The Clan of Coleman

Dublin and Disney

2010-05-24T13:10:00.002-04:00

Well we've been covering some miles these days! Eric got to go to a conference in Dublin which seemed pretty cool, we wouldn't know because he only took 12 pictures of the same two places. But he did seem to enjoy it and we are all really happy for him.

Grandma came back from her trip to Utah, Aunt Jenny is doing better after her fall but is still in a rehab center on a feeding tube. Bummer huh. But she is in high spirits.

We took our family vacation this year to Disney World. It was fantastic! I'm not yet ready to dawn my vehicle with Disney logo's but it was as they say, 'magical'. Grandma was in a wheelchair and the kids were in a double stroller. We carried a ton of food with us at all times and we did feel like meals on wheels for a while but it was a blast. Jefferson's favorite part of the whole trip was the hotel. Yip, 4 parks, Disney characters, rides, candy etc...and the hotel room was her favorite! Hilarious. Well, the rest of us had a great time actually in the parks as well.

Will has learned to torment Jefferson by ripping out clumps of her hair. He got her twice this week and he started coming after me, biting too. The first kid didn't do this! Mean little booger! He's just so cute, he lures you in with those big happy eyes, he snuggles up to you then BAM!

We are currently mourning the end of LOST. Six years and May 23rd it came to a fantastic end. I will admit, I cried! I'm feeling a little lost with out it and also disturbed that I have such an emotional connection with FAKE TV PEOPLE. Ha!
Best-The Colemans

This was our first time to Disney, whew! Loved it.

Wilmont's First Birthday and Jefferson goes to the Dentist !

2010-04-20T20:43:00.005-04:00

Wow, he's a year old! How fun is this?! Becuase he is the second child we almost completely forgot his birthday! How sad is that!? Actually we were in Orlando for the weekend and that was pretty RAD so don't feel to bad. He got to see a giant turkey at a little children farm (no they don't farm children there). Happy Birthday Man! Thanks for all the great laughs!

Here are some video's:
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Three
Guests

The plant picture is of a grape fruit blossom that is now turning into a little grapefruit! Isn't that neat! Florida is amazing!

I took Jefferson to the dentist today. They called her name, she got up by herself and told me she was just fine on her own, then left me in the waiting room. She came back 40 minutes later with a bag of dental treats and the praises of the dentist and the staff. 'She's only 3?' They asked? Apparently she got along just grand with the dentist his crew just famously. She got a cleaning and a fluoride treatment. My job was to pay the co-pay.

I'm getting the drift that she's a little bit independent! A few weeks ago she was to give a talk in primary. When I got up to help her she chastised me in front of the entire primary saying she could do it all by herself and had me sit back down! Wow. What can I say, I've got a little firecracker here! I'm grateful to the Lord for the excitement and fun my family is. I think my job as her mom is to just not get in her way!

Here is what is going on these days!

2010-03-15T18:04:00.004-04:00

I'm giggling at the moment quite merrily.

When I published this post I didn't see the order of the pictures. I just logged on and saw the title and the first picture. HA HA! That is hilarious! If you didn't catch it, feel free to scroll up. ha ha!

Life is fun and drudgery! But all in all we are doing well. I've just heard that my friends the Buckwalters have just been blessed with a little girl and that the Newtons are expecting! My old b-town friends! I miss you and I'm so happy for you!

Will is pondering walking and now has seven teeth. He's a biter. I now get to be the parental unit who apologizes to kind old people who are drawn in by his smile and outreaching hands only to be masticated.

Jefferson is starting wee ball this Saturday and is really excited. Mom (Grandma Marge) had her hip replaced in January and is now on a cane and doing great! We think that she and will will learn to walk with out assistance at the same time.

