felting

Weeks ago, Sarah asked if I wanted to take a felting class with her.

Sure, I thought, felting sounded like fun!

After a hectic week, this class couldn't have been better therapy.

Wet felting required me to massage the wool.

Very relaxing.

Needle felting required lots of little tapping (poking) the wool.

I could also work on small pieces, which I do love.

Needless to say, more felting is in my future!

Denise

Visiting Mrs. Harrison

Mrs. Harrison is Michelle's much-loved high school gym/health teacher who also works with the Speedway High School Key Club, of which Michelle is president.

Mrs. Harrison and her husband bought this cottage on a lake, south of Indianapolis.

Steve has been helping the Harrison's update/remodel this wonderful weekend home.

This Christmas, Mrs. Harrison invited us for lunch.

We bought along Savannah and we were happy to see Ms. Kaito
(Michelle and Savannah's elementary school gym teacher)
was there too.

The cabin is beyond cozy with a wonderful view of the woods.

Although I don't have a picture,
 as we were eating,
a fawn came close to the house to munch on some corn. 

He casually looked in at Michelle.

We loved it.

Mrs. Harrison and her girls.

Silly Steve.

Take care,

Denise

how I spent my afternoon

Today, along with Gus, I met friends for lunch in Plainfield.

Having a choice of footware, Gus chose his gardening boots.

By the time I remembered to take a picture, 

Kathy had already left to go back to work, 

but Laurie and Mary (both being retired now) took their time.

Gus sat for over an hour, 

good as gold, while we ate and visited.  

But, as with most 21 month olds, when he was ready to go, he was ready to go!

As a reward for such good behavior, I called Aunt Meesh to come over to Gus' to play.

Michelle brought Henry with her, much to the happiness of Gus.

The day was such fun that Gus told me "I Love You" (in Gus' way of signing.)

I do love summer.

Denise

Life

We have friendships with citizens of Motegi, Japan.

All we know right now is the belief that most citizens are well.

Motegi has no electricity, no water, and no internet service.

Most, if not all buildings are cracked and damaged.

The town has one working phone (which is how we are getting information.)

Michelle has emailed three families.

We know we will not receive emails back from them soon.

Yesterday, we were rear-ended on a busy road by a truck.

Luckily, we were in my Volvo and not the Malibu.  

Mom was in the back seat.

Michelle was in the front passenger seat.

We spent hours in the hospital getting checked out.

I think we are fine, but sore.

Thank goodness.

After the results of Mom's cat scan came back clear,
but with the knowledge that she had quite a bit of arthritis in her neck,
she responded with, "Well, I already knew that!"

Smile.

Tough, tough couple of weeks at school.

Today was supposed to be a crafting day for March.

Maybe Lily can come over here.

Don't know how much crafting there will be,
but I think it will be just what we need.

So, what I learned this week...

Vehicles can be fixed.  

The teaching career has its ups and downs.

With the past couple of down weeks, the next couple of weeks should be up weeks.

Life is about cherishing friendships and family.

Denise