January busy - ness....

Well, there are those who have said - GEE GRETCHEN, haven't seen any BLOG updates lately. For those of you - here goes....

We've been busy doing this and that. Life I guess you'd call it. I've gotten back into my Curves routine. Trying to make it 3X a week. My new sewing group (Nor'East Fiber Group) has met a few times and I'm loving every minute of this time. We help each other, have some soup mid-day, drik too much strong coffee and get all kinds stuff done. Some quilt, some knit, some embroider, some make clothing. I try to help where I can and learn as much as possible from the others. It is a lot of fun and productive to say the least. I just finished a quilt-top, pictures to follow after borders are added and it is done!

We had a bit of snow this week -NOT ENOUGH TO SKI ON MIND YA - just enough to make it tough to get up the hill.... I had to abandon Sally Brown (the Yaris) at the bottom of the hill Monday morning after dropping the kids at the bus - and walk home. THAT was frustrating, but I'm glad I wore my boots and warm coat/gloves/etc. . - not my slippers!!!! David scoped out snow tires today... Guess we brainiacks should have thought of that BEFORE becoming stuck. Alas - the 4WD plow truck was here - back up plan #1 - and the kids didn't have to hoof it up the 0.75 mile trek from the afternoon bus... Like that would hurt them.

As for the name - don't tell the kids... Her initials (SB) stand for something else too... The "B" is for "BOX"...... You figure out the "S". It's a bit derogatory - but we really LOVE it. Thus the alternate "cute" name! The kids just don't understand why my car has to have a name. Blame my father... My Wrangler was Bert for those of you than may remember.....

Here goes the first GREEN pitch. We traded in the '00 Cherokee (17 MPG) for the '07 Yaris (40MPG). It has a conventional engine, no hybrid technology to break down and cost big bucks to repair. We even decided to forgo power windows and locks... Not that they burn tons of gas - just the principle of the thing. For one - one pays $500 for the priviledge of having them and then $55 several years later to friggin' repair them. Come-on, that just doesn't make sense.... We (Americans in general) tend to think that we need every latest gadget and electronic device. We have forgotten how to do anything the old way... SO - we decided to practice what I sometimes preach and trade in our newest vehicle and by an inexpensive car that gets terrific mileage - and rough it a bit. Hasn't been that tough actually. Pisses us off that the US mileage standard and average is so low compared to the rest of the world.

The girls are busy making presents for an upcoming birthday. If the recipient is looking - just don't tell that I posted these - OK?!?! The pictures don't reveal the actual present TOO much. The girls are doing very well with this!! I am proud of their stick-to-it natures. They are thrilled to be making something for someone special.



Here is Ingrid working on counted cross-stitch. This will be her second project. She likes to sit at the kitchen counter while I cook dinner so I'm close by to check her placement, tie knots and occasionally thread a needle! Actually - since the first project, she does much more of this herself.

Love the doo!






And, here is Grace. Not to be outdone by her sister - natch. She also chooses to sit at the counter. Her appointed hour however, is during dinner clean-up. This is her FIRST beading project - and really, one of her first sewn projects. She does it with amazing accuracy and speed. She is dismayed a bit however, that something destined to be so pretty could cause so much pain (aka: needle pricks!!) Alas - this is the price of beauty! Get used to it kiddo.

Well - over and out. I'll try to get some more video clips on soon. THe girls have both just about mastered another piano piece. Ingrid has been working on the theme from Little Mermaids since November. It is a tough sincopated piece. Grace is doing Bells of Scotland or something - and really getting better at this whole timing thing. Eight notes and 1/2 notes were added recently - making her music sound much more grown up - - nice to listen too.

later, g

Interesting Thoughts in my E-mail

This came from a friend today. Rather than forward it along - I'll let you decide whether to read it or not. I found it... interesting. I've seen the author on a talk show or two. Fascinating woman - I should probably search her out at the library..... Anyone have title suggestions?

MAYA ANGELOU'S BEST POEM EVER

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... something perfect to wear if the employer or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE . a youth she's content to leave behind....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..... a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal that will make her guests feel honored...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to fall in love without losing herself..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... HOW TO QUIT A JOB, BREAK UP WITH A LOVER, AND CONFRONT A FRIEND WITHOUT RUINING THE FRIENDSHIP...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW ... what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

Ski Report and Piano Recital

We had a fantastic weekend. We took our first "family" ski lesson at a local cross country ski place. http://www.pineridgexc.com/ David and the girls took lessons and I took a nice long ski by myself. After some snacks and hot chocolate - we all went out together for a bit. The price can't be beat. Plus, there was only one other family with three kids in the program - and Grace went to pre-school with their daughter. So - only 7 people in the class in all - and we knew all of them. The girls learned all about snow-plowing (for control) and herringbone (for uphill). They still think this is fun. We did a pretty challenging up-hill trail. It was worth it for the awesome downhill part at the end of the trail. No pictures of that this week. It starts at 9am on a Saturday - it was a bit of a frenzy to get out of here on time. If the weather stays cold (and it looks like the 50's tomorrow - so I'm not holdiing my breath) we'll have another lesson next week. The program runs 4 weeks - and they simply postpone if the weather isn't right (too cold, or too warm).

This was Grace - Playing one of her favorite Christmas Carols. She loves doing this - and has only been taking lessons since September. It is worth noting that even tho there is music all over the piano - she is playing from memory. I could never do this - and am so impressed with how fast they memorize everything.

