Wah

Moaning Meme

Rene tagged me with this over a week ago and it has taken me this long to finish it! The kids started school yesterday--I don't have much to moan about! ;)

4 things that should go into Room 101 and be removed from the face of the earth:
1. ”Reality” TV
2. War
3. Hunger (borrowed from Rene but I have to agree)
4. Most Mattel toys, (apparently)


3 things people do that make you want to shake them violently:
1. Preach to others that God hates a particular group of people based on their sexual orientation, race, gender, etc.
2. Believe that God supports one particular political party
3. Let their kids ride bikes/skateboards/scooters, etc. without a helmet (completely plagiarized this one from Rene, too!)


2 things you find yourself moaning about:
1. My feet hurt, are swollen, etc.
2. Hannah Montana’s latest soundtrack is stuck in my head!


1 thing the above answers tell you about yourself:
I’m intolerant, hormonal, not very Christian (if I want to shake other people) and I clearly cannot count. (To TRY to sum all that up in 1 thing—I’m a pregnant blonde).


I tag: Anyone who has something to moan about—let’s hear it!

RULESLink to the original meme at freelancecynic.com so people know what it’s all about!Be as honest as possible, This is about letting people get to know the real you!Try not to insult anyone - unless they really deserve it or are very, very ugly!Post these rules at the end of every meme!

Proud Mama?

You've seen those guys at football games (or maybe you are one). The ones without a shirt--letters painted on their torsos--performing for the television cameras. I've often wondered--especially when it's snowing--who does that? My husband has commented, "their parents must be so proud!"

We may get our chance to find out one day. I had a preview the other afternoon.

Coming home from the pool, I told my son he did not have to put his shirt back on. He sat on his towel and buckled in. By the time we got home, he had not only found the pen in the backseat but had drawn a complete face on his torso. The shapes were mostly triangular--he resembled a walking jack-o-lantern. He bounced out of the car, pushing the sides of his abdomen together and made his belly-button "speak" to me.

Pride was not my initial emotion.

Oh, Baby!

As you can see from the baby ticker above, it won't be too much longer until this little guy arrives! I feel like we're almost starting all over again--partly because there will be a six-year age difference between my youngest and this baby and also because we've given away all of our "baby stuff."

I am sure that there were plenty of options out there 9 years ago when I had my daughter but I did not shop much online then. I tried to search for bassinets and cradles this week and can't believe how many choices there are!

I had a bassinet that I used for my other two. It worked fine but I recall thinking that if I could just rock it a little that I might have been able to get them back to sleep a few times without having to take them out right away, etc. So I'm thinking a cradle might be the way to go this time around. Then again, with two older siblings in school (and I'm sure we'll be into some other activities soon), this kid will likely be toted around so often that he'll get plenty of motion! (With my oldest, I'd come up with excuses to put her in the car--that would always settle her. I'm thinking it won't be tough to come with a reason to get this kid on the road!)

Spirits in New Orleans

Raziela is a smart, strong young woman attending Tulane in the 1920s. She is an advocate for birth control and tries to secretly educate other women in New Orleans--a dangerous ambition at the time. She plans to attend medical school after her graduation but tragically, never gets that far.

The Mercy of Thin Air follows Razi's life or more accurately, her afterlife. Through flashbacks interspersed throughout the book, we learn about her life, her love--Andrew, and her dreams. Planning to become an obstetrician and being deeply in love with Andrew are not enough; when Andrew asks her one day what she really wants--her answer is "to be immortal." She explains that one lifetime is not enough for all of the trouble she is capable of causing!

The novel bounces between generations, time periods and cities in Louisiana--though never very far. As Razi searches for her lost Andrew, she moves in with a couple, Scott and Amy, and becomes concerned with their struggling marriage Amy's issues. As she gets involved, they reunite Razi with people from her own past. She is joined by a few friends who are also in "the between"--souls who have left earth but not yet gone on to what lies beyond.

Traveling between time periods was a little disconcerting at first but it did not take long to become accustomed to the rythym of the book. Of course, I am a sucker for a good story set in New Orleans and this novel did not disappoint! In addition to familiar locations and compelling characters, the novel deals with issues that may not seem as compelling today. By 1929, women had won the vote but did not have access to birth control. Razi, attending one of the few universities that admitted women at that time, leaves literature hidden in the college's library and hosts secret parties to give this information to other women.

All you need is Love!

For those of you out there writing romance, check this out! I can't wait to read your first chapter!

Don't worry, be happy!

First, red wine and dark chocolate were good for you. That made me happy.

Now, I can have a cup of coffee and go for a run (in the sun)!

It's all about positive attitudes. Coffee makes me happy, getting some sun makes me really happy...I'll just have to make sure I keep moving while I'm outside!

(Of course, I've got another 2 months before I'm drinking wine or coffee but who's counting?)

Georgia on my mind

Joshilyn Jackson has written another gripping tale featuring memorable southern characters, including one more memorable aunt! While Bernese is different than Aunt Flo from Gods in Alabama, both women will remain in your thoughts long after you close the books!

Bernese and her sisters are all members of the Frett family who have raised Nonny, who is biologically a Crabtree. The Crabtrees and the Fretts have had an ongoing feud that began long before the story begins but intensifies after Nonny's birth and rages throughout the novel.

Set in the town of Between, the novel focuses on Nonny who is caught between the two warring families, the two towns of Between and Athens and between her husband and best friend.

Ms. Jackson's books are great for those of us who need that "southern fix" in our reading! (While I still get the argument that Florida is not really part of "The South," the part I grew up in is dern close to southern Georgia!) Having said that, I cannot wait for Ms. Jackson's next novel which is set in Florida!

Old Folks at Home

We returned from Florida on Tuesday. It was great to see everyone and spend some time at my mom and dad's "resort." (I'm not sure my parents see it quite the same way but for my kids--it's a bit better than many other vacations! True, there are no roller coasters but they get breakfast cooked to order, lunch and dinner with no wait--in fact, they're reluctant to get out of the pool to eat--and there is the pool! A pool in the backyard! No car ride, elevator ride, no keys necessary to get to the POOL!) As if all that weren't enough for a summer vacation, they have cousins to play with! So it's a nice break for them (on other vacations, they are each other's only peer). This summer they've met a few kids in our new town but don't have many friends yet so it was wonderful for them to have cousins around to play with all week!

While we did visit my folks at home, they are not yet old. The title of the post is of course, also the title of the Florida state song. The first line of that song, "Way down upon the Swanee river..." put me in mind of the other story while I was home. People boating and fishing on the Suwannee river in Florida are being hit by jumping sturgeon! Talk about some old residents! These ancient fish jump right out of the water--no one knows exactly why. The river is lower this year than it has been, more people are out on the river so the problem has become more noticeable.

We celebrated my mom's birthday a week early while I was there, which was nice. Her actual birthday is tomorrow so Mom: if you read this in time, Happy Birthday!

Never Enough

I am six months pregnant now and the kids are excited but it is not enough. They asked tonight if we could please adopt an eleven or twelve-year-old girl.

(N is tired of having to be the oldest; now she'll have TWO younger BROTHERS. So her life is unfair but the fact that we did not sit down and have a serious discussion--ending in her getting her way--helped her come to the conclusion that we are simply mean).

Whatever gets you through the night

It started with an alarm going off at about midnight. It seemed to coming from my son's room. After the second or third time that it went off, I went to investigate in the dark. It seemed to be coming from the stack of clean clothes in his room but I know I did not plant anything in there. It must be the watch he found today. I guess he had big plans for the middle of the night! I can't find the watch, of course, so I pray that whatever it's set for has passed and we're done. No such luck.

