"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog,

conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone,

comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations,

analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal,

fight efficiently and die gallantly.

Specialization is for insects."

-- Robert A. Heinlein

2011

Hello much neglected blogosphere! I am back, and I got a new laptop, so I am here to stay. Yes, I finally have my very own computer. It's mine, all mine; just mine. I think it is the only item in my home I can truly call my very own (other than clothes and personal items)! You know, something I don't have to share. I really don't know how to act and keep waiting for someone to take it away from me.... so far, nothing:)

~Noel~

Been away for a long time, haven't I? I have been busy crafting, crafting, crafting. This is what I made today... 'tis the Season!!!

Switched at Birth?

One Proud Mama.

That's me. A proud Mama. My 14-year old son never fails to amaze me. Last night was the 8th Grade Honors Program at his school and he finally received the long-awaited for All Star Award. This is an award given to students who maintain all A's or all A's and B's throughout the school year, have no absences or tardies, and no office referrals. Let me tell you the irony in his getting the award this year.

Every year from 1st through 7th grade, he has maintained all A's. No B's. Just all A's. And he has always received the President's Award for that achievement. But he has never gotten the All Star Award. (There has always been some illness or injury that has required missing a day or two from school.) So, in 8th grade, he earns his first B (two actually). And what does he receive? The coveted All Star Award. Imagine that. And he has now come to the conclusion that it is better to maintain A's and B's rather than all A's.

So during the awards ceremony, after he gets his President's Award, I kind of sit back, relax, start daydreaming about what's for dinner; just generally stop paying attention to the ceremony. And I'm half way paying attention to the teacher about to present the next award as she goes on about this wonderful kid and all of his wonderful attributes - his leadership skills, his dedication, blablabla.... - and then she ends with "...and I'm going to miss his smile." and I thought, hey, that could be John Allen. And guess what? It was!!! He was awarded the Fine Arts Award for Strings!!! And guess what else? The Strings teacher had wonderful things to say about him. But I don't exactly know what she said, as I missed it while daydreaming about dinner. But I didn't miss my son, walking across stage, beaming ear to ear with his adorable smile, receiving his Award. And there was one Mama in the audience with tears in her eyes.

Well, lo and behold, surprise again when at the end of the ceremony he received the All Star Award.

All I can say is I'm so proud of him and his accomplishments. He was so deserving of the awards he received.

I sometimes wonder if this child was switched at birth.

Relationships

Each relationshp you have with another person reflects the relationship you have with yourself. -Alice Deville

What's On the Beside Table

So, I've not posted anything in a while, but wanted to share what I've been reading. It is an older book by Sarah Ban Breathnach, author of Simple Abundance (which I read years ago, and still periodically read passages from). The title is Excavating Your Authentic Self and it was published in 1998. Several times over the years I've browsed the book at the bookstore, but never bought it because it didn't apply to me. Didn't apply to my life. My authentic self was well and fine, thank you, and didn't need digging up. I mean, it wasn't buried. At least, I didn't think so.

When I picked this book up (from Goodwill) and started reading, I realized how wrong I had been. I completely fit the profile for an authentic self buried. And so. I think I'm going to need a big shovel.

Stay tuned.

This should be interesting.

the babies are here!!!

Look at these precious angels!! My great-nephew, Wallace, and my great-niece, Virginia, born on April 13, 2010, weighing in respectively at 5 lbs. 13 oz. and 5 lbs. 5 oz. Are these not the sweetest little ones you have ever seen????