Talking in Parenthesis
Ramblings and angst from a mostly stay at home mom
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us. It is in everyone. And as we let our light shine, we give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. -Nelson Mandela
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Three Things Thursday
We spent the day at the zoo yesterday so in honor of that today's issue will actually be 6 things, one for each kid.
Favorite animals at the zoo.
1. Brit, the oldest. Despite the cool teenage facade he enjoyed himself. His favorite animals were the polar bears. When asked why he reply was, duh. Ah teenagers.
2. Clay, the next oldest. He wants to be Jeff Corwin when he grows up, so all of the reptiles were his favorite, especially the King Cobra.
3. Franklin,my observer, he took a notebook with him to write his observations and thoughts. He loves all birds, his favorites were the Golden Conures. Very beautiful and very rare.
4. Nate, my youngest son and speed demon. He is in love with cheetahs. Their sleek lines, speed and of course cool spots.
5. Alli, my kindergartener. She also loved the polar bears. She explained, it was because they were swimming, playing and having fun. They looked like me in the pool, she said.
6. Emma, the baby, her very favorites are giraffes. Tiny baby giraffes and big mommy giraffes. Ron asked her why she likes them and she simply said, Daddy, they are big. Jeez...
It was a great day, good weather, good company and a good time had by all.
Favorite animals at the zoo.
1. Brit, the oldest. Despite the cool teenage facade he enjoyed himself. His favorite animals were the polar bears. When asked why he reply was, duh. Ah teenagers.
2. Clay, the next oldest. He wants to be Jeff Corwin when he grows up, so all of the reptiles were his favorite, especially the King Cobra.
3. Franklin,my observer, he took a notebook with him to write his observations and thoughts. He loves all birds, his favorites were the Golden Conures. Very beautiful and very rare.
4. Nate, my youngest son and speed demon. He is in love with cheetahs. Their sleek lines, speed and of course cool spots.
5. Alli, my kindergartener. She also loved the polar bears. She explained, it was because they were swimming, playing and having fun. They looked like me in the pool, she said.
6. Emma, the baby, her very favorites are giraffes. Tiny baby giraffes and big mommy giraffes. Ron asked her why she likes them and she simply said, Daddy, they are big. Jeez...
It was a great day, good weather, good company and a good time had by all.
Monday, March 27, 2006
Spring Break
Today is the first day of spring break for the kids. I did have a house full until a few minutes ago. Brit, Clay and Franklin each with a friend went down to the creek to check for signs of spring. Not sure what that is, but I am sure it involves slimy things. Nate and his friend are building a huge city and track for their cars. And the girls are "planting" in the flower pots on the porch, while listening to the songs from Lazy Town. Great I am going have those songs running through my head the rest of the day, they are very catchy, dang it.
Spring break used to mean going to visit my Grandparents in New Mexico, we would go at Thanksgiving, when they were in Las Vegas, New Mexico and when they moved to Roswell we went on spring break and summers. Oh and Roswell was not nearly as exciting as you think. That was before they embraced their alien roots. They had one museum and zoo that had a monkey that played with himself. We spent a lot of time out at Bitter Lakes Wildlife Refuge. Of course now we can't do the vacationing thing like I did when I was a kid. Brit has baseball practice and a game. Franklin has a science fair project to do, Clay a speech to write, there are no real vacations anymore. Kids have way to much to do. Whatever happened to unstructured free play? Just playing for playing sake. I am seen as freak by lots of my parent peer because I don't have camps, lessons etc lined up for spring break and have only a few things for the summer. Maybe I am nuts but I want my kids to be kids. To play, wade in the creek, swim at the pool, swing in the park, play make believe games... When did being a kid become a bad thing?
Spring break used to mean going to visit my Grandparents in New Mexico, we would go at Thanksgiving, when they were in Las Vegas, New Mexico and when they moved to Roswell we went on spring break and summers. Oh and Roswell was not nearly as exciting as you think. That was before they embraced their alien roots. They had one museum and zoo that had a monkey that played with himself. We spent a lot of time out at Bitter Lakes Wildlife Refuge. Of course now we can't do the vacationing thing like I did when I was a kid. Brit has baseball practice and a game. Franklin has a science fair project to do, Clay a speech to write, there are no real vacations anymore. Kids have way to much to do. Whatever happened to unstructured free play? Just playing for playing sake. I am seen as freak by lots of my parent peer because I don't have camps, lessons etc lined up for spring break and have only a few things for the summer. Maybe I am nuts but I want my kids to be kids. To play, wade in the creek, swim at the pool, swing in the park, play make believe games... When did being a kid become a bad thing?
Friday, March 24, 2006
Reason number 543 why I love Colorado
Took these a couple of summers ago. I love sunsets here after major thunderstorms.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Three Things Thursday
Hmmm a theme, I think I need a theme hey I know. Three TV shows I never miss.
1. Law and Order: Criminal Intent. Please I don't care how creepy, weird, whatever you thing Goren is. I like the character, I like Vincent D'Onofrio, I like the way the show works. Although the quality of the stories sometimes isn't as good as the first seasons, I still like it.
2. The Shield. I am still in shock they killed Lem Tuesday night. Sigh. Can't wait for the new season. Great show, sometimes hard to watch but amazing writing. And Forest Whitaker, wow.
3. Scrubs. I love that sow. One of the few sitcoms I will watch. The writing is funny, without being dumbed down, yet has some slapstick stuff that you can't help but laugh at.
a couple shows that are no longer on that I never missed watching.
