It's all peeling bark around here!

another_butter @ 2005-05-22T07:11:00

2005-05-22T14:12:52Z

Anita M. Bothwell CNA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did it, I passed the state test, I did it! yay!

Nia is a big girl

2004-12-31T06:55:40Z

Nia turned 2 on the 18th.
Happy Birthday Nia Sky!

another_butter @ 2004-12-02T20:10:00

2004-12-03T04:10:53Z

Anita Marie (Long) Bothwell
May 6, 1975

If you are wondering where I am, come and find me!

funksburg syndrome

2004-11-20T18:34:29Z

Good morning. I am drinking store brand hot cocoa out of a purple Kahlua mug, that proclaims "Anything Goes", which pretty much sums up my mood. Last month on a whim I bought a box of red hair dye, and last night around midnight I finally gathered the courage to take the plunge. After 10 minutes of processing I started to chicken out, so I rinsed. Now my hair is a lovely shade of brown that when the sun catches it just right, looks sorta grey.

View Poll: funk

nearly 30

2004-11-05T08:01:31Z

Me and my clearance socks
Listen to Mother’s story
Appliances When Charlie Died

I’m no longer 11
Watching her scratch at the headliner
Sifting plaster

I’m nearly 30
Appliance troubles of my own
She say’s “and that was that, Darlin’ ”

Because now I’m her Darlin’
No longer those names she called me
When I was 12, 15, or 19

pictures plus

2004-09-06T02:57:44Z

The front of the house. You can see the miner's cabin behind the cottonwood tree. A deer next to the persimmon tree (in front of the chicken coop).

The "Miner's Cabin" and the garage.

The back of the house. The garage sits to the right of the house, and the miner's cabin to the left. The same persimmon tree with a view of the meadow, our gravel drive way, and the canyon.

Susan came back over this afternoon, baring an adult ticket to the fair, compliments of the Mariposa Democrat Club. Since tomorrow is "kids day", we will be off at the fair.

Today we spent taking advantage of the Netflik 2 week trial, thus zoning out, watching Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman season 1 vol.1 and part of vol. 2. Dr. Quinn rules. Is their another show that holds a 29 year old, 9 year old, and 5 year olds attention hour after hour? Other than Little House on the Prairie?

I give in, I feel like I'm on the prairie. If I sit just right on the patio, so a huge pine tree blocks the house on the other side of the canyon, I feel like I'm all alone in the world. I imagine what it was like for the homesteaders who built this place. Then I go inside and watch a fuzzy episode of COPS, and not feel sooo alone.

Saturday

2004-09-04T17:01:55Z

Peter has left.

I think we will drive into town and go to the parade. My neighbor Susan(not "Sue"), will be walking with the Mariposa Democrats. So, I'll know someone...

She came over on Thursday, because their was another fire, and she wanted to let me know that it was on the other side of the highway in case I was "worried". Really, I just thought it was smog. That makes fire number 9. I just hope the "arsonist", doesn't burn down this lovely abode.

Off to town. Don't forget the American flag pinwheels.

slightly

2004-08-25T05:35:45Z

I've been thinking of things I wanted to write about all day long. Now I'm sitting here, finally with my paws on the computer I just want to go to sleep. Here are just three...

1. I like the quiet, but I'm starting to get lonely. Called Peter crying tonight, just because I was spent dealing with the kids. I have hardly even seen Peter. I know HE'S the one who is more spent, just in a different type of way. Really, he comes home from school after I'm asleep (11 pm or so). Then he's gone when I pull myself up out of bed around 7 am.

2. It's a sad day when your a teacher and your kids qualify for the free lunch program at school.

3. Paper Moons and Macaroons

My secleded life

2004-08-19T06:37:06Z

It was day 3 of soccer try-outs and in-house for Peter, it was day 3 for me of being the wife of a coach and teacher. Since we are tv reception free, radio strong if you like Country Western or Spanish only speaking, and I've been in internet withdrawls since my only access to the computer is when Peter is sleeping. (Cross your fingers that the computer "expert" gets his classroom computers online soon...)

