The Girl Who Stopped Swimming

Joshilyn Jackson's latest book takes place in Florida. 

Her first two novels put you in the South.  I grew up in Florida and went to college in New Orleans and her books captured much of the essence of what I like to remember as "home."  I was excited to learn that her latest book took place in Florida but I did not get as nostalgic with this one.  

While she included some references to the sandy soil (which differs, apparently, from the actual dirt next door in Alabama) much of this novel takes place in Anywhere, USA.  Which is actually closer to where I really grew up--and where I live, now.  

Ms. Jackson has a talent for creating memorable characters and locales.  Her details put you right into the story.   I was sure I had the "whodunit" part figured out this time--and was wrong again!  It was worth the read--I just didn't feel like to I got to escape to the South this time.  I felt like it could have taken place here--in my current home.  (Although I do not have a pool, nor a dead girl floating in one.)

Thank you, Blogger

Today's "blog of note" from Blogger is Nathan Bransford, Literary Agent. I popped over to take a look and was glad to have done so. I've found yet one more site to look at while I pretend to be writing.  It's great and he has plenty of interesting information. What I'm sharing with you today however, is a link --and a question--that he shared from the Washington Post book blog: Short Stack.

What book(s) are you embarrassed not to have read?

I have read parts of--but never the entire--Bible. I don't know if that counts. (Actually, books I've started, read parts of or are still theoretically reading could be an entirely different category! Infinite Jest and Les Miserables would top that list...)

(Unlike other members of my family, I have not read one Harry Potter book--but I'm not embarrassed by that.)  

Books that I'm embarrassed to say I haven't read yet would include:

Moby Dick - Melville 

The Divine Comedy (The Inferno, The Purgatorio, The Paradiso) - Dante 

A Room of One's Own - Virginia Woolf (I keep saying I'd be a better writer if I had one but I    still haven't read the book!)

Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger (I'm pretty sure everyone has read this but me)

Uncle Tom's Cabin - Harriet Beecher Stowe (I've read so many other Civil War books and even have a WIP based during the War so it's particularly shameful that I have not read this one!)

Seven years ago

It took a while to get our furniture--we slept in new sofa beds for a month.  Once our goods arrived, it took a while to get the boxes unpacked.  We finally got things put away, had the children settled into their new rooms and were finally adjusting to the new house.

I had been telling my family we'd have time and would likely be ready for a visit by September.  In normal fashion, I waited until September to get online and book a ticket.  It was around 6 or 6:30am.  The kids were playing nicely; I logged on to the computer but when I tried to price a flight, I saw the message informing me that, in light of recent events, all flights were suspended until further notice.  I remember looking out the window, up at the clear, Alaska sky and wondering what could have happened.  My imagination took off and I pictured a few horrible scenarios.

I turned on the television.  Nothing I had imagined came close to what I saw.

I am thankful for my gift of procrastination.  In  August, 2007, I looked at the calendar, checked our schedules and thought that we would be ready to travel by September 11.  While it took a bit longer to actually get on a plane and visit my family, I am glad that I waited until that fateful day to attempt to book our flight.

May God be with the families who lost loved ones seven years ago today.

Focus on what's important

The title of this post is a reminder to myself.

My daughter picks on her brother more each day. The more I chastise her for it, the more she does it. (Life is a bit busier with three kids and now that the baby is mobile, I guess any attention she gets--even if it is negative attention--is welcome.)

It was a wonderful treat to open my email earlier this week to find an email from N's teacher. She wanted to take the time to tell me that N had impressed her by stepping up and helping a fellow student at school. Another girl was feeling left out and the teacher asked N to move to a new desk--away from her best friend--to help this other girl feel more included. The teacher went on to tell me how my daughter did not hesitate and displayed Christian behavior.

While I want my daughter to receive a good education, the note was an affirmation that we are doing the right thing for our children in sending them to a school where Christian values are stressed just as much as math facts and spelling words.

(Here is where I have to remind myself again to focus on what is truly important. The note from my daughter's teacher was loaded with misspelled words and grammatical errors. Realizing that this person is also my daughter's English teacher makes me cringe but I am choosing to believe that she is a person that believes that spelling and grammar rules do not apply to hasty email messages.)

The note was also a reminder to me that encouraging her is probably a better way to get N to be nice rather than yelling at her when she picks on her brother. I am fully aware that much of her pestering would stop if I simply ignore it--but it's hard when my son is right there--I don't want him to think I won't stand up for him. Having said that, he keeps telling me "from now on, I will stand up for myself with N." I should give him a chance.

Whether she pesters him or plays with him, C will do anything that N says. He loves her and wants her attention--negative or otherwise. We looked at some photos last night and found one of her snuggling with C when he was a baby. He smiled, looked up at her and said, "I guess you do love me."

I tried to use that as a reminder this morning when she was picking on him. I didn't catch on to just how much she is looking for the same thing from me until after I finished yelling this morning. I still haven't folded the laundry or unloaded the dishwasher but at least I can say I've learned something today.

(Now I am going to look for a coffee pot with a timer so I can spend the rest of my mornings smiling and being nice, rather than yelling at my kids for not helping out when Mommy hasn't even had a chance to make a pot of coffee!)

Getting the idea

Yesterday, my son got dressed for school before coming downstairs but as he took a bite of his breakfast, he whined that his throat hurt.

"It really hurts, Mommy. And I'm not lying this time."