1. Homicide:Life on the Streets. That was one of the very best shows ever, very smart. Andre Braugher's character is one of my very favorites. And hey Vincent even guested in an episode, The Subway.
2. American Dreams. I loved that show and was very sad when it was cancelled. I guess there wasn't enough blowing up and sex going on, sigh
1. Law and Order: Criminal Intent. Please I don't care how creepy, weird, whatever you thing Goren is. I like the character, I like Vincent D'Onofrio, I like the way the show works. Although the quality of the stories sometimes isn't as good as the first seasons, I still like it.
2. The Shield. I am still in shock they killed Lem Tuesday night. Sigh. Can't wait for the new season. Great show, sometimes hard to watch but amazing writing. And Forest Whitaker, wow.
3. Scrubs. I love that sow. One of the few sitcoms I will watch. The writing is funny, without being dumbed down, yet has some slapstick stuff that you can't help but laugh at.
a couple shows that are no longer on that I never missed watching.
1. Homicide:Life on the Streets. That was one of the very best shows ever, very smart. Andre Braugher's character is one of my very favorites. And hey Vincent even guested in an episode, The Subway.
2. American Dreams. I loved that show and was very sad when it was cancelled. I guess there wasn't enough blowing up and sex going on, sigh
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Bent, Broken and Damaged
I think the last little bit of cool I still had according to Brit is gone. Broken beyond repair. He now thinks I am a HUGE dork as opposed to the minor dork I was before. And what did I do that caused such a cool break down? I danced, not only did I dance but I danced dorky and to a painfully uncool song. What was I dancing to? The theme song from Barney? Pat Boone? Sonny and Cher? Nope worse. Morris Day and the Time. Remember them? They were in Prince's movie Purple Rain. And the song was The Bird and it's dance. Oh well it was bound to happen someday...
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
Coloring Nice and other Tuesday Things
Alli has decided what makes her a big girl and Emma not. Coloring nice. Of course nice is open to debate. Emma says she colors nice because she uses lots of colors and doesn't eat or break them. Alli rolled her eyes at that description. Sometimes the girls are too much like me.
The sun is out but it is still cold here today, only 21 degrees at 11:30 am. Guess baseball will be postponed yet again. Ugh. That will put Brit in a bad mood for another day. I don't know if I am going to survive the teen moodiness. I never know when a simple question is going to be met with ugliness, indifference or happiness. And girls are supposed to be worse? What the heck was I thinking?
I can't decide if Emma is trying to be sick or trying to punish me. I made the girls chicken noodle sop for lunch. She had about 2 bites and told me she was done. I asked her to please eat a few more bites. Well she did, then walked to me, gagged and then threw up all the soup and juice on the floor. (I love my carpet cleaner!) Then she said see, told you I was full up. She was fine and even ate a little more on her own. But now she is asleep, and she never falls asleep before we take Alli to the bus. Only time will tell I guess.
I hope my split peas soup finishes cooking for dinner. I got up, chopped and put everything in the crockpot. A few hours later I wondered why I didn’t smell it yet. Duh, I forgot to plug the dumb thing in, turned it on but that doesn't help if it isn't plugged in.
Also in the same vein, my laundry is now behind because I forgot to turn on the stupid dryer. I do that way too often. You would think that as many loads of laundry I do I would remember.
Crud, it is windy. Did I mention how much I hate the wind?
The sun is out but it is still cold here today, only 21 degrees at 11:30 am. Guess baseball will be postponed yet again. Ugh. That will put Brit in a bad mood for another day. I don't know if I am going to survive the teen moodiness. I never know when a simple question is going to be met with ugliness, indifference or happiness. And girls are supposed to be worse? What the heck was I thinking?
I can't decide if Emma is trying to be sick or trying to punish me. I made the girls chicken noodle sop for lunch. She had about 2 bites and told me she was done. I asked her to please eat a few more bites. Well she did, then walked to me, gagged and then threw up all the soup and juice on the floor. (I love my carpet cleaner!) Then she said see, told you I was full up. She was fine and even ate a little more on her own. But now she is asleep, and she never falls asleep before we take Alli to the bus. Only time will tell I guess.
I hope my split peas soup finishes cooking for dinner. I got up, chopped and put everything in the crockpot. A few hours later I wondered why I didn’t smell it yet. Duh, I forgot to plug the dumb thing in, turned it on but that doesn't help if it isn't plugged in.
Also in the same vein, my laundry is now behind because I forgot to turn on the stupid dryer. I do that way too often. You would think that as many loads of laundry I do I would remember.
Crud, it is windy. Did I mention how much I hate the wind?
Monday, March 20, 2006
Monday Observations
It is snowing here today. Not the minor blizzard that was predicted but a good amount. Enough to make people drive stupid. Plus it is windy, and we all know how much I love the wind. Waiting for the bus should be fun.
My dog is strange. Buddy is a rescued beagle/basset mix. However I think he thinks he is part Huskie. He loves just sitting in the snow. Just right on the back porch. That would be okay except he has very short hair and gets cold and wet quickly. He will sit out there shivering if I don't make him come in. Weirdo.
My cats are also weird. They will no longer drink water from a bowl. They will only drink from my fountain. I guess they like the "fresh running" water. Weirdos.
Is there something on the Y chromosome that cancels out the ability to see things right in front of a person? This I went through this with 6 of the male members of the house. Ron, the boys and the dog. Arrggghhh!
Why do people only scrap off one small part of their windshield to drive in snow? That is one of my pet peeves. That and leaving tons of snow on your hood and roof so it either blows up into the windshield or when you stop it slides on to windshield.
There is something very satisfying about making footprints, the first footprints in deep snow. I also like walking in slush, not really wet slush but I guess slushy snow.
