!  And yes, he rides it. Why?  Well, because he can and it was a life long dream.

 After growing rhubarb here at the Stone House for 13+ years I finally had enough for a pie except I didn't and had to make it a Strawberry Rhubarb Pie.  We love rhubarb and I do wish I could grow it.

 Meanwhile, I keep trying to get myself on a diet for the December wedding.  I order dresses, try them on and send them back.  I have resolved to stop looking until September because it's depressing me.  Maybe I'll magically lose weight over the Summer?

 We had great fun this past weekend!  Jeremy and Rene' came to visit us.  We went to the Estate of the Century at the Century House. I love the Stremler girls and their junk! Jeremy and Rene' had to rent a U-Haul trailer to get everything home.  I call that success.

 Photo collage is courtesy of Rene'.

Summer is coming and that means more to me as I am back to school.  I am subbing five days this week, May is busy! The weather is changing to more sunshine.  Hua'Kai Annie is out of storage, exterior is washed and she's getting cleaned up inside for camping season.  Yipee! We have a lot of summer plans with Annie.

Enjoy the sunshine today. If you're a Mama, stay sane! May is crazy busy but Summer is a comin'!

Aunt Shirley

My Aunt Shirley passed away on Mother's Day. She was my mom's older sister.

I have good memories of my Aunt Shirley.  She was  married to Uncle Gordon, who was career military police in the U.S. Army.  They lived all over the world and when I was growing up they spent a lot of time in Germany and Iran.  It was different then and if she called from Germany it was a big deal and was only for three minutes.  Aunt Shirley was a good military wife and went with the all of the moves and distance from her family with grace.

In between posts her family would come to stay at my grandparent's dairy for several weeks at a time.  One year they came with a big, brand new convertible. I remember sitting in the back seat with my legs straight out and not able to reach the front seat. I can still picture her hands on the wheel, she always had a beautiful manicure, as we flew around the curves on Wiser Lake Road. Oooh, I thought she was so glamorous.  She had diamonds and rubies, diamonds and sapphires and diamond and emerald sets.  She collected Hummels that she'd bought in Germany.  She sent my Mom exciting birthday gifts from around the world.  She shipped home Landen's hand me down clothes from Germany for my sister and I.  They were beautiful clothes.  Not like anything from the Lynden Department Store!

When I was in first grade she lived in Monterey, California while Uncle Gordon was in Korea. She needed to get everything packed for another move and then drive with Landen and Ed to Lynden.  My parents drove there to help her, and by helping I mean getting Landen and Ed out of the apartment.  My parents picked them up and we drove to Disneyland. Aunt Shirley packed up everything and then we all drove back to Washington. It was such fun and a good memory for me.

After Uncle Gordon retired from the military, they moved back to Whatcom County.  Then we all experienced Aunt Shirley's hospitality and delicious cooking. She worked for Trillium and set up a job interview for me to be the Syre family nanny.  I am so thankful for my years I spent with the Syre family.

Aunt Shirley always had an office job outside of her home, always ran her home beautifully and was a dear mother and aunt.  She was one of those women that seem to do it all with ease.  Though I am sure it wasn't easy moving all over the world and being away from her family.

I am so grateful for my memories of Aunt Shirley.

She was a gem.

Mother's Day 2017

Hubby and I hosted Mother's Day brunch on Sunday evening at our house. I set up a mimosa bar in the living room.  The moms sat in the sitting room for brunch and gifts.  Years ago we set up a Mother's Day table for the moms separate from all of the guys and toddlers.  It was a break from feeding kids.  The tradition has continued though everyone can feed themselves now.

 I used my Mom's wedding china for our Mom's only table.

My sister that is a Snapsister set up a photo shoot after we had eaten.

 Our Mom struggles with dementia and so we treasure her good days and her smiles.

Her sister, my Aunt Shirley passed away Sunday morning.  She also had dementia. I'll be sharing more about my Aunt Shirley in a later post. My Mom misses her sisters.

 Melinda, our sister from another mother (my Mom's youngest sister Clarice) joined us for dessert.  I made the Happy Birthday Cake because it was Kathi's birthday and she requested it.

Since Jodi's kids were all there, she wanted a quick photo shoot with them.  I was a little envious until I watched her try to get them to cooperate.

I am so thankful for my Mom and my sisters and my sister cousins.  We had a good day celebrating.

Clutter, Lists and Junk

When the guys were younger and still living at home we ate dinner at the table every night.

Hubby and I still eat dinner but not always at the table.  My house was tidy when the guys were here.  Now it's messy.  I have no one to blame but Hubby and myself.

I don't know how or why this has happened.

 I clear off the table and then it just fills back up with junk.  The sad part is that a lot of the piles are lists to help me be organized.  If they are lost in a pile they don't do anyone any good.

 Hubby brought me a new pencil. I hope it helps!

Today! I am going to clear off the table.  

It's a lofty goal. Each piece of paper represents something to do, an appointment to be made, a phone call, an errand, groceries to get or finding a spot for something new.

#thestruggleisrealandboring