The first week of school is nearing an end. Daniel had a red card today (that means he made two wrong choices). He doesn't get his hour of television today, so maybe tomorrow he will stay away from wrong choices. I had to have the permission slip for field trips notarized today. It seems that Meadows Elementary gives you one standard form for the whole year. You have it notarized and don't need to bother with anymore. I suppose that will work.

I was offered an interview with Amazon.com the other day. I really wanted to take the job (in theory). I need some adult interaction, but there really wasn't anyway to make it happen without taking something away from the kids. I would rather not have them in daycare, and if I worked an opposite shift than Ted then we would hardly see each other. (and he may sell the kids.)

Aurelia and I have been adjusting to being alone together all day. She doesn't understand when we leave Daniel behind at school. She comes inside, stands at the door, and says "Daniel, bye" for quite a while before I can distract her again.

It has been several weeks since our dear dog Maggie was taken to her new home. I hope she is doing well. The kids still have not noticed her absence. I am beginning to believe they may never notice.

Today was a good school day. Daniel did very well at school and even remembered the name of the girl who sits beside him. He ate the school lunch and said it was yummy. There was a jello stain on his bowling shirt. He said it tasted like yucky medicine.

Cory turned in his homework. He only missed one algebra problem (because he thought it was division, but it was fraction). He also turned in his history homework and received a 20/20. YAYYYYY!!! Things should only stay this good!! I am very proud of his efforts.

Aurelia has been in a funk lately. I think she may be growing or trying to communicate and is becoming frustrated. Let's all pray I don't decide to box her up and ship her to Timbuktwo before she learns some good words!

There were some big storms our way today. But from talking to people back home it was worse there. Lots of flooding near our old house. Gas leaks. People stuck because roads were underwater. All of those people will be in my prayers tonight.

Today was a great day. I am alive, I have people I love that love me back, I am free to come and go as I choose, I can read, I can kiss my kids. More and more, I see that we should all take each day and its hardships and evaluate it from a different perspective. Instead of complaining about what we don't have or what we can't do, we should rejoice in what we do have and the things we can do. Let's not wallow down deep in the negative, but allow the positive room to grow. I hope you are all well tonight.
Sleep well.
Heather

In the past few days, we have all witnessed this crazy man who claims to have killed Jon Benet Ramsey. I daily review a website called thesmokinggun.com and there is an audio file of this guy talking to a book writer (Michael Tracey) about who he wants to play him in the movie of his life!! I have posted a link to this file. It sounds like an ordinary conversation (in tone only) but it is chilling to hear someone be so non-chalant and arrogant about the entire scenario.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/graphics/sound/karrdepp.mp3

So review it or don't, but I would be interested in your thoughts.





Moving on.

Yesterday was our anniversary. Ted bought me an MP3 player for when I walk. I used it last night and I love it. However, the whole walk made me feel like I have been hit by a cement truck.

This morning, I attempted to make Daniel some pancakes. Blueberry pancakes no less. My mom makes them from the pouch. So this time they turned out alright. He was happy to eat them. The last few attempts were completely inedible. Just burned dough. Or Runny burned dough. YUCK.

Cory had homework last night. And he actually did it. And it may even get turned in today. !!!

The humidity has me questioning the whole walking to school issue. I am slick with sweat by the time I come back and it is only 8 am. I hope it cools off soon.

Well, Aurelia and I are off to another day of cleaning up yesterdays mess. Love Heather

Be well.

Plus a tiny little girl, Aurelia










Equals my happy little family. Today marks the seventh anniversary of our wedding. The day we started this whole circus. We have added children, moved homes, gone through over 24 cars (I personally have had TWO). We have seen loved ones pass and new ones brought into the world. We have had rocky patches that we just rode out. We have appreciated all the good times we have had, all the great family we have, and we hope to have seventy more years.

Now that we are through with the SAPPY stuff!! To the Florida family we have, be safe. I know you always are. We love you. To everyone else, be well. Treat each other with respect everyday. You never can tell when it will come back to you tenfold.

Love
Heather

PS...... A tidbit for those few who don't know of the purple cow. I moved into the house we lived in years before Ted and I got married. I was clearing out some knick knacks and asked him if he wanted a purple cow that had some condiments hanging on it. Salt, pepper, oil and something else. I thought it was the most goofy thing I had ever seen. He took it and it wound up coming back. So I ordered checks with cows.... the whole thing snowballed and purple cows have been our mascot every since. I even went so far as to buy a license plate for the front of his car with a purple cow that says Heather and Ted. He refuses to put it on any of his cars, anymore.

Then end

Day one of school is down and out. Daniel has a friend whose actual name is Princess!! He is very stoked about recess. Lunch was burgers and fries and he ate them. YAYYYY!
Cory (hmm hmm I mean ADAM) had a good day too. He met some foreign exchange students and a few other people he now considers to be his friends. All in all, it seems everyone was having fun.

On another note, JonBenet's alleged killers DNA does not match that found at the crime scene. I hope they put him somewhere far from children for the rest of his natural life. He is sick and I am not certain there is any cure for that kind of sickness.

Be well.
Heather

Well, the first day of school is here. I heard Cory rise (on his own) at around 6 this morning. He has always been very good about getting up for school, so I will take this opportunity to brag about him!! He left long before Daniel even had to be awake. I am not sure yet why he has to catch a 6:43am bus to school when class doesn't start until 7:50. (We only live a few minutes from his school!!) Anyway, after he left, Aurelia woke up and we went in to get Daniel up. He got big wet kisses from his sister and picked out his own clothes. The first pair of pants were too big and he decided to change them to an older (but still very nice looking) pair. He wore his blue polyester button up shirt. He looks like such a big man in that shirt. Brand new shoes of course!!

After a tasty breakfast (strawberry breakfast bar), we started our walk. He talked the whole way (while his sister whined to be carried). There were teachers lined up outside to say hello. We went into his class (he was the first one in). Mrs. Steele is his teacher. Very nice lady. They have a behavior chart with green, yellow, and red cards (he is familiar with this concept), I was glad to see.

I had to say goodbye a few times before he even realized I was talking to him. I suppose independent children are a blessing. He was very interested in finding his desk and cubby. Bye, mom. A distracted half hug and a kiss.

Aurelia and I walked home---alright, I walked and she rode on my back (clinging like the monkey she is!).

This afternoon, I have but one thought---------- JOGGING STROLLER!!!

For those who did not read my former blog, I have posted its link here.

http://hippoxmas.diaryland.com/

This is the elusive Cory (code name Adam). These photos were taken by a highly trained wildlife photographer. The Cory only comes out of hibernation for feedings and brief interaction in social settings.

This is Daniel. He is one wild and crazy guy. We'll have more on him later!!

This is Aurelia!! She turned TWO years old yesterday. She was thoroughly unimpressed that it was her birthday. I think she is doing an interpretive impersonation of the Planter Peanut Guy (she is just short a monacle, a cane, and a top hat!)