I'm doing it.

I'm jumping ship.

I tried to blog earlier and couldn't log in...nor could I see anyone's blogs. I was frustrated. Now that I've had dinner...I'm not as frustrated. Which is rather funny - because I wasn't hungry when I was frustrated. *L* Just running short on Time.

I've promised the Professor that I would blog for 30 minutes and then he could play. So I'm on a deadline. *L* And today when i tried to log on - I was on a different kind of deadline.

So please change my blog address in your Bloglines - and please come visit my other Laundry Pile.  Be sure to click "Other" when you leave a comment on my blog because you'll be able to enter your blog address and because I want to keep in touch. And because, of course, I want to get comments. Because, you know, I'm addicted -- as you can see here.

I seem to have an "And, because" theme going for me.

And, because, I want you to come see me - here's my new address.  http://www.comfydenim.blogspot.com/.

See you there!

Bleach Free Blessings!!

I received much encouragement -- weeks ago -- at a church service on a Wednesday night. I've wanted to blog about it since then - and I finally got it done!!

Yippeee!!

The problem is - I tried to dual-post it here and at my Blogger Laundry Pile - and something in the formatting keeps changing -- and making it difficult to read. I'm still not sure I've got it fixed at blogger. 

Am I taking the easy way out?? ---> I'm going to just link over and let you read what I wrote and hopefully it will be encouraging to you - or at least make you think - or laugh - or ... well... I don't want it make you cry.                   Here's the link:

"Only Today"  

What can we do - Today?

Me? I'm going to do laundry.

I can't believe I've typed enough to come up with 101 entries!! For some reason, it sounds like more than it looks.

I know I started blogging on a whim. I think it was because Thoughtful Mom had such an interesting looking blog. I started on Yahoo!360 - and keep a blog there for family & a few friends that are there.

I also figured out something. I figured out that the reason I haven't completely switched from HSB to blogger is because I'm addicted to comments. That really sounds funny.. and looks funny, too. Is there a 12-step program?

I have to laugh -- both babies are fussing and J needs a diaper change (he will be potty trained as soon as it's warm enough - our babies are streakers when they potty train.) --  It's my 101st entry and this is all I can blog about??

I've been working and thinking of my book reading list - every since I saw that it was coming up on CoffeeMom's blog. Now let's see if I can get this reading done. I've not been very good about finishing things lately - great at starting - terrible about finishing.

I uploaded pictures from my camera today and found some fun pictures from last month. It's a hoot. G decided to play a typing tutor. And J likes to push buttons (on the computer and off) so G built himself a jail.
So he used the dining room chairs. Now I have to admit that we've The Professor in Daddy Jail when he was doing an on-line training course. And then there was that one time he needed to destress - so into Daddyjail he went with his computer game.

Today is Thursday, isn't it? Definitely Thursday. Calendar says so. I went to church last night (on Wednesday). There were people there - so it had to be Wednesday. I mean, if I'd gone on a different night, I'm sure we would have been mostly alone.

This morning we went to get Mini-E's pictures taken at a Penney's portrait studio. My normally smiley child chose not to smile. My baby that loves to play with beads - did not want to play with the beads we took. She played a bit, we did manage to get a few good shots, but still it just wasn't normal for her. She's usually all smiles and jabbers - and giggles.

The look she gave the photographer was more of a "Yeah,  you're nice. Now let me down." kind of look.

So we came home and had a late breakfast. We hung out for a bit until lunch time and at nap time, I was tired - and took a nap. Sometimes I just doze off with J while he's sleeping and wake up after a power nap. Today I was OUT. Until the doorbell rang. G ran in and said "Mom, there's a lady with a book at the door!"

Remember, I was OUT of it. I rarely sleep that hard when it's just me and the kids. "Do we know her?" "No."  was his reply. Okay. I was confident in the fact that I had instructed the kids not to answer the door without my permission - or unless it's their grandparents.  So I said -- "Then she can go away." 

I never expected him to answer the door and tell the lady.
Now that I"ve pondered it all day - it is rather amusing.  I have no idea if the lady was a sales person or trying to witness as to her beliefs. I may never know -- though I believe if it's important she'll come back.

So we had to have a discussion AGAIN. about  NOT answering the door. Mini-me said "But G said that you said..." So he and I had a discussion about THAT...and after a while,  Mini-Me told me "I feel like I've been tricked by a 6-year old."

That was really pretty amusing, considering she's 8.