Eric is doing great at work, and like most professors (as so I'm told) hates to teach! I'm doing well, and am planning on taking a calculus class this fall to prepare for a masters program I'm interested in. I've simply become bored of myself complaining that I'm not using my brain enough and I think this will help a lot..or it is demonstrating that I am insane. Either way, fun dates with Eric. He wants to sit in on the class with me. Man could we be any more COOL?

Jefferson was really excited about the picture with the frogs hugging.

Jen

Getting Ready for Christmas...Tallahassee Style!

2009-12-14T03:50:00.017-05:00

Well, it's 3:50 AM. It's been a kid night. Now, everyone but me is sleeping and I'm wide awake. I'm thrilled. Well, at least I get plenty of quiet time to type. The kids are doing great. Will started crawling this week! Jefferson is all girl and makes us all laugh and smile. Tonight she was a little heart broken when I told her no to this request (like 45 times) "Mom can I PLEASE have tuna on my chocolate chip pancake!?". I'm not pregnant and I still felt nauseous!

I've been looking at various friends on facebook and updating address for my Christmas card list. It looks like I'll be e-mailing most of my cards this year as I accidentally sent my pictures to get printed to the wrong Walmart...3,000 miles away in Utah. So...looks like E cards for everyone. Lame but hey what ya gunna do?

On thanksgiving morning I was able to do the Tallahassee Turkey Trott with my good friend Bonnie and her family. Jefferson and Bonnie's little girl Erin were my jogging buddies. I had a great time. I averaged a 12 minute mile with a double stroller. I'm still sore ha ha! Bonnie is fabulous! She did this thing, running it, pregnant!

I hosted a play date where we decorated gingerbread houses. My friend Renee hooked me up with info on melting sugar to bond the graham crackers together. This worked like a charm, and the next morning I got up to find the humidity had melted the crackers and the glue. The kids did their best but it was like trying to decorate...a wet graham cracker! Ha! We did the decorating on my back deck. It was so hot my eyelids were sticking. As we finished the last one, some rain drops fell...then the sky fell. A few hours later I had a 70 foot river in my back yard! Florida man!

We are flying to Utah in 24 hours for Christmas and Eric's sister's wedding & his nephew's wedding. We are very excited and can't wait to see Jefferson and Will with their cousins. For those of us far from family I'm sure you understand this well. We don't do slumber parties with the kids, but cousins and Christmas are exceptions so she is livid with excitement! She told me she wants to have a tea party with Grandpa and a snowball fight with Grandma Coleman. Kids are great. I can't wait to see Eric with his family. It's a large family and this is only the 2nd time in 7 years I've seen them all together...in fact it may be the first time because a few years back one nephew was serving a mission! Wow!

I also get to see my whole family too! We are meeting in Salt Lake City to see the lights at temple square and hopefully eating a great little German restaurant. It all seems so nostalgic and pretty. I can't wait to hug my sister and my brothers.

Jen

For Other Video Sources: Will Crawls The Great Flood

Panama City Beach: Weekend in Florida

2009-09-15T20:08:00.004-04:00

We have the fun privilege of now taking weekends and going to the beach. We went to Panama City Beach this weekend for Eric's scuba diving certification. He had a blast and got plenty of sun to prove it! The kids and I had a really fun time taking advantage of the white sand and waves. Lots of laughs and beauty.

Florida does offer a lot. We love it here. However the recent infestation of 'Love Bugs' is pretty bizarre. They fly while mating, and are mating ALL THE TIME, hence the name. They fly low, slow and hover.

Publish Post

You can just smack them with your hand. They die easily, however there are millions of them, so until the weather changes, lots of loving in Tallahassee!

Jefferson also started her first dance class and she LOVES it. Of course as parents we became warm butter when we saw her. Man, kids are so great! Love our family.

Settling Down In Florida

2009-08-08T12:03:00.006-04:00

Will jumped himself to sleep and Jefferson got hit by an airplane (band-aid on her head). She and her little friend got a little too excited about flight with a toy plane and there was BLOOD! Later she ran next to our car and didn't see the rear view mirror and she smacked her head against it and knocked herself to her bum! We didn't even need to put on a new band-aid because the old one was right where the smack happened. I appreciated her doing this as we go through band-aids so quickly (smile). Aside from head wounds, Jefferson loves to spend her days running through the house in pretty dresses.

