[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

Ah, yes. I have often entertained the thought of selling it all, packing up the family and becoming full time missionaries wherever the Spirit leads wind blows.

That is a very noble thought. I would do the same, except that I have no family (well, other than the one I was born into). So I shall just pack up myself and go.

I agree. I think that her life is so full of things that dazzle and drop your jaw, 'keeping house' has no allure. Which is actually quite sad.

I am excited to keep house. Cooking is fun. I know it will be frustrating and monotone at times, but I am still excited. I just want to be a stay-at-home mom. That is all.

Good for you! The whole thing leads to Jesus so it's good to know the full story. Our former church offered some fairly intense courses on Bible history. I never did enroll in them, but would love to do something like that one day.

I took an OT class here a few years ago, but sadly, I don't remember much. The teacher...wasn't the most interesting I have ever had. No excuse, but I didn't realize that back then.

[MtlMom]

I think Iowa is thawing out now, no? Is the playhouse door still open?

I planted herbs today. The snails had eaten my basil and parsley so they needed to be replaced. Do you grow herbs, Carol?

[Mara's Mom]

Originally Posted by Small

Haha. He is both a male and a cat, meaning that he will want to do things that are dangerous and impossible, and he will want to be completely inscrutable to the entire world besides himself. In essence, not letting him out is good; I get the feeling that once out, he'd be so inscrutable that he'd end up dead.

He is still inside. *rawkfist*

Would all be lost if she didn't still look young?

Not all. But some. Sheesh. [/Momish]

Okay, fine. Yes. I'm going into town tonight with my hair slicked to the side and a Camel trailing out one corner of my mouth. Watch me rawk teh James Dean.

Oh. Myword. I think you could actually pull this off, Small! You already did Frank Sinatra.

You and Smaller need to do a photo shoot.

Actually, I'm so much about romance, and so popular with the ladies that I've been thinking of moving to some of the less-populace regions of the Middle East.

Are you thinking harem?

I really hope this isn't the first post of mine anyone reads.

*refrains*

Originally Posted by Smaller

I need input! That is a kind of hateful name except for the Razzmatazz part. *laugh* Hippos ballerinas have a nice habit, though, of pulling off hateful names beautifully.

I only name cats now. I know you can do it, Smaller. I believe in you! [/wind beneath wings]

I agree. I also had rice and beans for supper tonight. Those are wonderfully healthy, no?

They can be, yes! Hopefully you enjoyed some kind of green vegetable with them.

I love Cajun type red beans and rice. Love it, love it, love it. My kids like refried beans and Mexican rice for lunch. Is it called Mexican rice? It's the kind you have at a Mexican restaurant. It's not Spanish rice, which is too tomato-ey and saucey.

Are you sleeping happily at 1:45 A.M. March 8th?[/whisper]

DINGDINGDINGDINGDIIIIING! I was. The end. *curtsy*

SHE WAS. You are right, she is a very charming ladygirl. I like her.

Did you talk with her? She is a charming ladygirl. I like her, too.

Indeed. I find charm charming unless it is excessive and becomes somewhat sickening. *blink*

Charming needs to be genuine for it to stay charming. Otherwise it becomes schmoosey and that is deplorable. *shiver*

What is her favorite kind of tea? What is your favorite kind of tea?

I don't remember who 'her' is so I will answer for Mara since she is the tea-lover in our home, thanks to this one kid from Louisiana. Mara has been lamenting the loss of her White Pear Tea from Adagio. Literally mourning. She has mentioned it several times and each time she is pathetic and melancholy and angsty.

I must take this opportunity to point out the quirky loveliness that is Mara Tenille. One of my favorite things is to see is her curled up in the living room chair with her knitting project piled in her lap while she holds her hot cup of tea with hands clad in black fingernails and Sharpie tattoos. The end.

My favorite kind so far is Jasmine Pearl. They are little tea leaves rolled into cute little balls and they become all loose when they unfurl. It is a very subtle tea and smells very light and floral. I adore it.

*points to 'unfurl'* That is an actual tea term. [/student]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

That is a very noble thought. I would do the same, except that I have no family (well, other than the one I was born into). So I shall just pack up myself and go.

