17 1/2 Weeks

That's how many more school weeks I have until retirement!  Can't wait!  I'm so ready.  I'll miss the kids but it's time for me!

I turned 62 yesterday.  Gary took me out for breakfast at The Moonbeam Cafe.

It was delish!  I had "The Sweet Pea" which was poached eggs on turkey breast on tomatoes smothered with hollandaise. I also had sweet potato home fries.  It came with homemade whole wheat toast but I didn't have it; Gary ate it instead along with their homemade cranberry apple preserves.

Everything was such a treat and it was so nice to see fresh flowers!

Having a birthday made me think about my mom.  Here's a short poem I wrote for her about 10 years ago. 

It's Cold!

Yup, 23 degrees below zero at 6:30 am.

Saw this scene when I pulled into the teacher parking lot about 7:10 am.

I loved the pale lavender in the sky.  I took this from our school parking lot before scurrying into school.

Kylie's Art Work

I bought her a set of books that show how to draw different animals and insects, etc. step by step and she's doing pretty well. 

I love that she always wants to contribute to my journal!

Indian Giver

Kylie gave me the gingerbread photo ornament for Christmas but when she saw it in here, she said she'd only loaned it to me and she wanted it back.  So, I unglued it and gave it to her but when her mom saw what she'd done, she assured Kylie that they could make another one at home.  So, she gave it back to me.

A Trip to Pick Kylie Up

It was gorgeous but 14 degrees below zero this morning when we were on our way to pick Kylie up.  This is Mt. Washington in back of a car dealership.

Then we pulled into McDonald's and I saw these massive icicles. 

I tried the new oatmeal they have and it was delicious!

This is a replica of the famous Jackson covered bridge.  It's right near it on the golf course/X-country skiing area.

And when we got home, Kylie had fun fingerpainting in my journal. 

She got a hair cut this week!  It's shoulder length and so cute but it makes her look older.  I don't like that!  I just want to put her in a capsule and preserve her the way she is right now.  So perfect!

Kiki and Tuts

I took this Sunday night when Erin picked Kylie up.

A Kylie Weekend

While Kylie was watching Shrek: The Final Chapter, I did this page. (Duh! Just noticed that I put the wrong date.  Today is the 8th!) 

Had fun taking pictures of her drawing in my journal.  Here's what she drew.

Journaling Again

I painted this page well before Christmas but just got it decorated last week.

I love the postage stamps from Ireland.  Thanks, Anne, for sending them along to me!

The two circles in the upper right-hand corner are the name tags from Kylie's Zhu Zhu pets.  One says Rocco and the other says Sweetie.  She was so excited when I added them to the page.

Kylie at the Beach

The two of us went to Portland yesterday.  We went to Whole Foods first.  What a wonderful store!  Everything is so fresh and the place is spotless.  The only things Kylie asked for were raspberries and blackberries.  Of course, Grammy obliged.  And they were delicious!

Then we went to Trader Joe's.  The parking lot was jammed but we managed to find a spot.  Love all the unusual items but I want to go back when it isn't so crowded and when I don't have an impatient little girl asking why I keep stopping to look at stuff.

Then it was on to the beach.  Here she is running toward it.

It was so peaceful and calm; I could have stayed forever.

Every time I tried to get a picture of Kylie, she'd run off giggling.  I managed this one, though, when she wasn't looking.

Kylie left this morning.  What a great week it was playing with her.  The house is so quiet, now.

Happy New Year!