We've finally unpacked everything I think we will unpack. Those last 5 or so boxes will probably live and eventually be eaten by the back of my closet and that is just fine with me! I've heard updates from friends back in Indiana and now we are starting to create our own stories are are emotionally separating ourselves from where we are and adjusting to where we are. I found a preschool for Jefferson and she'll start in October, I've found doctors, talked insurance and know where the restrooms are in most of the stores we go to.

Eric mowed the lawn today, our first lawn ever! Jefferson and I watched ceremoniously from the front window. I threaten Jefferson with her live to stay away from the mower telling horror stories about loosing toes or an eye. I think she will be terrified of the yard for years.

Will loves his jumper, he fell asleep in it as you can see. We've made a few friends and are happy to be in the 'South'. People here are kind (except for Wal-Mart employees, they do their best, but I think you just loose your soul there, so I don't blame them).

Jefferson has made friends with the girls across the street and we love it! It's fun to hear her play pretend with her friend Emily. The doll house in her room provides hours of entertainment.

Hoping fall comes soon and with it cooler temperatures. Then we can start landscaping the back yard....

Our First Week In Tallahassee

2009-07-10T15:17:00.006-04:00

The B-Town BOyZ

St. Marks, Florida: Finding Hermit Crabs in the Sand

I'm always a sucker for good moving stories. All I have to say about our two day drive down here was that we (Grandma, mom and Jeffri) stopped and visited Dinosaur World and the 24 foot Budget truck with car tow behind broke down on Eric no less than six times in 48 hours.

We didn't close the day we expected and our last inspection of the house proved that the seller hadn't completed the things stated in our contract. Also, the unfinished work surrounding the fireplace brought in hundreds of German cockroaches. I have experienced may phases from sheer horror, to disgust, to gross, to now I kill them with my bare hand. The exterminator, Chuck, is on speed dial. He's a nice guy with a handle bar mustache and a can of poison I have come to call manna.

The bright side, is bright however. Our home is beautiful and a perfect fit for our family. Our neighbors are pleasant and the grocery store isn't far. The Elders Quorum showed up and had our truck unloaded in one hour. This means the EQ here is equally as cool as the EQ in Bloomington. My b-town boyz loaded the beast in 1 hour flat. Whew!

For anyone who knows the Moody family from Bloomington, they now live south of Tallahassee. We are good friends with them and had the good fortune of celebrating the 4th of July with them. My first Sunday was cool. I got out my car and was pleasantly greeted by a member of the Bloomington Stake. I quickly found out her twin sister lives in Bloomington. Crazy huh?

So now I'm in hot pursute of playdates, mom friends and the best GoodWills to shop at (smile). I feel very fortunate to be in a home and to be finally done with school. I especially love flushing the toilet and knowing my neighbor can't hear it!

Goodbye Indiana, Hello Florida

2009-06-22T08:16:00.003-04:00

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So, this is our last week in B-town. It's been a huge 5 years for us. I went jogging this morning (and missed a HUGE storm by 10 minutes, thanking the Man upstairs for that) and heard a song that put me right back in time. The song made me a sophomore in in college, on a tour bus headed to L.A. to tour a whole slew of museums. I sometimes get a little embarrassed by how ignorant I was (am) but I was really grateful that my life had kept going since that day. That I'd grown and that I'd changed. I look back and even though I was even more odd than I am now (wow) I like that girl. I like what is waiting for her, the way she'll learn things, the good she'll do and the embarassament and heartache that will make her who she is.

I moved to Bloomington feeling clostrophobic and alone. I leave missing my friends and opportunities here. I think Tallahassee will be great, but honestly it's that first trip to the grocery store that stunns me. I realize that there isn't a single sould who knows who I am, nor I them. No bumping into someone you know, no one shouting out your name.