Yay! I am so glad you are taking advantage of this time in your life. Are you deciding between any particular countries?

I am excited to keep house. Cooking is fun. I know it will be frustrating and monotone at times, but I am still excited. I just want to be a stay-at-home mom. That is all.

You should be excited! You are right. It will be frustrating and monotonous at times, but almost everything in life is like that at times. You just have to stick it out and remember why you're doing it.

I took an OT class here a few years ago, but sadly, I don't remember much. The teacher...wasn't the most interesting I have ever had. No excuse, but I didn't realize that back then.

Sometimes the teacher makes all the difference in the world. Isn't it funny how one person can be incredibly inspired by someone while another person thinks they're unbelievably dull?

~*~
AND NOW I KNOW WHY MARA'S ALARM DIDN'T GO OFF AT 5:30 THIS MORNING. *turns off alarm*
~*~

Originally Posted by MtlMom

I think Iowa is thawing out now, no? Is the playhouse door still open?

Iowa IS thawing out and the playhouse door IS open. It did get closed. It has just been reopened. I think we need to fix the door.

It is nice enough today that my nap was interrupted with screams of 'ANNIE, ANNIE OVER!' and the sound of balls thudding the roof. YAY!

I planted herbs today. The snails had eaten my basil and parsley so they needed to be replaced. Do you grow herbs, Carol?

I pretty much don't grow anything except impatience. That is not a typo.

I really want to, though. What do you grow, June? Maybe you will inspire me.

[Elizabeth]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

Yay! I am so glad you are taking advantage of this time in your life. Are you deciding between any particular countries?

Not really. Wherever will hire me. Any takers?

You should be excited! You are right. It will be frustrating and monotonous at times, but almost everything in life is like that at times. You just have to stick it out and remember why you're doing it.

Yay! I am glad you think I should be excited, because I am.

Sometimes the teacher makes all the difference in the world. Isn't it funny how one person can be incredibly inspired by someone while another person thinks they're unbelievably dull?

Indeed. And then there are some people who are just inspiring to everyone. (Like you. )

I pretty much don't grow anything except impatience. That is not a typo.

I really want to, though. What do you grow, June? Maybe you will inspire me.

I want to grow lots of things, when I can have a garden. I am excited for that, also.

[Small]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

HA. I believe that.

How rude of us both. *chuckle*

Our new governor's name is Chet. *blink*

Chet was the Hardy Boys' best friend's name. Perhaps this Chet will be a bumbling, but invaluable help, also.

Except weirdly, in those books, didn't Joe date Chet's sister? Odd, that.

Me: *cricket*
You: EXCUSE ME. IS THIS THING ON? *taptaptap*
Me: *cricket*
*wink*

ME: It's making a weird sound.
You: *Cricket*
ME: Oh, nevermind. It's also winking.

Okay. Remind Mara to remind me. *passes buck*

Hey, Mara. Your mom wants to read my gentlemanliness essays.

There. *dusts hands*

Now you just need to go do it.

I am impressed. I heard you speaking what I guessed was Pennsylvania German. You were asking for a pen. [/whisper]

So I was. I obtained a purple plastic pen with a cracked body. I have that pen in my bible, now.

But only because I lost the pen I used to have in my bible.

I said 'pleasing', not perfect. *grin*

I had a friend who took a strange delight in sweeping/mopping floors. It would be the way of the world, wouldn't it, that he's now in preliminary training to become a priest?

You're going to want to find a way to suck it up when you're married. [/sage]

Well, I don't refuse to, either. I just prefer not...with passion.

The fact that we will continually plumb for the rest of our lives is awe-inspiring. We are plumbers, you and I.

Furthermore, to take an example from real-life plumbing--we are likely to unleash a flood, at some point.

I also want to point out that I misspoke. I said that I was floundering in 'wanting' to pass on those skills. That is inaccurate. I meant to say that I flounder in my abilities to do so. I have all the want in the world. I am lacking the skill to pull it off with ease. And flair. It would be fun to pull it off with some flair. And a flourish. I love flourishes. *flounce*

It's hard to can with a flourish. That said, I do now know how to make and can applesauce, I believe. I'm sure you have more of those abilities than you think you do, and are not floundering so badly as it seems.

