Random happyness

I woke up today, and there was still snow on the ground! AND it has snowed MORE! I love winter. This year, I gave up snow pants and am sticking with jeans. You can actually move in jeans, although you may get a little wet. Yesterday, one of my Best friends,Darrian, was over and we played in the snow for quite a while. I showed her how the dog likes to catch snowballs. We built a snowman on the hood of the car and a ton of other silly things. After she left, I just hung around the house reading and playing on Facebook.

This morning, when I woke up to more snow than there was yesterday, I was wicked happy. Something about snow, just makes me feel like a little kid. I mean, when it started snowing, I think Darrian and I were freaking our more than the kids were about the snow! Snow is just so magical. Looking outside right now, I see branches heavily laden with snow, bending and creaking with the weight of it, bowing down to touch to ground, wondering with the splendor of the snow. I see a pine tree covered in snow, looking like it is hiding the passageway to the snow queen's palace. Snow can make almost anything seem magical to one with an imagination. And hey, guess what! It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, so let it snow let it snow let it snow! I think I will go randomly sing about stuff. Maybe actual songs, maybe instead of speaking. So maybe I will sing, "I am hungry I should really eat breakfast" and so on. Maybe a real song................

life

Well, I am officially a klutz. I woke up and Mom said “your tea and bagel are on the counter.” So I go over and take the tea bag out of my tea and as I was turning, hit my teacup so tea goes everywhere. Now, when I spill something I don’t mess around. I make sure it goes EVERYWHERE! I mean, if you are going to spill something you may as well do a good job of it! After breakfast and chores I come downstairs to do math. I realize that I have no idea what I am doing. My video teacher did not give any examples with Negatives or subtraction signs and my book did not either. Almost all of my problems had negatives or subtraction signs. Why I ask you, is it like that. I mean could you solve (x-6) (x-7) if you had never done it, without any instructions whatsoever? I think not! So annoying. Sometimes I really can’t wait until January when I switch to Geometry and a different teaching style!

I have piano later today. And if I am done with school before I go (very unlikely!) then when I come home I will make more clay beads. The mail man just came. Nana sent us out Christmas Torte! And a box of other goodies like meats and cheeses and chocolates! Thank you Nana! I am eating a Chocolatey Graham with peppermint pieces!
I wish I could end with a “its beginning to look a lot like Christmas” but I cant. There is no snow and everything just looks dead. Ah well, snow will come soon enough.

Carmel apples

Well, for me today marked Autumn officially. It is a Saturday so that makes it pretty good. I woke up to my cousin Ashley telling me to get up because if she has to be up so do I. I love my cousin! She and Elaine had to come over with the cats for a while. So We popped in a movie (Mary-Kate and Ashley)and had a grand old time.
They left after a few hours. I am happy because I don't have a sister bugging me, she has a friend over.

So I made caramel apples. This was my first time mom has trusted my with something like this. (and it is about time. I am 14 for goodness sake!)

Just for the record I don't think there is anything bad about caramel apples. You have fun making them share them with some friends over Cider and HA WHO AM I KIDDING!! You don't share them! You keep them all to yourself!! Hide them away in a secret place! Just kidding that would never happen. My favorite part about Caramel apples is....hmm...well is there really a "Best part"? Especially when you hand picked the apples off the trees!

So anyway, I buttered a plate and got out the bag of caramels and the sticks. As I melt the caramels I ask Jenna to hand me the buttered plate. I turn around to point it out to her and find the kitten licking the butter off the plate! That darn cat! oh well. As I start to roll the apples in the caramel Mom stands next to me telling me how to do it ( I KNOW Mom!) She is actually just waiting to have one. Well I don't see the big rush they have to cool in the fridge for an hour anyway! We both really wanted one so we cut up and apple and dipped in into the left over caramel. (there was not leftovers for long!) So now I am just waiting for them to be done. THEN I will keep them all to my self! MY PRECIOUS!! Sorry I had to incorporate 'Lord Of The Rings' somehow!

Apples.

As I sit here with an empty bowl of oat meal I realize something. Don't eat oatmeal when it is warm out. Now I am overly warm. Sorry that was random.
As I sit here preparing for another day of school something hit me. I am now a Freshman. In a few years I might be going away to Denmark for my Junior year.
Then soon after that I will be finished, going to collage, and moving out.
We tend to take time for granted. Sometimes it goes fast and sometimes slow. Now I think I realize why on the first day of school Mom was like "you are a Freshman. Wow you really are" Every time I came upstairs. She just could not believe time got away from her so fast.


Yesterday we went apple picking. It was about an hour and 1/2 drive. But it was worth it. We went with some friends. Leiko and her daughters Miya and Leanna. On the way Mom spotted a "Bear". It was a black stump. I said it looks more like a Buffalo.

