Hey y'all! In dribs and drabs I'm sending out e-mails to pretty much everybody I know here in blogland about that unbloggable thing going on at Chez Mystere. If one doesn't find its way into your inbox and you'd like to know what's up, please let me know!
Also, school starts up again on Monday. Three 4-credit lab courses: Anatomy; Cell Structure and Function; and Sensation, Perception, and Information Processing.
Despite the sadness of the last few weeks, I really enjoyed the break. I only wish I'd gotten more done housework-wise.
Years go by. Things change.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
I love Amtrak
MM loves it too. He took himself to the little water fountain 5 or 6 times, figured out the locking mechanism in the bathroom and took himself to the potty several times, he stood up and danced alot and knelt on the floor in front of his seat to play with his pirates (he really loved those two little boxes, KLee!). He ate most of a ham hero that we bought in the cafe car and revelled in the fact that THERE ARE NO SEATBELTS.
Handy tip for taking Amtrak with children: invest in a Redcap. He (or she) will board you on the train early for the cost of a gratuity (I did $5.00/bag), and it leaves your hands free to keep your active child from attempting to find out what the under carriage of the train looks like.
Handy tip for taking Amtrak with children: invest in a Redcap. He (or she) will board you on the train early for the cost of a gratuity (I did $5.00/bag), and it leaves your hands free to keep your active child from attempting to find out what the under carriage of the train looks like.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Wisdom from my mother
My mom used to run everyday before work. At 6:15 every morning she'd meet her friend NameMatchesHerTemperment and they'd run around Prospect Park together.
The rule was: if you were going to cancel, you had to do it in person. Downstairs. On the street. At 6:15 AM. No cancelling over the phone.
By the time they were up and dressed and on the street to cancel they'd realize they might as well go running.
Brilliant.
Now all I need is a jogging partner and three or four VERY sturdy jogbras to wear at one time.
The rule was: if you were going to cancel, you had to do it in person. Downstairs. On the street. At 6:15 AM. No cancelling over the phone.
By the time they were up and dressed and on the street to cancel they'd realize they might as well go running.
Brilliant.
Now all I need is a jogging partner and three or four VERY sturdy jogbras to wear at one time.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
The post of catching up UPDATED!
- Went to my MIL's for a few days in Humidity Like A Brick Wall Region
- Saw KLee! Here's proof!
- MM came awfully close to actually using an airsick bag. Fortunately, vomit was averted. He kept the bag near his face for a half-hour though.
- De1ta lost our luggage on the way home, but delivered it to us after midnight.
- Took MM to the doctor's this AM. No infection it seems, so they sent us to have an x-ray. Altogther, it was about 3 hours of office time.
- Doctor hasn't called us. Answering machine is saying to try back during office hours and then clearly says that THESE ARE OFFICE HOURS. Sheesh.
- Leaving for NYC tomorrow for Grandpa Professor Emeritus's memorial.
- Mom wanted me to find a picture of MM and GPE together. Unfortunately, while there are plenty of pictures of MM at GPE's house, there doesn't seem to be any of them together. Fourteen of MM with Late Sweet Dog, but none with GPE. Photoshop, anyone? MS FOUND SOME!!! MS FOUND SOME!!! WOOOHOOO!
- I'm doing laundry.
- MM and I will go and buy new sneakers for him tonight. His current ones smell of old dead cat pee and they're too small to boot. (Ha! Boot! Sneakers! I crack me up.)
- He is now 45 inches tall and a whopping 40.5 pounds. He comes up to my armpit, but I can still carry him through an airport.
Nu? How's by you?
Friday, August 10, 2007
I was going to blog against racism
But I got my vituperitiveness out yesterday yelling at J3t B1ue and I have nothing left.
So I pulled weeds in the garden and scrubbed my shower and tried to get a head of steam up to blog against racism. But I haven't got it.
So I'll tell you a story that my aunt Lillian told me. I think it was Aunt Lillian, it might have been Aunt Esther.
Esther and Lillian were Grandpa Professor Emeritus's younger sisters. They both died several years ago.
Anyway, Aunt Esther (or Lillian) was a dark-skinned Russian Jewish woman. That side of the family comes from the Ukraine. Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure that this story was told to me by Esther. For a few years in the 20's and 30's, my grandfather's family lived in southern Virginia. Esther, being dark skinned and having a somewhat flattish nose, was unable to "pass" as white. She looked "colored" and she was treated as colored. To the family, this was nothing new. They'd fled from Russia to escape the pogroms, after all. The only difference to them was that this time it wasn't their religion that was being reviled. Not that they practiced Judaism. Grandpa's father was a devout Atheist.
When they all moved back up to New York, they joined the great big community of Russian Jewish emigrants where they were all accepted and blended in, but Esther never forgot (and made sure we never forgot) that to racists and anti-semites, it doesn't matter who you are, what matters is how you are perceived.
So I pulled weeds in the garden and scrubbed my shower and tried to get a head of steam up to blog against racism. But I haven't got it.
So I'll tell you a story that my aunt Lillian told me. I think it was Aunt Lillian, it might have been Aunt Esther.
Esther and Lillian were Grandpa Professor Emeritus's younger sisters. They both died several years ago.
Anyway, Aunt Esther (or Lillian) was a dark-skinned Russian Jewish woman. That side of the family comes from the Ukraine. Now that I think about it, I'm pretty sure that this story was told to me by Esther. For a few years in the 20's and 30's, my grandfather's family lived in southern Virginia. Esther, being dark skinned and having a somewhat flattish nose, was unable to "pass" as white. She looked "colored" and she was treated as colored. To the family, this was nothing new. They'd fled from Russia to escape the pogroms, after all. The only difference to them was that this time it wasn't their religion that was being reviled. Not that they practiced Judaism. Grandpa's father was a devout Atheist.
When they all moved back up to New York, they joined the great big community of Russian Jewish emigrants where they were all accepted and blended in, but Esther never forgot (and made sure we never forgot) that to racists and anti-semites, it doesn't matter who you are, what matters is how you are perceived.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
J3t B1ue, I think I hate you (edited for typos, I was pooped.)
Reasons I hate them:
1. 4 hour delay going. Granted, not their fault. Weather. But I'm not feeling generous at this moment.
2. Cancelled yesterday's flight and didn't call my cell, though they did send an e-mail, which wasn't useful since I was nowhere near a computer. I waited on line over an hour yesterday to change my flight to today because they don't let you do that at the kiosk.
Which brings us to today.
Today I arrived at JFK 2 hours early for my flight. I was clearly told to go to gate 15. I double checked the board. Sat down at gate 15 to wait. The gate itself had a different flight number up, so I asked the nice lady at the gate and she said yes, I was in the right place. Whereupon I took up a seat right next to her and waited.
About 10 minutes before my scheduled departure time I finally lost patience and asked when they would be boarding my flight and she said, "Oh! They switched the gate to gate 14 and it's closed for boarding now!"
I ran to gate 14 and the plane was pulling away. 10 minutes early.
I never heard an announcement. I never heard them page me. Not once. And I was listening. Truly, I was.
I cannot begin to describe to you how upset I was.
And then, customer service lied to me. They said, "Everyone else made it onto that flight."
Except they didn't. Another woman who had the same experience was placed on Stand-by for the next plane along with me.
Oh! And they switched the gate on that one, too. And there was no announcement, just a change on the board (which, fortunately, I was checking every five minutes.)
And they only put up the flight number at the gate 5 minutes before they boarded. And they made three brief announcements, the special assistance one, the rows 10 and up one, and the general boarding one. And then they got us stand-bys on. 10 minutes after the first call, the plane rolled away from the gate. And it was a sold-out plane. And they never paged the missing passengers, so how'd they have extra seats for me and my co-horts? Hmmmm? Which made me feel better about missing the announcements for the flight I was SUPPOSED to have been on.
And then the plane was stuck on the tarmac for 2 and a half hours. Again, not their fault, weather. But I would not have spent 11 hours in an airport today if they'd ACTUALLY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENTS THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE.
I hate them.
1. 4 hour delay going. Granted, not their fault. Weather. But I'm not feeling generous at this moment.
2. Cancelled yesterday's flight and didn't call my cell, though they did send an e-mail, which wasn't useful since I was nowhere near a computer. I waited on line over an hour yesterday to change my flight to today because they don't let you do that at the kiosk.
Which brings us to today.
Today I arrived at JFK 2 hours early for my flight. I was clearly told to go to gate 15. I double checked the board. Sat down at gate 15 to wait. The gate itself had a different flight number up, so I asked the nice lady at the gate and she said yes, I was in the right place. Whereupon I took up a seat right next to her and waited.
About 10 minutes before my scheduled departure time I finally lost patience and asked when they would be boarding my flight and she said, "Oh! They switched the gate to gate 14 and it's closed for boarding now!"
I ran to gate 14 and the plane was pulling away. 10 minutes early.
I never heard an announcement. I never heard them page me. Not once. And I was listening. Truly, I was.
I cannot begin to describe to you how upset I was.
And then, customer service lied to me. They said, "Everyone else made it onto that flight."
Except they didn't. Another woman who had the same experience was placed on Stand-by for the next plane along with me.
Oh! And they switched the gate on that one, too. And there was no announcement, just a change on the board (which, fortunately, I was checking every five minutes.)
And they only put up the flight number at the gate 5 minutes before they boarded. And they made three brief announcements, the special assistance one, the rows 10 and up one, and the general boarding one. And then they got us stand-bys on. 10 minutes after the first call, the plane rolled away from the gate. And it was a sold-out plane. And they never paged the missing passengers, so how'd they have extra seats for me and my co-horts? Hmmmm? Which made me feel better about missing the announcements for the flight I was SUPPOSED to have been on.
And then the plane was stuck on the tarmac for 2 and a half hours. Again, not their fault, weather. But I would not have spent 11 hours in an airport today if they'd ACTUALLY MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENTS THEY SHOULD HAVE MADE.
I hate them.
Monday, August 06, 2007
Out of Office Message
I'm on my way to NYC. I'll be back on Wednesday when I'll see you all here. The memorial will be the weekend of the18th, probably.
Thank you all for the kind wishes. I'm so glad and proud to have you as friends.
Thank you all for the kind wishes. I'm so glad and proud to have you as friends.
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Grandpa Professor Emeritus 1910-2007
He died tonight.
Home from the hospital on Wednesday, with his children around him. He was laughing and joking this morning but was very clear that he was ready to go.
It seems we were right to joke that his strong will to live was what kept him here through heart attacks and cancer, through diabetes and infections. When he said he was ready to go, he meant it. He let go.
He used to skip with me down the street and this last time we saw him he sang the silly song to Muffin Man that he used to sing with me when we skipped.
He was a Physics professor. I've seen a film of him teaching - completely incomprehensible to me, but MS said it was a good lesson. I'm looking right now at two books he gave to MS, "Mathematical Methods of Physics" and "Fundamentals of Mathematical Physics".
What is my grandma going to do? She was married to him for almost 50 years.
This is a very incoherent post. I'm happy for him and for my mother that the next few weeks aren't going to happen as we'd all thought they would. But sad he's gone and sad for my grandmother in particular.
...
Just talked to my sister. She just saw him this morning and then drove six hours to get home. She said he said that he expected the morphine to make him feel muddled, but he felt clear as a bell. He told stories of his father for an hour. His nurse said, "Morphine couldn't make him muddled. Not him."
And that's it. That's the essence of who he was. He held himself together.
Home from the hospital on Wednesday, with his children around him. He was laughing and joking this morning but was very clear that he was ready to go.
It seems we were right to joke that his strong will to live was what kept him here through heart attacks and cancer, through diabetes and infections. When he said he was ready to go, he meant it. He let go.
He used to skip with me down the street and this last time we saw him he sang the silly song to Muffin Man that he used to sing with me when we skipped.
He was a Physics professor. I've seen a film of him teaching - completely incomprehensible to me, but MS said it was a good lesson. I'm looking right now at two books he gave to MS, "Mathematical Methods of Physics" and "Fundamentals of Mathematical Physics".
What is my grandma going to do? She was married to him for almost 50 years.
This is a very incoherent post. I'm happy for him and for my mother that the next few weeks aren't going to happen as we'd all thought they would. But sad he's gone and sad for my grandmother in particular.
...
Just talked to my sister. She just saw him this morning and then drove six hours to get home. She said he said that he expected the morphine to make him feel muddled, but he felt clear as a bell. He told stories of his father for an hour. His nurse said, "Morphine couldn't make him muddled. Not him."
