Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Did you know...
That when you're eight, wind chill sounds like wind shield?
So instead of wanting to know what the wind chill factor is, my son often asks what the wind shield factor is, which makes me think that there must be some ratio chart out of Detroit that I don't know about -- for just a second -- before I remember to translate.
It's a plausible assumption, this unknown wind shield factor, the boy watches a lot of shows about engineering and science. I can't keep up with what he knows versus what I know. And, if you have ever listened to one of his detailed explanations of all the functions and features of one of his lego creations, you would know -- that in his world -- there probably is a wind shield factor being considered in some of his designs.
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So instead of wanting to know what the wind chill factor is, my son often asks what the wind shield factor is, which makes me think that there must be some ratio chart out of Detroit that I don't know about -- for just a second -- before I remember to translate.
It's a plausible assumption, this unknown wind shield factor, the boy watches a lot of shows about engineering and science. I can't keep up with what he knows versus what I know. And, if you have ever listened to one of his detailed explanations of all the functions and features of one of his lego creations, you would know -- that in his world -- there probably is a wind shield factor being considered in some of his designs.
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Sunday, November 28, 2004
guess what, Guess What, GUESS WHAT!
My flames are going to be taped out either tomorrow or Tuesday!
Soon, very soon!
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My flames are going to be taped out either tomorrow or Tuesday!
Soon, very soon!
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That's Better
I took a break to do some aerobics.
I am feeling much better now and I am no longer annoying anybody. And most important, I can sit still at my computer. It is so much easier to type when you are sitting still.
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I am feeling much better now and I am no longer annoying anybody. And most important, I can sit still at my computer. It is so much easier to type when you are sitting still.
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I am starting to feel really antsy.
Way back when I was about six, I remember sitting in church and violently swinging my little legs, watching my white patten-leather shoes appear and disappear under the pew. I remember feeling like I had something crawling up and down my back and threatening to burst out of my mouth in the form of a scream, usually when the congregation was quietly listening to the sermon. I remember the struggle to sit as still as possible, knowing how much joy and pride it would bring my mother when the pastor would comment on how well-behaved I was during the service, as he shook her hand at the front door. I wanted to please her and be a good little girl. But more than anything I wanted to be outside. I needed to be outside. I was suffocating on the inside, holding my breath and my screams. There was just too much energy packed into my body for one little girl to handle.
There still is. Nothing has changed. I am sitting here at my desk, holding my breath, and wriggling as I try to hold in a scream from all the pent up energy that is threatening to burst forth. I am oh so painfully aware of what my son goes through when he does not get his energy released because of cancelled hockey practices. I am annoying my kids right now. I am stomping around the house asking them if it is snowing "yet" about every 20 minutes. I need to do something besides sit at the computer or on the couch!
(AAAHHH)
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Way back when I was about six, I remember sitting in church and violently swinging my little legs, watching my white patten-leather shoes appear and disappear under the pew. I remember feeling like I had something crawling up and down my back and threatening to burst out of my mouth in the form of a scream, usually when the congregation was quietly listening to the sermon. I remember the struggle to sit as still as possible, knowing how much joy and pride it would bring my mother when the pastor would comment on how well-behaved I was during the service, as he shook her hand at the front door. I wanted to please her and be a good little girl. But more than anything I wanted to be outside. I needed to be outside. I was suffocating on the inside, holding my breath and my screams. There was just too much energy packed into my body for one little girl to handle.
There still is. Nothing has changed. I am sitting here at my desk, holding my breath, and wriggling as I try to hold in a scream from all the pent up energy that is threatening to burst forth. I am oh so painfully aware of what my son goes through when he does not get his energy released because of cancelled hockey practices. I am annoying my kids right now. I am stomping around the house asking them if it is snowing "yet" about every 20 minutes. I need to do something besides sit at the computer or on the couch!
(AAAHHH)
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I almost forgot.
The video games were fun -- for the kids.
I never got anywhere near them.
So I still don't know how to play any video games.
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The video games were fun -- for the kids.
I never got anywhere near them.
So I still don't know how to play any video games.
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Despite spending countless hours writing this weekend, I am miles away from being done.
Still to come:
For Intro to Creative Fiction
A second 8-10 page fiction story (due on Tuesday)
A fictional scene about a non-morning person (severly over-due)
For Intro to Creative Non-Fiction
FOUR essays, each a minimum of three pages (technically, over-due but Due by Dec. 7th)
one reading response to an essay by Annie Dillard (severly over-due)
one explanation for a specific reading selection from a novel. (severly over-due)
For World Lit to 1600
One 5-8 page research paper (Due Dec. 3rd)
For International Film
One 3-5 page paper on a foreign film of my choice (Due Dec. 7th)
Other
response to appeal -- for my attorney
response to my October car accident -- for the county prosecutor.
*And my back hurts from sitting in this chair. I need a real desk chair with cushy arm rests and a padded seat and back; one that doesn't squeak when I think about moving and is actually low enough that my feet can sit flat on the ground instead of pulling me forward, arching my back.
