Sweet summertime... you have returned to us!

Because of the abnormal amount of snow days this year, students had more torturous days in the classroom looking out at the beautiful blue sky, and not paying any attention at all to me.  Fortunately they are all gone home now, Friday having been the last day of the mutual torture.  I've been teaching special education at Judson Middle School for three full years now.

I decided to celebrate the official start of summer with a date with my son to the Volcanoes stadium to watch the opening game against the Vancouver Canadians.  The Volcanoes pretty much sucked, the $2.00 water I bought tasted musty, the ice cream was lumpy, and the teenagers behind us were obnoxious, and yet we had a great time.  The sun came out just as we were leaving for the game, and although the weather was a tad chilly we donned our shades (and stocking caps, scarves, coats, boots, and blankets) and root root rooted for the home team. After the game were fireworks set to patriotic music (and screeching teenager girls).

Perhaps the best part of the evening was Ruben and I singing slightly inappropriate songs at the top of our lungs on the way home.  Ruben is going to be in choir next year and he has been taking this very seriously by learning to sing Aerosmith and Kanye West. (insert skeptical eyebrow)

Although Ru is done with school, I in fact have to suffer through a full day of staff development and a half day of grading before I launch myself into summer wholeheartedly.

Ru with the Volcanoes mascot "Crater"

Excellent fireworks

Ruben's fifth grade graduation was last Wednesday.  I think we all agreed the best part about it was that it was short and the gym was not too hot.  Ru looked great with his freshly dyed mowhawk (it will be gone before he heads to camp in July) and baby blue necktie.  Its hard to be proud of someone for finishing 5th grade, I mean you have to finish 5th grade. So we celebrated with root beer floats, and watching Top Gear UK on Neflix. Yep we party hard around here. 

Graduation attire

He's so ready for  summer I don't think he's worn his sneakers since we ran the 5K. Its flip flops or he just stays inside. 

The outfit Ruben wore for the last day of school.  He really picked this out himself.  

We recently bought a new gas grill to replace the Traeger which we loved until it was nothing but a rusted out frame. Last weekend we had a tie dye fest at moms which contributed to the above shirt, and two gorgeous sets of sheets.  We are so ready for summer!!!!

I'm thinking we may need a bigger patio to match our new grill.

Ruben's sheets.

The Long Snowy Weekend

Salem Keizer School District is known for not cancelling school, but Thursday morning we woke up to a light dusting of snow... and school cancelled.  I had a bunch of paperwork to finish up at Judson and since the roads were still relatively clear I decided to go in for a few hours. Fred talked me into driving him to school at Chemeketa Community College, but when we got there we found the parking lot empty and the campus closed. It was a pretty drive though, the small dry flakes were blowing all over the road creating beautiful whispy spirals.

Heading back to south Salem I talked Freddie into helping in my classroom for a few hours.  So I took the guys to Judson where we all worked on various tasks until hunger drove us home.  We had a good lunch and watched the snow fall. Slowly at first but picking up day.

Friday school was cancelled to nobody's surprise. After a cheesy egg breakfast (for those who are lucky enough to eat eggs and cheese) Ru and I walked to the store dragging our sled behind.  I was out of fresh veggies and as the snow continued to fall, and an ice storm on the horizon, I was worried they would close the store and I would be without my swiss chard.  Ok not that worried, but it was fun to go for a walk in the snow.

We got some chard, some chips, and stopped at Redbox for Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2. We didn't watch it though, after lunch we watched more snow fall and got ready to do some sledding. Fred on the other hand wasn't eating, he went to meet a potential buyer for my convertible... yes in a snowstorm. When he came back with cash in hand asking me for my extra key I was gobsmacked. Still am.

The man who can sell a convertible in a snowstorm

We stashed the cash, put on our winter gear, and headed up the street.  About 8 blocks from us is a great hill, with a side street with very little traffic.  We arrived to find a crowd gathered already taking turns going down. Unfortunately these people were unorganized (I declined to say dumber than rocks) and kept walking right up the middle of the road, then going down the middle of the road, and it was like a bowling alley of kids and their less than responsible parents.

