Back To The Grind

Yes, I have a rather sick sense of humor, but with the amount of work I have ahead of me, I pretty much feel like I am going to be sending myself through those blades for a couple of weeks.
Thus, Anne's blogging is going to suffer. Hey, work before blithering, right? ;-)
Let's see......the studio is in shambles but progress is being made on the commission. It is not as fast as I would like, but what is done makes me HAPPY. That is priceless. So I will continue at whatever pace produces good work.
Sweet Pea has taken over the studio and knows that "S.P. is the bird that rules the roost"! It has been delightful to watch this little miracle adapt and become comfortable in new surroundings and be very happy! And love Jazz and sing along......I have good birds.
Between work, teaching and studies, I barely see Gary so my time is oddly arranged and I am trying to adjust to this schedule. It is a matter of chunks of time here and there, which is not how I normally work but it is what is afforded me at the moment.
Forgive me if I am absent on blogs---there is just a lot to DO and I need to buckle down and deal with all of it.
Oh.
Due to many people asking me to save Milo's exploits, I took the leap into the new Blogger templates (which I might add, I despise) and gave him his own blog. There are no comment options--it is strictly all the exploits he had here on my blog, preserved over there, in order. Just hit older posts to go to the next page. And he was so friendly,  if you would like to add yourself to Milo's Friends (a.k.a. followers) I am sure it would make him happy.  Just click below:

Milo!!!

As for me, I am off to the tables and pattern making, painting fabric, and all the other things involved with the current project. Sometimes it is like juggling cats.
No, it is constantly like juggling cats! LOL!!!
Until I have some brain dribble worth posting, I remain in the studio, slaving away, pushing myself into that meat grinder!

Pax....

I Wonder Where.......

....the little guy is. I won't wake to this inquisitive face again; the house is still, the birds are calm, and life has returned to what it was before.

Milo, you always have a home-away-from-home here.

I hope you remember that.

I hope you remember the fun.

And most of all, I hope you remember me.

I love you, you little bug........♥♥♥

Milo Packs For Home

As with all good things, an end comes and I must admit that as Milo began packing, I was very sad to see the little bug putting his possessions back into the SMTU. He was holding up better than me, I think......although, those antennae looked a little droopy.......

"Got to have all my bath things so I can keep clean and smell good," he said as he finished packing the towel. "If I ever get a girlbugfriend, I don't want to stink." (oh Milo! you'll make me cry!)

"Mom will think this is funny...hee, hee, hee! I didn't tell Pastor Steve about the copier......" And I sigh; well, part of it sunk in but he still has that mischievous streak. I guess I did too at his age.....

"Yes," I said, "You can take Rawwwwr home; he seems to like you very much Milo."

"I can't forget THIS! But I want to keep it nice and white....."

So he took the little bible and carefully wrapped it in his afghan so it would be well padded.

Then he tucked it into the corner of the SMTU where it wouldn't get jostled about.

"Milo, how about some iced tea and I would like to propose a toast. To the best Millennium Bug ever---Milo M. Bug!"

But the reality of goodbye was sinking in, and he wasn't the only one needing a tissue. I had a large lump in my throat.

"It's okay Milo. Just blow. Have a little cry and get it out of your system. This is normal with goodbyes. But you'll be at Deb's soon, and all happy again." And I thought to myself, I'll be here in a large quiet house, missing your little pitter patter of bug feet......

Then there was a knock at the door, which I had been expecting from an earlier phone call. Milo was all antennae to see what was going on.

"Milo," I said, "I had a friend call who has a little girlbug who needs a ride to Arizona, and wondered if you'd mind sharing your SMTU? She doesn't like traveling alone."

I'm not too sure he heard a word I said--he seemed pretty transfixed...

"Milo.....this is Lyla Ladybug."

"Milo???"

Well, obviously they were getting along quite well....he zipped her out of the house and wasted no time getting a bouquet together.......maybe they just needed some alone time.....

Much later, I crept out and found two happy bugs, watching the day pass in the green farmland of Indiana; a last look before returning to the exotic Arizona landscape and home; to Deb and the blue pool and many, many more delightful adventures.

So Milo seemed to have found himself a nice girlbugfriend and they do look rather cute, don't they?

Good bye Milo!!! Good bye Lyla!!!

Until we all meet again.......... Bon Voyage! ♥♥♥

Milo Visits The Pastor ~or~ A Changed Bug

I had decided that Mr. Milo M. Bug really needed a little face time with someone that had better parenting skills that myself and might be able to coax him into behaving a bit more....ummmmmm.....predictably. I did not want to have to worry about leaving the computer on or having to lock the parakeets somewhere, and frankly, I think the little guy was just worn out, wound up and needed some settling down.

I got him up and told him, "Milo, this is a big day because you're going someplace special." He wasn't moving too fast; you know, kids always know when something is up.
"We get to ride in the car today--a pretty long ride, so hurry and get ready."

All the way up there was little chatter....he had brought his afghan along, for whatever reason and mostly he worked it in knots in his little bug hands.  Hmmmmm.......

Pastor Steve welcomed us and I thought I was going to lose Milo.
"Oh he's so tall! He could squish me!" And he promptly hid behind a pillow and his afghan; just antennae, hat and eyes peeking out.

