Saturday, March 11, 2006

*Homesick* by Jean Fritz


This was a fun book to read. Jean Fritz is one of our favorite children’s history writers. I got a kick out of reading how boring her teacher made history. {G}

Jean grew up as a Third Culture Kid in China. She was 13 before she saw America and her grandparents. I found the glimpse of life in China fascinating. I also was able to relate to her feelings of patriotism for a country she didn’t live in, homesickness for a place that wasn’t yet home, and defensiveness when she DID arrive home on behalf of the China she’d left behind.

If you like Jean Fritz’ books, or are interested in China or growing up as a Third Culture Kid, I think you’ll find this a quick and worthwhile read.

SATURDAY -

It's been a very wonderful day.

The day began with an early morning run to Wal-mart and Sam’s club. I've been looking for a tortilla press - no luck. I also needed to buy laundry soap so that I could have Josiah’s uniform ready be 3 p.m. He’s been working lots of hours. The first week it was the Stock and Rodeo Show….this week I’m not sure why he has extra hours. Next week is Spring Break and he’ll probably be picking up extra hours…but it will need to slow down after that. {G} He’s doing well keeping up with the schedule. They have him closing most nights this week and I can tell that he is getting worn out.

Mike took me out for lunch. We went to Logans – where we can throw peanuts on the floor and listen to old music on the juke box….and always bring home 1/2 the meal. {G}

We came home and Jamin took Zander for a bike ride. Wow – he was a hero. Mike put training wheels on Nolan’s bike and Nolan spent some time trying to conquer the bike. We are dreaming of family bike rides.

Mike and I got some chores done around the house.

Arielle, Stacia and I went to Janae’s birthday party. This is Adrienne’s 2 yo daughter. It was cute and fun. There was singing, dancing and even a cake shaped like a music note.

While we were at the party Mike took the boys to get Jamin’s hair cut. He wanted it spiked again. I think it will be very cool when he gets it all done.

Mike and the boys arrived at the party and we visited “just a bit” with Kwame and Adrienne and headed home. We are so enjoying the time we have to get to know this family.

I’m seriously thinking of organizing a co-op here in town for dry goods type of things. Shop Natural already delivers here. I will call them on Monday. I can’t see any hidden fees or costs but want to talk with a person before I sign up. There appears to be a $250 min order amount…and I think *I* could make that most months alone, but several others are interested in it as well. I’m trying to figure out what other hidden time thieves may be inherent in this plan. Mike and I have spent considerable time today trying to find the co-op brochure I had made when we had the produce co-op in San Antonio. I can’t find it. ARGH.

The day is done….I didn’t get my folks called. Mike did call his. I didn’t get the ice cream made today either. I’ll do that tomorrow as well.

Family Night



Evidently this is how *I* watch an episode of Hogan's Heroes. Yikes - I'm turning into my mother. {vbg}

Round Up Time

It’s round up time again in West TX. THIS is ONE round up that I’m going to pass on. It’s Rattlesnake Roundup time. After “almost” convincing myself to contact Julie and have her dh teach me how to hook a snake, I woke up to see a big picture of a boy hooking a rattler….ARGH.

I’m serious. This is a 4 day festival complete with a parade, a snake-charmer pageant, a snake meat-eating contest and snake-handling demonstrations. There’s also a demo on how to skin a rattler in preparation for cooking or to use the skins.

There was a man waiting with 1200 lbs of rattler to turn in. Evidently you get $5 per pound of rattler and this is to help control the rattler population out this way. It’s become a huge economic booster as people come from all over the states and other countries to view this.

Oh my – I think my geocaching days are DONE FOR!!!! If you don’t believe me click
here…then type “roundup” into the site search.