since i was here last

I didn't mean to be away for this long.  But I have been sick - fever, stomach, headache, sicker than I have been in years sick.  I'm much better today.

Here's a photo of my nightstand.  I'm hoping to spend a few moments with that yarn today but if all I manage to get done is drinking the orange juice and getting to the grocery store I will be grateful. 

Since I posted last I have been:

Volunteering a ton with the school fundraiser.

Logging hundreds of orders and the accompanying checks, cash and change.

Wondering why people would pay for a fundraiser item with envelopes full of change or rolls of quarters.

Figuring out how to prepare dinner for my children without touching the food too much so that they don't catch this yucky virus.

Making yummy soup out of leftover macaroni, a store bought roasted chicken, chicken broth from trader joe's, and the only three veggies in the fridge.

Before I became sick on Monday night I spent the weekend:

Eating a wonderful picnic lunch with my kiddos and friends after Hebrew school.

Laughing about how all our kiddos have gotten so big - either that or the park equipment has seriously shrunk.

Sharing some stash yarn with a good friend.

Designing a knitting pattern.

Recycling in the most wonderful of ways.  Between the hens and the guinea pigs we have not thrown out a scrap of food in months.

Getting my hair cut.

Drinking hot chocolate with my kiddos at the coffee shop while waiting for the next taekwondo class to begin.

Doodling messages on the paper napkins while we waited for our drinks to cool down.

Watching my kiddos enjoy their taekwondo classes.  In addition to taking their black belt classes, my boys now help teach the younger students and I love how patient they are and how they always remember to say "good job" to the students after they get their forms right.

Visiting a wonderful art fair exhibit with my kiddos.

Loving that they had so many hands-on exhibits for the children to touch and create.

Grateful I was able to purchase a small piece of art for each of my kiddos.  Ezra chose this carved wood "bud vase."  The minute we arrived home he set out into the woods in search of the perfect tree branch.  Then he arranged it just so on the desk in his room.  He has since told me numerous times how much he loves it and how happy it makes him each time he looks at it.

Enjoying more quality time with my kiddos.  This year, due to budget cuts, they do not have school on two to three Mondays per month.  We spent the day...

Playing chase through the woods.

Riding our bikes around the neighborhood.

Collecting leaves in our pockets.

Carving and whittling in pink safety glasses.

Organizing our art/craft/school work drawers.

Stopping by the store for some Halloween decorating supplies.

Pausing for turtles crossing the road.

Thinking how thankful I am for all the wonderful comments you left on my last post.

Hoping that I had more than one cover to give away.

But this cover is going to dani@little fists who wrote:

 

Oh, I'd love this! Thank you, thank you, thank you for the chance!

There are so many great blogs out there...here are a few that I love:

Cherry Tomato: http://cherrytomato.typepad.com/cherry_tomato/

Mandy Gerth: http://mandygerth.blogspot.com/

Elsewhere Living: http://elsewhereliving.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Tip of the iceberg, I know.

 

I'm off to restock the fridge before Ezra gets home in a little over an hour.  There are 1,440 minutes in a day - hope you enjoy each and every one.

Comments

[Jodi]

I'm sorry you've been sick. I hope you're on the mend. And congrats to Dani, she's a great gal and will take good care of your cover. (I made one myself over the weekend -- I just need to get some pictures and post it).

[christina]

Ugh. Sickness seems to be going around. I'm trying to recover from an icky cold that got me down. I hope you get back to 100% soon!

As usual, I loved reading this post. How special that you were able to buy art for each of your children!

Your soup sounds fabulous!

And...ah...maybe the people who pay with quarters are waiters at restaurants and are using their tips for the fundraiser. :)

[Meg Evans]

Wow! You've packed in a lot of goodness! So sorry about your being sick. It just seems like the mamas can't afford to get sick, doesn't it? I'm glad you're on the mend now. I love that chicken picture on your nightstand. I can't wait to see what you've been creating.

[Ruth]

I hope you have fully recovered. Being sick is the pits. I am sad I missed your giveaway. I would love a cover made by you.

I enjoyed reading this post and reconnecting with you. It has been a while since I could visit.

How wonderful that you were able to buy art for each of your kids. What a treasure for them to enjoy.

Ruth

[leslie]

hope your day was just full enough to make you feel productive and feel better!

congrats to dani!

[dani@little fists]

HOLY SMOKES!!!!!

I won? For reals?

DANG SKIPPY!!!!!

Ok, enough about me.

I'm sorry you have been ill...BOO! Begone germs.

LOVE the vase. Your boy has good taste.

I like your bits and pieces. They are the pieces in life's puzzle.

[Beth]

You certainly have a wonderful full life. Sorry the cold got in the way. I will enjoy every minute of every day while I visit my daughter this weekend.

[Lisa Q]

Hope you're feeling better in time for the weekend. When mama's sick, it's all bad. I love hearing all that's been going on with you and your family. . That twig pot is wonderful...and I'm sure the turtle was glad you stopped to let him pass. Such fun, purposeful stuff!

[dodi]

Sending you many healing wishes. Nothing worse than being under the weather. Hope you ate a bit of your own soup (that looks delicious!!!) There is some kind of medicinal effect in CNS - trust me! Feel better soon, and congratulations Dani!!! :)

[Stephanie]

I love that vase!!!
Sorry you've been so sick, we are all sick here too, but just a nasty cold that won't seem to go away.
Sounds like you've been spending lots of quality time with your kiddos, and they are off from school on Mondays, how fun!