I love watching Alli color. She is so focused on the task, very serious. I will have to ask my mom if colored with the same intensity. She however isn't very interested in coloring coloring books. She draws her own pictures and then colors those. Right now it is a bunny with spots in a field with flowers. My dad is an artist so maybe she got his talent, because it sure skipped me. Stick figures are a challenge for me.
I haven't been stitching must lately and I have no idea why. To motivate myself I joined a bookmark swap group. I have to stitch and send a bookmark by April 15th. Maybe that will get the crafty bug going again
I am not sure why I watch Animal Cops, it is very depressing to see how some people treat their animals. If they will treat something that will unconditionally love them without talking back, what would they do to a child that talks back?
And one final example of my weird pets. My bird has favorite songs that it loves to dance to, right now it is anything by The Black Eyed Peas and B-52's. Interesting mix eh?
My dog is strange. Buddy is a rescued beagle/basset mix. However I think he thinks he is part Huskie. He loves just sitting in the snow. Just right on the back porch. That would be okay except he has very short hair and gets cold and wet quickly. He will sit out there shivering if I don't make him come in. Weirdo.
My cats are also weird. They will no longer drink water from a bowl. They will only drink from my fountain. I guess they like the "fresh running" water. Weirdos.
Is there something on the Y chromosome that cancels out the ability to see things right in front of a person? This I went through this with 6 of the male members of the house. Ron, the boys and the dog. Arrggghhh!
Why do people only scrap off one small part of their windshield to drive in snow? That is one of my pet peeves. That and leaving tons of snow on your hood and roof so it either blows up into the windshield or when you stop it slides on to windshield.
There is something very satisfying about making footprints, the first footprints in deep snow. I also like walking in slush, not really wet slush but I guess slushy snow.
I love watching Alli color. She is so focused on the task, very serious. I will have to ask my mom if colored with the same intensity. She however isn't very interested in coloring coloring books. She draws her own pictures and then colors those. Right now it is a bunny with spots in a field with flowers. My dad is an artist so maybe she got his talent, because it sure skipped me. Stick figures are a challenge for me.
I haven't been stitching must lately and I have no idea why. To motivate myself I joined a bookmark swap group. I have to stitch and send a bookmark by April 15th. Maybe that will get the crafty bug going again
I am not sure why I watch Animal Cops, it is very depressing to see how some people treat their animals. If they will treat something that will unconditionally love them without talking back, what would they do to a child that talks back?
And one final example of my weird pets. My bird has favorite songs that it loves to dance to, right now it is anything by The Black Eyed Peas and B-52's. Interesting mix eh?
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Winter? Spring? Who knows...
Welcome to springtme in the Rockies. We are currently under a winter storm watch. Which means we might get snow, we might not. But right now it is raining, hard. Wonder what I will wake up to tomorrow. Ugh I walk to work too..
Oh and my rant for the day. I hate people. Well maybe that it a little strong but jeez. I had a guy sneeze right in my face today when I was helping him. No excuse me, sorry or anything. GROSS. Then I on my way home I stopped at Fantastic Sams to get my hair cut. Which I don't like, but that is whole different rant, maybe tomorrow. There is a really nice guy who cuts hair that from Russia, gives seriously the best shampoo I have ever had. Anyways, this man came in and just talked terrible to him. He has a thick accent, but he is understandable and speaks and understands English perfect. This guy spoke to him like he was an idiot. I don't understand what makes people think that just because they are paying for a service they can treat people like dirt. Which brings me to the last example of my day. I stopped at Safeway to pick up salt of all things. When I went to check out their was a guy in front of me, I didn't pay attention to what he was buying but I guess t rang up wrong. This guy screamed at the poor checker, didn't even give her a chance to fix it before he started screaming. By the time I got there she as almost in tears, his attack was that bad. I got her to laugh, told her I hoped her day was better, that type of stuff. But jeez over a few bucks? All I can think of it what my Father in law says, God don't like ugly.
Oh and my rant for the day. I hate people. Well maybe that it a little strong but jeez. I had a guy sneeze right in my face today when I was helping him. No excuse me, sorry or anything. GROSS. Then I on my way home I stopped at Fantastic Sams to get my hair cut. Which I don't like, but that is whole different rant, maybe tomorrow. There is a really nice guy who cuts hair that from Russia, gives seriously the best shampoo I have ever had. Anyways, this man came in and just talked terrible to him. He has a thick accent, but he is understandable and speaks and understands English perfect. This guy spoke to him like he was an idiot. I don't understand what makes people think that just because they are paying for a service they can treat people like dirt. Which brings me to the last example of my day. I stopped at Safeway to pick up salt of all things. When I went to check out their was a guy in front of me, I didn't pay attention to what he was buying but I guess t rang up wrong. This guy screamed at the poor checker, didn't even give her a chance to fix it before he started screaming. By the time I got there she as almost in tears, his attack was that bad. I got her to laugh, told her I hoped her day was better, that type of stuff. But jeez over a few bucks? All I can think of it what my Father in law says, God don't like ugly.
Friday, March 17, 2006
This Says Spring to Me
Clay at bat. I think he walked this at bat.
As you can see Clay is the catcher. He loves it takes it very seriously. His whole personality changes when he puts on his equipment. He goes from happy go lucky to serious and focused. I love watching it.
I just liked this picture. I still have no idea how he gets that hair under his helmet and hat. Sometimes he wears a skull cap, but to me that looks funnier, with all that hair sticking out under the skull cap. Ah but he loves his hair.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Three Things Thursday
I am in a springy mood today, so here are three things I like about it early spring.