On our way to go sledding

About to be snowballed

Waiting for my turn

We arrived home just after dark, and watched more snow fall.  When Ru got up on Saturday he measured over 9 inches of snow. After some pancake we went out and shoveled the patio. Heavy flakes were falling on us, and by the time we finished shoveling it was all white again. I suggested to Fred that we move the TV upstairs so we could watch the winter olympics in the warmth of our bedroom, so he walked to Radio Shack and bought an adapter. Ru and I watched the Meatballs movie while he was gone.  When he got back he did his magic with cords and antennas and inverters and decoders and now we have TV upstairs. The downstairs of our apartment is so drafty its ridiculous to heat it. with both heaters going full blast its still cold. So it was nice to lay in bed, and watch people jump, spin, slide, and fall.

Our neighbors were headed out to do some sledding so we hitched a ride with them in their 4wd rigs. We took our little grey toboggan, and our big red inner tube that is designed to be towed behind a ski boat. As we left a light rain was falling and freezing on the ground. It kept falling as we were sledding and eventually formed a thick slick crust on top of the snow.  The sledding was incredible. And I guess since we were sledding at a school (Crossler Middle School)  people were a little more conscientious about not walking up the same places people were sledding down. Fred and Ru were sledding for hours, while I sat in the warm cozy truck and finished a book.

 

I didn't take pictures of the sledding, they were moving too fast! Good times :)
After dinner Saturday we watched more Olympics. Ru slept very well! Those were tired guys!

Watching TV in the cozy upstairs. We'll move the TV back when the Olympics are over. 

Ru and Grace, helping me shovel the walk. We decided to wait on the car until Sunday. 

Sunday morning it was starting to thaw at our place, and our main objective was to de-snow the car and park it under the carport. Fred went for a walk with Ruben before lunch and after returning the DVD they went to buy bagels to make pizza bagels for lunch. After that deliciousness Fred helped me get the mountain of snow that was my car cleared off and shoveled out so that we could move it to the carport. I was worried that I'd have to go to school on Monday, and that it would refreeze. That won't be a problem however, as I was watching the news I found out that Salem schools are cancelled for Monday. I'll likely go in for a while anyway, I have a big meeting on Wednesday I need to have paperwork ready for.

Fred came home from his walk, took off his boots, and I saw his foot steaming. 

Ru on top of the snow mountain in the parking lot of the grocery store. 

So after getting the Camry moved into her new home in the carport (previously occupied by the convertible) we settled in for more Olympics, some dinner, and some blogging. Normally I don't have much to write about during the winter, I am officially in hibernation, but it was such a fun and rare event to have so much snow that I wanted to share our experience, and keep a memory for us.

The t-shirt I bought Freddie for Valentines day. He couldn't wait to open it.
"Its the Stay-Puft marshmallow man"

The Gut Brain

On September 25 Mom and I went to a conference called: Understanding the Gut Brain: Stress, Appetite, Digestion & Mood. Here are my take aways.

There are three to four pounds of bacteria in our guts.  Most are good.  If our bacterial gut gets out of whack it can cause allergies including asthma, constipation and IBS, GERD, poor immune response or overactive immune response, depression, anxiety, parkinsons, alzheimers, cancer, behavioral changes and disorders...

