Help! Frump Winning Hair Battle!

My dearest Mrs. Fussypants and her wonderful squad of beauty advisers,


I am joining my first Fight the Frump, not as a wise and helpful advisor, but as one in need of your wisdom! I haven't had my hair done since November of 2007! Yikes, GASP, Quick... Someone get some water...I think Mrs. Fussypants may have fainted.


So here's the deal. I know I need to do something but I feel like I don't speak the right language when I enter a beauty salon. I try to use the picture books but it never seems to translate into something stunning! Ladies, I implore you...I NEED to look stunning!!!! (part of the new job thing)


I need a hairstyle that does not take a lot of time to create. I need something that when you look at it makes you think...Hollywood Hottie...(Hey I can dream can't I?)


And...I know this is going to be a challenge. I need to keep as much length as I can. Mr. M. is so warm and supportive about anything that I do with my hair. He never complains...But I KNOW he likes it best long. He has this thing for long blond hair, (Comes in right after his thing for Southern Redheads who make killer Pecan Pie, but I can't ever pull that one off. However, if you have a killer Pecan Pie recipe....)


So please, please, please, Fussy and Friends, Send me your best advice!!!!


Here are the really scarry before pics.



Thank you, thank you, thank you!

New Job!

I have decided that I have too much free time so I got a new job.

Well, actually I got three new jobs, two on Friday and one on Monday. The two jobs that I got on Friday are freelance writing jobs. The one I got on Monday is still a big secret! I'll be keeping you updated, but let me tell you that right now I am learning a WHOLE lot about computers because of this! I feel like I'm back in College again! In the meantime check out my first Suite 101 Article! Yeah Me!!!!!


http://homeschooling.suite101.com/article.cfm/homeschool_learning_centers

Wild Science: Nature Journaling

This is a Reprint of an Article that I wrote for Yakima Family Times.

The girls grab their back packs and quickly head for the door. I grab my own backpack filled with water bottles, colored pencils, drawing paper, and my copy of The Handbook of Nature Studies by Anna Comstock and we are out the door.

The drive to Cowiche Canyon is short and we are soon off on what has become one of our favorite family activities. I park the car in the parking area and the girls unbuckle their car seats, we are on our way.

We are greeted by two white geese with brown spots on their heads. They have become the welcoming crew as we enter a new world. A little farther on two donkeys named Misty and Glory stand silent watching us as we walk past.

A short walk and we come to the first bridge. The girls grab some sticks from the nearby area and play a quick game of Pooh Sticks. This innocent childhood game was taught to my children by their Uncle Dave, from England, when he accompanied us on one of our adventures. One, two, three, the four sticks are dropped from the bridge into the water, the girls rush to the other side of the bridge and eagerly watch to see whose stick comes out first.


Further along the trail we come to the area my children have named The Moss Garden. When we first discovered it in February it was a beautiful frozen waterfall, by mid March the frozen ice was gone and a small trickling waterfall was visible. In April my girls had discovered the velvety green moss that grows on the rocks feed by the trickling stream. To them this is a magical place where fairies hide.

Now, the search begins. Each child looks for a new discovery. It may be a plant, flower, rock, track or animal. Their eyes search and their voices quiet as they look for the item of interest. When found, each child sits down and pulls out her drawing pad. With varying levels of skill they draw whatever item has captured their interest. Once, Beth’s sharp eyes found a deer track in the mud. Some days the girls take the time to color their drawing on the trail, other days a quick sketch is all that is done, then its off for more searching.


While the girls are sketching their discovery, I pull out The Handbook of Nature Studies and quickly look up the new discovery. This book is a goldmine of information, not only providing wonderful facts about a wide variety of plants, trees, flowers, animals, rocks and stars, but also providing thought provoking questions, and even poetry when applicable.

I read out loud from the book while the girls draw. We talk about what I have read and study the item intently. When all of the girls are finished with their drawing we pack up our supplies and begin the walk back to the car.

Along the way the girls point out previous discoveries. The bush with red sticks that was discovered in February, the red standing out against the then gray landscape, bloomed into a fuzzy grey pussy willow in early April.

By the time we reach the first bridge again, Amy’s legs are usually tired and she begs a piggy-back ride. We load back into the car and drive home, the girls more relaxed after their excision outside.

At home the girls get their Nature Journals, they glue the picture they have drawn into their book. They then take a piece of lined paper and write about the days discovery. If I found a poem in The Nature Handbook the older girls will copy it and add it to their journal.