This time.


(Perhaps his worries about Purgatory aren't as sinister as I'd feared.)

Tidying up

Thank you for the kind responses to my last post.  I am happy to have an ending!

I went for a run on Monday, hoping the fresh air would blow the cobwebs out of my head and I could figure out how to sort out all of these scenes, words, chapters...

I did come up with an answer and I think it will make a better book.  But I have to dump over 30,000 words.

I really hate that.

Sitting in the middle with my thumb in my mouth

Finally, I have an ending for the WIP I've been trying to finish up.  I have most of the major details and many more minor ones typed up in separate files but now I have to put it all back together.  

This part is more overwhelming than coming up with an ending!  I have all the pieces but they're scattered--like the toys and clothes in my son's room.  I have to sort through and decide what to throw out, what to keep and where to place the pieces I'm keeping.  I just to have to figure out where to start!

Not exactly clouds in my coffee

I try not to waste food or drinks in my house, so when my son left an almost full glass of milk on the table after breakfast, I decided to pour that into my coffee cup.   Milk however, should not go "plop!"

(My kids are currently enjoying "Vita Worm" vitamins.  My daughter tried to toss one onto her brother's plate in the morning but missed--it landed in his cup.  She gave him another one and he never knew--nor did I, until I almost had vitamin-enriched coffee!)

I don't want to know

My son was asking if it was possible for him to go to Hell before he'd made his First Reconciliation. Now that he only has two months before making that First confession, he has moved on. Now he wants to know how much time people spend in Purgatory.
Hopefully attending Catholic school will be good for him--he certainly knows Someone is watching him--but I'm a little worried about what he has been up to!

and round and round we go....

I was thinking that school starting would bring some sense of routine and calm back into our lives. I forgot how much I was looking forward to the end of school in May! Whew! We're back...the baby and I are back volunteering at school and magazine sales have already started, along with volleyball (for the girl) and tennis lessons (for the boy).

We just returned from a family reunion in Michigan this weekend and as I was emailing photos and going through my mental checklist for tomorrow, I checked the forecast/Fay update for Florida.

That was all it took to remind me that I can't complain. Sure, just when I thought dinner was almost ready, I spilled frozen corn all over the floor--and I have a crawling baby that eats ANYTHING in his path--but Fay is literally circling my baby brother's home and headed for my parents. A lot of dirty dishes and some spilled corn just ain't that big of a deal! It was a beautiful day here and I can see the moon tonight. I may not be able to predict how much sleep I'll get each night but living on the edge of the cornfields, I know that tropical storms and hurricanes are not going to make it this far!

I hope you are warm and dry!

Quiet time for mom?

My sister and her family went back home to Florida for a visit and took my daughter with them for a week!  My son spent the night with a friend last night and both the baby and husband are sleeping.

I have my coffee and quiet time at the computer.  Thus I am sitting here, hoping my son slept OK and hoping he behaves today while I dash to Ohio to retrieve my daughter.  Hopefully she'll handle the additional 4-hour drive back home well after her journey.  The baby should sleep most of the way there and back--he does well in the car--but maybe I should go ahead and wake him up.

I don't know why

Watch what you ask for--and what you post on your blog.

The baby has not actually eaten any live creatures--at least, not that I am aware of.  He has not actually tried eating a spider--but I have seen him try to catch an ant.  (It was a tiny, fast ant trying to escape a big, clumsy baby--no real danger for either of them).

The day after my last post however, a fly was hitching a ride with us in the car.  Everyone else can shoo him away but the baby is still learning.  My older son kept yelling things like "the fly is on his nose!"  Then he really started shouting--"J is going to eat the fly!"

Luckily, the baby's reflexes are not that fast.  Otherwise the fly could have been in danger.  

I know an old lady who swallowed a fly

I don't know why she swallowed the fly.

Once upon a time, I was worried about spiders biting my unsuspecting children. How foolish of me. The older kids can spot a hairy invader from 20 yards away--no unsuspecting victims, here!
The baby, of course, senses no danger but is curious about everything. He has perfected his pincer grasp and he's on the move. I was once worried about spider venom being poisonous but now I wonder what will happen if a child ingests the entire creature.

I justify smashing the critters with my shoe not just as a means of protecting my children but also as a type of mercy killing for the unsuspecting bug. If I were a spider, I'd rather go quickly than have to wriggle and jiggle and tickle inside of anyone.

But I'm thirsty!

With the first child, the first time she dropped her cup from the highchair, we picked it up, smiling. The second time, we retrieved it again. Around the 10th time, we realized it was a game--how cute! She was training us! She realized we would pick it up for her! What a smart child!

When the second child did it, we smiled knowingly but still picked up the cup a few times.

Third baby watches it land with a thud on the floor, smiles up at us and we simply smile back.

Herding turtles

As the baby becomes mobile, I become less so!  (I feel more like a hamster in an exercise wheel--I I'm always moving but not getting much done.)

We got a new all-in-one printer that will do everything but print, at the moment.  Laundry (clean and dirty) is spilling over baskets and hampers.  As I'm not finding any more time, it was tempting to break out the wine and just give up. (It's 5pm somewhere, right?)  I knew it wouldn't help me get more accomplished but I wouldn't care so much.

I did get the baby settled down for a nap and tried to figure out where I could score some sort of energy drink--preferably in gallon form-- but I found the hubbie's chocolate covered espresso beans.  I'll just call these "Mommy's other little helper!"  Now I can spin my wheels faster.

