Trees in August Week 5

Trees are the earth's endless effort to speak to the listening heaven.  ~Rabindranath Tagore, Fireflies, 1928

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Progress done

Some progress done this summer!  I wish I was Handy Manny really but I am not.  So I have to rely on my husband for the tools and the handy work.  The raw material had been sitting on my backyard for a long long time.  I really don't complain on that because the more weathered the best end result. It's really a lot of work having to be after him and begging  him to work on my pallet photo shelves. Plus the fact that he is whining all the time while he works on the project "This is the last pallet project for this house. I don't want a house made out of pallets!" that is not an easy job either.  But I succeeded so I take this as my own project and accomplishment. Yay me!

So, here are the shelves up on the wall they go perfectly with my headboard.  I printed family pictures and bought picture frames at a thrift shop, they look great up on my bedroom walls. It's been so long since I printed any photos that I realize how much I was missing with my photos just on the camera card.  Go ahead and print some of your own if you haven't done so lately!  You won't regret it.  You can also see the denim pouf that I made for Xavi over the summer break.

I throw in this pic of tiny Diamond Lola.  She is such a puppy she eats, plays, pees and poops...lots of it!

One more thing... I realize that I really don't have to be handy with tools if I have an awesome husband right?  I still won't give up on my pallet dresser one day he will have to work on it.  And I know he will complain again but I know deep down he likes the natural and awesome look of pallets in the house.

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Trees in August Week 4

For in the true nature of things, if we rightly consider, every green tree is far more glorious than if it were made of gold and silver.  ~Martin Luther

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Parking lot chit chat

Now that school has started let me tell you that we survived the first week, fetching class schedules,  running my regular errands, buying school supplies (because really I wait until teachers tell me what the kids need) back to school night and a million things in between...did I forget anything??  

I hope they had the same schedule but now I have 1 hour gap between the hour that I drop off Xavi and the time I need to drop off Sophia in the mornings. Same in the afternoon.  Sophia and I both agreed that during that gap we wouldn't come back home there is really no point in driving home and wait 30 minutes and then having to drive back to school.  Both schools are on the same street.  We figured out that we could use that hour period wisely and go to Target, the grocery store or the Post Office if I need to drop off any packages (luckily the Post Office at Winchester opens at 8:00)  Basically run errands.  On the days that we don't have the need to go to any of the places I mentioned before we just park in the school parking lot and wait for school to start. 

So the first day that we parked, sat and waited  Sophia started talking to me about the different groups kids associate in schools. We had recently watched one of my favorite movies "The Breakfast Club".  This movie looks into the lives of five teenagers coming of age.  I know she got some inspiration from this movie.  Following are some of Sophia's worries, thoughts and some of her words and following are my thoughts are in red.

Mom I don't know who I am?  

I am still trying to figure out where do I belong?  

I'm not cool (yeah you're not the most popular girl)

I'm not Emo (:/)

I'm not girly (you were before then started not liking the clothes I picked out)

I don't like sports (well you really should exercise more)

I'm not a criminal (thank Goodness!)

I have my brain half full (meaning she is kinda smart, but she really is smart)

I'm not goth (thank God again)

I might be a weirdo (aren't we all in a way)

First, I have to confess that I burst out laughing, yes I did!  She is such a drama queen.  Now, I know she was being melodramatic with her tone of voice and her big smile on her face but I am sure glad she takes the time to talk to me about all this. I know some of these fears are very real and vivid for her don't get me wrong (I was a tween once)  I told her hold your thoughts let me grab pen and paper.  I have to document this.

Second, I assured her that she is a normal 11 year old girl.  I told her to be herself be confident and make smart choices.  People like to belong in groups and that is ok.   You  do not have to belong to one or fall into a single category.  You do not all have to be the same, dress the same, talk the same .  You have the right to be yourself and be different.  You can be friends with lots of people (hopefully not the criminals).  It's ok to be different that is what really makes each one of us special, interesting and unique.

Can't wait for our next date at the school parking lot really!

Oh my dear Sophie!! I am sure she will succeed in life, be a great woman and have a great future!  She has a personality of her own and along those insecurities she has a lot of confidence in herself.  I think she is a normal young lady just growing up...jikes!  Did you have any insecurities while growing up?  Did you work hard at fitting in?  

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Trees in August Week 3

I like trees because they seem more resigned to the way they have to live than other things do.  ~Willa Cather, 1913

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This and that...and a new school year

I've been kinda busy this past week trying to find the perfect backpack for Middle School and the coolest one for 2nd grade.  The kids started school this past Monday and it all went well despite all the mixed feelings and emotions and all the knots in the stomachs (us parents had those knots too).

 These were the happy and not so happy faces on the first day of school

It's hard to believe how fast summer went by.  Really where did it go?  Soon we will fall into a routine again and long for summer to come.  Today being the second day of school we picked up Sophia in the front gate.  As all those tweens and teens a great majority of them taller than me walked by us only one thought came to my mind "Don't these kids know that deodorant has been invented?  and "Don't they know  that in a 100 degree weather it is an unforgivable sin to not wear it?  gosh really!

Speaking of summer I accomplished many of the things that I set my mind into it some I didn't (no surprise) one of them being my bike project :(  But I still don't give up, I basically shared some of those goals to make me accountable for them so I still want to get my hands on that bike of mine and give it that makeover...someday I will!  I know that!

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Trees in August Week 2

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.  The next best time is now.  ~Chinese Proverb

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Morning Laughs...Life is not fair

As the beginning of a new school year approaches fear and excitement have possessed my Sophie.  It's funny she reminds me of me because I felt the same way at the beginning of each new year "I do not want to go to school" were the words I repeated over and over.  Sophie has been a little drama queen lately. 

 These are only some of the funniest phrases she mumbles non stop. 

...I don't wanna die in Middle School

...Life is so unfair

...On top of that I have to get a shot? (vacc)

...I have to go survival school to met new friends? learn about the school?

...I have to go the dentist ( that specific day she had a dentist appointment)

...I have to eat a salad (that specific day I made her eat a salad)

...Before I was at the top of the food chain now I am at the bottom, 
6th graders are fresh meat for 7th and 8th graders

...I want to stay home watch TV eat popcorn and gummies 
...will you walk me to school the first day?  because I want to look cool 
(meaning please don't walk me!)

Today she is off to 6th grade survival camp.  I am hoping that will help her ease her worries and fears and reunite with old friends to ease the transition.

We also got a new puppy at home.  Her name is Diamond Lola, we couldn't decide on just one name so we we gave her a middle name.  It's been so long since I've taken care of a puppy that I feel a bit nervous.  I really don't want her to be an inside dog but I already fell in love with her.   The kids are very excited and are taking very seriously the responsibility of a new puppy (walking, cleaning, feeding etc) which is a good thing that takes their minds off TV and computer. 

 Welcome home Diamond Lola!  You will probably see her around here often :)

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Photo a day challenge in July

Photo a day challenge in July

 BLACK AND WHITE...just that black and white

THIS IS NEW!...my oven 2 months old, my range hood 1 month old, my new bookshelf pot rack pretty brand new!!  My husband installed it last weekend.  Remember I told you that I had no top cabinets? well now I can say I am glad the previous owners took them.  We still have to instal the shelves on the other wall can't wait to see how they turn out!

 FRIENDSHIP...new neighbor new friendship!  Smile Sophia!!

PERSPECTIVE...from down under

WORKSPACE...remember my little workspace?

This is it for the month of July Photo a Day Challenge!

 

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Trees in August Week 1

Trees are your best antiques.  ~Alexander Smith

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