So The Professor comes home from his training. And we talked about me making a run to the store for bottled water. He said "You've got something going tomorrow night, don't you?" and I looked at the calendar and saw that it said "Pics for E - 9am". So I looked at the next calendar day - I said "No - I have the church thing tomorrow"

He said, "You mean Saturday?"

Needless to say - I was early for my picture appointment. 24 hours early. I called to make sure they knew I wasn't coming in the morning - and the gal that answered the phone was the same gal who took E's pictures. I thanked her for not treating me like an idiot. *L* She said that she, herself, had just noticed what happened about 15 minutes prior to my call. Well, that's God for you. Apparently the people that were supposed to be there today, Thursday, didn't come. Maybe they'll come tomorrow, Friday, instead.

Today is Thursday. Today is Thursday. Thursday. Thursday. Thursday.

So Mini-Me and I went to the store (Sam's Club) and we found the new Backyardigan's DVD something about Volcano Sisters and bought the Professor "Casino Royale" (A very good Bond movie, BTW). And water and hamburger meat and few other sundries. On the way out of the store we apparently dropped The Volcano sisters. I thought maybe we'd left it in the store and we were going to go back in and ask.

A fellow came up to me while we were unloading our cart, "Excuse me, did you just buy a DVD?"

"Yes!! I said thinking he was in line behind me. "Can you describe it?" Odd question, but I said "It was something about 'Volcano Sisters'." He pulled it from behind him and gave it to me. It had fallen off our cart on the way out of the store.

I was so thrilled! I told Mini-Me, "See? God's watching out for us!" and the man, walking away, said "Yep."

Oh - A brief schooling update. We're still memorizing the months and days of the week - and learning about calendars and seasons - and the symbols of each month that KONOS has listed. And today I noticed that our tree was coming off the wall. Mini-E has been helping it, I believe. And I mentioned it to The Professor - and Mini-Me said, "I guess we need to finish the months quickly"

Today is Thursday. Tomorrow is Friday.

And God is still on The Throne and He loves me!!

So I guess- it doesn't matter what day it is - It's a good day!!

But should you see me and I have that perplexed look on my face, would you tell me what day it is?

...because I can't think of a catchier title. I'm title-less today.

I really don't want to whine - but I was able to log in - so I'm going to write about the day.

It was not pleasant.

Mini-E is teething hard. We know for sure the poor kids is getting 4 molars at once - but now we think we're seeing some 'Canines' poking starting to, as The Professor says, bubble up.

She got up at 3:30 this morning. She and The Professor can rock in the recliner and they can sleep. I can not and apparently, last night neither could MIni-E. She did everything in her power to stay awake. We don't tend to medicate the kids unnecessarily, so I never even considered giving her pain meds. (I will tonight, though) Anyway - I left her and the Prof. in the recliner and climbed back in bed with the instructions that he could come get me if she was still up in an hour or so. She never quieted down, she didn't go to sleep.

But when I hit the pillow, a "battlefield of the mind" hit me. With one forgotten memory. Goodness. I was shocked at the memory because it was recent, but for some reason hadn't remembered it. So I started to pray. But it was a tough battle.

I gave up on sleeping after Mini-E started crying again, but I was cranky. The "battle" had left me frustrated and cranky. Which is why, I do not think I gained victory in the battle. And poor Mini-E and I did not get along. She didn't want to sleep and I didn't just want to sit there. When she finally sat still on the floor and started falling asleep is when I tried to put her down. And then tried to sleep myself.

Needless to say, she's earned herself a trip to the pediatrician to make sure her ears are clear. We didn't do any schoolwork today, either. Which frustrates me, too. I want to be able to do it all. *LOL* How to homeschool with babies is something I need to reasearch more deeply, I guess. They can really throw a kink in your plans.

I'm much better mentally and spiritually than I was earlier in the day. I felt a change in the spiritual atmosphere (which sounds waaaaaay charismatic, I know) but after being under what seemed like a cloud all day, when it's gone, you feel the difference.

I certainly don't want to make the same mistakes I made today. And I love the fact that we never fail God's tests - we just get to have a do-over.

Howdy! from the Laundry Pile.

I'm still here - I'm still homeschooling and - occasionally, I even compute!! *LOL* And then there are those moments of "does not compute".

I just told myself a joke.