THE REST WILL HAVE TO WAIT. I NEED TO FEED MY FAMILY. AND THEN WATCH WHAT IS LEFT OF AMERICAN IDOL. I like to maintain a nice balance of dutiful and frivolous. *wink*

See? That is one skill you've passed along; Mara fed a lighthouse the other week.

It isn't just anybody who can feed a lighthouse.

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

He is still inside. *rawkfist*

Here, I will top your Trevor McNevan like this:
"YEEAAAAAAAHHHHH!" [/Spencer Chamberlain]

Not all. But some. Sheesh. [/Momish]

More would be lost if she were actively working to look older, correct?

Oh. Myword. I think you could actually pull this off, Small! You already did Frank Sinatra.

You and Smaller need to do a photo shoot.

We're working on it. I promise we are.

Are you thinking harem?

Why not?

I sure hope that doesn't count as flame-baiting.

*refrains*

To quote Stephen Whathisface's Twisted Tales of Shakespeare: "She sang the entire song, even the part clearly marked "Refrain".

I only name cats now. I know you can do it, Smaller. I believe in you! [/wind beneath wings]

Eggbert Stevens III?

AND NOW I KNOW WHY MARA'S ALARM DIDN'T GO OFF AT 5:30 THIS MORNING. *turns off alarm*

BUT YOUR DAY WAS MORE ENERGETIC, RIGHT?

Iowa IS thawing out and the playhouse door IS open. It did get closed. It has just been reopened. I think we need to fix the door.

I played soccer the other day, by myself.

It is nice enough today that my nap was interrupted with screams of 'ANNIE, ANNIE OVER!' and the sound of balls thudding the roof. YAY!

Yeah!!

I love that game. I'm an ace at it. We played it over an enormous pole-barn with lots of adults and half-adults at my brother's graduation party, and I was the last person on my team, I think.

Also, I was a coveted commodity because I could get the ball further than anybody else, thanks to my soccer training.

I pretty much don't grow anything except impatience. That is not a typo.

I've had an ivy on my desk for the past two years. And another one for the year before that, but Other One went to its long Home the summer I was gone for three consecutive weeks.

GOOD MORNING, MRS. D! I AM LISTENING TO UNCANNY BY ANBERLIN, IT IS A SHAME YOU DON'T HAVE THIS SONG, BECAUSE IT'S GOOD!

[Small]

Good Morning, Mrs. D!

What are you most looking forward to about MtlFest, right about now?

[H.M. Murdock]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

The other day I called you Schmason while talking to Mara. I didn't even say Mr.

You wild thing, you!

Do you have hairy ankles?

Not necessarily, no. That's kind of personal. Do you?

She kind of sounds like a puppy.

*Shrug* It takes all kinds.



So. I was asked to be a guest speaker at a tournament tomorrow morning in Baton Rouge. THIRTY WHOLE MINUTES TO ADDRESS THE COMPETITORS ON WHATEVER SUBJECT I WANT.
And I couldn't make it because of work.
But it's all good.
How is/was your week?

[MtlMom]

Do you know what I'm really bad at? Answering questions that people ask me in their blogs. Sorry about that.

I pretty much don't grow anything except impatience. That is not a typo.

I really want to, though. What do you grow, June? Maybe you will inspire me.

I will tell you the secret to growing things: water.
People tend to either over water or underwater their plants. Usually both - they start off overwatering, then forget about them until they are dried out, then try to compensate by flooding them. As with most things in life, the secret is keeping a schedule.

I grow rosemary, oregano, basil, sage, parsley, chives, thyme, dill, and cilantro. The rosemary is in the front yard, because it would choke out all the other herbs. The oregano has a tendency to do the same thing, but it isn't as hardy, so it can be pruned back into submission. Rosemary has it's own constitution.

[Smaller]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

You and Smaller need to do a photo shoot.