Key lime pie at 2am

It's been quite a while since I was out "late!" Hanging out with a few friends after our highschool reunion was the first time in many years! I used to come home from college and hang out with some of those same friends but we never left before 9 or 10pm. When the clubs closed at 2am, we'd head someplace to get a cup of tea and a slice of pie. I'd order key lime pie whenever I could.

It is not often that I eat key lime pie anymore, but the hubbie and kids picked one up for me for my birthday.

My daughter had a friend sleep over last night but they were having trouble getting to sleep. (I've stopped checking on these two often as this friend has slept over many times but last night they got me out of bed to tell me they could not get to sleep and their movie was over!) So I came downstairs, put another movie on and decided to settle in on the couch until they fell asleep. I tried to ignore the call of the pie from the freezer.

Sometimes it feels like somebody's watching me

While I have posted a few entries over the years that I probably should have held off on--most of them were examples of bad writing or ideas that were not as clever as I thought they were at midnight.  I do try to keep in mind that anything I post can be seen by anyone, anywhere at any time.

There are people however, who have internet access but do not think about how many people can view their posts or videos or do not care.

My daughter is upset that I've blocked You Tube on the computer downstairs.  I have not blocked it due to videos she has found but because of the clips that she may find.  Responsible adults out there can decide for themselves what to look at but I'm not giving a 10-year-old that luxury.

I came across this article this morning.  Not only should  people be careful about what they post but for those of you who do not have mothers blocking sites for you, you may want to be careful about what you choose to view, as well!  Apparently Google, who owns You Tube, must report the viewing habits of anyone who has ever viewed any You Tube video.  (If you've just been looking at Miley Cyrus and some questionable "wizard swears" puppet videos, you should not have too much to be embarrassed about.)

Be careful what you wish for!

I was not sure when the hubbie decided on a Mac.  I was less sure when he wanted to put it in the "office" (which I'd originally envisioned more of a library--the one electronic-free room).  Since it went up, of course, I've found all sorts of new features on this computer and have done some writing but much more exploring.

We've just had a new bookshelf built in the basement and the office is being relocated there.  It looks like I will get my library after all.

This should work out better for everyone.  The piano is in this room as well and I have to get back to that and back to writing--which I manage when I do not have internet access! ;)

...and the race is on!

At first glance, I thought it was a baby spider...then I thought just fuzz, blowing in the breeze created by the ceiling fan.  The baby was enthralled with it and I finally realized it was a small ant.

A tiny, very fast ant trying to escape a large, wobbly baby is something to see!  J was really trying but has not yet mastered his pincer grip.  If he had simply fallen where he was, he'd have crushed the tiny insect--a fact the ant knew, no doubt!

At home among the cornfields

While a trip home last week reminded me of some of my favorite things, it is very peaceful to look out the kitchen window in my new home and watch the fireflies light up the backyard as the sun sets in the exact center of my view!

It is immediately relaxing to hear the crickets, cicadas and/or tree frogs at night in Florida but I've never seen a lightning bug there!

Home is where your children have quietly fallen asleep. ;)

inspiration...

For years, I was working on a novel set in the South during the Civil War.  A few years ago, I set that aside to work on a story set mostly in Alaska.

Each time I travel home (to Florida) however, I think of something new to add to that first book.  Now, having over 5 consecutive hours of sleep (and almost 8 in one day), I'm ready to get to it!

The kids lost all of their electronics today and I remembered what it was like--back when they were in school--when I got a crack at the computer!  I may just get something done, yet!

Leaving on a jet plane

The kids and I are headed to Florida!  It will be absolutely wonderful to reconnect with old friends!  I am excited that my parents have offered to watch all three kids for the night but I've never left the baby for that long--I'm a tiny bit nervous!  This is my 3rd child and my parent's 12th grandchild--so the anxiety is reduced a just a little! ;)

I am debating whether or not to post photos when I get back.  (I haven't posted a photo of myself, yet!)  Maybe we'll see what kind of photos we end up with!

You say potato...

I called it "a stomach bug."  Dr. Hubbie called this morning to report that rotavirus is going around.  Same thing.  

The baby has actually been vaccinated against rotavirus so I won't have to keep worrying that he will start showing messy symptoms, too.  Which is good and bad.  It is fantastic to think that I should be finished cleaning up after people.  The frustrating part is that the fever that he woke with this morning is something different.  (With a teething baby who chews on everything--it could be anything!)

20

I cannot believe that my 20th high school reunion is coming up already!  It will be great to see old friends again and my parents have offered to watch the kids.

If only I were twenty pounds lighter...

Summer reading

Do you have a summer reading list?

Each year, I believe that the kids and I will read more during the summer.  The kids are reading a little more, grudgingly, as we've told them they have to in order to play video games or go to the pool.

Keeping them busy during the summer does not leave much more time for me to read during the summer than any other time of the year, however!  I have these fantasies of reading through a few classics and a few new bestsellers but at the rate I'm going, I'll be lucky to finish an entire book!

What are you reading?

I'll never win the Mom of the Year Award

The older two are already trying to let the baby play video games with them.  (He can hit the "A" button for me, Mom!)

Oh, and the baby is already watching Spongebob.

High aspirations

"I am going to be a priest," says my middle child.

"You are?"