I've been reading blogs. Promise. I've been trying to keep up - but when I have the briefest of moments to comment on my friends' blogs - I can't log in. Several things happen. I either time out - which bums me beyond the norm because I have cable internet and ... well.. I have expectations, by golly! The other thing that happens is it just takes to long to load and I never get to the "Post comment."

So I'm not ignoring you - Promise. I've even thought about posting comments in my blog entry here - but does that go against "etiquette"? What is blog etiquette anyway? Would that be "Bletiquette"? or maybe "Blogiquette"?

Okay here go my updates of sorts:

Laundry Pile conditions: Wrinkled. -- We've been cracking the books and trying to get seasons and months memorized on top of that.  :-)  It seems that the names of the months & days of the week are very abstract things for my 6yo G to assimilate into his brain. I asked him what the first day of the week was and he said "January". At least he got the first part right....

Mini-Me is tackling "borrowing" in her subtraction problems and it's quite interesting to see how her brain works on the problems. We're also tackling an attitude. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm just being too sensitive - because I'm not figuring out how to train her in how to go in the other direction. I'm praying - but probably not nearly enough.

J is, well, almost 3. He had a week and a half of a nasty ear infection and we watched way too much TV and now we're trying to break the habit. :-)

Laundry Pile fun:  I practiced face painting this weekend. And it was fun. I can manage to get a good looking design on myself -- but I'm really trying to figure out good patterns for boys. Most of the patterns you see on the internet are for girls. Unless you want Superman's big yellow "S". There are only so much of those I want to paint. I'll see about posting pictures. (gotta get 'em off the camera first)

Comfy's personal stuff: I've been writing. On paper. With a pen. It's a weird sensation. *L* I'd almost forgotten what it felt like. Granted - the dishes suffered, the laundry suffered - but it still felt good. Now if I can figure out how to get my plot from point a to point b, I'll be happy. But I've got lots of time...I've been writing since I was 12. *L* I'm in no hurry now.

Laundry Pile Blog issues: I've been frustrated with *here* that I've considered a move.  I've got some pictures up and it's beginning to look like home... but I'm not sure I'm ready to officially move in, YET. Come in and take a look and tell me what you think?

Comfy's new Digs

And that's it from the Laundry Pile for now. I'm cutting it short because I want Rocky Road Ice Cream and The Professor wants to play "EverQuest".

By the way? Life is still good.

Bleach Free Blessings!

There is so much I want to say! So much I want to type - but I have two wee ones with ear infections and these have made them very clingy...so instead I'll share a new favorite poem..

I just love the visual imagery here in this poem..so I share my amusement...

A Quick Note from the Laundry Pile

I had to share my "You know....when" moment.

You know you're a homeschool mom when ----

Your son passes his completed assignment to you under the bathroom door.

And, no, I hadn't locked myself in.

I was in there for the briefest of necessary moments.

*L*

Bleach Free Blessings!

Today - I'm loving life.

Today I'm loving schoolwork.

Today - I've had caffeine.

*Insert gales of laughter here*

We had a true homeschool moment today. We did some school work and had lunch before I had to go to the chiropractor. (we're working out a kink in my back) After the chiro's visit, I decided I wanted a Diet Coke.

From Sonic.

A large one.

So off we went. Next to our Sonic they are building  a new building. I've been taking any chance I can to point out the orderliness of things --  (thanks to our current KONOS unit). (It also helps that my hubby is a structural engineer so there's a few more steps I could point out to the kids.) -- so when we first arrived at the Diet coke store, I pointed out that they had placed the rebar for the concrete footings. It was also fun to tell them that Daddy (The Professor) has to check for the rebar in buildings when he goes for inspections.

As we left, the back-hoe was right by the street - picking up slabs of sidewalk. It was too cool! So we paused (in the driveway) to watch him pick up a slab, swing the giant arm around and drop the slab on the ground to break it. (It will be easier to pick up and put into the dumptruck later).

Mini-Me pointed out that there was a gap in the traffic - and I realized I needed to get out of the driveway. So we drove around the Diet Coke Store and parked. We got out to watch as the back-hoe picked up the side walk, slab by slab. My dad can pick up a quarter off the ground with a fork lift - so there's not much these guys can't do. It was just fun to watch.

As we stood there, he turned the arm around and used the giant claw ("It's like a giant arm!" Said G) and waved at us! G was so terribly Thrilled!!

I finally got cold (it's 35 degrees out there) and decided to come home. He was still pumped when we got home. "I really liked hearing all the noisey machines!"

