we are whole-heartedly embracing local/organic food (back story posted below), doing our best not to re-bankrupt ourselves in the process. this weekend there was a local farm tour, sponsored by the local "local" market, among others. we had a BLAST touring farms within 30 miles or so of home. there were about 60 to pick from in the "triangle" area - all the way toward raleigh.
the first farm we went to was a cow farm. they did a neat tour on an open bus-type ride, pulled by a tractor, in amongst the calves and cows, and steers, and within sight of the bulls' paddock (but they were off in the shade so we couldn't see them). it was interesting, educational, and fun! LaLa said "COW! hi cow! hi cow!" a lot. tried to climb down whenever the farmer would stop the ride and talk. we distracted her with the camera and i'll try to upload later. picked up a couple of roasts at $5/pound (for grass-fed, organic beef). picnicked on leftover pasta salad we'd packed for the ride in the cooler they advised we bring for bringing home products of the farms. yes, i'm feeling virtuous.
then we went to the prawn farm. prawn are freshwater shrimp. they showed us how they farm them, told us what they feed them, but it was over 90 saturday and the kids were getting peaky. so DH did most of the tour while i distracted the overheated children with sodas and learned about prawns. brought home one pound of prawns ($10) for dinner. (could've used 2 pounds but we were trying not to blow the budget)
then we went to a farm that had a little of everything. we'll be going back out for strawberries to this one soon! they aren't very far from us, and they showed us the greenhouse for starting baby plants and the herb gardens. #2 son had really overheated and waited in the car for us to look around, and #1 son was sweet and stayed with him. LaLa loved the herb garden, plucked a nasturtium. the lady farmer said "now that you've picked it you have to eat it!" so she stuck it in her mouth. (she had previously mentioned they are edible, good on salads, a little like radishes.) LaLa spat the petal right back out, but i felt that if she tasted one, i should too. they have a nice clean crisp taste, with a sharper ending flavor. they would be nice sprinkled on a salad. we bought some hamburger for dinner sunday.
finally, we wanted to see a farm that was just a couple of miles from home. it was really neat. they have in the last two years totally reclaimed a worn-out farm, designed it, and are providing organic produce and meat to local restaurants. the map really didn't work for this one and despite its being very very close to home we had to go around it at least once to find the turn that was marked wrong. but the kids played with their australian collies until they were bright red and flushed. working dogs are FUN for littles and mediums! they kicked the soccer ball for the dog to retrieve and just had a blast. we didn't buy anything here.
then we came home and had a BIG nap (LaLa). DH cooked up the prawns in a garlic sauce with red pepper and they were fabulous. right up there with scallops. they are supposed to be protein-rich and very healthy, and easy to cook b/c they take on the flavor of most of what they're cooked with.
sunday we went to church, worked, played, and had hamburgers for dinner. we wanted to get an idea of what the meat tasted like on its own. it was slap-your-momma good! like burgers used to taste. we slurped them up.
the driving around was one of our favorite kind of things to do, so it was a great weekend. if we had had room in the apartment for our chest freezer (sold when we moved) we could really stock up on some local and organically-raised produce and protein. as it is, we'll have to drive around on a somewhat regular basis - darn!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
GOING GREEN
i swore i'd never do this. i couldn't even think about it b/c of the expense. but...
the back story: DH borrowed The Omnivore's Dilemma from a guy at work who read it in a book club. he read it and passed it to me, has recommended it to my veggie aunt, and we both recommend it highly. (click the link for more deets than i can give)
it is a book about the industrialization of our food supply and how terrible it is ecologically. also presents alternative sources but doesn't preach. still, reading how our food is raised, and how the industrial and political controls it, rather than nutritional or ecological, we have changed our purchasing pattern already, and we plan more improvements.
the goal is to eat local foods whenever you can. organic local is best. but if your organic food has to travel far to reach you, it has wasted the ecological benefit in fuel consumption. you will never want to eat a chain hamburger again after reading this book - and that's a healthier change already!
we have changed our dairy and produce purchasing and are working on meat (baby steps). when we eat local and organic food several days in a row, i can tell the difference in how i feel. deleting hormones from your diet can make a huge difference! extra hormones just aren't good for us - especially those of us who battle depression!
the back story: DH borrowed The Omnivore's Dilemma from a guy at work who read it in a book club. he read it and passed it to me, has recommended it to my veggie aunt, and we both recommend it highly. (click the link for more deets than i can give)
it is a book about the industrialization of our food supply and how terrible it is ecologically. also presents alternative sources but doesn't preach. still, reading how our food is raised, and how the industrial and political controls it, rather than nutritional or ecological, we have changed our purchasing pattern already, and we plan more improvements.
the goal is to eat local foods whenever you can. organic local is best. but if your organic food has to travel far to reach you, it has wasted the ecological benefit in fuel consumption. you will never want to eat a chain hamburger again after reading this book - and that's a healthier change already!
we have changed our dairy and produce purchasing and are working on meat (baby steps). when we eat local and organic food several days in a row, i can tell the difference in how i feel. deleting hormones from your diet can make a huge difference! extra hormones just aren't good for us - especially those of us who battle depression!
Thursday, April 02, 2009
broken
it's been quite a year, hasn't it? i just keep coping, keep on keeping on, and doing my best to cope.
well, i kinda feel broken inside. there are parts of me that really feel happy every day, enjoy the best of life. there are parts that are just getting by. and there are parts that want to cry all of the time and can't get over the hard things that i didn't have time to do more than just barely cope with.
it's so hard feeling all of these emotions all of the time. and i don't know what to do about it.
life is good right now. but i think things are catching up to me. and my hormones are trying to balance themselves. and i'm kind of lost.
any suggestions?
well, i kinda feel broken inside. there are parts of me that really feel happy every day, enjoy the best of life. there are parts that are just getting by. and there are parts that want to cry all of the time and can't get over the hard things that i didn't have time to do more than just barely cope with.
it's so hard feeling all of these emotions all of the time. and i don't know what to do about it.
life is good right now. but i think things are catching up to me. and my hormones are trying to balance themselves. and i'm kind of lost.
any suggestions?
pout
who loves the dentist? don't everybody shout at once!
i've never minded going. i'm 39, i've had 3 fillings. i could've prevented only one if i flossed.
now, who flosses every day? again, don't deafen me?
this is between two back teeth, and it has given me problems since it was first filled. the filling broke (bad dentist), i had it fixed, and the tooth has remained somewhat sensitive. i felt plenty of guilt b/c if i would floss, it would never have happened. and i keep trying to resolve to floss more often (twice a year is a LOT!). but it doesn't happen.
well, i went in yesterday for a cleaning, no worries, figured no cavities.
the tooth NEXT TO the one with the old filling now has a cavity on the surface facing the filling.
damn it. i REALLY have to start flossing! it's just a little cavity, minor fix. but if you've ever had back teeth worked on, it's really uncomfortable. and i'm so dang MAD!
now, who's going to start flossing after hearing my experience? yeah, that's what i thought.
i've never minded going. i'm 39, i've had 3 fillings. i could've prevented only one if i flossed.
now, who flosses every day? again, don't deafen me?
this is between two back teeth, and it has given me problems since it was first filled. the filling broke (bad dentist), i had it fixed, and the tooth has remained somewhat sensitive. i felt plenty of guilt b/c if i would floss, it would never have happened. and i keep trying to resolve to floss more often (twice a year is a LOT!). but it doesn't happen.
well, i went in yesterday for a cleaning, no worries, figured no cavities.
the tooth NEXT TO the one with the old filling now has a cavity on the surface facing the filling.
damn it. i REALLY have to start flossing! it's just a little cavity, minor fix. but if you've ever had back teeth worked on, it's really uncomfortable. and i'm so dang MAD!
now, who's going to start flossing after hearing my experience? yeah, that's what i thought.
panic button
so, while i was typing my LAST entry, LaLa managed to get herself in a fix.
she had a pen i had found in an OLD box. it's probably 17 years old. roller ball, still works, no worries.
well, i looked at her 1 minute later and her lips are navy, her tongue is navy, and she doesn't have the pen anymore.
apparently the seal broke and her chewing the pen got ink all over her mouth.
YES, i called poison control. immediately. (scrubbed her with wipies as best i could first.) i was ON HOLD for 5 minutes. i wasn't worried about immediate effects, just whether i had to take action. imagine being on hold for 5 minutes if she'd ingested something scarier! just wow.
so, they said, yes, pens are toxic. no, there's not enough of the bad ingredients in a WHOLE PEN CARTRIDGE to worry about. even in a 25-pound toddler.
however, she will look like a maori for a week. pix to follow!
she had a pen i had found in an OLD box. it's probably 17 years old. roller ball, still works, no worries.
well, i looked at her 1 minute later and her lips are navy, her tongue is navy, and she doesn't have the pen anymore.
apparently the seal broke and her chewing the pen got ink all over her mouth.
YES, i called poison control. immediately. (scrubbed her with wipies as best i could first.) i was ON HOLD for 5 minutes. i wasn't worried about immediate effects, just whether i had to take action. imagine being on hold for 5 minutes if she'd ingested something scarier! just wow.
so, they said, yes, pens are toxic. no, there's not enough of the bad ingredients in a WHOLE PEN CARTRIDGE to worry about. even in a 25-pound toddler.
however, she will look like a maori for a week. pix to follow!
wicked
i'm a wicked, wicked mother; wicked Zoot!
my son will complain his joints hurt. "oh good, you're growing!"
lately, it's been extreme frustration with being clumsy. "oh good, you're growing!"
he's almost 12, and the frustration is just beyond his capacity to deal. he's always been very coordinated and athletic, and now he's walking into walls and stubbing toes. it really does mean he's growing (he's grown about 2 inches this year already!). could i be nicer about this? maybe.
but this is the mom he's got, the mom he knows, and how things work around here!
wicked, wicked zut!
my son will complain his joints hurt. "oh good, you're growing!"
lately, it's been extreme frustration with being clumsy. "oh good, you're growing!"
he's almost 12, and the frustration is just beyond his capacity to deal. he's always been very coordinated and athletic, and now he's walking into walls and stubbing toes. it really does mean he's growing (he's grown about 2 inches this year already!). could i be nicer about this? maybe.
but this is the mom he's got, the mom he knows, and how things work around here!
wicked, wicked zut!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
just for mom
... who commented i haven't posted anything in a while. since i'm in a posting mood today (DH has the kids off at the park), this one is just for her.
no content. no pithy thoughts (*snort*). but it's just for her.
love ya, mom
no content. no pithy thoughts (*snort*). but it's just for her.
love ya, mom
Dirty Jobs
along the discover channel theme, we all love Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. recently, he made his 200th episode and delivered a special look back at all his dirtiest jobs. it was awesome. snakebit, up-chucking, dealing with poo - all the reasons we love to watch HIM do these things and talk about how we wouldn't do them for love or money. as Mike puts it, these are the jobs that make Civilized Life possible. and these are the people who do them.
he closed his show with a comment, What Was Left To Do to follow up 200 episodes???
and he answered: "I Quit." he cited the examples above as excellent reasons why he was DONE. No more. it made me sad. it made sense. it seemed an appropriate epitaph for the show. IT MADE SENSE. and he exited stage left.
and after we'd all had a few moments to wrap our minds around the concept of it all being over, and nobody could say he'd been less than fair, he returned. ARE YOU KIDDING? THIS IS THE BEST GIG I'VE EVER HAD!