Survival 101 the Basics

Everyone who attended Survival Camp last year was back for more and we were joined by some new faces! Mike started with a review of basic information that everyone should know if they are ever lost in the woods. Then he had everyone work on starting fires. For those who had been there last year this was a review but I know my team sure needed it. Meg did very well finding the pitch she needed to start her fire using a knife and metal match. Beth was able to get a fire started. Jo came very close. I think if we had more time she would have got her fire started but we ran out of time.

Jo did find a baby chipmunk that she fell in love with and wanted to take home. I was able to convince her that it was better to leave it with it's parents. I'm sure they were around somewhere.

After practicing fire starting we built a shelter. Again this was a review from last year, but Mike took it to the next level allowing those who were interested to stay in the shelter over night. Since none of the girls at camp decided to spend a night under the stars I lucked out and didn't have to sleep out either.

During the edible plants lesson the group also found a doe moose. She had been injured and was obviously dying. The sheriff was notified and came up to put her out of her misery. I think the older kids at camp understood what was going on, but I know my younger three never caught on. Non of the campers were around when the moose was shot.

The campers learned how to build rabbit snares, deer snares, and bird snares. They were really cool. During the time we were at camp non of the snares caught anything. Jo asked Mike to teach her to build a trap that would catch a rabbit without killing it. Mike took the time to show her how. While Jo never actually caught a rabbit with her trap, she didn't come home empty handed either.

On the last day, the campers built a log raft. It was great seeing them work together to lift those heavy logs! They had a blast paddling out on the lake.

The Chihuahua's were at camp too wearing sporting camo doggie sweaters thanks to Grandma! They were the best dressed pups up at camp!

Things You Should Know if Your Lost in the Woods

Before going out into the wilderness you should always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to get back. If you follow through then someone will at least be able to report you missing and let rescuers know where they should look.

If you have followed this safety rule, and find yourself lost, you need to begin to actively start signaling so that rescuers can find you. You should find a clear meadow where airplanes or helicopters can spot you. Then you will need to start three fires in the shape of a triangle about 40 feet apart. Write the letters S O S in block form about 20 feet high and ten feet across.

Keep your fires going and keep hydrated. It is safer to drink the unfiltered water and stay hydrated then to to get sick from dehydration. Eat charcoal from the fire the same size as your thumb every 20 minutes to keep from getting sick. The three water sources you should never drink are salt water, alkaline water (water with a
white ring around the edge) and chemically contaminated water.

The average length of time it takes rescuers to find a missing person who is actively signalling is 72 hours. Unfortunately, 80% of people decide that they are going to die after only six hours of being lost!

Surviver Man...March's?

The girls, the dogs, and I will be going up to Silver Creek tomorrow for our second year at Survival Camp. Last year was just an absolutely incredible experienced. We built several fires starting with a basic "How to Start a Fire" and graduating to "After Three Days of Rain Using Only Wet Wood You Too Can Start a Fire." We never used matches for any of these. We built a shelter, leaned about edible plants, how to safely drink water in the wild, and many, many other things. My head was swimming for days after we got back.

This year Mike Lowe our instructor from Wilderness Way will be taking the training up a notch. We will be building a raft, snaring rabbits, building a shelter AND sleeping in it, and I am sure we will play with fire again. It's just so much fun!

The rabbit population is well established up at Silver Creek, due to the release of some domesticated rabbits a few years ago. White, black, carmel, silver, and a variety of other darling rabbits and young bunnies can be seen scampering throught camp constantly. The kids were able to catch them with bare hands alone last year.

Jo made the cutes rabbit snare. She tied a carrot to a string and hid behind a log. She waited so paitently for a rabbit to come. Then Beth, trying to be cute, crawled up and ate the carrot. Boy, was Jo ticked, she still reminds Beth about it!

Mike is one of those amazing people who can spin a tale and capture his audience. When he tells about eating banana slugs you can practically feel the chewy texture as it slid down his throat. Not only did Mike get the slug down, he made another guy throw up just watching!!!

Mike keeps the kids moving fast and having a blast which is a talent in and of itself. But he also encourages the guys to be gentlemen and the gals to be TOUGH! After all, there's nothin' tougher then a five year old girl with a knife striking flint, making sparks burst into flame and getting ready to snare a poor baby bunny!

I want to be on D.G.'s orienteering team again this year. That guy is a robot with a built in compass, he didn't care if there was a tree in his way, he made the tree move I swear! Besides, I just get lost, I need to be with someone who will get me back to camp even if I am "supposed" to be the adult.