There was a day last week when I was ready to ship them all off to public school - so that I could blame the school system for whatever happened. You know, instead of me. (I'm better now)

Today was one of those moments of homeschooling - that, if the kids had been at school, we would have missed that giant hand waving at us.

It was just fun.

And unforgettable.

And I just learned from the Bobcat website - that this creature that waved at us was actually a backhoe excavator. It was still giant (much bigger than the ones BobCat sells) and yellow.

Today - I like Homeschooling. Oh - yeah - we're off to buy a globe...

I haven't had much of a chance to log on lately. It's amazing how life can be. One week - you're searching high and low to find something to blog about - and the next week, you haven't got the time anyway.

I wanted to take a moment and share. I had to share with you that we do have a serious side here in the Laundry Pile. I"m pretty sanguine and my kids bounce from thing to thing - The Professor keeps more focus than we do - but it's his nature and not ours. Though, we don't hold it against him.

So - we're serious about: Jesus, no hitting or spitting or biting, I'm pretty serious about what we watch on TV - and then we're serious about our gaming.

Yes - I said Gaming. And I'm not talking board games.

My hubby and I were both raised with game systems and computers. So the kids are having that passed down to them. It's rather interesting really. They ask The Professor to help them beat hard levels in "Ratchet & Clank". Mini-Me is pretty good at "Sly Cooper".

For Christmas my brother got the kids "Legos: Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy". It was an immediate hit. The company that made it upped the level of humor and fun and added a few challenges. So the kids play through the levels - and The Professor comes along behind them at night and cleans up the left overs. It's an interesting system - and I'm not sure the kids realize what's going on.

One day, I walked into the front room and found this:

That's all three of the big kids -- The green box is full of J's toy people that he put down so he could watch to.

The point really hit home as to how serious we were last week. I bought, some time ago, a game called "Bejeweled 2". The Professor is better at it than I am because there is some level of logic to the game. I'm better at the luck side of it. One night last week ( I think it was Monday) , I had a great "Session" on this silly game (it's quite addictive). I even beat his top score, which surprised me quite a bit. I did not gloat - though part of me did want to dance around the house.  I eventually came to a stand still and lost. It was bed time, anyway.

Friday night, I came back from rehearsing with our praise & worship group (singing) to find my hubby playing the game. He was having some luck - but lost while I was watching. He started up another game and I went to bed because I had an early morning for the women's ministry event that was happening on Saturday. The next morning, the Professor made sure I was awake so I could leave the house on time. (He had been taking care of the kids)  

Did you have a good time on the game? I asked. Trying to eek out a few more minutes in bed.

Yes. He replied

Did you beat my high score? I wondered.

Yes. He replied

By how much? I queried (Secretly tickled at him)

Oh, a little bit. I'm not sure. He was sidestepping the question. He's a serious gamer, remember? He would know by how much he beat my score.

What time did you go to bed? I asked suspicious as to his behaviour.

2am.

Not only did he beat my high score - He BEAT my high score into dust...

Yep. I'm plotting my revenge.

Because we're serious gamers....

Editor's Note: I should explain that it was not the Professor's intent to stay up until 2am. It was, however, his intent to beat my score - and the game was going so well that it just happened that he stayed up that the next thing he knew - it was 2 in the morning. :-) I've never done that *She said sheepishly*

Have you ever wanted to blog - but just felt you had nothing to say? That's the way I feel right now. I want so much to type - but I think in my current frame of mind I'd end up writing a journal entry and that just wouldn't be much fun to read.  So maybe I could just type up some notes...

Schooling Notes:

We're going to start studying the seasons following a plan laid out in KONOS. our Season tree is hanging on the wall - half finished. It's a mutant of a poster tree - I'll try to take a picture of it tomorrow. The paper is good quality bulletin board paper and it's NOISY.  The kids were excited about seeing it go up - so I know they'll be excited to decorate it. I know KONOS said to get some sticks - but I know J-man would knock it down. And my house just really isn't suited for a bunch of sticks on my table.

I need to get on the ball and request some books from the library...but I'm a bit behind. The baby wasn't feeling well tonight and The Professor was working late.

I'm going to attempt a more focused approach to the school. I'm just not sure where to go from where I am now - but it's a step by step process. I was homeschooled - but my mom never went through some of what I'm going through now. I was old enough to do most of my own school work by myself. Except for Algebra (but we won't go there). So I sat down and figured out where I was as far as a schedule and where I wanted to go.