When we got there we wandered around climbing trees and ladders and picking apples.
There were some pretty big hills so I carried Leanna on my back.
When we found some apples that we liked I bent down so she could pick them.
(and here is a note, if you are going down a steep hill with a 4 yr old on your back, Do NOT bend over really low.)
I fell over but twisted so I fell on my hands and knees and Leanna was sitting on my back. It was kinda funny. Mom was like "nice one Ro!" And we all had a good laugh at my expense. Yes ha ha make fun of Rowan it is so fun.

Anyway, It was fun. We got quite I bit of apples. We all also ATE a few apples.I was surprised that we were all still hungry for lunch!

After the apple picking, we all went into the Hedge Maze. (which was an 'exact replica' of one in England) And Leanna and I got to the center first. Between getting in and Getting out I think It took us all maybe half and hour!

It was a long day.

Anyway thanks for listening to...Well reading, my ramblings. I have to start school. And after school I am going to my Aunt Elaine's House for a sleepover.(hopefully) So Good bye for now. parting is such sweet sorrow and all that.

Summer

Summer goes so fast it is crazy.
A minute ago I was finishing school and now I am about to start again. VBS was fun. I was the narrator for Bible story, with my friend Darrian.
And now Washburn is coming up. Which is awesome.
However, when Washburn ends, that means that school is about to start.

I hope school goes well this year. Algebra and Geometry, Danish and Latin.
I hope I can find a job, but for now I am just going to relax.

Sleepovers and Pool parties, the works. That is what summer is for me. Friends, family, fun, sun and singing.
My Mom is probably getting wicked annoyed with me.
Every five seconds I am singing about something or another.
Whether it be a real song, or me singing stuff like,

"oh where is my shoe? mom did the dog take my shoe? oh never mind I found my shoe."

(And I don't really sing all that quietly most of the time.)
Oh and it has been raining a lot here.

Here is my random dumb-thing-that-I-did for today.
I cut my little toe open with an ironing board. (in my defense it was metal and did not have a cap on the end) (and no mom I was not twirling OR spinning. I was walking normally!!)

Pass it on

Most people like the game tag. In fact, I can only think of a few that don't. If you do, here is something kinda like tag. The only thing is, every time you play this, you feel happy, and even if YOU don't, you might make someone's day. Now, even if you don't like tag I am going to ask you to please continue reading. This game is called "pass it on".
Maybe it is not really a game, but what I figured is , if we think of it as a game, we might be more willing to do this. This is how it works.

If you had a bad day at work or just in general, and someone gives you a hug or helps you in any other way, say thank you. But don't stop there. Pass it on. Pass it on to someone else who looks upset.

If you are in a bad mood and someone brings you to your senses, pass it on. Wake someone else up.

If you are in pain and someone helps you, not because they have to, but because they can, Pass it on.

Now, I think you get the general idea of this "game". But don't always let the same person start.
It is your turn to be "it".
Go help someone who needs help.
When they thank you and ask what they can do in return, just tell them to pass it on. Sometimes, they may not thank you. Sometimes, they may not even seem to want help. But let me tell you, if you do choose to play this game, you may touch someones heart, maybe even change a life.

So now go out and help someone who needs it. Pass it on.

Just Today

Just today I wish I did not love reading, so I was not wondering what is next in The Order of the Phoenix during grammar. 

Just today I wish I did not love singing so I could focus on school. (although singing science terms does help.) Just today do I wish that we did not have an outdoor cat, so I did not have to race to pause science, and chase him around the yard to save a chipmunk. 

Just today I wish I did not have an OCD dog who follows me around begging for her herding ball.

Just today I wish that...... well I guess that's about it actually. Ah well, back to school for me. But one more thing.

Just today I wish I did not love blogging so I can get school done faster. But I guess that's the way the ball rolls. And the way my mind works. 

This post is all thanks to our cat Mickey, and the chipmunk that was caught. As you can see I am inspired by random odd things. Also, please to not start hoping for any normal posts, because those happen once in a blue moon. 

The Title warned you that it is Mountain Ash MUSINGS. Not "Normal non-crazy everyday things." Musings is the key word there. So long.

My silly Father

My silly Father. His new thing is to say "Mike has become a fan of......" He thinks it is the height of hilarity. He is not a big technology person. He probably would not go on facebook if you payed him. So instead of becoming a fan of things by clicking, he just says it. This morning he said out of the blue "Mike has become a fan of Coffee" and just a few minutes ago "Ooh Mike has become a fan of these potatoes" I swear if you live here you are almost always laughing at something someone said or did.

Can you spot them?

See if you can spot the six mythical creatures throughout my blog header.  If you can, leave a comment saying that you found them but NOT where they are.  I know its kinda stupid and they are not that hard to find, but its something to do and I had fun putting the header together.

