Affection

Affection, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Exhausted after school.

Bank

Bank, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Finally enough to make a puddle

Rain, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Halo

Halo, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Library visit

Library visit, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

After over a month of no rain (and we are over 10 inches short this summer), it finally poured down this afternoon. I made a run to the library at dusk and caught the light shining off wet pavement and this darling family making its way into the building of books.

Crate and Barrel Chicago

Crate and Barrel Chicago, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Wherein I found the perfect table to replace the old turquoise one. :)

Flags and blue

Flags and blue, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Another photo from Chicago.

I loved taking them and will probably create a little slideshow later but wanted to include this one for the 365 blog. The composition and color balance made me happy.

Millenium Park

Millenium Park, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

So much fun!

American Girl Tea

American Girl Tea, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Caitrin and I spent the night in Chicago celebrating her 11th birthday at the American Girl Place. It is the pilgrimage of all middle class girls her age and younger. Kit, Caitrin's doll pictured here, was one of two dolls we brought with us.

Here are two more shots. I have lots more that I'll put on flickr tomorrow.

What will they do next?

What will they do next?, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Our first meeting of the Post-Homeschooling Entrepreneurial Network (horrid name which is the first order of business - changing it to a better one!). Of course my electricity went out that afternoon while the brownies were cooking, I hadn't yet vacuumed nor showered and blown dry my hair. Ergo, Cindy (yellow top in front) called everyone to convene at Panera). As I drove to the YMCA to shower, Jon called to let me know the power had returned... Too little too late.

We met here instead and pretty much took over half the eating area.

The goals of PHEN? Help moms transition into work that earns money using their gifts and talents, many of which were revealed during years of homeschool. We had a great first meeting.

Before the fall...

Backyard window, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

a little marred paradise (the drought killed the grass, but the trees stayed mostly green).

This is my view when I work. I've always loved it.

Troothiness

Troothiness, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Unlike some of my favorite photobloggers whose toothbrushes look more like works of art than tools to clean teeth, I took Colbert's approach to this meme and decided to reveal the way things really are chez moi.

Toothbrush or Sex Toy?

Toothbrush or Sex Toy?, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Ask Jo(e).

Yes, you get two for the price of one on this meme.

Dried violets

Dried violets, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

In case anyone is keeping track...

Last week, I began this year's co-op on Monday, packed for Johannah on Tuesday, celebrated Caitrin's 11th birthday on Wednesday, drove Johannah to OSU on Thursday, went to homecoming football game on Friday night and today, shopped for homecoming clothes as well as helping to host the homecoming dinner for the band members... all while I've been sick.

Needless to say, I'm exhausted. Hope you enjoyed the photos from these events.

Jacob in his new tie

Homecoming, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Jenny, behind him, is one of his good friends who also plays sax.


The guys hamming it up.


Jacob's good friend and Rose Parade roommate, Jeremy. Jacob with two other saxophones.

Homecoming

Across the room, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Jacob's first homecoming was tonight. The saxophone section and miscellaneous members of the marching band all had dinner at one of the family homes. I helped out by dishing up Italian food and then cleaning up the plates and cups 20+ teens used up.

I have more shots (will post them) but loved the way this one turned out. So I'm posting my "arty" one first and then a couple of shots with Jacob in them (since he's the focus of the event for me anyway). I just liked the composition, black and white balance and the way this boy is looking right at my subject.

Homecoming Game

Friday night, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

We lost the game last night but the marching band headed to the Rose Parade (of which we are reminded every ten minutes at every game--and we don't mind at all) was sharp!

Goodbye Pere

Goodbye Pere, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

According to our family habit of incorporating random bits of foreign language into our daily conversations, Johannah calls Jon, "Pere." Here he's giving her those last words of advice before launching her into the 54,000 student world of Ohio State. Moments later (not shared here), the entire family openly wept (except for me). I was brave, only welled up a bit. My tears came later, alone, at night.

Today, all's well. And so is Johannah who has already texted each of us. Thanks for all your warm and caring thoughts.

All the skirts fit!

All the skirts fit!, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Those tiny dorm rooms...

We still fit in the car perfectly. And so did all her stuff.

Birthday chocolate

Birthday chocolate, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Caitrin turned eleven today. We'll celebrate in Chicago next week at the American Girl HQ. This morning, I took her out to Panera for breakfast where she OD'ed on a chocolate frosted chocolate brownie and hot (you guessed it) chocolate with whipped cream.


Noah came home today for dinner and the birthday trip to the Cone. His little sister misses him.

Sitting on a thistle

Sitting on a thistle, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Yesterday's walk showed us the first signs of fall.

Who Dey!

Bengals beat Ravens, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

For all you Bengal haters, let's just review a few facts, shall we? Bengals have beaten the Ravens five out of the last six meetings. That's what I'm talkin' 'bout. (Part two of how I spent the weekend.)

BFFs

BFFs, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

I suddenly realized Sunday night that I would not only miss Johannah when she leaves Thursday, but her best friend would no longer be hanging out in her room with her. And that made me profoundly sad. :(

Ready for writing and teaching

Ready for writing, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

I'm behind in every way because of two inevitabilities: the necessity of preparing for composition and literature classes and the intrusion of sports. :) Here's "part one" for how I spent the weekend.

Tag Day

Tag Day, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

I got to drive six band kids (including Jacob) around neighborhoods asking for money from local families. They don't sell anything and they don't give you any compensation except a coupon for a free coney at Skyline Chili (Cincinnati... 'nuff said). And raise money they did. We raised $25,000.00 this year toward the Rose Parade.

I remember the first year these kids came to our house (we had no one in high school at the time). They asked for money. I asked what they were selling. They said nothing. I was so happy, I gave 20 bucks! I hate having to buy something I don't want. Much rather all the cash go to their program.

Isn't that funny? It really works.

Btw, (big news alert) Jacob made first chair in the concert band out of nine saxophones. When he started last year, he was last chair. I'm so proud of him.

Mais Wii

Wii bowling, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Ha! I thought I deleted this photo, but I just found it! (It's actually the one I wanted for today.) So I'm posting two.

Jon bought a Wii as a total surprise. Tonight, we played for hours. I suck. But hey, it's the most fun I've had with the kids playing games in a long time. And, as Caitrin says, "It gets you so involved!"

This photo is Caitrin bowling.

Bruins

Bruins, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

In four weeks, I'll be at the Rose Bowl to watch the Bruins play beat the Fighting Irish. My dad is an ND alum and he's the one inviting me out so we should have fun... or at least one of us will.

I'm about the only one I know out here with any UCLA schwag. This sticker is proudly displayed on my windshield. Photo taken from within the car.

Lunch, dinner, snack, yum...

Lunch, dinner, snack, yum..., originally uploaded by juliecinci.

On tutoring day, Liam, Caitrin and I eat at Chipotle on the way home. My favorite: crispy steak tacos.

Drum or flood light?

Drum or flood light?, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Only photo from yesterday: after marching band practice.

House of glass

House of glass, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

I took a dozen of these... fun to play with glass.

She's got it going on

She's got it going on, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Last day at the YMCA pool until Memorial Day 2008. This yummy little hairstyle sparkled in and out of the water. I asked this little girl to pose and she happily obliged. Isn't she marvelous?

(Too much sunlight, but it was that kind of a day.)

Portents of fall

Portents of fall, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Something about the way this flower is dying drew my eye.

Bengal lights for all your flourescent lighting needs

Fantasy football draft day, originally uploaded by juliecinci.

Especially on the day I drafted Carson Palmer to my first fantasy football team.

(However, even I, the fan-girl, found these expressions of devotion over the top.)