So here are the todos:
Eat:
1/4 cup flaxseeds per day, fresh ground or soaked
cumin/tumeric
low glycemic foods
protein at each meal
healthy fats
strawberries
carrots
lentils
asparagus
spinach
apple
nuts/seeds
artichokes
bananas
beets
barley
Leeks
Soybeans
ancient grains (teff, quinoa, amaranth, millet) instead of wheat
fermented food (kefir, yogurt, kombucha, kimchee, miso
grassfed beef
organic/free range/etc

Diets to research:
DAN diet (defeat autism now) no wheat or dairy
Fodmap diet (for IBS)
Feingold diet (for adhd) no preservatives, additives, or dyes
GAPS diet

Supplements:
fish oil-not krill, no omega 6's,
pre/probiotic -everybody should take. get ones with dosage and storage instructions.  Keep refrigerated. best in blister packs.  Measured in CFU billions. Average dose 10 billion a day. Not from dairy if you are dairy sensitive. Don't get with inulin.
ginger tea -gerd
DGL licorice -gerd. It coats esophogus, and prevents reflux.
chamomile tea -stress
curcumin -everybody
melatonin -1/4 mg for sleep, 30-40 mg for cancer
B vitamins -everybody, but B12(100 mcg) for foggy brain. Folic acid 400mcg
Take these three together at bedtime:
   vitamin D -everybody 5000iu
   calcium 600mg
   magnesium 100mg work up to 1000mg
L glutamine -improves mood
5HTP-but only from a pharmicist

AVOID:
Inulin-causes gas and gastrointestinal issues.  also called chicory root.
Antacids.  Stomach acid is necessary for proper digestion.  Instead change diet.
MSG-also called gualamic acid, amino acid, natural flavoring, natural spices, hydro veg protein, yeast casinate.
high fructose corn syrup
fruit juice -too much sugar, eat fruit instead
GM foods

GET:
Only plastics with the numbers 1,2,4, and 5.
Fooducate app for iphone and android

39 and feeling fine

My birthday was lovely.  I woke up leisurely and took a long bath while Freddie cooked me banana pancakes and eggs. I packed leftover lentil soup and salad for lunch, kissed Ru and Fred goodbye and went to work.

The classroom was empty when I arrived, but on my desk was a beautiful bouquet of pink dahlias and 2 balloons! There was also a big tray of rice crispy treats and three bags of candy corns (my favorite candy).  Mr. Finicle and Mrs. Schaub came in and sang me Happy Birthday.  They both lead music at their churches and it was the most in tune Happy Birthday I've heard that wasn't from my family.

Some kids had made me cards that were just adorable.  I had the writing prompt for our quickwrite be "How should Mrs. Pearson celebrate her birthday?" I got some creative answers, my favorite was to fly to Italy and have gelato at a sidewalk cafe.  I may be guilty of leading them to that one. I also should have cake, go to Disneyland, and get a foot rub...

During 5th period we made pinwheels for the pinwheels for peace program.  The kids got a little silly and had me laughing so hard I nearly fell out of my chair.  I had to put on the news to get the room calmed down. Nothing is more sobering than news. Mr. Finicle and Mrs. Schaub came back in and they led the class in the obligatory singing, and we had rice crispy treats, candy corn, and some more laughs.  Mr. Finicle had recorded a video birthday message from each of my students and they were so sweet of course I cried.  He also made some awesome guacamole and chips for me and Mrs. Schaub to munch on.  I'm a big fan of avocados. I'm so blessed to be around such great people all day.

When I got home the house was empty, Fred had a dentist appointment and was picking up Ru on his way home.  I was just tying my running shoes when Fred and Ru came in the door.  We chatted for a while, ate some sweets, and I went out for a run.  I came back and was doing some weights in the living room when the neighbor kids became very interested in working out with me.  So we had a situp contest, and then I helped Grace with adding mixed number fractions with unlike denominators.  Fred cooked delicious spaghetti for dinner, and then we had presents.

Ru and Fred had taken the bus across town and bought me some delightful smelly candles, some art with lovebirds, big (fake) diamond earrings, and a target gift card.  They also both got me totally sappy cards. Yesterday I had cooked a spice cake with zucchini so we all had a piece, and I played the guitar while Mary, Grace, Ru and Fred sang the birthday song.  Just now I'm relaxing in bed munching on some popcorn while Ru reads to me from a choose your own adventure book.  Fred is drawing me a bath.  I don't think days get much better than this one.

