Sixth Annual Girl Cousins' Reunion was so much fun!!

There were six of us this year, all of us within ten years of age of each other--I'm the oldest, my sister is the youngest. We had so much fun, again!! We rented the same beach house as last year. Cost us each $126 plus the food we brought--a very economical get-away for four days and three nights. The house is wonderful, has a view of the Pacific from the living room.

One cousin brought the movie Extraordinary Measures, which was filming last year when we were there (on the OR coast). We enjoyed watching it and were excited when the local scenes were shown.

It has taken us six years, but we have finally gotten the food down to a reasonable amount, so we are not lugging home huge quantities and yet still have more-than-ample amounts to graze on.

I had to wait in Lacey for my husband to fetch me, as he was doing Feed the Hungry and I didn't want my cousin and sister to have to delay their trip home just because I had to wait. So I loaded all my stuff into a Target grocery cart (see Screamer in the baby seat?) and made like a bag lady until he came to get me--about an hour and a half later. It was funny; I expected people to ask me what was up, but absolutely no one even made eye contact with me. I think they thought I was a real bag lady, or that I was crazy, or both!!! It felt weird to be ignored in plain site; I guess homeless people probably feel like that all the time--like they're invisible, nonpersons. Sad.

Table Picture

I'm sorry to say, I have no clean table picture to show you this week.... yet. I will try to have it ready for photographing tomorrow. I'm trying to keep it clean, but sometimes I fail.

In the meantime, to placate you, I'll show you a picture of my first "planned" watercolor (the "top" image, the bottom is the photo I took of them), of my friend Annette's alpacas--well, three of the seven alpacas. They are funny animals, and rather shy around strangers. You can see from the pictures that they like to stick together.

Introducing Wool Boy

I made this doll from parts of two recycled thrift store sweaters, one partly felted when I bought it. I like to buy them when they are 75% off, which makes them about 60 cents each. I wash them and then I turn my imagination loose.

Wool Boy was made in one sitting while I listened to a rerun of Part one of Ken Burn's The Civil War on PBS. (I was a hard working, very new first grade teacher when it was first shown in 1990 and didn't have the leisure to watch tv except on Fri and Sat nights, so it was new to me.)

I liked this film very much, and realized anew what sacrifices people during that time made to allow our country's government to survive. We take so much for granted, you know? We either don't know history, or we forget what we've learned. Kids taking history today are lucky they have access to such great programs. Seems like all we did in OUR history classes was memorize facts like dates of wars and treaties, etc. and never really had any understanding of how those wars, etc. affected the lives of average people. I like history from the bottom up, which is what this film tells. When you hear excerpts from the diaries/letters of ordinary people, you get a much more interesting view of history, and one that you tend to understand, relate to, and remember.

Make Your Own Bamboo Paintbrush Holder

You can buy a bamboo paintbrush holder for about six bucks, or make one for a dollar, IF you have to buy a bamboo placemat like I did (found it at a local variety store, in the "bargain" aisle). If you already have one, it won't cost you a thing. Bamboo trumps any other material because it allows the brushes to breathe and become dry, thus keeping them from getting moldy (can you tell I live in a damp climate?).
Just google "Bamboo Paintbrush Holder" and you can see pictures of what these look like. Very easy to copy, and then you can save enough for a new brush to put IN your new bamboo holder.

Sorry!! and Sorry for Myself

I'm sorry I can't post pictures right now, as my computer is in the shop for three weeks!! That's why I'm also sorry for myself. I have to come to our local public library to use their computers; it's not that far, but just inconvenient. I should be grateful that they let me use their computers, after all the books I've turned in late, lost (but paid for, etc. On the other hand, with a great fine-generator like me, they should maybe name an addition for me. )
Soooo, I'm having to adjust to using the computer a whole lot less than I am accustomed to. I miss it, for sure. The motherboard on my computer is the part that failed, and it was still underwarranty, so it had to take a little journey back to the company that produced it, for repair. That is why it is taking so long to fix. I'm glad I didn't have to pay for the whole thing (I do have to pay $70), but I'm bummed that it will take so long to get it back.
I took my first watercolor class last week, and it was so fun!! I really enjoyed it; there's only four of us in the class, so we get a lot of attention from the instructor.

Something to Consider

Finding Real Wealth: From a Consumer Culture to Social Well-Being
If you copy the book title above, and paste it in your browser, you will find an interesting essay on Mother Earth News from this book. Something to think about. I tried posting the VERY LONG link and it just wouldn't work. But this does.

A Cool Street Art Project

http://www.snotr.com/video/2161

I LOVE this! I believe art should beEVERYWHERE!!