Vertigo

I just looked down at my keyboard and then up at the screen and had the sense that I was looking down the wrong end of a telescope. Now I'm feeling dizzy, and seeing little spots, and it's just the weirdest phenomenon.

There have been times when I've felt like this but they've all been when I was standing up, or getting up to a standing position too quickly.

I hope that it passes.

So much for NaBloPoMo

I spent most of yesterday knitting. Less than 50 rows to go on the Fibonacci scarf!

If you're ever in High Falls

Go and see the High Falls. They are quite lovely.

Happy Thanksgiving

Muffin Man was the emcee at a talent show he put together. I was very proud.

When Brussels Sprouts Attack

The Brussels sprouts didn't appreciate getting little x's cut in their bottoms, and conspired with the knife to stab me in my thumb.

Ouch.

Fortunately, it's not deep.

At my mom's for t'giving

Posting will be light. Mebbe some pictures.

Talking about chores

Muffin Man is nine, and he has the following chores:

• Feed and otherwise take care of the gerbils (I help with their monthly re-bedding).
• Set and clear the table, including pouring drinks for the family
• Empty the dishwasher
• Put away his clothes (I admit to being pretty lax about this).
• Keep the play room tidy
• Empty the waste baskets
• Make his own week-day breakfast (cold cereal and milk).

What chores do you have your kid doing? Is MM getting off easy, or are we too hard on him?

Wild boar...

Also easy to cook, but the flavor is identical to domesticated pork. I love living close to a Wegmans.

Turns out...

That it's really easy to cook duck. Seared ducks breast with garlic & rosemary roasted potatoes. Yum. And we even have leftovers.

When one thing leads to another

An item in Carolyn Hax's chat today made me think of this song:

Appalled

My co-workers have never read Caves of Steel.

A PSA from TMBG and a girl in California

The inspiration for my New Year's Resolution

I haven't done much in terms of sending MM with a packed lunch this school year, but last year I sent him with lunch at least three times a week between January and then end of the school year.

Here's a video by Mrs. Q, from Fed Up With Lunch, who ate the school lunch every day for a calendar year, and took pictures.

Before and after

Before: A whole year's worth of hair

Random bullets of a busy day

• talked to SingsLullabyes on the phone. She's in the hospital with pneumonia, nut may be released tomorrow.
• made a gallon and a quarter of spaghetti sauce.
• got Muffin Man's hair cut. Picture tomorrow.
• auction at church. Big turnout.

Makes for a tired Mystery Mommy.

Review: Dunkin Donuts Warm Cinnamon Swirl Muffin

If you go to Dunkin Donuts, you can skip the warm cinnamon swirl muffin. It's crumbly, sticky, and squishy, and the flavor is very fake (leaving a chemical aftertaste).

Bleah.

Another short post

Too pooped to pop, and feeling gloomy over yesterday's outcome.

Short post

Tired. Feet hurt. Talk to you tomorrow.

The worst day of the year.

Tomorrow is election day and so, of course, Muffin Man will be staying overnight tonight with a babysitter so that Mr. Spock and I can be at our volunteer posts at 0530 in the cold, dark morning.

We'll be at our posts all day (with a short break to go to our own polling place to vote), and then we'll go to a watch party and, depending on how long it takes, we'll probably be home after MM's bedtime (his sitter will bring him to our house after his holiday camp's field trip tomorrow, and stay there with him until we get home).

This is the part of being involved in elections I hate. Not seeing my son for two whole days (though I'm volunteering at the sitter's polling place, so I'll actually see him when she comes to vote).

There's no doubt in my mind that what I'm doing is worth it, that this is how a democracy continues, that I'm teaching my son how much I value our system. But I'm not going to lie to you, Monday before an election when there's a chance I may not see that sweet boy until Wednesday morning? It's the worst day of the year.

Musical interlude: sunshiney weekend before election day edition