"Yes!  I am going to be a priest, then a bishop, then a Catholic* and then Pope!"

*He meant cardinal. 

Shaping up

Middle son has not been following directions.  Taking privileges away has not phased him; taking video games away has made no difference.  I've decided to take a cue from his soccer coach.

Each time my son does not listen or misbehaves, I ask him to run a lap around our entire backyard.  (We have a very large backyard!)  We began this yesterday.  He was winded after the first run but I still had him go out two more times.  

Since then however, all I have to do is say "get your shoes" and that gets his attention!  If this can continue, he'll either shape up or get in shape!

Count your blessings

Kids, let's GO!

Mom, my shirt is missing a button.

That's OK.  Just wear a different shirt and I'll fix it today.

I can't!  It's FRIDAY.  We have to wear the shirts with the logos on them to Mass and I only have this one.

Do you know where the button is?

Nope.

I have some in my sewing kit. *sigh*  I need a cup of coffee.

(Hubbie is walking by, on his way out the door.) There are extra buttons on the bottom of my dress shirts.  Use one of those.

Thanks.  (Kiss)  I'll find the sewing kit.  I just need a sip of coffee.

MOM!  Can I just pull the button off of Dad's shirt?

*LOUD SIGH* I will be right there!  Do not pull anything off of Dad's shirt!  I'm getting a cup of coffee.

Hey, Mom?  Have you seen my belt?

I'm sure it's on the floor of your closet but I'll help you look.  Just let me pour that coffee.

MOM?  I'm getting that button, OK?

*Storm upstairs*  I will get it.  Go eat your breakfast.

(Look in laundry room for scissors and sewing kit.  Find neither.  Grab another pair of scissors and gently remove button from dress shirt.)

MOM!  Is the baby up yet?

No but he will be if you keep yelling.

WHAT?!?!

*sigh* I bring the button downstairs.  The sewing kit must be in the mud room.

Hi, Mom!  Did you get my belt when you were upstairs?

*Blink and sigh*  No.  I need to find my sewing kit and get a cup of coffee.

You have a sewing kit?

*Blink and nod*  Hard to believe, I know.

Wait, Mom!  I've got it!  You don't have to fix my shirt!    I'll just wear a t-shirt under it!  Then people will see more white--they won't know!

 I'll fix it.  Have you seen my sewing kit?

Nope.  Is breakfast ready?  When B comes over after school, can you take us to the park?  What are we going to have for lunch?  Did you remember it's a half-day, today?

Yes, maybe, we'll see and yes.  Let me get a cup of coffee and then I'll find that sewing kit.

 (Where IS that thing?)  I say a prayer out loud and another to St. Anthony to help me find the sewing kit.  (I'm trying to teach the kids to ask for divine help when mom isn't quick enough!)  I repeat the prayer as I look through every room and still can't find it.  I need a cup of coffee.

I get my coffee mug, pour a splash of milk in.  Aha!  It's on top of the fridge--found the sewing kit!  

OK, let's fix that shirt!

That's your sewing kit?

Yep.

It looks like a shoe box.

I nod and realize I never poured the coffee.  I grab the mug and almost step on the toes of my shadow, behind me.

What does your mug say?  Can I read it?

Yes. (I finish sewing the button while he turns and reads the words on the mug.)

 "Count your blessings, not your problems."

That's cool.

Yes, it is.

I hand daughter her shirt, pat son on the head and smile.  I reach over son's head for mug and take my first, long sip of coffee.

Perspective

My son asks, Have you seen that cross that they carry down the aisle at the beginning of Mass?

I nod.

Have you noticed that if you turn it upside down, it looks like a sword?

baby (duck) steps

Shortly after we moved into our new home, my husband discovered a bird's nest in a little alcove under our mailbox.  (It's for the newspaper that we have not yet subscribed to).  He thought it was just sticks and grass so he poked around and then realized what he'd found.  The mama bird never returned.

Today, the hubbie was pulling weeds from the front garden and under some small shrubbery, he disturbed a mother duck--who scared the living *!%* out of my husband before she flew away.  He saw the eggs--swears he didn't actually touch them--but I'm wondering if she'll come back.  She flew off but was keeping an eye on him as he continued weeding and told us about the encounter.

Any guesses on if this mama is ever coming back?  If she doesn't incubate the eggs will they hatch?

(Of course, the hubbie found the weeds--and the eggs--after he went out to clean smashed eggs off of an outside garage window.  He blames highschool kids but I've heard lots of very vocal birds the last few mornings--I'm thinking we had an earlier aves-related mishap).

****

Update:  Mama duck was back under the shrubbery last night.  Hubbie admitted he's surprised the duck before--it just wasn't as up close and personal.  Maybe we'll have a little row of ducklings following mama to the pond soon.

Baby steps

I recycle, put E85 into my fuel tank and try to remember to bring my own bags to the grocery store.

Now that we have brought another child into the world however, it is time to work a little harder at lessening the impact we are making on the planet.  Yes--I know it is quite overdue--it is time to stop using disposable diapers.

For those of you who are already more evolved than I, perhaps you can share your wisdom. Any favorite brands?  

Prayers again, please

If you have a second, please remember my FIL in your prayers.  He is back in hospital with an infection.  Thanks!

Easter Mystery revealed

If you call me "Aunt Lory," stop reading this and please go draw a picture for me.  I can't wait to see it!  Thank you!

