Kinda late on my blog tonight but we were watching The Lord of the Rings : Fellowship of the Ring with Devin for the first time. I just love Gandalf so much, and I may adopt his quote to counter my "lateness," referred to by some as "Cheryl Time."

"A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early. He arrives precisely when he means to."


...I am now off to arrive in my bed, precisely when I want to. GOODNIGHT!

Today was such a milestone day for us. Dropped over a thousand, that I really didn't have being that it is the end of the summer, on our downpayment, but after all the waiting, and "6 month appointments," Devin FINALLY got his braces on! As much as I miss my little kids at times, I just love how they are growing up, and, braces are a big step in that direction.

I said to Tim the other day that our summers just keep getting better and better, and I figure the only real big shift or change in life has been the kids getting older. They need less "tending" and therefore there is just so much more freedom, for them, for us, for our family as a whole. We can travel wherever, whenever, at the drop of a hat. They LOVE going to their grandparents' homes, alone OR together. Bedtime is flexible, tasks can be shared as a family, and, perhaps the best thing is, they can make their OWN BREAKFAST! (Lunch, and even some dinners too! And I'm not just talkin' Easy Mac! My kids can COOK!)

Some people love little newborn babies, and others thrive with pre-schoolers, but as I continue on my journey, I think I am finding that I am a REALLY GOOD older kids mom. I don't know if I would have predicted that, but the longer I live, the more I realize you never know...

One of my little save your sanity quotes as of late has been "Sometimes good enough is good enough." It is a very handy phrase, particularly useful when you live in an old farmhouse. No job is easy, and NOTHING is plumb or square. You often times have to go with good enough. Well, today I came across this quote...

"To know what is enough is true wealth." Tao te Ching.

Again, I feel like the universe is sending me messages. Maybe it is prepping me to stay calm with the start of the new school year. Maybe it is telling me that, whatever I do, if done with sincerity and heart, will be enough?

Maybe.

Just in case you are in need of some guidance, here is a recipe for an enjoyable afternoon. Add husband doing odd jobs for you around the house, good tunes on the remote speakers and sunshine like you wouldn't believe and it pretty much adds up the the perfect day!

"Chicarita"
1 can frozen limeade
1 can tequila
1 can water
1 can light beer with lime
fresh lime to taste
ice

:)Enjoy!

8/27
What a perfect summer day! The kids went to Grandma and Grandpa's for a few days, and Tim and I got some blissful "Home Vacation" days.

Today, we made a "to do list" that was really "do-able," and shockingly, completed everything on it. Such accomplishment led to the rest of the day being full of relaxation. I threw on my bikini top, and soaked in the sun on the porch, enjoying The Host and also a vodka tonic or two. I even threw some fresh pineapple in it, so it was PRACTICALLY a health drink! Had a wonderful surprise when Mary D. stopped by to bring me a smutty novel to start the school year with! Now, the plan is to continue to chase the sun out on the boat, with some snacks for dinner, and a bottle of wine...
"You may see time as passing by, and not understand that time never arrives. There is only this moment." -Dogen

There are some nights when you don't have time to blog, because you are too busy catching up with a friend. Had a blast with Sue, and some wine. Nuff said!

OK, so first I go to a really eye opening exhibit at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, on Cleopatra. I buy a poster, to hang in my classroom, because it is really eye catching, and I need some new "stuff" to look at in my work environment. It has a huge eye on it. I start to think of some fun activities to go with the poster. Perhaps I could put a slogan next to it along the lines of "Eyes on your OWN work," or perhaps do an art activity "SEE what I did this summer?" with the kids drawing an image in an iris of an eye.

Then, I go to Walmart, today, and happen to find myself throwing The Host by Stephenie Meyer in the cart. It is the Sci Fi book written by the Twilight author. It has been out for a while, in paperback even. I have wanted to read it since I finished with the Twilight series, but, for whatever reason, just haven't.

Well, as I sat on the porch, tonight, getting into it, I realized, it too has the big EYE!

WHAT is the universe trying to tell me?!