My favorite Things

The past few weeks have just gone by in a blur.   But it's been a happy blur as the time has been spent doing some of my favorite things.

For starters, Hubby and I enjoyed a recent his-and-hers weekend.   I've mentioned this concept before, but you know, he gets to do the things that make him happy, and I head off and do my own thing.  We return rested and refreshed, ready for whatever rolls our way.

 For Hubby, he got to spend the weekend with his friend R. who was visiting from Alaska.   R and his wife took really good care of Hubby during his adventure to Alaska last year so it was nice to return that favor, even if our hosting was small by comparison to the hospitality they provided during mechanical delays last Spring.

So, while Hubby had a weekend of male bonding, I headed off to a local hotel with this gal.    Sure, it is an old picture, but that handsome fella checking out the goodies with his mama is due to graduate high school in a matter of weeks.   So we loaded up our crafting stuff and she worked at warp speed to finish up his school days album in time for the big reveal at Graduation Day.   I just provided the comic relief and encouraging words....as I've got a couple more years before that milestone reaches our doorstep.  

With little time left to bask in the glow of a weekend away, I had a party to get ready for.   One of my favorite traditions is hosting an Easter Lunch.   As you can see, I've been doing it for many years now...

 With Easter falling on 4.20, and our state being the butt of several jokes now at we've legalized marijuana,well...the Lovely Lish girls sure know how to kick it up a notch on the fun factor...

Yes,it your look closely the bunny was indeed lighting up...

No sooner had we put away the dishes from our party, was it time to shift gears for another event.  

  I sent Hubby off to the hills...

I hear they are alive with the sound of Urals this time of year...

While I remained home to get the house company ready for Grandpa's visit (Oh, don't cry for me quite yet, I've got my own girls weekend planned for June).

 A few cocktails were enjoyed

And a couple stories were told...

But the real reason for the visit was to catch the debut of 

Featuring a cast of many talented middle schoolers...

With one very special viola player making his pit orchestra debut!

So while some find rain drops on roses and whiskers on kittens to be their favorite things, I have enjoyed this past month filled with friendly faces, supportive family and memorable moments!

Facebook Fun

I confess:   I still like Facebook.   Supposedly it is on its way out with the young kids.   They've all moved on to Instagram, Twitter, and Vine videos.  According to my source (Thing 2, the resident expert on all things cool):   All that remains on Facebook are us old farts.   That's ok with me

For in the last few weeks, I've discovered a couple things that I really like about Facebook

• It's a great place to get rid of stuff.   I posted this picture of a book shelf I no longer had a need for (Hubby and I have been on a plan to simplify things around the house)   Within 7 minutes, someone from our Neighborhood Group Page said she'd take it!   Sweet!
  
• It's a great place to connect with forgotten friends and co-workers.   Last month, I found a message from someone asking if I was the same Martha stationed at Ft. Campbell and who made an awesome spinach dip?   Oh my goodness, yes, that was my specialty dish back when I was first learning how to cook, and what a treat it was to re-connect with this long forgotten colleague.   She travels to the Denver area occasionally with her husband, so fingers are crossed we'll get to meet in real time.  I might even have to dig out that recipe for Spinach Dip (although these days?   Safeway makes one that is really good and way less messy than trying to drain frozen spinach.)
• And finally, it's a great place to walk down memory lane. The newest Facebook trend seems to be something called Throwback Thursdays.    I've been having a great time, sifting through forgotten photos and posting a few of my favorites....trying to match a picture with something relevant for the week.   Here are just a few of my recent postings on FB
  
  
  

First Day of Spring?

A perfect time to remember Spring 2000 (before digital cameras)

The eve of Spring Break?

Why not try to capture that sense of anticipation we were all feeling...even Thing One circa 2001

And when it snows on the first Thursday of April?

Time to remember when as Georgia girls, we traveled north to visit the grandparents..

such a treat for us and our dear dog Max!

Which brings us to today...

Who knew it was National Sibling Day?

A perfect time to remind my sister of that famous quote...

"I smile because you are my sister, I laugh because there is nothing you can do about it"...

Yes, nobody is safe now that I know how to use my scanner and upload photos...

Friend me....and you too will see what foolishness I share on Facebook!  

March Madness

Much as I wish I could indeed sit around and do nothing this Spring Break, I am determined to tackle several little projects that I've been putting off doing. One thing is to update the blog.

It's hard to imagine that here we are at the end of March.   The month really has flown by.   Here are just a few of the highlights in our family.

