CelestialFamily

Comment from Aaron for the day:

Aaron: "Hey, mom. You know I've been kinda of paranoid making Ramen noodles ever since I forgot to put water in the pan and almost burned the house down..." "Good times."

Mom: "Yes, Aaron. I remember."

:::::::::::::Fun with Friends:::::::::

I drove Miss Daisy (mom and Carol) to Suzanne's birthday party at Maggiono's at Ashford Dunwoody. We had a great time talking with everyone and the food was excellent. I loved the fried zucchini we had for an appetizer. I ordered the eggplant parmesan with the side of spaghetti with marinara sauce. No ice issues on the way home, which pleased me greatly.

Mom and I stopped off at the health food store for some avocado oil for Eve's eczema. My friend, Elizabeth, who also happens to be a nurse recommended this as something that would ameliorate Eve's symptoms. All the other creams we tried (and they are most of the brands on the shelf) caused a mild burning sensation. The doctor recommended all-vegetable Crisco. The Crisco was okay, but the avocado oil has no odor and soaks in quickly. It can also be used for cooking...BONUS! The avocado oil has been a great help...not a cure...but a soothing help for our lizardy lady.

::::::::::Snow Day:::::::


Okay, it was LAME on the scale of Snow Days, but the kids had fun with the neighbor kids. I made a ton of hot water and mixed several cups of hot chocolate and popped a mess of popcorn. Here are a couple of photos:

Rachel:


Evey

Smiles!

The kids are preparing the "Ding Dong Cobbler":

It is made with yellow cake mix, Ding Dongs, marshmallows, and hot cocoa mix.



Michael cooks the Cobbler and a Chicken Gumbo concoction:


Eve with one of the ropes:



Eve plays with her shadow:





Aaron belays Rachel and Michael gives some climbing suggestions:



Aaron lets his feet dangle for fun when he gets to the top:



Noah found a handprint his size:


Eve plays on the rocks:


We all think stickbugs are so cool:


I went up on two routes. I didn't top out on the second, but I got pretty close for being so rusty. No photos because Michael was belaying me and the kids were exploring the rock formations.

***The Noahism from the trip:
***edited (Noah was misquoted by me...thanks for reminding me, Michael)
We were sitting in the tent and Noah piped up, "You know those books by that comedian..."Are you sure you're not a redneck"? We all busted out laughing. We told him they were called "You might be a redneck". His matter of fact title just seemed a heck of a lot funnier. I can't remember the point he was trying to make, but this was great for the rest of the day.

******Book Review*****



The voices are distinct for each character. Growing up in the South I hear these voices and their is some familiarity. The voice of Aibleen is one that I particularly enjoy. Kathryn Stockett does help crack the veneer of Southern gentility. There was more than one occasion when I was younger when a relative of mine would be friends with a specific black person, but whisper under their breath that they didn't want a black person to be seated next to them in a restaurant. I always found that odd.
Each of the stories were woven together so well about this community where secrets were kept, while so many people seemed to know everybody elses business. I wanted to hug Aibleen and Louvenia. I wanted to listen to Minny talk about life. I kept wanting Leroy to man up and stop drinking. I wanted Stuart to pour out all of the bourbon. I bristled at the horrors and indignanties that human beings who happened to have a different skin color had to endure by people professing to be morally, spiritually and mentally superior. Her message of mutual respect is one that, unfortunately, needs to be retold.

p.s. the story about the word Crisco is priceless.

Later, gators!

Hey, just been busy doing other things, like everyone else. Michael and I did our own version of Food Network's Challenge. I was volunteered to make a surprise birthday cake for my stepdad's mother's 75th surprise party. The request was a topsy turvy cake covered in fondant. I didn't know how to use fondant, so Michael signed me up for the class at Cake Art. Michael also volunteered himself to help me. The theme idea for the cake came from the many trips that Nancy and Jim take to Tybee Island, Georgia. With Peggie's okay on the theme the many drawings and ideas were put to paper. Here is the finished product:


The lighthouse was created from Rice Krispie Treats (Michael did the whole thing). He also created all the sea stars, sand dollars and horseshoe crabs from fondant. I did the middle tier from Devil's Food cake, then covered the layers in Chocolate Ganache. I did the bottom layer in French Vanilla cake filled with seedless Raspberry's and iced with buttercream. To create the effect of waves we tinted and rolled out the fondant in blue, created ripples, then Michael took an offset spatula and used white royal icing to create the white caps.





