Al Green, Emma Kate, and Sophie

What do Al Green, Emma Kate, and Sophie all have in common? Probably absolutely nothing. Except that they are featured in this post. Here's a picture of Fletcher jammin' out to Al Green at Barnes and Noble last week. He loves the library and the book store and always wants to go to the music department at B&N and listen to music with the headphones after reading about a dozen books first.


Great news for Emma Kate and her family: Emma will be attending Children's Community School in Davidson in the fall. Her name was chosen in a random lottery from over 400 children who applied for Kindergarten there. We hope to be so lucky in a couple of years!


Fletcher and I went to the park today and we were so happy to see Sophie and Mrs. Julia there. Here are some great pictures of Fletcher and Sophie at the playground.

Rantings

Aaargh! If you get the Observer, be sure to check out this weeks cover page of the Neighbors of Lake Norman. If you don't get it, go out today and buy it or view online at www.lakenormanneighbors.com. It affects all of us who live in the area. I have complained for weeks about the new developments along HWY 73 that will add to the already existing Northcross (Target) Shopping center. I as much as anyone enjoy having a Target in my area and will visit the proposed Michael's instead of driving to Mooresville. But these new stores along 73 will add to the already heavy and frustrating traffic. Our friends Dan and Quillain (Mandy's parents) will no longer be able to make a turn left into their neighborhood if traveling toward the intersection of 73 and 21. One neighborhood along 73 is already not allowed to make a turn into their own neighborhood! How outrageous!

The paper today talks about new proposed development on Westmoreland Road. 105 acres, 900,000 square feet, department stores, high-end grocery store, condos, 2 hotels, conference center, and other small stores. Chris and Tonya this will be in your back yard, literally. And Shawn and Emily, Tony and Julie, your neighbor. This may mean a new exit from 77 (which there would have to be if this size development is built).

I as much as anyone love having Birkdale and it's high-end stores near by. I enjoy the conveince of having a Harris Teeter and a 24 hour CVS on my own exit. I am excited about Discovery Place being within walking distance of my current home. When and if we ever sell and buy a larger home, I'd love to think we could buy a new home. But when is enough enough? In 10 years or less there will be no trees, no cows, no green spaces. I am already feeling claustrophobic in this area and it will only get worse. The new proposed development on Westmoreland will mean that Emma Kate and Jack, Cam, Isabelle and Logan will see stores and pavement on their daily trip to J.V. Washam Elementary school instead of the grazing cows, silo, and old barn that occupy the acreage now.

There is also a proposed development at 115 and Alexandriana Road that will be 400 acres and 1 million square feet that will very likely affect exit 23 and will mean a new ramp from 485. In addition, a new exit 32 and points north.

We have lived in Huntersville for 7 years and have seen the area grow unbelievably, But I'm ready to say stop! Stop the growth, stop the retail, stop the traffic congestion, stop ruining the downtown feel of our towns.

So on that note: Anyone want to buy a lovely brick townhome in a neotraditional neighborhood near historic downtown Huntersville?

Girls Night Out!

Dawn, Tonya, and I had such a great time Friday night. Dawn was in town to take a very professional test, of which she passed of course, and stayed around to visit with us. We went out for dinner and drinks and had a great time talking, laughing, and just having girl-type fun. I don't think I laughed so well in a long time. I love you girls and feel so fortunate to have you as my friends! Link to Tonya's Girl's Night Out post provided. We are also very fortunate to have such great husbands who willingly allow us to do such things. Thanks guys!

Fletcher's Own Good Company

Fletcher got upset yesterday when I "took" his temperature. After trying to understand what was wrong, I realized that he wanted me to "give it back" to him. "Don't take my temperature. It's mine own."


There is a large closet in Fletcher's bedroom and he has now realized that he likes to climb deep into the closet behind the coats and sit. Daddy almost panicked over the weekend because he couldn't find Fletcher, only to discover him in the closet. Yesterday at nap time, he climbed into the closet. "Fletcher are you OK in there?" "Yes, I am sitting." He fell asleep and slept in his closest for 3 hours! I remember sitting in my own closet as a child and reading books and enjoying that close, safe feeling, but I'm sure I was older than Fletcher. As much as he always wants to be with others, it surprises me that he is enjoying this dark, private space. But I think it is great that he is enjoying his own good company.

When Prince Charming has a Fever

Hear ye, hear ye! Alas, Prince Charming awoke this morning with a fever. Therefore, he was unable to attend the St. Valentine's Day festivities throughout the kingdom. Lady Julia kinding delivered cards and well-wishes from Sophie and from St. Alban's. Prince Charming wishes to say "Thank you" all for the lovely cards and goodies. He is now feeling better.

Muffins and Valentines

I long to be the mommy who makes her child's Halloween costume, cooks homemade dinners and bakes birthday cakes, but that's not my reality. However, I did aspire to be that mommy today. This morning I made heart-shaped strawberry muffins for snack for Fletcher's class at preschool along with strawberries that I notched a V in the top of to resemble hearts when sliced in half. This afternoon Fletcher and I worked on his Valentines for friends: celephane bags with apples, oranges, or bananas and cards that say, "You're the apple of my eye!, " or "Orange you glad we're friends!," or "I go bananas over you!" I thought of two others later: "Valentine, you're grape!" and "We're a great pear!"

Watch out June Cleaver, here comes Joanna Clausen!

Tooting Our Horn!

We all get caught up in the day-to-day, but if you stop to look at your life, it's amazing all the things we manage to accomplish and all the hats we wear. Some days I feel that laundry and housework may never get done, but the reality is that it will always be there, waiting. It's easy to lose touch with the important things like playing with our kids instead of running around like "chickens with their heads cut off." And I need to remind myself that I: did do some laundry, the sink is empty, I made Valentine's cards for friends and family, cared for 4 children (which encompasses a lot), worked at the library, had a date with my husband, wrote a letter to ECU Dept of Librarianship about furthuring my education, read numerous books with my son, had 2 playdates with the Harringtons (see pictures), and created a blog, all this week! WOW! Go ahead, toot your own horn, too!

Jo's First Post

Yeah! I've created a blog! Hope to be able to share with family and friends photos, daily ponderings, and more.