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

She was testing the waters well before Easter so I knew it was coming, it was simply a matter of when.  Maybe I was just ready to give up the charade with her as I could tell she was testing us and this time, I refused to play along.

Many times, during the weeks before Easter, she told me that she could not wait until Easter to see what Webkinz she would get in her Easter basket.  Though I explained that the Easter Bunny has never brought her a Webkinz before, she listed the pals in her class who had received one the prior year.

We explained that Easter "is not Christmas."  (When we celebrate Jesus's birthday, everyone (except Him) gets presents.  When we celebrate the fact that he conquered death, fulfilled an ancient prophecy and appeared to several people after he died---we color eggs and eat chocolate bunnies.))

Over the years, they have received small bunnies, bunny pens or pencils and books in their baskets along with candy.  They remember getting small gifts from their grandparents last year but they were with us to celebrate.  This year, they did each get an Easter DVD as well so I guess they DO get presents.  I just kept refusing to go and purchase another Webkinz, just because it was Easter.  (They each have over a dozen Webkinz, so this is not a boycott--just me making a lame attempt at making a point.)  She kept repeating that she could not wait to see what Webkinz she was going to get and I intentionally let her down.

Two days ago, while playing with her baby brother and avoiding eye-contact with me, she simply stated, "I know you are the Easter Bunny."  When my comment about my normal-sized ears did not dissuade her, I figured it was time to come clean.  I have felt guilty about misleading her a couple of years ago when she tried to ask me about the Tooth Fairy and I figured now she was old enough.  (Of course, she was not completely sure and was clearly hoping I'd offer some other explanation.)  She told me that she was pretty sure because EVERYONE in her class got at least one Webkinz from the Easter Bunny, except for her.  She was also suspicious of the plate of Hershey's kisses that were left on a plate in the middle of the table Easter morning because the plate was not there when she went to bed.  ("The bunny" leaves a plate of candy for the entire family every year but she was looking for some other clue.)

She is disappointed.  She is not happy about my request that she not tell her little brother but she hasn't totally given up.  Whether it's an attempt to hold on to the magic or look out for her materialistic interests, she did bother to tell me, "Don't worry.  I still believe in Santa."

The apple never falls far

I was told, on occasion, that I was a smart-aleck.

I was told, on several occasions, of my mother's wish that I would have a child just like me, one day.

I have heard from many sources that I give my daughter far too many choices.

So this morning should have come as no surprise.

N, if you're feeling motivated, could you please change the baby?

Umm, I'm not feeling motivated today.

All is secure

I have a cell phone should an emergency arise and now I have OnStar, should I not have my cell phone.  We live in a safe neighborhood.  We have an alarm system on the house but the windows are pretty secure and we have deadbolts on the doors.

While I'm sure that a savvy burglar who really wants to get in can,  a mom who has just successfully gotten three kids into the car but has locked the house keys, car keys and the cell phone in the house is simply stuck.  (My daughter was right--OnStar does not help if you can't start the car!)

I have the high-tech backups for all sorts of emergencies but as it turns out, what I need is a hide-a-key.

Coolin' and Droolin'

I try to play classical music for the baby when the older kids are not around.  (Then it's Hannah Montana 90% of the time, with a little Radio Disney sprinkled in.)  I use the word "classical" to include Mozart, Bach and the Beatles, so we have a little variation!

This morning however, I knew soothing music would have me asleep at the wheel before we got home from taking the others to school.  So I switched.  

The baby had been quietly drooling and playing with a toy in the backseat.  When Whole Lotta Love began playing however, he started singing (baby singing, but singing, nonetheless) and didn't stop until the last beat of the song.  

Stop Yelling Across the House!

We're back

We are getting back into the swing of things here after being gone last week.  Hopefully I'll get back into writing and blogging a little more regularly, soon!  I am trying to catch up on laundry and sleep.  (I always tell my husband that I need a vacation after our vacations!)  I was complaining that I had to reschedule a hair appointment before we left so the gray is making another appearance (matches the dark circles under the eyes) and then I  totally forgot about my new appointment today until it was too late.  (I really have to start sticking reminders to my kids!)  (Of course, if these are my worst issues, life is pretty darn good!)

Last week was busy but it was great!  At the last minute, we decided to take the kids to Washington D.C.  The kids, of course, were most interested in the hotel's pool but we were able to see some great, historical places and some interesting museums.  The National Air and Space Museum was the biggest hit with the kids.  

We were able to catch up with one of my old friends from back home and his family. We had a wonderful time and my daughter even included the dinner in her school journal.  Her assignment was to write what she did over Spring Break, so along with her favorite D.C. sites, she wrote that she had dinner with "old friends."  When I smiled, she explained that E is her friend.  (I love that to N, a 16-month old that she just met is an "old friend!")

Of course, they tired easily and "almost died" from the walking (these are the same kids that can dance and perform gymnastics to Radio Disney for hours) but they had some fun along the way!  The baby won't remember any of it so hopefully we can get back when everyone is a little older.  Perhaps we'll do some hiking/training in advance before we go back!

Percolating

I have found an interesting idea for a blog post but this one actually includes links and/or backup.  I'm working on it.

The bigger news is that the idea has inspired an intriguing sub-plot for the current WIP so I'm very excited!

With the new baby (and additional laundry), increased extra-curricular activities and playdates and this lovely spring weather, I am thrilled to finally be excited about research and writing again!  

