I just realized I hadn’t written in a very long time on here.
There is too much to explain to write it all here, but I’ll sum up.
The kids are a year older. They are also now out of school. They decided to share their birthday party in order to have a much bigger “Jumpzone” party than two parties at our house, 2 weeks apart. I was surprised at this, but I don’t expect this level of cooperation to continue much longer.
I am older. Bah. Still working hard on costuming, writing, and gaming. Now, I’ve inherited a world of darkness game (I call it the World of Dimness, because mine’s not all angst-ridden), so I am very busy writing plots and story arcs for that twice a month. Much is expected from me, as I have an audience of 6 people who are hard-core gamers, and give no quarter. Ever.
Our front yard is beginning to match the verdant nature of our back yard after much detailed planning by my husband. He was very scientific about it, and I hope the grass shows some appreciation for his efforts. He’s playing golf a lot, and actually won a small prize for his last tournament.
I’m now the equivalent of a green belt in Bushido, and have begun sparring with bo staff, foam katana, and hands. Yes, it hurts. That’s what Advil is for. Sensai is very nice if I get hurt, but that’s just part of it. So is the sense of accomplishment.
Bunny, my daughter, got an award for the best reader in the 3rd grade. Her teacher said that she is reading at a 6th grade level. She also surprised everyone this year by reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by herself. They announced her name over the loudspeaker at school, and the Principal gave her a special pen with a light in it. We’re very proud of her. She’s going to 4th grade in the fall.
Roo, my son, got perfect attendance, and got to have some tv face time (about a 5 minute interview) on the school’s in-house tv show for being best behaved for a whole week. I was shocked at this, as out of our whole family, he is the one most likely to make fart jokes, run around the room, or stick straws up his nose. It makes it more amazing that he won this treat. He’s completed kindergarten, and although they wanted to move him up to 2nd grade, we think he’s not ready for such a huge leap. 1st grade’s on the way, though!
My ears… they aren’t any better. They don’t seem to be continually worse, and I can hear very well at times. Things I’ve noticed: Caffeine is very bad for me. Nutrasweet is very bad for me. Salt is very bad for me. Beer (sigh) is very bad for me. It can be a very lovely cool sunny day, and I will hear fine. If a front moves through and changes the barometer in any drastic way, I’m deaf for at least 2 days. Also, it can be overcast and I’ll be fine as well, but if the clouds move out, I’m deaf again. Sometimes, I can hear, but everything’s so loud, including my tinnitus, that I can’t be around crowds of people. Sometimes, all I hear is my pulse. I can hear better through a speaker phone than having a receiver up to my ear. I can hear the kids well at all times provided they don’t mumble, but my husband has to be closer than normal (and who’s complaining about that? 
) Also, sometimes, when I sleep, I can hear a dripping in the ear that was operated on. Not sure what that’s about.
My mother and I bought a cabin in the mountains northeast of here. It is truly my favorite place in the world. Ok, besides Avebury. but still, it calms my soul, and I love it. We purchased it in the winter, so spring and summer have been wonderful surprises.
I know there’s a lot that I’m forgetting to mention, but at least this gets me back up to speed. Still not sure where the time went. I think I spent it wisely, though.
