Pablo Neruda: If You Forget Me

I want you to know
one thing.

You know how this is:
if I look
at the crystal moon, at the red branch
of the slow autumn at my window,
if I touch
near the fire
the impalpable ash
or the wrinkled body of the log,
everything carries me to you,
as if everything that exists,
aromas, light, metals,
were little boats
that sail toward those isles of yours that wait for me.

Well, now,
if little by little you stop loving
me I shall stop loving you little by little.

If suddenly
you forget me
do not look for me,
for I shall already have forgotten you.

If you think it long and mad,
the wind of banners
that passes through my life,
and you decide to leave me at the
shore of the heart where I have roots,
remember
that on that day,
at that hour,
I shall lift my arms
and my roots will set
off to seek another land.

But if each day,
each hour,
you feel that you are destined for me
with implacable sweetness,
if each day a flower
climbs up to your lips to seek me,
ah my love, ah my own,
in me all that fire is repeated,
in me nothing is extinguished or forgotten,
my love feeds on your love, beloved,
and as long as you live it will be in your arms
without leaving mine.

Miss Potato Head

Beef: It's what's for dinner

I'm in a mood for beef. And lots and lots and lots of it.

SIRLOIN STEAK

Salt and pepper a sirloin steak. Spread on 2 1/2 tablespoons mustard, pour on 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce and cut up 2 1/2 tablespoons butter and spread on steak. Wrap in foil and cook at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.

Do-It-Yourself

Bug worked very hard to build a home for Peanut. She worked on it too, of course. Peanut knows that those who don't work don't have shelter. The really sad thing is that I took these photos just so I could use my soon be be bought stamps on their scrapbook page.

The Before Photos

It wasn't a hideous kitchen before the new paint and countertops, but the tile on the countertops was awful. Even with frequent bleaching I couldn't keep them looking good. And I'm really excited about the upgrade!

He's doing very well, thank you!

While his sister has been ill, he's giving me a run for my money!

Sickness

She's been very sick for about 2 days. The poor peanut has been vomiting for hours and she's got no energy. I feel really sorry for her!

Fire Station Number 9

He actually figured out how to start the engine on the heavy rescue truck! The firefighters were shocked as they ran to turn it off. Shana asked who the culprit was. Well, who else would it have been?

Bug's First Performance...

His little Pre-K class in our homeschool coop did the cutest song for their sign language class. In this photo he's signing "your turn."

Now they're all signing "thank you." Bug loves the class and he has lots of fun doing the signs all over the house. His favorite is "scared" because he thinks it's funny. Ahh, childhood.

Let the dowry bidding begin

Who wouldn't want this beautiful girl?