1. Spring snow storms. Here in Colorado March is our snowiest month followed by April. Spring snows are a different creature from winter snow. One it isn't as cold, that is nice. And usually as soon as the storm is over we have the most beautiful bright sun and blue sky.
2. New growth, trees budding, grass greening up and bulbs poking through the earth.
3. The smell of spring. Their is a warmth and softness in the air. The cold isn't as bone chilling in the morning, there is a gentle feel to air.
Oh and one bonus one
4. Baseball. Although the Rockies are making that one hard.
1. Spring snow storms. Here in Colorado March is our snowiest month followed by April. Spring snows are a different creature from winter snow. One it isn't as cold, that is nice. And usually as soon as the storm is over we have the most beautiful bright sun and blue sky.
2. New growth, trees budding, grass greening up and bulbs poking through the earth.
3. The smell of spring. Their is a warmth and softness in the air. The cold isn't as bone chilling in the morning, there is a gentle feel to air.
Oh and one bonus one
4. Baseball. Although the Rockies are making that one hard.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Reason number 756
Reason number 756 why I hated high school. Well maybe not hated but didn't really enjoy the whole experience. Cliques, exclusions of people just because. Just because they aren't "beautiful", don't party, because they blinked funny, whatever. So what brought this up? Today we had a new mom at the bus stop. She is more like me that oversexed young single mom on the hunt, the other mom. I said hello and started to include her in our conversation. But Mom on the hunt wouldn't allow that, she turned her her back and continued her story on how many men hit on her at the gym. No matter what I did, she countered by doing everything in her power to exclude the new Mom. I hate that. I hated that in high school and I hate it now. I just don't understand why some people feel the need to exclude others, to make other feel bad. I have relatives like that, one too toxic for me to be around anymore. Thankfully Mom on the hunt doesn't make it to the bus stop but a couple times a week, so maybe I can get to know the other mom.
Oh we got some good news yesterday on Nate's teeth. They are progressing great. So far so good, they are still alive, or at least not dying. He has to wear the splint for another 4 to 6 weeks, and then they will start to root canals and all the other procedures. Nate is still handling this far beyond his years. He still wants to go out and play and has so much excess energy that we could power Denver for years. But other than that, he is great. Hopefully he will be released to do some playing next week and then we have spring break, and I hope he can go outside then. For all of us!
Oh we got some good news yesterday on Nate's teeth. They are progressing great. So far so good, they are still alive, or at least not dying. He has to wear the splint for another 4 to 6 weeks, and then they will start to root canals and all the other procedures. Nate is still handling this far beyond his years. He still wants to go out and play and has so much excess energy that we could power Denver for years. But other than that, he is great. Hopefully he will be released to do some playing next week and then we have spring break, and I hope he can go outside then. For all of us!
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
What Megan needs...
Found this idea over on Gwen's Blog and loved it. She got it from somebody else so keep passing it on. The idea is to put you name and needs ( Megan needs) in parenthesis on google. So here are my top ten.
1. Megan needs...help. Umm well yes in all areas. Especially folding fitted sheets this morning.
2. Megan needs... additional monthly funding. Don't we all?
3. Megan needs...a theme song. Never thought of it, yes maybe I do. Any suggestions?
4. Megan needs...a stripper. What? Huh? I don't really think so.
5. Megan needs...coffee. Yes, I do, something creamy and not good for me from Starbucks. Yep that is what I need.
6. Megan needs... specialist surgery. Not unless there is something google knows that I don't. And with google you never know.
7. Megan needs...10 volunteers. Yes, to help with folding my fitted sheets.
8. Megan needs...to be rewarded for all her hard work. Don't we all? But I think we need as Moms need it more, whether we are stay at home or work out of the home.
9. Megan needs... independence. I think I have that on pretty covered.
10. Megan needs...a complete redo of her bedroom. Yes I agree with that. Right now it is decorated in comtempo left over and modern kid. Yes I definitely agree with this one.
That was fun!
1. Megan needs...help. Umm well yes in all areas. Especially folding fitted sheets this morning.
2. Megan needs... additional monthly funding. Don't we all?
3. Megan needs...a theme song. Never thought of it, yes maybe I do. Any suggestions?
4. Megan needs...a stripper. What? Huh? I don't really think so.
5. Megan needs...coffee. Yes, I do, something creamy and not good for me from Starbucks. Yep that is what I need.
6. Megan needs... specialist surgery. Not unless there is something google knows that I don't. And with google you never know.
7. Megan needs...10 volunteers. Yes, to help with folding my fitted sheets.
8. Megan needs...to be rewarded for all her hard work. Don't we all? But I think we need as Moms need it more, whether we are stay at home or work out of the home.
9. Megan needs... independence. I think I have that on pretty covered.
10. Megan needs...a complete redo of her bedroom. Yes I agree with that. Right now it is decorated in comtempo left over and modern kid. Yes I definitely agree with this one.
That was fun!