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Still to come:
For Intro to Creative Fiction
A second 8-10 page fiction story (due on Tuesday)
A fictional scene about a non-morning person (severly over-due)
For Intro to Creative Non-Fiction
FOUR essays, each a minimum of three pages (technically, over-due but Due by Dec. 7th)
one reading response to an essay by Annie Dillard (severly over-due)
one explanation for a specific reading selection from a novel. (severly over-due)
For World Lit to 1600
One 5-8 page research paper (Due Dec. 3rd)
For International Film
One 3-5 page paper on a foreign film of my choice (Due Dec. 7th)
Other
response to appeal -- for my attorney
response to my October car accident -- for the county prosecutor.
*And my back hurts from sitting in this chair. I need a real desk chair with cushy arm rests and a padded seat and back; one that doesn't squeak when I think about moving and is actually low enough that my feet can sit flat on the ground instead of pulling me forward, arching my back.
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Friday, November 26, 2004
Make it go away
I am sick of school. No, that is not entirely accurate. I am sick of having too much homework and always being stressfully behind schedule.
I don't even remember what it feels like to write from the sheer delight of putting words together to form the literary representation of the physical world that inspires me. This is happening far too often any more.
I think that going to school to be a writer is killing the writer in me and it scares me.
I have things that I want to write but I can't because they would take time away from the things I have to write and they are so vastly different in scope that I can't even fudge it and try to pass off what I want to write about as the assignments that I have to fulfill.
I just pray that someday when I get the chance the idea seeds that I have planted will be able to bloom when I can finally give them the attention they deserve.
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I don't even remember what it feels like to write from the sheer delight of putting words together to form the literary representation of the physical world that inspires me. This is happening far too often any more.
I think that going to school to be a writer is killing the writer in me and it scares me.
I have things that I want to write but I can't because they would take time away from the things I have to write and they are so vastly different in scope that I can't even fudge it and try to pass off what I want to write about as the assignments that I have to fulfill.
I just pray that someday when I get the chance the idea seeds that I have planted will be able to bloom when I can finally give them the attention they deserve.
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Too Slow
Well, we had great plans but we were too slow and our festive neighbors beat us to the punch. The kids wanted to put lights on the tree in our communal yard but before we could get out there, the neighbors added to their decorations by lighting the tree we "share" and adding two lit candy canes on either side of the toy soldier that stands on guard by the tree.
The kids were so disappointed, but we did concede that they did a good job and the tree does look nice.
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The kids were so disappointed, but we did concede that they did a good job and the tree does look nice.
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The Elves are Busy
I have been sequestered in my bedroom tackling the mound of writing assignments that threaten to crash over me like an avalanche. But, I wandered out into the kitchen to pour more coffee and what do I see? It is only 10:00 a.m. and already the tree is up and the train is circling the base.
The elves are busy. They are being frightfully cooperative too.
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The elves are busy. They are being frightfully cooperative too.
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Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Let the Games Begin
Multiple Os
Ah yes, I forgot that I have this really super cool recipe card that I bought last year at the liquor store, until tonight. Anyway, the drink de nuit;
"Orgasm"
MMmmm
Gonna go make me another.
ttfn
PS -- Two words -- Vanilla Vodka!!!
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"Orgasm"
MMmmm
Gonna go make me another.
ttfn
PS -- Two words -- Vanilla Vodka!!!
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Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Still alive
Our fish are still alive... all three of them. I can hardly believe it. So I thought I would document this date by posting our fish-keeping success.
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I lost it
Have you ever had one of those moments when something silly happened and in normal circumstances it would have warranted a good laugh but when it happens in a place where noise of any kind -- say a college library, for example -- is abhorred then the regular laughter turns into an uncontrollable giggle spasm!
UGH... sorry for laughing at you, I hope it wasn't really "at" but "with."
And that is all I'm going to say on that subject, lest I embarrass myself further.
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UGH... sorry for laughing at you, I hope it wasn't really "at" but "with."
And that is all I'm going to say on that subject, lest I embarrass myself further.
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Monday, November 22, 2004
Went a kidnappin this weekend!
Haven't done that in ages and ages. I had forgotten how fun it was.
I must say, though, in all my kidnapping experience I have never once encountered a victim who did not put up some sort of attempt to arbitrate for reason to prevail, be it ever so sheer, until now!
We walked into her room, walked right in! No breaking down the doors, noooo the door was wide open. (If I didn't know better, I'd say she knew we were comin). So, we walk in and say the standard piracy line; "we're kidnappin you." And without missing a beat, she says, "Okay, let me just get my coat." To which we replied, "uh,... um, okay" (we were befuddled at this point. Obviously my accomplice has limited experience with compliant victims as well.) "You might want to turn off your computer before we take you."
And that was that. We were gone. Strange, most people are so shocked at having their plans invaded they usually attempt a second round of protests at this point, but not our victim. No, obviously she is used to being kidnapped.