For Hubby, I'm pretty sure he'd say the highlight was taking receipt of his new motorcycle.   Valencia served him well, but the allure of the new 2014 model coupled, with an enabling spouse (raising my guilty hand) and some general trust issues when it comes to Valencia's engine reliability all served as signs that it was time to move on to a new model.

Introducing:   Scarlett....

I must admit, she's a very pretty rig and I'm liking the name more than my original suggestion of Lucy.   Yeah, if you want a new trusting relationship, naming your rig Lucy is probably NOT a good idea.

A sense of peace and calm has returned to our house...knowing that hubby now has motorcycle options for year round riding.   Bring on the Spring Snow Blizzard, we're ready!

In other family news, Thing Two spent a lot of time this month in the orchestra.   For starters, there was the annual String-a-thon.   What a great concept this is.   All the middle school orchestra students in our district, practice a series of 10 pieces.   The students then test off on each piece and passing earns them a chance to perform that piece at the large gathering of all the students.   Again, this year Thing Two conquered them all and I admit, it's pretty cool seeing over 350 students all playing together in one large setting.  

Not long after this performance, he shifted gears for another performance event..

This is a try-out orchestra.    During 7th grade, he got nervous right before try outs and decided not to try out.   Once his nerves calmed down, he regretted his decision and his teacher, the ever fabulous Mrs. R, was kind enough to make an exception and let him do a late try out.   He ended up being selected as an alternate.  This year, he tried out, did his best and guess what...he made it!   Yeah, I admit, I'm bragging now.   But holy smokes if you could hear these kids play...you'd appreciate how tough the competition is.

For Honors Orchestra, the students all gather for about 8 hrs of rehearsal.   And then they give a fabulous concert.   I found myself failing in my attempt to hold back the tears...as I recalled a conversation some years ago when we first started parenting a violist.   Concerts?   Oh my gosh, if we must.   They were a painful ordeal that we endured.   I recalled Judy Lish telling me "Martha, they get better, I promise".   And right she was...

Ok, so you can't spot him, but trust me, he's tucked in behind the cello player.

And here he is...saying his final farewell to his cub scout uniform (yep, in an effort to simplify things, we've been doing some serious Spring cleaning...take a picture and move on has been the motto of late...

And so what about Me and Thing One..

Well for starters...we were goofing around to see how much taller everyone is than me...

As I am only 5'4", if that these days...being taller than Mom is really nothing to brag about..

For Thing One:   he let's me post embarrassing pictures like this of him on Facebook, but is hesitant to let me take current pictures.   He's cracking us up with his quick remarks.   Some recent favorites include

• A recent meeting with his case manager, when I teased him about fixing her a warm beverage (she had a bit of a cold and wasn't feeling good), he quickly replied "I don't know how to fix you a warm beverage, but I can pour you a whiskey, will that work?".   There ya go:   we were talking about career options.
• He also came home beaming with pride that his math teacher had praised him for having one of the highest grades in the class.  Ok, hold the applause, his grade was only an 83% at that time.   He smiled as he said "If I can get my science grade up I will be embracing my Asian heritage".  

And as for me...March has proved to be a good month.   I've got a new assistant at work and while I miss my good friend Susan dearly, I am at least not so frantic trying to figure out how to do it all on my own.   

The kids at work give me plenty of reasons to smile.   Especially our special needs students.   Something about their genuine nature, keeps me grounded, reminding me that the little worries I have are indeed just that...little worries.

So with this recap...I can strike one more thing off my to do list..

Hope you all enjoy a little break this Spring!  

Happiness is sometimes a surprise!

I'll admit, I'm not one who enjoys surprises.  I like things planned and organized to the best of my ability.   Yep, even when I was pregnant, I wanted the ultra sound person to tell us boy or girl.

But last night, I was reminded that there is indeed great happiness to be found in a surprise.

Our friend is turning 50 and her husband and family wanted to make sure she was honored and celebrated.   As well she should, she's really is a remarkable person and someone that I consider it a great honor to call friend.

So for the past couple of months, we've all been mindful of our conversations with her, careful in what we sent through email and face book, doing our best to ensure that the surprise went off as planned.

I think the video shot by my own talented hubby pretty much tells the rest of the story...  
Jacqui:   Happy Birthday!   I'm sure you will rock the 50s!  

What brings a nurse to tears?

When the parent calls to tell me thanks.   Yep, that is all, a simple thank you is all it took.

A few weeks ago, I was called in to help a counselor with a distraught young student.    Seemed she had made a decision that she regretted after the fact.   Yep, a boy was involved.    Then last week she came back in, concerned about new details she had heard about the boy.     I thought it was a bad clinic encounter:   We kept getting interrupted, she was shy and didnt know how or what to ask.  