This is a layout of Michael breaking into song. It was quite late at night:






I finally create a couple of layouts of my final class project from Cake Art:




::::::::::Book Reviews::::::::::
I've been reading a lot for my book club and just for my own enjoyment. Here are a few reviews.

The State of Jones (This one just interested me)


A fascinating look at the lives of a group of Jones county Unionists who initially fight for the Confederacy due to conscription. The people had voted for remaining with the Union, but underpressure, their representative voted to seceed. The resentment of this fact and the belief that everyone is equal in the site of God kept Newton Knight fighting for the Union. Fighting from the woods and swamps, while trying to avoid the Rebel army and the dogs they used to hunt men down made for years of separation from family and friends. The separation wasn't complete, though. Newton fell in love with a slave who was owned by one of his family members who believed in slavery. He goes own to have childred with her and has both a white and black family. He ends up feeling more comfortable with his family with Rachel. She ends up converting to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints because of their beliefs of families being together after this life. Newton doesn't convert, but doesn't stop Rachel either.

The history of the Civil War from the perspective of a Southerner who never wanted to secede and didn't believe in slavery is a compelling read. Mans inhumanity to each other is boundless. Newton Knight stood against those who would enslave others for their own enrichment and base desires. A sad, yet fascinating read

***

Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Book Club)


Flavia de Luce is a chemistry loving 11 year-old with a bit of macabre since of humor. She lives with an aloof, philatilest father, one vain sister and the other with who loves books. a cook who isn't a very good at it, and a the kindly, but shell shocked gardner named Dodger. The book has great tidbits about poisons and their antidotes, as well as, some history on the Penny Black stamp. The book was an interesting mystery and I look forward to the next in the series.

His next book is available for pre-order at Amazon. The title is: The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Hand
***

Lost Christianities (Another just because I wanted to read it books).


Another well researched work by Bart Ehrman. Fascinating book.

***
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Society (Book Club)


An enthusiastic thumbs up! I am fond of characters that you find in small villages. There is so much quirky, yet lovable goings on in such places. This book reminds me of the characters from one of my favorite television shows, "The Vicar of Dibley". You quite quickly come to care about the people in Guernsey along with the main character, Juliet. I also love history, so learning about what the Channel islanders had to deal with during the German occupation was of keen interest. I really like the literary device of using letters, so the authors' writing style worked for me, as well.



:::::::::::::Yearbook:::::::

I've been working on the yearbook for the kids' elementary school again. The kids call me "Eve's mom!", "Hey, your Noah's mom", or "You're the Yearbook Lady!" I love having the SLR. I'm going with quantity of photos to get the diamonds in the rough. Kids move fast! It was fun to take pictures for "Crazy Hat Day" and the Wildlife Wonders show. The lunchroom ladies even smile at me now. I was able to strong arm the school's custodian to send me her photo for winning the county honors for her excellent work. She is a super lady, but hates to have her photo taken. I have been tinkering with the layouts and learning some of the new software offerings.

::::::::::::::Room Mom:::::::

I'm also one of the Room Moms for Evey's class. The other mom, Kathy B., is so cool. We will be working with Eve's class for the Fall fun centers. Kathy is doing a game like the one the used to play on The Bozo Show with the ping pong balls and the buckets. I will be working with the kids to put their handprints on some aprons with the date. Another mom will be helping the kids put together apple foam frames with photos that Kathy will be printing. We even have some things ready for the Christmas party. The theme is gingerbread. We will have the kids decorate gingerbread cookies and making foam gingerbread boy/girl ornaments with their photos.

::::::::::::Rain:::::::::

Rain has come to Georgia in abundance. Many neighbors have moderate to severe damage from the rain. We live high enough and on a slab that we had no water damage. The Great Flood of 2009 was the title for what happened at the end of September. My mother and I were in Columbus, Ga. for my Great Uncle Dewey Posey's funeral during the worst of the rain. We were able to make it back safely. The kids will make up the 2 days they missed in February, I think.


:::::::::::::Chorus Performance:::::::



Rachel had her first choral performance for 6th grade. The shirt was wayyyyyyy to big and the shoes I found for her were too small. The poor girl has 4 quad e feet. I bought 5W shoes. I sat in the chair trying to force the shoe on her feet like the guy in Cinderella. We had 30 minutes to exchange the shoes. We ended up buying 6 1/2W. They were a bit too big. I gave her tissue paper to stuff in her heels. She waddled into school with a bit miffed. The performance went well. I carried her on my back to the steps that led to the parking lot. She said she would walk the rest of the way. one of her friends asked her to join her family at Steak and Shake. We asked a couple of more friends. Rachel ended up sitting with Lauren S., Julia B., Brenna M. and Julia's brother, Jack. I enjoyed a chocolate/banana malt. Rachel loves the chili cheese fries. Any excuse for Steak and Shake is a good one.


