Celebrating the joys of life

something in the way of catch-up...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC2T6a14bAM

Happy Birthday Mom!!

See me poking along?!  NOT! It is more like I've been zipping so fast from here to there that I just haven't had time to stop! Whew! So here is a belated Happy Birthday Mom.. well actually I posted it on your Birthday but it just didn't arrive until today!  :P 

Projects... History Day Project.. This year Willow had to participate in History Day. The theme of this years competition (Sort of like Science Fair but research is done regarding a Historical event) was Rights  and Responsibilities. She chose the Donner party and tied it to an individuals right to seek their fortune and the responsibility of survival that comes with the choices made. I think I mentioned that we went up to Truckee? Anyway.. she wrote a fictional letter from one of the survivors. She did fantastic! I got emails from her teachers letting me know how impressed they were. Even the hard nosed history teacher who is a bit of a tough old cookie. There were three tense weeks there for a bit!  Not to mention that we had to get through the science fair just before hand which she did pretty well at as well. Now Con has a substantial science project coming up. WHEW!!! And all on one computer. A member of Surfrider stepped up and has donating a laptop to me. Pretty sweet and super helpful! Just need to fiqure out when to pick it up! 

We have had two field trips for his class to study the watershed in the last week and a half. The first one took us up to a dam in Valley. We saw the dam and watershed through three very different perspectives. The next trip we explored an entire watershed as we walked from redwood valley up to dry desert mountain top. Both trips were impressive. The only problem I had was in transit. One boy got mouthy and would not stop even after I instructed him to stop singing "she will be coming round the mountain" which he was doing in a screech set to irritate and annoy. The other boy socked him and put an end to it. Apparently the incident went all the way up to the principal and I got a letter of apology from the singer. Good Times. Anyway.. 

It seems like we have had an excess of drs. appts lately and lots of miles in between. Connor with a dose of strep, general check ups (Greg changing meds) and a trip to the neurologist for tremors. Fascinating stuff and an interesting diagnosis..  yes he tremors.. we all do. But he also tics. Verbally and physically. mildly but enough to cause him some trouble. (I have a hunkering to watch "Phoebe in Wonderland"  .... I stop a minute and smile warm thoughts of a fridgid Utah adventure with the cousins... Anyway...get it from Netflix to understand what Im talking about) And when stressed the tics increase. And the boy is All sorts of anxious about everything all the time. So we are looking at all the ways to address it including Meds which I initially want to shun but which I also know and recognize their usefulness. We will approach these waters slowly and with caution as well as looking at other things to help. I feel pretty good about the direction we are heading in helping him function at his fullest.

The Deaf Tone.. Greg tested deaf to the tone of my voice in one ear. Retirement and old age is going to be interesting. 

It turns out that Willow was not too very keen on learning the bass. So Im taking her lessons! My second one tomorrow. My teacher is a young man (hs aged) and so he has me playing Green day. LOL. 

Oh and the Europe trip.. well it has sort of fallen off the radar and is not looking very likely. Well there will be other fun this year I am sure.. Time to plan some spring break fun. Mom.. lets talk dates to come take you out for a belated birthday.  
  

Word is starting to roll in on the reception of my V-Day mix.( I must admit though that I have not gotten all of them out yet and will be remedying that by the beginning of the week.) Anyway.. My mother was a bit perplexed by her song.. what can I say? If I were to truly capture the heart of mom in song it would be a melody of many songs interwoven. But in this case, with little time and the desire to weave an entire album together I went with what was quickly available and blended nicely into the musical landscape I was painting. Perhaps next year I will make a for the love of mom mix. Hmmm... If I had a beard Id be stroking it in serious contemplation of that possibility. Ayway.. grandma liked the mix as well. She also said I needed to hear "my" song.  She said "It's K.D. Lang's  "Big Boned Gal".  It's a moving rhythm. I love it." So I tracked down the song and boy did it make me laugh! Grandma has my number! :P 

And of course there have been many amazing sunrises and sunsets. One night at dusk I actually saw a bright light on the water. It was a super clear night. I started screaming "My ship is in the harbor! My ship has come in!"  It was nifty!

For pics of all the fun..

Much love!

This years V-day mix! Not bad for last minute!

Well, It is valentines day once again. And that means that it is Mix time. This years theme is .. You! Yes! You! And you thought I would choose something like “The Wind” as my theme eh? Given previous productions, I can understand why! However it is a V-Day mix and Vday is all about celebrating your loved ones and .. possibly even sharing your cooties with them. And frankly, I already share enough cooties with fowl creatures to want to dedicate this mix to the birds. Although I do love our chickens and geese (or  the ocean breeze, the sunsets, the mountains and valleys and everything holy that I can lay my sight on).  and I would gladly spend hours on end singing their praises.. But the truth is.. I already do this year round  in my various writings and conversations and pictures. So then what to honor this year?  I decided that I rather than look to my yard for inspiration, I should instead turn inward and take a moment to stroll through the “Garden of My Hear” and praise those that populate it. In other words, this mix is for YOU! Click the number to link to the actual song on Youtube. Enjoy! .

