New Business!

In the middle of a snowstorm, Declan hand delivered flyers to all our neighbors, advertising his new business "Walkway Shoveling". Any size walkway, any size snowfall for a mere $6. He made nearly $30 in two days! How awesome is that?!?

Hearts Aplenty

Valentine's day is approaching. Angus and I made stain-glass hearts that hang in the windows, filtering light.

We took crayon shavings (red, blue, purple, green, yellow, pink) and sandwiched them between two pieces of wax paper. A quick application of iron melted the wax, creating a stain-glass effect. Quick cut outs gave us these pretty hearts that wave when the heat comes on.

Declan and I made heart-shaped cookies tonight. Yummmmm.

Mushrooms Anyone?

Wowza. The mushroom kit that Gramma gave Angus for Christmas is producing like crazy. I got to tell you, I was a little concerned about keeping a box of manure and spores nice and cozy in the house. But now it looks like we'll be eating them every day for quite some time!

Busy Busy Busy

These are hectic times and I haven't feel very inspired to write. The news of McKinley's suicide rocked me in a way I don't like. Death ... most deaths ... is a natural thing. It is part of the process of life. People die in all sorts of ways and there is a natural mourning process we go through when we lose someone close.

But suicide... that is a different monster. I was not prepared to deal with these waves of anger, guilt, relief (and then guilt for feeling relief), an improper sense of responsibility, all the while sadness rolled through constantly. I feel a tremendous sense of loss and a lack of closure. I suppose that is natural when we lose someone unexpectedly. I'll keep working through it.

The rest of Life, however, is busy as all get out.

The 7th grade play is in full swing with practices

after school (for Declan) and I am busy with the ticket and publicity committees, trying to settle on a logo and means for getting the word out.

So mark your calendars now:

March 11th 3:30 pm

March 12th: 7:00 pm

March 13th: 7:00 pm

Declan will be a Munchkin, a Flying Monkey, and a

member of the Emerald City Ensemble. :)

Both boys are involved in the Chinese New Year festival this year. Declan will be performing on stage while Angus works the lighting system.

Basketball season for Declan is winding down. As point guard he has improved tremendously this season and I think he might just continue playing even after the season ends.

The Library's Pot Luck supper is this weekend and we are starting to think ahead to the used book sale which will be the last Saturday in June again this year (I believe).

I put this on FaceBook but for you, mom, here is your youngest grandson playing with Miss Maggie this morning.