Gaming

For anyone who follows my blog (okay, there aren't many of you out there!) I wanted to let you know that I have improved at spelling games. I know this because I'm in Idaho right now. With my brother, sister and sister-in-law. All avid spelling gamers. I actually won a game of bananagrams tonight. I got sadly beaten in boggle a number of nights ago - but my sister-in-law Kelsey told me I did pretty well. (Nothing like Aaron she reminded me.)
So there you have it - perhaps all the gaming has really paid off!

Powerful Influences

I love laundry. That's no lie. I love the way you can put the laundry in the washing machine, then hang it out, and finally fold it and put it away. I love that when doing my laundry everything fits in it's place. It's one of those chores that is possible to finish up in a day. (I know, I'm ONE SINGLE GIRL. So all you moms out there who feel like this is bogus - just remember that.) Anyway, I love pairing socks, and getting clothing off the line. The delightful smell of cleanness... It's just a great chore!

In fact, I remember traveling to see some good friends in Tennessee a number of years ago - they had many children and tons of laundry. My one "goal" was to catch up on the laundry for them. I'm pretty sure I got to the bottom of it while I was out there.

But back to the point - I'm visiting my sister and her family right now. And a number of years ago my sister and her daughter (my niece) came to live at my parents home. They shared my room and I spent a lot of time with her daughter Providence. A LOT OF TIME. I remember taking her outside with me to get the laundry - she wasn't able to walk yet - and telling her of it's glory. The way everything smelled wonderful - the way it got finished - the way everything got a little crispy. And I would tell her that someday she was going to grow up and love laundry too. I remember encouraging her while I folded clothes that this was SO cool. The BEST ever. I would smile and nod and well... talk.

Guess what she did today? She asked me (begged me really) to let her do laundry the "old-fashioned" way. Oh please, please, please she said. Can you imagine my glee?

adding the soap.

happily getting the water ready.

getting ready for the plunge.

 

Homesick and Guilty

My trips to Idaho are filled to the brim with loving people. Seriously! I cannot tell you how many times I’ve had my nieces and nephews say they love me. Give hugs. Kisses. Cry when I’m leaving their presence. Ask parents if they can sit by me. Etc. Etc. It’s sweet and it is endearing. And I love them all so much. But it’s not only the children that are loving and expressive. My sister, sister-in-law and brother all tell me how wonderful it is I’m here – with them. And I’m so happy to see them all – to be known. I love to snuggle up and read books, to touch pets and visit gardens, to see dances and play games. It’s wonderful! The only thing is – I’m knee deep in full blown homesickness.

Like, I mean that in a major way.

 

I miss the farm and the animals. 

I miss my friends. 

I miss my little brother (like crazy). 

And my other family too. But it’s not just that. (And I know that I’ll be home soon.) 

I’m also missing the beautiful sky. And the green trees. 

 

And the moisture in the air. And well, I suppose it’d be enough to say the climate in general. I feel a little guilty, but I love Santa Cruz. And that’s that.

Scarf, Mirror Mirror and the Odyssey

Sunday afternoon I asked my brother if he thought my hair scarf was cool. He said it was interesting. Finally, after much persuasion, he agreed that it was kind of cool. Then he asked, “But what is it?” I told him it was a scarf. He said “But what is it for real?” I again said it was a scarf. And he said – “Oh, it looks like you cut the end off a tablecloth or something.” What a silly boy! I really do love my brother. It is good to be with him again.

The first night I was here we watched Mirror Mirror (which I could not recommend to anyone!) It was still very fun to go to the theater with all five of my brother and sister-in-laws children and watch a film. We got popcorn and rootbeer. Going to the theater makes me just feels like I need that stuff! When we were leaving my brother said the end credits reminded him of Slumdog Millionaire. I said, “That makes sense, they were directed by the same person.” Aaron said something to the effect of that is weird but interesting. I started laughing and said it was a joke. Kelsey, my sister-in-law, looked at Aaron and said “She does the same thing you do.” I am so amused when I say a random thing that doesn’t really make sense. Anyone else?

I’m reading a lot. Very nearly finished with the Odyssey –finally – I’ve gotten super into it and keep thinking about it. Must finish!

p.s. Mirror Mirror and the Odyssey should not be in the same title. Sorry!

Brown's House

I'm visiting at the Brown's home and really enjoying it. They made over their large closet into a really nice guest room. I love the bed in particular. Today I took two naps and actually got to read in my book quite a bit. I'm trying to finish the Odyssey. (This is a secret - I've been reading it for over two years! I think it's the longest time I've ever been reading a book.) I only brought the Odyssey for "fun reading" so I should be able to finish it this trip! Over two weeks.

No Picture - But Still Good

Talking about the paper I am working on with my mom and Uriah.

My title is “The New American Dream: Consumption” 

Uriah is writing about the same subject. His title “Wal-Mart is Our Friend: And Other Lies”

I said: “Uriah, your title is so good. You’re really good at writing.”

Uriah: “You take someone else’s idea and parody it.”

Me: “I’m not good at that.”

Mom: “Actually, your title is more intellectual Osanna, all grammatical with the colon and everything.”

Uriah: “Oh, mine has a colon in it too.”