The Heron's Nest

New.............

Well hello there!  So glad your graced my pages with a visit.  My break became an extended one, which seems to happen a little too often now.  Oops.  Much of my break was not completely intentional due to, ahem, computer issues.  That would be the memory which seems to be getting taken up by a certain someone's many pictures of crafts, kids and food.  In fact, I really shouldn't even be here, after promising Paul that I would sort through pics and create more space.  I am not really supposed to be adding more photos for this little blog until after that is completed, but I just couldn't help myself.

2009 seems to be a nice fresh start here.  I turned a whopping 37 Christmas Eve, and after a few months of anticipation and panic, I seem to be willing to accept that I am now in the throws of complete middle aged-ness......well, almost.  I still find it shocking that I can be so darn old, yet feel so young....a good thing, I know.  My yoga practice is becoming more regular, sugar seems to be a little less present, and things generally feel great.  A good start to a new year.  What about you? 

A New Face In Town......

We have a new neighbor.

I am not so excited about it,

but as long as he stays small, and doesn't bother me, I suppose I can learn to live with him. 

My only concern is that

he may have a few too many brothers and sisters hanging around. 

Should be a fun summer.  Bug and rodent free? 

                              

We have these WONDERFUL rocks, which pretty much support the bank which runs alongside our driveway.  I have always known that this would be the ideal home for a family of snakes.  A few weeks ago we spotted some very cute little mice running over the rocks.  That was a nice nature day.  Cute mice OUTSIDE.  Needless to say, I am not thrilled about the snake for he is very close to where we play, haul groceries out of the car, blow bubbles and ride trikes....I know I am supposed to be fine with this and appreciate what good he can do....but I just can't!!!!!!!  I am secretly hoping Mr. Hawk will take care of Mr. Snake!  Though I love our little house on our pretty little wooded lot, I do fear suburbia may be calling my name.  Last Fall it was a bear that threw me into months of pining away for a fenced in lot with a nice tidy garage......I know "I should be embracing nature", "there are snakes in the suburbs", "conquering my fear" and all of that advice.....but can't a girl just want a driveway a little less reminiscent of Grizzly Adams?

I Heart Motto Samplers!!!!!!!!

I have held on to these little beauties for about 14 years, ever since we cleared out my great aunt Ella's attic.

                           

A few months ago, I finally managed to frame them, in, well, probably not the best frames.  The original frames were incredibly fragile, and well....really ugly.  I am sure I decreased the value, but hey, I didn't like them.

                           

While out thrifting/antiquing a few weeks ago, my cousin found this for me.

                                

This is not vintage, but I love what it says, and I love the woman who gave it to me, so that equals extra special in my book! (My mom did teach me to sew, and whenever I am working on a sewing project it feels as though she is there, usually telling me to take out the stitches and to re-do my work.  Funny how those important voices linger in our heads even after the people are gone.)

I would love to have a wall dedicated to these.  I think it is fun to look for the right one. I especially like the alphabet samplers and mottoes about friendship.

And here is one more I have acquired since writing this post and actually getting the photos loaded, and all of the other things that seem to delay my many drafts of posts.....

                                  

Cute, huh?

Basking in the Beauty of the Day

Perspective is a funny thing.  It seems as though I am lacking the ability to settle in one perspective....I am not sure whether this is a positive or negative characteristic.  Anyway,.....while trying my  to focus on the POSITIVE and the NOW, having a more, shall we say OPTIMISTIC perspective, I have stumbled upon the wonders of where I am right now.

Preschool loveliness.

Views from the drive home.

A New Start (Or Something Like that)

            

This time of year always brings me to a new start.  It is not January's new year for me, rather the new school year.  I was a teacher, am a teacher, will probably always be a teacher.  It is in my blood.  When I was teaching, I loved the beginning of the new school year.  I loved the newly sharpened pencils, the little name tags on the desks, new names with new little personalities, gifts and needs, all about to erupt into my classroom for the year.  This is the first fall I have not had the urge to be teaching (other people's children that is).  I no longer have regrets or questions about staying home.  I no longer feel as though I am missing something out there (other than perhaps the ability to actually get myself put together within 45 minutes and look somewhat presentable to adults).  I am feeling very happy with where I am, stage-wise at least.  I am relishing this very short time in my life where I can have lazy mornings with my little pumpkins, linger over a bowl of Irish oats, read a great story to my son and watch him be inspired to create a masterpiece, dance in the afternoon to whatever music moves us that day.  I am enjoying returning to my sewing roots, getting in touch with a bit of creativity with my hands, when time allows of course.  (I don't think I will EVER enjoy dirty dishes, vacuuming, laundry, but I really am trying to see this just as part of my day, part of my new job.)

