back from the abyss

For the last ten days we have been on vacation, and for a good portion of that time we haven't been able to access our email or the internet. Can you imagine? It will take us awhile to catch up, but look for vacation photos soon!

Unusual Jewelry

Here's another source for an out-of-the-ordinary ring. They are marketed as eco-friendly wedding rings, but I like the idea of having one just because they are beautiful! Unfortunately, I don't have the money for one, and it would be ruined quickly as I wash my hands *frequently* throughout the day (and I would forget to take the ring off!). Oh, but they are lovely!

Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda... "George and the Dragon"

Last night we had a responsibility-free night (no dishes, no school work, no chores). To celebrate, the kids and I went out to Redbox for a few dvd's. Okay, so "Night at the Museum" is, eh, okay, funny enough. Adam Sandler is not going to challenge your thinking. He's also not going to teach you anything new in the history department, despite the fact that the movie is based in the Museum of Natural History. It's predictable, with enough laughs to say it was worth the $1.05 it cost.
However, "George and the Dragon" was not worth the $1.05. It is, as the title of this post alludes to, cheesy. Very cheesy. I suppose they think that American "tweens" are not very intelligent, as they are the target of this movie. The fighting is overly choreographed, the dragon animation really sticks out, and the acting is, eh, cheesy. Apparently girls are stronger and more intelligent than guys, and they can stay clean and extremely well-groomed during a fight in an old castle that catches on fire. Yeah, I guess I will never be a princess if that is one of the requirements.

Redheads

We went to the farm today to buy our vegetable plants. This farm has an added benefit - animals. They have hundreds of goats, a few chickens (although they were hiding today), a rabbit, and this odd, hairy cow. Anyway, it seems to have something in common with Dot.

More sadness

Last week my sewing machine quit working on me. It had been running a bit rough lately, and the "new" machine we had found at a garage sale didn't quite work, either. So, we hauled them both over to the sewing machine repair shop/store to get estimates on their repair bills. Last night we got word of their conditions.
The "new" machine has a broken head gear, and can be fixed for a little over $100. Still cheaper than a new machine. It's not a nice of a machine as the other one, though.
My faithful old machine (from the 60's?), given to me by Desina Rogers before we got married, also had a broken head gear, and cannot be fixed. They do not make that specific head gear any more!
That machine has really done it's job over the years. It has turned out countless pieces of clothing, many quilts, and has patched our clothes. I thought that with periodic maintanance I would be able to use that machine for years to come. It was built to last, and would have if they still made the head gear.
Do you think it strange that I am attatched to my sewing machine? It has brought me many hours of joy over the years as I pursued my hobby of sewing. It has covered and clothed my family and friends. It has faithfully done it's job without many complaints. What do you have that has done that for you?

more art

Dot wanted everyone to see her latest art class creation. I don't know what they were teaching through this project, but she seemed to enjoy making it.
Jamie has also been doing more art, and this is his latest "masterpiece."

family ties

Last night Dot brought our wedding album out to the living room, to show some of the photos to Jamie. He wasn't really interested, but we did look through the pictures, pointing out some of hte people he would know. When confronted with the picture of the groomsmen, he picked out Uncle Michael right away. He then went on to name Andy as "Uncle Michael's brother". (Sorry Doug and Jeff, but he drew a blank at your names. He couldn't name Linda or Katrina, either.) Jamie then said, "Uncle Michael my brother!"