We really are kind of working on this. It is going the same place as the haircut... *worried tap*

I only name cats now. I know you can do it, Smaller. I believe in you! [/wind beneath wings]

*inspirational movie pose* *inspirational movie music* Razzly Tinkle Eliazer. [/whisper]

But you get to think of her nickname. *win*

They can be, yes! Hopefully you enjoyed some kind of green vegetable with them.

I sort of forget and sort of think not. The other day though I had some bread that positively defined the word 'hearty'. I'm sure it had lots of fiber considering how hard it was to chew. [/Junie B. Jones]

I love Cajun type red beans and rice. Love it, love it, love it. My kids like refried beans and Mexican rice for lunch. Is it called Mexican rice? It's the kind you have at a Mexican restaurant. It's not Spanish rice, which is too tomato-ey and saucey.

I'm not sure what kind of beans and rice that was. I'm quite sure that I've never had rice at a Mexican restaurant, sadly. I don't think I've ever even been to a Mexican restaurant. (I'm glad your paragraph was there to remind me how to spell 'restaurant'. I discovered just now that I spell it how I pronounce it. DROPPING SYLABBLES LIKE A TRUE OHIOAN.)

DINGDINGDINGDINGDIIIIING! I was. The end. *curtsy*

HURRAH!! *mirror cursty*

I thought we were never going to manage that. *wipes brow*

Did you talk with her? She is a charming ladygirl. I like her, too.

I haven't spoken with her past several e-mails and a comment on her xanga site but we are becoming aquinted.

Charming needs to be genuine for it to stay charming. Otherwise it becomes schmoosey and that is deplorable. *shiver*

Yes. Almost unforgivable even. *shudder*

I don't remember who 'her' is so I will answer for Mara since she is the tea-lover in our home, thanks to this one kid from Louisiana. Mara has been lamenting the loss of her White Pear Tea from Adagio. Literally mourning. She has mentioned it several times and each time she is pathetic and melancholy and angsty.

Mara was 'her', even. *wiggle* I'm going to pretend I don't know who the kid from Louisiana is and just vaguely say that making a tea-lover of Mara is no doubt one of the more noble and heroic deeds man has ever known. And I almost even think so.

I must take this opportunity to point out the quirky loveliness that is Mara Tenille. One of my favorite things is to see is her curled up in the living room chair with her knitting project piled in her lap while she holds her hot cup of tea with hands clad in black fingernails and Sharpie tattoos. The end.

That is wonderful. *laugh* Truly, truly.

Will you remind her when she's done that she told me she would show me pictures of her scarf once she's done? *sweet smile*

[I will use this opportunity to ask how it is that one pronounces her middle name. It looks loverly and I get the feeling I like it muchly but I don't know how one would pronounce it.]

My favorite kind so far is Jasmine Pearl. They are little tea leaves rolled into cute little balls and they become all loose when they unfurl. It is a very subtle tea and smells very light and floral. I adore it.

*points to 'unfurl'* That is an actual tea term. [/student]

Ooooh. That sounds wonderful! I ought to search it out.

[Elizabeth]

I think that the telltale sign of a CGR addict is that you have placed at least one Adagio Tea order. I heart them.

[Mara's Mom]

I thought I posted in here. How queer.

[SecretAgentRat]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

I thought I posted in here. How queer.

Maybe in a previous life you did. [/heretic]

[Mara's Mom]

Originally Posted by SecretAgentRat

Maybe in a previous life you did. [/heretic]

Aren't we a pair? A heretic and a blasphemer. LET'S BE FRIENDS, SAVANNAH.

[SecretAgentRat]

Originally Posted by Mara's Mom

Aren't we a pair? A heretic and a blasphemer. LET'S BE FRIENDS, SAVANNAH.

OKAY. What should we do next?
Destroy the cornerstone of modern thought, thereby reducing an entire empire to shards of broken glass and shattered hearts?

[Mara's Mom]

Originally Posted by SecretAgentRat

OKAY. What should we do next?
Destroy the cornerstone of modern thought, thereby reducing an entire empire to shards of broken glass and shattered hearts?

Can we make mosaic patio tiles with the leftover shards when we're done?