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Haven't done that in ages and ages. I had forgotten how fun it was.
I must say, though, in all my kidnapping experience I have never once encountered a victim who did not put up some sort of attempt to arbitrate for reason to prevail, be it ever so sheer, until now!
We walked into her room, walked right in! No breaking down the doors, noooo the door was wide open. (If I didn't know better, I'd say she knew we were comin). So, we walk in and say the standard piracy line; "we're kidnappin you." And without missing a beat, she says, "Okay, let me just get my coat." To which we replied, "uh,... um, okay" (we were befuddled at this point. Obviously my accomplice has limited experience with compliant victims as well.) "You might want to turn off your computer before we take you."
And that was that. We were gone. Strange, most people are so shocked at having their plans invaded they usually attempt a second round of protests at this point, but not our victim. No, obviously she is used to being kidnapped.
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Friday, November 19, 2004
The beauty of quiet
what to do?
What to do?
WHAT to do?
for the first time in 2 months, both kidlets went down to the cities to visit their father.
I am alone.
AAAHhhh...
My To-Do list: (in no particular order)
I will sleep in late
I will do homework
I will go see "The Incredibles" (Woohoo, can't wait!)
I will drink hot cocoa (it snowed today)
I will read some Japenese literature (goes along with the homework thing up there)
I will NOT make the bed
I will not get out of my pjs until I absolutely have to
aaahh... that's about it.
Gotta go, I'm busy (as you can see)
ttfn
Come Sunday, I'll be anxious to bring the "noise" home from the cities.
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What to do?
WHAT to do?
for the first time in 2 months, both kidlets went down to the cities to visit their father.
I am alone.
AAAHhhh...
My To-Do list: (in no particular order)
I will sleep in late
I will do homework
I will go see "The Incredibles" (Woohoo, can't wait!)
I will drink hot cocoa (it snowed today)
I will read some Japenese literature (goes along with the homework thing up there)
I will NOT make the bed
I will not get out of my pjs until I absolutely have to
aaahh... that's about it.
Gotta go, I'm busy (as you can see)
ttfn
Come Sunday, I'll be anxious to bring the "noise" home from the cities.
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No Flames Yet
Well, the phone has been remarkably quiet. I am choosing to take this as a good sign that the mechanics putting my car back together are soooo incredibly busy restoring my baby back to its original shape that they can not take the time to call me and give me a status report.
I am pretty sure that the body shop will call when they drag the crumpled mess over from the mechanics to let me know it's finally time to talk "flames". But, the hoped-for deadline of getting my Big Red back before Thanksgiving is not looking realistic anymore. Now we are hoping to get it back before Christmas.
What I'm hoping for is that we will get it back before snow starts to seriously fill the air and cover the ground. I do not particularly relish the idea of driving in slippery conditions in a sled on wheels. I want, NO -- I NEED my SUV back. Driving down to Baxter and back in snow in a go-cart?! No thanks, I'll take my 4-wheel drive, thank you very much!
But, I will be willing to tough it out for the flames. So, I wait.
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I am pretty sure that the body shop will call when they drag the crumpled mess over from the mechanics to let me know it's finally time to talk "flames". But, the hoped-for deadline of getting my Big Red back before Thanksgiving is not looking realistic anymore. Now we are hoping to get it back before Christmas.
What I'm hoping for is that we will get it back before snow starts to seriously fill the air and cover the ground. I do not particularly relish the idea of driving in slippery conditions in a sled on wheels. I want, NO -- I NEED my SUV back. Driving down to Baxter and back in snow in a go-cart?! No thanks, I'll take my 4-wheel drive, thank you very much!
But, I will be willing to tough it out for the flames. So, I wait.
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Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Strangely Grateful for what I don't have
Tonight was spent celebrating her birthday with friends. We had a good time eating, playing Twister, and talking.
At one point, Alicia shared the story of how Nate proposed to her. I love hearing about this special time in people's lives.
The closest I've ever come to a proposal, was last Christmas when a friend of a friend asked his girlfriend to marry him. It was the a perfect proposal for this couple who like to fish a lot. He attached a fake ring to a tip-up rig and sent it down an ice-fishing hole. When everything else was in place; his sister had the champagne ready, and he had the real ring to swap out later, he flipped the flag on the tip-up and called for her to come out of the ice-house and set the hook on her "catch" (those are my words). When she pulled the line up, there was the ring. It was so wonderful.
As I was thinking about how people have this story to share, I was thinking about how lucky I was, in a strange way, to not have a story like this about me and the ex-hubby. Because this is such a huge moment in two people's lives, a moment that you would want to remember fondly for the rest of your life, I am grateful that I don't have any memory like this that would probably bring more pain now than any joy it might have.
Here's wishing Alicia and Nate a lifetime of fond memories!
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At one point, Alicia shared the story of how Nate proposed to her. I love hearing about this special time in people's lives.
