Ordinary Life

BlueGreen , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . I love the ocean, especially those parts clear and warm.

Mod~Pod , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . I don't know what it is, but it didn't bite me or leave a rash, so I kept it. (because I like it)

Flower , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . I just love flowers. I love them even more when they are in Florida and I am visiting them, close enough to pick if I were a flower killer, which I'm not (often).

Stretch Landing , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . At the time, I was focused on the pelican, but now I am also appreciative of the reflection...

Early Morning Pelicans , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . Watching the sunrise over Key Largo with resident pelicans.

Rainbow over Miami , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . We spotted this smattering of rainbow over Miami heading home from our time in Key Largo . (and everywhere in between!)

Air Guitar , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . >>

I have found the perfect solution for both pro and anti gun enthusiasts alike...meet The Rhino : For the anti-gun folks: NO BULLETS NO BLOOD... save maybe a small nosebleed (and even then, not for long) It may even help improve your health by spotting that unsuspected growth behind your nasal hairs... For the pro-gun folks: It looks like a gun when aimed at one's head Prolonged Trauma for the assailant when compared to the quick and easy gun shot wound Attached video camera creates instant playback for "enthusiast" meetings... ...and when it was all over, I walked out and PAID them for having done this to me...

Let Us Pray , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . As we watched the Presidential Inaugaration from a hotel room in Flagler Beach, Fisher prays with Pastor Rick Warren... The rest of the family was in T.V. mode, WATCHING the prayer take place (until Fisher took the lead) Ah, the heart of the very young.

Orange Transport , originally uploaded by kellybrewer . I am sure the fella driving this truck is accustomed to a bed full of fresh picked produce. I wonder if he's as accustomed to passers by snapping a quick pic?

It's been a bit more of " A Faltering Life " sort of week, though so far I've been able to resist the urge to post there ( only true for about the next 5 minutes) Still, despite what all that time cooped up in a car together did to our stress levels, it was beautiful there (as always). On our last day in Key Largo, we took the kids on the Key Largo Princess II- a glass bottom boat that took us out to Molasses Reef. Simply Fascinating.

Monday had to be the most beautiful winter day in recent memory. The temp outside was a balmy 76 or so, with just the slightest breeze to keep things pleasant. School was back in session for us, but after attending to the Must Do's, we skipped over the Can Wait's until Tuesday, tossed on some beach clothes and made a bee line for the shore. Ahh, flexibility... homeschool's silver-est lining of them all! ((making up words, also a silver lining)) There was no convincing the kids that the water was too cold. I told them "Sure, put on your suits" thinking they could learn the old fashioned h ard way , but I forgot about their stubborn genes (not mine, I swear!!) and had to lay the law down (up to your ankles only) once we arrived, after their umpteenth "It really ISN'T cold!" There was football, sea shell gathering, splashing and backwards walking, some men playing Bocce, a stranded jelly fish, and dancing dolphins...just to name a bit, and all in the f...

In our Mark Twain studies we learned that, amongst other things, Sam (Mark) worked his way through the printing press career; starting at apprentice as a young boy and ultimately finishing as a bankrupted investor (in " promising " new press equipment that never quite got all the kinks worked out) in adulthood. We looked at a photo where a young Sam had cleverly spelled out his name in reversed press letters so that it would appear correctly once printed. I then cut backwards "press letters" into potatoes and the children made prints of their own names. A snack of Printing Press Potato Salad followed our activity (made from the pre-paint trimmings, mind you) When Clay arrived home, I asked the children to tell him what they had learned about the printing press during our lesson. Logan quickly reported " They were made from potatoes!" (She later worried that the school newspaper we are working on may have to be printed in this same manner... I assured her ...

Photos of our recent Patent Medicine Project:

Chandler's medicine is called "Chandler's Golden Good Luck Medicine", a neon yellow tinted sugar water with hints of lemon and strawberry. For your consideration, Chandler's Golden Good Luck Medicine: Grants ever lasting life Treats muscle pain Makes you stronger than anyone but God Gives you good luck Prevents heart attacks And much more! All for only $5.95 per bottle! Chandler's Commercial:

Logan's medicine is called " Logan's Red Hot Rescue Remedy" , reflecting her use of cinnamon. She also added coconut and pink coloring. For your consideration, Logan's Red Hot Rescue Remedy: Cures cancer Relieves muscle pain Stops anger Solves toe fungus Cures memory loss Repairs the baby blues Gives you a nicer singing voice Prevents insanity Makes you happy And much more! All for only $5.99 a bottle! Logan's Commercial: Outtake: (lid malfunction)

Fisher's medicine is called "Fisher's Amazing Fruit Serum". He chose to use Strawberry and Cinnamon flavorings and tinted his syrup blue (what else?!) With some help, he wrote what his medicine cured and decorated the label with a fruit bowl. For your consideration, Fisher's Amazing Fruit Serum: Restarts your heart Cures Cancer Stops you from getting drunk Fixes Coughs Relieves Muscle Pain Stops Fever Makes you stronger than bad guys And much more! All this and it only costs $1! Fisher's Commercial: & Take 2, with boots (he insisted):

I've been reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to the children, as well as a companion book about Samuel Clemens, Mark Twain for Kids: His Life and Times, 21 Activities .  We've enjoyed the book (finished it yesterday) and have plans to jump into Huck just as soon as we can make it to the library. The associated activities have been great for putting our hands inside the book and bringing the story out in more dimension. One scene in Tom Sawyer involves Aunt Polly giving Tom the latest and greatest in the way of patent medicine: Pain Killer; which Tom promptly gives to Peter, the cat. Needless to say, this was one of the children's favorite parts. The Mark Twain book suggested an activity that complemented this scene well. The children were to make and market their own patent medicines. We started by talking about the bygone days of medicine men, the FDA and our current safety regulations today. We scoured the Farmer's Almanac for advertisements to get an idea of a...

Last year, I got creative and let my imagination run free when it was time to make resolutions. I bombed by and large. This year, my aim is more realistic, which is probably why I've yet to commit a list to paper or mind... "Buy the Taj Mahal" is equal to or more attainable than "Get Organized" if last year's list is any indication. Still, just for fun let's see how far below my own lofty marks I fell: 2008 Resolutions Re-Visited 1.) Wake up earlier...aim for 5 AM regularly by March 31 (if you can't laugh to yourself, you may leave!) This I did, and truly enjoyed during the short time I made the effort. I would get up around 4 and go to the Y. I had time to work out and take a long, warm, uninterrupted shower before the kids were even awake. It lasted all of about a week I guess, before we left town and I too easily fell out of the routine, never to return to it. I made a few false starts after our move, but have let it go until I can get the logisti...

It's time once again to snap the ol' RetroSpectacles in place for a look back at 2008. For starters, last New Year's saw me face a 'temporary' - i use this term loosely- loss of reason. For a good laugh, read over last year's Resolution List . (For a good cry , ask me how many are still on this year's To Do List.) JANUARY We went to Calabash & Myrtle Beach, the boys played Basketball, Logan took dance and Clay and I wondered at what point does staying at the YMCA become fun (much less make you want to put on a headdress and sing) because it felt as if we lived there. We took in a hockey game and had our 15 minutes of fame on Savannah's local news station. I fell in love with Beaufort all over again and got a new nephew, Reagan . FEBRUARY The Lost Month... I cannot account for Feb. of this year with photos or entries in any of my blogs or personal journals... I have an inkling that it was due to busy-ness and other issues, but just for fun, I'm go...