The Funny Face

A few days ago Jackson showed us his "funny face." We couldn't stop laughing--what a subtle, wry wit our boy is! We've been trying, unsuccessfully, to capture the funny face on film, but the other night at the Budziszewskis', one of our friends with a doozy camera got it. JRW was actually in quite a posing mood. After several different shots on the ottoman, he moved to the armchair for another series. At any rate, be sure to click on the enlarged image. And note the hands--pure genius!

"Miss Pooley, may I go to the bathroom?"

Hi Future Fam,

I recently visited David in my new favorite city, Pittsburgh. It was, of course, wonderful to see David, and I was also happy to see where we'd be living after December. I was a little apprehensive about our quarters (A studio? Doesn't that mean that guests can see the fridge and the shower at the same time?!), but was pleasantly surprised at the arrangement. The building is an older one with a lot of character--creaky wood floors, thick crown molding around the windows, an arched entryway--and I like how the antique furniture looks in the place. The landlord did good things with half-walls and doors, so that one can cook in the kitchen and not see the bedroom or bathroom. There are three windows that let in lots of morning light, and since it's on the seventh floor, we can see steeples towering over Shadyside; when the windows are open, we can hear the church bells ring. It's a little dollhouse, and I love it.

For the past few weeks, I've been substitute teaching. (Guest teaching, as they call it now.) I signed up for everything from Kindergarten to 12th grade, all subjects. Not that I'm an expert in Calculus, Woodworking or ROTC, but it would be fun to try them, and I've found that teachers do not have subs teach anything substantial; it is usually an independent work period. Last week, I was in HS History, Jr High Math, Music and English. One day, I had access to the Internet, which allowed me to research wedding photographers while the kids studied. The students are mostly attentive and sweet. There is the occasional smart-mouthed jr high fellow, and after I've quelled the urge to show him that despite appearances, I could take him out, I wrote him up in the class notes for the teacher to deal with the following day.

I'm looking forward to seeing y'all--or many of y'all--in Phoenix soon!

MFA pictures

There are pictures of my MFA choreography online if anyone wants to check them out:

Go to www.timtrumblephoto.com
Click on 'Sales'
Click on ASU Dance
The password is 'DANCE' all caps

Our album is the 9th one down, '07 Dnwks I'. My solo is me in a pale blue costume with a blue background and my group are the 8 dancers in cream-colored costumes with a black background. The other work from that show is interspersed, but most of my stuff is at the beginning. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday (a couple of days late) to my wonderful husband!

We're celebrating here in Hot Springs and having a marvelous time. Cody's birthday dinner at Meme's was a Southern feast of McClard's BBQ and a delicious strawberry cake from Ambrosia bakery, compliments of one of Bill's drug reps. We've seen all the family here already except for Karen and Mary Elizabeth who's off to wow the world at a tennis tournament this weekend. I'm so glad Cody was born 36 years ago and that we get to celebrate here with our beloved family!

More congratulations in order

for Bethany! She and Peter got engaged last night! Both of my sisters in one month! Bethany and Peter are planning December 15, and Laurel and Clint November 10).

A Message to My Family

We've all got a LOT going on right now... moves, weddings, jobs, toddlers. Benjamin has been thinking of you all and he wanted to share with you his secret to a calm and stress-free life. Josh taught him to greet me with this when I walked in from school the other day. So if you're feeling overwhelmed (as I know I am), just take a look at this little video and your cares will melt away. It really works!

Benjamin's 1st Camping Trip

We finally bit the bullet this weekend and did the thing we've been simultaneously anticipating and dreading for years... we took Benjamin tent-camping. Our fears were based on the suspicion that our high-energy child would bounce off the walls of a tent into the wee hours of the night. Fortunately for all, they were unfounded. We drove up to Lynx Lake, which is outside of Prescott, AZ, and, at 5,000 feet, MUCH cooler than Phoenix right now. Benjamin loved playing in the lake and he also got to experience his first campfire and first s'more. In fact, since this trip was so successful, and given B's track record with hiking, we've decided that family backpacking is soon to follow!

Strategically choosing rocks to throw in the lake--a favorite activity.

Helping Daddy set up the tent.
Get in here, guys! This is awesome!!!

Benjamin couldn't resist playing in the firepit when it was cool. His hands looked like this much of the time.

What is this glorious concoction?

I climbed it!