The closest I've ever come to a proposal, was last Christmas when a friend of a friend asked his girlfriend to marry him. It was the a perfect proposal for this couple who like to fish a lot. He attached a fake ring to a tip-up rig and sent it down an ice-fishing hole. When everything else was in place; his sister had the champagne ready, and he had the real ring to swap out later, he flipped the flag on the tip-up and called for her to come out of the ice-house and set the hook on her "catch" (those are my words). When she pulled the line up, there was the ring. It was so wonderful.
As I was thinking about how people have this story to share, I was thinking about how lucky I was, in a strange way, to not have a story like this about me and the ex-hubby. Because this is such a huge moment in two people's lives, a moment that you would want to remember fondly for the rest of your life, I am grateful that I don't have any memory like this that would probably bring more pain now than any joy it might have.
Here's wishing Alicia and Nate a lifetime of fond memories!
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Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Surprise! Surprise!
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here. Well, if you are looking out my front window that is.
I was really surprised to see that the neighbors -- the car-racing, football-playing, bachelor neighbors, had put up Christmas decorations; lights on the eaves, a four foot tall illuminated Santa, and two tin Soldiers (also illuminated).
It looks wonderful. I can't wait to get our lights up now.
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I was really surprised to see that the neighbors -- the car-racing, football-playing, bachelor neighbors, had put up Christmas decorations; lights on the eaves, a four foot tall illuminated Santa, and two tin Soldiers (also illuminated).
It looks wonderful. I can't wait to get our lights up now.
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Sometimes little isn't little
I had one of those "little" things happen today that really wasn't so little.
It was one of those things that made my day and yet I don't know if it's a big enough event to post it here, so I'm going to post it here.
I'm not even sure I will do it justice because it really happened so fast, and I'm not sure that anyone really witnessed it. Even if there were witnesses, they would most likely not know how "BIG" this little thing was to me.
But this is what happened. There is this place on BSU campus called the Writing Center where students can go to get help with writing papers for classes. This Writing Center is staffed by some very talented writers who are not really as busy as you would think considering their expertise in writing is offered for free. So, the Writing Center also doubles as a place to hang out in between classes. There is a computer and printer there for last minute homework. But, mostly there are the very talented writers (and me) in there.
Well, that was the scenario today too. Several of the talented writers and I were in there eating lunch when out of the blue, this brown eyed girl leans over and hands me the most beautifully foil-wrapped candies and said, "These are for you. They are truffles and I got them for my birthday and I thought of you and I wanted to share them with you."
With ME!? She wants to share her special birthday chocolate with me! I felt so lucky right at that very moment.
Thank you for making my day!
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It was one of those things that made my day and yet I don't know if it's a big enough event to post it here, so I'm going to post it here.
I'm not even sure I will do it justice because it really happened so fast, and I'm not sure that anyone really witnessed it. Even if there were witnesses, they would most likely not know how "BIG" this little thing was to me.
But this is what happened. There is this place on BSU campus called the Writing Center where students can go to get help with writing papers for classes. This Writing Center is staffed by some very talented writers who are not really as busy as you would think considering their expertise in writing is offered for free. So, the Writing Center also doubles as a place to hang out in between classes. There is a computer and printer there for last minute homework. But, mostly there are the very talented writers (and me) in there.
Well, that was the scenario today too. Several of the talented writers and I were in there eating lunch when out of the blue, this brown eyed girl leans over and hands me the most beautifully foil-wrapped candies and said, "These are for you. They are truffles and I got them for my birthday and I thought of you and I wanted to share them with you."
With ME!? She wants to share her special birthday chocolate with me! I felt so lucky right at that very moment.
Thank you for making my day!
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Sunday, November 14, 2004
All's Quiet on the Western Front
I mean reeeally! How am I supposed to concentrate??!!
I am sitting here at my computer trying to write more than 5 comprehensive sentences in response to each of the short stories my class mates have written but all I can hear are the trigger mechanisms for unidentified nerf weapons being fired in my living room which are then followed by assorted versions of this dialogue:
"Did that hurt?"
"No, try again." (me {eyes wide open}: try again!)
squeals and laughter intermingled with "ouches" and "aawwees"
"You missed me!"
"Neener, neener, neen -- Oh! (laughter) awe, that hurt!"
****
I am truly hoping that they are targeting their most padded portion of their little anatomies.
But, how am I supposed to concentrate on homework when my children are shooting at each other?
****
Oh, it just got really quiet out there! Either something very interesting just came on the TV or they aren't targeting the most innocuous portions of each other's anatomies! I'll check in a few minutes, but right now I'm going to quick, like a bunny, do some homework!
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I am sitting here at my computer trying to write more than 5 comprehensive sentences in response to each of the short stories my class mates have written but all I can hear are the trigger mechanisms for unidentified nerf weapons being fired in my living room which are then followed by assorted versions of this dialogue:
"Did that hurt?"
"No, try again." (me {eyes wide open}: try again!)
squeals and laughter intermingled with "ouches" and "aawwees"
"You missed me!"