Of all the things I help kids with, I admit, having conversation about kids having sex is my least favorite.   It can all go so wrong.   Kids hear what they want.   They can twist my words for their purpose,   And well, I am a mom to teenagers.   It is all just unsettling.   But it is part of my job, so I do it. I talk to the kids about intimate relationships.

But this time, it went right.   I encouraged the girl to please confide in her parents.    Legally I am not obligated to call parents when kids report certain concerns but as a mom, I really push hard for the kids to confide their concerns in a parent.  

This girl apparently not only confided in her parents, but according to her mom, it was because of my kindness, she knew that she could tell her mom.

Mom went out of her way to call and thank me for helping her daughter.
And well...that is what got me crying, it is indeed why we do what we do, things we don't necessarily like to talk about, but need to.

Sunday Funnies

 Seems last week, there was a football game....

And despite all the local hoopla

Our home team did not seem to do as well as we'd hoped...

I didn't really notice, as I had picked up a new book at the library 

*It's good, I mean, REALLY REALLY GOOD...

It's been a sad week for me at work, as my wonderful friend and awesome co-worker, Susan accepted a new position

Sure, we'll hire someone else (or risk my going insane, we're still need deep in the thick of cold-and-flu season, with a heavy side of "I don't want to be in class" syndrome")....but seriously... there is only one Susan and she's leaving some pretty big shoes to fill.

It's also been a pretty cold week....yes, you are looking that correctly, -9 degrees when I pulled into the parking lot at work.   Sure makes me grateful for those heated bun warmers.    

And happy that Hubby was riding in Millie

Our "new to us" second car.   After almost 3 years of being a one car family, we've come to appreciate the challenges this poses, and when a great deal on a used car fell into our lap, we snatched it right up.

It'll also be the vehicle the Things learn how to drive.

Oh my....did I just type that?   where have the years gone?   

Ok, I admit, not necessarily the best picture of the Hubby, but I like the smile on Thing One's face...

It is so seldom I can capture him smiling for the camera.   That isn't to say he doesn't keep us smiling...

This week, his math teacher complimented him on how well he's doing in her class.   Apparently, he has one of the highest grades in her class.   Which is rather sad, given what his actual grade it, but still...a compliment is a compliment, and high school geometry at our school has the reputation of being a tough class.

Thing One was beaming when he announced to me "Yeah, Mom and if I can bring my Science grade up I really will be embracing my Asian heritage"  

Silly boy...where does he get this from?  (raising my guilty hand as the silly sense of humor is indeed a trait he's inherited from my people).

Or maybe not....after reading the academic funny on facebook, Hubby's younger brother sent us this cartoon...

Seems there is a sense of humor on both sides of the family tree for my guys!

Anyways...I'll wrap this hodge-podge blog update with a final photo

Seems Hubby's beloved side cars were featured in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics.

Stay tuned...as we too may be sporting something flashy and red in our garage in the months to come..

No, I'm not talking about the javelin spear....although I admit, it would make a rather strong statement if I showed up at work like that...

Don't mess with the nurse, she's got a javelin and she's not afraid to use it?

This-That-and a Few Other Things

In reading the blog of a my good friend Colleen, I am reminded how it really is about the little things that make our life worthwhile.    So, while nothing big is going on right now, here's a little glimpse of what's been happening with the Chang Gang.

THIS....

Stepping back a couple weeks ago, it was indeed a Friday worthy of the praise TGIF!....after having my car in the shop for over a month, the happy news that Schnitzel was ready to come home.

 We'd gotten used to our rental car, affectionately called "Clownie" by Thing One (referencing the fact that it was a little car, much like a clown's car).   Thing One likes curling up in small spaces, so I think he enjoyed this Hyndai Elantra's limited passenger space.   He also was rather impressed that he was taller than Clownie.  

Just the same, I missed my German engineered car...yes, I suppose the bun warmers were missed the most (that and the heated windshield, with freezing ice, well, it's one of those little features you sort of forget about until you really need it).

   Sure, given her advanced age (a 2005) with a high mileage (127k), I suspect her days are numbered.   But for now, I am indeed happy to have my ride back in the garage!

THAT

As for the Things, last week they faced the challenges of 1st Semester Finals.   Actually, I'm not sure that Thing 2 had a lot of finals, per se, but he did have to hustle to get in a few forgotten assignments while he still had a chance.   As for Thing One, he managed to stay pretty calm and focused, and actually did better on his geometry test than any of his previous unit tests!   Still neither one bring home the grades that warrant boasting about in the family Christmas letter.    And well, given how low I've seen some kids GPA (yes, there seems to be a direct correlation to how often you visit the nurse with how bad your grades are), I'm not going to complain.

