What we learn today . . .

Does anyone remember that Laura Engall Wilder had to memorize the last half of our nations history for her semester project? Do you think that there are many people this day and age who can remember even the names of all of the presidents?

My husband, who was home schooled is appalled at what I learned in history classes during my public school education. "What do you mean you don't know much about the assasination at Serajevo? How can you not be able to give me a general outline of the Versaille Treaty?"

And heaven forbid I ask him to explain something from a historical war.



Holy (pause for emphasis) cow.



Now I'm not saying that our public education system is a bad thing, but, then again, I am. Can they take a little fo the blame for our lack of desire to seek more knowledge about history? I love history, and while I may not be able to give you dates, names and figures, I have enough knowledge to not flounder by saying silly things like the pilgrims were the first travelers who arrived at North America and that Native American tribes stayed in nice little tracts of land called reservations.



Our kids these days instead fill their heads with the names of every character known to man on TV, they know the cheater codes for all their games and what buttons to push to make their interactive puppy chase its own tail. Is this bad? I would love to say that we should start making cartoons about historical events, but they've tried that and given us such wonderful movies as Pocahontas and . . . . well maybe that was it.



What can we do to get our kids more involved with history? I hope I can instill in my daughter the thought that history is cool and she should learn as much about it as she can.



And when she wins Jeopardy, I hope she shares her winnings.

Not quite Wordless Wednesday

Costume pattern on sale $1

White polyester $27

Wig $13

Seeing royalty raised from the dead . . . . . priceless

And Marilyn was there too . . . . (guess who?)

Permanent mistake . . .

Yesterday I took a quick trip to the store leaving Jeff and Alaina home to their own devices.

And when I came home it was to see that while I had been out, our little artist had created a masterpiece for us.

On the couch . . .

and the end table . . .

the phone and tv remote . . .

and several of her toys . . .

and herself

Using a black sharpie.

Oh and did I mention the white carpet too?

Jeff is still mystified how she managed to do so much damage, when she was walking in and out of the kitchen babbling to him as he did the dishes the whole time I was gone.

However I get to share the blame because the rogue marker was apparently left in reachable view by yours truly last week. We managed to clean it completely off all of the surfaces except the carpet.

That particulary tough spot has a date with me and a bleach pen at a later date.

Lesson learned . . . my daughter does not look cute with two black dots on her lips and scribbled on hands.

Had to be done.

They were screaming at me.

There they sat under my desk, yelling as loud as can be . . . Fix Me!

So I did.

I finally yanked off my black pumps and took a sharpie to the nicks and scratches that couldn't be ignored. I am no fashion plate and I am rather proud of that fact.
I have worn the same pair of shoes everyday for two years. I don't like having to trudge through snow in high heels and walk through puddles, and if I want to take a quick couple of laps around the building for a little exercise, I don't want to do in in pumps.

So there they sit, every evening, every weekend. Alone.

But to make this fashion crime even worse, no shoe polish will ever touch these babies, Nope! Not even a swipe with one of those handy shine sponges. They get sharpie marker touch-ups.

So does this make me thrifty? Or just cheap?

Is there even a difference?

Need a nap . . .

I'm feeling very tired . . .

I'm not getting any less sleep, but I'm having trouble shaking that tired look. My pep has gone into hibernation, and I'm not sure how to get it out.

Meanwhile, there is still the big fourth of July sewing project to get finished, I've put it off long enough, Elvis needs his pizazz and he needs it now.

And then, maybe, Marilyn can come too.

I enjoyed reading OM's blog about making new friends. Its hard for the mommies of the world, because we know what its like to be busy and have a friend call to hang out when you just don't have the time. No one want to have to tell their good friends they can't hang out.

OM, maybe if you and I meet half way, we could have coffee in Gretna sometime and walk the outlet malls? ; )

Stacey's coming home!

Yay!
Stacey will be back in NE tonight and I'm excited to see her. She'll be back for the big (relative term) 4th of July parade for Trumbull, which should be a lot of fun!!

Brett and Angie are also back for a short trip, and there is a babyshower for them. Thank goodness for registries because there are so many baby things to pick from these days how can you decide what to get?

I guess that's about it for me, but I wanted to blog so that you know I'm here!

The to do list . . .

Here is a list I needed to get recorded

Things I would love to finish this summer . . .

- Alaina's photo album
- Make Alaina a little apron to wear during craft time
- Finish my scrapbook for our honeymoon (married in 05, yikes!!!)
- Pick out bulbs to plant in the fall
- Get at least 10 chapters for a book written
- look into (if not start) going back to school
- Get all mo donations cleaned out of the house
- Finish Uncle Scott's birthday present
- Finish My photo albums
- Have all of the addresses for our ten year class reunion put together
- Be working out at least three times a week (cardio or yoga)
- Have an idea down on paper for our bathroom remodel (next summer?)
- Have an idea book started for a kitchen and master bedroom (upstairs) remodel
- Finally get my haircut JUST RIGHT!

And that's about it for now.