I used to love Duran Duran. I use to LOVE Duran Duran. I discovered them one afternoon while watching MTV. Remember MTV? The old school MTV that played video after video. MTV with Martha, JJ, Adam, Mark and Nina. I saw “Hungry Like the Wolf” and I was hooked.
I was probably just a little too obsessed with these boys from England. I had a friend that was just as obsessed. She liked Nick, I liked John. We bought magazines, taped everything they ever appeared on and watched it back…in slow motion. We were freaks! When they would come out with a new album or video we would pick each and every word and picture apart. We analyzed and discussed, and were sure that we, out of all their fans, understood what they really meant!
John Taylor
I wore the white shoes they wore, I wore hats like they did, I wore black rubber bracelets. I dyed my hair maroon once, like John had his. I saw D2 3 times over the next few years. I even met them in Atlanta. You would have never known I even knew who they were. I just kinda stood there and smiled. Inside I was screaming, “Pick me! Love me! Marry me!” 🙂
It’s kinda fun to have a star crush. Which is why I completely understand when Kei is insistent that she is going to marry Johnny Depp. I know that one day, she, like me, will look back on this time and remember the excitement of a new movie, a new song, a new interview, a new picture.
We went to the Splash Park today.†It’s such a great idea I just wish they would expand on it more.†They could do so much with the space.†An older man who has worked in the park forever told us they eventually want a wading pool.†Since it took them 3 years to update the playground area, I figure Kei should be able to take HER kids to the wading pool.
Water Water
This one cracked me up.
Of course she met a new friend cause that’s just what she does.†They bounced between the splash pad and the playground.
After her new friend left we ate lunch.
Dramatic Eating
Then home again, home again to the cool air conditioner!
It has been crazy hot here the past few days.†Summer has definitely reared its head.
Kei put on a fashion show for me today.†She loves putting clothes together.†Then she insisted I photograph her as she posed and spun around.†Remember how much fun dress up used to be?
Then last night, we had a fire.†Of course it was about 90 degrees but it was still beautiful.†We didn’t have any marshmallows so Kei roasted a stick.
Today at the library they had Mooo Day.†Kei wanted to go so we headed up there.†I had to drop some Ebay things off at the Post Office anyway.
It was packed when we arrived.†So I had to parellel park!! I haven’t done that in forever.†I did very good thankyouverymuch.
There was a cow there but she didn’t look like she was having too much fun.†It seemed to be geared toward younger kids but I did learn something.†Cows have 1 udder and 4 teats!†I have always called them udders.†They spoke about cows and milk and let the kids pet Daisy.†Then they served them ice cream!
There are several cool things planned at the library for the summer.
After we left we went to the Post Office and then stopped by The Farmer’s Market.††We love the Farmer’s Market!†I got some green beans called rattlesnake beans, peaches and plums.†When I lived in California there was an awesome Farmer’s Marketthat we went to.†They had things I had never seen before.†It was so cool. I would love to take Kei there!
We spent delightful days at our friends new house at Smith Lake.††The house was incredible.†Over 7000 sq. feet, on the lake front and beautiful.
I could stay there forever and Kei had all the rooms assigned as if we lived there by the time we left.†Complete with a homeschooling room of course.†An amazing house.†Imagine waking up, walking into the kitchen and being surrounded on 3 sides by floor to ceiling windows with a lake view.†The pool was great and Kei worked on her divingskillz.†She stayed in the water for hours and hours.†I swear she is part mermaid.
It was just what we needed.†Of course I got horribly blistered.†Why is it I lather Kei in sunscreen and then half way put it on myself!!!!?????
We always try to do things that do not cost money since we have none.
Kei is reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.†She is loving it.†We are actually doing an online Unit Study with other HSers.†It has been a blast!
Kei In Narnia
Kei and some of her neighborhood friends are keeping the sidewalk beautiful!
We went to Cathy and Kaitlin’s swimming Thursday.†We had a blast soaking up the sun and listening to Dr. Horrible.†Cathy made the best food!†We had chicken spaghetti, black beans and a corn casserole that I have to have the recipe for.
Kei and I woke up Saturday and she just had to do something! She wasnted to go letterboxing.†I tried to get her to wait until we, hopefully got a GPS, but she wanted to do it now.
So, we hopped in our car and took off to Falkville.†Of course I went the long way around because that is the only way I was sure of.†The first place took us to a cemetary with these cool directions:
From I-65 take exit 322 (Falkville-Eva). Go west (toward Falkville) on highway 55. Turn left at the Love’s truck stop onto Douglas Rd (.1 mi.). At the end of Douglas Rd. (1 mi.) turn left onto Piney Grove Rd. From Piney Grove Rd. find the outdoor resting place of hundreds. If you come to a “DEAD” end you’ve gone too far. Go back. Park.
Find the loneliest “Dad” at the front (NE) of the lot. Have a seat facing the sleeping souls and give your regards to David. You will find yourself looking at a fallen giant, which is where your treasure awaits.
