First Day of Spring

Happy First Day of Spring. Extremely happy that Winter is over. Easter is this Sunday. I am looking forward to giving my kids gifts- for no good reason, but I went a bit overboard this year. I have bought them some books, a craft kit and a fairy garden- I like to give them something that grows. On a side tangent- when my little turned 3 her friend gave her a plant for her birthday and now months later she looks and it and see that it is still there- it isn't like a toy that gets old or broken. Anyway, I love the idea of giving something real that is alive.

Easter means family over for brunch. This year it is more like an early dinner. I really do love to cook. The menu is steamed mussels, rotisserie pork loin, rosemary yukon potatoes, asparagus, salad and dessert of pound cake topped with whipped cream and berries. I hope it all turns out well.

The little one is on antibiotics- first time ever. She is slowly getting over her sinus infection that was causing the very bad cough. She slept through the night last night- first time in about two weeks. She has lost a little weight- due to not being interested in food, but not too bad. She is tall and tiny and too much weight loss is not good for her.

School auction- yes this weekend is also the preschool auction fund raiser. I am happy to report that I will not be bidding on any items, but I have been helping out. I so do want to be an interior designer and event planner in my next life. Anyway, Saturday night is the event and I will be running the sound and videos. I'll report next week how it goes.

May the glory and the promise of this joyous time of year
Bring peace and happiness to you and those you hold most dear.

Monday, Monday

The little one is still sick. I have another Dr. appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning. Terrible night time coughing. When the little one is sick, I don't get a chance to sleep. I am functioning quite well for little sleep due to Claritin-D allergy medication. I made it to work on time and I have been quite productive.

Spring is here in the NW. Cheery trees are in bloom- see. I didn't take the picture, but I will see if I can get some pictures of my own this evening or tomorrow morning.

My current garden/yard plans are as follows:

1. Buy a Magnolia tree
2. Plant tree
3. Replace siding on front of house
4. Replace front walkway with flagstone
5. Create rain garden (two corners of the front yard)
6. Plant low bushes in towards the house.
7. Replace small rock retaining wall
8. Install front yard fence
9. Make a bench from old tree trunk

Zen quote of the day:
Over the ages you have followed objects,
Never once turning back to look within.
Time slips away;
Months and years are wasted.


- Kuei-Shan (771-854)

Sleep/Work

The little one has been sick. She woke up coughing at 3:00am. Then fell asleep at 5:00am and slept till 8:00am. I fell asleep also- then ended up late to work- luckily it was not a problem. In my current job, one is treated like an adult- at least most of the time. My insecurities are: I want to be taken seriously, I want responsibility, I want flexibility, I don't want to ask permission, and I want more money. I am smart- but smarter than others...yes/who knows. Work is a contest of ego's, capability, and work "emotional" intelligence. Yes it is true, everything you need to know you learned on the playground in 3rd grade.

Sites that I like: WanterLustre on Etsy; Mid Beacon Hill; Happy Cavalier

Happy "Rainy" Monday

Typical day today in Seattle. Gray and rainy. This weekend was fairly nice, cleaned the house, did laundry. We had friends over for dinner on Saturday. It was good to see them.
I have starting to learn how to knit. The class is good and I am currently making my first hat. Knitting is hard and if you make a mistake, it shows. With sewing there is a bit of wiggle room that isn't there with knitting.

Sunday was the start of Day Light Savings Time. I have never liked moving forward/moving back. It is an archaic rule that congress has tried to change, but for some reason has never been able to. New goal to add to New Years List- write congress that Day Light Savings Time must be abolished. In our modern society we do not need to have this law anymore.

What to do?
When we bought our house two years ago, we checked out the crime and other reports available to us from King County and the City of Seattle. Now I learn there are convicted s__ offenders living the next street over. Is this a big deal? I am not sure. I have young children. I have a young woman as a nanny. I am hoping that we'll get a chance to know them and understand that they are not a threat. Our neighborhood is wonderful. I know my neighbors and we don't just watch out for each other, but we talk to one another. My neighbors have become friends.

The reality of modern society is that there is more information available to everyone about who we are. Voting records, criminal history, driving records, etc. With this new access to a lot of information, it is important to not over react. My main goal, besides keeping my family safe, is to learn how to deal with conflicts of interest, how to be a part of a society where what is good for the community doesn't always meet my individual expectations/needs.

Music
My son started taking music lessons. Great little school called Arts in Motion. He is learning the violin. I played the flute and piano. Add to my New Years goal- buy a piano. The evidence is overwhelming that learning music helps the brain with math and science.

New Years Resolutions (late)

My New Years Resolutions are:
Attend PTSA meetings every month.
Work on the Preschool Annual Auction.
Be healthy.
Continue to work on community building in my neighborhood.