Rambling

Thanks for all the birthday wishes - it was a fantastic day!  It included lunch out with Fatty, a trip to the garden store to pick up veggies, a home cooked dinner and margaritas finished off with chocolate cake and a little impromptu party.  Very very fun!  The weekend continued to be great - some gardening, a barbecue at my brother's, a cobbler and homemade ice cream, the pool, a soccer game and plenty of napping rounded it out.

School is winding down - the girls have about a week left.  They came home without homework which was so nice.  For the first time ever, I am excited that school is over.  I am ready for some down time, for no homework and a later bedtime.  I have never felt this way before.  I have always dreaded the end of the school year.  I know - it sounds awful, but it's the truth.  Summer is always a big push and pull with the three of us.  We have to balance three sets of have to's and want to's.  I don't know that this summer will be much different, but if having a better attitude will guarantee some measure of success, then sign me up.

I've been sewing, but really have nothing to show for it.  I made a skirt that is waaaaay too big and am working on my craft swap project.  Hopefully, I will be able to show and tell soon.  I brought my sewing machine down to the family room so I can hang out in the relative cool-ness of the downstairs.  I absolutely refuse to turn the air conditioning on until June 1 and hanging out in the little closet on the third floor is not so fun.  Of course, I may change my tune once the temp hits the high 80's.  We'll see.  The bonus is TV while I sew.  Anything you care to recommend for our Netflix queue?

All right, enough of this rambling.  See you soon.

Comments

[heather smith jones]

let's toast to a relaxing summer, ok?

[dani@little fists]

No homework has been the BEST! The Boy hates...detests...reviles homework and let's it be known each and every night. I teach as well...and my patience is shot when homework time rolls around. So yes, summer is welcome. I will be free to enjoy the homework free days with my two little night owls.

I have no netflix suggestions. We had it for a while and the movies just sat around. I don't think I have seen a new release since Garden State in 2004. Pathetic.

[Michelle]

I DON'T recommend "Bride Wars" - what a waste of a rental. I have liked "Bottle Shock" recently - and if you haven't seen it yet, check out the seasons of "Mad Men."

[emily]

still trudging through homework here. can not wait for that to end.

[Julie]

I always think it's so funny that so many moms dread summer. I'm a teacher so of course I CANNOT wait!!!!

[Olivia]

I watched The Darjeerling Limited recently and adored it! If you are into documentaries, two I'd recommend are The Beautiful Truth and Encounters at the End of the World. Both great!

[Darby]

Erin,
I'm not sure how I got here but I've been reading for a while and thoroughly enjoy your blog!

God Grew Tired of Us is my rec for your queue. It's the story of 3 Sudanese refugees... and their voyage and experience in the US. Unbelievable is all I can say! One that is NOT a WASTE of time by any stretch of the imagination.

If you haven't seen it... move it to queue spot #1.

I promise!

[Rebecca]

I've gotten some sewing dvds through Netflix. It's a little dull, but I learned a whole lot. I like Couture Sewing. Also just saw Seven Pounds. It was good, but emotional.

[leslie]

really looking forward to no homework and no more packing lunches. i don't know why i find that to be such a pain.
i was going to say seven pounds, also. i LOVED it.

[Meg Evans]

I know how you feel about summers--and I may also be getting to the point where I'm glad they're getting out. Maybe it's because this year I had a first and a third grader, so the homework/project juggling was more challenging. They still have about three more weeks, but the workload is already getting lighter.

Let me know what movies you choose--last night we rented Benjamin Button from the Redbox. Not bad for a dollar; glad we didn't spend $20 to go to the theater!

[Margot]

Have you watched the Big Love series? It's quite entertaining!

[regan]

if you like old movies my girl and i just watched arsenic and old lace with carey grant and laughed ourselves silly.....but it was actually on watch instantly.

[Elizabeth]

I love series-watching and Mad Men and The Tudors have been my favourites over the past year (I think Netflix should have them). And it's great to have individual episodes to look forward to when that 'free' hour arrives (although it isn't usually in a full block around here nowadays).