Monday, March 13, 2006
Just a List
Today when I waiting for the bus Alli and to talking about our favorite things, so I thought I would share our list, some are mine, some are Alli's and some are Emma's
1. SNOW
2. My footie prints in the snow ~that was Emma's
3. My good bus drive, the one that knows the way ~Alli
4. Bunny footprints in the snow
5. Catalogs in the mail
6. Dolly catalog (American Girl) in the mail
7. Honking geese flying in the sky
8. Airplanes
9. My pink sockies ~Emma again
10. Policemen that wave at me ~Alli loves waving at police cars and is thrilled when they wave back
11. Doggies that like me ~Emma
12. People that pick up after their dogs ~that one is mine
13. Fluffy clouds
14. Snow that makes stuff ~both girls, they were making small snowmen while waiting for the bus
15. My girls ~that of course was mine
1. SNOW
2. My footie prints in the snow ~that was Emma's
3. My good bus drive, the one that knows the way ~Alli
4. Bunny footprints in the snow
5. Catalogs in the mail
6. Dolly catalog (American Girl) in the mail
7. Honking geese flying in the sky
8. Airplanes
9. My pink sockies ~Emma again
10. Policemen that wave at me ~Alli loves waving at police cars and is thrilled when they wave back
11. Doggies that like me ~Emma
12. People that pick up after their dogs ~that one is mine
13. Fluffy clouds
14. Snow that makes stuff ~both girls, they were making small snowmen while waiting for the bus
15. My girls ~that of course was mine
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Snow and other updates
It is snowing, a couple of inches so far, but the roads are supposed to really bad. They are running crawlers on the bottom of the TV. Glad I don't have to drive any place in the morning, and Ron takes the bus. We haven't had a lot of snow and ice this year so I am sure there will be a lot of DWS (Driving While Stupid).
So far Nate's teeth are doing okay. They haven't turned grey, which I am taking as good sign. But he has a new wrinkle, not bad just there. He has Amoxicillin Rash. Not an allergic reaction just a rash that sometimes happens. Hopefully they will understand at school and not think it is something else. I guess I will be on the phone in the morning.
Oh and Alli really was sick, and was upset at something that happened at school. Because she didn't feel good she feel asleep during storytime and was worried she was in trouble. I did call her teacher as well, she knew she fell asleep but was not upset. She knew she didn't feel well and said this time of year it happens a lot.
Clay is supposed to have a baseball game tomorrow. Guess that won't be happening with the snow. I doubt it will melt and if it did there would be 3 inches of mud and that makes playing baseball very hard.
I finished Cross Bones, I enjoyed it. I very much like Kathy Reich's books. I haven't decided which book I am going to start next. It is a toss up between Mermaid Chair and Entombed.
Oh I almost forgot, thank you for the comments on my new look. I wish I could say I designed it but I used a template from this site. Someday I figure out how to do it myself. I am still teaching myself basic HTML. I would be moving faster on that if I had a few more hours in the day.
Hey a new Crossing Jordan, yippee. I love Nigel...
So far Nate's teeth are doing okay. They haven't turned grey, which I am taking as good sign. But he has a new wrinkle, not bad just there. He has Amoxicillin Rash. Not an allergic reaction just a rash that sometimes happens. Hopefully they will understand at school and not think it is something else. I guess I will be on the phone in the morning.
Oh and Alli really was sick, and was upset at something that happened at school. Because she didn't feel good she feel asleep during storytime and was worried she was in trouble. I did call her teacher as well, she knew she fell asleep but was not upset. She knew she didn't feel well and said this time of year it happens a lot.
Clay is supposed to have a baseball game tomorrow. Guess that won't be happening with the snow. I doubt it will melt and if it did there would be 3 inches of mud and that makes playing baseball very hard.
I finished Cross Bones, I enjoyed it. I very much like Kathy Reich's books. I haven't decided which book I am going to start next. It is a toss up between Mermaid Chair and Entombed.
Oh I almost forgot, thank you for the comments on my new look. I wish I could say I designed it but I used a template from this site. Someday I figure out how to do it myself. I am still teaching myself basic HTML. I would be moving faster on that if I had a few more hours in the day.
Hey a new Crossing Jordan, yippee. I love Nigel...
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Three Things Thursday
Hmmm, wanted a theme this morning because I don't to think too heavy today. So music, the CD's I am listening to right now, it will be more than three because my stereo holds more than 3. But I will put my 3 favorite first.
1. Soundtrack to Rent (Santa Fe, Glory, I'll Cover You and Will I being my current favorites)
2. Scared Love by Sting ( Send Your Love my favorite)
3. On How Life Is by Macy Grey (I Try among my favorites)
Bonus tracks
4. The Id by Macy Grey (Relating to a Psychopath among my favorite)
5. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by U2 (Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own, Origin of The Species and Vertigo my favorites)
1. Soundtrack to Rent (Santa Fe, Glory, I'll Cover You and Will I being my current favorites)
2. Scared Love by Sting ( Send Your Love my favorite)
3. On How Life Is by Macy Grey (I Try among my favorites)
Bonus tracks
4. The Id by Macy Grey (Relating to a Psychopath among my favorite)
5. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by U2 (Sometimes You Can't Make it on Your Own, Origin of The Species and Vertigo my favorites)
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Weather and other stuff
I know it is spring here in colorful Colorado. How do I know that? Well it is snowing this morning and yesterday it was 70 degrees. Gotta love springtime in the Rockies. I have no idea how much snow we are supposed to get, each weather person has a different amount, so who knows. And of course the last March blizzard we had was only supposed to be a few inches and that ended up being 2 feet of wet heavy snow. Figures it would snow this week Brit has his first baseball game on Thursday. Spring sports here are a crap shoot in March, lots of make up games. Of course the season is set up for that.
Nate is doing good. Made it through school okay, I think he is enjoying the attention a little bit. And the weather is actually good for him because he doesn't feel so left out not getting to have recess.
