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The weather here in Virginia can be so fickle. One day it's summer and the next you need a winter coat. Friday was nice and I decided to wear my sandals to school. It didn't take me too long to remember why I never wore them to school before. I was in a kindergarten class and had my toes stepped on at least a dozen times. Today and yesterday have been filled with April showers.

The more exciting news of the week is that my daughter Hannah got her learner's permit today. I now have 2 teenagers with their learner's permit. Oh help! Gabriel will be getting his license soon and Holly has another 5 1/2 years before she'll be old enough to drive. Maybe they'll raise the driving age by then!

In the cyber world, there's a great birthday party going on. Marsha is having a bloggy birthday bash and giving away gifts. So click on over there and wish her a happy birthday.

I've got to finish up lesson plans for tomorrow and run Gabe and Hannah to their final drama class for the year. Their performance was last Thursday and they did an awesome job. Tonight's class is the end of the year celebration. That's about it for my busy day. How's your day been?

Cold and Rainy Days

The last couple of days have been cold and rainy, reminding me that it is still winter. I did not care to get out in the dreary weather yesterday but I did go vote. Today was more of the same drizzle and cold with a threat of snow. It's supposed to be spring-like again next week. I am finding it mandatory to keep all seasons of clothing accessible and to determine what kind of mood the sun is in before we go anywhere.

The family that John and Gabe stayed with in Romania came down with a stomach bug while they were there. Gabe decided to bring it home. He has been feeling pretty rough for the last few days. Tonight I saw a glimpse of his usual boisterous, talkative self. I am hoping that he is on the mend.

Tomorrow - February 14th - The Homeschool Lounge will be open to the public. It's a fun and friendly place to connect with other homeschool moms. So check it out, sign up and add me as your friend. I hope to see you there!

Wacky Weather and Busy Days

Are you having some wacky weather where you live or is it traditional wintertime? It was 79 degrees Fahrenheit (26 celsius) yesterday. Today we are supposed to get more of the same plus a thunderstorm.

We've had a busy week so far. Monday morning I thought I set my alarm for 5:45. I woke up at 8 AM when the phone rang. It was a call to sub. Thankfully for a half a day beginning at 11:15. After a very easy sub job, the girls and I went grocery shopping. Then I took Hannah to drama.

Tuesday's schedule was full as well. Holly and I made sarmale for Girl Scouts. It was her turn to make an international food and she had her heart set on the traditional Romanian dish. Well, I've only made it twice and that was a long time ago. I never made it in Romania. Romanians made it for us when we went to their homes and when they came to ours, they expected American cuisine. I knew that a half recipe would be more than enough for a group of girls who would probably turn their noses up at the sight of stuffed cabbages, so I only bought one head of cabbage. We started cooking before I took a shower because my clothes were in the dryer. Half way through wrapping the meat mixture with the cabbage leaves, I realized that the inside of the head of cabbage wasn't going to cooperate with us. The leaves were too thick and tough. There's probably a trick to it but time was not on our side. I'm sure that the wrapping of sarmale is a skill that must be learned as a young Romanian girl and Holly and I were not going to accomplish it in the hour's time that we had. So I ran out to the store for another head. No make up and a bad case of bed head. Dear Holly, please know how much I love you when I leave the house without hair and makeup being done. We finally finished the sarmale, I got my shower and we took off for girl scouts. Everyone tried Holly's treat. Several just ate the meat inside. That's what my kids used to do. We stayed at Girl Scouts a while longer because the weather was so nice and the girls wanted to play outside. Then it was time to head home, put the leftover food in the fridge and go out to eat with a friend.

It's nearly 70 degrees now and I am going to have to open some windows or turn on the AC. I am planning on getting some cleaning accomplished. It's amazing how busy schedules get in the way of housework. We are supposed to go walking with some other homeschoolers this afternoon and in our free time, we'll make some SWAPS.
I also made a quiz yesterday, just for fun. Go ahead and take it and let me know how you did! Thanks and have a great day!!