I have been waking up, doing a LOAD OF LAUNDRY -- No hauling up a flight of stairs and plunking 4 quarters to make it run. The drier still needs a propane converter, so IN MY PJ'S, I moosie down the rockery steps and hang my wash to dry. While I do this I look at the hawks, quail, or robins fluttering around. Then I water my petunias, begonias, lavender, aloe vera, and budding herb garden. Maybe a little weeding.

I come inside, yell at the kids for pouring cereal all over my freshly mopped floor. Load the glorious DISHWASHER, wipe down the beatiful blue on white painted tile counter. Feed the stray-cats-that-came-with-the-house, that I named Peaches 'n Cream and Sunflower Seed. Water my pansies that are growing next to the Miners Cabin, maybe empty the bee trap.

Make a loaf a bread or lemonade. Maybe unpack a box or go out and work on clearing brush from the meadow. At some point around 4, I start making dinner, and wonder if the mail came, and climb the 1/2 mile up the mountain to fetch a stray bill and a Highlights Magazine.

After dinner, we wait for the family of deer to come and graze in our yard. Until the older Doe decides that SHE wants the lavender next to the garage. Then I go inside and get a pot and a wooden spoon and chase her back by the barn. She can have the walnuts, persimmons, and crab apples. But leave my lavender ALONE!

I put the kids to bed, and wait for Peter to come home by taking a bath in the most wonderful bathtub in the world. Around 9:30, he stumbles in. Complains that I use too much onions and garlic, and goes to bed.

So here I am. It's 11:40pm.

My Country Life

2004-08-15T15:19:55Z

I think I have almost recovered from the move, having Sarah in town, the huge kink in my back from using a hand spade to till up a flower garden over taken with Bermuda grass, as well as a bout with a 24 hour flu.

Nia got the flu first, two nights after we took Sarah to the Sacramento airport. We had to go up to Chico to finish up a few things, and then I took the girls to my friend Victoria’s place to spend the night. Then we did some school shopping in Sacramento, finally found a copy of Whiskey Tango Ghosts, then came to Merced to do some supply shopping, finally getting home around 12 am.

A few hours later Nia woke up puking. And all day long it was nonstop. The next day Lydia, West and me got worst than sick, and yesterday Peter was dead to the world. How many days need to go by before you become a recluse? I haven’t seen a human being outside my family since Wednesday, much less been off the 10 acres that the house sits on.

Apparently the property corners a crick ( or creek…), the should dig out my hiking boots and brave the rattle snakes and go on an adventure. Or, brave the 4 miles to the community gas/liquor store to shell out $2.50 for the SF Sunday paper.

Update

2004-08-09T15:08:46Z

I NEVER WANT TO MOVE AGAIN! help my sore mussels and aching back.

A more positive post to come.

Soul Food

2004-08-04T06:48:43Z

Today is the last day in this little two bedroom apartment next to Little Chico Creek. And for years, or at least until Sharon's Cookhouse reopened a few years ago, it has been my personal joke to go and eat there on our last night. We literally live one block away, passing it every time we come and go...

Yesterday, I said to Peter "I'm going to the Cookhouse for dinner tomrrow" and he just looked at me and rolled his eyes. The funny thing is that I'm allergic to seafood and fish, so I'm not really sure what would be an option, but I have that manic energy that say's "YOU HAVE TO GO!!!!!!!! BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO!"

By the way, we are broke

What do you think?

View Poll: Last Supper

Ira

2004-07-31T06:54:03Z

My Step dad is sick again. Since, before him and my mom were married he has had heart problems (heart attacks etc.). In the last 10 years he has undergone open heart surgery twice, not to mention defibrillator adjustments and other procedures that I don’t understand.

Now, my mom has used to word “transplant”. Of course, being the pessimist I am, I equal that with death. I need to state the obvious, if my step dad passes away; I think my mom will lose it for real. She told me tonight that she’s not worried, that everything will be fine. I don’t believe her. But, you have to be supportive, and say things like “things HAVE to be fine”. When the truth is that is just a matter of time. I just hope that it’s next year or better yet five years and not next week…

Home is where the heart lies!

2004-07-23T06:28:44Z

Our new home! Photos taken by Lydia

Granted, they aren't the best pictures in the world, but she's only 5. More soon!

One glorious year of Live Journaling!

