Five Quarters of the Orange

Book Review:
Five Quarters of the Orange, Joanne Harris

• A Masterpiece
• Toast of the Town
• Worth Telling A Friend
• Needs A Boost
• Crappy

I rate this novel worth telling a friend. Harris is the same author who wrote: Chocolat. I like her writing style. This story is dramatic and the characters are very interesting in their behaviors. This story is about a grown woman who is reliving (and facing) her past through decoding her mothers recipe/scrapbook. There are many secrets as the story unfolds. Although I have a few minor unanswered questions at the end, I enjoyed reading this book.

Toddler Time

Isabelle Claire is 2 1/2. Experiencing life with her as a toddler has been quite challenging and tiring...and so wonderful & amazing. Every single day she tests my limits. Every single day she makes me smile & laugh. There are a million things she does, but I just wanted to note a few things that come to mind when I think of her:

Fruit snacks. Juice. Cheese. Popcorn. “oh Cute”. “I love it”. “There it are”. Dora. Sponge Bob. Disney Princesses. Dancing. Bubble Baths. Friends. Bear Bear Blanket. Light up Shoes. “I do it”. Pigtails. Putting stickers all over her face and body. Wearing “Precious” Princess Dresses right now, especially a Cinderella outfit from Santa. Drawing snowmen and on her easel. She’s such a smart girl, we get nothing past her. When we color, she demands that I color more then her (she supervises the operation). She is learning her colors wonderfully. I think she will be right handed (Noah and I are both left handed!). She is such a ham for attention! She counts 1, 3. or 3, 1. She is pretty stubborn about the 2, but she’s coming around. Among many funny things she says, she calls her pajamas: Jamins and Snoopy : Doopy. She loves to perform "cheers" with beverages (and food). She has her occasional full blown outright tantrums where she throws her self to the ground in desperation to get what she wants. She gets into every single thing possible. Baby Dolls. She enjoy taking care of her baby dolls. She feeds them and sings to them and “reads” them stories. She pushes them in the stroller and sometimes she throws them across the room. She is feisty and strong headed. She is beautiful and so sweet. Books. We could read books together all day. She has no favorites, she like them all. She must turn any & all lights on whenever she can. She remembers which items are presents and who gave them to her. She has a need to climb on top of everything. My monkey. She loves to JUMP. JUMP. JUMP. Talking on her play phones (and now the real phone) is one of her favorite pastimes. She carries on some pretty interesting conversations. She likes to boss Lancelot around. She points her finger & shouts at him. She also like to feed him & give him hugs. She likes to serve tea and “saza” (pizza). Speaking of hugs, she is such a snuggly and polite little girl. She always gives and asks for lots of hugs and kisses. She says pease and tank you, hello & goodbye all the time. Potty Training has been going slow. She like her potty o.k…but likes her diapers much better. Sleeping in her big girl bed is also a challenge for us right now. She likes to sleep with us, so when she falls asleep, I have to sneak her into her bed, but if she wakes up, she’s back in ours. She loves to clap and cheer and dance for everything. She gets so exited and giggly so much. She likes to help around the house, throwing things in the garbage (items that might not be garbage) and putting things away (full bags of groceries in the fridge or cabinet). She makes her share of messes pretty quickly too. These days she quite often talks non-stop unless she is napping. When she finally falls asleep, she looks so peaceful. She is the closest thing to heaven on earth. Isabelle is growing up so fast. I wish she could stay a toddler for a little while longer…

Isabelle has a new cousin!

On February 24th, Elizabeth (Noah's sister) and her husband Josh welcomed their healthy baby son into the world! We send them Congratulations & Best Wishes! We can't wait to meet Alexander James!

Princess & The Potty

Once upon a time (in fact quite recently and frequently),...in a land that was frozen over with ice (Illinois in February), there lived a little princess whom.....kept putting her potty on her head! Ugh! Who would have known that potty training would be so challenging (for us both!). Looks like we are stuck with the Royal Diapers for a bit. Isabelle has no interest whats-so-ever in this subject. Me: "Isabelle, do you want to go sit on the potty?" Isabelle: "NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!" and then she runs far far away. The End.

True Ghost Stories Wanted

I am in the very beginning stages of researching a book that I am interested in writing. I need your help! I am collecting and documenting TRUE ghost stories. If you or someone you know would like to share a tale or two about a spiritual encounter, a haunted house, a paranormal experience: please contact me. Privacy will be respected. Thank Boo!

Fanfare

The Knight with 3 Legs

Many of you know that we have had a long run battle with Lancelot's front right leg since he injured it. We tried everything to save and heal his damaged limb, but finally came to the conclusion that we had no choice but to have his leg amputated. It was a scary process to go through but I am so thankful and glad that we were we all brave enough to do this. Lance recovered strongly and quickly from the surgery. He is like a brand new puppy! He is so happy and full of energy. It's such a joy to see his spirit restored. He runs around, plays and does everything that any other dog can do. Every day Lance proves to us that we made the best decison.

Big Sister

For those who don't know, and for those who do, we are so happy to announce that Isabelle will be a BIG SISTER in Mid-August 2006 and we couldn't be more excited! We have made it through the first trimester. I have already had an ultrasound and also just heard the heartbeat again a few days ago. My tiredness and morning sickness is settling down, I feel like I can start functioning like a half way normal person again! So now on to some fun stuff! Figuring out names, planning the nursery...etc...

Welcome!

Isabelle Claire (aka Pook Monster)

Welcome to our blog! I thought this would be a wonderful way to keep family and friends updated on some of the happenings around here (and in my head)! Im sure this journal will not be consistant or routine (as my life is not) in any manner, but I thought it would be a fun way to share some misc. musings and moments of life. I will try to update at least every couple days. So check back often! Please comment when you feel interested to do so. Hopefully you enjoy & thanks for visiting!