I listen to it go off a few more times before I decide to get back up and hide/destroy the thing. Except when I go back, the noise is not coming from his room--now it's coming from N's.

She has an "organizer" that she won from some contest that has an alarm that has been going off nightly. It has not seemed so loud on past evenings but I have heard it almost every night. Earlier today, I did ask her if she could find the thing and turn it off. She didn't think she'd unpacked that box yet. (So helpful). I asked her kindly to unpack the box, find the thing and turn it off before she went to bed.

Apparently, to a nine-year-old, that means move the box away from the closet at the far end of your room and move it near your door. Just to make sure Mom can hear it tonight.

I wrapped the box in towels and shoved it in a cupboard in the laundry room. But now I'm up.
I went back to bed for an hour, staring at the ceiling, trying to figure out if that is the baby's elbow or foot jabbing my right side and coming up with the new perfect opening for the on-going book. Of course, it's so perfect, you know I'll forget by morning. But I don't want to get up so I try to think of ways to help me remember. Right.

So...here I am. I've typed out that brilliant passage that seemed like it'd take a page. It's a paragraph.

I'm going with the egg sandwich now. When I was a girl and couldn't (or wouldn't) sleep, I'd get up and tell my Dad I was hungry. He'd make us egg sandwiches--scrambled eggs on toast with lettuce and mayo--and we'd watch Charlie's Angels. I've got pita bread rather than Sunbeam white bread but it's worth a shot! (I wonder what re-runs are on...?) ;)

Life in the fast lane

I told my daughter that she really need to work on having more patience.
The words were barely out of my mouth before she answered, "I already did."

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth of July! Enjoy the cookouts and the fireworks and remember how lucky we are to be Americans.

As for me, it's also my birthday so I'm relaxing (though I've obviously been taking a break from blogging for a while now)! I'll have more to say soon!

Summer days

Our new home backs up to a cornfield. (We are in Indiana now!) As the sun sets on summer evenings, the sky is a hazy, purple-pink background for the dark orange orb slowly making its exit. As the sun sets, the backyard and cornfield behind it come alive--twinkling with a thousand fireflies dancing. One lit on the sliding glass window for a moment tonight as I looked out--as if to say goodnight--before it joined the blinking majority.


My kids had their first lemonade stand today. They made $10!

The Learning channel

Some things just don't come in the parenting manual. N is excited about this whole baby thing. She has always loved children younger than herself. (Including, on occasion, her own brother!) She especially loves babies and toddlers. She has discovered "A Baby Story" on TLC. I watched the first part of one episode with her--because the mom was in labor. Though she knows the doctor was "looking at her bottom!" (both kids giggled at that) the camera didn't show the gory details so I let her continue to watch. (She does not yet need TOO much information).

She oohed and aahed at the infant they brought home.

The next episode however, featured a same-sex couple--two women--who had just brought their baby home. N tells me that two girls had a baby and they didn't have any boys. I stated quietly that a man was involved at some point but she shook her head with conviction. "Nope. They have been together for 8 years. NO boys!"

OK.
(She does not yet need too much information.)

The joys of home ownership

Well, my relaxing day of bliss included the delivery of my new washer and dryer--even though I'd inadvertently ordered two appliances that do not quite match. We thought ordering online would be easy but it's hard to tell that some washers have a shiny, mirror-like finish on their door while some dryers have a finish that matches my chrome refrigerator. Oh well, no one will notice but me--and any of my blog readers who come to visit! ;)

That was also the day I first discovered the water stain on our ceiling. It's under our shower. We had the exact same problem in the last house, so we have evidently done something to upset the plumbing gods. It faded the next day (when the plumbers were here) and they sealed things, tested things but could not re-create the problem. It has been fine--until today.

Our radon test has finally come back with an acceptable (low!) number! It was high when they initially tested, so they sealed the sump pump and tried again. When that did not resolve the issue, a radon mitigation system was installed. They retested this week and that has been resolved.

We've unpacked a little more, N will have her new dresser on Wednesday so she can finally stop living out of a box. (She and C had divided a bunk-bed set but C has the whole thing now and she is getting a new, more feminine bedroom set. The rest of her set won't arrive until August but at least she'll have drawers!)

We have found the pool nearby so we've got the important issues covered!

Settling in...

Most of the boxes are unpacked, the furniture is placed and my new washer and dryer should arrive today!

The hubbie and kids are taking a day trip to visit Notre Dame so I have the quiet house all to myself.
(If you look up the definition of bliss, you might find the above sentence quoted--or at least the last five words!)

Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore!

We have arrived and are in our new home in Indiana! It's empty but we ahve time to figure out exactly where the "big" items will go. Our truck is due to arrive Monday or Tuesday so it'll start feeling more like home soon!

I was a little worried that it might take a while to meet other kids--there are only a few houses on our street. However, the next street over has many more houses and one of the kids my daughter met at the playground told her that there are at least 2 kids in every house!

When we chose N's name, I was trying to find something that wasn't too trendy so she would not have 4 other girls in her class with the same name. Since then, I don't think I've met another child with her name. Until now. There are 3 other girls in this small neighborhood with the same name, though one is visiting! The house at the end of our street has a girl with the same name and her mother's name is the same as mine! I can't decide if that is a good sign or slightly creepy...

Otherwise, everyone has been incredibly friendly so I'm sure that our new town will feel like home in no time!

Winding down?

It's the last week of school--which means it is the busiest--in regards to parties and activities, anyway! Just in case that wasn't enough, we've tacked on a birthday party for N right after school lets out tomorrow and she's having a few girls over for a birthday sleepover tomorrow night!

The packers/movers arrive on Tuesday!

My husband checked the downspouts, etc. before the thunderstorms last night--and found the one he'd fixed was not totally fixed and another was not functioning at all! So he fixed those during the light rain, then kept checking the basement and the downspouts and sides of the house several times during the downpours during the night! (So I got a little more sleep than he did but between the lightning and checking to see if he needed help, I'm ready for a nap, too!)

Maybe I'll just let the movers pack the dirty laundry.

Sunday Soul-searching

I found an intriguing post over at SweetViolet's this morning. I enjoyed her comments and her challenge to take this religion quiz honestly, answering truthfully about what you believe rather than what you have been taught to believe.

I thought I understood her point and took the quiz. However, after I sat back and thought about the answers I'd given, I realized that there were still one or two responses I'd made out of fear or guilt. What if that isn't true?

So I went back and took the quiz a second time, honestly answering each question. Lightning did not strike and the results were interesting!

In college, the Jesuits taught us to always question everything. I think that's a good approach--even if my Belief.net score shows only a 58% rating for Roman Catholic!

1. Orthodox Quaker (100%)
2. Mainline to Liberal Christian Protestants (97%)
3. Liberal Quakers (90%)
4. Unitarian Universalism (85%)
5. Mahayana Buddhism (81%)
6. Theravada Buddhism (77%)
7. Hinduism (75%)
8. Reform Judaism (72%)
9. Seventh Day Adventist (69%)
10. Mainline to Conservative Christian/Protestant (68%)
11. Sikhism (67%)
12. Jainism (66%)
13. Orthodox Judaism (64%)
14. Bahá'í Faith (63%)
15. Neo-Pagan (61%)
16. Eastern Orthodox (58%)
17. Roman Catholic (58%)
18. Taoism (58%)
19. Islam (57%)
20. New Age (56%)
21. New Thought (47%)
22. Secular Humanism (46%)
23. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) (43%)
24. Scientology (43%)
25. Christian Science (Church of Christ, Scientist) (34%)
26. Jehovah's Witness (33%)
27. Nontheist (29%)

Take the Belief-O-Matic quiz yourself!