I'll be bummed when J asks to go to her friends, or to familiar places and I can't take her, but I'm thrilled to meet and find new best friends and beautiful parks. I know I'll be better for it. Bloomington, thanks for a rockin' 5 years!

Our pictures above: Our Green Eggs and Ham Day, Two Months Old & First Trip to the Pool!

Graduation! Baby Blessing! Buying A House!

2009-05-30T19:33:00.002-04:00

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Life has been pretty rockin' this last month...as well as very fast. Eric graduated this May, we now live with Dr. Coleman (not a medical doctor, but if constantly ask him to examine moles or ask him gross medical question, I'd really get a kick out of it!). Will was blessed this month and we drove down to Tallahassee, Florida and hunted and found a great home for us. We move down the end of June. Whew! We went to the farmer's market here in Bloomington today and just enjoyed what a wonderful place it is and hope we can find such fun places in Tallahassee. I'm sure we will, but we sure have some great memories here. On with a new chapter in the Coleman Family.

Wilmont Rex Coleman Arrives! Eric Is Now a Doctor

2009-05-02T11:47:00.004-04:00

On April 18th at about 9:20 am, Wilmont Rex joined the Coleman family from the womb! He was a whopping 9 lb and 14 oz and streaching to 22 inches long. Why do we always include these numbers, I feel like I just caught some sort of fish or something. He is healthy and as of today May 2nd no longer has that nasty thing stuck to his belly button! He looks just like Eric and sleeps a lot.

Eric defended his disseration on April 28th and did a great job! He is now offically Dr. Coleman or Eric Coleman PhD. We've had a great 5 years in Bloomington working toward this goal and feel really blessed to have achieved it. We are buying house in a couple of weeks in Florida and will move to Tallahassee mid June to begin another chapter in the Coleman Book of Life. We feel very fortunate and a little nervous with all the change. I'm a little bummed about leaving all of my friends (most of whom are also graduating and moving this year too). It's like senior year in high school all over again (except that most of us aren't as 'cute' and we are a lot more confident and we can drive with out an adult in the car).

Cataract Falls: Lieber State Recreation Area--Using the Bathroom

2009-02-25T15:05:00.007-05:00

We took a little venture to Cataract Falls a few weeks ago and were pleasantly surprised at the beauty and great atmosphere we found. We also enjoyed the fact that it was so cold, the park rangers were not accepting the usual $5 fee for entrance. This was by far one of our COLDEST adventures. Check out the link if you want to see more of the park. The falls were beautiful, but my favorite parts were the public bathrooms at the lower falls. Notice the AMAZING view that is provided while you sit and relieve your bowls...it's a breathtaking view for both viewers and participants. The park is actually quite well kept with playgrounds and such, so this was really odd and quite funny. The second crazy thing was this incredibly anti-child tree. Look at the spines on this puppy! This was a great adventure. If anyone knows what kind of tree this is, let me know. WOW! I'd love to go back in warmer weather.

Closing Out The Year: Florida & Lions

2009-01-01T14:34:00.007-05:00

I've appreciated 2008 and am happily ready for another year of great love and learning (I'm omitting the words I didn't like such as patience, frustration, not getting my way). The last year of my life has been strong, at least many around me have shown me great strength and character. What a beautiful thing to see. Above all, I'm learning how passionately I have learned to love this beautiful little girl that came into our lives only a couple of years ago. What a wonderful experience--to be loved by a child and to laugh often. When we were in Bulgaria a taxi driver who was very taken with Jefferson spoke strongly about how much he loved children and how his country didn't value them like they did in the states. He said it was important for children to be loved and cherished. I don't doubt that Bulgarian parents love their children, but it gave me a good perspective on how blessed I am to have this opportunity.