now i'm just furious. i could handle him quitting much more easily than this TEASING! and the best gig he ever had? i hate to wonder what the rest of his life has been like!
will i still watch? yes. but will i trust him ever ever again? hell no.
he closed his show with a comment, What Was Left To Do to follow up 200 episodes???
and he answered: "I Quit." he cited the examples above as excellent reasons why he was DONE. No more. it made me sad. it made sense. it seemed an appropriate epitaph for the show. IT MADE SENSE. and he exited stage left.
and after we'd all had a few moments to wrap our minds around the concept of it all being over, and nobody could say he'd been less than fair, he returned. ARE YOU KIDDING? THIS IS THE BEST GIG I'VE EVER HAD!
now i'm just furious. i could handle him quitting much more easily than this TEASING! and the best gig he ever had? i hate to wonder what the rest of his life has been like!
will i still watch? yes. but will i trust him ever ever again? hell no.
orange chicken
we ALL love orange chicken. it's panda express' most popular dish. and it's no worse for you than most chinese/american cuisine. served over rice, it makes us feel virtuous! and it's so yummy!
well. thanks to my dear sister, i've learned how to MAKE the stuff, make it HEALTHIER, and far less expensive than ordering out. it isn't quick and easy, but it isn't hard, just a little labor intensive (but anything "breaded" is). everyone in my family inhales it and begs for more. it's all i can do to keep orange juice in the house and out of their glasses long enough to make it, but if i tell them i'm going to make this, they back right down and ask for water. hilarious.
of course, LaLa just loves the broccoli that i make with this, some days; others she eats all the chicken in sight and hoovers the rice as well. it makes a mother's heart happy when people eat what she serves with a smile and genuine gratitude. we don't ask much!
well. thanks to my dear sister, i've learned how to MAKE the stuff, make it HEALTHIER, and far less expensive than ordering out. it isn't quick and easy, but it isn't hard, just a little labor intensive (but anything "breaded" is). everyone in my family inhales it and begs for more. it's all i can do to keep orange juice in the house and out of their glasses long enough to make it, but if i tell them i'm going to make this, they back right down and ask for water. hilarious.
of course, LaLa just loves the broccoli that i make with this, some days; others she eats all the chicken in sight and hoovers the rice as well. it makes a mother's heart happy when people eat what she serves with a smile and genuine gratitude. we don't ask much!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
what's in a name?
1. WITNESS PROTECTION NAME (mother and father's middle names) Duell Farr
2. NASCAR NAME (first name of you mother's dad; father's dad) Carlton George
3. STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two letters of your first name) Erdje
4. SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, town where you were born) Anne Graham
5. SUPERHERO NAME (second fav color, fav drink, add 'the' to the beginning) The Blue White Russian
6. FLY NAME (first two letters of your first name, last two letters of your last name) Jesy
7. ROCK STAR NAME (current pet's name, current street name) Sparky Pointe
8. PORN NAME (first pet, street you grew up on) Snuffalupagus North
9. GANGSTA NAME (first three letters of your real name, plus izzle) Jenizzle
10. STRIPPER NAME (favorite perfume, favorite candy) Sandalwood Whoppers
2. NASCAR NAME (first name of you mother's dad; father's dad) Carlton George
3. STAR WARS NAME (the first three letters of your last name, first two letters of your first name) Erdje
4. SOAP OPERA NAME (middle name, town where you were born) Anne Graham
5. SUPERHERO NAME (second fav color, fav drink, add 'the' to the beginning) The Blue White Russian
6. FLY NAME (first two letters of your first name, last two letters of your last name) Jesy
7. ROCK STAR NAME (current pet's name, current street name) Sparky Pointe
8. PORN NAME (first pet, street you grew up on) Snuffalupagus North
9. GANGSTA NAME (first three letters of your real name, plus izzle) Jenizzle
10. STRIPPER NAME (favorite perfume, favorite candy) Sandalwood Whoppers
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
What Not to Wear
I am such a Discovery channel junkie. and of all their awesome shows, this is probably my favorite. better yet, DH enjoys it. and my kids will put up with one or two episodes if i pout.
here's the shocker: I'm LEARNING from it.
i'm 38 years old, headed fast for 39 (in 3 weeks). i'm probably old enough to do something with my hair, makeup, clothes, a little more labor-intensive than wash and wear, whatever T-shirt is on the top of the drawer, ponytails, and makeup if i need a mood lift.
so i styled my hair a little differently the last time i cut it. (yeah, i'm still nuts, and i still cut it myself. it's curly, it forgives me, and i usually do a pretty good job.) and i pull it back on one side instead of a ponytail, which makes me feel prettier. this was inspired by a fashion mag comment about Demi Moore looking younger and softer when she didn't part her hair in the middle but let it fall in waves - i don't look like her, but it held true for me, too. ponies make your hair look severe without bangs, and i can't wear bangs.
it's still wash and wear. and though i totally hate the idea, someday when i have a job OUT of the home again, i'll likely have to STYLE MY HAIR every morning - for the first time in my life. i'm somewhat comforted by the idea that i am paying my time into an account - all the time i'm saving now with wash-and-wear hair, i'll pay back later.
***********
and the big 4-0 looming on the horizon is much more palatable when i figured out i wouldn't be a larva anymore. if you haven't read The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love and its many sequels, what are you waiting for? i've been plugging them for years, i finally met the boss SPQ Jill at a book signing in January, and you will not regret it. Jill figures it's a wonder we have all our limbs under 40 - we feel grown up, we got cars and everything, but we're just larva. and that gives me something to look forward to!
innit fun psyching your-ownself out?
here's the shocker: I'm LEARNING from it.
i'm 38 years old, headed fast for 39 (in 3 weeks). i'm probably old enough to do something with my hair, makeup, clothes, a little more labor-intensive than wash and wear, whatever T-shirt is on the top of the drawer, ponytails, and makeup if i need a mood lift.
so i styled my hair a little differently the last time i cut it. (yeah, i'm still nuts, and i still cut it myself. it's curly, it forgives me, and i usually do a pretty good job.) and i pull it back on one side instead of a ponytail, which makes me feel prettier. this was inspired by a fashion mag comment about Demi Moore looking younger and softer when she didn't part her hair in the middle but let it fall in waves - i don't look like her, but it held true for me, too. ponies make your hair look severe without bangs, and i can't wear bangs.
it's still wash and wear. and though i totally hate the idea, someday when i have a job OUT of the home again, i'll likely have to STYLE MY HAIR every morning - for the first time in my life. i'm somewhat comforted by the idea that i am paying my time into an account - all the time i'm saving now with wash-and-wear hair, i'll pay back later.
***********
and the big 4-0 looming on the horizon is much more palatable when i figured out i wouldn't be a larva anymore. if you haven't read The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love and its many sequels, what are you waiting for? i've been plugging them for years, i finally met the boss SPQ Jill at a book signing in January, and you will not regret it. Jill figures it's a wonder we have all our limbs under 40 - we feel grown up, we got cars and everything, but we're just larva. and that gives me something to look forward to!
innit fun psyching your-ownself out?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
unbelievable
there is a family doctor in Las Vegas named - get this - PETER PHILANDER. like, his parents said, he's doomed with that last name anyway, let's give him the WORST first name we can think of, so he'll get exponentially MORE teasing!
i'm just in awe of their parenting skills. this is what we all want for our children.
i'm just in awe of their parenting skills. this is what we all want for our children.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
google reader
yeah, call me lame and/or slow, but i just got this figured out and it's so awesome. i can keep up with everybody in one place and i don't miss out on special offers anymore.
now that i'm keeping up, i'm SHARING. just call me warm-hearted and generous, b/c i'm letting all of you mature audiences enjoy this from Eric Snider's blog. i know you'll want to bookmark it for your own.
not only that, but my darling unnamed relative shared THIS link, which will seriously drive you crazy. -ier.
so now that i'm more tech savvy, all my loyal readers (all 2 of you) will have just that much more entertainment in your lives.
you're welcome.
now that i'm keeping up, i'm SHARING. just call me warm-hearted and generous, b/c i'm letting all of you mature audiences enjoy this from Eric Snider's blog. i know you'll want to bookmark it for your own.
not only that, but my darling unnamed relative shared THIS link, which will seriously drive you crazy. -ier.
so now that i'm more tech savvy, all my loyal readers (all 2 of you) will have just that much more entertainment in your lives.
you're welcome.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Discover Health
i'm so addicted. i love everything on it - my family begs me to turn the channel if the story appears sad, but i just can't. it's like trash TV - once i'm tuned in, i can't tune out!
they've been running teaser footage of the "pregnant man", and he/she has some really great musculature. i'm not thinking about that too hard. see me not thinking about it? (can't wait to see the feedback on that one!)
they've been running teaser footage of the "pregnant man", and he/she has some really great musculature. i'm not thinking about that too hard. see me not thinking about it? (can't wait to see the feedback on that one!)
Pay It Forward
The RULES
1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!
2. Winners must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your 3 Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! SO, REMEMBER...Pay it forward! (ps, I did NOT type this last paragraph! Can you really imagine me saying "Linky Love"? well, maybe.) ((and i stole that disclaimer from sister stewie))
p.s. i might ask the winners for some of their favorites in various areas, but yeah, i'm on board with this giveaway.
1. Be one of the first THREE bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which then entitles you to a handmade item from me - something crafty or yummy, who knows?!
2. Winners must post this challenge on your blog, meaning that you will Pay It Forward, creating a handmade gift -anything!- for the first THREE bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway!
3. The gift that you send to your 3 Friends can be from any price range and you have 365 days to make/ship your item. This means you should be willing to maintain your blog at least until you receive your gift and have shipped your gifts. And, remember: It’s the Spirit and the Thought That Count!
4. When you receive your gift, please feel free to blog about it, sharing appropriate Linky Love! If you are not one of the Top Three Commenters on this post, you can still play along. Go ahead and start your own Pay It Forward chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same! SO, REMEMBER...Pay it forward! (ps, I did NOT type this last paragraph! Can you really imagine me saying "Linky Love"? well, maybe.) ((and i stole that disclaimer from sister stewie))
p.s. i might ask the winners for some of their favorites in various areas, but yeah, i'm on board with this giveaway.
Monday, February 02, 2009
Chore Wars!
you would not BELIEVE how much i've gotten done since little sis started me on this site. i'm going nuts getting points so i can gloat - inwardly, yet - that i'm doing more than DH! hahahahahahaha!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
50 Questions "You've Probably Never Been Asked Before"
First thing you wash in the shower?: Pits
What color is your favorite hoodie?: Pink
Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?: ASAP - my precious darling LaLa!
Do you plan outfits?: yes
How are you feeling RIGHT now?: waiting for the caffeine to kick in
What's the closest red thing to you?: a red hat with purple feathers my mom gave me that i keep on my little teddy bear on my desk
Tell me about the last dream you remember having?: something korean. i only speak korean in my dreams so i don't really know what it was about.
Did you meet anybody new today?: No. i'm in my nightie, at home. i know all the people here.
What are you craving right now?: Krispy Kreme doughnuts. ... mmm... doughnuts!
Do you floss?: i resolve to, but i do not do it.
What comes to mind when I say cabbage?: coronary artery bypass graft
When was the last time you talked on Aim?: what is aim besides toothpaste?
Are you emotional?(Not emo): i suppress.
Would you dance to the taco song?: probably, if i knew what that was.
