Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Shivering in Seattle
Falcom was tired and wanting to sleep but his sensitivity to noise prohibited him. "I'm about to go bizerk from all his cussing and loudness! Do something!" I stood and asked them to be quiet and watch the cussing and they were polite "Oh I'm sorry madam. " He said and Falcom drifted right off.
We found a great place here in the terminal to sleep when we got off the plane but it is so cold in here none of us could stay asleep. Alaskans too cold to sleep? You know it was cold.
I started fantasizing about stealing jackets and scarfs from fellow passengers. I thought about pretending I needed to look in the lost and found. Vince sent Falcom and I to get a cup of coffee and Falcom had to warn me not to steal a ladies very long wide cashmere scarf. "Don't think about it mom!". He said.
That's when I bought a sweat shirt for 20 bucks but left the tag on in case I decide I don't need to wear it through Tokyo. When Marina woke up she was shivering so, we are sharing the sweat shirt and the 20 dollars were worth it!
On to Asia!
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Monday, December 28, 2009
On the Road
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Saturday, December 26, 2009
Reflections on A Quiet Christmas
This may have been the quietest Christmas on record in our home. I've been trying all morning to figure out why. What made it such a quiet day? I've come up with a few reasons.
This was a romance free haircut. With the dreadlocks removed he took her to the sink and gave her a good washing and conditioning. He then took her back to the chair and started the style.
First reason the house has been quiet: No screaming over hair brushing.
In the car Marina explained to us that she was quite sure that this Santa was the real one. Not only was his beard genuinely on his face, but she quizzed him about some important details from his life. His correct answers assured her that indeed that was Santa and that she and Falcom had better straighten up and fly right.
Second reason the house has been quiet: Threat of coal.
Kari brought an easy to make sugar cookie mix and when the kids were done with their houses, and done with chasing each other around, they decorated their cookies for Santa. Maya took Willie on as her new pet. She kept him at her side the entire evening. Then the kids chased each other around for another hour or so and when we got in the car all was calm.
Thank you Irene for a fun tradition. I admire that you keep continuing it come stress or anxiety! We loved being with your family on Christmas eve. I promise in advance that we will be coming to this party again next year!
Third reason the house has been quiet: appropriate use of child energy.
When we got home from Irene's, I let the kids open a box that Grandma (Aunt) Phyllis sent from Cleveland. It was a fun box filled with little treats and new movies. When they were completely exhausted, I let them watch Barbie Nutcracker in Falcom's room. Of the Barbie Movie Collection, Barbie Nutcracker is my favorite. Why you ask? Because Tim Curry plays the voice of the Rat King and every time he lets the word, "Nutcracker!" roll of his tongue I smile. What a great villain!
When the film was over I turned off the TV and both kids passed out snoring.
This was the first year that both children slept through the night Christmas Eve. I was very clear with them that they were not to come out of the bedroom until 6.30 and set the clock. We did not hear a peep from them until morning!
Fourth reason the house has been quiet: Exhaustion and the ability to read a digital clock!
These skills allowing the parents to get the sleep they need!
Fifth reason the house has been quiet: Wonderfully engaging toys that did not have noise makers attached.
We broke out the prime rib and china for dinner. We drank sparkling cider and ate a delicious apple cake that Suzanne made. We sang along with High School Musical Karaoke and then went to bed.
Today we take down the tree and start packing for Malaysia.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Marina's Birthday Bash!
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Now my girl has a gap toothed smile and an army of great friends who braved the cold and various seasonal obligations to join us for a birthday bash!
This year we broke from tradition and hosted the party at the ice rink. Ice, skates, and a family friendly locker room which can occupy 20 kids easily for an exceptional price.
Then they had to call all the grandparents to tell them it was her birthday because they would probably forget. (Joke!)
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Finally it was time to pick up the pizzas and get to the party. Kate picked up this lovely cake (In Fairy Style) for the party. The boys (Willie and DeeJay) kept the locker/party room rocking with tunes.
She is so darling!
Uncle Jason was able to come to the party and the two of them sitting side by side are really a pair. There is currently a very strong Greear Family resemblance!
By the end everyone was tired and ready to get off the ice. We all came in for cake and present unwrapping. Marina was thrilled with the bags of candy and pens and little owl pellets that she got. She had a great party!
I can not believe was a pleasant experience the party at the ice rink was. Look, even DeeJay was happy...even though Vince ripped his pants at the beginning of the skate and he was forced to wear a sweatshirt around his hips for the rest of the day.
I will definitely do this again!
When we arrived back home and the kids were coming down from their sugar high the boys obliged Marina with the only thing she wanted from them for her birthday. The four men of this house sang "Lady in Red" to her. They even let me film it and put it on YouTube.