And that's it. That's the essence of who he was. He held himself together.
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Feeling of coziness.
Today, I sent a friend an e-mail and then I went to a party and came home and checked my e-mail (nothing in my inbox) and started to open a browser to check her blog when PING! there came an e-mail in my inbox!
She'd gotten my e-mail and replied and then I replied and then she replied. And it wasn't until just now when I realized that it was kind of like having a short phone conversation with this person who is a dear friend whom I've never actually spoken to (as in, using my vocal chords).
And this feeling, this "we just had a phone call" feeling is making me feel very cozy and warm.
Phantom, thank you both for the exchange and this feeling.
She'd gotten my e-mail and replied and then I replied and then she replied. And it wasn't until just now when I realized that it was kind of like having a short phone conversation with this person who is a dear friend whom I've never actually spoken to (as in, using my vocal chords).
And this feeling, this "we just had a phone call" feeling is making me feel very cozy and warm.
Phantom, thank you both for the exchange and this feeling.
Friday, August 03, 2007
Grades are in. Happiness, Sadness
I got three A+'s and a B+ for the semester. The B+ was in my one-credit course, so I have a 3.93 for the semester (stupid registrar doesn't record the extra points for the pluses on the A's. Hmff).
That puts me at 3.78 overall. I couldn't be happier scholastically.
However....
Grandpa is home from the hospital, hospice has been called in and he has 24-hour care at home. He's on oxygen to make him more comfortable. My aunts are with him now, my sister will be there for the day tomorrow.
I'm so glad I got to see him a couple of weeks ago. He was in pretty good shape that weekend and was able to enjoy our visit and laugh at MM and make MM laugh too.
Ninety-seven years of life is a good, long time. But, oh! it's not long enough. It's just not long enough.
That puts me at 3.78 overall. I couldn't be happier scholastically.
However....
Grandpa is home from the hospital, hospice has been called in and he has 24-hour care at home. He's on oxygen to make him more comfortable. My aunts are with him now, my sister will be there for the day tomorrow.
I'm so glad I got to see him a couple of weeks ago. He was in pretty good shape that weekend and was able to enjoy our visit and laugh at MM and make MM laugh too.
Ninety-seven years of life is a good, long time. But, oh! it's not long enough. It's just not long enough.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Oh, SNAP!
Tonight MM gave me the finger. Not in a bad way. He just had configured his hand in that shape and said, "LOOK MOM! Look what I'm doing with my hand!"
.....
So I said to him, "That's really great, Sweetie! You're really very dexterous....um....dexterous means you can do cool things with your fingers. Um....one thing though...that shape you're making with your hand...some people find it really rude. It's kind of like the hand version of calling someone a doodyhead. So don't do it at school. Okay? 'Cause people might get mad."
"It's rude to do this?"
"Yeah, Pumpkin. For some strange reason, people think it's rude. I know you don't like to get in trouble for being rude."
"No, I don't. I won't do this at school. But it's really cool that I can do it, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. Would you like to learn how to snap your fingers?"
"YEAH!"
"Okay, first you go like this..."
.....
So I said to him, "That's really great, Sweetie! You're really very dexterous....um....dexterous means you can do cool things with your fingers. Um....one thing though...that shape you're making with your hand...some people find it really rude. It's kind of like the hand version of calling someone a doodyhead. So don't do it at school. Okay? 'Cause people might get mad."
"It's rude to do this?"
"Yeah, Pumpkin. For some strange reason, people think it's rude. I know you don't like to get in trouble for being rude."
"No, I don't. I won't do this at school. But it's really cool that I can do it, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is. Would you like to learn how to snap your fingers?"
"YEAH!"
"Okay, first you go like this..."
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Birthday birthday birthday
Three birthdays in two parties. On the downside, I had to miss what promised to be a wonderful blogger family playdate. On the upside, MM had a great time at both.
How is it that he's the one running around like a maniac and I'm the one who needs a nap?
Final exam on Thursday, then three weeks off! And I've scheduled a blogger playdate during my visit to my MIL!!! Woohoo!
How is it that he's the one running around like a maniac and I'm the one who needs a nap?
Final exam on Thursday, then three weeks off! And I've scheduled a blogger playdate during my visit to my MIL!!! Woohoo!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
An open letter to Jerkface
Dear Jerkface:
Our professor is deaf and, therefore, he speaks somewhat indistinctly. When you keep talking through his lecture, it means none of the rest of us can hear what he's saying. Nor can he hear questions posed to him. Given your complete ignorance of the subject you demonstrated during the class review session before the exam today, I'm guessing that this technique isn't working very well for you, either.
Your behavior shows that, despite your claims to the contrary, the corporeal punishment your parents used with you DID NOT WORK. You are the poster child of what comes of Authoritarian Intrusive parenting. And, yes, that WAS a question on the exam. Why? Did you get it wrong?
Sincerely,
Mystery Mommy
Our professor is deaf and, therefore, he speaks somewhat indistinctly. When you keep talking through his lecture, it means none of the rest of us can hear what he's saying. Nor can he hear questions posed to him. Given your complete ignorance of the subject you demonstrated during the class review session before the exam today, I'm guessing that this technique isn't working very well for you, either.
Your behavior shows that, despite your claims to the contrary, the corporeal punishment your parents used with you DID NOT WORK. You are the poster child of what comes of Authoritarian Intrusive parenting. And, yes, that WAS a question on the exam. Why? Did you get it wrong?
Sincerely,
Mystery Mommy
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Some of the most wonderful sounds in the world:
Thud thud thud thud thud
Clonk
Tinkle
Flush
Stomp stomp
Whhhhhsssssshhhhhh splashsplashsplash
Stomp stomp
rustle
"Mom, could you hang up the towel for me?"
(ding dong) "Mom! Doorbell!"
IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!
Clonk
Tinkle
Flush
Stomp stomp
Whhhhhsssssshhhhhh splashsplashsplash
Stomp stomp
rustle
"Mom, could you hang up the towel for me?"
(ding dong) "Mom! Doorbell!"
IT'S HERE!!!!!!!!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Shooooooooes!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
_ick
MM had a TICK! ON! HIS! HEAD!
It was a Diamond Back Dog Tick. So no Lyme disease, thank goodness. But ICK! A TICK!
According to the doctor who removed it this morning, the best way to remove a tick is to rub it with lots and lots of soap and then use a tweezers to pull that sucker off. Next time, we'll do it ourselves. We were worried that we wouldn't remove it all.
It was a Diamond Back Dog Tick. So no Lyme disease, thank goodness. But ICK! A TICK!
According to the doctor who removed it this morning, the best way to remove a tick is to rub it with lots and lots of soap and then use a tweezers to pull that sucker off. Next time, we'll do it ourselves. We were worried that we wouldn't remove it all.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Talking about death
My grandfather is 97. He's survived 3 kinds of cancer, two (or is it three?) heart attacks, and - until recently - was doing the NYT crossword everyday. Now he says he can't do that AND read the Times from cover to cover, so he gave up the crossword in favor of being informed. Also until recently he and my grandmother were going to movies, museums, and plays. They're still reading the New York Review of Books and then reading the books that were reviewed. He's going deaf but still tells silly jokes and sings silly songs at my son. The same silly songs he used to sing to me.
He's an eternal sort of person. And it's hard to believe that he's coming to the end.
A few weeks ago, he started doing dialysis three days a week. For a long time, he refused to do it. He didn't want his quality of life to suffer. But this December is his 50th Anniversary with my grandmother, and I think he decided to start dialysis when it looked like he might not be able to get to that milestone. He seems to be doing really well on it, although he's exhausted on the days when he gets the procedure done.
MM and I went to visit them while we were in NYC. We saw them twice, on Friday and Sunday. In just the couple of months since I saw them last, my grandfather looks like he's aged 10 years. It's so hard to see him.
Here are some discussions from the weekend:
*He's got very dark age spots that weren't there last time I saw him. I don't know the science behind age spots so I used this patently false explanation instead.
** You hear that, Dad? Keep up with the swimming and everything, okay?
He's an eternal sort of person. And it's hard to believe that he's coming to the end.
A few weeks ago, he started doing dialysis three days a week. For a long time, he refused to do it. He didn't want his quality of life to suffer. But this December is his 50th Anniversary with my grandmother, and I think he decided to start dialysis when it looked like he might not be able to get to that milestone. He seems to be doing really well on it, although he's exhausted on the days when he gets the procedure done.
MM and I went to visit them while we were in NYC. We saw them twice, on Friday and Sunday. In just the couple of months since I saw them last, my grandfather looks like he's aged 10 years. It's so hard to see him.
Here are some discussions from the weekend:
(later)MM: "Is GG Professor Emeritus very old?" (GG stands for Great Grandfather)
Me: "Yes, sweetie, he's very, very old."
MM: "So old that he's going to die?"
Me: "Well..."
MM: "I know, I don't have to worry about it."
Me: "That's actually not what I was going to say. I was going to say that we are worried that he's going die. But he's not going to die today or even tomorrow probably. And we're visiting so that we can spend as much time as we can with him before we can't spend time with him anymore."
MM: "Does death mean that someone's gone forever?"
Me: "Yes it does. But that person will still be in our memories and we will still love them, so in a way they will always be there with us.
MM: "So is Grandpa's brother gone forever?"
Me: "Yes, sweetie. He is."
MM: "Did I ever meet him?"
Me: "No, I don't think you ever did."
MM: "So how can I remember him so that he'll be there?"
Me: "You can't, but Grandpa can. And so can all Uncle Science's family and friends. That's why we went to his memorial, so that all the people who knew him and loved him could remember him together."
MM: "What are those black spots on GG Professor Emeritus's face?"
Me: "I think they're kind of bruises."
MM: "Are they catching?"
Me: "No, they're not catching. He has them because he's very old and his blood vessels break easily and give him bruises*. You won't get them from kissing him or anything."
MM: "Are you sure?"
Me: "I'm totally, completely sure."
MM: "Okay."
MM: "I wish nobody ever had to die."
Me: "I wish that too, MM."
MM: "I'll put it on my Christmas list. Maybe Santa can give that to me."
Me: "I know Santa would love to give that to you, but even though he's very magical he just can't stop people from dying when they're very, very old."
MM: "Was Uncle Science very, very old?"
Me: "Yes. He was very, very old and also very sick."
MM: "He was Grandpa's brother, right?"
Me: "Yes."
MM: "Does that mean Grandpa is very, very old?"
Me: "No. Grandpa isn't very, very old because he was much younger than Uncle Science. He was the youngest of all his brothers and Uncle Science was the oldest. Uncle Science was twelve whole years older."
MM: "So Grandpa's not going to die?"
Me: "Not for a long time.**"
MM: "Okay."
*He's got very dark age spots that weren't there last time I saw him. I don't know the science behind age spots so I used this patently false explanation instead.
** You hear that, Dad? Keep up with the swimming and everything, okay?
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Home again, home again
Whew. Visited with no less than 100 people this weekend what with my dad's family at the memorial, my grandparents, and the parents of my high school friend. MM was great, really held it together through it all and was very grown-up and cooperative.
Interesting discussion in the comments on the last post. Here are my latest thoughts on it: if it's a good book for other reasons, I'm not so concerned with the explicit content. Clan of the Cave Bear and The Handmaid's Tale, for instance, are books I'd be happy for him to read. Valley of the Horses? Well, I read it when I was a teenager and...so...I think I'd be okay with it. Uncomfortable but okay. LKH? I just don't know. I'm guessing I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Interesting discussion in the comments on the last post. Here are my latest thoughts on it: if it's a good book for other reasons, I'm not so concerned with the explicit content. Clan of the Cave Bear and The Handmaid's Tale, for instance, are books I'd be happy for him to read. Valley of the Horses? Well, I read it when I was a teenager and...so...I think I'd be okay with it. Uncomfortable but okay. LKH? I just don't know. I'm guessing I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Dani tagged me
Eight things??? EIGHT THINGS???
Alrighty.
Alrighty.
- Got new glasses. Not sure I like 'em. MS and MM know they don't. But they were the least expensive frames in the store that day. Next time I'll shop around more. Maybe bring frames with me.
- It doesn't really matter, because I wear my contacts almost all the time anyway. I had to get new glasses for my fall classes because I'll be dissecting things again. All three of my fall classes involve dissection labs.
- Friday is a memorial for my uncle who died last month, so we're going up to NYC. MM is really super excited about having him some grandparent time.