Have you ever counted to 1,000?: sure
Do you bite your ice cream or just lick it?: yes
Do you like your hair?: kinda
Do you like yourself?: yup
Have you ever met a celebrity?: just met Jill Conner Browne!
Do you like cottage cheese?: no, but my mom does.
What are you listening to right now?: Oswald on Noggin
How many countries have you visited?: 2 (outside of US)
Are your parents strict?: very
Would you go skydiving?: i've always wanted to; it's on my bucket list
Would you go out to eat with George W?: i rarely turn down a free meal but i would NOT enjoy myself.
Would you throw potatoes at him?: only if he started it.
Is there anything sparkly in the room your in?: besides ME? LaLa just came in
Have you ever voted for an American Idol?: i've never watched it, but i did watch Dancing with the Stars one season and voted lots for Emmett... mmm, Emmett!
Have you ever been in a castle?: several - the louvre, buckingham palace, some others as a gauche tourist
Do you rent movies often?: more now that i have a redbox again
Who sits behind you in your math class?: i used to sit behind matt fugal...
Have you made a prank phone call?: oh yeah
Do you own a gun?: no. nerf guns and cookie and filling guns in the household, but no "gun."
Can you count backwards from 74?: i can also sing the alphabet backwards
Who are you going to be with tonight?: the same people i'm with right now!
Brown or white eggs?: i do like the brown ones best.
Do you own something from hot topic?: i would have to know what that was...
Ever been on a train?: used to commute on the El in Philly; been on underground, metro, and taken Amtrak; total of YES
Ever been in love?: too many times
Do you have a cell phone?: i was the first in my family!
Are you too forgiving?: probably.
Do you use Chop Sticks?: only in Chinatown but i'm very good with them. snow pea greens!
What is your best friend doing tomorrow? hosting me for the Super Bowl!
Do you use ChapStick?: mmhm
Ever have cream puffs?: i love the mini ones from Sam's Club
Have you seen the Butterfly Effect?: still haven't gotten a round tuit.
What was the last question you asked?: Rich, can you remember the name of that modern castle we toured in England? (him: Was it Castle Drogo? or was that in a book... me: never mind, i'll put something nonspecific)
What was the first CD you ever bought?: Wayne's World soundtrack! mainly for Bohemian Rhapsody
Boys or Girls?: both
What is your bus # for school? LFIno - the kids keep track of those things for themselves now
What color is your favorite hoodie?: Pink
Would you kiss the last person you kissed again?: ASAP - my precious darling LaLa!
Do you plan outfits?: yes
How are you feeling RIGHT now?: waiting for the caffeine to kick in
What's the closest red thing to you?: a red hat with purple feathers my mom gave me that i keep on my little teddy bear on my desk
Tell me about the last dream you remember having?: something korean. i only speak korean in my dreams so i don't really know what it was about.
Did you meet anybody new today?: No. i'm in my nightie, at home. i know all the people here.
What are you craving right now?: Krispy Kreme doughnuts. ... mmm... doughnuts!
Do you floss?: i resolve to, but i do not do it.
What comes to mind when I say cabbage?: coronary artery bypass graft
When was the last time you talked on Aim?: what is aim besides toothpaste?
Are you emotional?(Not emo): i suppress.
Would you dance to the taco song?: probably, if i knew what that was.
Have you ever counted to 1,000?: sure
Do you bite your ice cream or just lick it?: yes
Do you like your hair?: kinda
Do you like yourself?: yup
Have you ever met a celebrity?: just met Jill Conner Browne!
Do you like cottage cheese?: no, but my mom does.
What are you listening to right now?: Oswald on Noggin
How many countries have you visited?: 2 (outside of US)
Are your parents strict?: very
Would you go skydiving?: i've always wanted to; it's on my bucket list
Would you go out to eat with George W?: i rarely turn down a free meal but i would NOT enjoy myself.
Would you throw potatoes at him?: only if he started it.
Is there anything sparkly in the room your in?: besides ME? LaLa just came in
Have you ever voted for an American Idol?: i've never watched it, but i did watch Dancing with the Stars one season and voted lots for Emmett... mmm, Emmett!
Have you ever been in a castle?: several - the louvre, buckingham palace, some others as a gauche tourist
Do you rent movies often?: more now that i have a redbox again
Who sits behind you in your math class?: i used to sit behind matt fugal...
Have you made a prank phone call?: oh yeah
Do you own a gun?: no. nerf guns and cookie and filling guns in the household, but no "gun."
Can you count backwards from 74?: i can also sing the alphabet backwards
Who are you going to be with tonight?: the same people i'm with right now!
Brown or white eggs?: i do like the brown ones best.
Do you own something from hot topic?: i would have to know what that was...
Ever been on a train?: used to commute on the El in Philly; been on underground, metro, and taken Amtrak; total of YES
Ever been in love?: too many times
Do you have a cell phone?: i was the first in my family!
Are you too forgiving?: probably.
Do you use Chop Sticks?: only in Chinatown but i'm very good with them. snow pea greens!
What is your best friend doing tomorrow? hosting me for the Super Bowl!
Do you use ChapStick?: mmhm
Ever have cream puffs?: i love the mini ones from Sam's Club
Have you seen the Butterfly Effect?: still haven't gotten a round tuit.
What was the last question you asked?: Rich, can you remember the name of that modern castle we toured in England? (him: Was it Castle Drogo? or was that in a book... me: never mind, i'll put something nonspecific)
What was the first CD you ever bought?: Wayne's World soundtrack! mainly for Bohemian Rhapsody
Boys or Girls?: both
What is your bus # for school? LFIno - the kids keep track of those things for themselves now
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
ouchies
it seems like everyone is too busy for their usual "fun" spots and all the sites where i get WAY too much of my social interaction are dead. myfamily.com, my friends at cafemom, everybody is so quiet and i'm feeling VERY lonely and left out.
yeah, i need a REAL life, but since this is the one i've got, i'm having a hard time dealing with the loss of my virtual support. where is everyone?
yeah, i need a REAL life, but since this is the one i've got, i'm having a hard time dealing with the loss of my virtual support. where is everyone?
Friday, January 23, 2009
another "thought"
You can really learn a LOT about people by following the links they post and seeing who they like to keep up with.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
what have you done?
What Have You Done? To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done. It's kind of fun!!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise - does a ferry count? didn't think so
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - long ago and before children
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted - caricatured on the streets of Paris!
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - can't remember if we watched the ceremony, but i WAS there - and I have in DC at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - do fish count?
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument
looks like i got 55!
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise - does a ferry count? didn't think so
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied - long ago and before children
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted - caricatured on the streets of Paris!
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London - can't remember if we watched the ceremony, but i WAS there - and I have in DC at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating - do fish count?
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
101. Learned to play an instrument
looks like i got 55!
2008 just won't end!
i woke up this morning to THIS news.
apparently 2008 can't end soon enough. "Timekeepers are adding an extra second to the clock today to account for the slight slowing of the Earth's rotation."
Bleagh! i say, BLEAGH!
apparently 2008 can't end soon enough. "Timekeepers are adding an extra second to the clock today to account for the slight slowing of the Earth's rotation."
Bleagh! i say, BLEAGH!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Since starting middle school, #1 son has been assigned an inordinate amount of homework. Much of it is “projects,” which can be any definition the teacher chooses to give. Sometimes a “photo album” type report, sometimes more or less creative, but just any kind of project. Of course, the child can NOT keep track of the assignments OR their due dates. He’s making me crazy.
This week he had THREE projects due. I don’t know WHAT his teachers are thinking. I finally gave up nagging and helped him create a flow sheet that shows what projects have been assigned, their due dates, what he must do for each, what IS done, and what needs to be done, along with when he plans to do what. This helped a lot this weekend when he was trying to wrap up all three (and we’re going to make a new form for him to enter ALL projects on going forward).
My fabulous son stayed focused and worked hard for three whole days (one was due Monday, two Tuesday). He didn’t get to do a single fun thing, but he got his work done. I’m really proud of him.
So when he needed photo documentation of one of his projects, I didn’t hesitate to support that. It’s a Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT) course, and he had chosen to beautify the neighborhood by planting pansies. He took a picture before and after. Now, in order to turn that assignment in, we had to print the pictures.
And so the saga begins. First, I have refilled the color cartridge in my inkjet but it just does NOT want to function properly. We have reinstalled and rebooted and finally the black will print but the color doesn’t look right. So I had DH buy a new cartridge Saturday, in order to be prepared to print. Tested it and it’s working. One hurdle cleared.
Next we need to upload the photos. And I admit, I waited until late yesterday to look for the cable. Could not find it. Everybody started looking; no luck. Haven’t uploaded since we moved, so it’s sure to be somewhere, but WHEN it will turn up is anybody’s guess.
OK, Plan B. I need to pick up a couple of things at Stuff-Mart (also knows as the Evil Empire, or Wal-Mart). I’ll take the camera and print off the pictures at the kiosk. No biggie.
So I finish my shift and head out at about 8:45 p.m. Does anyone else see the problem here? The kiosks close at 8 p.m. and you cannot get one-hour photos this late. Getting a little bit nutso. I have promised the child I will do everything in my power to get this done tonight so his projects go in properly. Can’t give up this easily.
Regrouping, Plan C. The electronics department is swamped. Everyone is doing Christmas shopping (what’s the matter with them? There’s another 10 days until Christmas, and I need to print this project NOW!). I finally get someone’s attention and there is no help for the photo lab. I can’t get someone to turn on the kiosk just long enough to print my 4 pix.
Next plan - are we on D now? While I have the clerk’s attention, I ask if they sell the cables to upload pictures at home. There is ONE available. It is supposed to be a “universal jack.” I hold faint hope it will help. They point me over an aisle and I find it. It has multiple jacks that plug into the cable, and one of them is marked Kodak. It even looks like it will fit. It’s 15 dollars, but I have to have a jack, and I have to have it NOW. Fine.
Try getting it off the wall. The stupid thing is locked down! And the stupid department is swamped! There are 3 or 4 people ahead of me. So I make sure one knows ALL I NEED are KEYS, PLEASE! And commence waiting. People are waiting obscene lengths of time just to check out!
Finally my clerk is available. He liberates the keys from the manager and gets my peg unlocked, so I can pull down my purchase. Hallelujah! I ask him, somewhat desperate, if I have to pay for the item in Electronics. No! Woohoo! Next hurdle!
Off I go to make sure I have something to cook tomorrow for dinner, something to put the Christmas fudge that I give to my many family members in (gift tins), and Oreos. Try getting through this kind of ordeal without Oreos? I don’t think so.
You would think the hard part was over. No. Because I have not uploaded pictures in FOUR MONTHS, there are over 200 on the camera. That is not a type-o, it really is over TWO HUNDRED PICTURES.
Home after 10. Turn on the computer. While waiting for it to boot, turn on the camera and plug in the jack. It fits! Something is going right! Woohoo! One more hurdle cleared.
Then I plug the thing into the CPU and wait for it to upload. And wait. And wait.
You really have to be patient with Kodak software. Sometimes it takes its time, but it does the job. After half an hour, I get an error message and have to start over. When this happens you should always reboot the computer. So I did. I waited even longer to be sure that it had completely booted and I wasn’t interrupting its thoughts. Plugged everything BACK in (in the proper order), and wait.
This time it uploaded 60% of the pictures before I got an error message. None of the project pictures are in this group. But they’re in the computer successfully and we can try to get the rest on now. Reboot everything again. It seems Gabe had taken some videos at this point in the queue of pictures waiting to be uploaded and that likely caused the error.
