I haven't blogged in awhile. Spring has been unfolding around me as I continue to muddle through a depressing job search (no one offers benefits anymore, or if they do, they expect you to work graveyard at minimum wage), major volunteer projects, an intensive 12 week Master Naturalist training course, busy kid schedules, getting the garden planted & re-landscaped, de-cluttering around the house, tending to the 10 cats & kittens living in my house (7 of which are fosters from the Humane Society), increasing hours helping my mom, and debilitating bouts of bronchitis and joint inflammation. In fact, I just lost the last 4 days of my life to illness, during which I missed out on half a dozen long-anticipated events. I hate being sick.
On the bright side, here are some photos from the last couple months that I never found time to blog about... and that prove to you that I haven't spent the last month in bed, although looking around me at all that needs doing, it seems like it.
Celebrating cherry blossoms in a random moment of happiness during a routine errand-running... between visiting the library and volunteering at the nursing home.
New birdfeeders to hang up at the nursing home (100+). I negotiated with Girl Scouts, the retirement home, and the manufacturer of the feeders to purchase the feeders at cost.
Hanging the 100+ bird feeders (one for each resident's window).
Taking home the old feeders to clean and part-out the broken ones. The old feeders will be donated.
A visit from Grandpa and his 80 year old sister (my Aunt Dot) who lives in Alaska. And I am related to these people!
Flying our kite on the beach in Seattle.
A beautiful evening and sunset watching on the shores of Puget Sound.
After dark at the neighborhood stormwater retention pond, catching frogs by flashlight.
Watching them expand themselves as they sing is amazing, but even more exciting is holding them in your hand while they do that!
Last minute digging of as many flowering plants and shrubs as I can haul from the old farm property before the wrecking equipment arrives. (I got special permission from the developer to go on the property for a few hours).
Watching with tears in my eyes as the barn in torn down days later.
By volunteering for a long-range study we received a multi-year membership to the Science Center, saving us several hundred dollars and guaranteeing us lots of fun and learning.
Backstage tour at Seattle Children's Theater, followed by a performance. I recently signed A up for a program that promotes the arts to teens by offering $5.00 rush tickets, and some offer $5.00 tickets for a chaperoning parent as well. Great deal -- we've seen several shows which would have cost $40.00 per person or more, for just $5.00 a person!
LAST science fair project EVER! Hooray!
Annual middle school STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) conference for girls.
Homework, homework, homework. You don't have to be at home to do it. Sometimes it happens in the car on the way to volunteering.
A in her choral robe, ready for a performance.
With the girls at a nature sketching class using taxidermy animals as models.
Taking a certification course in CPR/AED.
Taking a medical skills class for Humane Society Foster Parents. We learned to give pills, injections, SubQ fluids, etc.
A game of "Hand and Foot" on Mother's Day with Grammy and kittens (see the little black kitten under Grammy's hand?)
Part of socializing kittens involves teaching them an appreciation for cards and board games.
At a school event, wondering when my little redhead became a teenager. A year ago she would have been running around with her friends. Now she hits up another mother for an iPhone (I don't have one, and A will tell you that she is the ONLY teenager in the entire school district without a phone, and it is true...) and then spends the afternoon texting friends.
Girl Scout ceremony time... I meet K onstage as she "crosses the bridge" from Junior to Cadette Girl Scout.
Multiple trips to the dentist as A starts "phase 2" of orthodontia. I am NOT convinced that the $5,000. we spent 6 years ago on "phase 1" was worth it, as now we have to pay ANOTHER $5,000. for full braces. For Little K I declined "phase 1" and am taking her to a different orthodontist who prescribes "watch and wait."
Impromptu dinner (roasted hot dogs) with the neighbors around the firepit. Now I feel summer coming on!
Farewell spring!