Who wants to address the budget committee?

These are Statesman Journal photos of the rallying library lovers before tonight's school board budget committee meeting.  Did I go?  Yes I did.

 Someone's got to do something; it's just incredibly pathetic that it has to be us--Jerry Garcia
Despite having book fair this week, the wedding last week, and having used almost every bit of goodwill my husband has, I drove across town at 5:30 to get to the school board meeting.

The library supporters were numerous and awesome.  I was so honoured to be in the prescence of so many great librarians, including the Salem Public Library's director (who has known me as a patron my whole life) and the Oregon State Librarian.  Also speaking for our libraries were three great children, including my children's friend, Brenna.

I spoke, since I had come there to do that thing, even though I didn't really want to speak.  I'd been rehearsing what to say for weeks in my mind.  I decided to try not to repeat other's great points too much, so this is what I said.

I am Carrie Hare.  I am a parent at Schirle Elementary, and I am a graduate of Salem Keizer Schools.  I was a little girl, and I was a student when Measure 5 was passed.  And the class sizes went up and the lawn sprouted portables, and our elementary art teacher disappeared.  Things got better, and the class sizes went back down, and some of the portables went away, but our art teacher never came back.
I thought about why people serve on the school board, and I know it's not for fame, fortune, or public adulation.  I think its because they care about their community, and they maybe want a legacy.
I 'm asking to make the cuts in the library program more proportional, like the other programs that you have wisely saved.
I want it remembered that if you make this decsision, it may not be just for next year, it will probably be for forever. 
Thank you.

I got a standing ovation.  Now in fairness, lots of people did, but a whole bunch of librarians, dressed in red, clapped, stood, and smiled for me!  It was a great moment.

As a nice finish, the Statesman Journal asked for my name.  As a terrific coda, Mrs. Brough my elementary librarian, who taught me all those years as I went to Sumpter, burning through the fiction section at quite a rate, was there!  She came up, thanked me for my words, and we hugged.  If only to pay tribute to that kind lady, I was so glad that I went and spoke.

And now, whatever happens, I can live with myself.

Will you make me an apron?

When Ashley told me a long time ago, that she wanted an apron (made by me) for her bridal shower (for a wedding whose groom was TBD), I managed to remember in time.

Alicia kindly lent me her apron patterns, and I found a material I liked at Greenbaums.  I never take pictures of things I make and then give away usually, and I wanted to break that habit.  I love to make gifts.  It is often a little hard to give those things away though.  I grow to love them as I labor on them, and then they are just out of my life!
Often I wish that I had time to make a practice item, and then the 'good' one for giveaway.  While I did (for once) give myself a reasonable amount of time to complete the sewing, I didn't give myself that much time!

Are we done yet?

Wedding week is finally over.  No, I'm not talking about Kate and William. Rather, the truly important couple, my sister Ashley and her husband Matt.   I'm so glad it's over, but I don't have the energy to begin to document it right now.  So instead, cute pictures.

 She was pulling on the gas over and over.  She may be my real dirt biker child.  Last year, she'd climb on Molly's motorcycle.  (Yes of course she has one, didn't your 7 year old girl?) and make engine sounds.  Not low rumbles, but the high squeal of a racing motocross bike.  This is her uncle Patrick's street bike that Wesley is currently defying death with.

I couldn't get him to look at me at all!  I guess he's been waiting all these months for a chance at a bike.

Molly cried last night when Ashley left with her new husband.  She loves her so.  But she smiled a lot today, so that was an improvement.

Can I have some pennies?

Last week I presented the Book Fair's penny drive at Schirle.  This year we are collecting money for The Elizabeth Bowers Zambia Education Fund.  With me were two representatives for the organization, Linda Bowers (who is taking this picture) and Angela Wanack, who brought her two little girls.

We had a great time talking to the students about the education of girls in Africa, and the preschool that has been started in the village of Lumwana West.  The Schirle kids seem to have been inspired, and raised nearly six hundred dollars, most of it in change and their own money.

I knew Elizabeth Bowers when we were in Sprague High School's choir together.  I hadn't realized she went on to serve in the Peace Corps, and I didn't know she had died in a bike accident in Zambia, until Wesley met her parents while an MBA student at Willamette University.  They were looking for assistance from the program, and Wesley, who has special feelings for Africa, having spent two years there) helped advise them on expanding their operation.

When I considered who to direct this year's penny drive toward, this sprang to mind, and I'm so glad.  My sorrow over some things I cannot change in my own kids' schools has been salved by the opportunity to help children who are far needier.

Who needs sleep?

Well you're never going to get it.  If you know that Bare Naked Ladies song, you're old like me. 

Lillian and Roland moved into new beds this Monday.  That car bed has served us well so far.  Some ebay purchases last and last.  Lillian does not stay in her crib easily, so it seemed a good a time as any.  How wrong we were.

These pictures show them ready for bed and excited.  From 8pm until 10, we put Lillian back in her bed many times, evacuated Roland from his bed and into the extra bed in our room.  He didn't get to enjoy that bed much that night!  Then from 10 to 12AM we let her mess around downstairs with me.  She was posessed, so tired, so out of her mind.  She kept asking for drinks, food, and refusing to partake of any of those things.  She pulled my hair several times just for the heck of it.  Then at midnight she started crying (as I expected) and cried for 10 minutes until she was asleep in my arms.

I put her to bed, then awoke at 5 to hear her in the hall, getting a book from the book shelf.  She screamed and cried as I returned her to her bed, yelling "I want Daddy!"  I awoke Wesley, as he was more than welcome to her!  He sat by her bed for a couple minutes and she fell asleep.  Luckily Jack slept in that morning, so we managed not to behave homicidally for the next day.

Tuesday night went fine, but I don't think it's going to be smooth sailing from here, Bedtime was so peaceful when she didn't know she could escape her crib.

What's the weather like?

I tried to cook the virus out of my two youngest today in the glorious warm sunshine.  For Jack, it seems to have done the trick.  Lillian is sicker than ever.  I'm thinking urgent care tomorrow, I don't have time for her to fight off a sinus infection on her own.

Also, we got some new play equipment for Lillian from some nice friends.  The kids were so excited. 

Do you really want to know?

 

Confessions:

#1  I still haven't done the dishes in the background of the photo.  Our family currently requires running the dishwasher 2-3 times a day and I don't seem to be able to keep up with that, even with Wesley's help.

#2  The plan is that I do all the laundry twice a week, fold it, return it to bedrooms on those days.  Since Jack has been born, I don't think laundry day has ever been just one day (unless we have guests coming and Wesley intervenes in emergency mode.  And then usually there is still a load in the dryer and the washer).

#3  I sent the big kids to bed tonight without making them brush their teeth.

#4  This was just after giving them each five jellybeans in lieu of the dessert I had rashly promised earlier in the evening to get them to stop eating!

 

Now you know.