Eric has accepted a job as Assistant Professor of Political Science at Florida State University. We are no preparing all those needful tasks of planning the birth of our son, managing budgets properly and buying a house. This is such a new experience and we are thrilled to be offered it. Hopefully we can really do our research and keep our heads above water with our new responsibilities. We are from the West--the desert to be more specific. Moving to an area that is covered with water, full of alligators, snakes and flamingos (Jefferson is set on this last on) is quite a new experience, but we know we'll eventually adapt or get eaten so lets get packing.

My Mom, Jefferson and I took a little adventure West of here to a place called the Exotic Feline Rescue Center. It's one thing to be at a Zoo with a lion, its another to be in a caged in area surround by 200 of them roaring. I came to the conclusion that if I were in the presence of male lion and it roared and started to chase me, I think I would be to stunned to even run. They are mighty and magnificent animals. Watching two lions fight 20 feet from you is almost a life changing experience. Jefferson thought it was funny. I didn't share her humor as I almost wet my pants! I encourage you to check out this place.

Welcome the New Year!

Merry Christmas: My thoughts of The Christ

2008-12-17T05:11:00.004-05:00

I'm so grateful for this time to reflect (and attempt to get the ice off of my car). Truly, this is a powerful time in our culture, one that is not to be dismissed. Our little family went bell ringing for the Salvation army. We sang songs, let the little kids shiver for a few minutes before rescuing them to the car for some hot cocoa and watched a few patrons drop change and dollars. The news said that the donations to the SA are down 40%. Stories fill the are about the economy, budgets, housing markets etc., but I've yet to hear anything of Christ and His birth.

I expect that in a mixed-culture as our society is that cautions are made not to offend those of other beliefs. But the title is still CHRISTmas. I find little to celebrate at first glance of this holiday--at least not more than I ususally do on Sundays when I have time to reflect upon spiritual matters. Why is the birth of Christ so important. Birth is a horribly common thing. You and everyone you know have been born.

I had the opportunity to visit a couple of my friends and discuss this very topic. Why were people rejoicing when Christ was born? I'm beginning to understand this. The crazy notion that a God and a human produced and are sounds very mythical and Zeus like-- That people who had hoped for thousands of years that theirs sins could be forgiven is not. I don't think the angels singing, the shepherds leaving their lively hoods and kings abandoning their responsibilities to travel and see a baby is due to the mythical sight-seeing tour that was arriving in Bethlehem. I think they came because they knew at last they could be free from the bondage of sin and death. All were welcome to this, kings and shepherds.

Because of the arrival of this child, what had been hoped for was now a reality. Physical evidence sat before those in contact with this babe that salvation was possible. The greatest hope was given at the arrival of this baby, freedom. Freedom from the grasp of Satan--from your past mistakes & horrors. Freedom from death. The possibility of perfection and eternal joy, such a non-worldly concept was now attainable. If you have never felt the weight of a terrible mistake that hurts so deeply you can hardly forgive those around you or yourself and if you have felt the pain and separation of death you become an expert in the field of life and understand the need for relief and comfort.

Sing glory, sing silent night, sing for freedom. That is the gift and the hope of this time of reflection.

Taiwan: Making Art of Bark

2008-11-15T11:44:00.004-05:00

Eric got back from Taiwan a couple of weeks ago. His stories painted a beautiful picture of a very respectful culture and beautiful rain forests and monkeys. One place he visited harvested tree bark to make decorative artifacts. Eric brought home a night light made of this thin material.

Freedom to Vote: Gratitude for Choice

2008-11-04T12:11:00.003-05:00

Jefferson and I headed out to vote this morning. I think her favorite part was receiving a sticker. My favorite part was pushing the buttons.

After a long LONG time of watching the parties run, I was grateful that I was finally done with it all. I pushed the VOTE button and boom, my choice was recorded.