With the high school kids on a shortened schedule for finals, I agreed to visit another school and help out their new nurse learn the ropes.   She's got what it takes to get the job done...but holy smokes, I came back to my building, grateful that I've been here long enough to have things flowing rather smoothly.   She's got a lot to sort through, and well, I'm glad I've been-there-done-that, and now can enjoy the rewards that comes with creating a streamlined and organized office.

AND A FEW OTHER THINGS

Typically, I'm not a big movie buff.   I prefer to watch films in the comfort of my own home, where I can pause when I need to, and not have to take out a loan to buy a package of Red Vines and popcorn.   But during the winter Awards season, I do like to see a couple of the most talked about movies.    So far, I've seen 12 years as a Salve, American Hustle and August, Osage County.   

My favorite?   12 years as a slave, hands down.   American Hustle was a fun-methodical con-film, and August Osage County?   Helped me appreciate that my own relatives are really pretty normal by comparison.   I'd still like to try and see Dallas Buyers Club but not sure when that will happen.

So that really wraps it up...while the rest of the country seems to be suffering through repeated trips into the Polar Plunge, we've enjoyed a relatively mild winter.   So mild, that well, here's what we did for lunch yesterday...

Wishing you all a warm and restful January...what's left of it...!

Thing 1 cuddled up in his quilt, custom made by my friend and co-worker, or if you ask Thing One "The nice one in the clinic!" (Susan G).

Perspective...

I have had a case of the back to work blahs.   2 weeks off, and I was enjoying sleeping in, lounging around, just basically taking my time to do only the bare minimums.

 I was not only liking this break, I was loving it.

This morning I dragged  myself back to work...I was dreading it.   The students have finals coming up, it is cold and flu season, and it was bitter cold. I  just wasn't in the mood to deal with any of it!

My office phone rang, even before I had officially turned on the lights and opened the door for the day(0650!)

It was a mom, saying "I just don't know who to start with, so I picked you."

Turns out her 16 year old son has been diagnosed with leukemia and she knew she needed to let the school know, but well...that first call is so hard.

It jolted me back to reality.
Yes, I love being home.
No, I wasn't in the mood for a flurry of faux illnesses.

But this call reminded me, I am here for more than Tylenol, band aids, and convincing the reluctant student that they need to be back in class.

No, I won't play a direct role in this student's battle against cancer.  Shucks, he may graduate without ever coming back to the large school setting (we have home bound teacher programs for seriously ill students).

 This morning, yes, all I did was answer the phone...and listen..and shared the information with others.

But being there, helping support this parent, and later helping the younger sister get through her first day back...reminded me that as much fun as is it to chill at home, there is somewhere else I need and want to be when break comes to an end.

A Year in pictures...Martha style

So, not to be outdone by my talented hubby, I too have compiled our year in pictures.   Using Shutterfly.   I find that their templates are the easiest to use and have the greatest amount of flexibility when it comes to customizing the templates.   Keep in mind, it is best NOT to attempt such a creative endeavor when sipping a glass (or two) of white wine.   Nor does it work real well when you've got the medicine head cold thing going on.   But, finally the fog lifted and I was able to finish up this project....motivated by a substantial sale that ends in a few days!

I hope you enjoy looking back on these pictures...I've come to appreciate I take fewer and fewer pictures, but those that I do take, hold special meaning and memories!

Wishing everyone a happy new year (a little belated, see above, head cold, hangover...yeah I'm a bit behind, what can I say?)

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

Merry Christmas!

 The tree has been delivered...

The presents are all wrapped...

(yep, we're going a little non-traditional this year...from the Charlie Brown style tree, to me, letting go of control and letting the boys pick our their own wrapping paper...gasp?  Black...ok, if that's what you want oldest Thing..and the younger one giggled with delight when I said yes to the hello kitty paper he picked out)

A few cookies have been baked..

(these were made by the Younger Thing...who has discovered the joys of baking...and he seems to be showing real talent!  Now  granted, these particular cookies were destined for a friend at school...he did let us sample his treats)

With our only four wheel vehicle temporarily off line for the past few weeks...

(off line and bent, but fixable...so yes, Hubby has been released from the dog house)

We had to get a little creative in accomplishing regular chores

But in the end...we seem to be ready for Tomorrow's Big Day...

with only one last thing to do...

Sending Merry Christmas wishes...cyber style to all our friends and family!