Now I just need to figure out what we're doing on what days - as far as our unit studies go. I'm still sticking with ABeka stuff for Phonics and math because I haven't found anything I like better (yet)

There's a lovely young lady associated with our church (her mom attends) who is a missionary to Jinja, Uganda, Africa. The Lord laid it on my heart to have the kids pray for her. So we're going to get her picture and I'll get out my map of Africa and we'll do some extra study on Africa and her locale, etc. So I really need to get a plan laid out. I tried last night - but was too tired to think straight.

God said it was a year of shifting in our house - it's really beginning to shift. It's rather cool to watch - especially when I see a shift in me.

Family Notes:

Mini-E was up in the middle of the night last night with a cough and bit of a wheeze. So I took her to the doctor today. I rather figured that the Doctor wouldn't find anything - but that he'd be able to tell me how I could medicate my baby. Which is a good thing I went - he diagnosed her with bronchitis and said that what I had on hand for a cough was not suitable for her age. Whew.  So now we have some meds, instructions and the power of prayer (which is what we had before - but now we're praying specifically)

Everyone else is fine and comfy.

Animal Notes:

Our cat, Maggie, has a balding hind-foot. She has a minor sore there - but really we don't think it was what caused her foot to go bald but we just can't be sure. So our vet gave us some anti-biotics for the cat (just in case). I've never had to give an animal a pill before. Well - except a dog and dogs will eat anything. (Had a dog once that ate the insulation out of our house.)

I have to say - giving this cat a pill is so much easier than giving my older kids medicines. I don't have to bribe Maggie the Cat with chocolate, or money (yes, I've offered to pay my kids when the medicine is just nasty). And I don't have to pour water into a cup for her like I do the kids. They take their medicine with a cup of water in hand - and prefer a chocolate to get rid of the taste.

Nope. WIth Maggie, I wrap her up in a towel (Or my denim jacket) - pry her mouth open and stick the pill in. I wish that worked with my kids.

Friendly Notes:

I haven't had time to visit my blog-friends like I want to. I'm reading most of their blogs - but don't have time to comment on them. So, if you're still reading my notes, just know that I'm keeping up with you - I've just not been able to let you know it.  gosh - that sounded cryptic and stalkerish. Sorry.

I may have to edit that one.

Bleach Free Blessings!

Oh - and my magnetic whiteboard.

3. ONE RESOURCE YOU WISH YOU HAD NEVER BOUGHT
Hmm.. This year?? I bought some manipulatives for my preschooler who is 2. They are neat and nifty in and of themselves - but they haven't been as exciting as I would have liked. He's had more fun with the counting bears I bought at Wal-Mart. I wish though, now that I'm thinking on it, that I'd bought some Hot Wheels, foam letters, and wooden blocks - just for schooling time. Hmmm... I just might anyway. And maybe his own Magna doodle. Hmmm...his birthday's in April.

4. ONE RESOURCE YOU ENJOYED LAST (This) YEAR
I highly recommend Doorposts "Training in Righteousness" and "If-Then Chart".

I've also enjoyed this (Homeschoolblogger) venue more than I thought I would, too.

5. ONE RESOURCE YOU WILL BE USING NEXT YEAR
I'd like to get back into using KONOS or other unit studies next year. This year we've really focused only on the 3 R's. We've had to - but I'd like to branch out. Thoughtful has me really curious about "Galloping the Globe" and "Cantoring the country"

6. ONE RESOURCE YOU WOULD LIKE TO BUY
A larger house. (It is,too, a resource.)

Ever have one of those days? One of those days that is just busy. You go through the day hopping from one thing to another. Nothing really great happened and nothing really bad happened. But by the time you get to the end of the day it's difficult to see the good stuff that happened over the bad stuff?

Because there's that one moment that stole your joy - and it's the end of the day and you're too tired to fight to get it back.

That's the kind of day I've had. It's not the best of days and it's not the worst of days.

And that one little moment just completely stole my joy. Oh I'm still Joyin' in Jesus and all that - now I'm just maudlin.

When I get like this, which isn't often, I get too hard on myself. So I sit and criticize myself. Am I doing enough? Am I doing too much? Are my expectations too high or maybe even misplaced? (There's a definite maybe to that one)

We managed to eek out 1 page of phonics from Mini-Me's phonics workbook. And that was it for school. Though, she had a life lesson at the Vet. Our cat has developed a bald foot. We're not sure why and neither is the vet. This cat was a nervous wreck when we poured her out of her carrier. She layed as low as she could go on the counter. She buried her self under the towel I took with me...and then turned until her back was to the Vet tech (Maybe If I can't see her - she'll go away).