I wish I could say that I have this same sense of serenity about where we are geographically.  I am so torn as to where I want to be, and confused about where we will be.  Not very "in the moment" living at all.  I have spent HOURS reading online about other places.  Checking real estate sites, cultural events in local areas, certification requirements for teachers......I think I am nearing an idea of where I want to be, but since we are pretty much remaining here for the next year, at least, I have decided to really just stop looking for a while.  Too much living in the future and not enough living in the present.  On top of this, I have decided to go a step further and not only try NOT to think about the future, BUT also try to appreciate the positive aspects of where we are, and really, there are quite a few.  There are some really great people here, and so many advantages for our kids.  ("Always look on the bright side of life" from Monty Python is humming through my brain rather sarcastically.)  So, a new beginning........, a new school year with new possibilities.

Another area I am hoping for change is this little blog. I am hoping I will get some more comments. Not that I think this blog is terribly exciting, it's not really, but I know people are checking the blog.  Then no comments are left, so plllleeeeaaaasssseeeee de-lurk and say hi.  I would love to know what you think, good and bad (I think).  Part of the fun of this is the communication  with the readers.  And thanks to all of you who have referenced me on your own sites.  As you know that is a great way to promote other blogs. 

(And for those of you who know me all too well, I am sure I will be writing another blog entry  very soon about the reasons it is ok for me to pretty much negate anything and everything I have written tonight, uh, except for the housework comments!)

In the meantime, I am off to finish a birthday present for a very special little princess who is turning four.  I will share these projects with you soon!  And,...for those of you stay-at home people out there, I will soon be starting a mini themed unit section to my blog where I will share some fun things we are doing every few weeks.  Please check back!

Romance in Paris....

Kentucky that is!  We're off to a very special wedding.  My childhood friend is getting hitched this weekend.  We haven't met the groom and I am bursting at the seams to do so.  Between moves and babies, I haven't seen as much as this dear friend as I would have liked to over the years.  Still, when we chat, we seem to pick up where we left off the last time.  I love this feeling with friends.

There is something special about a childhood friend.  Maybe it is the fact that you suffer through adolescence together or just experience so many new things.  It is hard to even distinguish specific characteristics with her because she just evokes this feeling of ....coziness and comfort.    Memories drift into emotions which then just create this feeling called....Leah.

When we were little we played Barbies together, but not just any old Barbies....since she had the part of Gretel in The Sound of Music, she led me through each song through our play.,  She was the beginning of my musical obsessions.  We played violin together (well, she played, I screeched along), sang NON-STOP, danced and constantly laughed.  We suffered, and I mean SUFFERED through perms and braces together.  We even manged to get the same part in Man From La Mancha, playing Don Quixote and Sancho's horses.  I kid you  not all we did was a little dance and then pretended to chew straw out of a bucket throughout the show.  We shared crushes on boys and planned retreats on tropical islands with pina coladas.

There is something about the bond you form when you sing and play an instrument with someone for years.  I think there is a lot of listening and intuitive type "something" that happens.  We are very different people.  She has always had so many strengths which I have admired.  She is always welcoming TO ALL people and able to just be.  Inside I think she stresses out about things, but she manages to stay pretty calm most of the time.    I know her soon to be hubby is going to be an amazing person too.  Someone who sees how great and goofy she is.  I just can't wait!

Forgive Me.....

if I have been "pinging" you too often.  I am new to this blogging thing, and find it to be a bit overwhelming to figure out all of the "ins and outs" of it all.  I am not sure I completely understand the blogging etiquette yet.  Trying to reference all of the ideas I am getting from around the world, trying to get this site seen by more than my close friends.  Will someone please leave a comment?  I don't mean to complain but I am feeling a bit as if I do not exist out here in cyberspace.  Good, bad, ugly, I can take it.  Just need to know SOMEONE is out there.  Whew!  That feels better.  Off to make cupcakes.:)

Wife, Mother, Rickshaw Driver????

Well, here is our "new set of wheels".  Gotta love Freecycle.  Surprisingly it seems quite stable with the three (and a half) year old and chunky monkey nine month old.  I am sure to burn some serious calories with this setup.  I figure it is at least 65 pounds to push.  So far, we have only tried the driveway, but I hear the road calling my name.  Not that I have any plans of jogging.  Oh my goodness no.  Just getting outside and moving will be an improvement for me these days!  Now if only those cranky clouds will disappear.  Where are you Mr. Sun?