- We're taking the train. Don't you love taking the train? Once, when I was pregnant with MM, we took the overnight train to Hilton Head to see my MIL. We had a roomette and everything. Even 6 months pregnant, I felt just too Cary Grant for words.
- I was talking with a friend about something on Tuesday and somehow Laurell K. Hamilton came up and she said she hadn't read any of those books herself but her daughters (12 & 14) had just started reading the Anita Blake series. So I said, "ummm...." And she said, "What?" And I said, "I don't know how you feel about your daughters reading explicit sexual material?" And she said, "WHAT???" And I said, "Well, the first 6 or so books are violent but not terribly sexual...after that, they get mighty steamy." And she said, "Well, I guess I'll have to read them first!"
- Which makes me wonder about what kind of mom I'm going to be for my future teenager. Will I be a "yes, you can read it...come to me with questions" mom? Or will I be a "I don't want you reading that until you're older" mom. Will I be okay with him reading the violent books? Will I be okay with him reading the sexy books?
- Speaking of books, we're reading The Wizard of Oz to MM. One chapter a night. Oz has just taken off in the balloon. MM is fascinated. He likes the movie better, but he loves that the book is different and more detailed. And that the book we're currently reading is different from the pop-up book we've also read. "The pop-up book doesn't have as many words because they needed to make room for all the pop-ups" is his explanation.
- Speaking of the WOO, I love what Oz says to the Cowardly Lion about the drink he gives him:
"What is it?" asked the Lion. "Well," answered Oz, "if it were inside of you, it would be courage. You know, of course, that courage is always inside one; so this really cannot be called courage until you have swallowed it. Therefore I advise you to drink it as soon as possible."
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Pooped. Boy oh boy.
Today was to be DAY OF THE PLAYDATES.
We started off with a two-fer in the AM: MM, BigTallKid, and LookAtThoseCurlsOnHim at the the pool. Then we all went to the restaurant with the big upside-down W on the doors. Then we all went to our respective homes.
Whereupon MM announced his feet hurt. His toes are all blistered, probably from when his flip-flops popped off in the parking lot. Poor fella.
So there went our plans to play in the fountain with DeepVoicedPreSchooler, but we remedied that by calling and asking if it could be a "Sit Quietly and Watch DVD's Date" instead. So that's what they did.
Yesterday we had a different playdate with my cousin from Maine, her 8 yo daughter, and her boyfriend's neice and nephew.
Tomorrow...tomorrow is another post!
I know there's a lot of stuff going on in the world what with Libby and Cheney and scandals galore, but so many other people are posting so many well-thought-out posts about that, all I feel I want to say about it is, "Yeah! What they said!" So I'm going to let these ones slide by.
We started off with a two-fer in the AM: MM, BigTallKid, and LookAtThoseCurlsOnHim at the the pool. Then we all went to the restaurant with the big upside-down W on the doors. Then we all went to our respective homes.
Whereupon MM announced his feet hurt. His toes are all blistered, probably from when his flip-flops popped off in the parking lot. Poor fella.
So there went our plans to play in the fountain with DeepVoicedPreSchooler, but we remedied that by calling and asking if it could be a "Sit Quietly and Watch DVD's Date" instead. So that's what they did.
Yesterday we had a different playdate with my cousin from Maine, her 8 yo daughter, and her boyfriend's neice and nephew.
Tomorrow...tomorrow is another post!
I know there's a lot of stuff going on in the world what with Libby and Cheney and scandals galore, but so many other people are posting so many well-thought-out posts about that, all I feel I want to say about it is, "Yeah! What they said!" So I'm going to let these ones slide by.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
It's a small, small world
My professor offers quite a bit of extra credit. One way to earn it is to summarize 3 popular (non-scholarly) articles he has up on the class website.
Article #5? Written by one of my mother's best friends.
What makes it a truly small world is that when I was in Korea on a stopover twenty years ago, I turned on the tv and saw this same friend!!!!
I just called her to let her know that her article is required reading for this class. She's quite pleased.
Article #5? Written by one of my mother's best friends.
What makes it a truly small world is that when I was in Korea on a stopover twenty years ago, I turned on the tv and saw this same friend!!!!
I just called her to let her know that her article is required reading for this class. She's quite pleased.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Holy guacamole, has it really been that long?
Mostly, I've been working on unbloggable stuff and have nothing to say. So I'll leave you with a quick seven things courtesty of Purple Kangaroo:
- I got an A+ on that portfolio I did for my Social Work class. Most of my biography (done in order of Piaget's phases) was taken from the blog.
- There's a fun fountain over at a nearby shopping center that kids can go play in. We took MM there Saturday and he had a blast. Then we got ice cream at Haagen Daz. Does anything say summer better than Chocolate Chocolate Chip ice cream with chocolate crunchies?
- I culled out my clothes and brought no fewer than 7 bras, 3 suits, several dresses, and a few pairs of pants and shirts over to The Resourceful Woman. I also threw out about 2 trash bags worth of clothes that were stained or ripped. Why did I keep them in the first place?
- I didn't cull out my books, but I did put them back on the shelves. I can't wait for 7/21, can you?
- Also gone are three large bags of miscellaneous trash. And 7 broken chairs. And long-expired canned goods (bought after 9/11).
- MM baked! a! cake! almost all by himself (I supervised and did the oven work). He brought it into school on Monday and shared it with his class.
- It's hard, when taking a Child Psychology class, not to test one's five-year-old to see what developmental stage he's in. If you're interested, he is starting to leave the pre-operational stage (he can imagine what another person's point of view is. He doesn't think that he and I have the same view if we're facing in different directions). I haven't checked to see if he has an idea of conservation yet.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Fun with trademarks
These words were once trademarks:
- Cola (the last word in the two-word name on the red can with the swoosh)
- Aspirin (Bayer)
- Yo-yo (Whammo)
- Hula hoop (Whammo again, I think)
- Heroin (Bayer again, I think)
The companies that own these trademarks are fighting to keep them from becoming generic:
- Kleenex (tissues)
- Xerox (copies)
- Photoshop (modify a photo)
- Coke (some Southerners use this term for any soft drink)
- Google (internet search - not making eyes, or talking about really big numbers)
I seriously never heard a "tissue" called a "Kleenex" until I moved down here.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Vacation!!!
I've got a week off between classes!!
Plan:
Plan:
- Clean my room and toss old papers.
- Cull through my clothes and bring what doesn't fit to The Resourceful Woman
- Cull MM's clothes and books ditto.
- Cook and freeze, cook and freeze.
- Make fund-raising phone calls, send fund-raising e-mails.
- Figure out a way to be less cryptic about what I'm fund-raising for without being Googleable.
- Read non-school-related books.
- Do a mug or two.
Google is in danger of losing its trademark, according to the professor of my just-completed ethics class, btw. It's becoming a verb!
Saturday, June 23, 2007
An Announcement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am involved in a community project. A big community project. An unbloggable community project. I am raising funds from folks near and far. If you are interested in knowing more, please e-mail me your phone number (liz+at+miller+household+dot+com).
Don't be surprised if you also get an e-mail from me. I'm going to be beating the bushes!!!!
I am involved in a community project. A big community project. An unbloggable community project. I am raising funds from folks near and far. If you are interested in knowing more, please e-mail me your phone number (liz+at+miller+household+dot+com).
Don't be surprised if you also get an e-mail from me. I'm going to be beating the bushes!!!!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Two down, one to go
Physio Psych and Social Work finals done. Ethics final tomorrow.
Going to bed now. Night all.
Going to bed now. Night all.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Whoo. Glad that's done.
I turned in a major project for my social work class this afternoon. Now I just need to complete a take-home exam for Thursday and I'm done for that class.
Physio. Psych and Ethics classes tomorrow. Finals in those classes Thursday and Friday. Then I have a week off between summer sessions.
How's by you?
Physio. Psych and Ethics classes tomorrow. Finals in those classes Thursday and Friday. Then I have a week off between summer sessions.
How's by you?
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Just a smidge cranky
Remember this post? Well, the teacher is giving folks an opportunity to make up their grade with added work on their final projects. I wouldn't mind if she'd just let people drop their worst exam grade or required them to write short paragraphs on the right answers but this is very amorphous. It feels unfair. How much work is she going to consider enough? And will it make mine look worse if I don't do the added work? It's not like the test was that hard -- pick the crunchiest granola answer and you're pretty safe. Okay, okay, I know this is sour grapes...
I like my teacher, btw, I think she's fun and enthusiastic. She's also knowledgeable and really does want the class to learn these concepts.
No one in my class knows I'm the one who busted the curve. When asked by one what my grade was, I said, "Let's not go there. That exam is over and I'm thinking about what we have to do next."
"Wow," she said. "Did you fail it?"
"I'm not going to discuss my grade. Seriously."
Plus, the advent of the red tide is making me take this more personally than I should. And it's rainywindythunderlighteninghailing outside.
Signed, Cranky McCrankerson.
I like my teacher, btw, I think she's fun and enthusiastic. She's also knowledgeable and really does want the class to learn these concepts.
No one in my class knows I'm the one who busted the curve. When asked by one what my grade was, I said, "Let's not go there. That exam is over and I'm thinking about what we have to do next."
"Wow," she said. "Did you fail it?"
"I'm not going to discuss my grade. Seriously."
Plus, the advent of the red tide is making me take this more personally than I should. And it's rainywindythunderlighteninghailing outside.
Signed, Cranky McCrankerson.
Monday, June 11, 2007
What we did this weekend NOW WITH MORE PARENTHESES!
- Homework (me)
- Super Top Secret Father's Day Gift Stuff (me and MM)
- Studying (not enough)(Me)
- Attempting to go to pools that were closed due to human waste and other bodily fluids (blood!) and actually going to see Shrek 3 (not bad! makes me wish I'd seen the second one!)(Me, MM, DeepVoicedPreschooler (formerly DeepVoicedToddler), and DVP's mom).
Friday, June 08, 2007
He's getting so big...
Scooped him up in my arms this morning and looked in the mirror. His head's on my shoulder and his feet are waaaaay down past my knees.
Trimmed his finger and toe nails after his bath tonight and I swear his hands and feet have grown in the less than two weeks since I last trimmed them. The feet that were so small they could wear socks that looked tiny on my thumb are now a size 12 (kids), his itty bitty hands are almost as big as mine.
MM: "I think I should have a bath every two days, Mommy. I should have my next one on Sunday, then Tuesday, then Thursday, then Saturday, then...uh oh, what happened to Friday?"
Me: "On that schedule you'd have another Friday bath the week after."
MM:"Oh! Where was I? Saturday! Then Monday, then Wednesday, and THEN Friday again!"
MM: (on seeing that we bought a new white board) "You didn't need to buy a new one, I would have shared mine with you."
Trimmed his finger and toe nails after his bath tonight and I swear his hands and feet have grown in the less than two weeks since I last trimmed them. The feet that were so small they could wear socks that looked tiny on my thumb are now a size 12 (kids), his itty bitty hands are almost as big as mine.
MM: "I think I should have a bath every two days, Mommy. I should have my next one on Sunday, then Tuesday, then Thursday, then Saturday, then...uh oh, what happened to Friday?"
Me: "On that schedule you'd have another Friday bath the week after."
MM:"Oh! Where was I? Saturday! Then Monday, then Wednesday, and THEN Friday again!"
MM: (on seeing that we bought a new white board) "You didn't need to buy a new one, I would have shared mine with you."
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Music to drive by (inspired by CornDog)
Dr. Dog has, once again, written a kick-ass post on music. Though I can't describe music as well as he can, I thought y'all might be interested in what MM and I listened to on our odyssey to visit my mom and step-father at their country house:
1. Free to Be You and Me. While supremely corny and a product of its time (1972), this was a favorite of mine as a kid and is now a favorite of MM's. The songs are interspersed with funny stories and, though each and every one has a MESSAGE, the message does not detract from the fun. MM's favorites on this album are the first Dudley Pippen story, Helping, Housework, and It's Alright to Cry. We always skip Girl Land.
2. Really Rosie. Another favorite of mine. Carol King sings Maurice Sendak. Brilliant. MM's favorite is Chicken Soup With Rice. He won't let me play past Avenue P, 'cause that half the album (the old "B" side) is scary.
3. Dog Train. Several bands, including Blues Traveler sing Sandra Boynton. The title track is a keeper as is I Need a Nap (Weird Al and Kate Winslet), Sneakers, Wave Bye-Bye, Pots & Pans, and Brocolli. We skip all the Cow Planets and, unfortunately, Dragon Fire and the Allison Kraus song.