I also went to the funeral of my great-uncle. I got there exactly at start time and found the church packed! It was amazing. It's a small church but still - people were pouring out into the halways. I sat with my mom and another uncle in the foyer. It was interesting to hear the service about a man I just knew as my uncle. I adored him even though we were not close. I was thinking, though, he always talked to me and treated me as if I were, I don't know -- let's just say he went out of his way to speak to me.

Though that's not even what stole my joy. Because he's in heaven with His Jesus....

Ahhh - I hear the squeaky cry of a cranky baby who is awake and shouldn't be.

I've been tagged.

It's rather strange typing that as I was never good at tag. Now playing "Spud" with a Koosh - I was good at that. The game juggled its way over from "Juggling Paynes'"homefront.

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the ‘7 weird things about you.’ So - Wanna play?

This is kind of funny - I'm considered weird - but only by those that love and know me really well. I'm not sure what the rest of the world would consider weird. Maybe they consider me weird, too, they just don't know and love me well enough to tell me so. Maybe I should ask my brother - he's always telling me I'm weird. Here's his chance to tell me why.

How does one qualify one's own weirdness? My brother came up with quirks. Do those count?? I don't think so - they fall more into the pet peeve category...

1) I learned how to talk, primarily, in Tennessee. Memphis to be exact. Maybe it was because that's where I learned to read phonetically. Anyway - when I get around someone with a strong southern accent - or sometimes even an English accent - I revert back. I spent a weekend at a Beth Moore conference and with 2 people with strong accents. It took me DAYS to get back to "Normal".

2) I like puns. Really. But they have to be good puns. bad puns are just groaners.

3) I like cartoons. I like "The Tick" (Spoon!), Batman: The Animated Series, Animaniacs (I got a DVD Collection for my birthday) (Narf!!) -- they are the best!! (J-man thinks they're monkies....)

I saw a copy of "Darkwing Duck" (Keen Gear!) and had to physically restrain myself. I'm rather fond of the new "Curious George" and "The Replacements" oh - and "Jane and the Dragon". I like cartoons.

4) I'm easily distracted.. oooo shiney!!

5) I'm easily amused - which is why I'm rather surprised that I can't think of anything to fill this list. I'm my best own  material.

Okay - to copy the Juggler's weirdness --

6) My drink of choice is "Diet caffeine free Dr. pepper" A lot of people consider that weird. They want to know "Why drink it at all?" -- "For the Caramel color, of course!!"

 7) I've read most of the "perry Mason" novels and, contrary to popular opinion, find Raymond Burr a bad fit for the role.

That's all I can come up with. My hubby doesn't think there's anything weird about me....AWWWWwwwwwww that just warms my heart. :-)

So whaddya think? How weird am I?

I have had so much fun stepping out on my porch to take pictures of the "Conditions" outside. Really - though -- the tree has been showing the conditions the best. I mean, really, how many pictures can you take of an ice-packed yard?

Here's what my yard looked like today:

Really - it looks just like it did in my previous post about our ice storm. But look at the tree! It is creaking and clattering. God has given me the weirdest humor (and I love it!) but this is actually fun for me to listen to. There's a huge tree a few streets over - and when the wind blows - I can hear it clattering. It's just amazing!

So - here -- take a gander at our tree.

In the spring it's a Red Oak.

Right now, it's a statue.

Look at this one branch stitting straight up -

It tells quite a tale. See the buds on the very end? And just a bit under that? It had been "Spring" just a few days before the ice hit. So maybe this is spring encased in ice?

Ooo - I wonder what spiritual connotations I can make from this? That could make me positively giddy - and hard to live with, I'm sure. I love learning!!

And this poor lonely leaf...

Is the only thing left hanging on the tree - aside from a few acorns directly over my head. But I can't take a picture of that - the sky is too bright.  The sun came out - and it's positively blinding outside.

It's been interesting living inside the past few days. We are so very blessed to have our power when other areas around us don't.

It will also be interesting to see the world when it thaws out. After the drought we've had - the slow melt will be good for everything green and growing. God answered our prayers for rain - He just sent it in the form of ice.