So as you enjoy your comfy bed tonight, think of me outside, on the ground, with a bunch noisy kids and a whole lot of smoke....

Introductions

Auntie Manners dropped in again today for the Miss March's weekly lesson. This week the little ladies will be PRACTICING a very important life skill, Introductions. Let's face it. No one is born knowing how to be properly introduced, nor are they born knowing how to properly introduce others. This is a skill that must be taught.

The girls were given the opportunity to see Auntie introduce me, their mother, to them. Then she intruded them to me. The girls found this highly amusing as they have known me all their lives. However, as Auntie pointed out, it is much better to LEARN a new skill in a safe environment before being expected to use it in the real world.

The girls were then given a chance to take turns introducing a sister to anther sister, what pearls of laughter occurred during this entertaining game. Once the girls were good at getting the basic name information exchanged Auntie took it to the next level. This involves knowing your friends fairly well and helping them to establish a common ground for conversation, not only are names exchanged but a helpful bit of information which both parties are interested in so they can begin a conversation. Script as follows:

Meg: Jo, I'd like you to meet my sister,
Beth. Beth, I'd like you to meet my sister, Jo. You are both my
sisters. I though you would find that interesting.

Jo: Nice to meet you Beth. So,
how do you like being Meg's sister. Personally, I find her a bit bossy at times.

Beth: Nice to meet you Jo. I
understand what you are saying. Over all I enjoy being her sister however,
she can be a bit authoritarian at times.

At this point I am shaking with laughter, tears, and embarrassment. I think next week we may have to work on uplifting conversation.

Amy's Baby Pics

I am sorry that I have not been posting like I should. I've just had an awful lot to deal with lately. You know the old saying "If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all." Well, let's just say that Mrs. March will do her best to practice good manners.

That being said, I have been so blessed to have my sister, her hubby, and my darling nephew here in the States. I was helping my sis with her blog. (I will send you links soon, once she is up and running) I was laughing at the files of pictures.

JC week one

JC week two

JC week three

JC week four

It kept going and going. They are wonderful darling shots too. I remarked to Mr. March that I didn't have that many pics of our kids. I don't think I have any of Amy. Poor Unloved Orphan Child.

Anyway, Mr. March sent me these and I just HAD to share them with all of you.

Darling aren't they....

She is such a cutie.

At what point do I tell Mr. March that these are pictures of BETH not AMY??????????

Portland Fieldtrip day 3: Zoo, Children's Museum, Japanese Garden

We left the hotel early and got to the Portland Zoo at 8:00am. It was cloudy and cold but had not started to rain yet. The Zoo was practically empty. We saw several zoo staff but no other visitors. It was great.

The Sea Lions were swimming in intricate patterns in the water. It always amazes me to see Sea Lions under the water. They are so graceful and beautiful. Totally unlike how they look on land.

Two of the Polar bears were out playing with toys. They had put a giant brush from a street sweeper into the cage. The Polar bears were rubbing against it "brushing" their fur. It was funny to watch.

The Sun bear was eating its breakfast. The girls were amazed at it's twelve inch long tongue.

Then it was time to see the dinosaurs. Walking along the forest path, surrounded in trees and blooming rhododendron bushes you suddenly come upon a dilophosaurs! Further along the trail you meet stegosauras, ramphorinkus, and several other dinosaur friends! Having experienced the robot dinosaurs at the Seattle Science Center and at Omsi, I have to say, the Portland Zoo's exhibit was my favorite. It was fascinating to see them outside in a "natural" setting! I enjoyed talking to one of the zoo staff near T-Rex. Apparently they had to turn her roar down because it was upsetting the male elephant. If your wondering how I know T-Rex is a she...well, the three baby T-Rex's hidden in the bush were a pretty good hint. The girls all got a fossilized shark's tooth from the zoo keeper.

We were beginning to see more people but remanded ahead of most of the crowd as we worked our way through the rest of the exhibits. The girls enjoyed riding the 3D dinosaur ride. The last time we went on it Beth was terrified. This time she was the one who kept begging to go on it. All four of the girls bravely entered the ride and buckled up. Amy sat by Mr. March, Meg and Jo sat together, and Beth sat by me. Less then thirty seconds into the ride Beth was saying she needed to throw up! Luckily she didn't and we got out with no major trauma. Jo, Beth and Amy all said that they didn't like the ride. (After an hour of listening to them beg to go on it I was not in the most comforting of moods.)