4-6. Beethovan's Wig, Beethovan's Wig 2, and Beethovan's Wig 3. MM and I love these. We sing along. We Sing Verdi Very Loud, we ask each other to Please Don't Play Your Violin at Night.
MM now recognizes these pieces of classical music everywhere. At Panera, during commercials, at dinner parties. He impressed a room full of grownups singing Vivaldi a few weeks ago.
7. (groan) Aladdin. On the plus side, we hadn't listened to it in a long, long time and we only listened to it once.
8. No! by They Might Be Giants. MM likes this less than I do. But we're both fond of Bed Bed Bed and In the Middle, In the Middle, In the Middle.
What I like best about all but (groan) Aladdin is that, for the most part, I enjoy these albums as much as MM does. There's no Hokey Pokey or Apples and Bananas on any of these guys. They're good singers singing good music with (often) very, very silly words.
MM was an excellent traveler, btw, and very helpful - looking out for signs for exits and food and not whining at all.
Bonus conversation!
MM: (on seeing a car with no lights on in the rain) "Hey! You! Headlights!" (I wonder where he got that from....oh! Me!)
1. Free to Be You and Me. While supremely corny and a product of its time (1972), this was a favorite of mine as a kid and is now a favorite of MM's. The songs are interspersed with funny stories and, though each and every one has a MESSAGE, the message does not detract from the fun. MM's favorites on this album are the first Dudley Pippen story, Helping, Housework, and It's Alright to Cry. We always skip Girl Land.
2. Really Rosie. Another favorite of mine. Carol King sings Maurice Sendak. Brilliant. MM's favorite is Chicken Soup With Rice. He won't let me play past Avenue P, 'cause that half the album (the old "B" side) is scary.
3. Dog Train. Several bands, including Blues Traveler sing Sandra Boynton. The title track is a keeper as is I Need a Nap (Weird Al and Kate Winslet), Sneakers, Wave Bye-Bye, Pots & Pans, and Brocolli. We skip all the Cow Planets and, unfortunately, Dragon Fire and the Allison Kraus song.
4-6. Beethovan's Wig, Beethovan's Wig 2, and Beethovan's Wig 3. MM and I love these. We sing along. We Sing Verdi Very Loud, we ask each other to Please Don't Play Your Violin at Night.
MM now recognizes these pieces of classical music everywhere. At Panera, during commercials, at dinner parties. He impressed a room full of grownups singing Vivaldi a few weeks ago.
7. (groan) Aladdin. On the plus side, we hadn't listened to it in a long, long time and we only listened to it once.
8. No! by They Might Be Giants. MM likes this less than I do. But we're both fond of Bed Bed Bed and In the Middle, In the Middle, In the Middle.
What I like best about all but (groan) Aladdin is that, for the most part, I enjoy these albums as much as MM does. There's no Hokey Pokey or Apples and Bananas on any of these guys. They're good singers singing good music with (often) very, very silly words.
MM was an excellent traveler, btw, and very helpful - looking out for signs for exits and food and not whining at all.
Bonus conversation!
MM: (on seeing a car with no lights on in the rain) "Hey! You! Headlights!" (I wonder where he got that from....oh! Me!)
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Spoiled. Rotten.
God, I love my cable modem. Love it. Love it. LOVE IT.
I also love my mom and stepfather, with whom MM and I just spent a Truly Lovely weekend. Laughing, joking, eating well. Plus, I did homework while they carried MM off to have exciting adventures. But...
They have dial-up. I didn't remember what dial-up is like. It's....
It's going to my school's WebCT page and reading a chapter in a book while it loads. Seriously, I read all of Ghosts Who Went to School (a favorite from my childhood that I just bought for MM) while I uploaded my homework for my Wednesday night class. The whole book. That's how slow dial-up is.
In any case, I'm back and you folks have written far too much in 3 days.
I also love my mom and stepfather, with whom MM and I just spent a Truly Lovely weekend. Laughing, joking, eating well. Plus, I did homework while they carried MM off to have exciting adventures. But...
They have dial-up. I didn't remember what dial-up is like. It's....
It's going to my school's WebCT page and reading a chapter in a book while it loads. Seriously, I read all of Ghosts Who Went to School (a favorite from my childhood that I just bought for MM) while I uploaded my homework for my Wednesday night class. The whole book. That's how slow dial-up is.
In any case, I'm back and you folks have written far too much in 3 days.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
My sister is incredible
Again, unbloggable, but my sister and her family are doing an act of good work. I couldn't be prouder.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Thanks, guys! I'm blushing! Plus random items UPDATED
I have no idea why comments were turned off on this post. Blogger did it all by itself. They're back on now.
SuzanH asks if I saw the series ender to Gilmore Girls. I did.
I'm glad they chose to end that way 'cause it seriously left me NOT wanting more. Blah.
Also, I haven't watched since January, so what happened to Rory's dad? And to whatsherface, the hyper blond-chick Rory's roomed with?
Today was the First Day of School for Summer Session A. Physiological Psychology, a Social Work Synthesis class, and a once-weekly Computer Ethics class (Wednesdays).
So far I'm loving my new classes but GAH it's going to be a TON of work. So don't be surprised if I disappear more than usual during the next month.
I've found I actually cannot do any serious studious reading while I'm in my house. I keep piddling around on the computer reading posts or writing post or I get otherwise distracted. Not good. So I'm going to spend my afternoons reading text books at the local coffee shop that is a chain but not *$. That worked really well for last semester's finals so I'm going to keep on with it.
I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the nice weather if you're in a place with nice weather.
SuzanH asks if I saw the series ender to Gilmore Girls. I did.
I'm glad they chose to end that way 'cause it seriously left me NOT wanting more. Blah.
Also, I haven't watched since January, so what happened to Rory's dad? And to whatsherface, the hyper blond-chick Rory's roomed with?
Today was the First Day of School for Summer Session A. Physiological Psychology, a Social Work Synthesis class, and a once-weekly Computer Ethics class (Wednesdays).
So far I'm loving my new classes but GAH it's going to be a TON of work. So don't be surprised if I disappear more than usual during the next month.
I've found I actually cannot do any serious studious reading while I'm in my house. I keep piddling around on the computer reading posts or writing post or I get otherwise distracted. Not good. So I'm going to spend my afternoons reading text books at the local coffee shop that is a chain but not *$. That worked really well for last semester's finals so I'm going to keep on with it.
I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the nice weather if you're in a place with nice weather.
Friday, May 18, 2007
After!
All done! Just in time for us to add the chairs as an Anniversary present to ourselves. Eleven years today.
Doorway into kitchen with the broom-closet-sized pantry. Hanging on the pantry door is my laptop lunchbox and a bag full of plastic grocery bags. We're going to change out that plate behind the dimmer switch for a white one.
Doorway into kitchen with the broom-closet-sized pantry. Hanging on the pantry door is my laptop lunchbox and a bag full of plastic grocery bags. We're going to change out that plate behind the dimmer switch for a white one.
Here's a picture of the half-wall and the line between the dining room and the library. Beyond the half-wall is a table with a large format laser printer and one of our many computers. Through the doorway is the kitchen (linoleum floor) and the living room (carpet and toys). You can see that there is half-wall between them as well.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
S asks...
What I'm doing expending this much energy...
Partly, it's that I have the time. If it doesn't get done now, it just won't happen.
Partly, I've been inspired by some of you folks. Everywhere I look it seems someone's painting or finally getting new floors or doing a huge garden or baking homemade bread or finishing knitting a hoodie.
So, I decided to just do it. And I'm getting lots of help from someone else who lives here.
Partly, it's that I have the time. If it doesn't get done now, it just won't happen.
Partly, I've been inspired by some of you folks. Everywhere I look it seems someone's painting or finally getting new floors or doing a huge garden or baking homemade bread or finishing knitting a hoodie.
So, I decided to just do it. And I'm getting lots of help from someone else who lives here.
During...
Okay, so we've taped and papered and we're ready to start cutting-in. But it's after 5:00 PM, so we're calling it a day.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Hold me...
I'm painting our dining room. No! Really! I am!
One of the things I love about this house is its open floor plan. But it's also the reason we haven't painted since...well...we've never painted.
The dining room flows into what we call the library (in the Model it was the formal living room), there are half-walls between but no demarcation line on the wall so we're going to put up molding going up from the half-walls to the ceiling and paint up to there. I'm leaving the molding, the area below the chair rail, and the bay windows white. I know what I think it'll look like, I'm just hoping it ACTUALLY looks that way when I'm done.
This is a big step, people.
Hold me.
One of the things I love about this house is its open floor plan. But it's also the reason we haven't painted since...well...we've never painted.
The dining room flows into what we call the library (in the Model it was the formal living room), there are half-walls between but no demarcation line on the wall so we're going to put up molding going up from the half-walls to the ceiling and paint up to there. I'm leaving the molding, the area below the chair rail, and the bay windows white. I know what I think it'll look like, I'm just hoping it ACTUALLY looks that way when I'm done.
This is a big step, people.
Hold me.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Whew, glad that's over
Questions:
Why is CSI Miami on the air? Not only are the actors ATROCIOUS, but also the writing sucks. Upon what planet do DNA tests and fingerprint checks come back that fast? How many coincidences does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Why oh why didn't I watch more of House this year? I guess I'll have to catch up on DVD. Not that it's not far-fetched too, but the acting is splendid and that makes me forgive much.
Gilmore Girls is ending tonight. I haven't watched it since January. Anything I need to know, or will it be self-explanatory?
Anyone know when the new season of Life on Mars will be coming? Or Foyle's War?
On Books:
I've read several new (to me) books this semester that I haven't talked about here.
The Stranger House by Reginald Hill was outrageously good. Death Comes for the Fatman (also R. Hill) was also wonderful but reminiscent of others of his, including Who Guards the Prince (a must-read).
I read the first in The Series of Unfortunate Events which is good, if dark. Echoes of Dahl anyone?
Speaking of Dahl, we read The Fantastic Mr. Fox to MM. I'd never read it and thought it was a lovely re-telling of "The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night".
Also on the kidlit front, I read Justin Morgan Had a Horse. Nice. Easy read. Sweet. Not much more to say, really.
Back in the adult world, I read the newest Charlaine Harris book, All Together Dead. I like this writer very much, but the earlier books in this series are better. However, it's definitely a good one for a cozy afternoon on the couch. I think I can see where she's going to take the character in the next book.
Dana Stabenow's A Deeper Sleep was good, though somewhat uncomfortable. There're a great deal of guilt feelings floating around the park.
How many times have I told y'all to read Margaret Maron? Her latest, Winter's Child, is one of her best. This series keeps getting better and better. However, you'd probably better start with the previous book, Rituals of the Season, to get a bit of back story. Then, once you're hooked, you can go and read EVERYTHING SHE EVER WROTE.
There. Now that's off my chest. I can settle down and read Middlemarch for the first time. And Jane Austen's Letters. And some other stuff that's lying around.
Plus, I'm going to paint the dining room. No! Really! I am!
Why is CSI Miami on the air? Not only are the actors ATROCIOUS, but also the writing sucks. Upon what planet do DNA tests and fingerprint checks come back that fast? How many coincidences does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
Why oh why didn't I watch more of House this year? I guess I'll have to catch up on DVD. Not that it's not far-fetched too, but the acting is splendid and that makes me forgive much.
Gilmore Girls is ending tonight. I haven't watched it since January. Anything I need to know, or will it be self-explanatory?
Anyone know when the new season of Life on Mars will be coming? Or Foyle's War?
On Books:
I've read several new (to me) books this semester that I haven't talked about here.
The Stranger House by Reginald Hill was outrageously good. Death Comes for the Fatman (also R. Hill) was also wonderful but reminiscent of others of his, including Who Guards the Prince (a must-read).
I read the first in The Series of Unfortunate Events which is good, if dark. Echoes of Dahl anyone?
Speaking of Dahl, we read The Fantastic Mr. Fox to MM. I'd never read it and thought it was a lovely re-telling of "The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night".
Also on the kidlit front, I read Justin Morgan Had a Horse. Nice. Easy read. Sweet. Not much more to say, really.
Back in the adult world, I read the newest Charlaine Harris book, All Together Dead. I like this writer very much, but the earlier books in this series are better. However, it's definitely a good one for a cozy afternoon on the couch. I think I can see where she's going to take the character in the next book.
Dana Stabenow's A Deeper Sleep was good, though somewhat uncomfortable. There're a great deal of guilt feelings floating around the park.
