deep in the heart (day three)

me & g

day three found us on the mosaic front steps of my aunt lyn's house for the pomeroy family reunion. as a kid, i always dreamed of having an artsy home like my aunt. i still do. every maxi skirt, watercolor painting, and buddha statue scream her name. there was an iron tree sculpture being installed in the backyard as we left. lyn was decorating it with empty wine bottles from the event to memorialize the day she worked so hard to put together for everyone. there isn't anything nondescript about my aunt either. it must be genetic.

in this family, creative juices flow as freely as the wine. there are artists of every trade- painters, writers, sculptures, graphic designers, musicians, dancers, yogis, landscape architects, and movie producers. our colorful lot spent the hot day enjoying texas barbecue in front of rented industrial fans. we admired tommy's beard, michelle's baby bump, and my long lost cousin's sense of humor.

quote of the night

text message from brian to tiff: your sister, the english major, just asked me how to spell penis.

teacher with a triumphant smile

mr. suggs and students at the nhra motorsports museum

it's hard to believe that it's been a year since brian started teaching autoshop. he survived! and he's going back for more. we took a brake under the shade tree from car washing this afternoon and i asked him some questions. with much eye-rolling, he provided some answers.

me: do you like teaching?
him: it's too early to tell.

me: what was your favorite part of last year?
him: teaching the adults, the ones that really wanted to be there.

me: what was your least favorite part?
him: the bureaucracy (he started saying 'the bull shit' before rephrasing)

me: do you have a favorite moment from last year? (his answer surprised me. i love it when that happens!)
him: when i taught the adult class about personal portfolios. it was all about keeping an updated resume and cataloging certificates. i shared my personal portfolio that got me the teaching job. none of them knew how to do it. they were really into it. it was a valuable tool for them, especially considering half the class needed me to sign unemployment papers verifying that they were attending vocational classes.

me: do you have a least favorite moment?
him: when that stupid kid accused the class of stealing his ipod. he was seriously after me to frisk each and every student until it was found. he wouldn't let up and the school police were busy elsewhere. that was annoying.

me: what will you do differently in your second year?
him: i won't be everybodies friend. i'll be firmer and more structured.

me: what will you do the same in your second year?
him: separate the students into "pit crews" with specific jobs for each crew member when we're working in the shop. head to head competitions between the pit crews worked.

me: any more thoughts on the subject?
him: it's really not as hard as everyone says. (pause) i couldn't have done it without my wife (said with an upturned nose and a triumphant smile)!

deep in the heart (day two)

niece abigail, held by aunt b, hugged by cousin mia

day two was not the day for pictures. it was the day for reconnecting. it was the day for breakfast dates, dinner dates, and margarita dates with women i love. women that can snatch a restaurant check with ninja-like skill- even at subway! at subway, they sneak up on you in line all sweet like. they pretend to be interested in what your up to. and then whamo! your food is bought and paid for and anut b is strutting her casual victorious way out the door.

these women of mine have sensitive hearts the size of their state. they ask you how you are and you answer them honestly. you talk about things that really matter. you trust them with things you don't trust to anyone. day two was full of heart.

(number fourteen)

brian made me take a picture in this ridiculous hat

the empty gravel flower bed has intimidated me for two years. but no more! we planted fourty-seven pretty, (mostly)native, (mostly)drought-resistant somethings in the front (number nine). our dependence on home depot no-interest financing is to blame for shortcoming my environmentally friendly goal.

i wanted something simple and natural that would look at home in our rocky desert area. we placed some medium sized rocks we already had and one big fake one from the hardware store at the front of the bed to form a gentle border. around the rocks we planted mounding flowering plants and various grasses- my favorite. between the plants is a stepping stone walkway leading to nowhere, our very own winchester mystery house. eventually, it will lead to a backyard gate.

the growth in front makes me smile each time i enter or exit the house. it's the only project we've done that looks consistently better in person. mother nature'll trump the camera every time. hands down. no questions asked.

it looked like this before

not so much

mia's first day of first grade work made my day 'totally awesome.' miley's, not so much.

first grade giggles

kindergarten, first grade!

miley filled this morning with first day giggles. there were no jitters. she woke early with a smile. when i got out of the shower, there she was, fully dressed waiting patiently for me to zip up her jumper. not a shabby way to start the school year.

miley was very fortunate to have had such a positive school experience in kindergarten. first grade is looking to be just as promising- her teacher is the amazing mrs. c and all her besties are in her class.

keep on shining giggly girl, i'm so proud of you!

we arrived with three, left with one. next year, we'll be leaving with none!

third grade awe

kindergarten, first, second, third!

this is the first year that the girls will share a recess/lunch/bus schedule (can i get an amen!?). in the car yesterday i overheard them discussing it. it was more mia talking while miley ignored her than a discussion, but none the less, a direct quote is in order: miley, i will play with you one recess a day, but the rest of the time i don't want you all up in my face, okay?

what is so funny about it is that mia would love it if miley were constantly 'all up in her face.' mia loves her family, even in front of an audience (unlike her younger sister who learned embarrassment early).

each year i assemble mia's first day pictures in disbelief, awe at how much she's grown, and cry lucky tears over what a kindhearted (third grade!) girl she has become. this year has been no exception.