Random Thoughts

· I spent eight weeks in a classroom surrounded by coughs, colds, fevers and even strep throat and managed to evade all the germs. Tuesday night, a sinus cold decided to infringe upon my free time.

· Saturday night, I’m singing with my church at the mall. I have a very short solo and a few narration parts along with singing with the group. I’m praying the sinus cold is gone soon!

· The weather turned back to normal today. Almost summer became cool and drizzly.

· I went shopping with Holly yesterday afternoon. We found some good deals.

· I can’t tell you what they are because I have a bunch of family members who like to lurk around my blog.

· My family is taking a nap on the floor. What’s with that? I guess so many years in Romania with cold rooms and colder floors, the carpeted floor looked inviting.

· John worked midnight shift last night and barely slept this morning. He’s tired.

· The children’s Christmas play at church is Sunday night. Holly has a drama part and I’ve been told she’s doing very well with it. She had a solo part but denounced it last night, adamantly stating that she wasn’t ready and wasn’t going to humiliate herself.

· I feel badly for not working with her on her solo.

· Gabe and Hannah have silent parts. Hannah is Mary and Gabe is a Wise Guy Man.

· We’re having frozen pizza for dinner. That seems to be the easy thing when there’s Christmas shopping and colds to deal with. What’s for dinner at your house?

An Accomplished Goal

Hannah and I went out shopping yesterday in the very warm, spring-like weather. It was nearly 80 degrees. Being on the second floor of an apartment building, we haven't even turned on our heat, not even when the temperatures have dipped into the 20's. Yesterday and today I have had to open windows. I won't complain and neither will my electric bill!

Today I was able to accomplish my goal of not going anywhere. Life has been busy lately and I have been out every day and evening for too many nights in a row. Today, I slept late, stayed at home, worked on a project with Holly and basically relaxed. I am ready to get back to real life now - I think. How was your day?

Is it Fall Yet?

I would like to see some fall weather, real fall weather. Here it is, halfway through October. The days are cooler and the nights dare to dip down into the 40's. But many days are still seeing temperatures that soar up into the 80's. That, in my opinion is hot and hot means summer. Add to that, the fact that I spent the last several years in Romania where we had about 3 weeks of summer and therefore I do not own a large wardrobe of summer clothes. It was an insufficient wardrobe to begin with for a summer in the southeast and now it's worn out. I really want some cool, crisp temperatures. Is anyone else tired of summer?

Tomorrow is my first day as the board substitute in the special education class. I do not know if the teacher has had her baby yet or not but her doctor told her that Friday had to be her last day. So I'll be the new teacher from October 15 - November 21. There is one student holiday and one half day during that time. I'll be there for 26.5 days. I am excited and nervous at the same time. This is not the typical classroom that I am accustomed to. Your prayers are requested!

Too Hot!

Currently At 3:22PM

100°F

RealFeel®

112°F

It's hot. Too hot. I don't know how many days of 100+ degrees we have had. More than enough. Poor Gabe was outside yesterday afternoon in his polyester Chick Fil A uniform unloading a truck. When I went to pick him up at 4 PM he was absolutely soaked and literally dripping.

Today we took Holly to get her physical that is required for school. Just going a short distance from the car to the door of the building was miserable. I am so looking forward to fall.

How is the weather where you live?

Bizarre Weather

The weather here in Constanta has been rather bizarre this winter. The first year we were here went on record as the coldest in 53 years. I think last year beat it. Winter usually finds me wearing long sleeves under sweaters and warm fuzzy slippers with thick socks. Even then, I am lighting candles and sipping coffee or hot chocolate, attempting to take off the chill.

This year, we have seen a few days of near or below freezing temperatures and once we had a dusting of snow. Most days however have been in the 50’s and even the mid 60’s. Yesterday I was walking around the house barefooted. I don’t usually do that until July. The forecast promises that Winter is still hanging around. For now, I am enjoying these mild days.