A new thought or fact has bubbled up each day.  I'm not sure how the whole thing will turn out yet but it smells delicious.

Cliché

We bought the exersaucer with all sorts of toys, sounds, textures, etc.

In true baby fashion, he was much more interested in the box than the actual toy.  He is too young to really play with the box but he was fascinated with the baby girl pictured on the box!  

The box went out with the recycling yesterday however, so now he is stuck with an overwhelming amount of toys.  He's currently chewing on his spit rag.

Mama said there would be days like this

Are you curious as to how things are going here on those days that I just can't seem to post?

Go here. Yep.  It's like that.

New car

When there are no friends in the car, everyone can sit without touching another person!  

I can tote as many children as will fit and still not lose cargo space!

Everyone can get out of the car without doing front-flips over other seats.

I have a sensor that lets me know if something or someone is behind the car when it's in reverse; I can make the backseat colder or warmer than the front; I am sitting higher and can see more of the world around me while I am driving.

I cannot see a lunchbox left in the backseat for the duration of the school day.

Sticking it to the kids

I'm sure I've mentioned my poor memory at some point here, I just can't recall.

I've tried lists, asking my children to remind me and my latest trick is a dry-erase board.

I've got a new idea now which may be worth every penny of tuition we've paid this year, if not more!  My son came home from school wearing one of those stick-on name tags but where you would normally see a name written, it said, "Mrs. R, You have a hair appointment at 3:30."

Apparently his teacher had forgotten her hair appointment the day before.  The school secretary printed out these labels and stuck one on each child in Mrs. R's class yesterday.  Genius!

I've often told my kids that I need to stick a "post-it" to my forehead but it's awfully hard to read it up there.  Now I know where to stick them!

Spring fever?

Is it time for spring cleaning, already?  

My house is never completely "up-to-snuff."  However, I try.  (Nevermind the fact that I'm blogging right now rather than folding laundry.)  The hubbie is much more of a neat-freak than I am so he does clean up around the house.  (We actually make a decent pair most of the time as I'm more worried about actual dirt and grime and he is more flustered by clutter.  My stack of 14 different pieces of paper, kid's spelling lists and a grocery list doesn't bother me.)

Over the last couple of weeks however, I've had one child home sick, then another, then we lathered, rinsed and repeated.  I do find that I stop to scrub a sink, Lysol the couch and throw day-old kitchen towels in the laundry much more often this week.  I've assumed it is just because I am TIRED of the infections running rampant through my home.

I have run across multiple blog posts this week from frustrated moms who feel that they can't keep up with their house this week, however.  Is this part of a larger trend? Is this a week for people across the nation to feel overpowered by housework?  Is it simply that the time for spring cleaning has arrived?

Marking time

I'm not a huge fan of exercise.  I know I have to do it ~ so I make it as entertaining as I can.  I've got quite a selection of music on the iPod now to inspire me to go a little further or a little faster.

Do you all work out to music?  

Am I the only former band-geek who finds that, whether I am walking or running, I must begin each new song on my left foot?  

Current events

N's class was discussing the primary elections.  When the teacher asked if anyone knew the names of any of the people running for President, N was happy that she could raise her hand.

She was proud as she told me, "I knew both of the Democrats, Mommy."  (That's my girl!)

"Who are they?"

"Obama and Clinton," she replied, smiling.

"That's right.  Do you know who the Republicans are?"

"I don't know them."

(He he.  Not what the hubbie would want to hear!)

"But Mommy?  Don't you think Hillary is a funny name for a boy?"

(Hmmm...guess she hasn't been watching the news coverage.)

"Ummm, Honey, Hillary Clinton is a woman."

"WHAT!?!?  There is a woman running for President?"

"Yes! "

"Well, I hope she doesn't win."

"Why not?"

"Because I want to be the first woman president!"

Mea culpa

I have been saying that I will finish "the book" for my daughter's entire life.  While she asks about it once in a while, she is not surprised any longer that it is not done.  I've justified it lately, saying that it was more important for me to focus on keeping track of everyone else's tasks, activities, etc.   I had not thought of the larger example I was setting.

Progress reports came home from school last week and while hers was not horrible, it was not indicative of the intelligent daughter we know we have.  On the way to school this morning, I suggested that she set a goal for each class and if she reached her goal by the time report cards come out, we could work out a reward.

She quickly announced that her goal was to get "straight A's!"  I told her I thought that was an excellent goal!  Then she thought about it for a minute.

"No, my goal is to get all As and Bs."

"I'm sure you can do that," I said, "but why not aim for all As?  If you do fall short, you ought to end up with As and Bs."

"Because if I don't meet my goal, I won't get my prize."

We've been frustrated lately by this general attitude.  We have been reminding her all week to finish reading her book as she has a book report due at the end of the month.  Last night, she announced that she will begin working on her report after school today.  She has not finished the book, however!

 Maybe if I make a more obvious attempt to finish my projects, it will at least give her a better example.  (Though growing up watching her father work hard for multiple degrees hasn't made much of an impression on her, apparently!)

She is a smart kid.  She knows she is a smart kid.  She spends her creative energies trying to find loopholes or ways out of work however, rather than just sitting her butt down to do it.  I can't imagine where she gets it!  (Says the woman who got excited about a new writing software program and spent a half an hour playing with it, when she could have just been writing!)

That's what it's all about!

I put the blanket on,

you kick the blanket off!