(We had planned something more formal in the sanctuary, but there was no moving the bug.)
"Milo," Pastor Steve said, "Anne has told me about your adventures. You know, for a nice bug your age, you should be behaving a little better and not getting into mischief that adults do, and shouldn't."

Milo peered out. "I know. I just don't really know what is right and what is wrong until it happens. I don't mean to get into trouble, but it does seem to find me sometimes." He thought a moment and added, "Well, a lot of times, I guess."

"Milo," I said, "You tell the Pastor what you've been up to. Just whisper, I won't listen. You get that off your chest, say you're sorry, and mean it too." So the two leaned close and there were a lot of interesting expressions....... (especially from the Pastor)

Pastor Steve looked at him quite seriously and asked, "Do you want to continue like this or would you like to make some changes to help in making your life better?"
Milo looked at me and I nodded *yes* and then he nodded *yes* too. "What do I have to do?"
"Well, Anne told me your mom goes to church, and eventhough it is a different one than here, I am sure she would not mind if you were brought into *the church*---the One Church. Are you willing to be serious about this and start living a good life and doing good things and helping others?" the Pastor asked.

"Yes, yes!" Milo answered. "I want to be a new bug when I go home to Mom! I want Mom to be proud of what I have learned while I was on my trip!" He paused, then asked, "So, can you help me do that?"
Pastor Steve nodded.
"Yes Milo. We will do a Provisional Ceremony for you, to bring you into the fold, and make you a new bug--at least from the aspect of your soul. Do you understand?"
Milo seemed pretty excited and nodded *yes* quite vigorously.

"I'm ready!" he said with a surprising vigor.

So the two began the Provisional Ceremony to bring little Millenium Bugs into a new life. There were questions and answers and some prayers, and finally, the presentation of a beautiful white bible.

"This is so you don't forget today," Pastor Steve said as he inscribed the inside cover. "You can always look at this and read, and you will find the answers you need in the tough spots in life."

Then he blessed Milo, and I think there was a little tear in Milo's eye, and I know there were a few in mine. (I was so proud of the little bug!)

"Now go in peace Milo. Do no harm. And always remember there is Someone much greater than any of us who loves you unconditionally."

Milo sniffed, smiled brightly and said, "Thank you!!! You've been so nice to me!" And he hung onto his bible tightly as we got ready to leave.

Pastor Steve said one last thing as we were leaving, and it sounded pretty much like, "Stay OFF the internet."

And I had one happy, tired bugboy when I got home, who was just not letting go of his book, even in bed.

Ah, tomorrow, he shall begin packing to go home to Deb and the blue pool and a different life.....I wonder if he will remember all that has happened today?

Will he remember???

I hope so........

Milo's "NO!" Day

I guess all kids have "NO!" days, and young bugs are no different. I am exhausted as I type this. These are select episodes from a very long "No Day"...... *sigh*

This was the angelic face I woke to, asking if we could go outside. Of course, it was a beautiful day. Just let me get my work clothes on and don't mess with the birds while I am changing.....Okay???? (hahaha, Anne.....do you believe you expect that face to listen? he has plans....)

And here we go.........I come down to this.......

....And this.......

.....And this.......MILO! NO!.......       (the parakeets were NOT amused...)

"Go put your farm clothes on and meet me on the porch; I have to set the chipmunk trap." My patience was a little thin, but then, I'm not used to little ones.....*deep breath*

"Milo, no, I'll get those for you..........."

"MILO!!!! NO!" Oh heavens, I have to get him out before he suffocates......

This is my fault. I walked to the shed for clippers, and he has natural curiosity........

"Help! I just wanted to see how it worked! Get me out!!!" (I am already worn out........)

"Milo---NO!"

"Milo, quit throwing crab apples at me! Get down now!"

The next thing I see is him running across the yard to the acre of corn....... "Miiillllooooooo.......NO!!!!!"

After falling in the weeds, I find the little goomer up a cornstalk, playing with the silk.

"Get down from there, NOW. And I have to get out of here--there is pollen and ragweed everywhere; I'm itching and can't breathe! Come on, be good.....let's go in the house and get a soda...." (any bribe to get him in....)

"Milo, you could have been lost for good out there, you know that? What would I tell Deb?" I asked, while gulping down a drink. "And you're all dirty, so young man, you're getting a bath!"

I don't think I have seen him move so fast as when the *B* word was mentioned.

"Nooooooooo!!!!!" says the bug, hiding in my orchids. "I don't want my antennae wet!"

"Well I have a remedy for that and it's called a shower cap. Come on. NOW."

I got the bath drawn and he brought his towel and scrubber and acquiesced to the little bug sized shower cap.

He seemed to be enjoying himself, even though he was trying hard not to show it.

"You need any help Milo?" I asked.

"NO!"

Ooooooookay.....we're just having a bad bug day.....

"Can a bug have some privacy to dry off???"

I go in the other room, and when he is dry, it is bedtime for Milo.

"I'm taking you to meet someone tomorrow that may be able to get you to behave a little better. So go to sleep, and rest up good." I lean down to give him a goodnight peck and he pulls the quilt up.

And all I hear is a muffled "NO!" from beneath the covers.

Am *I* ready for bed???  Oh YES!!!!