Tap Tap Tap, Is This Thing On?

Hi blog world.

I took a break from blogging. I have had some interesting experiences lately, so I think I'm going to return.

I am now a full time student going through the online program at NAU (Northern Arizona University). Yes, I chose this school just so I would have an excuse to go visit GORGEOUS Flagstaff when I graduate. hehe Ok not really. They offered the program I wanted. I am finishing up my BA in Humanities with (hopefully) and emphasis in Latin American Studies.

I am currently in my final weeks of my first semester back as a full time student. My first semester ever with upper division courses. I came into the program as a Junior. (Thanks to alllll those community college classes I've taken since I was last a full time student).

So..Time for my blog to go through yet another metamorphosis. After all, the blog reflects my life. I will still share some things about my kids. Oldest is now a teenager who sends way too many texts on her cellphone. My baby is 4 yrs old and while still my sunshine has found his attitude too.

I have been lurking on everyone's blogs for the past forever and I look forward to sharing a bit back again.

Shared Joys

"Aaaah" then "Haaaa" That aaaah is that squeaky sound when you inhale quickly as if in fear or surprise, the Haaaa the relief riddled exhale afterward.

Imagine if you will two little boys, age 3 and 4 sitting at a computer working to solve a puzzle. They keep taking turns making the scared/relieved noises as they overcome each new obstacle in the game. They are a chorus of little squeakers. I wonder if they might get going too quick with it, hyperventilate and pass out. I should put pillow around the chair they are sharing.

My little boys adore each other so much. They have the amazing ability to share beautifully for hours and then have a full out blow out fight with kicking, screaming and biting for seemingly no cause at all. They finish each others' sentences and hug and apologize without being told to. I love that they need each other so much. They have a lot of years ahead spending a lot of time together.

Here they are :):



And yes, Robert is only wearing underwear. It amazes me how difficult it is to keep clothes on that child. I am grateful he at least thinks underwear is a good idea now.

The Chilly Adventure

I am home. I kinda left everyone hanging with my before trip post. Rest assured, I made it home with all my fingers and toes. Frostbite did not claim me.

My six days away were truly a gift from heaven. They were quiet. They were happy. And by the end, I got so I missed my kids and husband. It felt good to want to be with them again.

I spent 6 days in Columbus, Ohio (with a day trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana). It snowed the first day and another day or two in the middle. In between the snows, it was very very cold. The day we drove to Indiana, it didn't even reach 0F. brrrrrr.

The good news is, my winter clothing held up fine. I have learned that wearing hat and gloves in the car, can be a good thing. Otherwise, just walking quickly but safely through the ice and snow from car to building isn't long enough for hypothermia to kick in.

So that's Oshee's view on surviving winter, where they actually have winter.

Here's a picture or two or maybe three of my trip:



This is on the drive to Indiana. I did stay in a suburban setting, not rural countryside. Still the world covered in snow is an amazing thing to me.



This is a picture of some of the icy roads and icy trucks we saw on the drive. There was a lot of ice on the roads and I am very grateful for my friend who was so very good at driving in those conditions. I never felt unsafe.



This is the backyard of where I stayed. I just couldn't get past how the world looked like a Christmas card.

The best part of the trip was the change in me it created. Taking a step away from my life gave me the opportunity to reevaluate and be sure I am where and who I wish to be. Of course, I'm not where or who I want yet, but I've come home ready to make some changes.

Through the trip, I pushed myself to try new things, even with food. I opened my inner doors and tried to keep expectations to a minimum. I was left with an appreciation for some new things (even snow) and an readiness to test myself in new situations a bit more.

This post has gotten to be long enough. I will write next time about the changes I've been working on.

It's snowing again this week in Columbus. It's 76F outside my door right now here in Phoenix. I think, my friend, needs to come visit me next winter. :)

Packing for One?

I'm a bit at a loss. How do I only pack for one person? Not sure I know how. Before family vacations, I have lists upon lists reminding me what I need to be sure to pack for everyone.

