Almost Ready for the Splits Club!

Here is a link to the splits club:


http://www.rmafit.com/hall-of-fame

Here are photos of Carsten in all three positions.  I told him that I want a picture of him doing the splits as my Christmas present.  Five months to go. . . it looks as though he'll be able to grant my request!

Right side . . .

Left side . . .

. . . and Center !

Wow !  Quite impressive.

If My ISight Camera Suddenly Became a Sentient Being. . .

. . . what would be its take on this world?

Carsten studied this photo with very serious expression, then said:  "That's just wrong."
It would have been fun to have twin Athena's, though.  Athena Rose and Athena Tulip.

Athena finally got me to go on a roller coaster with her :)

The 13th Warrior Has Arrived

The thirteenth warrior has arrived.  That's what they said when Carsten arrived at his RMA Broadsword seminar. 

Miss Michelle helping Carsten with his broadsword stance

Carsten corrected the instructor when he called Michelle "Miss Michelle".  Carsten wants us to call her "Miss Michelle the Great"

I am working on my experiment.  Having trouble. . . just as I figured out how to get these blocks to sequence correctly, I got a message from EPrime that my license had expired and I was in violation of the software agreement until I inserted my license hasp.  Which is across town in a coworker's office :(

Perfect timing -- aren't I lucky to get a special study snack like this?  Hot chocolate with whipped cream and a handful (albeit a small handful due to the snack-provider's small hand) tortilla chips this time.  Sometimes I get smoothies, too.  But I think my favorite treat ever was during my stats exam:  a whole bowl of pomegranate seeds, sprinkled with sugar.  Very tasty.  

Lady Bug and Dahlias

There are so many ladybugs at our house!  Walking on the plants.  When you go for a walk, you have to be careful not to step on them!  I think they have found a good supply of aphids here.  They have such amazing feet!

It must be a nice life, crawling around on HUGE dahlias all day. . .

Swim

Not-Yet-So-Organized Post. . .But Soon It Will Be. . .Sort-of Like Our House :)

Here are the first moments of moving in.  We were all there for the first hour.  Then Frances, Carsten and I oversaw the moving while everyone else went to Seattle for a soccer tournament.

On the way to the new house for the first time. . .  ready for anything.

It was the right week to move in. . . all the roses blooming.

Of course the first thing to do was check out the attic.
 

It's a little easier going up the ladder than coming down. 

 

Athena tries out her window sill.

Here are some "before" pictures of the very empty house.  No color yet. 

I transported the breakables over the weekend, before the movers arrived. 

Color!

These little guys spent a lot of time riding on the tip of my violin bow.  Many years ago.  Now they live in Bavarian teacups.

More color!

 

These boxes are full of books.  All of them except one, which had computer cables and our airport.  I had to unpack all the books first so we could find the airport.  I never realize how many books we have until they come off the shelves. 

It's looking a lot less like a formal dining room already. . .

David bolted them to the walls.

I haven't taken a picture yet, but all the shelves are full now.  And no more boxes in the entryway!

The books are being put to good use already!  Here is Carsten reading Richard Scary to cousin Jacoby.