My favorite scent, my “signature” scent is Satsuma. It’s a perfume oil from the same-named fruit (mixed with goodness knows what to make it sell). It’s not expensive, it’s not flowery, it’s just simply perfect.

I’ve tried more “grown up” scents over the years and, honestly, most of the “designer” fragrances give me a headache. I always come back to Satsuma.

Tonight, on a whim, while I was ordering more of my favorite oil, I Googled the term and found a couple of pretty interesting sites. One, Satsuma Press Designs looks like a great little stationery designer. I’m going to have to look more into that the next time I need custom work done. I also really like the simple satsuma blog of the business owner, Lynn.

On her Etsy page, I noticed a great take on the mini business card that really turned my head. I think I need something like that for my wicked blog cards. They are so simple and pretty!

I also found a great little renewable bamboo baby blanket and accessories site called Satsuma Designs. And a sushi place that made my mouth water on site… too bad they are located in California.

My father offered me the following story yesterday. I found it both shocking and worth sharing:

A man and his faithful hunting dog get lost in the woods. They travel for several days trying to find their way home, without success. They are getting really hungry and are in danger of starving. So, this hunter lops the tail off his best friend and roasts it over a campfire, eating one part and throwing the other part to the dog.

The dog eats the tail, and then enthusiastically licks the face of the hunter.

He told me that is how our government works. He said that the dog is the people, the hunter is our government. ‘Nuff said.

It’s spring time on the farm! And Daffodil Hill is in full glory (pictures courtesy of my mother):

Beautiful, aren’t they?

In an interesting new approach to removing bad teachers from the public school system, you can now nominate your favorite horrible teacher. The result? Any union-protected teacher who cannot be fired, may now be offered $10,000 to leave our kids alone.

Want to nominate a horrible teacher for this award? Be my guest!

Grayson arrived three weeks early today. Seen here with his father (and my eldest) Nicholas.

Recent news out of California may threaten all homeschooling parents. The appellate court recently ruled that parents aren’t the appropriate teachers for their own children. Apparently, the court wants a teaching certificate before a parent is allowed to teach. I find this not only unacceptable, but also ironic.

I actually looked into adding a teaching degree to my own education back when I was in college. After talking with the Colledge of Education at the University, I decided against it. It seemed ridiculous to me then (and even more-so now) that a major (or even a minor) was not required to teach a subject.

(more…)

My daughter began homeschooling today. Granted, I was planning to homeschool her next year… beginning in August. I had not planned to do so now… just as I was starting to get my arms around everything else in my life… but reality isn’t always convenient. (more…)

In my book, a good Samaritan is a great addition to the world. I like to be around them. I strive to be one. Those situations hand me the “mankind isn’t all bad” drum that I need to beat on occasion to feel good about society… despite the horrors of war and poverty and selfishness and abuse found at every turn in our “modern life.”

With that said, I think I’ve changed my mind. It happened on Friday… (more…)

I love my puppy. He’s so cute. Sir Grrr: The puppy formerly known as Wicked Prince Charming (which is what’s on all his papers, but not what I’m currently calling him), gets far too much attention. In a few more days, he will probably simply be “Grrr” like Invader Zim’s dog, (only much smarter of course).

Here’s Sir Grrr in the first basket I used, it’s about the size of a shoe box. He was happy there for a couple days, until he learned to climb out. Then he was even more happy, but I was less happy — so we had to go to a larger basket to contain him.

When he does ANYTHING it’s cute. Barking is cute, growling is adorable — I mean REALLY adorable and possibly on the same deliciousness level as baby laughter. I’m not saying he’s spoiled and I’m really trying not to create a pint-sized monster, but it’s taking concerted effort. (more…)

I fell in love while in Florida. When I returned from my cruise, I decided to bring the little guy home with me. It was probably not the most “stress-free” choice I could make, but he sure is cute, and cuddly and exactly what I wanted/needed right now. (more…)

The cruise was wonderful. It was just what I needed… pure relaxation. On the boat, cruisers are treated like babies… rocked to sleep each night, entertained constantly and fed every three to four hours. The only way to be bored is to choose to be that way. Eating that much (and that often) is nearly an Olympic event… and it’s exhausting. I’m afraid to step on the scale! (more…)

It has been quite a few days since I’ve posted. This morning, the nice man from Duo-County came to the cabin on the lake to hook up my DSL. I’ve been without phone, without Internet, even without a cell signal for DAYS.

You don’t realize (or at least I constantly forget) how often I use the Internet… until it’s gone. I assumed that since I was moving, since I was not planning to work for clients, that I’d not miss it. I was wrong! Heck, I don’t even own a phone book anymore. I use the Internet for mapping, for grabbing bits of info I need on a daily basis, I use it for everything! And down here, even my iPhone won’t work. *sniff* So, I’m thankful to have it back even if all the kinks aren’t worked out yet. (more…)

I started watching the TV series October Road today. One of my favorite quotes from the pilot (loosely translated) is: Only a fool will fail to return to the place of his last happiness. I agree. (more…)

This morning, I woke to a blaring alarm clock. It doesn’t matter that I went to bed uber early last night to try to recover from the cold I caught from the kids (my best friend is calling me “squeaky” this week).

I didn’t wake up on my own.

When I killed the blaring of my iPhone alarm, I heard a siren, overlapped by a car horn, the whirring of traffic and domestic unrest next door. I hate living in a townhouse. I also hate living in the city. (more…)

The most amazing thing happened during my work at the cabin last week. I bought a beautiful bathroom sink and cabinet. It has clean lines. It’s simple. It makes me happy. It’s nothing like the ugly one I thought I’d have to install to “get by” until I could find what I really wanted. (more…)

My son has now been diagnosed with mono to go with the strep he’s just recently had. So now, he’s off school for an additional two weeks. He was off for several days with the earlier diagnosis of strep.

I’m worried about him losing this much time in school. Tomorrow I’ll need to go down to the school and try to set up whatever needs to be done to keep him on track. As a senior, it could impact his graduation if he doesn’t get back to class soon. (more…)

I tripped across a detailed, well-written and researched article by Naomi Wolf. It’s also an alarming article entitled Fascist America in 10 Easy Steps.

I can’t imagine the daily horrors visited on people facing foreclosure now. The numbers continue to climb and the economy plummets. I’ve been told I like to worry. Maybe that’s true, but I think the current situation is worry-worthy. (more…)

I am thankful. I’m working on my farm today. I’m getting my cabin ready to move it. It’s a long, arduous process. It refuses to meet any of my self-imposed deadlines, but it is progressing.

How many people can honestly say that the house they inhabit is paid off? How many people own a mortgage — or are owned by one?

My little cabin is tiny, it’s true. It doesn’t have many of the amenities considered “essential” in the modern world of the USA. It has everything I need. It’s warm and weather proof, it has places to go and be alone — with doors to close. It has a good sized gathering-place kitchen that dominates the whole first floor (which isn’t that big, so don’t be too impressed). (more…)