2004-07-13T07:08:45Z

101 words poetry

2004-07-09T07:49:10Z

Thanks ygolonac for the great idea!

untitled renamed April

You don’t get a shopping high
You never did
Hair down to your ass
You twirl
It’s all about you
Or so it seems
Somewhere, between here and Salt Lake City
Cardboard boxes to newspaper wraps
North winds blast
To another suburb
Which might as well be in Connecticut
My zephyr
My oak trees
Gives you the finger
Now, that’s not polite
Finally
From the days of leaches and tadpoles
Spodi wet fingers
Drunk on the staircase
Sifting through blue Onesies
A missed placed letter
Or my children’s photo
Dropped behind your fridge
You lost the winning numbers
You always did

Quiz

2004-07-04T21:11:48Z

I just reread my last entry and it's as tried as I feel. To give me a jump start here is a poll of my lovely friends.

View Poll: While I was on summer vacation.......

PRO-crast-ionation! Come on! HooT!

2004-06-20T22:58:53Z

VERY COOL!

Sarah's wedding and more

2004-06-16T03:14:35Z

Am I really going to take these 3 kids on a 2 week road trip, approximately 2,221 miles long --BY MYSELF?

View Poll: #308474

My version

2004-06-15T03:39:30Z

I can hear the buzz of modulations of the universe
But you're the first to make me feel it

Oh, if only joy I a----
Love, Bang, Crash a-wocka wocka, Bam Thwok!
Love, Bang, Crash a-wocka wocka

Bosses and Offices on Autopilot drip
They got the keys to the city, but we got a lot of shakin' in our hips
Oh you know me I love the universe
I love all the listeners
Watch it!
Here's 50,000 watts of goodwill!

Oh if only joy I a---
Love, Bang Crash a -wocka wocka, Bam Thwok!
Love, Bang, Crash a-wocka wocka, Bam Thwok!
Love, Bang, Crash a-wocka wocka, Bam Thwok!
Love, Bang, Crash a-wocka wocka

I can hear the buzzing modulations of the universe
But you're the first to make me feel it
I love all the universe, I love all the listeners
Watch it! Here's 50,000 watts of goodwill!

Love, Bang, Crash a-wocka wocka, Bam Thwok!
Love, Bang, Crash a-wocka wocka, Bam Thwok!
Love, Bang, Crash a-wocka wocka, Bam Thwok!
Love, Bang, Crash a-wocka wocka, Bam Thwok!
Love, Bang, Crash a-wocka wocka

New nonsensical poem for Robin

2004-06-14T09:55:22Z

Inspired by christianneil in ambiguous_duo. Thank you!

Eat your chicken strips with your pinkie in the air
Show me the soap in the toilet and your Betty Blue poster
The Mormon missionaries bellowing “Holy Chowder!”
Like the ducks we imitated
Like the monkey haired coat
Eggs in salads
Stolen thrift store necklace
Or Belly on the radio 10 years later

Sit in your periwinkle living room with your pinkie in the air
Enjoy your Orange Spice tea and your Walker’s Biscuits
The friend still checking her empty mailbox
Like Mother used to make
Under the black lights
On New Years Eve
On Christmas Eve
Still tonight

A force to reckon with...

2004-06-09T07:10:41Z

Thanks _dm

Just call me Anita the Hun

Happy Birthday West!

2004-05-13T03:39:46Z

They are always anticlimactic

2004-05-06T12:07:36Z

Mosquito bites
With an open door
Whispers in the twilight
Say nothing about the car ride
Or the lost tape recorder

Nothing about the smashed berries
The party
With leftover sprinkles
Bitter vitamins

The only daughter left
Pressure to sing, to scream

Do I give her the moment?
The one who is asleep
Touching the water

She’s their
Hiding in the memories
The unspoken
Factor

The living one
Breathing, coughing, hesitating

19 year old gift
Staring
Filled with strange coins and foreign bills
Not, that you or her went

Pressure to live her life too
Give her back
Spew out the water
Dry her limp body
Charm her blood
Claim something that’s transparent

Awake me
I need the door wider
Bites deeper

Happy Birthday to me.

game five

2004-05-05T08:11:11Z

I forgot to tell about my celebrity spotting at the Pixies gig. I really tried NOT to stare. he, he.
1.
2.

View Poll: game five, alright, you win, last one

What Throwing Muses song are you?
Name
DOB
Favourite Color
You are	Mania

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