Six week pleasures

When N and I moved here 17+ years ago, I had to once again do a search for someone to style my thick, wavy hair.  Just one of many details that need to be done within a month of unpacking, when you don't have access to the helpful word of mouth from people we learn we can trust. After about 3 less than satisfying experiences, I ended up at a close to home salon where I felt comfortable for over a decade.

Then after being "comfortable" all those years, I felt like it was time to move on.  No definite I-can-put-my- finger-on-it reason, but more of a yearning for something different.  I began to pay attention to the hair of people I worked with and ask questions.  I tried one guy for several months.  I was happy, but the good chair conversation was hit and miss.  I asked around again.  That's when I found true hair chair love.  :>)

She knows her stuff, she's an amazing listener, says what she thinks (tempered with love) and makes me feel like I've had some good friend therapy after spending time with her.  The co-worker who gave the recommendation has since retired, but whenever we'd bump into each other in the halls I'd try to remember to thank her yet again.

Not always, but definitely this time--change IS good! 

So that's what normal feels like

I didn't feel all that thankful on Thanksgiving.  At that point, I was already tired of being tired and feeling crummy.  But since the tide of illness turned for me?  I've been thankful everyday.  Ridiculous things (not my opinion, but perhaps others) are filling me with warm fuzzy feelings and driving me to gush and proclaim how I'm feeling at the moment.

On Wednesday the short people listened to me say how thankful I was to K2 for having our science all set-up and how thankful I was to be with them DOING science and school again.  As a result, at recess, 2 of them noticed immediately when K2 brought her crew out and asked if they could go tell her thank you.  And my heart was warmed once again, "they listened and understood!"

 Last night, N and I pulled out the tickets I bought (early for once!) for The Trail Band's Christmas show.  This was our third time.  Does that qualify as a new tradition?  I remembered the tickets were good ones, but didn't realize we'd find ourselves in the second row, sandwiched between an older couple and another couple closer to our ages.  Like the other 2 times, we found ourselves visiting like we had gotten together with old friends to enjoy the entertainment.  More warm fuzzies!  :>)

As I sat by N, smack dab in the middle of B row, it felt like every note, every harmony was ringing out just for me.  Sound silly?  That's pretty much where I'm at these days.  Not full of myself, but holding all the good stuff close and savoring each moment.  I think the Trail Band had the desired result.  I'm definitely full hearted and into this warm holiday season.

Big surprise--looking forward to Friday

I'm so excited to go see The Trail Band at the Elsinore again! 

Not only do they put on a great show, but I've also found out that they're just the ticket to jump start me into the holiday mood. 

Double yay for Friday!

Delicious Science

K2 and I do several science lessons demonstrating some properties of air throughout the school year.  Today we did our first with this year's crew.
We started off with Franklyn Branley's book,  "Air Is All Around You".
It's part of a series from Harper Collins, called Let's Read and Find Out Science books.  The "stage 1" level is perfect for 5-6 year olds and an invaluable part of my science book collection.  While reading, I stopped to point out that we'd be doing an activity similar to one of the two in the book.

When we were finished reading/listening, we stood around a large table set-up with plastic shoe boxes, filled 3/4 with water.  I set out a clear, plastic, disposable cup on the table.  I opened a container of frosting and with a craft stick I smeared a small dollop on the flat end of a marshmallow.  The frosting worked like glue to attach the marshmallow to the bottom of the cup's inside.  I held the cup up and told them, "there are 3 things inside this cup. Raise your hand if you can tell me one."  With no shortage of hands to choose from, I heard the answers: marshmallow, frosting, air.

Then I demonstrated how to hold the cup upside down and how to firmly and carefully push the air filled cup all the way down to the bottom of the container of water and then straight up and out.  "The air kept my marshmallow dry!", I exclaim and pop it into my mouth.  Of course they can't wait to take their turns.

Is it for Izzy or for me?

I found this dog toy on one of my trips to the South Salem Pet Store.  It looked like a good way to entertain humans and Izzy with little effort.  (Oh, how horrible that looks in print!)
All we do is add a couple carrot chunks or smear the insides with peanut butter and watch the determined dog use all possible methods to get as much deliciousness out of the rubber mouth as possible. 
Sometimes puppies can seem truly focused.  Really.