I won't be needing Faith

I thought it would make a good baby name but that just would not be fair to a boy!

Wrong Holiday

Happy Mother's Day!

This story is about an amazing father--but it is too inspiring not to share! (And between the move in a few weeks and my fading memory, I won't remember where to find this again next month!)

I found this on Chosha's site. Take a look!

For my writing friends

Many of you have participated in NaNo in the past, so you have likely already heard about their latest offering: Script Frenzy.

For those of you who have no idea what I'm talking about NaNo is National Novel Writing Month and takes place in November. The challenge is to write 50,000 words in a month.

Similarly, Script Frenzy is a challenge to write a script during the month of June.
I am not going to try this one this year but I thought I'd share it with you if you're interested! (I'd love to go see your life story played out on the big screen--complete with any aliens, ghosts, pterodactyls or lottery winners that might appear!)

8 Things You Probably Didn’t Need to Know About Me

[Added 5/11: Eep! I forgot to let you know that it was Rene who tagged me to do this Meme! (Stop by and read hers!)]

1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.
2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.
3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.
4. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them they're tagged, and to read your blog.
Here we go:


1. My lucky number is 8. (That must be why I was tagged with this meme!)

2. I was born on the Fourth of July.

3. I’ve been a blonde all of my life (it was natural when I was a child).

4. I am the oldest of five children.

5. I have a habit of apologizing for things that cannot be helped. (Weather, natural disasters, the fact that you have a cold…)

6. I smoked at the age of 10.

7. I don’t purposefully wear sunscreen. (There may be some hope for me as they’ve gone and put it in my moisturizer and makeup).

8. Many days I don’t wear makeup—so there really is no hope for me.

Okay, now I have to tag 8 people: Kellie, Margaret, my brother-in-law, Laurie, Aaron, Tracy, Angela, Sarah

I must be doing something right

My daughter thinks I don't love her and just wanted her so she could be my slave.

My son was very upset this morning because I would not let him skip a day of school. (He is in kindergarten).

I'm not the best mom in the world but with sentiments like these, once in a while, I feel like I'm on the right track! ;)

_______________
Disclaimers
I don't enlist my children in slavery. My daughter was cleaning her room and filled her trash can. She asked me to empty it and I asked her to do it. The next day, she had more trash and asked me again to empty her trash can. I explained that I empty all of the other trash cans in the house and she can empty hers. This was met with the constant complaint that she has to do everything and I treat her like a slave.

My son is smart and has lots of friends in school but was very tired this morning. He tried to tell me it's too hard because he always "gets his papers wrong." I reminded him that he comes home with papers with smiley faces and nice comments on the top. Then he explained that they are working on "clocks" this week and he keeps getting them wrong.
My poor children do live in a house full of digital clocks. The one antique pendulum clock is not always wound but when it is, he knows what time it is by how many "gongs" he hears.
It seems we need to practice telling time when he gets home from school today!

The state we live in--Part Two

We live in the state of Kansas. While many people's perceptions of Kansas as a large prairie constantly threatened by tornadoes comes from L. Frank Baum, reality can be more threatening than fiction at times.

Last night, a tornado lifted not just one house but many. The entire town of Greensburg, Kansas was almost lifted after a monster tornado raged through last night.

We are just to the right of the purple covering the middle of Kansas. I am not overly concerned about our safety; we have a basement and a few cases of fresh water down there along with plenty of toys, coloring books and games. In light of recent events however, I have moved some candles down there as well and am paying a little more attention to weather forecasts today.
****************
UPDATE: We're still fine but the rains were heavy again last night. The basement is flooded. No posts today--I'm going to finish bailing water...

The state we live in--Part One

If we pay to much attention to the headlines, we could live in a constant state of fear. More and more random violence seems to be occuring in or around schools, with no specific age groups or types of communities excluded. It is unsettling but so far, has not been too close to home.

This week, my children's school was in "lockdown." No student had presented a threat. Rather, a man in a neighboring town stabbed two people and has not been apprehended. From internet and newspaper reports, and the "reports" that my 3rd grader brings home each day, I have gathered that the alleged perpetrator(an ex-con) is going through a divorce. His wife had a restraining order against him but he broke into her home on Tuesday and stabbed her and the man with her. By all accounts, this seems to be a domestic issue. However, in light of recent events in our nation--combined with the fact that he has a relative that works at my children's school--the school is on heightened security, locking all doors, escorting children to recess and Mass, etc. The school has offered that we may keep our children home but has not canceled school. I went ahead and sent my kids to school but of course, ran through "what if" scenarios a few times in my mind!

In light of events such as Virginia Tech, I realize that they have to take all scenarios into account and they have said that if this man is not apprehended by Monday, the school will be in lockdown again.

Sending my children to a small, Catholic school in a small, midwestern town does not guarantee their safety. I do not believe this particular individual is an immediate threat to my children. In light of events such as Virgina Tech however, perhaps the school--all schools--should follow more of these security measures on regular basis.
**********************
UPDATE: They arrested the man on Sunday morning! The kids are thrilled (and I feel better, too)!

Book "binge" results

Not much of a binge, I'm afraid!

(Keeping in mind that though I did bring a book with us when we went house hunting, we were stressed, exhausted or discussing merits of various houses so I never cracked the book. So that's almost a week that I did not read a thing. Sad. Very, very sad. I got much more read last month when I was still boycotting television--go figure!)

Finished:
The Last Days of Dogtown, Anita Diamant (Posted a short review here)

The March, E.L. Doctorow. His style is different from anything I've read lately but it was a welcome change. I recommend.

In Progress:
Shepherding a Child's Heart, Tedd Tripp (Actually, I'm on page117/210) This one is tough. Not tough to read or understand, just convicting to read. I'm taking it little by little.

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency, Alexander McCall Smith. I am on page 1.

Staying Up!

I have commented about my daughter's sleepovers before. She had the BF over again last night but my son invited a friend to sleep over for the first time as well.

I am having that cup of tea this morning!

Keep Up!

Throughout the day, I can find inspiration here and there but my latest source is my little green box of Yogi Tea. There is a new message on each teabag. I've had messages about looking for God in unlikely places, thinking positive about each day, etc. They're short and sweet but today's little note was only two words: "Keep Up!"

My tea bag knew it would be a hectic day before I did! I think I've managed to keep up so far--maybe it's because I'm still getting a little caffeine in my one cup of green tea!

How is your day going? Can you keep up?

What will they think of next?

I have no idea what the next revolutionary idea will be but I'm excited about this one! I haven't tried it yet--maybe I'll win a sample from the generous moms at 5 minutes for mom--but this is something I will have to try!

My daughter will take most medicines well. (I didn't say she is always happy about it but she will swallow them dutifully.)

My son, however, can will himself to vomit, choke or simply spit the stuff out. Maybe if it tastes too good to pass up, he will reconsider taking his medicine! FlavorIt could change our lives!

Honorable gesture

Aaron has posted a lovely tribute over at his site today--take a look!

The whole story

Part One:
My daughter glides up the driveway, a disgusted look on her face.

"Mom! C and I were riding our scooters together on the sidewalk and I got this STUFF on my ankle! What IS that?"