Finally. Everything is uploaded. It’s 11:30. This is just ridiculous. But one more hurdle successfully cleared. Only I’m getting tired now.
So I start looking through the pictures, deleting duplicates and unfocused ones. It’s what you do when you upload. I didn’t get crazy, but I did need to look at them all. Find the four pictures he needs. Drag them to the task box, and get the print menu up. Choose to print them all on one page, 3-1/2 x 5 or so, and send.
Error message. Do you think I’m a little bit SICK of error messages?
Try again. I make sure to select the printer that’s actually present, not the “fax” or whatever it calls the nonexistent printer. Another error message.
Make sure I’ve turned off and disconnected the camera. Reboot the computer AGAIN. Wait for it to boot completely before I try to do anything. Open Kodak EasyShare (EASY my ASS!) and put the four pictures in the task box again. Send them to print.
Guess what? After midnight, I’ve got the damn things printed, and my son will be able to turn in his homework. HIS homework? Seems like I’ve done an awful lot of work to get HIS homework ready!
Can’t wait for the term papers to start. Can I just quit now? No wonder I have dreams about being in high school again - I’m sure doing the hard parts now!
This week he had THREE projects due. I don’t know WHAT his teachers are thinking. I finally gave up nagging and helped him create a flow sheet that shows what projects have been assigned, their due dates, what he must do for each, what IS done, and what needs to be done, along with when he plans to do what. This helped a lot this weekend when he was trying to wrap up all three (and we’re going to make a new form for him to enter ALL projects on going forward).
My fabulous son stayed focused and worked hard for three whole days (one was due Monday, two Tuesday). He didn’t get to do a single fun thing, but he got his work done. I’m really proud of him.
So when he needed photo documentation of one of his projects, I didn’t hesitate to support that. It’s a Gang Resistance Education And Training (GREAT) course, and he had chosen to beautify the neighborhood by planting pansies. He took a picture before and after. Now, in order to turn that assignment in, we had to print the pictures.
And so the saga begins. First, I have refilled the color cartridge in my inkjet but it just does NOT want to function properly. We have reinstalled and rebooted and finally the black will print but the color doesn’t look right. So I had DH buy a new cartridge Saturday, in order to be prepared to print. Tested it and it’s working. One hurdle cleared.
Next we need to upload the photos. And I admit, I waited until late yesterday to look for the cable. Could not find it. Everybody started looking; no luck. Haven’t uploaded since we moved, so it’s sure to be somewhere, but WHEN it will turn up is anybody’s guess.
OK, Plan B. I need to pick up a couple of things at Stuff-Mart (also knows as the Evil Empire, or Wal-Mart). I’ll take the camera and print off the pictures at the kiosk. No biggie.
So I finish my shift and head out at about 8:45 p.m. Does anyone else see the problem here? The kiosks close at 8 p.m. and you cannot get one-hour photos this late. Getting a little bit nutso. I have promised the child I will do everything in my power to get this done tonight so his projects go in properly. Can’t give up this easily.
Regrouping, Plan C. The electronics department is swamped. Everyone is doing Christmas shopping (what’s the matter with them? There’s another 10 days until Christmas, and I need to print this project NOW!). I finally get someone’s attention and there is no help for the photo lab. I can’t get someone to turn on the kiosk just long enough to print my 4 pix.
Next plan - are we on D now? While I have the clerk’s attention, I ask if they sell the cables to upload pictures at home. There is ONE available. It is supposed to be a “universal jack.” I hold faint hope it will help. They point me over an aisle and I find it. It has multiple jacks that plug into the cable, and one of them is marked Kodak. It even looks like it will fit. It’s 15 dollars, but I have to have a jack, and I have to have it NOW. Fine.
Try getting it off the wall. The stupid thing is locked down! And the stupid department is swamped! There are 3 or 4 people ahead of me. So I make sure one knows ALL I NEED are KEYS, PLEASE! And commence waiting. People are waiting obscene lengths of time just to check out!
Finally my clerk is available. He liberates the keys from the manager and gets my peg unlocked, so I can pull down my purchase. Hallelujah! I ask him, somewhat desperate, if I have to pay for the item in Electronics. No! Woohoo! Next hurdle!
Off I go to make sure I have something to cook tomorrow for dinner, something to put the Christmas fudge that I give to my many family members in (gift tins), and Oreos. Try getting through this kind of ordeal without Oreos? I don’t think so.
You would think the hard part was over. No. Because I have not uploaded pictures in FOUR MONTHS, there are over 200 on the camera. That is not a type-o, it really is over TWO HUNDRED PICTURES.
Home after 10. Turn on the computer. While waiting for it to boot, turn on the camera and plug in the jack. It fits! Something is going right! Woohoo! One more hurdle cleared.
Then I plug the thing into the CPU and wait for it to upload. And wait. And wait.
You really have to be patient with Kodak software. Sometimes it takes its time, but it does the job. After half an hour, I get an error message and have to start over. When this happens you should always reboot the computer. So I did. I waited even longer to be sure that it had completely booted and I wasn’t interrupting its thoughts. Plugged everything BACK in (in the proper order), and wait.
This time it uploaded 60% of the pictures before I got an error message. None of the project pictures are in this group. But they’re in the computer successfully and we can try to get the rest on now. Reboot everything again. It seems Gabe had taken some videos at this point in the queue of pictures waiting to be uploaded and that likely caused the error.
Finally. Everything is uploaded. It’s 11:30. This is just ridiculous. But one more hurdle successfully cleared. Only I’m getting tired now.
So I start looking through the pictures, deleting duplicates and unfocused ones. It’s what you do when you upload. I didn’t get crazy, but I did need to look at them all. Find the four pictures he needs. Drag them to the task box, and get the print menu up. Choose to print them all on one page, 3-1/2 x 5 or so, and send.
Error message. Do you think I’m a little bit SICK of error messages?
Try again. I make sure to select the printer that’s actually present, not the “fax” or whatever it calls the nonexistent printer. Another error message.
Make sure I’ve turned off and disconnected the camera. Reboot the computer AGAIN. Wait for it to boot completely before I try to do anything. Open Kodak EasyShare (EASY my ASS!) and put the four pictures in the task box again. Send them to print.
Guess what? After midnight, I’ve got the damn things printed, and my son will be able to turn in his homework. HIS homework? Seems like I’ve done an awful lot of work to get HIS homework ready!
Can’t wait for the term papers to start. Can I just quit now? No wonder I have dreams about being in high school again - I’m sure doing the hard parts now!
Monday, December 08, 2008
vey-sur (oy)
It's a twist on the typical survey - IT'S ALL ABOUT ME!!! lol. But it's filled out by YOU.
If you want to play, leave a comment that answers these questions about me, copy the below to your blog and put in your comment that you want me to go there and fill in the answers about you. Be honest. If you don't want me to answer these questions about you, you can still answer them for me if you want.
1. How old am I?
2. Where did we meet?
3. Take a stab at my middle name.
4. Color of my eyes?
5. Do I have any siblings?
6. If so, how many? What are their names? Ages?
7. What's one of my favorite things to do?
8. What's my favorite type of music?
9. Am I shy or outgoing?
10. Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules?
11. Any special talents?
12. Do I have children?
13. If so, how many? What are their code names? Ages?
14. Do I have pets?
15. If you and I were stranded on a deserted island, what is one thing that I would bring?
I have three wishes for Christmas (birthday, Mother's Day, whenever we can afford them). If you know or can guess what they are, bonus points!
I'll post the answers next week.
If you want to play, leave a comment that answers these questions about me, copy the below to your blog and put in your comment that you want me to go there and fill in the answers about you. Be honest. If you don't want me to answer these questions about you, you can still answer them for me if you want.
1. How old am I?
2. Where did we meet?
3. Take a stab at my middle name.
4. Color of my eyes?
5. Do I have any siblings?
6. If so, how many? What are their names? Ages?
7. What's one of my favorite things to do?
8. What's my favorite type of music?
9. Am I shy or outgoing?
10. Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules?
11. Any special talents?
12. Do I have children?
13. If so, how many? What are their code names? Ages?
14. Do I have pets?
15. If you and I were stranded on a deserted island, what is one thing that I would bring?
I have three wishes for Christmas (birthday, Mother's Day, whenever we can afford them). If you know or can guess what they are, bonus points!
I'll post the answers next week.
Monday, November 24, 2008
i've had it
so my family has a "myfamily.com" webpage where we all meet and chat and keep in touch despite our geographic distance. it's mostly great. but my father has the alzheimers and thinks he needs to be a prophet and guide his family religiously before he meets his maker. it was bad enough when we were kids but now it's horrible.
so my first brother (#3 in the family, first son, just 2 years younger than me), who is the closest to religious nuthood to my father, posts a little humorous comment:
I called B------ W--- W---- to order takeout for lunch. During lunch, they have a special – ten wings, ten potato wedges, ten minutes, for a fixed price. I ordered two, boneless, with Parmesan sauce, and told them I didn’t care about the time limit, as I would arrive in thirty minutes to pick up my lunch.
I was put on hold. A different voice came on, and asked if I was D----, and did I really want two ten/ten orders. Yes. Put on hold again.
Different voice came on. “We can’t do that, the ten/ten is only for dine-in, not carry out.”
“Okay, but I don’t care about the time limit, I just want some wings and wedges.”
Put on hold again. Different voice came on. “Can I help you?”
I was just talking to someone, and they put me on hold.
“Oh, are you D----?”
Still was, last time I checked. I started laughing as she told me that they couldn’t do the ten/ten thingy, because that’s not available for takeout. “Do you still want to make an order?”
Do you really service takeout orders?
“Yes.”
Then yes, I really do want to make an order.
“We can do 6, 12, 18, 24, 50, or 100.”
But not ten, and not twenty?
“No.”
It's Tuesday, I thought that wings were .50/each today.
“They are.”
But I can’t have ten.
“No, 6, 12, 24, 50, or 100.”
Still laughing, I told her to please make me 24.
“Did you want anything else?”
Yes, I asked for wedges, too, please. Not really clear on what the options she rattled off to me at that point. I ended up with a basket of them, though.
I’m still laughing about it.
which he then followed with some other "too stupid to live" stories that have been circulating by internet. IT WAS A GOOD POST!
but my father - my father thought this an appropriate reply:
What a good bunch of laughs! Thanks for sharing.
What do they teach in school these days? Anyone? Do your kids know how many in a dozen, half dozen, gross, how many quarts in a bushel, peck, how many square feet in an acre, how many acres in a square mile?
I know. They teach the "new" math, computer logic, not people logic, political correctness, not courtesy, shun any mention of God, belittle anyone who believes that Adam and Eve and the world were created by God, that we should accept everyone, regardless of their beliefs, even if they are trying to kill us and destroy our Constitution, our nation, and our way of life.
What is this world coming to? Ruin, if we don't change our ways.We are part of the House of Israel, and have been given a mighty important charge to be the servants of Jesus Christ, and to show others how to follow Him.