:::::::::::Halloween Prep.:::::

So far, the kids want to be:

Aaron- Samurai, Rachel- Rubik's Cube, Noah- a molecule, and Eve- a bioluminescent jellyfish.

Well, have a fabulous weekend!

This is one of the things we learned at Dialog in the Dark. Even our guide said he didn't know that one. Michael, Aaron, Rachel and I found the experience amazing. We explored a park, a grocery store, took a boat ride, crossed the street, went to a cafe and sat down for a Q and A...all in pitch black rooms. We were provided with walking sticks. All our belongings, including eye glasses, went into a locker. I found the sounds from tapping things were the most helpful due to the different timbre of various objects. If you get the exhibit in your town give it a whirl.


::::::::::::The Grim Reaper Philosophy::::::

Michael was talking with Rachel and me about how time speeds up when you get older and closer to death. Rachel's response was immediate, and classic, "Sounds like somebody needs a Happy Meal!"



:::::::::::Digital Layouts from Scout Camp:::::::










:::::::::::::A Walk::::::::

I took a walk today and watched what happens when humidity doesn't let the sweat do anything but pool up on your arm. I looked like a white, freckly, wet tarp. Yeah, me!

I did get to listen to some great podcasts from Brian Dunning's Skeptoid site. I was really impressed by the one about Sarah Palin and others. The title is "Sarah Palin is Not Stupid". He talks about avoiding ad hominem attacks when people don't agree with your view, instead be polite and present your evidence. Otherwise, you just come off looking like a petty jerk. Really thoughtful piece.

:::::::::::::Cake Art numero Tres:::

I'm looking forward to my class tomorrow.

Later, gators!

Michael, Rachel and I watched the movie 9 to 5, today. They had never seen it, but it is one of my favorite movies. One of my all time favorite movie lines is, "You're a sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical, bigot!" The dream scenes of how to kill Mr. Hart are so bizarre. My favorite character is played by Dolly Parton.








::::::::::Back to School Shopping:::::
We are mostly done shopping. The boys were, surprisingly, easy to shop for. The girls are in transitional sizes. Inbetweeners, so to speak. Rachel is being pumped with estrogen and her hips are making fittings hard. She is petite and should fit regular size, but she gets pants high-centered on her hip bones. We decided to skip jeans until the fall.




:::::::::::Sleep Overs and Scout Projects:::::

Aaron had two friends over last night and first thing this morning he had a clean up day at the Scout Hut. He kept falling asleep. After the clean up finished he took a very long nap at granny and grampa's house.

::::::::::Another Layout from the Gulfshores Trip:::



::::::::::Book Review:::::::::



This was a very enlightening book. I found it interesting to know what happens to our bodies after death and the choices available to you for what happens to your body. The author uses spots of humor to alleviate the awkwardness most of us feel when talking about death. I tend to laugh at inappropriate times simply because I'm uncomfortable with the situation. I laugh more when the feelings become more intense, so the tone of this book worked for me.

Mrs. Roach gave information on organ donation, body donation for scientfic research, plastination for display and education, cremation, freeze drying to become organic compost and bodies used for folk medicines. One injury analyst who works with the FAA on some cases gave some interesting information on where it might be safest to sit on a plane. "He says it's mostly common sense. Sit near an emergency exit. Get down low, below the heat and smoke. Hold your breath as long as you can, so you don't cook your lungs and inhale poisonous fumes. ...Prefers window seats because people seated on the aisle are more likely to get beaned with the suitcases that can come crashing through the overhead bin doors in even a fairly mild impact." (p.127)
Men tend to survive because they are stronger and can push others out of the way and make it to the exit doors. The analyst stated that he preferred to fly in First Class whenever he flew.

The author shared the point of view that you should state your wishes to your family, but if they find it too abhorrent, or hard to deal with emotional to let them know they can change your burial plans. They are alive and have to deal with the emotions, but you are not. I'm rather ambivalent. I think I like the organic compost idea. I find that when our pets have passed away we bury them under our favorite tree. It is nice and shady and the kids can play and climb on the other side. I would like to be parted out, if there is any usable stuff, first. I'm all for the idea that if I'm not going to be using it it might help someone else.

