lovely spring...

"Oh, I wish I'd tasted that divine dish,

 of perfection, confection, and a wish...

Of life, the godmother of lilt,

Bending, breaking at full-tilt,

Of bragging, begging, laying piers,

A life asea, lads, I aspire"

(Anonymous)

Late and quiet night.  It's been ages.  Many moons and stars.  Silas and I are doing swimmingly here in York.  Small town, simple life.  I've been teaching autistic children, one on one, since November.  After my training and certification, I thought I knew what I was doing.  I was more than a fool.  These kids are amazingly complex.  I feel as if I learn more from them than they do me!  It definitely gives me more perspective on the term "perspective."  Silas will transfer to my school next year, as he's grandfathered into it because I teach there.  Our morning commute will be easy.
We  spent our day realizing that our Kindle has free movies ... this after owning it for 3 Dammed years!  I'm that person that prefers an abacus to a calculator.  So, this makes sense.  I loath technology. Anything without a spongey brain, I dare not trust.  Period.  I'd rather go head to head with a rabid coyote than plug-in devices.  Again .... period.
So, that's my exciting report.  Next time I'll be sure to include more drama .... which means I'd have to stir the pot.  Honestly, don't have it in me.  I'll try to hire someone.
Xoxo
Anna

A YEAR ... and many (more) changes ...

Hello all ...
   It's a been a million and one minutes since I last posted.   Life has a way doing that sometimes.  In my case, it's been for the best. Life had taken a toll on this old lady.  It was time to regroup.  After the ol' divorce, losing my job, and with the cost of living in a beloved city that wasn't "beloving" me financially, I decided to circle the wagons and head back to home base:  South Carolina. 
   In August, we made the LONG-ASS trip back home.  And let me tell you, it was quite the trip.  Our beloved Matthew rallied and was with us the entire 3,000 miles. To say it was a circus for which we should have charged admittance is an understatement.  Silas and Matthew in a U-Haul.  The HUGE dogs, my cat, and me in my jacked-up Honda Civic.  We skirted tornadoes, met WAY too many people that your soul should never witness, served by drunken Vietnam Vets, decided we weren't fans of Utah,  Silas' "awe Mama, look 'langerreee'", and slept in bathtubs when one (me) snored too loudly. 
  Fast forward to life on the farm now.  We have settled in wonderfully.  Miss our Seattle family and life there.  But, there is a certain something about being able to go out in our own forest, our own pasture and play.  And, play we do.  Either on the four-wheeler, or heading out into absolutely NOWHERE.  It's ALWAYS an adventure.  Having family so close and active in Silas' life is enormously helpful and joyful.  His Nonnie, aunts, uncles, family friends, etc. are CONSTANT figures.  It's been fabulous.  He's a regular rock star in this tiny town.  He has been so thrilled to be here and experience life as I knew it, growing up.  He is excelling at school so much that he's, yet again, being tested for gifted and talented classes.
  I've settled into substitute teaching.  Laugh, as you may, I can tell you that I will ROCK the head coach position at particular schools ... it's only because I make the athletes laugh at my ignorance.  But, I have a damned fine red-neck whistle that turns heads ... they know I mean business.  Even if I happen to be wearing heels that day.  There asses stop and LISTEN!
  On a more serious note ... the MOST important note from Silas and myself.  Kevin, his daddy, is not doing well right now.  After having a tooth infection go septic, he's been hospitalized for nearly two weeks now.  The infection has spread to the neck, chest, lungs, and heart.  I mention this at the end of this blog, as I hope this leaves everyone with the lasting thoughts of this blog.  He is on a ventilator and in ICU.  He continues to have daily surgeries, after having his sternum broken open, to debreed his chest of all infection. It's a day-to-day sort of thing, as the infection is a bit sneaky. Daily surgeries insure that the boarders are clean of all infection.  Though the distance is hard for me, his Mama and his dear friend Shelly are keeping us updated, as are the nurses.  Everyone is  rallying and Silas and I are in contact with everyone, daily, about his status.  PLEASE, PLEASE keep him in your hearts, prayers, mantras, etc.  Today, he seemed to be more conscience of what was going on around him.  Good sign. 
  Sometimes "baby steps" are more brilliant than ANYTHING.  We hold him in our hearts.

xoxo,
Anna
p.s. Thank you Shelly for being there, daily, for Kevin.  You're an amazing friend to him and us all.
  

Many months.... and life changes ....

Dear Lord.  I don't even know if this post Will make it out.  I am using my new Kindle, as the computer is still defunct.  All is well with My Silas and myself.  I am a happy single lady.  Si is a happy critter having just been tested for the "HICAP" program in the Shoreline School District.  This is a gifted & talented program.  He isn't aware that these tests are based on that.  So, we'll see how it goes.  If he tests in, I will have to move him to a different school.  So, I have a bit to think about.
In other news, we are heading to South Carolina in April for my sister's wedding.  Yes, indeed, I will be a 38 year old (divorcee) Maid of Honor.  Silas is standing next to Paul, my precious (soon-to-be) brother in law.
Bless my family's heart .... my wedding toast will be more of a roast!  I know, however, they'll love it.
xoxo
Anna

Hello strangers...