Clay is feeling better, stomach-wise. So hopefully the talk I gave him on CSAP helped. He still has a cold, and it being to dry here right now, if your nose is stuffed at night you wake up with a wicked sore throat. And I hate to say this about my own kid, but he is an annoying sick person. Very whiney, and complains terrible about everything. I feel sorry for his future wife. So when I ask him if her feels better he tells me everything, I mean everything that is wrong. And finally I have to stop him and say but are you feeling better? And he says oh yes but.... And then of course I have Brit who wouldn't tell me if he was sick unless he was puking blood. I would like them to average out, lol.
Hmmm I think this weather calls for noodle soup with homemade kimchee my friend brought me Monday. Yum...
Nate is doing good. Made it through school okay, I think he is enjoying the attention a little bit. And the weather is actually good for him because he doesn't feel so left out not getting to have recess.
Clay is feeling better, stomach-wise. So hopefully the talk I gave him on CSAP helped. He still has a cold, and it being to dry here right now, if your nose is stuffed at night you wake up with a wicked sore throat. And I hate to say this about my own kid, but he is an annoying sick person. Very whiney, and complains terrible about everything. I feel sorry for his future wife. So when I ask him if her feels better he tells me everything, I mean everything that is wrong. And finally I have to stop him and say but are you feeling better? And he says oh yes but.... And then of course I have Brit who wouldn't tell me if he was sick unless he was puking blood. I would like them to average out, lol.
Hmmm I think this weather calls for noodle soup with homemade kimchee my friend brought me Monday. Yum...
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Just Stuff
Bummer I missed my 100th post, I wasn't even pay attention, oh well.
Nate went back to school today. I am a little nervous about the whole thing, but he understands how important protecting his mouth is. He also said for the first time his teeth hurt a little. While usually pain is a bad thing that means they are having feeling which is good thing. And something they told us to expect if the teeth survived the implanting.
Today is the first day of the monster known as CSAP. That is our state and federally mandated standardized test. I hate it, teachers hate it and the kids hate it. The only people that like it are politicians. I have 3 taking it this year. Brit could careless, he scores advanced and they don't pay much attention to it in the IB program. Franklin is a little more concerned, they have spent the last 2 months getting ready for it. Yep that is right 2 months. And Clay is a mess. They are now threatening the kids that don't score well on the test this year with the loss of at least one elective, so they can have a double dose in whatever they did test well in. Now I agree that if a child is underperforming in any area they need to be brought up to grade level. But to base that solely on one test score is not only dumb but as far as I am concerned irresponsible. Clay has identified learning issues, and we have the Individual Learning Plan, and all that to help him. Including the modifications that he is to have for CSAP. Which he didn't get last year, and I am certain that accounted for some of his low scores. Anyways because of all this pressure he is a mess, his stomach is in knots, multi bathroom trips etc. I did talk to him this morning and let him know I am fighting for him no matter what. When they decided to use this test, they sold it to the parents with the promise that this test will never be used against our children. It was to be a measuring tool to see how the schools were performing. And now, of course without consulting the parents, they are changing things. He has a good student good grades, in the gifted and talented program and he is terrified of basically failing. Now if they used the test and the classwork and teach evaluations, etc that would never bother me. I hate seeing Clay like this.
Alli may or may not be sick again today. She has been sick so many times this year, but I don't know if that is it. Yesterday she came home in tears because I wasn't at the bus to get her. Now I am usually not at the bus, she has her older brothers to walk with her, so it is not as if she is alone. She fell asleep until dinner. When she woke up she was still upset, and anytime I questioned her she told me she missed me. I think there may be something going on at school that she isn't telling me. I called her teacher but she hasn't called me back yet. So now to I send her to school or let her stay home? I know it is only kindergarten but I am worried about setting a pattern. Jeez this Mommy thing is hard!
Nate went back to school today. I am a little nervous about the whole thing, but he understands how important protecting his mouth is. He also said for the first time his teeth hurt a little. While usually pain is a bad thing that means they are having feeling which is good thing. And something they told us to expect if the teeth survived the implanting.
Today is the first day of the monster known as CSAP. That is our state and federally mandated standardized test. I hate it, teachers hate it and the kids hate it. The only people that like it are politicians. I have 3 taking it this year. Brit could careless, he scores advanced and they don't pay much attention to it in the IB program. Franklin is a little more concerned, they have spent the last 2 months getting ready for it. Yep that is right 2 months. And Clay is a mess. They are now threatening the kids that don't score well on the test this year with the loss of at least one elective, so they can have a double dose in whatever they did test well in. Now I agree that if a child is underperforming in any area they need to be brought up to grade level. But to base that solely on one test score is not only dumb but as far as I am concerned irresponsible. Clay has identified learning issues, and we have the Individual Learning Plan, and all that to help him. Including the modifications that he is to have for CSAP. Which he didn't get last year, and I am certain that accounted for some of his low scores. Anyways because of all this pressure he is a mess, his stomach is in knots, multi bathroom trips etc. I did talk to him this morning and let him know I am fighting for him no matter what. When they decided to use this test, they sold it to the parents with the promise that this test will never be used against our children. It was to be a measuring tool to see how the schools were performing. And now, of course without consulting the parents, they are changing things. He has a good student good grades, in the gifted and talented program and he is terrified of basically failing. Now if they used the test and the classwork and teach evaluations, etc that would never bother me. I hate seeing Clay like this.
Alli may or may not be sick again today. She has been sick so many times this year, but I don't know if that is it. Yesterday she came home in tears because I wasn't at the bus to get her. Now I am usually not at the bus, she has her older brothers to walk with her, so it is not as if she is alone. She fell asleep until dinner. When she woke up she was still upset, and anytime I questioned her she told me she missed me. I think there may be something going on at school that she isn't telling me. I called her teacher but she hasn't called me back yet. So now to I send her to school or let her stay home? I know it is only kindergarten but I am worried about setting a pattern. Jeez this Mommy thing is hard!