Good luck balancing everyone's list - you are certainly going into the summer with the right attitude.

[Pam]

I've been wanting to rent the first season of 30 Rock. Have only seen part of one episode, but I loved it. My son left his backpack in the car after school today - no homework this week!

[kathryn]

i love the late dinners and bedtimes that summers bring. and movies? maybe Slumdog? (we didn't see this one at the theater, but enjoyed it as a rental) amd we always go back to Babe too...

[ali]

MI-5, my current favorite...
Doc Martin, another recent fave.
Obviously, I have a thing for British TV...

Your birthday and holiday weekend sounds wonderful, may your summer be wonderful as well!

[blair]

Erin, I always feel exactly the same way about the end of school, and yet, this year, I think my attitude is much better than in year's past. And netflix= The Tudors, starting with season one. Its on my list, although I don't know how much sewing you'll get done.

[tiennie]

Glad it was a great time! Ooh..I can't wait for summer. We still have about a month of school left!

[Lecia]

I'm the same way about summer: mostly excited, but sometimes feel frantic about how much I want to do and need to do that I just can't when they're both around all the time... a balance, always...

All we've been watching via Netflix - perhaps obsessively - is Lost. We started with Season 1 and are now halfway through season 3.

[Mama Urchin]

I think I'm still in the dread category, truth be told. Tristan's last day was Friday but Katie has a few more weeks. I do know I won't miss all the running around and homework.

[Tracy]

You're so cute. I've been feeling awfully rambly lately too. That's just how it is when life gets crazy for me, I think.

Can't wait to see the craft swap project! And you!

[Molly]

Just stopping by to let you know that your images don't always show up in my google reader. Not sure if it is just me, but I thought you might want to know.

Californication is a fave netflix/showtime tv series. And Goodbye Lenin is an excellent film if you don't mind subtitles. (I guess its not a good sewing recommendation, but it really is a great movie.)

[Kelly]

I love Netflix and TV shows - since I have a baby, I don't have time to watch a whole movie. Some already mentioned I will second: Big Love, Lost, 30 Rock. Not yet mentioned but absolutely my favorites: Deadwood and The Wire (I'm assuming the girlies are in bed and not watching with you - because those are both pretty graphic).

[Shauna]

I loved Once! But for laughs and action you can't go wrong with Hot Fuzz!

[amy]

Living in Australia, I think it's hilarious that you think temperature in the 80's is hot :D Last summer we had a couple of weeks of temps above 110 (and we don't even have airconditioning)! I recall one crazy summer I was sewing a quilt in temps above 100... i was VERY sweaty!!

[Molly]

Can I have the recipe for your salsa? Looks great!

[darlene]

it's okay to ramble, we all need days like that!

[Gina]

Happy Belated Birthday!!!
If you want a very emotional movie, 7 pounds.
Very cute family movie, that we all really enjoyed was Bedtime stories. Other than that I haven't seen any good ones lately.

[Kelly H]

I am with you-excited for summer.

I recently saw two french films that I LOVED. (random-I'm not super into to foreign films)
They were:

"I've loved you so long"
and
"tell no one"
Kristin Scott Thomas is in both.

[Julie]

Love your blog and all what you make. Tried the swirly skirt today and it is fabulous, thanks!

[Marcia]

Hey, if you like quirky, Big Fish is wonderful. Its odd and quirky and silly, but a wonderful story. Make believe and family relationships are the basis, and it's not a sad movie. I just watched it a few weeks ago. And, as you know, I watched the Reader, which I recommend. Unless you want to cry and worry about murdering child nappers, watch The Changling. It was good and horrible all in one.

[kristen]

The Wire and Rescue Me! Not for little ones but Mama should like it. =)

I'm with you on dreading summer. I despise being hot and outdoors during NC summers but I can't rightly keep the kids inside now can I? Maybe a summer of Nintendo DS and tv isn't a bad thing??? Maybe? Please?

xo