I just want to thank the many people who have given me the freedom and opportunity to cast my vote today. I'm grateful that for this, Jefferson's first time to see a polling booth, there were no men with machine guns trying to protect Democracy....that we were so safe to just stand and vote. I'm grateful that the division in parties, as extreme and irreverent as they can be, do not promote civil war. I know that even though I didn't vote Obama, no one will burn down my house or kill my family for my choice.

Regardless of who ends up spending my tax money in ways I will never approve of (subsidized arrowheads..no joke), I'm grateful for the peace we are able to enjoy. For all the blood that has been shed, for all the families that have suffered for other families to enjoy, I thank you all.

My friend the Nun

2008-10-29T21:21:00.003-04:00

Halloween is so funny! I love all the kids willing to get dressed up, all the adults who squirm at the idea of themselves dressing up and most of all the brave adults who do dress up! My friend Tim decided to go as a Nun. He topped the outfit off with fish net tights and when he's up for it, heals. I am a fly, Jefferson a frog and my friend Darian an evil pixie. Darian had a great costume, but is just to cute to pull off evil. I'll take her with me any day, evil or not. We went to our church part tonight and Jefferson had a blast! What fun.

Pumpkin Carving Time!

2008-10-27T21:00:00.000-04:00

Tonight for our Family Night, we had our friends the Toby's over and we used the little pumpkin carving kit to make Michelangelo worthy pumpkins. The girls wouldn't tough the guts becuase they were gross. After I had cut about 80% of my pattern I realized that my Great Pumpkin was so thick our little tools had not cut all the way through! Blah! Luckily I was surrounded by great people so it wasn't too brutal re-cutting the entire stinkin' thing. There ate a long more skeleton teeth that you want to have in a carving. That is the lesson I learend. But it was fun. When we were in Bulgaria last year, everyone thought we were insane for displaying a squash...a dinner item...painted in our living room. That was pretty funny. It's nice that there are so many crazy squash people here.

While we adults did the carving (even though it was for the kids) our friend Ben hooked us up with It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown. It totally made the night.

Eric is currently in a rainforest in Taiwan. We are hoping he gets to see monkeys and doesn't get to see monkey poo! Love you honey!

Taiwan, Pumpkins and 27 years!

2008-10-25T12:58:00.000-04:00

Wow what a day huh? Today I dropped Eric off at the shuttle and he is making his way around half of the planet to Taipei Taiwan. He'll be there for about a week speaking about forestry and what sustains a forest and what doesn't. He's going to look HUGE next to all of the attendees. I love it.

Today Jefferson, some friends and I went to Freeman Family Farms and we had a blast! We road the tractor out to the pumpkin patch, picked two great pumpkins, enjoyed all the animals (the baby chicks were so cute), and road a little train. Jefferson LOVED the train. When it stopped she cried and cried. We've had a lot of 'train therapy' since this morning recovering from having to get out of the caboose. It was really great. We were also in the company of some great friends which of course, always makes things even more fun!

Today I am 27 years old. That's right, I've made it 27 years. Hard to belive. Eric is 2 years older than me so I always enjoy asking him "What was it like when you were 27?". I had a great birthday party yesterday with my family and was spoiled with stuff and lots of love. I have a wonderful family and I get to laugh often. So goodbye 26, hello 27!

Jefferson's 2nd Birthday--Spit Cake!

2008-10-15T21:42:00.000-04:00

We had a wonderful birthday with Jefferson today. After her friend Lillian's birthday weeks ago, birthdays are all she could talk about! Birthday cake this...birthday cake that...whew! We went to the park this morning, did a craft with leaves in the afternoon, took a nap (Jefferson's present to Mom) and then we ate dinner. After dinner, Jefferson opened her presents and explained to us that the 'clothing' gifts she 'don't like' and kept looking for toys. Eventually she made it through the clothes, socks and shoes and found her bike! She was so excited. She went outside and began to learn how to peddle a trike. It was really cute. We went in for cake and took a fun video of her blowing out her candles and drooling ALL OVER the cake. Gross! Jefferson asked specifically for a purple cake, with pink insides and an ice cube on top. I did it all except the ice cube and served a little ice cream instead. We had a great family birthday. It was simple and fun. Congrats on age two baby girl!