May we be blessed in our efforts to do this, I humbly pray every day, in the Holy of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I SWEAR, that man will make me crazy! this is just an extreme example of how he reacts to EVERY post. doesn't matter the content, this is what he has to say. i seriously want to vomit when i read his posts.
i was choking back bile when i looked at this a little bit closer and had to respond (this is NOT done):
wow. first you laughed, then you made a cranky old man post. doom! doom! LMBO
>> Do your kids know how many in a dozen, half dozen, gross, how many quarts in a bushel, peck, how many square feet in an acre, how many acres in a square mile?
we had no need for the bushel, peck, or acre information WAAYYY back when _I_ was in school. they do not teach that now. DH knows the acreage stuff b/c it's part of his job.
and talking of belittling - just b/c you believe you're right doesn't mean that when you bust on others you're not doing the exact same thing. and that is truly what leads to DOOM, RUIN, and the need to change our ways.
mom taught us tolerance. it's much more useful. peaceful, too.
to which my OTHER brother (#2 brother, middle of the road conservative) replied:
I must say, Jennifer, that I don't believe your post has much tolerance in it, either.
and i blew a freaking gasket! i bite my tongue so much around there and it makes me nuts. everyone else feels free to express themselves regardless of anyone else's feelings, but i'm not b/c i don't agree with them. bleagh. so i replied:
the cranky old man part was meant to be teasing. that would be the lmbo part.
i really thought i phrased this in a somewhat tolerant way. but the fact that i have not made this post before now exhibits a LOT of tolerance every day. i'im tired of hearing doom prophesied. i'm tired of fearing to read certain posts b/c the content never varies regardless of to what they're responding.
and i'm tired of feeling like i can't say that b/c everyone will be angry with me. i know i'm not the only one who feels this way, at least part of the time. and (#3 bro)'s [least conservative of the brothers] political post with the comments made "we should feel safe to state our minds" made me brave enough to speak up.
i apologize if you did not think i did it gently enough. but enough is enough! and i'd love to hear others brave enough to admit they agree with me - at least part of the time!
can't wait for the fallout from this one!
so my first brother (#3 in the family, first son, just 2 years younger than me), who is the closest to religious nuthood to my father, posts a little humorous comment:
I called B------ W--- W---- to order takeout for lunch. During lunch, they have a special – ten wings, ten potato wedges, ten minutes, for a fixed price. I ordered two, boneless, with Parmesan sauce, and told them I didn’t care about the time limit, as I would arrive in thirty minutes to pick up my lunch.
I was put on hold. A different voice came on, and asked if I was D----, and did I really want two ten/ten orders. Yes. Put on hold again.
Different voice came on. “We can’t do that, the ten/ten is only for dine-in, not carry out.”
“Okay, but I don’t care about the time limit, I just want some wings and wedges.”
Put on hold again. Different voice came on. “Can I help you?”
I was just talking to someone, and they put me on hold.
“Oh, are you D----?”
Still was, last time I checked. I started laughing as she told me that they couldn’t do the ten/ten thingy, because that’s not available for takeout. “Do you still want to make an order?”
Do you really service takeout orders?
“Yes.”
Then yes, I really do want to make an order.
“We can do 6, 12, 18, 24, 50, or 100.”
But not ten, and not twenty?
“No.”
It's Tuesday, I thought that wings were .50/each today.
“They are.”
But I can’t have ten.
“No, 6, 12, 24, 50, or 100.”
Still laughing, I told her to please make me 24.
“Did you want anything else?”
Yes, I asked for wedges, too, please. Not really clear on what the options she rattled off to me at that point. I ended up with a basket of them, though.
I’m still laughing about it.
which he then followed with some other "too stupid to live" stories that have been circulating by internet. IT WAS A GOOD POST!
but my father - my father thought this an appropriate reply:
What a good bunch of laughs! Thanks for sharing.
What do they teach in school these days? Anyone? Do your kids know how many in a dozen, half dozen, gross, how many quarts in a bushel, peck, how many square feet in an acre, how many acres in a square mile?
I know. They teach the "new" math, computer logic, not people logic, political correctness, not courtesy, shun any mention of God, belittle anyone who believes that Adam and Eve and the world were created by God, that we should accept everyone, regardless of their beliefs, even if they are trying to kill us and destroy our Constitution, our nation, and our way of life.
What is this world coming to? Ruin, if we don't change our ways.We are part of the House of Israel, and have been given a mighty important charge to be the servants of Jesus Christ, and to show others how to follow Him.
May we be blessed in our efforts to do this, I humbly pray every day, in the Holy of Jesus Christ, Amen.
I SWEAR, that man will make me crazy! this is just an extreme example of how he reacts to EVERY post. doesn't matter the content, this is what he has to say. i seriously want to vomit when i read his posts.
i was choking back bile when i looked at this a little bit closer and had to respond (this is NOT done):
wow. first you laughed, then you made a cranky old man post. doom! doom! LMBO
>> Do your kids know how many in a dozen, half dozen, gross, how many quarts in a bushel, peck, how many square feet in an acre, how many acres in a square mile?
we had no need for the bushel, peck, or acre information WAAYYY back when _I_ was in school. they do not teach that now. DH knows the acreage stuff b/c it's part of his job.
and talking of belittling - just b/c you believe you're right doesn't mean that when you bust on others you're not doing the exact same thing. and that is truly what leads to DOOM, RUIN, and the need to change our ways.
mom taught us tolerance. it's much more useful. peaceful, too.
to which my OTHER brother (#2 brother, middle of the road conservative) replied:
I must say, Jennifer, that I don't believe your post has much tolerance in it, either.
and i blew a freaking gasket! i bite my tongue so much around there and it makes me nuts. everyone else feels free to express themselves regardless of anyone else's feelings, but i'm not b/c i don't agree with them. bleagh. so i replied:
the cranky old man part was meant to be teasing. that would be the lmbo part.
i really thought i phrased this in a somewhat tolerant way. but the fact that i have not made this post before now exhibits a LOT of tolerance every day. i'im tired of hearing doom prophesied. i'm tired of fearing to read certain posts b/c the content never varies regardless of to what they're responding.
and i'm tired of feeling like i can't say that b/c everyone will be angry with me. i know i'm not the only one who feels this way, at least part of the time. and (#3 bro)'s [least conservative of the brothers] political post with the comments made "we should feel safe to state our minds" made me brave enough to speak up.
i apologize if you did not think i did it gently enough. but enough is enough! and i'd love to hear others brave enough to admit they agree with me - at least part of the time!
can't wait for the fallout from this one!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
update on jobs
i will be starting a new job monday, 12/1. a little nervous, a lot excited! i've been a LONG time with MedQuist, it would be 11 years in January. they've gotten too big and impersonal and stuck their heads up their butts. fired my supervisor, cut my pay. so it's time. and TransTech seems like a really good place. only time will tell!
Friday, November 14, 2008
mary janes
i bought my first pair of little black patent leather mary janes today for dress-up for my little girl. OMG, can i just say she is going to be so adorable for christmas! red velvet dress and black mary janes, little white tights and a bow in her hair: she's gonna be a little angel! and yes, someday i'll get her dressed up and post a newer picture.
on jobs
i'm a medical transcriptionist. i have worked in this career in one way or another for 17 years (yeah, go ahead and freak). i've been with my current company almost 11 years.
during that time, this has gone from being a GREAT JOB that i love and tell everybody about, to a job that pays the bills, to just a stinking job. economy hits everyone but since the big dogs bought my little company X years ago, it's really gotten worse.
every technological advance brings a cut in pay for me. every reorganization brings a cut in pay. every change (which has a cut in pay) is presented with "it's still the best job out there!" well, bull hockey.
the last straw was when they fired my supervisor last month. MY JOB IS SECURE, but i don't want to work for these folks anymore.
my sisters have both followed me into this profession b/c you can work from home. you need quick fingers, a sharp mind, and a talent for language; we all have that. younger sister recently (6 months ago?) left her company which showed a similar trend, and loves the new one.
so...
TODAY I APPLIED FOR A NEW JOB. scary? oh yeah! hopeful? that too. if this doesn't work out i'll probably need to change career paths, and that's even more scary!
i should hear from someone about interviewing within the week, so wish me luck! and thanks for reading my verbosity...
***
non sequitur: my dad just posted that he stopped working at the prison 10 years ago this week. i feel like _i'm_ getting out of prison with this application. fingers crossed! wait, that won't work...
during that time, this has gone from being a GREAT JOB that i love and tell everybody about, to a job that pays the bills, to just a stinking job. economy hits everyone but since the big dogs bought my little company X years ago, it's really gotten worse.
every technological advance brings a cut in pay for me. every reorganization brings a cut in pay. every change (which has a cut in pay) is presented with "it's still the best job out there!" well, bull hockey.
the last straw was when they fired my supervisor last month. MY JOB IS SECURE, but i don't want to work for these folks anymore.
my sisters have both followed me into this profession b/c you can work from home. you need quick fingers, a sharp mind, and a talent for language; we all have that. younger sister recently (6 months ago?) left her company which showed a similar trend, and loves the new one.
so...
TODAY I APPLIED FOR A NEW JOB. scary? oh yeah! hopeful? that too. if this doesn't work out i'll probably need to change career paths, and that's even more scary!
i should hear from someone about interviewing within the week, so wish me luck! and thanks for reading my verbosity...
***
non sequitur: my dad just posted that he stopped working at the prison 10 years ago this week. i feel like _i'm_ getting out of prison with this application. fingers crossed! wait, that won't work...
Thursday, October 23, 2008
wish list
a sweet e-friend asked me what i needed this morning. she meant on the scavenger hunt we were playing, but this was my reply:
what do i need? a shoulder to cry on, a free babysitter, and an extra 10 hours a day to get everything done. a new job, a winning lottery ticket, and my mommy moving next door (yeah right!). the invention of teleportation and cheap clean energy, world peace... babies for all the couples struggling with infertility, and plenty of food for the hungry.
can you get that to me by noon? LMAO!
i got perspective, humor, AND support, all in one! thanks friend!
what do i need? a shoulder to cry on, a free babysitter, and an extra 10 hours a day to get everything done. a new job, a winning lottery ticket, and my mommy moving next door (yeah right!). the invention of teleportation and cheap clean energy, world peace... babies for all the couples struggling with infertility, and plenty of food for the hungry.
can you get that to me by noon? LMAO!
i got perspective, humor, AND support, all in one! thanks friend!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
baby joy moments - kinda
my toddler has kept me awfully busy lately and i've hardly posted anything ANYwhere. so here's a glimpse into my life:
LaLa got up too early and has been tired and snuggly (aka mommy is NOT allowed to work) all morning. she's trying to figure out how to go without naps. it's not working, but she's very stubborn that she SHOULD be able to do so.
so i'm snuggling her and jiggling her up and down, holding her over my head and tickling her ribs. she goes all limp and snuggly against me for a few minutes then makes me start over. again and again.
and here i am soaking in the goodness of these moments, and loving her snuggly self, and just being on mommy cloud 9, thinking these are the moments i'll cherish and remember forever. (and i will.)
then a certain odor starts to waft. while i thought she was going limp and boneless with joy and love, it was prompted by a certain other biological function. which can be equally pleasurable, sometimes, especially to those of us with limited experience. still.
mommy love, or getting a good stinky-poo out? the world may never know which it really was.
[i had drugged her with Tylenol after she refused to settle again at 7 a.m., and she's been perky and happy since, except tired and has to be still intermittently. she's climbing from one armchair to the next and to the sofa without touching down, and is so completely excited that she is the first person to ever think of this game. i'm dying laughing at her today!]