"Neener, neener, neen -- Oh! (laughter) awe, that hurt!"
****
I am truly hoping that they are targeting their most padded portion of their little anatomies.
But, how am I supposed to concentrate on homework when my children are shooting at each other?
****
Oh, it just got really quiet out there! Either something very interesting just came on the TV or they aren't targeting the most innocuous portions of each other's anatomies! I'll check in a few minutes, but right now I'm going to quick, like a bunny, do some homework!
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Mastering In AAT
I wish I could amass credit(s) for Advanced Avoidance Techniques. I seem to be mastering that skill in relationship to the mound of homework that sits on my desk. I have enough homework back-logged to choke a dinosaur but I have not taken one bite out of it. Instead, I have been pretending like I have a real weekend with no extenuating work load. I have taken the kids out to hockey games, we have visited with friends, and we have gone out to eat. We have done some of the activities that we used to do before this monster called Collegiasaurus invaded our lives and pretty much turned us into cave dwellers.
I hate it and so do the kids.
Next semester is going to be different. We are going to cut this monster down to size and get back a life that is in balance; a life that includes guilt-free weekends of fun things like fishing, rollerblading, bike riding, ice skating, hockey, bowling, going out to movies, having friends over for an evening of cards or dinner or both... stuff like that.
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I hate it and so do the kids.
Next semester is going to be different. We are going to cut this monster down to size and get back a life that is in balance; a life that includes guilt-free weekends of fun things like fishing, rollerblading, bike riding, ice skating, hockey, bowling, going out to movies, having friends over for an evening of cards or dinner or both... stuff like that.
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Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Initial Report of Hockey Mom Out For Season Highly Exaggerated
So, here is what happened though.
I thought it was going to end up being much worse but so far nothing is turning purple that I can tell and even if it does, I can hide that with makeup.
On Monday night, we were running late for hockey practice so the last minute dress-down in the locker room taking place at a much more frenetic pace than usual. So Hockey Boy is trying to shove his foot down into the skate and Hockey Mom is trying to shove the skate up, onto the foot of Hockey Boy and apparently I am stronger than his legs are and I shoved too hard and he bent at the knee and ... WHAM! Knee made beautiful, full contact with Hockey Mom's eyebrow! And when I say Knee, keep in mind that Hockey Boy's Knee is safely cushioned in a knee pad that is soft on the inside where his knee is and very hard on the outside where Hockey Mom's eyebrow is! Yah, Oh yeah. I had to walk that one off! I sucked in air and held my breath and the two or three non-PG rated words that rolled around in my mouth.
So, injury number two for the season goes again, to Hockey Mom and Hockey Boy is still safe and sound in his cocoon of padding. At least I'm getting my money's worth!
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I thought it was going to end up being much worse but so far nothing is turning purple that I can tell and even if it does, I can hide that with makeup.
On Monday night, we were running late for hockey practice so the last minute dress-down in the locker room taking place at a much more frenetic pace than usual. So Hockey Boy is trying to shove his foot down into the skate and Hockey Mom is trying to shove the skate up, onto the foot of Hockey Boy and apparently I am stronger than his legs are and I shoved too hard and he bent at the knee and ... WHAM! Knee made beautiful, full contact with Hockey Mom's eyebrow! And when I say Knee, keep in mind that Hockey Boy's Knee is safely cushioned in a knee pad that is soft on the inside where his knee is and very hard on the outside where Hockey Mom's eyebrow is! Yah, Oh yeah. I had to walk that one off! I sucked in air and held my breath and the two or three non-PG rated words that rolled around in my mouth.
So, injury number two for the season goes again, to Hockey Mom and Hockey Boy is still safe and sound in his cocoon of padding. At least I'm getting my money's worth!
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Fargo
... is not worth the drive.
Fargo is not a very pretty city. The last time I was in Fargo was nearly four and a half years ago and that was only to stay over night as we were passing through so, I really didn't get to see much of it at that time.
But this last weekend, the DD and I went on a road trip to Fargo so we could use her Limited Too coupons and gift cards up before they expired. Normally we would drive to Duluth, but we decided to go somewhere new this time.
The mall in Fargo is pretty and there are good restaurants to eat at, but the drive is not nearly as colorful as the one to Duluth. And the city itself just seemed gray and dirty.
We both decided that from now on our trips would be east-bound.
Oh yeah, and another thing! There is tax on our clothes in Fargo (I had forgotten about that until we were there!)
Ah well, it was a learning experience. We would not now be so appreciative of Duluth had we not gone on our little experimental road trip to Fargo.
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Fargo is not a very pretty city. The last time I was in Fargo was nearly four and a half years ago and that was only to stay over night as we were passing through so, I really didn't get to see much of it at that time.
But this last weekend, the DD and I went on a road trip to Fargo so we could use her Limited Too coupons and gift cards up before they expired. Normally we would drive to Duluth, but we decided to go somewhere new this time.