1. Greg is a Damn Good Man so how could I not?

2. My spunky Darling certainly is wild.. and crazy .. and funkyl.

3. This one should be called “You are the SONshine of my life.”

4. Mom’s love is as blinding as the sun caught on her bling.

5. Thoughts of Dad still make me cry.

6. GG and GNor.. this reminds me of the Scottish highlands and the sea salt that runs in my veins. (Grandpa was a sailor!)

7. Grandma Bea was a nocturnal Recluse and grandpa was just fine with that as long as they got to dance together.

8. Billy, Rach, the girls, Aunties, Uncles, C.Mc9, all the cousins and their families, my steps and their families.. and any family I might have missed… I can only burn so many songs on a disk and I had a lot of ground to cover.. anyway.. Love you and this one is especially for you all.

9. To all my Soul Sistaz from da hood. You know who you are.. Holla!

10. For the music makers and poets whose notes, words and laughter have rained down on my  soul and made my garden lush.

11. Angele - You know you are a cute little heartbreaker

12. Irie.. Always remember this.

13. Aden.. Still waters run deep.

14. For neighbors past and present of course

15. This goes out to all the teachers who give sooo very much for so very little

16. This is for the kids friends and classmates and their families

17. Surf guitar and a focus on Earth.. why this one goes out to those surfrider environmentalist friends.

18. For those whose lives cross mine via line and feed.

19. For the nameless like that guy I exchanged a smile with or the pharmacist, teller, cashier who is very much a part of these small slices of life.

20. To ALL  in this everloving world.. because what I do here reaches far beyond my sight and effects the tangle we are all a part of ...as do everyones actions.  

21. And finally what good is a mix without a final shot of morphine to drift away on? May you be  
lucky and loved!

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 In other News, All of Connors bloodwork is normal and good. Next to see a neurologist.

Willow did excellent at the science fair.

Greg is now back from a week in Boston and it looks like he is going to have an opportunity this year to travel to Europe. Not sure when that will shake out but the trip looks like it will include Amsterdam, Sweden and Italy. It was exciting news.

And as late as it is.. if you want to here about Pro Am  and how close I got to hobnobbing with the elite as well as my thoughts on Superbowl.. Check this.  Bill.. I put this together mostly for you!

What else? Willow's place at the College Prep school is reserved and payments have begun!

Connor has 4 field trips in the next month to study various points on the watershed.

Life is busy and good. And I think this year is starting out just grand!

Meanwhile in Corporate News.. Its getting Brisk.

Today Green Mountain announced a new long-term strategic and commercial collaboration agreement with Coca-Cola, the world’s largest beverage company, to develop and globally launch their Keurig Cold™ at home beverage system. Keurig they play hard ball.  Since Greg started they have done nothing but go big.

Also speaking of Greg and work... He stepped down Saturday night from his position at the Chamber of Commerce. He was not able to pay it as much attention as it required. And I would think not! Jae (his wonderful assistant) mentioned to me that he took 16 trips last year alone. How can he possibly attend to the chamber business from his lengthy drawn out meetings on the East Coast? Green Mountain however will continue to be represented on the board as Jae has stepped up to the plate in his stead. Congrats Jae! Greg and I and some others from the plant celebrated her instatement at the annual county crabfeed this past weekend. I am still stuffed!!

The countdown to the countdown

The flu has been an ever present and unwelcomed guest in my home since mid dec. viciously cycling through most of us. Greg and aden have brushed aside it's most peristant advances with relative ease but even they have not gone totally unmolested by its grimy presence. Irie is home fighting what little remains of the germ now that the rest of us have finally stood up and kicked the living shit out of it. I feel as though I have done nothing but sleep for the last three or so weeks. Even while greg was gone which is almost unheard of. 

I am Flabbergasted....how fast time passes. Overwhelmed by work that has piled up. What work? A complete overhaul on the Surfrider website is in order for starts. Why? Because I'm still the listed all over it as the main contact! That has to change and ASAP. Along with some other items. Anyway.. It's a priority .. And taxes! But they can wait because it's time to get my valentines day gift created.. That's right.. I have not even created it yet.... but my drafting is well underway and I'm quite pleased with what is forming ...Let along mass produce and distribute!!! I need a few long nights. And I need them now.  Time to get productive! The Almighty knows I've not liked being out of commission this long. But it was necessary. I am now rested enough to burn some midnight oil.

How's the zen doodling in the mornings going? Not really going. No more than I have been doing planks.. I need to practice some personal discipline. ( one side of me giggles at that thought and wonders if I need to get some rope!) Anyway.. I digress. 