When we found it we were both so excited!†It is so cool reading the notebook to see who all has come before you and where they are from.
The next place was also in Falkville, so after a stop at Love’s Truck Stop [I just adore truck stops!] we were off.
This one had really cool instructions:
When driving the great 65 that cutteth the east in half, if thou dippeth below the Mason-Dixon line into northern Alabama, thou wilt come to exit 322, Falkville/Eva. Thou can makest a quick detour off the ribbon of blacktop onto highway 55, and turn west, toward Falkville (small town USA). When thou cometh to the second road on the right (Culver Road), turneth right there. A short way down this road, watcheth for a place where the young and old can cometh together. Pulleth into the lot where the old folks roam, and the children play. Pulleth to the North end of the lot, and thou wilt find the twin dining area for the old folks at home. Yon box is not there. Skirteth this area and droppeth into a shallow ditch. Climbeth out of the ditch on the other side. Thou wilt see a cluster of three trees, one with a curly trunk. Looketh in that spot to find thine treasure.
Please rehide this box very well, as one box has already disappeared from this area.
Everything went smoothly until we actually saw the container.†I was reaching for it when I felt FIRE on my feet.†I looked down and there were, honestly, thousands of ants on my feet.†I kinda freaked out and went screaming.†Thankfully my fast thinking child grabbed her water bottle and a towel we brought and drowned those suckers.†But…the pain!†I had tons of ant bites.†All in all, NOT an enjoyable experience.†We got all the ants off me and my sandals and got outta there.†We did find a really quicker way to get to Esthers though!
We love just getting in the car and driving, Kei especially.†But I am so directionally challenged that I always get lost.†Today after church we were over at my Daddy’s and my sweet brother brought us an early Christmas present.†Our own Nuvi!!†Adventure here we come!
We homeschool year round.†I believe learning is an ongoing process.†We learn every day.†How can you just STOP that for 3 months?†It is crazy.†But public schools are out here.†Which means no more quite mornings laying in the hammock and reading.†There will be kids…kids knocking on the door, kids wanting to play in the water, kids wanting to swing.†Now don’t get me wrong, I love kids.†Most of ’em. 😉
Gina picked us up to go spend the day at Suzette’s.†She had a cool new toy!†A Garmin GPS!†This was his maiden voyage and we loved it!†I gots’ to get my directionally challenged self one of these!
We spent a great day at Suzette’s.†6 Moms, 11 kids, several dogs.†We had lunch and talked.†Suz told us about the awesome trip she is taking in her camper.†36 days!†She will never come out of it SANE! 🙂
The Girls
I have the greatest homeschool friends! I adore them all and I love ALL their kids! Now seriously, how many of your friends can you say that about??? <g>
Unsocialized Homeschoolers
Kei and I watched the National Spelling Bee last night!†We were rooting for the homeschoolers.†Especially Serena. She was so cool!†Of the 11 finalists, 3 were homeschoolers!!†I was truly amazed.†I consider myself fairly intelligent and I had never heard of 90% of those words!†Here are a few of them:
antonomasia, bouquiniste, oriflamme, guayabera, isagoge and sophrosyne.†SAY WHAT????
We had a pretty good weekend.†Actually Kei had a great weekend.†I had a worrying weekend.†I try not to worry about things but it is so hard sometimes.†I watch K play and think “I wish I was 9 and had no worries”†Now I know there are too many children who do have hard lives and worry about things but I try so very hard not to let K’s life be like that.†There is time enough to worry when they grow up.
After church on Sunday we went to Daddy’s and Katherine [my niece] wanted to spend the night.†The girls played outside, played Operation,
Steady Hands!
they played in Kei’s sand box that she has outgrown but we can’t bear to get rid of:
Fun in the Sand
I sat on the balcony and read my Maximum Ride books!†My sweet Gina & Co. had brought them by for me Sunday.†Thanks Esther for picking them up at the library!†I love these books.†They are great for adults and kids.†I mean what is not to love about flying kids!
Monday the weather was semi nice.†Mostly sunny which is unusual lately.†Seth [my nephew] came over for a while and the girls played outside.
Laura had so graciously invited us over to grill out.†My California friends crack up when I say “grill out”.†They ‘barbecue”.†I try to tell them that barbeque is a sauce you put on meat.†Not all grilled food is barbecued!†Here in the South, we GRILL OUT!†Anyway the food was yummy!
Do you remember how it feels to be a kid?†A little girl with your best friend spending the night and limitless possibilities.†I think adults forget that feeling.†I think the world would be a happier place if more of us remembered.
Kei had Livvy spend the night last night.†They have been friends since Kindergarten.†Both were PSed for K-1st.†I pulled Kei out and about a month later so did Laura.
First they shot videos.†Livvy as Betsy Ross, complete with a telephone!
Kei as …..something. 🙂
Then Livvy as Juliet.
Then playing Barbies in my room because Kei’s room was messy!
Then the required play that Kei has to put on no matter where she is!
Ahhh to be 9 and have no worries in the world besides what to play next.