How many times have I told y'all to read Margaret Maron? Her latest, Winter's Child, is one of her best. This series keeps getting better and better. However, you'd probably better start with the previous book, Rituals of the Season, to get a bit of back story. Then, once you're hooked, you can go and read EVERYTHING SHE EVER WROTE.
There. Now that's off my chest. I can settle down and read Middlemarch for the first time. And Jane Austen's Letters. And some other stuff that's lying around.
Plus, I'm going to paint the dining room. No! Really! I am!
Monday, May 14, 2007
He's a genius.
Biology? Done!
Now on to Abby Someone Psychology.
This particular exam is at 0730 tomorrow. Someone in my household (not me), upon hearing my plan to get up at 0500 to ensure promptitude at said exam, brilliantly suggested that I stay at a hotel right nearby Nearby U instead.
I told y'all he's a genius, right?
I'll be done by 0900 and that will conclude the Spring semester. Summer classes start Monday.
Now on to Abby Someone Psychology.
This particular exam is at 0730 tomorrow. Someone in my household (not me), upon hearing my plan to get up at 0500 to ensure promptitude at said exam, brilliantly suggested that I stay at a hotel right nearby Nearby U instead.
I told y'all he's a genius, right?
I'll be done by 0900 and that will conclude the Spring semester. Summer classes start Monday.
Friday, May 11, 2007
One down
Two to go.
And SingsLullabies and MakesBooksForGrandkids will be here this weekend.
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to study Biology I go....
And SingsLullabies and MakesBooksForGrandkids will be here this weekend.
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, it's off to study Biology I go....
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Gasp
Coming...up...for...air........................
First...of...three...finals...tomorrow......................
Will...see...you...all...Wednesday..................
First...of...three...finals...tomorrow......................
Will...see...you...all...Wednesday..................
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
Asking for some help
Dear friends,
Any of y'all know where I can find a bathing suit that will fit me? I'm looking for a practical suit, something that I can wear playing with MM. In other words, no dental floss, but not a burkini either. Lands End, Nordstrom, Water Water, LL Bean, and JC Penney only go up to Didi.
Alternatively, any of you have ideas on how to phrase a Google search for one that won't bring up something geared towards a fan of GGW?
Thanking you in advance for any and all input.
Any of y'all know where I can find a bathing suit that will fit me? I'm looking for a practical suit, something that I can wear playing with MM. In other words, no dental floss, but not a burkini either. Lands End, Nordstrom, Water Water, LL Bean, and JC Penney only go up to Didi.
Alternatively, any of you have ideas on how to phrase a Google search for one that won't bring up something geared towards a fan of GGW?
Thanking you in advance for any and all input.
Friday, May 04, 2007
All clear
Re-do of mammogram a success. "Next year have your doctor order a comprehensive instead of a screening so we can do all the pictures in one visit."
Whew.
Best quote from visit? "My, for such a little thing, you're sure large. Bless your heart."
Whew.
Best quote from visit? "My, for such a little thing, you're sure large. Bless your heart."
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Now it's your turn
Let me know in the comments of this post if you'd like to be next to be asked 5 questions! I think YT asked some great ones, gonna be a hard act to follow.
Question 5: What keeps you blogging regularly?
I find there are three things that keep me posting regularly(ish):
- I have something I really want to say. These posts are somewhat infrequent, but they're the ones I like best.
- Procrastination. I have other things I really need to do but I don't wanna. Some of these posts come out well. I end up saying something of substance at least.
- Fear that I'll look like I'm forgetting about you. These are my least favorite posts. Mostly it's "Hi! Still here!"
Speaking of which, I'm going to be posting less regularly for the next couple of weeks. Two papers due and (gasp!) Finals.
Yes, my friends, it's the last week of classes of my fourth semester at Nearby U. My, that went fast! A year from now, I'll be graduating!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Question 4: Who is your best friend in the whole world, other than Mr. Spock, and why?
I have several. Y'all know who you are! Some of you I've never met IRL, others I've shared curry with or gone to hear play at little funky venues.
But if I must pick one, I think it has to be This friend, who I've known now for almost 6 years. Oh my god, the hours we've spent laughing over misery. Not to mention the hours I've teased her about this. She's in school for her undergraduate degree, doing it online while working full-time at a company that sucks all the joy from a job (I should know, I used to work there). She's one of my heroes.
But if I must pick one, I think it has to be This friend, who I've known now for almost 6 years. Oh my god, the hours we've spent laughing over misery. Not to mention the hours I've teased her about this. She's in school for her undergraduate degree, doing it online while working full-time at a company that sucks all the joy from a job (I should know, I used to work there). She's one of my heroes.
Question 3: How fulfilling is your current education path and what is your ultimate goal with it?
I love what I'm doing at school. LOVE. IT.
I wish I could do the school thing forever and yet will be very glad to see the end of the undergraduate thing next May (a little over a year from now!)
After I graduate, I'll be going to grad school for an MSW (er...Masters of Social Work). What I'd really like is to be a family therapist in private practice. That means I need to get an MSW and then do 1000 supervised hours. I should reach my goal about the time MM starts High School. (That bang you heard was me falling over in a dead faint).
I wish I could do the school thing forever and yet will be very glad to see the end of the undergraduate thing next May (a little over a year from now!)
After I graduate, I'll be going to grad school for an MSW (er...Masters of Social Work). What I'd really like is to be a family therapist in private practice. That means I need to get an MSW and then do 1000 supervised hours. I should reach my goal about the time MM starts High School. (That bang you heard was me falling over in a dead faint).
Sunday, April 29, 2007
I'm still swooning
Someone in my house made samosas from scratch this weekend. And it wasn't me.
These samosas were the best I've ever eaten. Crispy outside, lovely flavorful spicy filling inside (who would have guessed that the crisp outer coat comes from a generous dose of butter?).
I ate too much, but oh! it was worth it.
Mmmmmm...samosas. My man can cook.
These samosas were the best I've ever eaten. Crispy outside, lovely flavorful spicy filling inside (who would have guessed that the crisp outer coat comes from a generous dose of butter?).
I ate too much, but oh! it was worth it.
Mmmmmm...samosas. My man can cook.
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Two sides
PLEASE NOTE THAT I AM NOT PREGNANT NOR AM I TRYING TO BECOME PREGNANT.
Danigirl has a post up which led to this post.
Eighteen years ago I peed on a stick. "One line, one line, one line." I prayed.
Six years ago I peed on a stick. "Two lines, two lines, two lines." I prayed.
Dani, I hope next time you get the answer you hope for.
Danigirl has a post up which led to this post.
Eighteen years ago I peed on a stick. "One line, one line, one line." I prayed.
Six years ago I peed on a stick. "Two lines, two lines, two lines." I prayed.
Dani, I hope next time you get the answer you hope for.
Censoring myself
I censor myself. I do not say what I really feel. I know that saying the words that boil inside me will render my argument meaningless, that others will hear only the bile and not the truth behind it.
I censor myself. I type a rant and delete all but three sentences. I make personal remarks and backspace over them. I bite my tongue.
I censor myself. I type a rant and delete all but three sentences. I make personal remarks and backspace over them. I bite my tongue.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Hold that thought
Follow-up mammogram and ultrasound have been postponed for a week, because the doctor couldn't come into the office today.
I see this as a good sign and a confirmation that there is no reason to panic. If there were anything at all to worry about, they'd be much more aggressive about getting these films ASAP. Right?
And thank you all for your good wishes. I do feel less nervous because of them!
I see this as a good sign and a confirmation that there is no reason to panic. If there were anything at all to worry about, they'd be much more aggressive about getting these films ASAP. Right?
And thank you all for your good wishes. I do feel less nervous because of them!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Absolutely, positively, completely, totally calm
I have fibrous breasts. I've known this for years. I have magically appearing and disappearing lumps and bumps that are as predicable as a solar eclipse. The ninth day after my period, my right breast will have a small lump two inches down from the birthmark below my armpit, the next day it will have moved about an inch forward and then it will disappear.
This means that when I got my mammogram a couple of weeks ago, I was pretty sure they'd have to call me back for another look, and indeed, that is what they've done. I'm going back tomorrow for another more squishy mammogram and an ultrasound of that there right breast.
I am not freaking out about this. This was completely expected and predicted by me. I am pretty fireplacing sure that I do not have cancer.
But I'm still posting this because I'm just a tad wee smidge nervous that I'm wrong.
This means that when I got my mammogram a couple of weeks ago, I was pretty sure they'd have to call me back for another look, and indeed, that is what they've done. I'm going back tomorrow for another more squishy mammogram and an ultrasound of that there right breast.
I am not freaking out about this. This was completely expected and predicted by me. I am pretty fireplacing sure that I do not have cancer.
But I'm still posting this because I'm just a tad wee smidge nervous that I'm wrong.
Three things I do do that many other people don't for whatever reason
1. Get my eyebrows waxed (though not while I'm not earning money). and just eyebrows people, that hurts so much I wouldn't like to try it elsewhere.
2. Bite my cuticles. and beyond, to be honest. It looks awful and I really need to stop.
3. Wear white socks with black hightops. And I'm truly, truly sorry. I know you hate it. But the white socks are so comfy. If I'm not stopping biting my cuticles, I'm certainly not stopping this.
And re: the post below. Except for smoking, which I try to convince everyone who does it to stop...I mean, it can kill you, the fact that I don't do it doesn't mean I think others shouldn't, it just means it's not for me. I like my grey. I'm wishy-washy about my look (although I've worn the same brand of black hightop for over 20 years), my ear piercings always got infected when I first got them so I can't imagine what that would be like on a place more intimate, etc.
I'm loving your lists!
2. Bite my cuticles. and beyond, to be honest. It looks awful and I really need to stop.
3. Wear white socks with black hightops. And I'm truly, truly sorry. I know you hate it. But the white socks are so comfy. If I'm not stopping biting my cuticles, I'm certainly not stopping this.
And re: the post below. Except for smoking, which I try to convince everyone who does it to stop...I mean, it can kill you, the fact that I don't do it doesn't mean I think others shouldn't, it just means it's not for me. I like my grey. I'm wishy-washy about my look (although I've worn the same brand of black hightop for over 20 years), my ear piercings always got infected when I first got them so I can't imagine what that would be like on a place more intimate, etc.
I'm loving your lists!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Three (No! Four!) things I have never done or wanted to do that other people do.
- Smoke cigarettes. Family history. Plus they're stinky.
- Get a tattoo. Yeah. Right. You know me. Long hair, short hair, long hair, short hair, glasses, contacts, glasses, contacts, makeup, no makeup. I would get sick of a tattoo within a year.
- Get anything other than my earlobes pierced. And I hardly ever even wear those.
- Dye my hair. Perms, yes (but never again). Dyes, no.
What about you?
Monday, April 23, 2007
Amazingly, I'm not going to mention the "D" word
Question #2: what was the most significant event in your childhood?
Again, not mentioning the "d" word, though that was pretty fireplacing significant. But it was so significant and happened so early that there's no way I can cover it here. My whole life would be different. I'd have half the family I do now. I can't even imagine it.
Instead, I'm going to talk about Grandma Sylvia. Did I ever tell you about my Grandma Sylvia? My step-mother's mother (I wouldn't have known her if not for the "d" word!)
She had beautiful long silver hair that she kept up in a bun. She taught me to play "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" on her piano. She baked the most wonderful chocolate cakes. She taught me to braid hair and let me do hers. I loved staying with her in her little house in New Jersey. I would eat windmill cookies and drink weak tea in her kitchen. My cousin and I would white wash her basement (such fun!). I would cozy up in her recliner. She was so playful and charming and fun to be with.
One weekend...near my birthday...she and I were staying at her sister's (Aunt SoLittleAndCute) apartment as a special birthday treat. I went next door to the neighbor's apartment to practice the piano. When I came back, Grandma Sylvia was sitting stiffly on the couch. Unconscious. Aunt SoLittleAndCute had just finished calling the ambulance. Grandma had had a stroke. A neighbor came and sat with me while Aunt SoLittleAndCute went to the hospital with Grandma. I remember spending some time in the waiting room with my step-mother (Grandma was her mother) and my father. I never saw my grandma again. She died a few days later. It was the first time I'd ever seen someone so close to death. The first time death really touched me, though my grandma Hilda (of the bosoms) and my Grandpa Jack (step-mother's father) both had died a few years before I wasn't as close to them and, also, I was younger and didn't really get it. For years my memory was that she had died that day, that very day, it was only later that I really remembered that she hadn't.
I still miss her.
Again, not mentioning the "d" word, though that was pretty fireplacing significant. But it was so significant and happened so early that there's no way I can cover it here. My whole life would be different. I'd have half the family I do now. I can't even imagine it.