LaLa got up too early and has been tired and snuggly (aka mommy is NOT allowed to work) all morning. she's trying to figure out how to go without naps. it's not working, but she's very stubborn that she SHOULD be able to do so.
so i'm snuggling her and jiggling her up and down, holding her over my head and tickling her ribs. she goes all limp and snuggly against me for a few minutes then makes me start over. again and again.
and here i am soaking in the goodness of these moments, and loving her snuggly self, and just being on mommy cloud 9, thinking these are the moments i'll cherish and remember forever. (and i will.)
then a certain odor starts to waft. while i thought she was going limp and boneless with joy and love, it was prompted by a certain other biological function. which can be equally pleasurable, sometimes, especially to those of us with limited experience. still.
mommy love, or getting a good stinky-poo out? the world may never know which it really was.
[i had drugged her with Tylenol after she refused to settle again at 7 a.m., and she's been perky and happy since, except tired and has to be still intermittently. she's climbing from one armchair to the next and to the sofa without touching down, and is so completely excited that she is the first person to ever think of this game. i'm dying laughing at her today!]
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
MIA
i know, i've totally dropped the entertain-the-world ball this month. life has gotten in the way. between the big ugly Bankruptcy, and moving, packing, unpacking, organizing, and baby learning to walk and keeping me running after her all day, and trying to work my minimum hours, plus running errands every day of my damn life, keeping up with back-to-school, and trying to take a LITTLE time for my kids, and maybe a minute for me ... i'm freaking exhausted.
maybe next month i'll be able to keep one more ball in the air. no promises.
maybe next month i'll be able to keep one more ball in the air. no promises.
the latest meme
Welcome to the 2008 edition of getting to know your family and friends. Here is what you are supposed to do, and try not to be lame and spoil the fun. Change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then send this to a bunch of people you know, INCLUDING the person who sent it to you. Some of you may get this several times; that means you have lots of friends. The easiest way to do it is to hit 'forward' so you can change the answers or copy and paste. Have fun and be truthful!
1. What is your occupation right now? medical transcriptionist forever
2. What color are your socks right now? no socks! you can't make me wear socks!! (i rarely wear shoes)
3. What are you listening to right now? the Magnificent Seven, boys are watching
4. What was the last thing that you ate? burritos for dinner, yum
5. Can you drive a stick shift? prefer to
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Carol
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? oh yeah!
8. How old are you today? 38.5
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? golf; i'm a retard, i know
10. What is your favorite drink? mojito
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? i've streaked it with blonde, but never the whole thing
12. Favorite food? um, italian i guess, manicotti best
13. What is the last movie you watched? LaLa and i watched Hairspray again today
14. Favorite day of the year? Christmas
15. How do you vent anger? blogging, or w/ the girls in the baby bat cave/cafemom
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? fashion plates
17. What is your favorite season(s)? #1 spring, #2 fall, #3 summer, hahaha
18. Cherries or Blueberries? cherries, but only FRESH; blueberries are good but only cooked.
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? yup
20. Who is the most likely to respond? haven't decided to whom to send this yet...
21. Who is least likely to respond? see above
22. Living arrangements? just moved to an apartment we LOVE, DH, me, two sons, toddler daughter
23. When was the last time you cried? too long; i've saved up too many tears
24. What is on the floor of your closet? DH's shoes, laundry hamper
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Hayda
26. What did you do last night? um, lazed around
27. What are you most afraid of? something happening to my babies
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? do they come without cheese? but keep the *bleagh* spice
29. Favorite dog breed(s)? don't care for dogs; dog-loving friend sez i'd love an italian greyhound, so maybe someday
30. Favorite day of the week? monday i think
31. How many states have you lived in? AZ, UT, VA, CA, PA, NC = 6
32. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds are worth more :D
33. What is your favorite flower? dandelions (and mini carns)
1. What is your occupation right now? medical transcriptionist forever
2. What color are your socks right now? no socks! you can't make me wear socks!! (i rarely wear shoes)
3. What are you listening to right now? the Magnificent Seven, boys are watching
4. What was the last thing that you ate? burritos for dinner, yum
5. Can you drive a stick shift? prefer to
6. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Carol
7. Do you like the person who sent this to you? oh yeah!
8. How old are you today? 38.5
9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV? golf; i'm a retard, i know
10. What is your favorite drink? mojito
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? i've streaked it with blonde, but never the whole thing
12. Favorite food? um, italian i guess, manicotti best
13. What is the last movie you watched? LaLa and i watched Hairspray again today
14. Favorite day of the year? Christmas
15. How do you vent anger? blogging, or w/ the girls in the baby bat cave/cafemom
16. What was your favorite toy as a child? fashion plates
17. What is your favorite season(s)? #1 spring, #2 fall, #3 summer, hahaha
18. Cherries or Blueberries? cherries, but only FRESH; blueberries are good but only cooked.
19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back? yup
20. Who is the most likely to respond? haven't decided to whom to send this yet...
21. Who is least likely to respond? see above
22. Living arrangements? just moved to an apartment we LOVE, DH, me, two sons, toddler daughter
23. When was the last time you cried? too long; i've saved up too many tears
24. What is on the floor of your closet? DH's shoes, laundry hamper
25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to? Hayda
26. What did you do last night? um, lazed around
27. What are you most afraid of? something happening to my babies
28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburgers? do they come without cheese? but keep the *bleagh* spice
29. Favorite dog breed(s)? don't care for dogs; dog-loving friend sez i'd love an italian greyhound, so maybe someday
30. Favorite day of the week? monday i think
31. How many states have you lived in? AZ, UT, VA, CA, PA, NC = 6
32. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds are worth more :D
33. What is your favorite flower? dandelions (and mini carns)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
the "D" stands for...
what defines the "D" today?
DH got frisky the other night (this is news-worthy, as he's OLD and never was frisky frequently). he was playing with my heinie and i was saying how it's an old-lady heinie now; broad, saggy, and certainly not firm. he gave it a smack-kiss and said "I love your old-lady heinie!"
we've been together almost 18 years. there are only 3 or 4 moments that are this golden in those years. today he is a Dear, Dear Husband!
so long grandma
my dad's mom passed yesterday. this is actually good news; she was very sick, and tired of being here. her DH left her 4 or 5 years ago, and she's been lonely and failing all this time.
she was a great grandma for little kids. when i ran off and got married at 18, she was all for it, right up until she found out he wasn't Mormon and it wasn't a temple wedding. and i found out later she laid into my mom and told her it was all her fault. and i kinda stopped loving her as much then.
in later years, she got very grumpy and was mean a lot of the time for no good reason. and i didn't like her much then.
grandpa got the alzheimer's and they tried to stay in their own home too long. he was abusive in his age and she didn't know how to deal with it. when they moved to a "home," they lost most of their memories they had kept in their little house. i felt empathy for her then.
since grandpa left us, she's been a little old lady in a wheelchair, couldn't talk much, cried a lot when she saw people. and i cared again, but i didn't spend any time around her; partly b/c i live 3000 miles away.
i can't go to her funeral this weekend b/c of my imminent move, and i'm sorry i can't, which kinda surprised me. in the end, she was my grandma, and i loved her a lot once, so that's what i'm going to remember.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
we have lift-off!
my stubborn baby has taken a step on her own! she has all the skills she needs except confidence and desire to walk. she wouldn't even stand for more than a couple of seconds without support. today (7/21) she decided she could stand up. and she took a step or two. she had a pickle in her hand, like dumbo's feather. she stood for a full minute! then she took two steps and sat down. but ON HER OWN, she stood BACK up. she's figured out she can do this, and there will be no stopping her!
(7/23) she'll "stand up like a big girl!" for me pretty much any time. but she won't take steps unless she feels like it. often enough to keep us all coaxing her, but infrequent enough that we don't get spoiled, lol! and if she's got something clutched in her hands, she's much happier and more willing to try. it is so fun watching her little legs tremble while she focuses on trying to take a step.
her newest thing is to stand up like a big girl, and CLAP! ever since she learned to clap we all say "Yay, LaLa!" whenever she does it. so she stood up and tried to clap, but fell down. had to practice some. now she claps every time she stands up so we'll cheer her.
she's also learned how to shake her head NO. and she points at what she wants and squawks until she gets it. who needs words? if i try to feed her and she wants something else or is done, she clamps her lips shut, and PUCKERS so i can't slip anything in.
we are all dying laughing around here. it's hard work entertaining us, she sleeps extremely well. some nightmares and occasional night terrors. but the days are all sunny when you're a baby - or a baby mama!
(7/23) she'll "stand up like a big girl!" for me pretty much any time. but she won't take steps unless she feels like it. often enough to keep us all coaxing her, but infrequent enough that we don't get spoiled, lol! and if she's got something clutched in her hands, she's much happier and more willing to try. it is so fun watching her little legs tremble while she focuses on trying to take a step.
her newest thing is to stand up like a big girl, and CLAP! ever since she learned to clap we all say "Yay, LaLa!" whenever she does it. so she stood up and tried to clap, but fell down. had to practice some. now she claps every time she stands up so we'll cheer her.
she's also learned how to shake her head NO. and she points at what she wants and squawks until she gets it. who needs words? if i try to feed her and she wants something else or is done, she clamps her lips shut, and PUCKERS so i can't slip anything in.
we are all dying laughing around here. it's hard work entertaining us, she sleeps extremely well. some nightmares and occasional night terrors. but the days are all sunny when you're a baby - or a baby mama!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
silly kids
both of my sons have been in DIRE need of haircuts. i'm not a terrific hairdresser, but i do a pretty good job when it's kind of long and i cut a lot off (i haven't tried trimming just a little). for the past two months i've been BEGGING them to let me cut their hair. it's shaggy and snarly and really needed it.
Saturday, DH offered to take them golfing on a par-3 course. it sounded like lots of fun but it was HOT and i said 'NOBODY GOES UNLESS THEY GET A HAIRCUT!' so i got to trim them up.
#1 son is 11 now, and he looks so mature with his haircut. i was getting verklempt and hugging on him and saying "you're my baby but you look so grown-up!" (this is the funny part)
he immediately responded "It's just the haircut, mom; i'm 2-1/2 on the inside!" I laughed so hard. he's such a clown, and sometimes (a lot) it's obnoxious, but that one was hilarious! hadta share.
*************#2 son is 8-1/2 years old. he's been tearing through the Harry Potter books 1-5 for some time. i went upstairs at bedtime Monday evening to find he had started Harry Potter #6. i said to him, are you really old enough to read that??? (teasing) (then serious:) there are some scary parts in that one!
he replied: well, i highly doubt i'm going to get to those tonight!
sometimes they just sound so much like me. i'm so proud! obnoxious sense of humor and all!
Friday, June 13, 2008
next part of saga
Day Five Wed. 5/28
back at the ranch, DH has invited his mom to go with us on an outing. as he is discussing destinations, i realize i really don't want to subject LaLa to any more road trip than necessary; he wants to go for an hour's drive to a nice greenhouse/nursery we used to visit regularly. sounds fun enough, but we can't BUY anything! so i propose he take the boys and his mom and have some good quality time. (not going with MIL is my bonus!) this makes the car less crowded and gives them quality time after the fiasco of his trip-that-wasn't to visit her in april. they enjoy themselves thoroughly!
meanwhile, SIL, niece, and i shop! we do ikea, have lunch there. i have a chicken caesar to keep my garlic trend alive. LaLa loves the meatballs. then i drag them to michaels so i can purchase materials for my embroidery project. they don't have what i need for my "vision," so i regroup and make do. this isn't as easy as it looks!
the nephew (not previously mentioned), has just gotten engaged (OK, it's been months), and we go to his new apartment to see it and have pizza. in philadelphia, there's a pizza shop on every other corner, and i don't know how chains make it b/c everyone is a pizza snob and refuses to eat the mass-produced sort. the dough has to be exceptional, and the alchemy of blending flavors is vital to the experience. so even pizza is a sensory experience! (and garlicky!)
we had met the fiancee on day 3, and she's very sweet, enjoys the offbeat sense of humor that pervades the family. (that will change after the wedding!) they're a good couple, seem to really accept one another. and boy does LaLa give her baby fever! nephew is nearly 28, and she's 32, so i expect it won't be more than a year after the wedding before they're going for it!