We got onto the zoo train and enjoyed seeing the different parts of the zoo. I think the train gives the girls a chance to settle down and rest their legs for a while. We stopped at the Zoo Grill for lunch on our way out. I took the girls to the Children's Museum and Mr. March went to the Japanese Garden.

The Children's Museum was the highlight of the trip for Amy, Beth and Jo. Meg seemed to enjoy herself as well. The girls enjoyed playing dress up in the doctor's office. They made delicious meals for me to enjoy at Butterfly Bistro. The Hannigan's joined us and the fun intensified. The ten girls had a blast putting on a play in the Theater room. Mr. Hannigan showed off his artistic ability in the Art room making clay sculptures. Mrs. H thought he had made a Trojan warrior, but he correcter her, pointing out that it was an Indian! By the time the girls were done painting each other's faces they were no longer recognizable. If I find my phone and figure out how to down load pictures I'll post some of them.

Mr. March meanwhile was enjoying the Japanese garden. He was able to get in with a guided tour. The 45 minute lecture ended up being over two hours. He really enjoyed the information that he learned. He was able to ask the guide lots of questions that he hopes he will be able to implement in his garden.

On the search for dinner we ended up at Seven Dees a Japanese influenced garden store. Mr. March found a rain chain for his garden. Yea! now I don't have to get him a birthday present!

We headed back to the hotel where the girls enjoyed a short swim. Unfortunately someone forgot their swim diaper and the pool ended up being closed for the rest of our trip. I was thankful that we are past that stage of life!

Portland Fieldtrip day 2: The Gratto, Omsi, End of the Trail

After enjoying breakfast at the hotel,plenty of sugar and carbs, we headed to The Grotto. Dedicated to Mother Mary, The Gratto is a Catholic Garden retreat and shrine. This was my first time enjoying this Portland Treasure. The girls were dressed in yellow ponchos to keep off the rain. We wandered along trails under beautiful trees enjoying the surprise as we found different statues hidden thought the garden.

Mr. March got us tickets to the elevator so we could travel the 110 feet up to the raised gardens. There is a monetary, two chapels and several other shrines tucked among winding garden paths. After this tranquil moment the girls expressed their desire to "get with the program" and it was off to Omsi.

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry aka Omsi is a family favorite. Dinosaurs Invade Portland is the current theme. The girls enjoyed seeing several dinosaur skeletons. They also dug for fossils in sand pits. I had a moment of practicing my good manners as I watched a teacher with her group of students at an exhibit. Beth had been patiently standing in line, when this woman physically moved her out of the way so "her students" could go through the exhibit. How can we pick on public school kids, when the TEACHERS are showing them how to be RUDE!!!! (Don't worry, a group of teenage ninjas will be encouraging her to attend manners classes.)

After Omsi, we went to The End of the Oregon Trail Museum. The Miss Marches had a lot of fun dressing up as Pioneer women and packing the wagon. They also played school and store. We enjoyed a movie following four pioneers as they traveled to Oregon. According to the film the addition of chlorine to drinking water has saved more lives then any other medical breakthrough. While flipping through a book on fashion at the museum I found some interesting information on the damage corsets could do. The things women do in the name of fashion!

Near the End of the Oregon Trail Museum, Mr. March found an art store. We decided to wander through and he found a tea tray for the tea house. Happy Father's Day! I'm off the hook for a father's day present now.

We finally headed back to the hotel for some swimming time then bed. Tomorrow's going to be a big day.

Road Trip!

The amazing ties of technology are allowing me to post from my hotel room in Portland, Oregon. Right now I am sitting at a desk, Mr. M. and Meg are playing cards on my bed. Jo and Beth are laying on the next bed watching cartoons, and Amy is playing with magnetics on the table behind me.

It is a time of calm and almost peace during what will be a whirlwind week.

We left home around 7:00 am this morning. Which was very nice since Mr. M. has been saying "On the road at 4:00 am for the last week." The drive down was fairly uneventful.

After checking in to our hotel room we went to Powell's Bookstore. For those of you who have not had the pleasure, Powell's takes up a full city block in downtown Portland. The technical books are in a totally different building. I got the girls comfortable in the "Rose Room" children's section. Meg had chosen her books and was keeping an eye on the younger girls so I wandered over to the grown up section to look for a book for myself.

"Mrs. March, Jo is paging you to meet her in the Rose Room" I hear over the loud speaker.

I go running back to the rose room and see Jo standing next to the children's desk with a store clerk.