Monday, March 06, 2006
Toothy Update
We went back to the dental clinic today. Basically good news. Everything looks fine and is healing the way it should. They tested both teeth to see if they had feeling, one did and one didn't, however we were told not to put too much stock into to that yet. We go back on Tuesday to have the splint removed and check for feeling. Now the only problem is poor Nate has to sit out of gym and recess for at least 2 weeks. This is torture for Nate. He is one of the most active children I have every known. He runs everywhere, plays outside from the moment his homework is done until dark and is just generally a boy. He is almost buzzing from extra energy he has built up. And he is still on soft foods, he wants real food he says. But he is doing great, taking his medicine, rinsing his mouth, being very grown up about the whole thing. I did get him a cool toy for being so good and to help the boredom. It is neat magnet building set, little magnet balls with plastic rods with magnets on each end. He has had lots of fun playing with it. I slept better last night, still tired but not as bad. Nothing I can't manage. And frankly if this is Nate's biggest trauma, we are truly blessed...
Sunday, March 05, 2006
What a Weekend
I wish I could say this weekend was uneventful, but alas. Hmmm where to start, first it was an early morning, very early, 4 am early. Brit had an JrROTC thing in Canon City and had to be at the school at 5 am. Ugh. Then off to work. Unfortunately no news on Vee. Nobody has heard from her, her check remains at work and her dad is still trying to find her. That makes us short handed and work a little harried. Got home started to do some relaxing, Ron fixed dinner and the kids were all outside playing. All seemed right with the world, until... Nate came in screaming, I had my back to the door and Ron yelled to me Oh shit, Megan!!! So I knew something was very wrong. Nate was holding in one hand his 2 front teeth, his 2 front permanent teeth and blood from his mouth in the other. That is a sight you will never forget, your 8 year coming in the house covered in blood. Mom mode took over, I grabbed the teeth, put them in milk, got Nate over the sink told him not to swallow the blood and keep spitting it out. Got Ron to get ready for the ER (thankfully we have a great Children's Hospital here) and called Brit to find out how close to home he was, he had just called to say he was on the way. Thankfully he has just about a minute away. So as soon as he walked in, we yelled some instructions over our shoulders and we were off. Spent several hours in the ER. Long story short, Nate has a through and through cut on his lip, not bad enough for stitches, they pulled 2 baby teeth next to his front teeth, got three stitches in his gums to hold his teeth and started the long ( over a year) procedure of hopefully him keeping his front teeth. That I am sure is going to be expensive, but for now I am thinking about that part. Nate did great, followed the doctor's and dentist's instructions, held still and was generally a trooper. And is still being one because he has to rinse his mouth out twice a day with gross tasting stuff and take yucky tasting antibiotics. Tomorrow we have to go back and have them check the splint holding his teeth in place, sort of looks like mini braces. After a trip to Walgreens and Safeway (he can't have solid foods) we got home about 11:30. But all and all everything is okay. We are lucky, he could have broken his jaw, or his skull. In fact while I stepped out to call home, I had to stop talking due to the noise from the helicopter landing. And all I could think about was the parents of the child that was brought in. How terrified they must be, because I knew how terrified I was and our problem was minor.
I should go back and make sure this makes some sense but frankly I am too tired, so thanks for hanging in with me.
I should go back and make sure this makes some sense but frankly I am too tired, so thanks for hanging in with me.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Friday Ramblings
Wow, I still don't know where the week went. I blinked and it was gone. It was a pretty good week, no it was a good week. Brit made the JV baseball team as a freshman, pretty cool. He is playing it like it is no big deal but I know it is. The coach told him we would get some varsity time too. Clay also made the baseball team at his middle school. He is very happy, he never plays it cool, he lets you know how he feels. The happiest of all is Ron, the very proud Poppa.
My only worry right now is a friend, someone I work with . She is older than me, actually has a son my age, and a really neat lady. I very much enjoy talking to her while we work. Without going into details she has an interesting life and sometimes hard. But she has a great attitude. That changed on Saturday. We at work have long believed that her husband has treated her very poorly, abusive, verbally, physically, emotionally, etc. We have all let her know we are here for her, tried to boost her self worth, whatever we could do. Anyways, she called in sick Saturday and said she was leaving, that she called her father and he was sending a ticket to the store for her to go home. She said she would be in on Sunday to work and say good bye. We were sad to hear that she was leaving but happy she was getting out. Sunday her husband called and said she was sick. He has never called in sick for her before, and that set off all sorts of alarms for us. We tried calling back, doing anything to get a hold of her. We let her know that if we didn't hear from her we would call the police for a welfare check. Well then she called, said she was fine, and that was it. She was supposed to come to work on Wednesday but called in sick again, this time saying she was hung over. Now yes she drinks, but she has never used that to call off work and this lady is very old school, she has an amazing work ethic. So that again set off alarms. Nobody can get a hold of her and frankly we are afraid of her husband. He is one of those people that just makes you uncomfortable, he is creepy. I am very uncomfortable around him, all of us are. We have called the police but there is nothing that really can be done. I am just so worried and scared for her. So if you have a minute today please say a prayer or send positive thoughts or whatever you believe in for Vee.
