The True Vyne

Can you tell I've been inattentive to my blog?

Lately, everything I'd like to write passionately about is far too private, and I can't find a satisfying code to write in like I usually do.

And I'm still working on my writing projects for publication, so I don't have a writing jones to work out here.

But I'd like to keep up with my blog as a bit of a diary, so here are some brief highlights of our week.

It was the once a year homeschool testing time at our satellite school. I loaded up three canvas bags of calculators, number 2 pencils, books to read, water bottles, and snacks which I dropped off with my boys into a classroom and drove away. For three days in a row, and I got to do whatever I fancied for three consecutive hours. I had to wonder what other mothers who do not homeschool do with all that precious "in school time"? The first testing day, Buck took Pooh Bear and I went to an impromptu lunch with Meredith Lee. Always a treat. We dropped in to see her husband at his new Tribe One building afterwards. Her husband, Woody and I worked together for years making the three of us close knit friends. And we were once intentional neighbors in the hood before the burbs and now the farm.

I suddenly realized that while I'd kept up with Meredith Lee over the last three years, I have not visited with Woody at all. We scheduled and met later in the week to catch up and for me to let him look over my work, much of which he taught me. Did you know Woody and Meredith Lee are two of my heroes? I've blogged about ML's ability to look directly inside me and speak out with tremendous accuracy the path on which I'm created to be. She is the rare woman who shares her talents lavishly simply to build others up. Woody inspires me with his life and work bringing together diverse communities. This is a man who makes a difference. Check out Woody's http://www.tribeone.com/tribeone to be wowed by a way to change the world for the better. Imagine a city councilman who considers it a privilege to mentor inner city youth away from gang life into a life of purpose- "Nothing stops a bullet like a job".

The second day of testing, Pooh Bear and I visited the mall for the third time ever in her five year old life. We looked at puppies in the pet store and explored every last inch of Claire's Boutique. I did have to fake a smile to endure all that pink and sequins. The next day, she and I ate lunch at my favorite Italian restaurant, but I did not have to conjure the silly stuffed grin spread across my face which always accompanies chicken picatta with capers.

Friends with SIX boys (who could ever be that blessed?) invited us Friday through Saturday to a hotel with an indoor waterslide in Pigeon Forge, and now I'm exhausted upon return from all that wonderful chaos.

Hope your weekend has been as full of fun so far.