The mall in Fargo is pretty and there are good restaurants to eat at, but the drive is not nearly as colorful as the one to Duluth. And the city itself just seemed gray and dirty.
We both decided that from now on our trips would be east-bound.
Oh yeah, and another thing! There is tax on our clothes in Fargo (I had forgotten about that until we were there!)
Ah well, it was a learning experience. We would not now be so appreciative of Duluth had we not gone on our little experimental road trip to Fargo.
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Monday, November 08, 2004
Calling In Sick
Well, not that I really have to call in sick, but sortuv I do. I will have to call the kidlets' school to let them know my younguns are staying home for the day.
Sniffles, headaches, tummy aches, and sore bodies abound. At this point, I am trying to be preemptive about this and we are all laying low tomorrow in hopes of being well sooner than if we pushed ourselves.
Fortunately, we are well stocked on soup (just made a fabulous wild rice and chicken soup), juice and soda crackers.
I am sure at some point tomorrow I will need a break from homework and such and I will fill you in on another near miss, and the newest hockey injury, and Fargo, and whatever else seems newsworthy.
ttfn
PS ~ If you were wondering about the late time stamp on this post it's because I fell asleep on the couch while the Vikings fell asleep in Indy and I only just woke up to stumble into the bedroom and decided to blog before turning off the computer for the night. Say "Goodnight Gracie".
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Sniffles, headaches, tummy aches, and sore bodies abound. At this point, I am trying to be preemptive about this and we are all laying low tomorrow in hopes of being well sooner than if we pushed ourselves.
Fortunately, we are well stocked on soup (just made a fabulous wild rice and chicken soup), juice and soda crackers.
I am sure at some point tomorrow I will need a break from homework and such and I will fill you in on another near miss, and the newest hockey injury, and Fargo, and whatever else seems newsworthy.
ttfn
PS ~ If you were wondering about the late time stamp on this post it's because I fell asleep on the couch while the Vikings fell asleep in Indy and I only just woke up to stumble into the bedroom and decided to blog before turning off the computer for the night. Say "Goodnight Gracie".
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Thursday, November 04, 2004
Something I've been thinking about
All day. It has been on my mind all day.
Yesterday, during a break from his after school tutoring program, my DS was playing in the gym. Apparently some 5th grader zoned in on my 3rd grader and started to pick on him. A basketball was the catalyst. DS was playing with the basketball and 5th grader kept trying to take it from him. At one point he must have succeeded because the basketball ended up in the 5th grader's hands just long enough to be shoved into my son's gut so hard that it knocked the wind out of him.
Now, my son is not a frail little 3rd grader. He has actually become a pretty solid boy having packed nearly 20 pounds onto his frame between May and August. But against a boy that is at least 2 years older he may not have much of a chance.
However, this incident is what has prompted me to be thinking about how, or even if it's possible for a mother to help her son in handling this situation. I don't think hugging the kid and talking things out is necessarily going to be the answer, nor is it a practical solution to a basketball being shoved into his gut. I know my son has a temper. I've seen it in full force. I also have seen him break 3 boards with his bare feet in each of the three tests he's taken for his Tae Kwon Do belts, but is he going to be able to actually defend himself when the time is right?
I didn't know what to say. So, of course I didn't keep quiet. I told my son that I do not expect him to stand around and let someone push him around. I assured him that I would not be upset if he needed to protect and defend himself from a bully.
Ack~ I don't know what to do. If this was a girl picking on the DD, then I would be able to give her a step-by-step plan of action ... but this is foreign soil for me.
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Yesterday, during a break from his after school tutoring program, my DS was playing in the gym. Apparently some 5th grader zoned in on my 3rd grader and started to pick on him. A basketball was the catalyst. DS was playing with the basketball and 5th grader kept trying to take it from him. At one point he must have succeeded because the basketball ended up in the 5th grader's hands just long enough to be shoved into my son's gut so hard that it knocked the wind out of him.
Now, my son is not a frail little 3rd grader. He has actually become a pretty solid boy having packed nearly 20 pounds onto his frame between May and August. But against a boy that is at least 2 years older he may not have much of a chance.
However, this incident is what has prompted me to be thinking about how, or even if it's possible for a mother to help her son in handling this situation. I don't think hugging the kid and talking things out is necessarily going to be the answer, nor is it a practical solution to a basketball being shoved into his gut. I know my son has a temper. I've seen it in full force. I also have seen him break 3 boards with his bare feet in each of the three tests he's taken for his Tae Kwon Do belts, but is he going to be able to actually defend himself when the time is right?
I didn't know what to say. So, of course I didn't keep quiet. I told my son that I do not expect him to stand around and let someone push him around. I assured him that I would not be upset if he needed to protect and defend himself from a bully.
Ack~ I don't know what to do. If this was a girl picking on the DD, then I would be able to give her a step-by-step plan of action ... but this is foreign soil for me.