My only worry right now is a friend, someone I work with . She is older than me, actually has a son my age, and a really neat lady. I very much enjoy talking to her while we work. Without going into details she has an interesting life and sometimes hard. But she has a great attitude. That changed on Saturday. We at work have long believed that her husband has treated her very poorly, abusive, verbally, physically, emotionally, etc. We have all let her know we are here for her, tried to boost her self worth, whatever we could do. Anyways, she called in sick Saturday and said she was leaving, that she called her father and he was sending a ticket to the store for her to go home. She said she would be in on Sunday to work and say good bye. We were sad to hear that she was leaving but happy she was getting out. Sunday her husband called and said she was sick. He has never called in sick for her before, and that set off all sorts of alarms for us. We tried calling back, doing anything to get a hold of her. We let her know that if we didn't hear from her we would call the police for a welfare check. Well then she called, said she was fine, and that was it. She was supposed to come to work on Wednesday but called in sick again, this time saying she was hung over. Now yes she drinks, but she has never used that to call off work and this lady is very old school, she has an amazing work ethic. So that again set off alarms. Nobody can get a hold of her and frankly we are afraid of her husband. He is one of those people that just makes you uncomfortable, he is creepy. I am very uncomfortable around him, all of us are. We have called the police but there is nothing that really can be done. I am just so worried and scared for her. So if you have a minute today please say a prayer or send positive thoughts or whatever you believe in for Vee.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Three Things Thursday
I think if I can remember the theme is 3 things from 3 years ago. I know I should go look it up, but I am too lazy.
This is a hard one since I have a hard time remembering what happened 3 days ago let alone 3 years. Okay here it goes.
1. We lived in Commerce City, CO. The city has a bad rep because it is pretty industrial but I made some great friends their.
2. Emma was about 6 months old and really coming into here own personality. I was enjoying my last baby's babyhood.
3. I was heavily involved in the elementary school, volunteering, doing lots. Because of that experience I have pulled back on my volunteering. I am far more choosy on were my time goes, I got tired of hearing, oh she is home she can do it. Like I had nothing to do at home.
This is a hard one since I have a hard time remembering what happened 3 days ago let alone 3 years. Okay here it goes.
1. We lived in Commerce City, CO. The city has a bad rep because it is pretty industrial but I made some great friends their.
2. Emma was about 6 months old and really coming into here own personality. I was enjoying my last baby's babyhood.
3. I was heavily involved in the elementary school, volunteering, doing lots. Because of that experience I have pulled back on my volunteering. I am far more choosy on were my time goes, I got tired of hearing, oh she is home she can do it. Like I had nothing to do at home.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Where has the week gone?
I have no idea where my week has gone. I have computer troubles, the start of baseball season (before high school and middle school), cookies to bake for the annual welcome to GW IB fair and assorted other family related things. Suddenly I am tired. I have had lots of great idea for posts here, mostly while walking the dog. I have various conversations in my head while waiting for Buddy to get his smell in. But alack and alas I can't remember all the world changing posts I was going to write today. Sigh.
I started and have almost finished another book. I finally finished The Historian. I was a little disappointed in it. It came highly recommended by several people. And I do enjoy the basic style and the idea is Dracula real was a intriguing idea. But I really had to push myself to read it. There wasn't the burning I need to know what is going to happen next what this book was supposed to inspire. I have a couple of qualities that make a book great to me. One is if I can't put it down, two if it makes me think, a lot and three if I continue to wonder and almost miss the characters when I am done. There are other things but those are my main ones. This book did none of those things. I basically finished it because one, I rarely give up on a book and two, so when the person who gave to me asked for the gizillonth time if I was done, I could answer yes. So I finished it and dropped it in my pile to given away, a big tell for how much I liked it. I hardly ever give books away. I keep them and reread them over and over, like visiting an old friend. Now I am on to my next book, Cross Bones by Kathy Riechs. Part of her Temperance Brennan (I can't remember how to spell it, I think that is right) books. I love those books. I have less than 100 pages to go and even now the book is slyly calling to me. I can't wait to finish it on one hand, but I hate to finish it because I know it will be a while before I can visit with Tempe and Ryan, the let down of finishing a book I like. Luckily I have 2 other books I haven't read yet in the wings, a Linda Fairstein novel and the other novel by the lady that wrote Secret Life of Bees. Plus I need to get back into my stitching, I haven't picked it up in a long time.
Off to make my cookies, Snickerdoodles anyone?
I started and have almost finished another book. I finally finished The Historian. I was a little disappointed in it. It came highly recommended by several people. And I do enjoy the basic style and the idea is Dracula real was a intriguing idea. But I really had to push myself to read it. There wasn't the burning I need to know what is going to happen next what this book was supposed to inspire. I have a couple of qualities that make a book great to me. One is if I can't put it down, two if it makes me think, a lot and three if I continue to wonder and almost miss the characters when I am done. There are other things but those are my main ones. This book did none of those things. I basically finished it because one, I rarely give up on a book and two, so when the person who gave to me asked for the gizillonth time if I was done, I could answer yes. So I finished it and dropped it in my pile to given away, a big tell for how much I liked it. I hardly ever give books away. I keep them and reread them over and over, like visiting an old friend. Now I am on to my next book, Cross Bones by Kathy Riechs. Part of her Temperance Brennan (I can't remember how to spell it, I think that is right) books. I love those books. I have less than 100 pages to go and even now the book is slyly calling to me. I can't wait to finish it on one hand, but I hate to finish it because I know it will be a while before I can visit with Tempe and Ryan, the let down of finishing a book I like. Luckily I have 2 other books I haven't read yet in the wings, a Linda Fairstein novel and the other novel by the lady that wrote Secret Life of Bees. Plus I need to get back into my stitching, I haven't picked it up in a long time.
Off to make my cookies, Snickerdoodles anyone?