A student gave me the "special" sticker today.  She said she got it on her hamburger last night because she ordered it without onions, and she saved the sticker especially for me.  I wore it with pride. 

The man who made my birthday wonderful.  He was playing my favorite song.  (Tropical Rain)

Birthday cuddles

Standing by my desk at school today.  

Treats from Mrs. Schaub!

I went to put on my heart rate monitor for my run today, and it wished me a happy birthday.  That I was not expecting.  

Shrewsbury and the Madrigals

See the end for UPDATE day two...

Today was the big day, the day I got to perform on stage(s) at the Shrewsbury Renaissance Faire.  (yes they spell it that way).  Fred and I have been working hard on our costumes.  I spent a weekend making mine, and Freddie spent the week glued to the sewing machine.  We looked pretty good if I do say so myself.  Ruben didn't seem to mind being in normal clothes, but I'll make him a costume before we go to another Faire.

This being my first time singing in a madrigal group, singing songs in languages other than English, and going to a renaissance faire, I was a little nervous.  But just a little.  The drive was lovely. We went the back way from Salem to Monmouth, then to Kings Valley outside of Corvallis.  The faire itself was in a big field with some woods on the edge.  We drove up to the performers booth and got our armbands which allowed us closer parking, and refreshments.  The weather was overcast and cool when we arrived.

We changed into our costumes in the parking lot and my alarm sounded 11:00.  I had a moment of panic because I didn't remember if I was supposed to start singing at 11:00 or at noon.  I checked the schedule and found we were performing at noon, 2:00 and 3:00.  All performances would be in different areas.

So we walked around and found the first stage.  There was a group of three gymnasts doing feats of strength and balance.  We went on after them.  I thought we sounded very good.  I was afraid of being too loud as my voice tends to stick out and there are only six members in our singing group.  However now that I hear the video I think tomorrow I'll belt it out a bit more.  If I couldn't hear me neither could anyone else.  I felt pretty good about the music, only a few fa la la's did I not have the right rhythm of.

After our first performance we had time to get some lunch, and hang out with our new friends Elke and Eric.  Elke is the alto I stand next to, and her husband Eric and Fred seemed to enjoy having a cold one in the pub together.  Ruben occupied himself eating an elephant ear (Who knew they were around during the renaissance?) and chasing rats.  The rats are young men and women in costume who roam around the fair.  If they get tagged by a child they give the child a ribbon which can be redeemed for candy if you find a fairy.  Ruben caught five rats today.  He still has his license and plans to continue hunting them tomorrow.

The rest of our performances went well, and when the sun came out I was instantly drenched in sweat. Long skirts, bodices, puffy shirts, and sensible shoes all hold in the heat remarkably well.

I must say, although we looked good there were some costumes which made mine look like something from a rag bag.  About half the crowd was wearing something costumish, although most of the costumes weren't really trying to be accurate to the 1600's.  The people watching was quite fun. We left before the big joust today, but we will stay tomorrow and watch.

So we will be performing again tomorrow at noon, two, and three if you happen to be at the Faire.

Ok enough of my typing, here are the pictures and videos.

The madrigal mob.  All the different madrigal groups (three) joined to sing a few songs together.  Unfortuately I didn't know the songs so I sat and watched.  I loved the different costumes though.

Elke watching the madrigal mob.

Our first performance of the day. I'm the one with the green skirt. 

Our second performance in the woods near the pub.  We were going to sing in the pub but there was quite a lot of cigarette smoke.  

Youtube link to Die liebe Maienzeit

Youtube link to Canzon Villanesca

Day 2 Sunday

These videos Ruben made are excellent, if you get 10 year old boy humor. Lots of parking lot, a fart joke, and porto potties, with a bit of dubstep, jazz, and a rat catcher.  Random goodness:

Renaissance Faire Part 1 by Ruben

Renaissance Faire Part 2 by Ruben

Sorry I couldn't directly put those in the blog, I wasn't logged into Ru's youtube channel.

