Alternative School

Usually when we start school, it looks something like this:

Granted, by the time we're done it usually looks like a kiddie arts-and-crafts store got picked up by a tornado and blew through the kitchen on its way out to sea, depositing odd bits and piles (we don't actually have tornadoes here, though). Here we've just gotten started and I'm reading to P&B before we start any lessons. I find they listen much more closely if they are coloring at the same time. Or maybe it's just that the fidgeting that otherwise happens drives me nuts.

ANYWAY, I have decided that while we're refugees we should take advantage of living two blocks from the ocean. The BBC's "Blue Planet" is providing the facts to back me up. The Pacific itself is providing the inspiration.

Bud with my Dad down at the tide pools

Our road dead-ends into a park running along the cliffs/bluffs. There are stairs down to the water that are no good at high-tide, but when the tide is out they provide access to a beach, climbing rocks, and tide pools. It is fun to look for the sea creatures hiding and waiting.

Serious studying going on

On our way to the beach steps, we have to pass the playground (I know, I know...were there ever more blessed "refugees" in all the world? I don't think so!). Wombles' new love is the slide.




Pixie's face while she was on the phone with "Auntie M," who was asking her to be her flower girl! I haven't yet told N or M that there is a STRONG possibility Pixie won't have either of her front teeth for the weddings...

I spent most of today going through photos of our losses, listing items, and finding replacement prices online so that we can file with insurance. It is totally ridiculous that looking at pictures of spices should be hard, but I feel all worn out. Looking at these blog photos has reminded me of how wonderful things are. I have been incredibly encouraged by some of my friends on facebook today and yesterday. And, we so clearly do receive good with the evil (Job 2:10).

And After

I go back and forth between feeling that the fire is a small part of the normal flow of our days--homeschool, three small children, trips to the playground, church--and somehow feeling defined by it. I know that I am not, and that my identity is secure elsewhere. Even 2.5 months later, though, it can seem that the fire is referential for every bit of life. There is "before" and "after," of course. But there are a million "because of" and "in spite of"s, too. I'm sharing two pictures here, but they are just place markers. I may process more here, and I may not. Tonight I'm a little overwhelmed by it all and am going to move ahead to other images, to share a bit of our last few months.

The fire cresting the hill as we drove toward the fire on our way to the gym

The South wall of our garage at 3 a.m.

Most of the following images are old ones that I'm just now getting to enjoy. Likewise, we'll see whether I get around to sharing Christmas in Quincy, New Year's in L.A. or Mom and Dad's trip out here in early January. :)

While at our first refugee stop (a couple from church, we stayed at their house for the first 2 1/2 weeks after the fire), Wombles learned how to play "Push." This involves accosting anyone sitting on his level and pushing them down. He loves it. I especially love the outfit he is in. We spent a little while scrambling, as it was 85 degrees when we grabbed clothes from the house (before they took away practically every stitch of textiles to be cleaned) but the weather got cold about 10 days later. Yeah, glad we have all of these tank tops! :p

The Sunday after the fire, we all went to Santa Barbara Outfitters and got "Life is Good" hats. We wear them cleaning up and working at the house and around, but especially as reminders to each other and our neighbors when we're in a tough spot. Bud's LIG shirt was one of the few articles of clothing he had for the first few days, and the feedback was so great that we all joined in. (This photo is from after Thanksgiving)


Thanksgiving Day with D.B.B. (see 11/12 post). That was our first week back at homeschool (ironic, I know) and we were on "I" week...see headdress. Yes, we ate our meal outside. Our non-homecooked meal. With friends.

Also on Thanksgiving. Pixie's friend Lucia from the neighborhood was also a refugee at this point (with her family!) . Lucia's family and ours have a supper swap and eat together every week. My friend Helen (Lucia's mom) covered the table with paper and brought crayons and the kids all drew pictures of things they are thankful for. I love the idea and hope to do it every year.

Pixie and I went to see the Santa Barbara Theatre Company's Peter Pan. It was the musical, and they really flew! Things had been so chaotic that we didn't even know that two young people from our neighborhood were in the show until we were there! Pixie was excited to see (her friend) Leia's brother as "John" and our next-door neighbor as Wendy's daughter.

Wombles-the-architect stacking canned goods on the trash bin. Mmmm. This is in the rental. The sunset below is from the rental, too!



Many blessings to you. Thanks for checking in.