I take the blanket out

and you kick your legs about!

You do the hokey-pokey

and you turn yourself around,

and Mom finds you upside down!

I have to leave the blanket out of the crib now that he turns himself 180 degrees during the night!  I find his feet where his head used to be!

Quite bright at the end of the tunnel!

The baby has slept for a few hours at night here and there...I had glimpses of the light at the end of the tunnel. 

It's been cold, so I've been making sure he is nice and cozy in bed.  I bought "blanket sleepers" so I could zip him up in those and not worry about a blanket.  But I'm always cold, and try to keep the baby warmer than myself, so I've also been putting the crib blanket on him.  (Tucking him in, then tucking the blanket on each side of the mattress tightly, so he can't pull it up over his head.)

It looks like this kid is hot-blooded like his dad and sister, though.  Last night he managed to get that blanket loose and kicked it completely off.  And slept.  All night.

Bye-bye, blanket!

From the mouths of babes

C is watching me apply make-up.

"What's this?"

"Blush.  It puts a little color on my face--makes me look like I'm 'blushing'."

"You have another one?"

"That's eyeshadow."

"What's that for?"

"A little color above your eyes."

He watches me apply eyeliner.  "And that is to make you look more tired?"

Not quite gospel truth

As you can likely guess from the title, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal, is not the most scholarly account of the life of Jesus that you will ever read but it might be the most fun!

The angel, Raziel, has resurrected Levi, who is called Biff, to write his version of the Messiah's life.  The angel keeps Biff in a hotel room until he is finished and the duo have a few entertaining discussions along the way, including how much God sounds like James Earl Jones.  

In this novel, Jesus travels to the East and spends time with each of the three wise men who visited him at his birth.  He tries coffee and declares it is OK to eat bacon.  He learns yoga and a form of kung-fu, known here as "Jew-do."  Reading this book, you will finally see how bunnies became associated with Easter!

Moore has intertwined a few thought-provoking ideas with witty humor to make  this an entertaining read.  One of my favorite lessons/hints comes from a scene when Jesus and Biff are studying meditation.  The young Messiah makes the comment that prayer is important but prayer is talking to God, whereas meditation is listening.

Check it out.  It won't change your religion but it will make you smile.

 

In his defense

Recently, I posted a few remarks from my son.  Lest you think that he spends his entire life making my blood pressure rise, I thought I'd share this one that just made my heart swell!  (It is a couple of weeks old but I keep this one posted on the refrigerator!)

In case you can't make out the first-grade handwriting in my small photo,  it says: you are the gratest mom in the hall wrld.

In case you can't read the first-grade spelling/handwriting, that translates to: you are the greatest mom in the whole world! 

I am more often in contention for the WMITW (Worst Mom In The World) Award, so I make sure to save things like this!

Teachable moment

(If you look very closely, you may be able to see the slight smudge on Joshua's forehead.  If not, just enjoy the photo of our happy baby!)

I attended Mass today and received ashes on my forehead.  Every year on Ash Wednesday, we hear the gospel reading telling us not to advertise when we fast, pray, etc. but rather to keep those activities private.  So it has seemed hypocritical to me to hear this lesson on the day that we are advertising to the world that we have been to church this Wednesday, as we walk around with black crosses or smudges on our foreheads.

Today I decided to look up some answers and after a little research online, learned that the crosses on our heads are not meant to advertise that we went to Mass because we are any holier than anyone else but rather as an evangelizing tool.  Some of the answers that I found suggest that at the very least, someone who sees the cross on my head today will realize that I went to Mass and might think, for a moment, about going to church.  Whether it brings a smile to some or makes others cringe, for a split second, some stranger will associate the mark on my face with church or with God.

Others will just wonder how I left the house without noticing that I have something on my face.  I learned this well during the last few years in Kansas.  I attended Ash Wednesday Mass and then went to the grocery store.  Each time, at least two well-meaning people tried to discreetly tell me that I had something on my face.  I should have used this as a "teachable moment" and explained that it was Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, a good time to think about God.  Instead, I usually just nodded.

Today, I went to Target with the kids after school.  Most people we passed just smiled.  I don't know if they were embarrassed for me or if they recognized the black cross on my head.  (Perhaps walking through the store with two kids in Catholic school uniforms, also wearing ashes on their heads, gave them a hint).  I had even almost forgotten that I looked odd today until after checking out when the woman walking by us elbowed her mother in the ribs, then pointed at my head, at which point both women stopped and stared.  Rather than pretending to not see them while I shooed my children out the door, I should have used this as a moment to teach them.   

Good one

My son and I have a standing argument every Saturday morning.  (I tell him to put his shorts on for basketball practice and to put sweats over them so he won't freeze outside.  Every week, he wants to wear jeans.)

As we went through it again this week, I made the comment that "this argument is getting really old."

His reply:  "So are you!"

The English major and the minor

My son would not stop rolling the baby's new ball (a plastic toy with bells inside) over the furniture.  My repeated requests for him to stop went unheeded.

Finally, through clenched teeth, I roared: If you roll that ball ONE more time...

But then I stopped.  What consequence was I going to come up with this time?  It had to be something new at this point to get his attention.  I mulled it over just a little too long.

He stopped rolling the ball long enough to roll his eyes and reply,  "If you roll that ball one more time" is NOT a complete sentence.

Thank you

Thank you for your prayers for my father-in-law.

He has been extubated finally and so he's able to talk now, too.