Thursday, June 05, 2008
divorce
NOT mine. but my BFF, my matron of honor (and i was hers), married something like 15 years. and i don't know why - YET.
i'm in stunned disbelief. i have that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach - that "this must be a joke" reaction followed by OMG, it's not. the last time i had this feeling was when my SIL had breast cancer. and i felt guilty when i realized that - THIS was a choice, while that was not.
but divorce isn't unlike cancer. it often hits unawares. and it uproots and displaces so many lives - and most of these people AREN'T choosing it. so my reaction is reasonable; dropping the guilt.
i just hope she gets through this stronger, and doesn't regret her choice.
i'm in stunned disbelief. i have that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach - that "this must be a joke" reaction followed by OMG, it's not. the last time i had this feeling was when my SIL had breast cancer. and i felt guilty when i realized that - THIS was a choice, while that was not.
but divorce isn't unlike cancer. it often hits unawares. and it uproots and displaces so many lives - and most of these people AREN'T choosing it. so my reaction is reasonable; dropping the guilt.
i just hope she gets through this stronger, and doesn't regret her choice.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
part 4
Day Four Tues. 5/27
the graduation saturday will be semi-formal, and #2 son has no pants. (we planned to hit the stores on our trip when we discovered this before leaving.) so i drag both boys off to kohl's (best selection of different cuts, and my sons don't like to fit "standard" pants) to look at khaki's. it doesn't take long to find a pair that work. we find a stuffed animal display and the boys vote LaLa needs a "hop on pop" animal; Dr. Seuss is the theme, and i'd have picked something else, but asking their opinion means i have to be outvoted sometimes. *pout*
then we find the shopping center has a "discount" bookseller. between kids and me, we quickly spend $50 on a big bag full of books. (bookstores are one of our FAVORITE destinations!) i get a book on palmistry, which turns out to be even more fun than i'd hoped. looking at people's hands is fun!
on returning from shopping, LaLa LOVES her "pop" and deems him thumb-worthy (she will use him for a lovey while sucking her thumb). SCORE!
SIL and niece decide we all need to go italian (to their fave place) for lunch, and thus begins the first of several days of overindulgence in garlic for me. i order pesto ziti and caesar salad, and it's a little TOO much garlic. who knew this was possible? the kids and DH all get lunches that make them quite happy - #1 son, having been born in Philadelphia 'burbs, considers Philadelphia his home and is thrilled to get authentic cheese steak. it really does matter!
upon returning from the late lunch, we find BIL has come home early from work with Phillies! tickets! DH says they're having a guys' night out, and despite my slight chagrin, i agree to it. then as they're departing i find this means he's taking my sons to the ball game! i'd have loved to have gone, but LaLa wouldn't love it, and mommies make sacrifices every day. i'll get another chance. i'm actually pretty stoked that the boys get to go!
LaLa and i spend time relaxing every day and napping (it can be difficult to settle her for a nap, so we spend lots of time in bed, and by the time she drops off i'm often ready for a nap). we're sleeping on a futon, and it's not bad, but not great for me after a couple of days. the room is decorated with a large embroidered "tree of life" wall hanging, which fascinates LaLa. guess what my next project is? LaLa is loving this uncluttered house with lots of room to roam, and is showing off new tricks every day.
the girls hit friendly's for dinner to make life easy. when the boys get home from the game (at 10 pm), we find it was "hat night" at the Phillies! and they all got Phillies! hats! DOUBLE SCORE! this is just the best vaca ever!
the graduation saturday will be semi-formal, and #2 son has no pants. (we planned to hit the stores on our trip when we discovered this before leaving.) so i drag both boys off to kohl's (best selection of different cuts, and my sons don't like to fit "standard" pants) to look at khaki's. it doesn't take long to find a pair that work. we find a stuffed animal display and the boys vote LaLa needs a "hop on pop" animal; Dr. Seuss is the theme, and i'd have picked something else, but asking their opinion means i have to be outvoted sometimes. *pout*
then we find the shopping center has a "discount" bookseller. between kids and me, we quickly spend $50 on a big bag full of books. (bookstores are one of our FAVORITE destinations!) i get a book on palmistry, which turns out to be even more fun than i'd hoped. looking at people's hands is fun!
on returning from shopping, LaLa LOVES her "pop" and deems him thumb-worthy (she will use him for a lovey while sucking her thumb). SCORE!
SIL and niece decide we all need to go italian (to their fave place) for lunch, and thus begins the first of several days of overindulgence in garlic for me. i order pesto ziti and caesar salad, and it's a little TOO much garlic. who knew this was possible? the kids and DH all get lunches that make them quite happy - #1 son, having been born in Philadelphia 'burbs, considers Philadelphia his home and is thrilled to get authentic cheese steak. it really does matter!
upon returning from the late lunch, we find BIL has come home early from work with Phillies! tickets! DH says they're having a guys' night out, and despite my slight chagrin, i agree to it. then as they're departing i find this means he's taking my sons to the ball game! i'd have loved to have gone, but LaLa wouldn't love it, and mommies make sacrifices every day. i'll get another chance. i'm actually pretty stoked that the boys get to go!
LaLa and i spend time relaxing every day and napping (it can be difficult to settle her for a nap, so we spend lots of time in bed, and by the time she drops off i'm often ready for a nap). we're sleeping on a futon, and it's not bad, but not great for me after a couple of days. the room is decorated with a large embroidered "tree of life" wall hanging, which fascinates LaLa. guess what my next project is? LaLa is loving this uncluttered house with lots of room to roam, and is showing off new tricks every day.
the girls hit friendly's for dinner to make life easy. when the boys get home from the game (at 10 pm), we find it was "hat night" at the Phillies! and they all got Phillies! hats! DOUBLE SCORE! this is just the best vaca ever!
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
part three
Day Three. Mon., 5/26, Memorial Day
SIL gets up early. [[in addition to being intense and a gourmet chef, she's a genius like Einstein and doesn't need more than 4-5 hours of sleep per night. i used to be envious of her but now i'm just tired after a few days with her.]]
we are going to SIL's sister T's house for a BBQ/picnic. this would also be a Filipino sister, of course, though it's hardly relevant. SIL gets up at 7 a.m. and starts cooking. BIL takes DH and the boys over at 2. T has sons the same ages - she started late. at 3 the food is all ready to transport and off we go.
T and husband are high-powered folks, live in Villanova in a million-dollar home. with a live-in Filipino maid. these boys have every bit of sports equipment one can imagine and my sons have an amazing time. they go from playing baseball in the city-park-size (and landscaped) back yard, to the GAME ROOM, to trying out zip-boards (?rip-boards? something like that). spare shoes are easily found. T's DH is a tall man and her sons, while my sons' ages, are larger; we are loaded up with outgrown clothes and sports gear. hoot hoot! she so gently starts to ask if we would like some of their stuff and i just blurt "i'm
not proud, i'll take anything you've got!" b/c their castoffs are nicer than anything i can buy at my income level.
so the picnic includes proscuitto-wrapped asparagus, burgers and dogs for the kids, steak for the 'dults, LOBSTER, and let me tell you right now you have not lived until you have watched a Filipino attack a lobster. i have never seen my SIL (whom i have known for 17 years) eat this much. (she polished off two full lobsters herself!) they eat EVERY bit of that beast. suck out the mustard, eat up the egg, and it's fun to watch, just don't ask me to do it. i ate one claw and it tastes mostly like butter, hardly worth the effort. (my first lobster!)
dessert is where she really shines (or just what i appreciate most). strawberry tart on a shortbread crust coated with a thick layer of chocolate. the most amazing chocolate cheesecake you ever had - all others pale in comparison, and as smooth and silky as you could ask for. she modifies the process by combining a couple of different master techniques and it's well worth the effort and time. topped with a smattering of crumbs for texture.
kids have a blast. i cannot imagine a better vacation - visit a mansion, play with completely normal albeit incredibly privileged children, eat like kings. i'm going to hate going home.
part two
Day Two. Sun., 5/25/08.
LaLa starts nursing this morning. when it's time for the second feeding, i find grandpa's recliner and rock her and she nurses without fussing again. hallelujah! hoping this trend continues. she's VERY TIRED. off we go to Philadelphia!
the drive goes awesome, no delays. arriving around 2, we're so excited to see brother and his wife, and they to see us. LaLa gets some BIG-TIME adoration! MIL comes over for dinner and niece is there all day. good fun unstructured time.
a much less eventful day overall. SIL is a gourmet chef, asks what the boys like to eat. she constructs marinated chicken breasts and a beautiful paella, in addition to an amazing salad, with oranges and beets and suchlike. (never serves anything but homemade dressing either, of course - and if you ask, she'll tell you how to make it - it's all easy to her!) SIL is also Filipino, but has been in the U.S. for MANY years, since college, so almost 30 years. so much seafood! i'm not a huge seafood eater but no matter - everyone enjoys her cooking!
she is also also a very intense person and we discuss Important Things until late at night.
Monday, June 02, 2008
travelogue part 1
the good news is, the first day was the worst. but i didn't know that until it was over!
Day One. Sat., 5/24/08
We get up, get the car loaded, leave about when we planned to, and drive from Winston-Salem, NC, to Richmond, VA. Stage One of the drive went REALLY smoothly. My grandfather lives with my aunt and her family there, and we plan to spend the night. She's actually younger than my DH and her kids are 14 and 8, so with mine nearly-11 and 8, and nearly-1, we all enjoy each others' company in many ways.
But the baby isn't cooperating. i normally nurse her at 6:30 and again at 9:30 a.m., and 5-6 times in a 24-hour period. she refused to nurse before we got in the car, and again at lunch. not too worrisome as she had plenty to eat otherwise.
Then we arrive and she is STILL refusing to nurse. i'm in pain, anxious, worried, and hormonal. i spent the next 18 hours trying to coax her to nurse. she ends up nursing only at 7 a.m. sat. (before we left - and normal), again at 7 p.m. sat., and again at 7 a.m. sunday. this makes the mama a complete WRECK.
we did enjoy our visit with the VA family. i, however, am stressed to the max about how long the baby will be on strike and what the whole trip is going to do to us. almost ready to turn around and go home!
their air mattress leaked for the first time, and i got up at 2 a.m. to express a little bit b/c the BBs are 3x their normal size and HURT and leaking. did i mention i'm a wreck? baby isn't sleeping well b/c she's HUNGRY, but won't nurse, and she's cranky.
up we get and after a leisurely start to the day, off we go to Philadelphia! The kids rode bikes on Sat. with their cousins, then had a water fight that resulted in completely soaked children and clothing, particularly THEIR ONLY SHOES. even with sitting out overnight and a run through the dryer in the a.m., they were still soaked. so we stopped at CVS for flip-flops and mock-crocs. at least they have something else to wear.
see part 2 for more!
