It's just too bad there was no pot of gold sitting in my pasture, which is clearly where the rainbow ended. There should have been TWO pots of gold since it was a double rainbow. If there had been some gold, I would have cancelled the listing of this property so we could stay here. I'm just knocked out by the beauty of our land and when I step outside on a spring evening like this, I can hardly stand the idea of leaving.
I intercepted this note last week when I substituted at the local middle school. It shocked me because the kids LOVE me at the local high school. When the high school kids walk into a class I'm in they usually smile, yell something like "My favorite sub! Whoo hoo!" and sometimes even give me a hug (frowned upon, I know.) This is because I'm not a hardass about things like quiet talking, stealth texting, sleeping . . . as long as the work assigned is completed first and everyone behaves. Kids pull their chairs up to my desk to talk to me and share things going on in their lives. I like them, they like me. At the middle school, it's a whole different ball game. When the kids walk in and see me, I watch as evil takes over. They get a gleam in their eye and I can see the wheels turning as they plot ways to make me crazy. They cheat, they start picking on weaker students, they try to destroy school property, they sass me back over ridiculously inane things. In other words, they challenge me to "write them up." And I do. Then, I take their notes. I'm framing the one above.
Now that it's warming up, the trees are budding and all the color is flooding our yard. Another reason I hate to move from here. We haven't yet listed due to work not being finished. Every time my husband finishes another beautiful piece of crown or framing (he just did my closet doors), I pout. When he puts in the walnut inlaid treads (stairs) I think I'm going to cry. I've actually prohibited him from using my favorite ballisters. They are branch shaped iron with interesting leaves and I'm saving them for the next house. Unfortunately, that next house looks like it will be one story, so I'm going to have to get creative.
We had a beautiful day today after getting about 8-10" of snow last night. Of course, they called a school "snow day" and Chloe was able to frolic all day long with the neighborhood kids. They made an igloo, a sled course and threw a few snowballs. She came in late this afternoon wet, exhausted and thoroughly happy. I just sat in my chair by the fire all day reading books. Perfect!
Basketball season is over and with ends cheerleading for the year. Chloe had a great time and made lots of new friends. She finally got her back hand spring and will continue to learn more tumbling skills at the gym in preparation for try outs for next year. The picture above was from state championships. Chloe is in the middle row, far left. They normally don't wear their hair quite so teased and crazy, but for competition they go a little over the top. It was a good showing, but they did an illegal stunt that took lots of points away and made for a disappointing finish. They finished in the top ten, but should have had at least second place. They were that good. All that's left now is the banquet and turning in the uniform. 
I just can't resist posting this picture. She'll hate me, but I can't help myself. I call it, "Easily Amused."