She has dark green goo on her ankle. I don't know what it is. I tell her it must be wet grass or mud--though it hasn't rained in days--and tell her to go wash it off.

Part Two:
My son glides up the driveway, wearing a huge smile.

"Mom! I just ran over a caterpillar! Wanna see?"

SOLD!

I was going to write about desperate times, etc. and the Catholic advice we'd received regarding selling our home. My MIL and SIL, as well as a friend, suggested we get a statue of St. Joseph and bury him in our yard to aid the sale of our home.

We put the sign in our yard in February, the house went on the market officially March 1 but I just bought the statue Wednesday evening. We prayed to St. Joseph for a little extra help that night and I spoke with him many times yesterday. By 5pm last night, we had an offer on the house! Even with a counter-offer from us and another from their side--we were all happy and had a signed contract by 7pm!

I'm certain that the prayers helped more than the actual resin statue in my garden but either way, if you are selling your home, you might want to contact the Patron Saint of Real Estate along with a realtor!

(We met the buyers today--they were already having their inspection done--and they've been eyeing our house online for weeks! I kept telling my husband God had a plan and we just had to be patient--but the patience part has been getting tough. Looks like maybe there was a plan involved! This couple was fairly sure ours was the house they wanted before they saw it in person and they are very excited about it now!)

For your reading list

I told you I'd have book reviews for you but life is moving too fast for a full review of each book!

What Jesus Meant was a thought-provoking book with a fresh perspective. It makes me want to read Wills' book, Why I Am a Catholic, as at times in this book, I was not sure why he is a member of any formal religion. I do recommend this one!

New Orleans Stories is a collection of short stories that take place in New Orleans. There are a few very good ones included in here and I recommend this one as well if you have a chance.

I finished those two in March so they won't make my April reading list for the Book Binge but if you're looking for something different, check them out!

I began The Last Days of Dogtown in March but finished it in April so I'm hoping I can count that one for my April reading list! ;) I highly recommend this one. The first chapter was a little slow for me but that might have been because I was trying to read it in a busy waiting room. The first chapter introduces many characters but we get to know much more about each one of them in a following chapter. Each character gets a turn being the main character in a chapter but the ending of one blends seamlessly into the next chapter--and next life story. Very well done. You'll be thinking of these characters long after you put the book down.

Relocation update

My parents braved the not-so-spring-like weather last week to come and stay with the kids and returned safely to Florida this past weekend to brave yet another storm!

We did find a new home in Indiana! We close on that house in June.
We will have a larger (and more level) backyard so we will finally get the playset for the kids. We have a larger driveway, too, so there is plenty of room for the basketball hoop they desire as well! (Margaret--yes! It even has a window over the kitchen sink! What more could we ask for?)

Now we just need to sell the one we're in!

Word Verification

After interesting comments, interspersed with various pharmaceutical names and links--it is time. I apologize for the inconvenience but word verification and comment moderation have now been added to this blog.
It's a few extra letters after your comment but I would still love to hear from you!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! I hope it has been a wonderful day for you and your families!

I haven't posted in a while--and won't again for a bit! The hubbie and I are going house-hunting tomorrow and my parents are staying with the kids.

I'll let you know if we were successful at the end of the week! (And hopefully by then I can post a few book reviews! I've finished three more but haven't had time to tell you about them!)

You know you want one!

(And if you don't want one, that's OK--it helps my odds!)

I'm talking about the fabulous opportunity you can find over at 5 Minutes for Mom. They are giving away a Dyson Slim vacuum!

I can already see myself effortlessly cleaning the stairs with this light wonder! However, if you feel that it should be you, hop over to 5 Minutes for Mom and sign up! I'll let you know how well it works, er...I mean, good luck!

Better output than NaNo...

I signed on with a group, headed by Angela to try to write a novel in 3 months. I did not quite manage 50,000 words in November but I was sure I could pull it off with so much more time.

It is dangerous to think that way.

The deadline is 3.5 hours away and I think it is safe to say that I will not reach 50,000 words tonight.

While life always happens (and I will always have excuses), I do have 43,506 words.
I am not proud that I did not make my goal again. Having said that, I am not too unhappy, either. Trying to sell a house, get enough rest during the first trimester of pregnancy and finish a book was too much---but I did get some quality writing done and found my characters in much more interesting conflicts than I had planned.

I did not make my goal but I'm on my way to finishing a better book; I'll take it!

There's no place like home!

We are back home, after traveling across parts of Kansas and Missouri. We saw scenes similar to the one on the left many times from our car windows, though not with such spectacular colors in the sky! This photo was taken shortly after a thunderstorm and we did see a few of those! (In fact, the caption beneath this photo said that only Florida and the Gulf Coast receive more thunderstorms than this area. No wonder it felt like home so quickly!)

I've been visiting other blogs today to catch up and found that Tracy drove from one end of Kansas to the other! I also learned that our very own Flint Hills are featured in April's National Geographic! The photo here is one from that issue. Take a look when you have a chance. It makes me want to take the family on a hike through the prairie on our next day off!

Break's over!

It's back to "normal" tomorrow--at least for a few days!
I hope you enjoyed last week, whether you had time off or not!

We had fun here and here! (Of course, the kids were most concerned with swimming at the hotel!)

Spring Break!

See you Saturday!

March

In Little Women, Louisa May Alcott introduced us to Meg, Jo, Amy, Beth and their mother, Marmee. She showed us how a mother and her four girls struggle, survive and love while their husband and father is away—serving with the Union troops during the Civil War.

In March, Geraldine Brooks gives us the other side of the story—mainly from Mr. March’s point of view. The novel opens with Mr. March writing a letter home to his wife and daughters, struggling to write something that they will want to hear. He reminds himself that he promised to write something every day but he never promised to write the truth. Soon after finishing his letter describing glowing sunsets and the location, a skirmish arises. In his haste to save himself and others, he travels across a river, through woods and ends at a house serving as a hospital for injured soldiers. It is not until he arrives at the door that he realizes he has been there before.

That realization takes him back to his youth and we learn how he spent his early adulthood—peddling books and various items to wealthy southern landowners. In this vocation, he meets Mr. Clement and his slave, Grace—the woman who gives Mr. March his first kiss.

Mr. March eventually must leave the Clement plantation, make his way back north and eventually meets his future wife, Marmee. He befriends the Thoreau and Emerson families along the way, especially Henry Thoreau and Waldo Emerson.

The novel makes its way back to the present time, with Mr. March meeting Grace again, briefly. After he has transferred to another unit and spent time on another plantation, Mr. March is both wounded and ill when he finds himself in Blank Hospital, Washington. Here, two-thirds through the novel, Brooks gives us Marmee’s view for the first time as she arrives to tend to her husband. Thus far, Brooks had given Marmee a side other than the “goody-goody” character we see in Little Women but finally, in this last portion of the novel, she allows us to hear from Marmee herself.

What emerges is a clearer picture of a marriage, with all of the misunderstandings and sacrifices that entails. The story continues to unfold further but still remains true to Miss Alcott’s original story.

March is both disheartening and moving. Like all of us, Mr. March is flawed. He wants very much to do the noble thing but fails often. It is as much a story about how war affects one’s behavior and beliefs as it is about love, passions and relationships. Ms. Brooks does an admirable job of staying true to Miss Alcott’s creation—giving us a deeper understanding of her memorable characters and quite an introduction to the one who was left out.

Book Worms

I found this over on Margaret's site and it looked like fun! It's a little distressing that I have more in italics than bold but I did finish two books last week so I'll have reviews of those for you very soon! (Of course, neither book is on this list!)