Two days before I leave, and I have nothing packed. I haven't even made sure my clothes are washed and ready.

You'd think this would be easy, but it isn't. I always pack for me last when packing up the family. I'm used to only havinh about 30 minutes to figure out what I'm bringing for me. I'm used to being an afterthought. Planning for myself just feels..wrong.

Also, I'm going to the COLD. I don't know how to pack for the COLD. Scarves, hats, gloves, sure..I pick those up from my sister tomorrow. But should I buy some long underwear? Should I take lots of extra socks? Sweaters? How many layers should be enough to keep me warm? I, honestly, do not know the answers to these. So, I'm open to any suggestions!

According to forecasts..there will be a couple days while I'm in Ohio, when the temperatures won't reach double digits. Just how cold does that feel anyway?

Come Away With Me...

I've been known to do crazy things now and then.

Like the time when I was eight years-old...I ran away from home. See, I wasn't very good at keeping it a secret and my younger brother and sister discovered I was going. I didn't want them to tell on me, so naturally, I took them along. We wandered around the neighborhood until we ended up at a corner 7-11. It was really crazy as I look back on it. I have the comfort of at least being able to say, "I was only eight!".

Not crazy enough?

How about the time when I was 18 and I almost ran away from home... See, saying, "I was only eighteen" isn't quite the same thing, is it. (Remainder of this story will stay undisclosed for now as I have children who might read this some day).

I like to be spontaneous. Lately, however, this has taken the form of waiting until the last minute to decide what vegetable to add to dinner. Not so exciting. As grown ups, especially grown ups with kids, we don't get the same freedom to drop everything and run away from home like we may desperately want to some days.

(Leaving all Mommy-guilt aside, you know you can relate to what I'm saying here.)

So, it may not be entirely spontaneous, but I have kept it largely a secret until just recently. I am running away from home! No excuses about age needed this time. (I can just point to the five kids and people knowingly nod in agreement.) I have a friend in Ohio who has invited me to come visit for five nights. She even bought me the plane ticket! Yeah, some planning was needed for this escape, but I still get to label it as completely crazy.

How can it be crazy? I carefully compromised dates for the trip with my husband so he could take the days off work. I am not putting my families finances in jeopardy, because someone else bought the ticket. All sounds pretty rational doesn't it?

Except...

I live in Phoenix. The sky today is clear and sunny and it's 66F out there right this second! This is winter heaven..or at least local tourist numbers suggest it is. And here I am about to head off to OHIO where right this moment it is 28F and they are expecting snow overnight. I only own, maybe, three pairs of long pants. Capris are my friends all winter long. I don't own boots or gloves or hats or scarves. I was born in this sunny city..While I have been in the snow for longer than a few hours before...It's been many years. Top it off, I will have to help drive while I'm visiting...and well..would you want to ride with me when it's snowing?

So, yup, completely nuts. And I am sooo excited to get to run away anyway! I'm borrowing boots and gloves and hats and scarves from my sister and I get to buy a couple pairs of pants and long sleeve shirts. And I plan to only drive if the roads are pretty clear. No sense in putting anyone's life in jeopardy. ooo I like Jeopardy! Great game show!.

ahem...back on topic....

Thanks to my sweet friend in Ohio and thanks to my sweet husband who even gets to home school for me! Thanks to my sister for the cold weather survival clothes.

I was looking over the last trip I shared with the blogosphere.. My trip to Seattle with my mom. I thought I should share pictures from my trip! Maybe I'll even get a few photos of Amish snow-topped buggies as we're planning a visit to Amish country. And next year, I'll invite my friend to Phoenix just to even the score..she can come with me to visit um...cactus!

So, tell your friends! Oshee is back and might even have Amish pictures on an upcoming post! Wooo hooo!!

So, come away with me..take your own mental break, whether you get it for an hour or a day. Let me know how you get away, without having to run away.