French Lick Indiana: A Train Ride

2008-10-14T21:30:00.000-04:00

We drove down to French Lick Indiana (home of Larry Bird for those sports fans) to ride the train . The kids were very excited and endured the long ride down well. The train ride was a full hour, but we had our own train car and plenty of great friends to fill it. Jefferson loved the train, and when it started going backward, she had a blast! She's been talking about it for days. Our car was used in New York in the 1920's, the engine pulling us was built in the early 1950's. Two additional cars were behind us full of school children. Their cars were used as commuter cars around Chicago from the 1920's to the late 1960's! We had a grand time. We bought a postcard of a man who is probably 16 years old working on one of the trains. Later the sales clerk told me it was actually our conductor, that he had worked this train his whole lif e! I was really impressed. My life seems to be very fluid and it was comforting to know that some lives choose to be constant.

Spring Mill State Park: A Perfect Fall

2008-10-13T14:55:00.001-04:00

Earlier this fall we had the opportunity to go to Spring Mill State Park in central Indiana for an afternoon field trip with a couple of dear friends. The drive into the park was beautiful as the leaves were just starting to change. The great adventure of history awaited us when we got there. The pioneer village there is not only fun for kids, it's beautiful. We saw a loom, met some great pioneer folk and had the great privilege of meeting Clive, who opened the water shoot for us and got the big mill working. He ground us two pounds of corn meal. We brought it home and made chili and Eric's mom's delicious corn bread. What a wonderful family day. Jefferson didn't even have an 'accident'. We did pack the blue potty and that saved the day! Potty training has been a growing experience! Thanks mom for teaching me to use the bathroom!

Picking Apples:Applacres

2008-09-27T11:43:00.002-04:00

We had a wonderful time picking apples at an orchard south of Bedford, Indiana. There were SO many beautiful apples. It was really neat. Jefferson had a great time and I loved to see all the colorful fruit.

Making Honey: The Old Fashioned Way

2008-07-15T22:13:00.000-04:00

So, this may come as a shock, but the only difference that I could observe in honey making from say the time of Christ to last Friday is the fact that I was able to drive to the farm instead of say, ride a donkey. Ok kidding. The difference is that back in the day you had to find a hive, beat it with a stick and eat dirty honey. In the last 200 years, we have now found a way to get into a hive and not use the stick.

We took this rad field trip to a honey farm we got to see the honey combs in all different states, make a candle out of bees wax and taste all sorts of yummy honey. If you want to learn more about bee keeping click here

I had to sound like a moron, but one of my favorite parts was when the nice lady showed us how they but those seals on top of plastic lids, you know the ones that are on top of the syrup containers that are almost impossible to get off with out a knife or your teeth. Get this, the seal is inside the lid, they screw on the lid, smack it, and boom, it's stuck on. Groovy huh.

I want to thank my rad friend Andrea for putting this together. Field trips are the best! I'm so excited!

Gray Skys of July: Independence

2008-07-07T15:47:00.000-04:00

It rained like cats and dogs on the 4th of July. We stood in front of the flag at the church, looking up at the dark red and blue against a gray wet sky. The cub scouts squirmed a lot when they put the flag on the hooks and ran it up the pole. Ran is not the right term, jerked, halted, slowed…finally to the top. They looked wet too. I stood next to the pole looking at all of my friends, opened my mouth and began to sing Oh say can you see… I was nervous that I would start too high, that my voice wouldn’t hold through the high notes, or that I would forget the words and stumble. But I made it, I even sang strong and loud. They were pleased with me.