If you'd like to join in the fun:
Look at the list of books below.
*Bold the ones you’ve read
*Italicize the ones you want to read
*leave alone the ones that you aren’t interested in.

I won't tag anyone specifically but if you post yours, please leave a comment so I can stop by for a look!

1.The Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown)
2.Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austen)
3.To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee)
4. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)
5. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (Tolkien)
6. The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring (Tolkien)
7. The Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (Tolkien)
8. Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery)
9. Outlander (Diana Gabaldon)
10.A Fine Balance (Rohinton Mistry)
11.Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Rowling)
12.Angels and Demons (Dan Brown)
13.Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Rowling)
14. A Prayer for Owen Meany (John Irving)
15. Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)
16.Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Rowling)
17. Fall on Your Knees (Ann-Marie MacDonald)
18. The Stand (Stephen King)
19. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban(Rowling)
20. Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte)
21. The Hobbit (Tolkien)
22. The Catcher in the Rye (J.D. Salinger)
23. Little Women (Louisa May Alcott)
24. The Lovely Bones (Alice Sebold)
25. Life of Pi (Yann Martel)
26. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)
27. Wuthering Heights (Emily Bronte)
28. The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (C. S. Lewis)
29. East of Eden (John Steinbeck)
30. Tuesdays with Morrie(Mitch Albom)
31. Dune (Frank Herbert)
32. The Notebook (Nicholas Sparks)
33. Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand)
34. 1984 (Orwell)
35. The Mists of Avalon (Marion Zimmer Bradley)
36. The Pillars of the Earth (Ken Follett)
37. The Power of One (Bryce Courtenay)
38. I Know This Much is True (Wally Lamb)
39. The Red Tent (Anita Diamant)
40. The Alchemist (Paulo Coelho)
41. The Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)
42. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)
43. Confessions of a Shopaholic (Sophie Kinsella)
44. The Five People You Meet In Heaven (Mitch Albom)
45. Bible {I've read much of it--so I'll make it bold AND italics as I still have to get to the rest!}
46. Anna Karenina (Tolstoy)
47. The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)
48. Angela’s Ashes (Frank McCourt)
49. The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)
50. She’s Come Undone (Wally Lamb)
51. The Poisonwood Bible (Barbara Kingsolver)
52. A Tale of Two Cities (Dickens)
53. Ender’s Game (Orson Scott Card)
54. Great Expectations (Dickens)
55. The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald)
56. The Stone Angel (Margaret Laurence)
57. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Rowling)
58. The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough)
59. The Handmaid’s Tale (Margaret Atwood)
60. The Time Traveller’s Wife (Audrew Niffenegger)
61. Crime and Punishment (Fyodor Dostoyevsky)
62. The Fountainhead (Ayn Rand)
63. War and Peace (Tolsoy)
64. Interview With The Vampire (Anne Rice)
65. Fifth Business (Robertson Davis)
66. One Hundred Years Of Solitude (Gabriel Garcia Marquez)
67. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (Ann Brashares)
68. Catch-22 (Joseph Heller)
69. Les Miserables (Hugo)
70. The Little Prince (Antoine de Saint-Exupery)
71. Bridget Jones’ Diary (Fielding)
72. Love in the Time of Cholera (Marquez)
73. Shogun (James Clavell)
74. The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)
75. The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)
76. The Summer Tree (Guy Gavriel Kay)
77. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (Betty Smith)
78. The World According To Garp (John Irving)
79. The Diviners (Margaret Laurence)
80. Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)
81. Not Wanted On The Voyage (Timothy Findley)
82. Of Mice And Men (Steinbeck)
83. Rebecca (Daphne DuMaurier)
84. Wizard’s First Rule (Terry Goodkind)
85. Emma (Jane Austen)
86. Watership Down(Richard Adams)
87. Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)
88. The Stone Diaries (Carol Shields)
89. Blindness (Jose Saramago)
90. Kane and Abel (Jeffrey Archer)
91. In The Skin Of A Lion (Ondaatje)
92. Lord of the Flies (Golding)
93. The Good Earth(Pearl S. Buck)
94. The Secret Life of Bees (Sue Monk Kidd)
95. The Bourne Identity (Robert Ludlum)
96. The Outsiders (S.E. Hinton)
97. White Oleander (Janet Fitch)
98. A Woman of Substance (Barbara Taylor Bradford)
99. The Celestine Prophecy (James Redfield)
100.Ulysses (James Joyce)

A week later

Whew! Since I last posted, we've filled in for grandparents on "Grandparent's Day" at school, greeted the kids' grandparents (my in-laws) the next day, made it through one piano recital (2 performers this time), several house showings and the MIL's birthday.

The in-laws left this morning and we had no appointments to show the house today so I'm finally starting to catch up! Of course, I still have to finish the draft of the book I said I'd have done by the end of March and the hubbie and I are trying to weed through potential houses in Indiana but I never said I'd be all caught up! ;)

How are you?

Answered prayers

Our kids have asked and prayed for another sibling for quite a while now, so they feel that God has finally answered their prayers! It has been very cute. We told the kids Sunday and for the rest of the day, C kept pinching himself--because he thought he was dreaming!

Sunday night, when she should have been reading, N wrote us a letter instead. (This followed a discussion about how you make a baby! While I don't mind giving my daughter accurate facts--I do mind getting into too much detail with an 8-year-old when it's already past bedtime. So I told her it takes a Mommy and Daddy that love each other very much to make a baby.)

To: Mommy: Thank You
Thank you Mommy for loving Daddy so much that we get a new member of
the family! And that you will soon bring a new baby girl or boy into the
World. And that we will have someone else to play tickle and care for.
THANK YOU SO MUCH
Love: N and C, your loving children

I took their full names out but otherwise--that's it, verbatim. I think she meant to play with and tickle--but play tickle works, too! I thanked her for the kind letter and asked her to please go to sleep.

A little later, C called to tell us that "N needed us!" He claimed it was an emergency--knowing that'd be my next question--so up I went. The urgent need was for a performance. N had now written a song that she and C HAD to sing to me. She let me keep her lyrics:

To: Mommy and Daddy: Song
Thank you so much Mommy and Daddy
for giving us a new baby sister or brother!
It is a miricle we have been praying for
for a very long time!
Now we finaly have a baby sister or brother
hopefully it is a girl because we both want it to be a girl
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you so much!
Then End
from: N and C and our new little sister or brother
P.S. hopefully it is a girl sister

I think I will laminate these. I can imagine many occasions when it will be useful to pull them out over the coming years!

News

The sign is still in the yard. We have had three people come to see the house--one couple visited both yesterday and again today. It's a positive sign but no more news on that front yet.

As for other news, I was going to offer a few possibilities, maybe drag it out just a little...but some of you are just too smart for that! So thank you all for returning for the update...
YES! Becky is our lucky guesser! (I'd say winner but sadly, I have no prize.)

It is early--I shouldn't be telling you yet--but I started the guessing game in the last post! We are expecting baby #3!

Random thoughts

Whew! C turned six on Thursday and had a birthday party with 7 friends (plus his sister) at the bowling alley on Saturday!

Saturday was also my parents' 39th anniversary! Congratulations again, Mom and Dad!

The "for sale" sign went in the yard a few weeks ago but the house officially goes onthe market, MLS, etc. Thursday! So I'm trying to finish cleaning, keep the house clean--while the kids are begging to have friends over.

I did not get enough cleaning today because I kept myself and the kids outside--where it hit SEVENTY degrees!!! It was lovely!

