On a bit of a whim, attempted to make homemade pasta last night.



Failed miserably.



Not having the instructions for my extruder didn't help much.

Oh well. Have to try again some other day. ('Cause it really should be easy!)

This year, for Mother's Day, I asked for, and received, a Day Off. Yesterday, from the time I woke up (slept in all the way 'til 7am!!) to the time I went to bed (around midnight), I had NO Lauren responsibilities. I got to shower in privacy. Then went to my favorite cafe here in town and had my favorite cup of coffee with my favorite breakfast panini and did schoolwork. Then, headed up to a "Girl's Weekend in the Woods" retreat organized by a friend of mine. Bunch of mom's taking some time off and crafting (lots of sewers and scrapbookers in our group.) I made HUGE progress on the baby blanket I started for Lauren before she was born... two years and I'm finally working on the border. Just one more go around on the border, then weave in all the ends, and it'll be DONE. When I first started, I was worried it was a bit big for a baby blanket. Now that she's a toddler, I'm a little worried it might be too small. I think, actually, it'll be just right. Will post pics when done.

Anyway... in addition to my Day Off, I got some roses, and two lovely cards from Brandon and Lauren. And today, the best thing ever... Lauren only wants Dadda to do stuff with her... Dadda to color, dadda to play with, dadda to eat with, dadda to snuggle with... And I LOVE IT!


Happy Mother's Day to the mommies on my f-list (and any other random ones reading this.)

cinnamon dolce de leche haagen daz is not as good as regular dolce de leche haagen daz

non-napping babies suck

my 'new' refurbished laptop sucks, but dell customer service rocks my socks.

last weekend we drove up to chicago and came home with another car. four vehicles and two drivers... you wouldn't believe the insurance discount we get! still though, somethings gotta go, this is just ridiculous.

not only can she reach the water dispenser on the fridge (we've also discovered there's a lock for it), but today she also peed on her potty!

Happy Birthday Barbara... hope you have a GREAT day!

Who knows when I'll actually get the long update done. (Well, hopefully sooner than later, as most of it will be covered in the mass-email update to friends and family, that hasn't gone out since before Lauren's 1st birthday (five months ago)). For now though, the big news is...

I'm officially a grad student.

Illinois does not have the same program that Colorado did, that would enable me to study while teaching (with just having a B.S. in science and passing a Praxis II exam). So, I'm working towards my Post-bacc Teacher Prep in Secondary Science Certificate through Western Governors University. This will enable me to get my teaching license here in Illinois. The program is entirely distance-based, except for the student-teaching portion, which they make arrangements with local schools for. So even if we end up relocating before I'm finished, I won't have to deal with transfering. Other advantages are being able to set my own schedule and not having to lose time driving to and from campus. Plus, it's NCAT accredited. The structure is very different than traditional university terms and courses. It's a "competency-based" program, which means instead of formal courses, you enroll in "assessments" (kinda like courses) that focus on a set of competencies. Through the assessment, you do projects and take exams, at your own pace, demonstrating your profeciency in the particular competency area. So, if it's an area that you have a lot of knowlege in, you can whiz through the assessments pretty quickly. And if it's an area you have no experience in, you can spend more time. No wasting your time twidling your thumbs while someone at the front of the classroom says "this is a mouse".

My first set of books arrived today. Now I get to figure out how to take notes and such from reading things online (can't exactly write in margins or highlight on a website!) And I finally learn how to properly cite a website!!! (Wasn't an issue in undergrad.)

Okay... off to do schoolwork while Lauren hopefully naps for a while.

Happy Birthday joyfulmelody

I hope you have a GREAT day!



ps. I did get your nudge... I've got a long long long update in progress... thanks for missing me!

My first issue as editor (500 print copies and several email subscription lists)!
Parenting from the Heart - March 2008 (warning for dial-up users, this links to a 1.4 mb pdf download)

"I would have bought a dog if I wanted to train him like a dog. I have another human that needs to be loved because it can’t take care of itself in this cold unforgiving world."

- lawryde's