To Be a Part of Nature

As I sit here at my desk, I catch myself looking out the window time and time again. It is a hazy, damp day. The plants are budding, and there is a small cluster of daisys growing among the rocks. The wisteria’s runners are slowly creeping around the hydrangea, mint, and iris. Baby wood rats and chipmunks scurry around the yard. The birds are chirping and singing their lovely songs. The thinner branches, swaying in the crisp, light breeze. I can hear the faint rustling of squirrels playing in the leaves. I find myself wishing I could hear the wind whispering to the trees and understand the mystery of it all. Oh, to be a part of nature and hear it’s lovely song.

Gardening

WOW!! It is really warm out today. However I decided to garden after all. I had been waiting for a day that was not crappy so I went for it. I planted the Dusty Miller on the dunes amidst the reeds.
I planted my Heath in the front garden. ( heath is a variaton of heather that starts blooming very early spring) Then I stood up to admire my work and saw all the dandelions. Something in me just went, " AHHH, GET THEM OUT OUT I SAY!", which sounded an awful lot like Nana's voice. So I got my weeder and got them O-U-T OUT! Now it is nice and weed free. For now. Either Friday or Saturday I will tackle the side garden. I would Thursday but I have a job then we are going to the park with a bunch of other home-schoolers. I fully intend to get the side garden back the way it once was. Beautiful and weed free. So farewell for now. My thoughts have been shared and I am now going to either play a very mind numbing game or Age of Mythology. Ta Ta!!

That darn cat!!

Okay the kitten is smarter than I give him credit for. I went into the kitchen to get my pills and took a sip of water out of my favorite water bottle that I got at Walmart. I put it down and walked down stairs to get something and when I came back My water bottle was leaking and and the kitten was drinking from the puddle. I am sure that he figured out what it held and wanted some fresh non-dog-slobbery water. There are two claw marks in the edge. I have caught him drinking out of it when I left the top off but I never would have thought that he would EVER do that. Ah well. Next time we are at Walmart I will just have to get a new one and keep it where Percy can't reach it.

Glass Museum

I went to the Glass Museum today with my Family some other homeschoolers. We picked up Miya on the way because her mom could not come. I can not tell you how much I wish there was a place close to home so I could be a glass blowing apprentice. It is so amazing. There were all these displays of all different types of glass things. There was this one display where when you opened the drawers then a slate would fall to "hide" the recipe for ruby glass. Then a guy would start talking about his place and different types of glass. There were several like that. There was also a short film of glass making history. In the gift shop there were things like plates, cups, marbles, fish, jewelry, paper weights, and so much more. The lady that was doing the demonstration made two different vases and she pressed a sun catcher. The second presentation I sat down again wanting to see her make them again. I sat down in a bench that was so close to the kiln that I was sweating a bit. This time she made a vase but she used and effect called ( I think) Crackling. She took it right out of the furnace and dipped it quickly into a bucket of water. It made the glass look full of cracks. It was really awesome. Now I am sitting in a chair with a bad headache (again) listening to Jenna and Miya trying to make pumpkin bread. I have to go put the glass plates away before they all break. Things are falling everywhere. So long!

Tired but Happy

Well, I am tired but happy. I had a wonderful time doing the read-a-thon. Then I had a sleepover with a good friend. We got up fairly early to go to church. We almost had to stay for the second service because by Dad is on the worship team. Fortunately he said he would catch a ride. So now I can relax and finish the book I left of on. Or maybe play computer for a while. I do enjoy Poptropica even though I am almost 14. ( One month and 15 days!!!ish) After I play that for a while I think I will disappear into my room for a while. Wait, no. I have to clean up the living room so Mom stops flipping out. Don't blame her. Looks like crap. Not just my fault though. I will try to continue to blog fairly often from now on.

When all is said and done.

So as this day comes to a close (for me at least) I would like to thank you all again for making this fun and for visiting my blog. Here is a pic of me having a splendid time this afternoon. (Well until the worms bugged  me.)    Feel free to keep visiting and commenting even when this is all said and done.  As my welcome says "the door is always open".  This is Rowan, signing off for the last time today.  Farewell and goodbye to my fellow read-a-thon friends.  Haste ye back.

Darn.

My friend is over because she needed my dad to help her build a catapult.  So she is sleeping over and we are going to church together tomorrow.  I am not quitting.  I had to go to bed at 10 anyway.  *Sigh* double *sigh*   Darn that mother.  (just kidding mommy *nervous laugh*)

Survey

1.I am reading Ella Enchanted.

2.I  have read two books so far.

3.I am looking forward to reading The Two Princesses of Bamarre.