We had to take advantage of spring weather on the last day of February! We are supposed to get snow after midnight tonight.

More surprises and news coming soon--stay tuned!

Little devils

C was worried the other night at bedtime. Apparently, he had learned at school that "devils can suck your spirit out of you" and wanted me to be aware of this. He was worried because he believes devils to be invisible--so how can you watch out for them?

Tonight, my daughter asked us again what we'd all given up for Lent. My husband and I have both given up wine. I made a comment about finishing it on Tuesday so there would not be any in the house--which she thinks is cheating. After dining out tonight, she asked if we could stop by the "wine store" (liquor store)!

I could tell my son a devil might look a little like his sister but the poor kid would never sleep again!

(In my daughter's defense: she has given up gum but she knows there is plenty in the cupboard. Maybe I'll offer to pitch it for her!) ;)

The F word

I've asked many of you when the thrill of saying "poop" wears off. Of course, when you find a word that is a noun, a verb (or even an adjective if you add "y") it is hard to give up!

Unless you can find a better one.

My son brought friends home from school today. One had no idea of the implications when he asked, "who farted?"

Laissez les bon temps roulet!

I hope you all are enjoying Fat Tuesday, wherever you are! Some of you may be enjoying king cakes or paczki or pancakes. I did not plan ahead (surprise!) so I've got regular coffee. Maybe I'll add sugar today! ;)

However you are celebrating--enjoy Fat Tuesday! (Of course, for those really celebrating and attending the parades--I don't expect reading my blog to be on your list of activities today! With the exception of my sister-in-law in Metairie, we don't have any friends left living in New Orleans but maybe some of you decided to visit for Carnival!)

I let my kids wear beads to school today. I'm sure N is behaving but C's teacher is probably cursing my name right about now. It's only for one day!

Laissez les bon temps roulet!

By the skin of my teeth

My daughter lost another tooth Saturday night. We made a big fuss, of course, but then--the Tooth Fairy got busy.

Sunday morning, I was grateful that my husband got up with my son and was just falling asleep again when it occured to me that the TF had not made the swap.

So I bolted out of bed, found the funds and made it to her room just in time. As I slid my hand under her pillow, she opened her eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

My quick, lame response was that her covers had been covering her head and I wanted to make sure we hadn't lost her!

She nodded like that made perfect sense. (Luckily for me she was still half-asleep!)

I walked out, realizing that I'd left the tooth where it was. (The Tooth Fairy usually absconds with them!) It has been almost a year since she questioned the TF's existence, so I was sure that my latest mistake would bring back the doubt.

Instead, it restored her faith.

"She got it! She read it! She let me keep it!"

"What?" (It was my turn to sound half-awake).

"Look! The Tooth Fairy left my tooth, just like I asked!"

"You left a note?"

"Yep! After you tucked me in last night, before I turned the light off, I wrote a note to the Tooth Fairy, asking if she could leave the tooth--and she did!"

She left a note after we'd said goodnight--knowing I either would not look or would not see it in the dark. She's good!

I am not. (Someone is! I don't know whether to thank my Guardian Angel or hers but someone got me out of bed just in time--but without enough time to steal that tooth!)

Warm heart, cold hands!

I hope you are having a happy, warm day!

How does the saying go? Cold hands, warm heart? My heart must be red hot -- my hands are cold!

We used to live in Fairbanks, Alaska so we've seen two degrees Farenheit before. However, it is currently 2 degrees here and 2 degrees in Fairbanks. With wind chills factored in, it feels like 2 in Alaska but -10 here! That's just wrong.

Snow Day

It's a snow day! I have "helpers!"

Cupid misfired

It's my week to drive carpool so I had another boy and girl in the backseat next to my son, who kept yelling "Hey! I'm Cupid!" *thwap!* (He pretended to shoot arrows at both of them).

"You didn't hit me!"

*thwap*

"Ow! OK, I love you!"

*thwap*

"Actually, I am going to be Cupid's girlfriend," says the girl.

"OK," he says. *thwap*

"I am Cupid's girlfriend," she repeats.

"Yeah, I know," my son replies. *thwap*

"That means I will make YOU love ME," she explains.

"What?! Get away from me, woman!"

Celebrating WMD

Yesterday was World Marriage Day and our priest invited all married couples to stand and renew their vows during Mass.

So we stood; we held hands and looked at the priest while trying to stifle giggles. We looked like two six-year-olds who had been made to hold hands. You'd think, after 13 years of marriage, we could have taken it a bit more seriously. However, when it came time to say "I do," it only took one look into each other's eyes to see that we were both thinking the same thing.

We are really close to the front of church. Don't you dare say "No!"

Purging

No, it's not my latest diet plan! It's more like spring cleaning--a little early. We may have potential homebuyers coming to see our house this week and we're getting the place in shape.

I should not be surprised and yet, it is always amazing how much stuff one family can accumulate! We bring bags of items to Salvation Army throughout the year, every year -- yet we always have more to donate and large amounts of junk to trash when we start considering what we'll move to the next house.

Fixed for Friday

The vibration in the car's wheel is fixed and tires are rotated. The hatch/back door has to wait for a part so that will be another 2-hour drive to the dealership but I wrote over 1,900 words while I waited there yesterday!

The hubbie has caulked in the bathroom and filled the crack that was causing the stain on our ceiling; the window that would not open has been fixed and the toilets have all been "toggled" correctly. The gas fireplace has been checked and no one can find the miniature leak now!

The hubbie even fixed my cell phone! (Somehow I cracked it and the top was dangling from the bottom when I used it! The piece finally came completely off and we didn't think we could glue plastic but he found a way!)

So the house is getting in shape and the realtor is sitting down with us tomorrow evening to go over paperwork and help us set the price. If the cell phone can just hang in there until we move, I'll be happy!

It is time for a pet

"If I could be a big brother, I'd clean up the poop."

"You mean you would change the baby's diapers?" I ask.

"Yes! I would wipe the poop off of the baby."

"It's real poop, C!" N adds.

"I know."

"Yeah, I'd change the diapers too if we could have a baby," she agrees.

While I appreciate the team effort, it seems it's time for a puppy--and a shovel.

Required reading

My blood pressure was high during my doctor's visit this week. Higher than we'd like but not astronomical, so the doctor gave me a week to check it at home each day before we get too concerned.

Frankly, being at the doctor's or even looking at the blood pressure cuff usually increases my heart rate a little! So yesterday, before I wrapped the cuff around my arm, my hubbie instructed me to sit still for at least five minutes. I did but my result was no better than Tuesday.

"Are you sure you sat for FIVE minutes?" hubbie asked.

I sighed and reminded my son it was time to sit and read for twenty minutes. He grabbed a "chapter book" (each chapter is just over two pages). We sat and the book took us exactly twenty minutes to read.

I checked my blood pressure once more when we were done. It was normal!

If I followed Rene's idea and set the timer for twenty minutes to write, another twenty for dishes, etc., I would complete much more during the day. C is also supposed to "read" (and/or listen) to a book for 20 minutes as his homework. If we set a timer and stick to that, it looks like it's better for my health as well! (If I could squeeze in another 20 minutes to read a novel, it would help my heart rate and my writing!)

I've read many times that for a writer, reading is not a luxury--it is a requirement. I need to treat it as such!

Maybe on Shania's next album

After hearing it on the radio the other day, both my kids have been singing the song. C however, doesn't sing it quite right.

"Man, I feel like THE woman!"