Here are some videos of the Salem Renaissance Singers in action:

And last but not least, Ruben having an archery lesson.  

The most interesting things I saw at the Faire:

• A runaway horse (woman running, banging two coconuts together and yelling "runaway horse")
• Pretty Princess Puddle with his pretty parasol (imagine a logger in renaissance clothes talking in falsetto) being kissed by a franciscan monk (a beer was wagered) named Licentious Felonious.
• A joust
• Grown men and women in rat costumes being chased by little children.
• A woman juggling plungers.
• lots of cleavage. Lots.
• No screaming kids, lots of sensible shoes, and a lot of smiles.

Random end of summer notes and pictures.

Well its September 1.  I have one more day till school starts. Ruben has 2 days, and Fred, well he goes back at the end of the month.

Ruben outside Judson, He sometimes hangs out while I work.  He fits right in in middle school. 

I found out today that Ruben will be in Mr. Spaulding's class at Liberty, with his buddy Bradon!  Good news.  This will be Ru's 4th year with a man teacher.  (this is neither good nor bad, just notable)

Lettuce and Kale

Our garden was fantastic this summer.  Its amazing the amount of goodness we grew in our small space.  We had beans, peas, never mind, way too much stuff to list.  Anyway we have a plethora of cherry tomatoes just now.  I made spaghetti sauce with them, and I'm planning chili next week.  I started some more lettuce and kale for my fall/overwinter crop.  The sunflowers are blooming.  I thought they were the dwarf kind... nope over 8 feet tall.  These pictures are from August 13, not as tall as today.

Kitty is doing well, she is sleek, and loves her new collar.  Ruben's goldfish and betta are doing well too, as far as I know, I mean they are fish.

I overuse commas.

Fred is trying to decide what kind of wine to make next.  The blackberry is finished, its just waiting to be bottled.

I am looking for a car to buy, and my motorcycle needs some work.  That stuff stresses me out.

At the beginning of August I bought some workout DVD's and have been doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred pretty consistently. I also lifted weights. I also started eating the Abs Diet. I didn't lose weight, I gained muscle, and most importantly I got my abs back.  The challenge is to keep them over the winter...

We are very fortunate to have a really nice pool right outside our front door.  I don't post a lot about it, but we are there most hot afternoons.

Fred Grace and Ruben playing ball. 

Upcoming events:
Join us at the Dallas Motor Vue Drive In on September 6 for a double feature of Goonies and Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark! (pray for a lack of rain)

The full moon rising at the drive in.  We saw Airplanes. 

Oregon State Fair

My feet are still tired from walking miles and miles on the concrete today.  My highlight was being with Ruben and Fred on the Tilt a Whirl.  Ruben's highlight was the Inverter (yes it goes upside down).  Fred says his favorite thing about the fair was being with me and Ru.  (I don't even think he was sucking up).  His favorite ride was the Sinbad.

We looked at lots of displays, got barked at by barkers, rode rides, ate hand dipped corn dogs, saw some animals, cakes, quilts, vegetables, needlework, and lego dioramas. We had ice cream, listened to a talent show, saw trick motorcyclists, played brain games, and rode rides.

I don't have a lot more to say about the fair, it was big, dirty, and HOT. I did however get some great pictures I wanted to share. So here you go, the fair in pictures.  (Sorry mom, I didn't even think of taking a pic of the SS ((Stupid shoes)) until I got home but boy were there some SS.)(But Erin, if you read this I didn't even see one Mullet)

You can always tell which one is Ruben, he's wearing the bright yellow shirt.

The rope trick.  They tried and tried to get untangled but ultimately gave up. 

Ru waited in the hot sun for 20 minutes for his turn on this.  He said it was worth it.  I wish I would have gotten a picture of him doing the backflip!

Upside down Ruben.  (Not me.  No way.)

Too cool to look excited. (or maybe scared)