brrrr and grrrr

Well the boiler was replaced, as were many existing pipes to the boiler last year. But the house felt neglected I supposed and for the last couple of days, we haven't had heat. We have been using space heaters to heat the children's rooms and have given them blankets and heavy clothes to wear.

The heater people say it's a pipe under the house that must have broken and that the boiler is working fine. So when we turn on the boiler, the water pressure instantly drains out making the boiler useless. A few hundred calls later to every plumber and heater person in town, someone is coming this afternoon to look at it. He's promising nothing.

I have to laugh. I went out to get the mail today and usually shiver when I first go out in the cold. This time I went out and it felt like walking inside our house. No difference.

I will never again take my heat for granted.

Our table was Russia.
Thus the babushkas

Oh it was a riot at the Brownie Friendship around the World Day! Soon when I'm not so tired, I'll tell the whole story. I had Jay in stitches. :)

Recent pictures

Em at her favorite location- Playing webkinz

Dr. Tara and her care bears and webkinz and build -a- bear (really dog).

I love this picture of her! She has her newest Webkinz bought by Aunt Dee.

Their new coats. Em's coat looks a lot like her old one!

I found out recently that I have to take my final class for my master's in the fall. The class I wanted is not taught in the summer. There are NO exceptions, according to my advisor. But I am going to apply to jobs anyway. One class away shouldn't deter them from hiring me, right? I'm already a currently licensed teacher in English. Keep your eyes and ears open for any positions in English, or Special Ed, ok?

Now on to the fun stuff... pictures! I have pictures of some of you that I'll send to you individually. I don't know who is reticent to have their picture on my blog so I'll just show my family.

Hissing Roaches, Care Bears and Webkinz

Last week my science teacher had us working with hissing cockroaches. They were as big as my palm. She wanted us to take them out and study them and feed them. One girl was shaking at first, but by the end she was holding one and calling it "baby".
I, on the other hand, kept mine in its container and threw in a piece of fruit. YUCK. A couple temporarily got away and I was quick to get my bag off of the floor. The roaches were so big, they probably couldn't easily be killed with a shoe. Not that I was thinking of killing them...no of course not! Ok, yes I was.

Emily and Tara are taking turns playing on the webkinz website. I am basically a computer referee now. I ask if I can get on to do homework and they begrudgingly let me on. Then they constantly ask if I'm almost done.

Tara is still into the care bears. She lines them all up and has one of us video her. A couple of days ago when I was at school, Jay made a video of her reading a book. It was too cute.

The girls got new coats. Emily picked one that looked nearly identical to her old coat. I guess she really likes that style!

I will scan and post some pictures in a little while....

Happy Birthday To This Blog / Happy Valentine's Day!

Yep, yep. This blog was born back on Feb 14, 2007. I am very glad to have kept it going and am even more glad for each and every one of you who visits it. Thank you!!!



Woo hoo!

A Tuesday in February

Tara came in today and told me about a project due tomorrow. The idea of prior notice is lost on her. It didn't end up taking as long as expected, though. Tara is so excited that tomorrow is the 100th day of school and her teacher is making her pancakes. "She's a good cooker." :)

Emily's bed imploded. It is the weirdest thing. I think some jumping on it happened... hmm... Jay fixed it.

Seven on Sunday

• Tara is an official safety patrol girl- whatever that means.


• Superbowl playing. Not as many funny commercials this year.


• I studied all day again with my dad, this time geometry.


• We put in remnant carpet and tile in the family room this time. We are tired but it looks so nice.


• I have some really weird burn on my face- it could be a chemical burn from the science class or frost bite. Either way, this sucks.


• Emily loves Webkinz more than life itself.


• Jay is loving sci fi and a lot of other shows that he records- Three Sheets anyone???

Computer ease

It is fascinating to watch Em and Tara on the computer. They find a new game and dive right in. They have no fear of crashing the computer or worry of reading the directions. Nope, they just start clicking and hunt and peck until something works.

I can learn a lot from kids.