N starts rolling her eyes. "C, it's 'A Woman. I feel like a woman. Not THE woman!'"

C shrugs his shoulders. "Fine! I feel like the woman! I mean, I feel like A woman!" He shakes his hips. "I wish I could BE a woman!"

I don't think there is a country song for that yet.

2 drink minimum Tuesday

I was at the doctor's office today for my annual visit and the nurse asks, "Do you smoke or drink?"

I answer, "No and yes."

She looks up so I try to make it more acceptable. "Wine at night."

"I'll put occasionally," she says.

Sure--let's go with that.
________________
The hubbie had lasik eye surgery today. He's doing well. On the ride home, he could see speed limit signs much earlier than he could see them before.

I mentally ran through the stock in my kitchen cupboards and asked what he'd like for lunch and he offered to take me out to lunch. (I was driving and his vision was blurring in one eye but it was a nice idea for him to take me to lunch.) So we went. He had to eat with sunglasses on but I got to pretend I was out with a celebrity.
__________________
The daughter screamed at me and called me a liar today after I would not let her have a playdate--umm, "work date" on a Tuesday. (After other difficulties in the past, we have instituted a "Friday only" rule for playdates for her. So she and her friend have been explaining that they have to finish a poster for class. They are the only two working on it but the teacher specifically asked them. ) Sure.

She got away with this one when her grandparents were here. I called her on it but she's trying it again. Of course, it's with a new friend so I guess she figures it is worth a shot.
__________________
My son (almost 6 years old) asked his friend's younger sister (4 yrs) to marry him today. I wasn't there but their mother told me he found a flower, hid it behind his back, bowed to her and asked if she would please marry him.

She turned him down.

A new day is coming

I've mentioned my daughter's best friend before. I know she is a good kid but she still wears on my nerves.

Two Fridays ago, my daughter invited the BF and another mutual friend over. The other friend is unfailingly polite and helpful and I made sure to continually thank her for it in front of the other two girls.

When the evening was over, I tried not to be negative about the BF. (I have to try really hard and I'm not always successful!) So I kept saying, "I just love M!"

At bedtime, my daughter was mentioning how the mutual friend helped her clean up and treated her things nicely. And then the light bulb popped up right over my daughter's head. "You know Mom, [BF] doesn't even care about my stuff."

The Hallelujah chorus ran through my head but I just nodded.

Though my daughter and the BF have spent almost every Friday afternoon together during the last two years, last Friday she only wanted to invite M over again. I said it was fine with me but asked if she had told the BF.

"No, because if I tell her I'm having M over she will ask if she can come too and I want some time with just M today."

Again, fine by me! I was hoping to get them in the car without attracting too much attention but the BF did see and was not pleased.

The two friends may be in for a tough day today. I remember how girls get when they think someone else may be becoming "the best friend."

On the other hand, I'm glad that my daughter is recognizing how much happier everyone is when she brings home a friend that respects not only her things but her family members as well.

Two children provide balance in life!

When I was 8 years old, Grease appeared in theaters and I was introduced to Olivia Newton-John. For the next several years, I wanted to BE Olivia.

Today, the hubbie and kids brought the movie home on DVD from Blockbuster. My 8-year-old daughter looked at the photo on the cover and said, "Mom! This picture of Olivia Newton-John looks like you in your highschool picture!"

It is not true but it totally justifies labor pains! She's such a sweet, pretty girl!

A few hours later, emboldened by my daughter's comments and a few sips of red wine, I began singing "Hopelessly Devoted to You" while I prepared dinner.

"Mom! Stop!"

I turn to my son. "Because you don't like my singing?" Or because you can't hear the tv?"

"Just stop."

"OK. It will cost you a kiss."

He runs over and plants a big kiss right on my lips!

All is quiet for a few minutes as I continue to make dinner. Then, I slip up. I begin humming and then--yes, singing.

"MOM! I KISSED you!"

Right.

The Ice Storm Cometh

We've had freezing rain, snow and ice since Friday evening. Perfect weather for staying in and go through all the things I need to give away before we move! I mean, perfect weather to stay in and write.

While I haven't written as much as I should or want to , at least I've gotten enough done that I'm not so frustrated anymore. At the end of the day yesterday, I started to complain that I'd still gotten "nothing done." Instead, I was happy about what I had accomplished: my daughter and I had done a few loads of laundry, I listened to my daughter read a part of one of her favorite books, I played a game of chess with each of my children and two games of checkers with my daughter. It was a good day.

Technical difficulties

My computer is fine--I am really talking about operator-error. I.can.not.use.MySpace.

I tried multiple times to establish an account so I could comment on my BIL's space but it would not let me join! Today, after following a link from Joshilyn's blog, I tried and it let me join right away! Yay! Except--no. I have a myspace account, apparently. It says that I am single and childless, which is not true. I cannot figure out how to get back in!

I already have a friend! How is this possible?

I tried to just delete the whole thing and I cannot even figure out how to do that!

This confirms my earlier suspicions that MySpace is for the younger, hip generation. I do not have the skills.
********************
UPDATE: OK, I did figure out how to change my marital status, etc. I still can't figure out how to just delete the whole thing.
(Yes! I am supposed to be WRITING! I'm going...)

Procrastination cleans my house!

I vowed to finish the novel in early 2007. Then I signed on to participate in a writing group to keep myself accountable. They have not heard much from me!

Wednesday, with some amount of free time available, I realized that I'd been letting lots of housework slide when I was attempting to get the book done at then end of 2006. So I washed, dried and folded several loads of laundry, vacuumed the entire house (including the basement) and washed the floors (and even some doors)! My house is CLEAN!

I did not write a word.

Yesterday my son had a playdate after kindergarten so I had the whole school day to myself! With a clean house, I knew I could justify planting myself in the chair and writing. Instead, I went for a run (it was a beautiful day and I knew that'd be changing soon) and went bloghopping.

So TODAY is the day! The hubbie has the day off so he can play with C, N wants to bring friends home so they should keep her entertained and everyone still has clean socks and underwear so I'm good to go!

It's that time again!

It's De-lurking week! I'd forgotten until I stopped by AGK's site so I'm a bit behind --but what else is new?

Stop by and lurk the rest of the year but this week, speak up and let us know who you are! (Now that I've upgraded to the "new blogger" my comments from last year were wiped out so feel free to speak up again this year!)

This was started by Paper Napkin so in your free time, take a peek over there and say hello, too!

Reflections of you

I'm wearing my favorite earrings. They're big! They're fun!

They are silver so they go with just about anything but they may also be my favorite because someone compliments them every time I wear them! It is easy to smile when someone tells you how great your earrings are but I'm also having fun. I don't think that people consciously realize that when they look at my earrings, they're staring at a small reflection of themselves.

(My son totally understands but he's five and cannot pass up a chance to admire his reflection!)

Everywhere you look...

How could I have missed it? I have been guessing for two years now...trying to determine just who my daughter's best friend resembles. I've guessed one of my childhood friends, one of my highschool friends, someone on tv...

...and then the other night--there she was! The BF was here for a sleepover and she and my daughter were watching yet another episode of Full House. As I looked from the BF to the screen and back--I couldn't believe I hadn't made the connection before! (The similarities go far beyond looks—though the BF does have much better fashion sense!)

My daughter's best friend is Kimmy Gibbler!

The twelfth day

For my mom, who used to celebrate today, and Ukrainians who are celebrating today---Merry Little Christmas!

It is also the Feast of the Epiphany, the 12th day of Christmas and for some people--the beginning of Carnival season! (Put the advent calendars away and start counting the days until your favorite Mardi Gras Krewes start rolling!)