"I'm so sorry" I say to the clerk, taking Jo by the hand.

"Jo, what's the problem, why didn't you stay with Meg?"

"Mommy, Amy put two books into the basket, not one. You said ONE choice and she won't take the book out."

"Jo, couldn't this wait until after mommy picked a book? Did you HAVE to get the clerk to page me?"

"No, it COULDN'T wait, you said ONE choice!"

Amy begins to defend herself pointing out that her book cost less. (4 year olds aren't supposed to argue like that are they?"

I gather up the girls, and get the books sorted out, by this time Mr. M has joined us and we head out of the store. I never did find the book I was looking for.

We then headed over to the Chinese Garden. I think that there were more flowers in bloom then I have ever seen there. After enjoying the peaceful walks and therapeutic setting of the garden we sit down to enjoy tea. The girls are getting restless waiting so I challenge them to think up poems as we wait for our tea. The moon cake and coconut cookies were a big hit.

Here is Mr. March's contribution:

Chattering Children Invade Tranquil
Garden

Flute Serenades Waterfall

Tea and Treats Bring Quite

How Long Will it Last?

I think that's a pretty good place to end for tonight.

Shall We Start a New Movement?

I was deeply impressed by this post that Sage Mommy wrote about Feminism. I think she hits on some very important issues, not just with feminism but with our recent election in general.
http://sagemommy.blogspot.com/2008/06/radical-feminists-daughter-speaks-out.html

I believe very strongly in equality. I believe in equal pay for equal work. I believe that women are as intellectually capable as men. I also believe that staying home and educating my children is not something I should have to apologise for.

A woman who plans nutritional meals, cleans, chauffeurs, and decorates her home for the enjoyment and nurture of her family is doing no less work, with no less value then a woman who puts her child in daycare to pursue another career. A woman who chooses not to have children has no less value then a woman who has fifteen.

I will only be 48 years old when Amy graduates. Even if I stay home during these early years I will still have 28 years to devote to a career. I can't even think of anything I want to spend 28 years doing right now.

When will we as women begin to value one another for what we are doing rather then being intimidated by what others are doing? When will we stop the mommy wars and encourage and support each other where we are at this phase in our life? Why does it have to be all or nothing?

I am proud that my daughters have had the privilege of seeing a woman in the running for the presidency. I am proud that they have seen a black man in the running for the presidency. I just wish that they could see more then a diet coke vrs diet Pepsi debate. Let's face it, if you turn off the T.V. and only listen to the voices green tea or whisky just aren't an option. When will we have a voice that represents more then a party line?

Mr. March's Theme Song

Mr. March found his theme song today. Those who have had the privilege of having Mr. March for a Sensi soon learn two things. 1) He is an excellent Sensi. 2) He CAN'T SING! Mr. March is very aware of his lack of singing ability, but that will not stop him from bursting out in song in the middle of a class.

Today, Mr. March found his theme song. After playing it on You Tube for over an hour, he found a link with the lyrics. He is now going around the house singing at the top of his voice.

We are leaving for Portland tomorrow with the Hannigan's and I know he is going to sing the whole way there. I am about to live down every teenager's worst nightmare. And he's not even my father, he's my husband! Uhggg. What did I get myself into?





Here's the list of things Mr. March has done to prove how white and nerdy he is:

1. Mows his front lawn
2. Not first but top 10 of his graduating class
3. Played DND
4. Drinks Earl Grey Tea (calls it The Picard)
5. Reads Stephen Hawkings
6. Has a My Space Page (I've seen it and I was scared!)
7. Knows Pi to the hundreds, was in a competition to see who could learn it the farthest
8. Plays minesweeper
9. Does Vector Calculus
10. Foosball not Ping Pong (like that makes it better?)
11. No, you shoot the Klingon's you don't talk to them, but writes basic and cobol
12. Carried a Circular Slide Rule
13. Debated 8 track or tape for the car

I can't go on any more. It's too painful. Just to keep the record strait

Mrs. March

1. Never Mows
2. Bottom 10 in her class (of 19)
3. Never Played DND
4. Drinks Green Tea
5. Never read Stephen Hawking, but has heard of him
6. Facebook Page
7. Can't even remember the first 3 digits of Pi
8. Never Played Mindsweeper
9. Never had calculus much less vector calculus
10. Cheer Squad CO-Captain
11. Swim Team
12. Lifeguard
13. Private School
14. ASB
15. CD's I know, I'll be dated soon too, but 8 tracks were an option????