Day One. Sat., 5/24/08
We get up, get the car loaded, leave about when we planned to, and drive from Winston-Salem, NC, to Richmond, VA. Stage One of the drive went REALLY smoothly. My grandfather lives with my aunt and her family there, and we plan to spend the night. She's actually younger than my DH and her kids are 14 and 8, so with mine nearly-11 and 8, and nearly-1, we all enjoy each others' company in many ways.
But the baby isn't cooperating. i normally nurse her at 6:30 and again at 9:30 a.m., and 5-6 times in a 24-hour period. she refused to nurse before we got in the car, and again at lunch. not too worrisome as she had plenty to eat otherwise.
Then we arrive and she is STILL refusing to nurse. i'm in pain, anxious, worried, and hormonal. i spent the next 18 hours trying to coax her to nurse. she ends up nursing only at 7 a.m. sat. (before we left - and normal), again at 7 p.m. sat., and again at 7 a.m. sunday. this makes the mama a complete WRECK.
we did enjoy our visit with the VA family. i, however, am stressed to the max about how long the baby will be on strike and what the whole trip is going to do to us. almost ready to turn around and go home!
their air mattress leaked for the first time, and i got up at 2 a.m. to express a little bit b/c the BBs are 3x their normal size and HURT and leaking. did i mention i'm a wreck? baby isn't sleeping well b/c she's HUNGRY, but won't nurse, and she's cranky.
up we get and after a leisurely start to the day, off we go to Philadelphia! The kids rode bikes on Sat. with their cousins, then had a water fight that resulted in completely soaked children and clothing, particularly THEIR ONLY SHOES. even with sitting out overnight and a run through the dryer in the a.m., they were still soaked. so we stopped at CVS for flip-flops and mock-crocs. at least they have something else to wear.
see part 2 for more!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
a day in the life
my company invited a submission of an essay or poem about my experience as a medical transcriptionist. this is what i came up with.
working working all day long
drinking coffee, never stopping
listening, covering ears and listening
tap-tap-tap - what was that?
hushing kids and background noises
trying to figure out foreign voices
looking up words that don't make sense
what the heck kind of instruments?
silence dragging, docs um-hum-ing
was that his right hand? or his left?
flagging errors, my nerves are strumming
medical words dancing through my dreams
wake up and start all over again
working working all day long
drinking coffee, never stopping
listening, covering ears and listening
tap-tap-tap - what was that?
hushing kids and background noises
trying to figure out foreign voices
looking up words that don't make sense
what the heck kind of instruments?
silence dragging, docs um-hum-ing
was that his right hand? or his left?
flagging errors, my nerves are strumming
medical words dancing through my dreams
wake up and start all over again
Thursday, May 15, 2008
green sugar
as you can see from my links, i've been a fan of DOOCE! for some time. (thanks, alana!) reading some of her interviews today, i'm reminded more of why we blog. it's to tell the stories we'd share with our girlfriends if we weren't so isolated in our modern lives.
so here's my story. a couple of nights ago i sent #1 son (age almost 11, or almost 12 if you believe his line) downstairs after bedtime to fetch something for me. 10 minutes later he came back. i asked him what he'd been doing all that time, and he said "Nothing."
then i looked at his face and saw smears of green around his mouth. "Son," i said, "Son, what have you been eating?"
smirk. "the sugar you put on cookies at christmas." "Son, you know better." "yes, but it's SO GOOD!" with a smirk that says 'i know i should be in trouble, but i'm too cute to punish for this!'
and he was right. i laughed and said don't do it again. i was certainly guilty of worse when _I_ was 10, or 11, or whatever age the child claims today. i used to take baggies full of cereal out of the cupboard for a snack - without asking, and without telling. and at bedtime i'd take a slice of white bread and DIP it in the sugar canister. yum. my sainted mother still doesn't know about that! (i don't think she reads my blog, either.)
so yesterday, when i was lecturing the children about not lying about doing something stupid, b/c i'm gonna find out, and i'm more upset about lying than about the act, i used the green sugar story as an example.
laughing again, #1 son says, "yeah, you caught me red-handed!" and of course i had to add - "or green-faced!" and we all laughed.
as long as we're laughing i'm doing a good job.
so here's my story. a couple of nights ago i sent #1 son (age almost 11, or almost 12 if you believe his line) downstairs after bedtime to fetch something for me. 10 minutes later he came back. i asked him what he'd been doing all that time, and he said "Nothing."
then i looked at his face and saw smears of green around his mouth. "Son," i said, "Son, what have you been eating?"
smirk. "the sugar you put on cookies at christmas." "Son, you know better." "yes, but it's SO GOOD!" with a smirk that says 'i know i should be in trouble, but i'm too cute to punish for this!'
and he was right. i laughed and said don't do it again. i was certainly guilty of worse when _I_ was 10, or 11, or whatever age the child claims today. i used to take baggies full of cereal out of the cupboard for a snack - without asking, and without telling. and at bedtime i'd take a slice of white bread and DIP it in the sugar canister. yum. my sainted mother still doesn't know about that! (i don't think she reads my blog, either.)
so yesterday, when i was lecturing the children about not lying about doing something stupid, b/c i'm gonna find out, and i'm more upset about lying than about the act, i used the green sugar story as an example.
laughing again, #1 son says, "yeah, you caught me red-handed!" and of course i had to add - "or green-faced!" and we all laughed.
as long as we're laughing i'm doing a good job.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
DROWNING!
man, i have been coming way too close to living up to my blog title lately. what up with that, huh?
so chatting around about the duggers, who are freaking nuts btw, pregnant with #19 now. and found someone's comment about the russian peasant woman who bore 69 children in the 1700s:
That's not a woman, that's a uterus with legs!
ms. dugger shall hereafter be known as a uterus with legs. talk about addiction!
Happy Mother's Day!
*edit* yes, it's #18. my bad.
the Russian peasant lady did not have any single births. she had twins, triplets, and quads, and 67 of them survived childhood. talk about your Motherland!
so chatting around about the duggers, who are freaking nuts btw, pregnant with #19 now. and found someone's comment about the russian peasant woman who bore 69 children in the 1700s:
That's not a woman, that's a uterus with legs!
ms. dugger shall hereafter be known as a uterus with legs. talk about addiction!
Happy Mother's Day!
*edit* yes, it's #18. my bad.
the Russian peasant lady did not have any single births. she had twins, triplets, and quads, and 67 of them survived childhood. talk about your Motherland!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
on addiction
some time ago, i had an encounter with a homeless man which really started me thinking.
i pulled into sam's club to do my weekly shopping. i passed a homeless man on the side of the road at the entrance, with the typical signage - please help, anything is appreciated! and i had my usual thought process - i can't give him cash, he'd just spend it on booze. i'm not sure where that indoctrination came from but it's unassailable in my mind now. so i pondered for a moment, and thought "i'll get him a squishy chicken." (my darling sons named the roast chicken from sam's so b/c of its wonderfully tender and flavorful nature.)
i was so proud of myself. i actually remembered this intent through the store, bought the extra chicken, remembered to load the car with the squishy up front, even remembered when exiting sam's to go back toward the entrance to give the chicken to this gentleman.
here's where it gets interesting. feeling very virtuous, i pulled up to him and put down the window.
"Hey, how ya doing?"
'If i was any better, i wouldn't be here!' he says, with only slightly crusty attitude.
"Oops, yeah, i knew that was stupid question by the time it left my mouth. Can you use this?" and i handed him the chicken.
His whole face lit up. he took it, saying 'Bless you!' over and over. and when he lifted it from my hands, he was transformed. 'It's still warm!' he was so grateful.
i turned the car around to get out of the parking lot. i thought to regret that i had no plastic-ware to give him to facilitate eating the chicken, but remembered a wad of napkins in my purse from our last trip to the movies. i gleaned out the ones that weren't too crumpled and returned to his side.
he had already ripped into the chicken. he took the napkins, blessing me again. and i thought to say - "oh, do you want the crumpled ones, too?"
'i live in the woods, i'll take them all!'
i can have a squishy chicken any time i want, and i don't think of it as a miracle. i can go to the movies (it's infrequent with our recent financial stress, but we still do go), and get popcorn and pick up wads of napkins. i don't think of someone as a saint to share crumpled napkins so i don't have to soil my clothing.
who am i to judge and assume he's an alcoholic? there but for the grace of God go i. and i'm an addict to junk food and overeating, and cannot control myself (but i'm starting to try harder). who am i to judge and feel superior?
i've looked for this homeless man every time i go out. i wanted to bring him more food, and maybe a little more compassion and caring, and a little less self-congratulation. i wanted to touch his life. but i haven't seen him since, and i know he's touched mine.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
why i don't watch the news
so my day is off to a good start. yesterday the kitchen circuit blew, and it appears to be a short in the wiring, so a nice hefty electrician bill today (hasn't come yet, but i'm certain of it). the appliances are fine, nothing is spoiling, but i can't see to cook b/c the lights are out.
get up this morning to call the electrician. my internet won't connect. i rebooted the computer, the modem, the wireless, all twice. no dice. so i went in the TV room to call the cable company. turned on the TV to check whether i had ANY cable function.
CNN scares me. they're predicting things like oil prices doubling AGAIN. how the hell will anyone be able to live? there will be riots, panic, food riots! our country is very dependent on oil for everything - products are trucked everywhere, and the cost of transportation very much affects the price of food.
so i come to the computer to look for a story i can READ about oil futures. maybe i heard CNN wrong - on the internet, they're talking about an increase from $100 to $120 a barrel on oil. still ANOTHER blow to the gut, but a smaller one, anyway.
but the internet also talks about current food shortages worldwide. if gas and food both double in cost AGAIN, society will fall apart.
i want to go buy 100 pounds of beans and rice, and go hide in my basement. you can live on beans and rice for a long time!
there are people who ENJOY hearing bad news. i'm not one of them.
get up this morning to call the electrician. my internet won't connect. i rebooted the computer, the modem, the wireless, all twice. no dice. so i went in the TV room to call the cable company. turned on the TV to check whether i had ANY cable function.
CNN scares me. they're predicting things like oil prices doubling AGAIN. how the hell will anyone be able to live? there will be riots, panic, food riots! our country is very dependent on oil for everything - products are trucked everywhere, and the cost of transportation very much affects the price of food.
so i come to the computer to look for a story i can READ about oil futures. maybe i heard CNN wrong - on the internet, they're talking about an increase from $100 to $120 a barrel on oil. still ANOTHER blow to the gut, but a smaller one, anyway.
but the internet also talks about current food shortages worldwide. if gas and food both double in cost AGAIN, society will fall apart.
i want to go buy 100 pounds of beans and rice, and go hide in my basement. you can live on beans and rice for a long time!
there are people who ENJOY hearing bad news. i'm not one of them.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
did you know?...
a song that gets stuck in your head is called an earworm???
me, i have chronic earworms. this is just the latest - and funniest!
me, i have chronic earworms. this is just the latest - and funniest!
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
breakfast thoughts
i buy rye bread every few months for a treat. b/c obviously i LOVE it. i love rye toast with real butter. nothing like it.
only thing - i HATE CARAWAY SEEDS. almost as much as horseradish.
and i bought the wrong damn bread. so this morning for breakfast i just choked down a single slice of toast as fast as possible, and it's no damn treat! and i'm doing well to be only saying damn this morning!
*sigh* Wii will make it up to me later.
did i mention i finally found a Wii in the store? on Sunday? and it's running hot b/c it hasn't been off since? and yesterday i got EXERCISE from it? hm. how could i have neglected to do so - unless i was too busy PLAYING!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