I thought this book was well written and add just the right bit of levity to something that will affect all of us at some time.


:::::::::::::::Volunteered:::::::::

I have been volunteered for a project that is coming up the first week in October. To try to be ready for this event, Michael drove me to Cake Art so I could sign up for Cake Art III. I will be learning to use fondant. I will also be learning how to make tiered cakes. The class starts in 2 days. The same instructor for my first 2 class will be doing this one. She is pretty cool. I'm looking forward to learning some new techniques.

:::::::::::::::Fundraiser for Scleroderma Research::::::

I was very excited that I got to fill in for my mom at the fundraiser in memory of Kathleen Basile. I sat with Jim's family, the Towheys. They are such a hoot. Kathleen's family put together an amazing evening of entertainment, food and prizes. I participated in the Silent Auction and won tickets for "Dialogue in the Dark".Dialogue in the Dark. Here is a blurb from the site, "DIALOG IN THE DARK’S visually impaired guides lead visitors on a journey through a series of darkened galleries created to replicate everyday experiences. Without familiar sight clues, visitors learn to “see” in a completely new way with their non-visual senses." Michael, Aaron, Rachel and I are going.
The Basiles have decided to make this fundraiser into an annual event. There will be options for people to golf at Chateau Elan, purchase dinner tickets, raffle tickets and participate in the Silent Auction. Keep your radars onfor this one.

:::::Halloween 2008 pages:::::::














I am finally getting around to scrapbooking the kids Halloween photos from 2008. Michael did such a great job on the costumes. There was a lot of giggling when all was said and done.

:::::High School Reunion::::::

My 20th High School Reunion is coming up on Saturday. Michael helped me shop for a "dressy casual" outfit. I'll get him to take a photo of me before I leave for the shindig.

:::::Chinese Food::::::

Michael took us out for Chinese food last night. YUM! Noah tried the vegetable spring rolls and decided that he likes them better than he did last time. We are slowly getting him to try more things.

:::::Walking::::::::

I'm off to do that. The only day I missed last week was Saturday. Even the rain didn't stop me on Sunday. I am almost through with my book on Meriwether Lewis. It is a great read.

On the way home we stopped for ice cream at Bruster's. I ordered a regular sized chocolate malt. Another man asked me what the difference between a malt and a milkshake. I explained it was somewhat like eating a Whopper candy in powdered form. He thanked me for getting him hooked on, yet another, form of ice cream treat. Eve decided she wanted to try my malt too. Now, Eve is a fan of chocolate malts. I was lucky she was strapped in the middle seat on the way home, or I might not have been able to drink most of my stuff. She did get her own ice cream. She had a chocolate scoop on a cake cone with candy eyes, while Noah had a Dirt Sundae.



::::::::::::From Indexed.blogspot.com:::::::
Dinosaurs are in your Legos:





I thought is was kinda funny when I picked up this book and found that the idea started when the author was in a sandstorm in the Gobi Desert. She was writing about a dinosaur expedition. I love funny connections. So far, the book is really a fun to read. Thinking about what actually makes up the dust is almost bewildering. I would like to state that I'm glad that ant legs and spider eyes are big enough to become trapped in my nose hair. It is unfortunate about the industrial pollutants that can scoot past, though.


Book Reviews::::::

Chasing Vermeer was a book that centered around this painting "The Lady Writing":


The main characters, Calder Pillay and Petra Andalee, are 11 year-olds who discover many fascinating coincidences on their way to finding the stolen painting. Their are clues with frogs, pentominos, and the number twelve. Rachel was the most interested in this book. It didn't grab the interest of the rest of the kids too much. The art history was fun to learn. There are a couple of more books in the series, but we are jumping right into the latest Sisters Grimm book next.


Our family has really enjoyed the Sisters Grimm series. It was funny to see the kids laying down on their bed, while they prop them self on their elbows eager to hear what is happening. Everyone gets a great belly laugh from Puck's antics.


::::::::::Father's Day Prep:::::::

Michael and I took Aaron and Rachel to the mall to pick out a chocolate chip cookie cake. While we waited for the lady to decorate the cake the kids did the trampoline jump. Rachel's harness was not adjusted well, so she had a hard time. Aaron's was just right. He even was able to throw in a double backflip. He was a bit dizzy after that.
Rachel bought another Fablehaven book and Michael grabbed a tube of chocolate covered sunflower seeds. He loves those. He calls them crack.