Wellllll.....
   It's been some time now.  Actually, it's been over 2 months since my last post.
   My computer ate the dust and Silas and I have been busier than 2 bees dancing in a tar bucket full of ... well ... tar.
   We have settled into our new home so fabulously.  It's the most amazing feeling to be in a lovely home in a lovely neighborhood with lovely neighbors and the loveliest of roomies.  Silas has taken to Layla and Cody so well.  Dakota, their Daddy, has been such a great mentor to Silas.  They've built fences, landscaped, and are incessantly getting my goat.  Total "Bromance."  Jerks.
   We had a lovely vacation in Hawaii with The Outlaws.  Not having been there seems a sin to me, as it is a Heavenly place.  The smell, alone ... as you get off the airplane ... is enough to make your heart melt.  We spent time swimming, sunning, playing, touring, eating, drinking, LAUGHING, etc.  We are so lucky to have them in our world.  Pics to follow ... as soon as I can get this computer to get pics loaded again.
   Last weekend was spent on a gorgeous lavender farm in Sequim owned by a client's parents.  She's a fellow actress.  I don't generally do wedding hair.  The drama alone is enough to make me pull my own hair out.  However, I knew that Miss Rebecca would be an easy breezy bride.  Plus, it afforded Silas and I a bit of camping time for the weekend.
   We camped in the middle of the lavender fields.  The first night, we were alone.  The next night, a tent city.  Let me tell you:  sleeping amongst lavender is one of the best nights sleep one will EVER experience.  It was divine.
   We helped with the set-up of the wedding.  We revisited the Olympic Game Farm where Silas punched a llama in the face when he was 2 for trying to steal Silas' bread.  We got to meet up with old friends from the acting world ... so, so great to see old pals!  Silas, literally, cleared a danced floor to the tune of "Go Silas, Go Silas, Silas!"
   Again, pics to follow from our summer exploits as soon as I can figure out how to keep this damned computer charged and stuffs.
   Until then, HAPPY SUMMER!!!
xoxo
Anna
  

Gentry family reunion...

Now, as we know, these people are what I refer to as my "Outlaws" ... for obvious reasons.
However, that doesn't mean that we don't get our party on here and there.
So, on a beautiful Seattle day, we hopped a ferry and met up with the rest of the Gentry Clan on Vashon Island for a GORGEOUS family reunion.
To say that Uncle Walt & Aunt Diana's home is amazing is dribble.  They are settled on lush acres of forest, flowers, and gorgeous views of Puget Sound.
The food was astounding:  pulled-pork, salmon, fruit, veggies, breads, corn on the cob, salads, wine, lemonade, AND SIX DIFFERENT PIES.
Back home, those people would have been robbed before the plates came out.
It was so wonderful seeing Silas and his cousin Kurtis play together.  They are in lurve!
Kurtis is a damned HOSS.  And, he's hysterical.   When the wind blows, he looks up at the sky and mimics it.  And he's VERY serious about that job.  No distractions please.
We spent the better part of the day there ... in "Neverland" ... with such amazing family.  And, I do consider them family ... even if Silas & I are adopted.
What a beautiful day.
xoxo
Anna
p.s.  Next stop:  HAWAII!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations Nonnie/Retiree!!!!

Whelp, the day has officially come.  Linda P. Warren is a retired 3rd grade teacher.
That's right.  My precious/crazy/loud/prude/not-so-prude/Scotch-swilling(that's right, Mama ... I wrote that, as you can't get fired now)/Lady GaGa lovin'/whistling/silly Mama is now retired after many years of  phenomenal service with 3rd graders in the better half of the lower South Eastern states.
As I've mentioned before, simply volunteering in Silas' class is an eye opener.  I do it for sport, as I can laugh and LEAVE in a few hours.
However, CRAZY people ... i.e. Mama ... find their life's calling in doing such a job.
I think these people are born with it.  They cannot help it.  It's like the sexy Sirens calling wayward seamen into the rocks.  Is it a blessing or a curse?
All I DO know is that it has been a tremendous blessing for all of the children that were lucky enough to end up in her care and tutelage.  Never a better educator has existed, in my mind.
So, CHEERS to you Mama.  I am so very proud of you.
A quote that sums it up:

“Teaching is a calling too. And I've always thought that teachers in their way are holy - angels leading their flocks out of the darkness.” 
― Jeannette Walls, Half Broke Horses


xoxo
"Pussywillow"
p.s.  I still think you're a wing-nut for doing what you do!