And, here is Ingrid doing one of her Christmas Carols. She's been at this for 2 years now, so has a bit more of a repertoire! Both girls played 3 duets with me at church on Childrens Sunday. Playing duets is great fun and really helps them with their timing. The books that are used are wonderful. Almost every piece has a duet accompaniment. Their teacher says that by the recital this coming June - perhaps then can play a duet with EACH OTHER instead of me. That would be a fantastic thing!! I can only imagine the giggling that will be part of the show!

The Christmas Present Parade - - Thanks EVERYONE!

So, here the girls are in some decent Christmas shots. I am not so steady on the digital camera (it has one of those damn - not so cool screens - no viewer - idiots - tripod next year) - so this is the best of the shots we took. One is from church. Grace was an angel - we always knew she was now didn't we? - and Ingrid was a shepherd. (no comment on that one!) Santa brought a huge magnifying glass, they got a VERY COOL card game called ICK, and Daddy built a bunk bed for the American Girl Dolls. Yes, this WAS the Christmas of the AG!

Here we have pictures of the girls with the cool sweatshirts Aunt Jamie & Uncle Richard sent for them and their AG's. Grace FINALLY lost her first upper tooth on the eve of Christmas Eve. There were a couple of VERY cool American Flag Shirts from Aunt Susan and - Santa FINALLY broke down (after 3 years of asking) and brought Grace a robotic Dog. God knows a real live one isn't quite welcome around here. Dottie (as Grace quickly named HER) isn't TOO annoying after all. WHEW! The packaging did almost get the best of David however!! HE HE HE They also got some super-de-duper new robes from Grandma & Grandpa M. I don't think their after-snow wardrobe consists of anything BUT these robes. THANKS to ALL for the wonderful gifts. They are loved by all.

Test Video - David's OOPS from Japan!

OK Folks. She's getting tricky now. This is an experiment. It is a totally boring video - an oops unknowingly taken by David in Japan with our cheap still digital camera. I am trying to see if I can upload some funnies, piano solos and such of the girls. This is a whopping 1.28 MB and runs about seconds. I am "allowed" up to 100 MB - wonder if that's proportional - that would be about 5.2 minutes - give or take. Hi Tech world -here I come... Oooh - better find the tripod - it'll be hard to stand still that long! Don't want to have a shakey video make any of you sea-sick!!

More Pictures

Well folks, the first entry is up and running. Now to see if there is a more elegant way to add pictures day by day instead of what appears to be "at the bottom" of the page. Tough teaching this old MOM a new trick!! OK - here we go - this is getting better. I like that the pictures appear with their "captions" and they don't all have to line up in a row~~ So picky - I know. Now to add a 3rd picture where I want it the FIRST try!!! Well, it still plops them out on TOP - - What would my BLOG be without some sewing show-off!!

Here is a quilt that I made as a gift this year. I hope my recipient isn't offended - but I am planning to make one almost like it for our living room. A bit Christmasey - but the colors will look grand in there!









Here we are on our first backpacking trip. We went to Merck Forest in October '07. We rented a drafty little cabin. It did the trick because we didn't have to pack the tent nor quite so many "amenities". THe girls did great. The views and weather were spectacular. Here are the girls in their Christmas finery in front of our 11' tree. We cut it from a local farm. Lovin' that farm! It is a georgeous tree - and narrow enough to not totally impede traffic in the living room. OK - now to see what happens if I load a 2nd picture!



Here are the girls in their Christmas Finery. They are in front of our 11' tree. We cut it from a local farm - YEA LOCAL - more on that later!!

Thanks for looking and keep in touch.

bye! g

Happy New Year - 2008

Well - many folks have ventured into BLOG territory - so we thought this might be an "easier-to-maintain" version of our old website. You'll have to let us know what you think. I think I was able to put up a few pictures. We had nice snow New Years Eve and more on New Years Day. Beat all heck out of the rainy Christmas holiday. The girls and I were out skiing today. It was sticky - but as usual, the girls are troupers and seemed to enjoy it anyway. Keep in touch - let us know what you want MORE or LESS of!! HAPPY NEW YEAR! All the best to everyone.

Well, after the labor intensive process of attaching the ski-boots to the bindings - we three girls were off. Daddy stayed inside to catch a few z's. He had been out earlier. Skiied to the end of the drive and down the road aways to see progress on a new house and get the paper. A good mornings workout! So - here we girls are in the back yard. This is our 4th trip out since snow began to fall. We LOVE it. The girls think it is fun to bush-wack. I'm ready to take out the loppers and take care of some of that "bush"!!

Well, Daddy isn't napping after all! He caught us swinging around to the front yard. From here we headed out thru the "Christmas Tree Farm" and then along the property line in the woods to the street. there is where the bushwacking begins in earnest! The girls really are troupers. Of course, it helps that Gretchen is in the lead breaking trail for them all the way! Grace insisted that Ingrid be in back to keep an eye on Kissee. This is the long-lived pink stuffed animal that she has in her back-pack. Wouldn't want to loose that on the trail now WOULD WE?

And so - we arrive back at the house to great Mrs. Snowman. I originally called this Mr. Snowman - but the kids corrected me. This is a FEMALE snow creature. Well - OK!!