Instead, I'm going to talk about Grandma Sylvia. Did I ever tell you about my Grandma Sylvia? My step-mother's mother (I wouldn't have known her if not for the "d" word!)
She had beautiful long silver hair that she kept up in a bun. She taught me to play "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" on her piano. She baked the most wonderful chocolate cakes. She taught me to braid hair and let me do hers. I loved staying with her in her little house in New Jersey. I would eat windmill cookies and drink weak tea in her kitchen. My cousin and I would white wash her basement (such fun!). I would cozy up in her recliner. She was so playful and charming and fun to be with.
One weekend...near my birthday...she and I were staying at her sister's (Aunt SoLittleAndCute) apartment as a special birthday treat. I went next door to the neighbor's apartment to practice the piano. When I came back, Grandma Sylvia was sitting stiffly on the couch. Unconscious. Aunt SoLittleAndCute had just finished calling the ambulance. Grandma had had a stroke. A neighbor came and sat with me while Aunt SoLittleAndCute went to the hospital with Grandma. I remember spending some time in the waiting room with my step-mother (Grandma was her mother) and my father. I never saw my grandma again. She died a few days later. It was the first time I'd ever seen someone so close to death. The first time death really touched me, though my grandma Hilda (of the bosoms) and my Grandpa Jack (step-mother's father) both had died a few years before I wasn't as close to them and, also, I was younger and didn't really get it. For years my memory was that she had died that day, that very day, it was only later that I really remembered that she hadn't.
I still miss her.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Last quick note on Virginia Tech.
I don't attend Virginia Tech. My school is in the northern, more urban part of the state, just a few miles from the heart of Washington, DC. But...
So many people I know either went there or know someone who went there or have kids there or have siblings there or taught there or know someone who teaches there.
Thank you to those of you who thought of me when you heard about it, knowing I attend a Virginia school. I hugged those thoughts to myself and then sent them, along with my own, downstate.
So many people I know either went there or know someone who went there or have kids there or have siblings there or taught there or know someone who teaches there.
Thank you to those of you who thought of me when you heard about it, knowing I attend a Virginia school. I hugged those thoughts to myself and then sent them, along with my own, downstate.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Eva says I'm a blog thinker.
Actually, she said it over a month ago (thank you, Eva, I really did and do appreciate it - I feel all verklempt about it actually) and I've sat here and done nothing about telling you about 5 people who I think are blog thinkers in turn.
This is mostly because I already have a list of people who I think are blog thinkers and they're listed here to the right --> along with a few others like Snickolet, who just lost her husband to cancer, is taking care of infant twins, and is still blogging with such evocative language and real beauty that I'm ashamed of my everyday pettiness. And Leggy (whom I won't link to due to her wish for privacy), who blogs about ca.nce.r, 1nfert1l1ty and 1nlaws. And some others who don't blog regularly. How do I pick just 5? Many have already been picked, too.
Here's the thing, all of you - Each and Every One - is a blog thinker. Each of you makes me think something new everyday. Each of you teaches me, reaches me, informs me, makes me laugh, and cry (sometimes in the same post) and get angry. I can't pick just five. And if I were to link to each post that I've read that made me think, well, I'd never be done.
I can't thank you all enough for being out there. Writing your lives. You make me feel like part of something big. A huge community of loving, caring, intelligent individuals who are all looking out for one another, sharing pain and joy and outrage and faith that somehow the world can be a better place.
This is mostly because I already have a list of people who I think are blog thinkers and they're listed here to the right --> along with a few others like Snickolet, who just lost her husband to cancer, is taking care of infant twins, and is still blogging with such evocative language and real beauty that I'm ashamed of my everyday pettiness. And Leggy (whom I won't link to due to her wish for privacy), who blogs about ca.nce.r, 1nfert1l1ty and 1nlaws. And some others who don't blog regularly. How do I pick just 5? Many have already been picked, too.
Here's the thing, all of you - Each and Every One - is a blog thinker. Each of you makes me think something new everyday. Each of you teaches me, reaches me, informs me, makes me laugh, and cry (sometimes in the same post) and get angry. I can't pick just five. And if I were to link to each post that I've read that made me think, well, I'd never be done.
I can't thank you all enough for being out there. Writing your lives. You make me feel like part of something big. A huge community of loving, caring, intelligent individuals who are all looking out for one another, sharing pain and joy and outrage and faith that somehow the world can be a better place.
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
YT's questions (one at a time)
YT has sent me some great questions, which I'm going to answer one post per question so as to fit it into my studying/paper writing/parenting/class-going/interning schedule.
Question #1:
If you were to choose right now the perfect profession for Muffin Man in 25 years, what would it be?
Well, he loves to color...so maybe an artist or graphic designer? He loves playing with his knights and horses...so maybe a F&SF writer? He loves swimming and running and riding his bike...so maybe he'll be a triathelete? He loves to eat sushi and pho and ice cream and shrimp and beet greens (along with the usual beige, white, and yellow foods 5-year-olds adore)...so maybe he'll be a famous food critic or a chef. He loves putting together puzzles, playing on the computer, learning new things at school...so maybe he'll be a scientist or an academic. He loves "reading" and being read to. He loves writing. Maybe he'll be a blogger!
He's somewhat bossy...so maybe he'll be a CEO. He's VERY silly...so maybe he'll be a stand-up comic. He's kind and loving...so I know he'll be a good man. Please, God, let him grow up to be a good man.
I'd love for him to become the first Jewish (ish) President. I'd love for him to become the first person on Mars.
I'd love for him to just be happy - raising a family, doing something he loves to do.
Question #1:
If you were to choose right now the perfect profession for Muffin Man in 25 years, what would it be?
Well, he loves to color...so maybe an artist or graphic designer? He loves playing with his knights and horses...so maybe a F&SF writer? He loves swimming and running and riding his bike...so maybe he'll be a triathelete? He loves to eat sushi and pho and ice cream and shrimp and beet greens (along with the usual beige, white, and yellow foods 5-year-olds adore)...so maybe he'll be a famous food critic or a chef. He loves putting together puzzles, playing on the computer, learning new things at school...so maybe he'll be a scientist or an academic. He loves "reading" and being read to. He loves writing. Maybe he'll be a blogger!
He's somewhat bossy...so maybe he'll be a CEO. He's VERY silly...so maybe he'll be a stand-up comic. He's kind and loving...so I know he'll be a good man. Please, God, let him grow up to be a good man.
I'd love for him to become the first Jewish (ish) President. I'd love for him to become the first person on Mars.
I'd love for him to just be happy - raising a family, doing something he loves to do.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
I did my own hair!
You may not know this about me, considering the photo over there --> but I stopped cutting my hair when I started school. I want an updo at graduation, y'know? My hair's now just a bit below my shoulders, just long enough all around to put up in a pony-tail and not have to use barrettes to keep it all tidy.
So we were going to this black-tie shindig and I went to the hairdresser's to make an appointment to get my hair put up. And they wanted forty-five dollars. (gulp). And we're going to another event in 2 weeks. Ain't no way I wanna pay a hundred bucks on just putting up my hair for a few hours.
Anyhow, I had to go to the mall to pick up my new skirt from Nordstrom's (they'd hemmed it for me), and to buy an evening purse and a shawl. I figured, while I'm there, why don't I look around for something with which to do my own hair?
After looking here and there, I found a shop called "Pretty Pretty" that was selling hair accessories of all sorts (including wigs), and they had some beautiful crystal pins for $9.50 each. "How do these work?" I asked. She showed me. I watched. Then I undid what she did and redid it myself. It worked. I bought them. "You'll need hairspray to keep it together," she said. "Come on back in if you need help."
Fast forward to evening. I'm getting ready. I dampen my hair. I pull it back, I twist it. I shape it into a bun. I put the pins in. I let go. It all falls apart. I curse. I get my hair a little wetter. Pull back. Twist. Shape. This time I put in the first pin at 9:00. The next pin goes in at 3:00. The next at 1:00. At 11:00. The last goes in at 6:00. I let go. Everything stays. I check the mirror. It looks mahvelous. I call MS in to spray the bejesus out of my hair. He does.
I put on my makeup. The hair stays put.
I put on my clothes. The hair stays put.
I put on my shawl. Kiss Muffin Man. Say goodbye to the sitter. Gather up MS and drive to the ball. Hair. Stays. Put.
Come home several hours later. Cannot believe that my hair has stayed put.
Total for the evening (not counting shoes and jewelry which I already owned):
Fancy top: $47.50 (love it!)
Skirt: $55.00 (+ $15 for alterations 'cause it was on sale)
Bra: $75.00 (GAH!)
Shawl: $17.00 (JC Penney, beautiful and WARM)
Evening bag: $7.50 (Sears! Plain black faux silk)
Crystal hair pins (5 large): $50.00
Hose: $4.00
Hairspray: $5.00
-----------------------
Total: $276.00
And I get to use it all again in just two weeks which comes to $138.00 per evening. Not bad for an emergency get-up for a black-tie affair.
I'll get MS to take a picture of me from the back next time.
So we were going to this black-tie shindig and I went to the hairdresser's to make an appointment to get my hair put up. And they wanted forty-five dollars. (gulp). And we're going to another event in 2 weeks. Ain't no way I wanna pay a hundred bucks on just putting up my hair for a few hours.
Anyhow, I had to go to the mall to pick up my new skirt from Nordstrom's (they'd hemmed it for me), and to buy an evening purse and a shawl. I figured, while I'm there, why don't I look around for something with which to do my own hair?
After looking here and there, I found a shop called "Pretty Pretty" that was selling hair accessories of all sorts (including wigs), and they had some beautiful crystal pins for $9.50 each. "How do these work?" I asked. She showed me. I watched. Then I undid what she did and redid it myself. It worked. I bought them. "You'll need hairspray to keep it together," she said. "Come on back in if you need help."
Fast forward to evening. I'm getting ready. I dampen my hair. I pull it back, I twist it. I shape it into a bun. I put the pins in. I let go. It all falls apart. I curse. I get my hair a little wetter. Pull back. Twist. Shape. This time I put in the first pin at 9:00. The next pin goes in at 3:00. The next at 1:00. At 11:00. The last goes in at 6:00. I let go. Everything stays. I check the mirror. It looks mahvelous. I call MS in to spray the bejesus out of my hair. He does.
I put on my makeup. The hair stays put.
I put on my clothes. The hair stays put.
I put on my shawl. Kiss Muffin Man. Say goodbye to the sitter. Gather up MS and drive to the ball. Hair. Stays. Put.
Come home several hours later. Cannot believe that my hair has stayed put.
Total for the evening (not counting shoes and jewelry which I already owned):
Fancy top: $47.50 (love it!)
Skirt: $55.00 (+ $15 for alterations 'cause it was on sale)
Bra: $75.00 (GAH!)
Shawl: $17.00 (JC Penney, beautiful and WARM)
Evening bag: $7.50 (Sears! Plain black faux silk)
Crystal hair pins (5 large): $50.00
Hose: $4.00
Hairspray: $5.00
-----------------------
Total: $276.00
And I get to use it all again in just two weeks which comes to $138.00 per evening. Not bad for an emergency get-up for a black-tie affair.
I'll get MS to take a picture of me from the back next time.
Friday, April 13, 2007
Things I'd Rather Do Than Go to the Dentist's.
- Go for my annual gynocological exam
- Get a mammogram.
I just got my first mammogram, and it was surprisingly not unpleasant. I didn't get much more mushed than I often do to myself just sleeping on my stomach or side and it was over quickly (this visit and the gyno visit together took less time than a dental cleaning).
So, if you've been putting it off because you're afraid it'll hurt or be horribly unpleasant (like I was), just go do it.
Oh! And I found a new bra yesterday, one that doesn't make me feel like a cow! In this brand I'm an FF, not a G. I also found a Wacoal that fit (G), but didn't work under a top that was the whole point of the shopping expedition. I'll go back to buy some of those next month as a Mother's Day present to myself.*
I'm wearing the top to a black-tie event this Saturday night. Never been to one before, very exciting!
*Reminder for you bra-wearing folk: different brands have slightly different ideas about what constitutes a 34 or a G. If you aren't finding a bra that fits, try different combinations of band and cup-sizes that are one up or down from what you're measuring. I tried on a total of 43 bras to find 2 that fit, and 5 that almost fit (one of which would have fit in a size that they were out of).
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
G whiz.
Thank you, thank you Grandma Hilda.