The cake has been cut and eaten. Michael and Grampa Jim are taking a snooze on separate couches.

::::::::::Possible Beach Weekend:::::

Next month we think we will get to head to Gulf Shores for a 3 or 4 day weekend. We have never visited that locale, so if you have some great spots to visit there, please let me know. Aaron is going there with his Venture Crew. They are scheduled to see the U.S.S. Alabama and go deep sea fishing. Teenage boys with sharp fish hooks on the ocean make me nervous.

Well, I hope y'all have a great weekend!

Rachel's group went first with their skit. The idea was funny and Rachel got a couple of big laughs. She annunciated and projected. I was so proud. Here are some photos. I still have to upload the video I made of her performance.

::::::::::::Summer Camp Time:::::



Rachel started Drama Camp today. She has a few friends that signed up, as well. Our neighbor's daughter is one of them, so this morning they took her to camp.



Yesterday, Michael and I went to the parent orientation for the Cub Scout Twilight Camp that Noah will be attending this week. The theme is "Under the Sea". One of the days the camp director will dress up like Davy Jones and explain the rules.
The program director and camp director have put a lot of preparation into this camp and it sounds like the boys are going to have a blast.

::::::::::::Nap Olympics::::::

I think I have been in training for the Nap Olympics. It has been a few years (maybe it has been never) since I've gotten 2 hours of uninterrupted nap time. I had a pleasant one yesterday. I also went for an evening walk at the park and saw church friends, elementary school teachers, and extended family. The day was really hot but the light breeze and the cooling temperature in the evening made it a wonderful time to walk. I did my usual route, which ends up being around 6.86 miles by the pedometer. I followed that with my usual reward of a blueberry/banana smoothie chaser. I also had a headache trying to make me uncomfortable, but not enough of one to get any ibuprophen or acetaminophen. As I type the headache has all but disappeared.

Noah and Eve are sleeping on the couch and chair downstairs. They were very excited to get to stay up and watch the movie "Ant Bully" and get to sleep outside of their bedrooms.

:::::::::::::Scout Camp:::::::

Aaron left for Scout Camp on Sunday and isn't scheduled to return until Saturday. He drove up with another boy in his troop with the other boy's dad driving. He and this other boy went to the Special Olympics at Emory University on Saturday as helpers. Aaron said they had a good time helping.

::::::::::Aaron Enjoys Cooking, See::::


:::::::::Photos from Noah's Birthday:::::::





...I think I'm going to read for a bit. Smiles!

We have been in and out of the house today. We celebrated Noah's 9th birthday. We made his favorite breakfast of French toast, then we ate the cookie cake we bought yesterday. He chose the design when I took him shoe shopping and to buy a present. I let him pick out an expensive Lego set in return for not having a party.

Then, we took the kids to Stone Mountain Park to do the Sky Hike. Eve didn't want to try it in October, but today she decided she would try. She was nervous at several spots, but completed all 3 tiers. We are so proud of her. It started to rain as we were finishing up, so we left. We were going to stop at the movie theatre, but the movie on the marquee isn't showing until tomorrow. So, we took the kids to Noah's favorite place to eat, Chick-Fil-A. Aaron had a headache, so afterwards we went home for a nap.


:::::::::::::Juniors to Cadets::::
After the nap we had Rachel's bridging ceremony. She went from being a Junior Girl Scout to a Cadet. The weather held out for occasion. Granny and Grampa Towhey came with hugs and their cameras.














Michael and Aaron had fun cutting up on the bridge, after the ceremony:












They also started a water bottle fight in the parking lot at Bruster's ice cream. Rachel, Noah and Eve got involved too. Everyone was laughing and damp.

::::::::::::::::::5th Grade Promotion::::::

On Tuesday night, Rachel had fun at her promotion ceremony. She received a certificate for Perfect Attendance and one for doing well on the CRCT.

Wednesday was the last day of school and the 5th graders had "Survivor Day". They got to have a water fight, play on inflated equipment, eat snow cones, sing karaoke and dance to music played by a D.J. They also got served pizza that was ordered in. I was at the school all day and got to see Noah and Eve dance and enjoy the last day, too.

::::::Update::::::

Granny Alice is doing well. Grampa Jim goes into the doctor for a follow-up tomorrow, but says he isn't experiencing any pain. So good news on both fronts. Thanks for the kind words and prayers for their behalf.

I'm in desparate need of a shower. Y'all have a good night, or day.

Smiles!