We ate breakfast under the shelter. That is what they call it out here, a shelter, in the west we always called it a pavilion. But I think shelter is probably a better term. Everyone was close, the tables lined with all sorts of colors of breads, biscuits and eggs. The rumble of voices happily discussing as the rain fell in sheets, the little kids loving the rain…jumping in the puddles and running in the field-- grass stuck to their legs. My friend Stephanie made the day. She sewed matching tunics for Jefferson and Scarlet. We dressed them and enjoyed everyone oohhing and aahhing over them.

We ran to our cars and jumped in, drove home and settled in for a rainy day.

That night Lawson was baptized. He is my neighbor, eight years old and full of everything life can create. Heaven and hell, giggles and shouts. I like him. His grandmother said some opening words before the prayer. She is a magnificent black woman. I love the way she talks, pausing, direct, unquestioning. She is strong to me. That is comforting. Her thick lips pursed as she looks at Lawson to make sure he is taking in everything she is saying. The green cloth wrapped around her dark face. You focus on her eyes and soul. I see many things in her in that I feel will take a lifetime to achieve in myself.

Rail Road Bridge

2008-06-30T22:11:00.000-04:00

Greene County is next to Monroe County on a map. It's beautiful country and I'm always impressed to see some of the beauty and happenings in the back wood areas. One of my favorite places is the rail road bridge. One day while strolling through a park I met and old man who asked me to sing Amazing Grace with him. Although it was a bit of a shock of an experience, it was beautiful. I got to know him a little before our lives took different paths and I lost track of him, he had wonderful stories. He told me about this bridge and it took me a year to find it. It is stunning. For more information click here or here.

Bloomington is such a beautiful place. I love my community and all the fun things to do. Saturday morning farmer's markets and evenings on the front lawn talking till the sun changes the day to dusk.

1961 Schwinn Breeze

2008-06-15T21:50:00.000-04:00

Jefferson and I go riding on our bike everyday. She gets all excited to put on her shoes, we take the bike outside, buckle her in and take off. I'm only missing a bell and a basket! Oh the joy of riding a bike for fun. We love picnics and parks. There is just something magical about this bike. We love our 1961 Schwinn Breeze. I found it while walking with a friend one morning. We stopped at a yard sale and there it was, for a whole $2. That's right two dollars! It just needed a little cleaning an some air in the tires. The couple who sold it to me were fabulous. Probably in their 70's, they just seemed to love life.

Maryland

2008-06-15T21:16:00.000-04:00

This spring we took a bit of trip business/pleasure to D.C. and Maryland to work and see family. It was wonderful! Here is me looking all black and white for ya all.

The ocean was wonderful and I got to visit with my friend Melissa Branin who is living there now. We've been friends even before the POG phase.

A Surprise Visitor

2008-06-15T21:12:00.000-04:00

I just found SFHS blog and wanted to join all the cool kids

2008-06-15T19:30:00.000-04:00

Wow, so after MySpace, Facebook, multiple webpages that I have let expire and die due crappy editing software I am now jumping the bandwagon here so I can join my high school alma madder blog. It was so cool to see all those names listed so rock of SFHS.

Update on my life, I went to Dixie State after SFHS, traveled a bit, met Eric in D.C. and then moved to Logan to finish my B.S. Eric was attending USU too so we decided to hang out and eventually I panicked when he started the DTR, fearful of getting dumped, I proposed. He said he would think about it and it worked out! We have a great time together. We moved to Bloomington, Indiana about 4 years ago for Eric to go to grad school. We are almost done and Eric's on the market (job only! LOL)

We have a little girl who is 20 months and is totally hilarious and man on man messy. I laugh all the time.

Last summer we lived in Montana for Eric to do some research, I then ran the Top of Utah Marathon (that's right Mrs. Perkins, I actually ran farther than 1 mile and did it under 15 minutes). Then we moved to Bulgaria for 2 months and lived in Sofia. That was INSANE. Now we are back in B-town as the locals call it. I'm becoming more and more granola everyday.

Best Regards.
Jen