I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow
I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow I feel like a cow
Monday, April 09, 2007
Butter
There's an album...quite a good album...by The Four Bitchin' Babes. On that album is a song...quite a good song...called "Butter".
"Butter" (by Megon McDonough) is a country-western love-song style ode to all things we're told not to eat. Those luscious, delectable, sinful, gloriously seductive treats we'd rather not share with anyone else thankyouverymuch. She sings lovingly of butter, of pasta, of coffee ice cream from Haagen Daz, and of chocolate - sweet, sweet chocolate.
And that, my dear Magpie, is why all my chocolate posts are labelled Butter.
Her version on the Four Bitchin' Babes album is better than the one on her solo album, IMO.
"Butter" (by Megon McDonough) is a country-western love-song style ode to all things we're told not to eat. Those luscious, delectable, sinful, gloriously seductive treats we'd rather not share with anyone else thankyouverymuch. She sings lovingly of butter, of pasta, of coffee ice cream from Haagen Daz, and of chocolate - sweet, sweet chocolate.
And that, my dear Magpie, is why all my chocolate posts are labelled Butter.
Her version on the Four Bitchin' Babes album is better than the one on her solo album, IMO.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Lindt Excellence Extra Fine Dark Chocolate (70% Cocoa): A Review
Whoa nellie! That is some bitter after taste!
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Darn! I missed it!
Yesterday was my two-year blogiversary and I missed it.
But I have a good excuse!
We went to the circus! With tigers! And elephants! And house cats! And dogs! And a high-wire artist! And clowns! And Acrobats! And jugglers! And acrobats who juggle other acrobats!
And then we walked around Nearby University's campus and played tag. And I introduced MM and MS to my Abnormal Psychology prof. ("What is she, twelve?") who gets embarrassed by my calling her Professor since she's at least 1o years younger than me and knows it.
And then we came home and I crashed into bed and woke up for dinner and found out I had a fever and crashed again and now I'm all better and there you go.
Thank you all for being here for me and for letting me ramble on at you.
Mwah!!
But I have a good excuse!
We went to the circus! With tigers! And elephants! And house cats! And dogs! And a high-wire artist! And clowns! And Acrobats! And jugglers! And acrobats who juggle other acrobats!
And then we walked around Nearby University's campus and played tag. And I introduced MM and MS to my Abnormal Psychology prof. ("What is she, twelve?") who gets embarrassed by my calling her Professor since she's at least 1o years younger than me and knows it.
And then we came home and I crashed into bed and woke up for dinner and found out I had a fever and crashed again and now I'm all better and there you go.
Thank you all for being here for me and for letting me ramble on at you.
Mwah!!
Thursday, April 05, 2007
donor
Moreena just reminded me that April is National Organ Donation month. I'm an organ donor.
My husband knows I'm an organ donor. My mother knows I'm an organ donor. My father knows I'm an organ donor. My step-father knows. My step-mother knows. My sister knows. My sister-in-law knows. My doctors know. Heck, my 5-year-old son knows!
If you are not an organ donor, please sign up to be one right now. It just takes a minute and could save 7 lives. And once you've signed up, tell everyone you know. And get them to sign up too.
But I'll let Moreena tell you more, okay?
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Bullets of a deadline-intensive week
- Monday: Computer shuts itself down without warning while I'm in the middle of writing a paper due yesterday. I finish paper on one of MS's numerous computers.
- Tuesday: Pig practical originally supposed to be on real pigs done with photos in a regular classroom due to unhealthfully high levels of formaldahyde in labs.
- MS fixes computer (dust blocking fan and all the lubricant has dried up).
- I have to study for an exam I'm taking tomorrow.
- MM had a 3-mile Island sort of day, I'm hoping tomorrow is better.
- I ate all the dark chocolate last week and I really, really could use some. RIGHT NOW.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
On clutter and space
I just read Phantom's post (which is, btw, brilliant), and was inspired to write about this:
Yesterday I went to look at a model home in a new development near my house (the development is called Moreland Estates, which I think is to try to get people to not notice that they can pass a cup of sugar out the windows of their palatial homes to their neighbor's windows).
In any case, I visited and looked around. This particular model features 5! bedrooms and 4 baths on the top floor. The master bedroom has a living room in it (called an "owner's retreat"), one of the possible bedrooms was open to the hall and was made into a living room, the main floor has 2 living rooms ("family room" and "formal"), and the finished basement had yet another living room.
All that space for sitting around on couches and yet...very little storage space (if you don't count the closets in the master bedroom).
Basements in these homes are always finished*...where are the root cellars and box rooms of the past? Where are the butler's pantries? Where, for that matter, are the medicine cabinets?
The answer I got from the sales lady? Butler's pantries don't sell. Well, I'd buy one.
We live in increasingly bigger and bigger houses with less and less room to put the supplies of living. Is it any wonder that we end up using the unused third living room (or in my case the dining room) as a storage shed?
*Our basement is not finished and we are using it for storage, but we also have a HUGE number of large tools down there. The table saw alone takes up a kitchen's worth of space.
Yesterday I went to look at a model home in a new development near my house (the development is called Moreland Estates, which I think is to try to get people to not notice that they can pass a cup of sugar out the windows of their palatial homes to their neighbor's windows).
In any case, I visited and looked around. This particular model features 5! bedrooms and 4 baths on the top floor. The master bedroom has a living room in it (called an "owner's retreat"), one of the possible bedrooms was open to the hall and was made into a living room, the main floor has 2 living rooms ("family room" and "formal"), and the finished basement had yet another living room.
All that space for sitting around on couches and yet...very little storage space (if you don't count the closets in the master bedroom).
Basements in these homes are always finished*...where are the root cellars and box rooms of the past? Where are the butler's pantries? Where, for that matter, are the medicine cabinets?
The answer I got from the sales lady? Butler's pantries don't sell. Well, I'd buy one.
We live in increasingly bigger and bigger houses with less and less room to put the supplies of living. Is it any wonder that we end up using the unused third living room (or in my case the dining room) as a storage shed?
*Our basement is not finished and we are using it for storage, but we also have a HUGE number of large tools down there. The table saw alone takes up a kitchen's worth of space.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Internship by the numbers
Hours I've done so far: 119
Hours I needed to do: 135
Weeks I have left to do the remaining 16: 4.85
Calls I've entered into the database: 102
Double-side, hole-punched copies I've made: 4 Billion.
People I've personally made feel better because I was where I was: 3
It's all been worthwhile, people.
Hours I needed to do: 135
Weeks I have left to do the remaining 16: 4.85
Calls I've entered into the database: 102
Double-side, hole-punched copies I've made: 4 Billion.
People I've personally made feel better because I was where I was: 3
It's all been worthwhile, people.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Clean up, clean up, everybody do your share
I've done some redecorating over in the links--->
I've added quite a few folks and want to give them all a shout out.
I've also removed some folks and put them into my favorites folder on my computer. The folks I removed haven't posted in over a month or let their sites go defunct. I miss you all. Let me know if I've removed you in error.
I've added quite a few folks and want to give them all a shout out.
I've also removed some folks and put them into my favorites folder on my computer. The folks I removed haven't posted in over a month or let their sites go defunct. I miss you all. Let me know if I've removed you in error.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Dark Chocolate
I just ate a piece. Slowly. Letting it melt in my mouth and coat my tongue. Noting the sensation of sweet and bitter, feeling the silken texture. I've wrapped up the rest and hidden it, my own hoarded treasure.*
*While my husband hates dark chocolate, MM would expect me to share.
Backstory: I went to the campus bookstore last week to buy a chocolate bar, but all they had were milk chocolate and fruit-flavored which is so not what I wanted. Filled with sadness, I bought a cheap-o candy bar from the convenience store. Two minutes after I'd eaten it, I saw that there was a theater-arts guy selling candy bars to raise money for some theater-arts club or other. And he had dark chocolate. But I'd already eaten an inferior bar. But it was for a good cause! But...
Anyway, I bought the bar of solid dark chocolate-y goodness and I put it in my backpack and went home and...forgot about it.
Which makes me an idiot, because I got my period the next day and I could have used it. And I only rediscovered it tonight.
*While my husband hates dark chocolate, MM would expect me to share.
Backstory: I went to the campus bookstore last week to buy a chocolate bar, but all they had were milk chocolate and fruit-flavored which is so not what I wanted. Filled with sadness, I bought a cheap-o candy bar from the convenience store. Two minutes after I'd eaten it, I saw that there was a theater-arts guy selling candy bars to raise money for some theater-arts club or other. And he had dark chocolate. But I'd already eaten an inferior bar. But it was for a good cause! But...
Anyway, I bought the bar of solid dark chocolate-y goodness and I put it in my backpack and went home and...forgot about it.
Which makes me an idiot, because I got my period the next day and I could have used it. And I only rediscovered it tonight.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
I Feel Like Crap Or Explaining to a Five Year Old Why Mommy Doesn't Need a Bandaid
Even though there is blood all over the place.
Me: "Do you remember how I said that babies come from inside of mommies? Well, part of what makes a baby is an egg that is inside of a mommy. And if the egg isn't made into a baby, it comes out -"
MM: "With some blood?"
Me: "With some blood."
MM: "Does it hurt?"
Me: "Not like a boo-boo, no."
MM: "Okay, but your pajamas look really gross."
Me: "I know. I hope it washes out."
Me: "Do you remember how I said that babies come from inside of mommies? Well, part of what makes a baby is an egg that is inside of a mommy. And if the egg isn't made into a baby, it comes out -"
MM: "With some blood?"
Me: "With some blood."
MM: "Does it hurt?"
Me: "Not like a boo-boo, no."
MM: "Okay, but your pajamas look really gross."
Me: "I know. I hope it washes out."
Saturday, March 24, 2007
I'd have left my head there if it weren't attached
Went to the mall today to buy socks and underwear for Muffin Man, and to return some items I bought online from Land's End last week (did you know you can return stuff from Land's End to Sears?). So, we return the items at Sears, and we head into the mall on the lower level to see if there is any chance we can get MM's hair cut at Cartoon Cuts (right next door to Sears). No chance, the line is out the door. So we head on over to Penney's and on our way we pass a watch repair place. Now, my watch and MM's watch are both in need of new batteries and, miracle of miracles, I actually had both watches with me. I KNOW! THAT NEVER HAPPENS! So we leave the watches and promise to come back on our way out to pick them up.
Finally, we get to Penney's, we buy the socks and underpants (Superman, if you're curious), and we make an attempt at buying flip-flops for him too. They don't have his size, so we decide to hit Old Navy (on the upper level) on our way back to Sears. We do so, we find flip-flops that fit and are Five! Dollars! Less! than at Penney's (which makes me think we shoulda bought the socks and undies there too, but c'est la vie), and we go back out to the car through Sears.
Two hours later, I look at my wrist and think, "I AM SUCH A DOUCHEBAG!"
At that point, MS is on his way to a meeting, so MM and I hop back into the car to go back to the mall to pick up the watches. We get them (and get a couple of extra holes punched in his wrist band while we're at it), and head on back towards the car but we pass Cartoon Cuts and notice that this time there is no line, in fact the place is pretty empty, so we get MM a haircut. So it wasn't a total waste of time after all.
Finally, we get to Penney's, we buy the socks and underpants (Superman, if you're curious), and we make an attempt at buying flip-flops for him too. They don't have his size, so we decide to hit Old Navy (on the upper level) on our way back to Sears. We do so, we find flip-flops that fit and are Five! Dollars! Less! than at Penney's (which makes me think we shoulda bought the socks and undies there too, but c'est la vie), and we go back out to the car through Sears.
Two hours later, I look at my wrist and think, "I AM SUCH A DOUCHEBAG!"
At that point, MS is on his way to a meeting, so MM and I hop back into the car to go back to the mall to pick up the watches. We get them (and get a couple of extra holes punched in his wrist band while we're at it), and head on back towards the car but we pass Cartoon Cuts and notice that this time there is no line, in fact the place is pretty empty, so we get MM a haircut. So it wasn't a total waste of time after all.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Nevermind
It looks crappy in the yarn I'm using (grey and blue twist). I'm going to rip it out and start again using a solid color (probably white). But...do I have any white sock-weight yarn? No.
Can I justify buying white sock weight yarn when I have a whole blooming box in the closet including some excellent silk wool begging (for more than a decade) to be knitted into something pretty for me? Mmmmm...probably not. But I want to knit these socks! I don't know what I want to do with the silk wool yet - it's a beautiful brown-grey tweedy flecky slubby soft wool - probably needs to be a vest (due to the fact that I don't have enough for a sweater), but will a vest look good on me? It wants to have cables, but do I want the bulk of cables added to the bulk of the bodacious tatas?