The sun is shining here; there is not a cloud in the sky! My daughter's sleepover guest has gone home AND they actually slept last night! It is a good day!

I hope you all have a reason to celebrate today!

The philosopher and the fashionista

A conversation from yesterday:

Me: Remember that you have an all-school Mass tomorrow morning.

C & N: Awwwww.....

Me: Ahem.

C looks up for a second, then states a little louder: I love church!

Me: You do?

C: Yes! It's God's house!

N's comment is softer: I think I'll wear my black Mary Janes but I'm just not sure what top I should wear...

I'm ready for my close up

One lory sips nectar from a cup in Lory's hand; another lory waits for her turn and yet another is perched on Lory's head.

(Thank goodness Lory's new jacket is easy to wipe clean!)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

May 2007 bring you much happiness and good fortune!

It stopped raining!

The first snow this winter arrived on the last day of the year!

Quality time

On our last flight home, my husband sat between our children and let me have the aisle seat opposite them. (Although my daughter still talked to me, (I was not obligated to entertain them across the aisle!) So while my husband had the pleasure of additional family time, I deliberated whether to read or try to work on a crossword puzzle. I never got to either one.

As usual, I greeted the person sitting next to me. We exchanged the usual information--where we were headed and where "home" is. What was unusual--at least for me--was that the mention of our destination launched us into quite a trip down memory lane for the woman beside me.

She grew up very near where we live now. She knew Fort Riley "back when it was very beautiful" and shared stories of watching the calvary march near her home. She recalled family reunions with her cousins from all over Kansas, remarking that "you all probably don't do that anymore." That phrase popped up every so often--sometimes it was accurate but in some cases, I was able to assure her that not everything has changed.

My companion from row 17 will be celebrating her 82nd birthday next week. While she happily recalled many good times with her sister and cousins (who have all passed away), about halfway through the flight she was wiping the tears away. I apologized for bringing up painful memories but she just patted my knee saying, "No dear. Thank you for letting me reminisce a little." She had only good things to relate but after each story, she'd remind me that she is the "only one left."

I tried cheering her by reminding her that she'd just visited her niece and her family. Her grand-niece is attending KSU which is not far and she has dear friends in Kansas City. She'd nod but repeat that she was the only one left, making sure that I understood her immediate family and old friends are all gone. She has been invited to move closer to her niece but said she'd rather stay where she is as it's near her burial place. I nodded, saying I hoped she would not need it for many more years but that it must be a comfort knowing that is settled. She smiled. She described a family burial spot, out in the country, where all of her family is buried together. There is a beautiful view; it's peaceful. And she settled back for a moment, quite serene.

We saw her twice more in the airport and my daughter spotted her first: "Look Mom! There's your friend!" I never asked her name but I'll think of her whenever we drive by the farms beyond the Army post.

I learned quite a bit about the place we live now but there was a larger lesson in her few minutes of silence. She spent a few sad, fearful moments realizing that she had been left behind but she spent just as much time happily anticipating joining her family again.

Delayed Christmas wishes!

I hope your holidays were wonderful! Belated warm wishes for Chanukah and Christmas!

I finally got the Christmas letters out but did not get back on the blog before we left town. We went to San Antonio to visit some of the hubbie's family for Christmas. We stayed with his parents and spent much of Christmas Day at his brother's house. Our kids loved having time with cousins they haven't seen in quite a while and we got to relax and catch up a little!

Personal apologies

For my readers who also know my last name and are expecting Christmas cards from me: SURPRISE! They won't get to you by tomorrow. (I know, that is not a surprise).

Further apologies--you won't get a card. After spending most of this week trying various ways to create beautiful, creative cards -- I can't get them to print right. Even my attempts to print the perfect photo to send with a card met with no success.

So...as I do at this time every year...I give up. I cut and paste our photo on a Christmas letter and print that instead. However, at least in years past, I have purchased cards and slip the letter inside. I have not made it that far this year.

You will get a Christmas letter from us this year. At least, I hope it gets to you this year!

13 years

Thirteen may sound like an unlucky number but I don't know another way to get to fourteen!

(Our 13th wedding anniversary was officially yesterday but I'm always a bit behind...)

Happy (Belated) Anniversary, Sweetie!

******************************

13 Numbers Detailing 13 Years...

and only 1 Day Late!

17 years ago we had a 12 hour date and soon we were not dating anyone else.
16 years ago, I suggested that we could get married and you did not quite agree.
(It was not the enthusiastic response I was looking for.)
14.5 years ago you asked me to marry you and I agreed—though it was still a less enthusiastic response than you were hoping for!
13 years ago we got married.
12 years ago I suggested that we should not stay married but you did not quite agree. We made it through that and 10 years ago we talked about starting a family.
9 years ago we actually did and 8.5 years ago, our first child was born!
2.5 years later (almost 6 years ago) our second child was born!
Lately, I have suggested adding a 3rd child to our family but you do not quite agree.
We have a wonderful, loving family of 4 and life is good! I hope you agree!

Well, they're not ALL he wants for Christmas...

Mea Culpa VI

I like to think that I am a nice person but I know there are people out there who would disagree. I cannot change the past, right? Perhaps it is better to go ahead and do the best I can each day rather than looking back.

Yet looking back is moving my novel forward. I had the idea to include one or two heartaches in the book—similar to personal ones—to work through them personally and give the novel some conflict. However, taking a closer look at the mistakes I made, the hurt I caused and then exaggerating those just a little makes for a more powerful story.

It makes it much more draining to write, too.

A marketer's dream

My son, of course, wants every toy advertised during his favorite cartoons on Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, etc.

When "grown-up" items are advertised--he wants them, too--for me. I hear "You should get that, Mom!" every time new cookware, laundry detergent or other helpful cleaning product is advertised.

I was afraid he thought I was a poor cook or his shirts weren't clean enough until yesterday. Sally Field was touting the benefits of Boniva and he voiced an even stronger plea: "You REALLY should get that, Mom!"

I'm just thankful that the ads for NuvaRing and male enhancement products usually air after bedtime.

Under construction

I am technologically challenged. So when it seemed that I could update the look of my blog quickly and easily---I should have known better!

I will try to regain the comments that were posted before today. If I succeed with that, maybe I'll put a few pretty buttons back on the site.

It's another work in progress...

I gave it a shot

I have always gotten more done when a deadline is fast approaching. Some of my best papers in college were written hours before they were due. That's my story, anyway and I'm sticking to it.

So it's no wonder that I wrote many more words today than I've written all month.
There were several days this month when I wrote no words at all. Seeing how many I really CAN write in between laundry, dishes, picking kids up, etc. has at least taught me an important lesson. While I always have plenty of excuses, if I just park myself in the chair, I CAN write. In fact, I learned today that I can watch my son at Taekwondo while fingers are flying on a laptop...who knew? I wrote 3 pages in 20 minutes. Who woulda thunk it?

Unfortunately, it's a lesson I've learned a little too late. There are twenty-seven minutes left before the Nano deadline--and I still have 12, 527 words to finish to "win." So I will not have a pretty icon to post and show you that I can do it.

But I will do it. I will pick a new date and stick to it and have the book done. I will even post excerpts for all to read. But not tonight. Of the 37,473 words you see over there to the left---over 9,000 were written today! If only I had started off that way...

Oh, well. Congratulations to all of you out there that finished in time and won!!! Good for you! I am impressed and hope to join you in the winner's circle next year!