I told Marina that this is one of the greatest expressions of love she could get from the men in her life and that she had better cherish this moment. I know she does not realize that Vince's and my love runs deep but he has NEVER sang to me. And DeeJay? She is thinking, "Fal sings non-stop mom!" It's different when it's coming from your 10 year old brother. Click on the link below to watch the boys show Marina how much they love her.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtxhCUGxvJw
We love you Marina!
Thursday, December 17, 2009
The Final Days Of Indecent Commuting
"I swear I'm NOT!" She screamed back. I was so relieved when we got to the top. She was relieved to find that it wasn't snow conditions or her skills causing the problem. We had a flat tire.
Tomorrow I say goodbye for now to my new friends and prepare for Marina's Birthday Bash!
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Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Christmas has Started Arriving
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Saturday, December 12, 2009
Poll Answer
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Week in Pictures
Vince and I are both looking at her knowing that it won't be long until we see our baby with the face of a young woman. It's a melancholy feeling.(Loyal readers will be wondering who extracted this tooth...Yes, Mr. Pete Swanson yanked this one as well. It's Pete Swanson 3; Maygen 1; Marina (or any member of the Greear family); 0.
On the left is our friend Zinovia on her way home from school. Look how dandy she is driving her Wheeler side saddle.
It is a difficult trip but one that I am growing very fond of taking. Isn't it beautiful on the bay at 3.30 in the afternoon? Notice how low the sun sits on the horizon. Amazing.
I am gainfully employed for one more week, then Marina's birthday, then Christmas, then Singapore.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Important Highlights of the Week
We have our Christmas tree up!
DEEJAY PASSED THE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION QUALIFYING EXAM! WE HAVE A FUTURE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE ON OUR HANDS! Thinking back to the months that I was concerned (OK, concerned is a little 'light' of a description) that this event would not occur... Let's just say that the celebration was more for me than for him. We ate pizza, drank soda, and I took the Paags to the movie!
Congratulations DeeJay!
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Saturday at Safeway
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Winter
One is looking out from a frosty window at the seemingly symmetrical snowflakes falling from the heavens. The other is wearing heavy gear and dealing with the weight of 'warm' snow before the sun has considered rising. One is luxuriously drinking coffee with a suduko magazine and sharp pencil listening to the crackling fire. The other is standing in sleet considering how to clear the driveway of the slush before the air turns cold rendering the slush into giant ice cubes.
This week Suzanne and I have been the second face. We were 15 minutes late to school today because we had to deal with this mess and screw studs into Suzannes tires before school. Because the power is still out at Suzanne's house, I taught her students about the art of a signature (ala John Hancock) while she brushed her teeth and changed into proper clothes.
Wouldn't you know today was school picture day! So Ms. Suzanne was looking rugged for this years school pictures. A day to remember! And I looked so far removed from my glory days at Jerami's in my picture.
This behind us I must say that the day of teaching was a success! We both caught glimmers of comprehension in the students eyes and it felt good!
After school we sang as we careened down the beach on her four wheeler. The tide was high and shore birds were wading in the surf. With the new fallen snow the mountains look close enough to walk to. Floating in the tide, debris has collected and frozen and gathered snow. It drifts in and out with the water.
I was midway through "get me a ticket for an aeroplane, ain't got time to take a fast train..." When she turned to me and said, "Honestly though, isn't it beautiful?". All I could say was "yes and tomorrow I bring my real camera!" She hit the throttle and away we went.
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Walking
It was like walking to school with a ten pound weight on each foot. Now I am sweating and standing outside with my T-shirt on. It is my hope that I can cool down enough to put my long sleeve shirt back on because right now I am culturally inappropriate and getting as many google eyes as if I were parading around in nothing but a bra.
Did I mention that I am glad we did not drive as the road was so icy it would have been simple to plunge to our deaths?
Thank you Suzanne!
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Monday, November 30, 2009
Weather
Everything is always a bit more epic with a heavy snowfall.
Teaching was a challenge today. All the high school kids seemed hung over and distracted by memories of their weekends. All the middle schoolers snowball fought every chance they got.
After work I had to pick up my truck from the shop and I had no wallet to pay for it. Cindi had brought my purse, which I had left at her house, to our road and when she got here she saw many vehicles in the ditch so she decided to leave it with a neighbor. Good idea but she couldn't remember which neighbor had it. Boog's wife laughed so hard at the conversation she was listening to me have that she trusted me and let me take the truck knowing I'll pay her tomorrow.
When we got home we received word that we had had a chicken massacre. Four chickens killed by dogs. Awful. Screaming crying children. Oy! The neighbor came down with a shot gun when he heard the racket but was too late. Falcom is still crying. He has learned a lesson about leaving the coop door open. Picking up the chickens I learned that my heart is hardening and I am becoming almost farmerish.
And then the temperature rose and the snow turned to rain and I had to plow our driveway and Valda's.
Good times! It's 10pm and I'm passing out now. (PS Laurie, I'll try to call tomorrow. )
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