Decisions, decisions.
Can I justify buying white sock weight yarn when I have a whole blooming box in the closet including some excellent silk wool begging (for more than a decade) to be knitted into something pretty for me? Mmmmm...probably not. But I want to knit these socks! I don't know what I want to do with the silk wool yet - it's a beautiful brown-grey tweedy flecky slubby soft wool - probably needs to be a vest (due to the fact that I don't have enough for a sweater), but will a vest look good on me? It wants to have cables, but do I want the bulk of cables added to the bulk of the bodacious tatas?
Decisions, decisions.
Please stand by
I am knitting the March sock from "...And a Time to Knit Stockings". Many cables. Much CNB and CNF and reading small print while knitting. And many droppings of double-pointed needles when knitting from the cable needle with only two stitches left on the main needle.
I'll be back soon if I don't strangle myself with yarn.
I'll be back soon if I don't strangle myself with yarn.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
So, enough of me shouting. Let's turn up the volume in a totally different way, shall we?
Felted slippers. Knitted 10 years ago (or more) and felted this past week (7 times in the washer, small load setting, hot water, mild detergent). Yes, it's that yarn again. The button holes disappeared in the felting process, so the buttons are just for show. I'm going to sew velcro closures on.
They are for my sister, but are a bit wide. She'll need to wear thick socks with them.
GAHHHHHH!!!! BLOGGER ATE HALF MY LAST POST!!!
And shoved one paragraph up with another so I didn't notice. GAH!!!
I will now edit the offending post and make it read like I wanted it to.
GAH!
I will now edit the offending post and make it read like I wanted it to.
GAH!
Thanks, guys! I'm blushing! Plus random items EDITED TO MAKE UP FOR HAVING BEEN FIREPLACED
Truly, thank you all for the birthday wishes!
We went out tonight to see Mr. Stinky Feet at our local library. He was tons of fun and is going to be performing Saturday at Jammin' Java. Hint? Hint? Anyone local want to go see him and have a playdate (coughAPLcoughGenevievecough)?
I've been tagged by Eva (thank you!) and will have something responsive to that by the weekend.
Anyone in this area know where the heck VCU is? Their website says they have classes in Northern Virginia as well as their campus in Richmond, but they don't seem to say where. (THANKS GENEVIEVE!!!)
We went out tonight to see Mr. Stinky Feet at our local library. He was tons of fun and is going to be performing Saturday at Jammin' Java. Hint? Hint? Anyone local want to go see him and have a playdate (coughAPLcoughGenevievecough)?
I've been tagged by Eva (thank you!) and will have something responsive to that by the weekend.
Anyone in this area know where the heck VCU is? Their website says they have classes in Northern Virginia as well as their campus in Richmond, but they don't seem to say where. (THANKS GENEVIEVE!!!)
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Thirty-eight. Special!
Happy Birthday to me!!!
Books and teacups and mushrooms, oh my!
And a special gift of childcare from my SIL, who took MM overnight last night.
And chocolate cake.
And a gc from Land's End (already spent).
Lovely.
Books and teacups and mushrooms, oh my!
And a special gift of childcare from my SIL, who took MM overnight last night.
And chocolate cake.
And a gc from Land's End (already spent).
Lovely.
Friday, March 16, 2007
The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth...
So, the answers.
1. True. I am older than three of my professors (Abnormal Psych, Western Civ., and Biology Lab) and am just 4 years younger than my Biology lecture prof.
2. False (eva wins!). I actually sleep under a down comforter folded in half and a hand-made king-sized quilt folded in quarters. I think I'm channeling Giles Corey.
3. True. I love keeping the actual edition (and especially the actual book) I first read a book in.
4. True! Ha ha! Got a few of you! The winner of our category was truly amazing. She won several other awards as well. Our second-place finisher was phenomenal too. Really impressive. Both of them had great science, good research methods, and had really thought about what they were testing for.
5. True. But not as true as when I did the meme, since I cleaned out my closet today.
Thanks for playing!
1. True. I am older than three of my professors (Abnormal Psych, Western Civ., and Biology Lab) and am just 4 years younger than my Biology lecture prof.
2. False (eva wins!). I actually sleep under a down comforter folded in half and a hand-made king-sized quilt folded in quarters. I think I'm channeling Giles Corey.
3. True. I love keeping the actual edition (and especially the actual book) I first read a book in.
4. True! Ha ha! Got a few of you! The winner of our category was truly amazing. She won several other awards as well. Our second-place finisher was phenomenal too. Really impressive. Both of them had great science, good research methods, and had really thought about what they were testing for.
5. True. But not as true as when I did the meme, since I cleaned out my closet today.
Thanks for playing!
The bullet-proof sweater
You remember how I said I knit a tight gauge? Here's what I'm talking about:
This sweater, which I knit while working at Murder Ink, formerly the world's oldest mystery bookstore (now defunct), is water-proof, wind-proof, and indestructable.
The picture above shows the sweater being stretched over a hard-cover text on using Visual Basic.
Here's a picture of the yoke, and a smidgen of the cuff. That yarn keeps showing up! The sweater was knit in Lamb's Pride turquoise, black, grey, and fuscia.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Five Things Meme
Four are true, one is false. Which is the lie?
1. I am older than two of my professors this semester.
2. I can't sleep under heavy blankets, no matter how cold. I currently sleep under a just a flannel sheet.
3. If I somehow get a duplicate copy of a book I already have, I MUST keep the older copy, even if the cover is falling off and the pages are crumbling. The new one is given away or sold.
4. I judged a regional science fair this week. I was on the side of the Scientific Method and against the proponents of Creativity.
5. I will happily spend hours organizing a master copy of a book of group handouts for my internship, but cannot get to the back of my closet because the floor in there is such a mess.
1. I am older than two of my professors this semester.
2. I can't sleep under heavy blankets, no matter how cold. I currently sleep under a just a flannel sheet.
3. If I somehow get a duplicate copy of a book I already have, I MUST keep the older copy, even if the cover is falling off and the pages are crumbling. The new one is given away or sold.
4. I judged a regional science fair this week. I was on the side of the Scientific Method and against the proponents of Creativity.
5. I will happily spend hours organizing a master copy of a book of group handouts for my internship, but cannot get to the back of my closet because the floor in there is such a mess.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
The beautiful and completely useless sweater
A long, long time ago I knitted a sweater for my niece. She was, what?, three? at the time. My sister had given me a huge bag of gorgeous hand-spun and -dyed yarns from the sheep farm nearby her house and I decided that the perfect use for that wool was to knit a sweater for her smart beautiful daughter. I used a pattern from a book of Norweigan sweaters, and the yarn that my sister had given me, plus a bit of the yarn my son is so enamored of. Plus some other Lamb's Pride (black and purple).
Now, this yarn is all dense to begin with. None of your wimpy worsteds here! Also, the wool is kinda itchy. In the way that a mild case of poison ivy is kinda itchy. And I knit a very tight gauge. So the sweater ended up weighing in at three pounds.
Let's sum up this work of art:
Now, this yarn is all dense to begin with. None of your wimpy worsteds here! Also, the wool is kinda itchy. In the way that a mild case of poison ivy is kinda itchy. And I knit a very tight gauge. So the sweater ended up weighing in at three pounds.
Let's sum up this work of art:
- three pounds
- starchy stiff
- irritatingly itchy
- For a pre-schooler.
But, Lord, it was beautiful. Don't you agree?
Monday, March 12, 2007
Crafty Meme
As seen at Quinn the Brain's
March is National Craft Month.
What do you do? I knit.
Who taught you? My sister's sister-in-law (UsesDifferentCommonNickNameForOurMutual FirstName).
What was your first project? I think I knitted a scarf first (there's a picture of that scarf somewhere around - I knitted it while on vacation in Mexico with my family).
What are you working on now? I'm making a pig for Muffin Man. He found some yarn in my stash that he wanted me to knit into something for him. I was willing to use it to make stripes or polka dots along with other colors, but he remembered he hates wearing scarves or sweaters. So, a pig.
Future plans? Make something pretty for myself, and a hat for MS to match the scarf.
March is National Craft Month.
What do you do? I knit.
Who taught you? My sister's sister-in-law (UsesDifferentCommonNickNameForOurMutual FirstName).
What was your first project? I think I knitted a scarf first (there's a picture of that scarf somewhere around - I knitted it while on vacation in Mexico with my family).
What are you working on now? I'm making a pig for Muffin Man. He found some yarn in my stash that he wanted me to knit into something for him. I was willing to use it to make stripes or polka dots along with other colors, but he remembered he hates wearing scarves or sweaters. So, a pig.
Future plans? Make something pretty for myself, and a hat for MS to match the scarf.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Note to self
MM needs to eat an afternoon snack. I may not get hungry mid-afternoon, but boy howdy, he sure does.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Blogging the scarf
5 feet long, knit up of Schaefer Yarns hand painted Celia (99% Merino Wool, 1% nylon - totally not itchy). Started Tuesday night* and finished a half-hour ago.
*Actually I bought the wool over ten years ago to make a sweater for the hubband. I knit on that sweater while my dad was getting and recovering from a triple bypass. When he was fully recovered, I stopped knitting. I only knit sporadically after that, mostly on baby hats. When MS lost a scarf recently, I picked up the sweater, ripped it out and started on a WAAAAY too big scarf - really more of a shawl. Tuesday night I ripped that out too and knit this instead. MS is completely thrilled and I think it makes a much better scarf than it did a sweater. I still have tons of yarn left. Perhaps I'll make a hat and then...who knows?
Hang on...I'll be back soon
Craziness...exams...internship...reflection paper...more internship...and knitting. I'll post the fruits of my labor when it's done. Until then...much lurking, little posting. Hard to type and knit at the same time, alas.
Monday, March 05, 2007
A recipe for take out
In a small bowl mix:
1 5-year-old check-up
A dash each of goofiness and showing off
2 immunizations
1 TB test
1 finger stick for a blood lipids test
Add:
4 minutes of wailing
Stir until combined.
Add:
Stickers
Put into a sunny, friendly daycare to simmer for 6 hours.
Meanwhile, mix one Daddy with a late-afternoon coffee meeting and one Mommy with a Biology class and an internship. Set on a crowded highway for at least half-an-hour.
Serve hot.
1 5-year-old check-up
A dash each of goofiness and showing off
2 immunizations
1 TB test
1 finger stick for a blood lipids test
Add:
4 minutes of wailing
Stir until combined.
Add:
Stickers
Put into a sunny, friendly daycare to simmer for 6 hours.
Meanwhile, mix one Daddy with a late-afternoon coffee meeting and one Mommy with a Biology class and an internship. Set on a crowded highway for at least half-an-hour.
Serve hot.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Muffin Man earns some money
Chores done by my 5-year-old:
Putting one load of laundry into the washer and another into the dryer (with help from mommy). He really wanted to do it all himself, but he couldn't reach the clothes on the bottom of the washer. And I wouldn't let him touch the detergent.
Putting his own clean clothes away (no help from anyone). "NO! I CAN DO IT!"
Choosing an item for dinner, and helping to load groceries into the cart.
Choosing the cookies being sold by the cute Brownies outside the grocery store and paying for them.
Carrying some of the groceries into the house and putting away the items in his bag o' groceries.
Helping to put together a new headboard for the parental bedstead (handing out hardware and tools as needed).
Total: 75 cents.
His opinion? "I have a lot of money, don't I Mama?"
On the school front, things are good, but I'm exhausted. Another (brief) paper due tomorrow. Bio Lab midterm Tuesday.
See you all on the other side.
Putting one load of laundry into the washer and another into the dryer (with help from mommy). He really wanted to do it all himself, but he couldn't reach the clothes on the bottom of the washer. And I wouldn't let him touch the detergent.
Putting his own clean clothes away (no help from anyone). "NO! I CAN DO IT!"
Choosing an item for dinner, and helping to load groceries into the cart.
Choosing the cookies being sold by the cute Brownies outside the grocery store and paying for them.
Carrying some of the groceries into the house and putting away the items in his bag o' groceries.
Helping to put together a new headboard for the parental bedstead (handing out hardware and tools as needed).
Total: 75 cents.
His opinion? "I have a lot of money, don't I Mama?"
On the school front, things are good, but I'm exhausted. Another (brief) paper due tomorrow. Bio Lab midterm Tuesday.
See you all on the other side.
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