Willow has not been doing much with her bass but she and Irie have been getting to know thier way around the old ivories! I'll have to record some of that soon for you. 

What else? Connors bloodwork is being analyzed. He didn't like it. Almost passed out at the sight of his blood. The kid is so sensitive. He dissected a fish in class and it was traumatizing .. This week they are looking at pigs hearts..

Lots of field trip for school coming up. I need to seriously attend to my calendar! When is spring break? When and who all are coming to visit? Eeks! Fun lies just ahead!  Just need to put some things in order.. Ah yes.. I'll begin that tonight! 

Snapshot

Greg is in Vermont battling the icy cold. We are at home fighting colds .. Or is it the flu? I don't know. All I know is that I am tired of being tired. Willow is tired of the huge pounding sinus headache and dizziness. Connor is tired of the body aches. Soup bed and books have been out order of business for some time. With the exception of willow and I making a turn around trip to donner to visit the meuseum, monument and cabin sites for that ill fated group. Willow is covering the donner party with her history day project. This years theme is "rights and responsibilities". Her angle is that there are times when canabolism should be a right. Anyway at that point neither of us where feeling very  bad so we went up Friday night and came back Saturday. I had a very weird experience that night. At 1:30 in the morning emergency dispatch called to make sure we were ok. Apparently 911 was called from my phone across our locked hotel room while we slept. Weird. We were on the waters edge at the docks. Many have died in those waters. Maybe it was a phantom call? Anyway, Sunday I took to bed. And by Monday night we were all out of commission. We are heading for the Dr.s today. See if we can't get things mended up. That and take another stab at finding the source of Connors tremors. Could it be his thyroid? We will see.  In the meantime enjoy the slideshop of pics I have uploaded this month..  (We are still trying to figure out how I can access Greg's!)   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxiTv3eIjZc

Well what do you know?! ... or... As the tides flow

Its been a crazy few .. has it been 2 weeks or only one week?.. I don't know how long its been since I sat at the keyboard to send you a few strokes.. but I know it has been too dang long! Anyway.. We have been immersed in life and setting some courses.

First things first.   There was Connors Mindcraft birthday party. I created a pretty cool snack table and "cake"  (jello and rice crispy bars and cake).  Greg has the pictures and someday Ill get them downloaded. There was a huge bounce house. Connor has never had one and has always begged and I don't expect he will ever get one again.. he's getting to old for them... and soooo .. eh.. what the heck.. a little indulgence! :) The boys were interesting to watch but we occasionally had to intervene  when one's Bruce/Hulk began to met another's  jykle/hyde. We didn't want blood drawn at the party! But anyway.. it was interesting to see how quickly boys can flip from passive to aggressive. All told it was a very pleasant party. Everyone had fun and there were no real injuries. Whew!

Now in the midst of planning and executing Connors Party, we have been chasing down our High School options for Willow (and possible school courses for Con as well). This meant that the morning of Connors party I took them both to a private college prep school to the north of us for placement testing and then we returned Wednesday morning for entrance interviews. Here is the link mom..  The school boasts the number one choir in the state. There is horse riding in PE. Students uniforms are as follows.. anything as long as it is crisp clean and modest. Much of the reading and homework is done on Ipads and they are planning to  begin to integrate Google glass into the classroom soon.  If a time should come when we would have to move.. she could board there and get a continual HS experience.. If doing so was the right option anyway. And undoubtedly the curriculum and education she will get there will prepare her for college and a career in the sciences which is what she aspires for.  Our interviews went well. Willow was easily recommended for admissions. The existing 8th grades  have priority for seats in the HS until the end of January. So by mid February Willows seat should be secure! WOOT! She will be able to take a bus to and from school from a stop just 4 blocks from Gregs work. Nice.

Now on to Connor... As wonderful as this school is.. it may not be the best fit for him. At least not right now. He has the character for the school, he is motivated to do and be his best, but he would be quite outpaced in the college prep atmosphere.  I think that kind of pressure would be negative and weighs heavier than the good that can come from switching his schools at this point. So the plan is that next year he will continue at his existing school. This will also be good for him as he is such a social creature and he has a good little group of friends there that I would not mind him growing up a bit more with. His only sorrow that comes with this decision is in the knowledge that he will be separating from "Sissy farts a lot." But it would happen sooner than later and as she is going off to High school.. now is a good time.. as hard as it might be.

And I have been in the midst of a cleaning/rearranging frenzy. Dervish winds ablowing... and speaking of winds.. I hear there is some incredible surf out there (Mavericks this weekend I hear).. Drool!

But first work.. A surfrider blast to put out, a Tardis to Build (belated Christmas gift!! Really need to finish it!), some geese to water, Appts to make, a sick kid to watch, and an overnight research trip to Donner for homework.   Sunday I need to make a much deserved play date with Asilimar!  ~:)~