Salt of the Earth

WHOO! Life has been a whirl wind lately- but it’s all good, just busy.
First things first- my finals went VERY well. My art teacher once again wanted all of my paintings-but since two are Christmas presents I had to decline. She was not happy- in a playful way- and told me I owed her two paintings for the gallery. I gave her two prints that I did this term in hopes to appease her. She was happy and told me one would go in the Deans office and the other in the faculty hallway- (which is a HUGE privilege). I was very flattered that she regards my art so highly. The independent study in printmaking has once again changed and the teacher wasn’t going to allow students to do it. SO I talked to the new printmaking teacher and she got special permission for me -through the Dean- to take an independent study. I was very happy and i didn’t even need to put my bitch on to get it.

The boys are out of school now-Friday was their last day. Tuesday last week Thomas preformed with the orchestra at Clackamas mall. It was so very sweet. He had a duet with his teacher and he did SO well. I just don’t know if he will ever understand just how proud I was/am of him. Graham had his “winter’ program on Thursday night and he was spectacular. He knew all the words to the songs and he was very animated. He was a snow flake- and he looked adorable. A big wind storm was hitting us that night and 10 minutes after we returned home we lost power. Graham was kind of scared but once he found me he was ok. We played name that tune with Mick’s ipod and portable speakers and it was a lot of fun. I was tired and cold so I got into bed before we got power back-and Graham got into bed with me and was pretty much glued to my side until Mick came to bed. Friday Thomas sang in the school choir at the old folks home- same as last year. It was so sweet. Yes, i cried again. Afterwards I went to the boys school and painted faces and participated in their parties. Right as school got out it began to snow- big, beautiful snow flakes. Perfect way to end the day.

Friday night we had Mick’s company party. It was nice to see some of the people but I was so tired from the crazy week before. Saturday night we celebrated Christmas with our very good friends- the Bartons. As always, so very special. Sunday we celebrated Hanukkah with our good friends, Lauren and Kaleigh. We had started Hanukkah on Friday by lighting the Manorah and playing with the dreidel before heading to Mick’s party. Graham is greatly enjoying Hanukkah and his knowledge of the holiday surprises me. Last night we went ice skating with the cub scouts and Thomas had a friend spend the night.

I’ve lost 45 pounds now- and still going strong. My doctor has nixed my workout until i complete physical therapy since my tail bone is not healing like it should. I start that this week- BLAH!!! I hate health issues. i have these really cute jeans that everyone has been telling me make my butt look good. So yeah, babies got back……

My mom is doing much better and she and Tom will be driving here this Friday to spend Christmas with us. We are very excited. I have to wrap presents and figure out what needs to get done but it’s hard with the boys home. I enjoy hanging out with them and I’m SO glad they are home for vacation.

I think that sums it up for now. The boys are hungry so I better feed them.
T