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Wednesday, November 03, 2004
Stood Up
For these guys.
My son left the couch to go watch them in his bedroom. Evidently cowboys are not as cool as these two are.
And the DD, well she quickly stretched her full length onto the couch the first time there was a potty break and I ended up sitting alone in one of the chairs...
Oh well!
I still have "She Cracked"
Which is going to be cracking me up for a while.
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My son left the couch to go watch them in his bedroom. Evidently cowboys are not as cool as these two are.
And the DD, well she quickly stretched her full length onto the couch the first time there was a potty break and I ended up sitting alone in one of the chairs...
Oh well!
I still have "She Cracked"
Which is going to be cracking me up for a while.
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She Cracked
MMMmmm ~
Dinner was perfect. I couldn't find the the rice I wanted but that was okay because the tacos filled me up anyway.
And the Mike's Hard Lime ...
Well, the first cap said "Cracked"
and the next one said;
"She"
Gotta love it. I will be keeping those two (Sorry Sara)
And now, I will go snuggle on the couch with my two kidlets and we will finish watching "Silverado" together.
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Dinner was perfect. I couldn't find the the rice I wanted but that was okay because the tacos filled me up anyway.
And the Mike's Hard Lime ...
Well, the first cap said "Cracked"
and the next one said;
"She"
Gotta love it. I will be keeping those two (Sorry Sara)
And now, I will go snuggle on the couch with my two kidlets and we will finish watching "Silverado" together.
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I need
Home made tacos.
I don't know why, but that sounds so good for dinner right now. Taco seasoned hamburger dripping with undrained fats and flavor layered with cheese and lettuce, tomatoes and olives and crowned with sour cream and taco sauce all in a crispy shell.
Maybe even some flavored rice as a side dish.
And a Mike's Hard Lime-Aid.
Okay... that does it, my stomach just growled. I gotta go.
Talk to you later.
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I don't know why, but that sounds so good for dinner right now. Taco seasoned hamburger dripping with undrained fats and flavor layered with cheese and lettuce, tomatoes and olives and crowned with sour cream and taco sauce all in a crispy shell.
Maybe even some flavored rice as a side dish.
And a Mike's Hard Lime-Aid.
Okay... that does it, my stomach just growled. I gotta go.
Talk to you later.
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Tuesday, November 02, 2004
What can you say to that?
I am teasing my son about having things rattling around in his empty head and without missing a beat he says to me, "It's not empty. It's full of excitement in there."
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As loud as a whisper
How can a boy walking around the house be noisy?
It beats the heck out of me. But I have to agree with his sister, he is being loud and noisy and yet he is not saying a thing. It just seems like his physical movements are as distracting as if he were running around the house screaming.
Two out of three of us are doing homework -- guess which one of us is done with *his* homework?
I wonder if I could tape him to the ceiling? (oops, did I just say that outloud?)
He's driving me nuts.
There is no way I can inflict him on the ladies at "Ditch and Stitch" so we will be staying in tonight. Which could be a good thing if -- IF -- I could only concentrate long enough to actually focus on my homework.
Little fidgeting movements are really loud.
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It beats the heck out of me. But I have to agree with his sister, he is being loud and noisy and yet he is not saying a thing. It just seems like his physical movements are as distracting as if he were running around the house screaming.
Two out of three of us are doing homework -- guess which one of us is done with *his* homework?
I wonder if I could tape him to the ceiling? (oops, did I just say that outloud?)
He's driving me nuts.
There is no way I can inflict him on the ladies at "Ditch and Stitch" so we will be staying in tonight. Which could be a good thing if -- IF -- I could only concentrate long enough to actually focus on my homework.
Little fidgeting movements are really loud.
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The critique experience was interesting. I learned a lot.
This writing fiction is so new to me. I wrote essays, poetry and creative non-fiction when I was younger, and only as the mood struck me. Writing was only ever considered a nice little hobby like oil painting or sketching, a way to keep busy on my days off from my "real" profession. So writing a short story was a first for me.
I tried to write from a child's perspective with a child's pattern of speech and diction. That was a real challenge for me, balancing how much of the child's speech pattern should be present in spelling, grammar, and punctuation without becoming a distraction to the reader. I agonized over this for days and made many revisions and re-revisions as I second-guessed what I should do. Interestingly, this was also a point that was brought up in the critique. It was a comfort to me, in an odd way, to know that what I questioned was also being questioned by some very talented writers.
I also learned that my instinct about the setting was correct. I wondered if I had presented enough detail to paint a specific setting without compromising the childlike tone. The one aspect that I questioned, namely the visual structure of the houses on the street, came up in the critique. This, again, validated me in an odd way by helping me to see that maybe I can trust my instincts a bit more in the future.
So, over all, I think it went really well.
[Thank you to all who participated and may be reading this.]
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This writing fiction is so new to me. I wrote essays, poetry and creative non-fiction when I was younger, and only as the mood struck me. Writing was only ever considered a nice little hobby like oil painting or sketching, a way to keep busy on my days off from my "real" profession. So writing a short story was a first for me.