4. I have the day all two myself.  I did not have to cancel anything.

5. I have had many interruptions.  Most of which I just have to take the Cat off the bird cage.  Others  I have to go chase my sister around the house to make her stop.  She just wants and excuse to play with me.

6.  The most surprising thing about the read-a-thon is that I am having trouble sitting down and reading with all the stuff and comments and things.

7. I have no suggestions to improve.  It is awesome the way it is.

8. What I would do differently, as a Reader is go up into my room with the Laptop and shut the door.

9. I am not tired yet.  I am never too tired to read.

10.  The only suggestion I have for the readers is to only go on line every hour maximum. 

Just keep reading

I am a little less then half way through Ella Enchanted.  I am also humming to myself "just keep swimming just keep swimming do do do do do do do"  I am starting to get a headache so I think that I should turn some more lights on.  My little sister Jenna is singing annoying Phineas an Ferb songs.  That "Aglet" song.  As I am getting angry at Hattie for being mean to Ella I am wanting to kill Jenna.  Not for the first time today.  Well here I go again to book land.

On Bugs and books

OH MY !!!!! I am not sure what they are or where the came from but I am wicked freaked out!! I was reading outside and suddenly I see all these teeny tiny little blackish worm things. Now I am cool with bugs. In fact I like them. But when they are ON ME that is NOT COOL!!!! Wicked NOT cool! I squashed them and then jumped up. I am freaking out!!! I really have to go take a shower then put on different clothes!!!! I hate things that interrupt my reading but EWE!! I am going to have the creeps for the rest of the day unless I shower!!!! Have to go shower. GET THEM OFF OF ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (sure have your laugh. You won't be laughing next time that happens to you!! I will be the one laughing then so HA!! and a final EWE!!!)

New book about to be explored

I am about to read Ella Enchanted. I love that book. I have read 390 pages total today. Thank you by the way for taking a minute out of your reading time to see my blog and comment.

Sunny makes it hard to read

Love the sun but the glare off the pages makes it hard to read! My eyes are protestiong but I am headed back outside. I am almost done with The fairy return and then I will read Ella Enchanted. I just have to save my poor Guinea Pigs from that cat first.

Random (still reading)

I FOUND CHOCOLATE!! Not M'n'Ms but good enough!! Now that I have found chocolate I will go get my watch and sit outside. Listening to to birds trilling, and becoming lost in bookland. (see I am trying! I added a "listening to the birds trilling" to my ending!!)

Hour 7 has started

I am sitting here eating popcorn and wishing I had some M'n'Ms or something sweet to go with it. I am reading For Biddle's sake which is one of my favorite short stories. Well agian I am off to book land. I know I keep ending with the same boring thing. I will try to think of something better!

On hour 5

I have read about 219 pages but I would go faster (in fact if I had no distractions I might have 400 or more pages read. I have read InkDeath in 6 hours before.) if the kitten was not trying to eat everything in sight!! Easter candy, bags, the birds, my toes. Literally everything. Finished Princess Sonora and the Long sleep which is a twist of sleeping beauty. And I am reading Cinderellis and the Glass hill now. That is a twist of Cinderella but you probably could have figured that out. I have to go clean my Guinea pig cage before by Mom will let me continue reading. Darn her. Wish I could do it tomorrow!!!! Mom has a bloody nose. I have to go help her then clean the cage................. then READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

End of hour two.

Well I am reading The Fairy's Return And other Princess tales by Gale Carson Levine. I have Finished the Fairy's Mistake which is a twist of Cinderella and almost finished the Princess Test which is a twist of The Princess and The Pea. Well I have to get back to book land!! 103 pages in an hour and 15 minutes. (15 minutes because I had to get tea and keep the cat busy so he won't eat my Guinea Pigs.)

Well, Signing off!! Back to loose myself in the wonderful world of fantasy!!

Read-a-thon!

Oops! I woke up a bit late. Then I could not find one I the books I wanted. Oh well. I have an excuse not to do anything but read today which is awesome. The only thing I have to do is to make sure that the kitten does not eat my Guinea pigs or the birds for a late breakfast. I have not specific place that I am reading from today probably the couch mostly. Maybe outside if I put on a jacket. Here is three random facts about me. I would rather be either reading, singing, or just sitting outside then any other pastimes. I also love playing Age of Mythology. A really fun strategy game. (Although my 9 year old sister would beat me in a second if I were playing against her.) And random fact three is I have a ton of animals. Two fish tanks. Sometimes three in the summer for a salt water tank. A Dog, two cats, two birds, two Guinea pigs, and we are getting chickens soon. I do not have a huge goal for then read-a-thon. I just hope to read my little heart out and have fun. This is my first read-a-thon but I intend to do it again. Well I am about to settle down with a big cup of tea and a good book. Ta ta for now!!