I tried to write from a child's perspective with a child's pattern of speech and diction. That was a real challenge for me, balancing how much of the child's speech pattern should be present in spelling, grammar, and punctuation without becoming a distraction to the reader. I agonized over this for days and made many revisions and re-revisions as I second-guessed what I should do. Interestingly, this was also a point that was brought up in the critique. It was a comfort to me, in an odd way, to know that what I questioned was also being questioned by some very talented writers.
I also learned that my instinct about the setting was correct. I wondered if I had presented enough detail to paint a specific setting without compromising the childlike tone. The one aspect that I questioned, namely the visual structure of the houses on the street, came up in the critique. This, again, validated me in an odd way by helping me to see that maybe I can trust my instincts a bit more in the future.
So, over all, I think it went really well.
[Thank you to all who participated and may be reading this.]
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Woman In Black
No, I'm not going Goth.
Yes, I am going to a funeral; my own.
I am all in black today because I am feeling melodramatic about having to face 20 critical readers in my beginning fiction class.
I will have to sit silently as all my classmates talk about my short story as if I weren't there, so in order to remind myself to be as silent as the grave, I have decided to dress the part.
So, that is me wandering the hallways in a black skirt, and blouse. And the most awesome black heels.
Love the shoes, bought the shoes because DD insisted that I should buy them, and I am so glad I did. Love 'em.
~ K ~
Good Bye cruel world....
(I'll talk to you later)
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Yes, I am going to a funeral; my own.
I am all in black today because I am feeling melodramatic about having to face 20 critical readers in my beginning fiction class.
I will have to sit silently as all my classmates talk about my short story as if I weren't there, so in order to remind myself to be as silent as the grave, I have decided to dress the part.
So, that is me wandering the hallways in a black skirt, and blouse. And the most awesome black heels.
Love the shoes, bought the shoes because DD insisted that I should buy them, and I am so glad I did. Love 'em.
~ K ~
Good Bye cruel world....
(I'll talk to you later)
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Monday, November 01, 2004
Boo-Humbug
SSSSHHHH
don't tell the kids but I am so glad that Halloween is over. I don't mind this holiday it is fun to dress up and all but I just get tired of the anticipation part of it. I'll admit that part of this exasperation is linked to the busy schedule of classes and homework that keep me from being able to enjoy this holiday the way i used to. I used to make costumes for the kids. I used to save the pumpkin seeds and roast them. I used to decorate the front porch with all sorts of fun and creepy things. Maybe my Boo-Humbug is really an unexpressed sadness about missing these fun activities.
at least this year we had no snow to trudge through. last year there was about 2 inches of snow which was not enough for anyone to bother plowing or shoveling but was just enough to freeze little fingers and toes no matter how quickly they ran between houses.
the kids looked terrific. the dd was a witch and ds was a vampire. and they got about 5 butterfinger bars between the two of them! and you care because? I know, but i like butterfinger bars and the kidlets don't and since i so graciously walked the dark streets with them they usually pass a few of their least favorite candy bars off to me -- yeah me!
oh, and i even got one little bag of peanut m&ms at one house. i always like it when my presence is acknowledged by the treat-ees. (hmmm, technically wouldn't the kids be the treat-ees and the people doling out candy be the treaters... ) whatever, the whole point i was trying to make is that i got candy for just being there -- yeah!
maybe next year i will try harder to have the time to enjoy Halloween the way i wanted to this year. dd is already designing her costumes. she wants to be Arachne.
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don't tell the kids but I am so glad that Halloween is over. I don't mind this holiday it is fun to dress up and all but I just get tired of the anticipation part of it. I'll admit that part of this exasperation is linked to the busy schedule of classes and homework that keep me from being able to enjoy this holiday the way i used to. I used to make costumes for the kids. I used to save the pumpkin seeds and roast them. I used to decorate the front porch with all sorts of fun and creepy things. Maybe my Boo-Humbug is really an unexpressed sadness about missing these fun activities.
at least this year we had no snow to trudge through. last year there was about 2 inches of snow which was not enough for anyone to bother plowing or shoveling but was just enough to freeze little fingers and toes no matter how quickly they ran between houses.
the kids looked terrific. the dd was a witch and ds was a vampire. and they got about 5 butterfinger bars between the two of them! and you care because? I know, but i like butterfinger bars and the kidlets don't and since i so graciously walked the dark streets with them they usually pass a few of their least favorite candy bars off to me -- yeah me!
oh, and i even got one little bag of peanut m&ms at one house. i always like it when my presence is acknowledged by the treat-ees. (hmmm, technically wouldn't the kids be the treat-ees and the people doling out candy be the treaters... ) whatever, the whole point i was trying to make is that i got candy for just being there -- yeah!
maybe next year i will try harder to have the time to enjoy Halloween the way i wanted to this year. dd is already designing her costumes. she wants to be Arachne.
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