(He says he wants to go home!)

He is still in the ICU but is improving.  So keep those prayers coming--they're working!

The other reason I don't bake

While I am able to cook dinners that my family enjoys, I don't bake.

I bring fruit or "no-bake" recipes to bake sales.

My standing reason has been that my desserts/muffins/etc. never turn out right.  They don't look right, and they are either still moist in the middle or resemble a brick.

In accordance with my recent endeavors to sneak veggies into other foods however, I've ventured into baking.  The banana bread (with cauliflower!!) was a success!  (Stay tuned for another post on that one).  So, today I am baking brownies (with spinach--sshhh)!

However, I have cleaned my kitchen floor (in spots) three times.  My other problem, you see, is that I spill.  When I spill sauce while making lasagna, it's easy to spot and easy to clean.

When I spill brown sugar on a brown, hardwood floor however, it's not so easy to spot.  So I clean.  Then I hear the crunch under my feet. I get many wet paper towels and clean again.  Then I spill flour.  (Easier to see but this settles into the spaces between my hardwood floorboards.)  I vacuum.  I use more wet paper towels.  I vacuum.  There!

I put the vacuum away and come back into the kitchen.  

Crunch.

Update

My father-in-law was in surgery all of yesterday and went back in this morning but is now stable and resting.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

Behind the times

I found this link on Joshilyn Jackson's blog.  Her book, Gods in Alabama, is listed as one of 100 books by "living writers" that will "spark discussion."

I loved her book and planned to vote for it but thought I'd go ahead and check out the other 99 books listed.  I was dismayed to find that I'd only read ONE other book on the list!

I hope to check out at least a few of the books on the list.  In the meantime, I guess I'll have to start my own discussions about books that I have actually read.

Your prayers, please

If you pray before you go to bed tonight, please add my husband and father-in-law to your prayers.

My father-in-law was diagnosed with gastric cancer this summer.  He handled the chemotherapy and radiation quite well and is an excellent candidate for surgery to remove the rest of the tumor.

The surgery is scheduled for first thing tomorrow morning.  He has done so well with everything else that we are hopeful that this will be very successful.  I'm just thinking a few extra prayers can't hurt!

Thank you!

Unreasonable

My daughter is not grounded.  She is not being punished (despite what she may think).

She has been invited to a birthday party tomorrow evening.  It is being held at a facility that she has been dying to visit and, according to her, all of the other fourth grade girls are going.

So what is our problem? The party is tomorrow evening.

We have not yet ventured into evening soccer/baseball/football practices so maybe we, as parents, are just not yet in the swing of things.

Having said that, our daughter is not yet in the swing of getting up easily for school each morning.  (Not to mention the fact that she was home from school last Thursday and Friday with a fever and sore throat; she's still got a cough that won't completely go away.)

So we are not allowing her to go to a birthday party on a school night.  The party is being held across town, from 7-8:30pm.

Are we being unreasonable?  What do you think? 

 (You won't change our answer but I'm curious.  Are we the only square parents out there that have raised an eyebrow over a child's birthday party on a Wednesday night?)

Baby steps

Thank you, Writers Digest, for including an article entitled Baby Steps.

I can't write a novel in a month.

I can sit and write for 15 minutes each day.

In that fifteen minutes, I'm sure I can complete one page.

That's 7 pages a week, 31 pages a month, 365 pages a year.

365 pages might equal a book!

Try again Tuesday

I was going to post a glowing report of how well my Monday went.  I felt like such a successful homemaker as I roasted both butternut squash and sweet potatoes in the oven, had a load of laundry washing, put dishes away and entertained the baby all at the same time!  I felt even better as I pureed the vegetables later (this took a little longer as the baby was not quite as entertained with the loud whirring of the food processor overpowering the dainty sounds of electronic Baby Einstein music coming from his toy).  I got it all done before picking the kids up from school, happy in the knowledge that tonight I was going to hide butternut squash in their mac-n-cheese for dinner.

(I have decided, you see, to hide veggies in meals for all of the family members.  The kids don't eat enough vegetables and while I can't prove that any of the hubbies' more frequent colds or recent aches and pains are caused by a lack of veggies, eating more can't hurt!)

Alas, my efforts proved only moderately successful.  My daughter, who usually asks for at least two helpings of mac-n-cheese, decided last night that she "just didn't like it, for some reason."  (I did not tell her about the extra ingredient and I thought it was hidden pretty well but she knew something was different.)  At least she is the one who will eat veggies willingly and did polish off her green beans.  My son did not finish his portion of mac-n-cheese but I was moderately pleased as he noticed no difference and did eat some of it!  The hubbie just wanted pasta so he and I had spaghetti but I did not have a chance to sneak anything extra into his dinner.  (At least he does put tomatoes and black olives on his pasta.)

Dinner was a bit rushed as the kids had gymnastics until 6pm last night.  Tuesday is the day I let them stay at the after-care program at school.  (I feel they are lucky that they don't need the childcare but they feel deprived as so many of their friends go.  So we compromise and they get to go on Tuesdays--which gives me a few extra hours with just the baby!)  So I have plenty of time to have a full, vegetable-laced dinner waiting for the family when they get home this evening!  

(Feel free to wish me luck.  It's only 10:20am--a lot can happen between now and dinnertime.)

To the drug manufacturers

Dear Drug Companies, 

Recently, some children's medications were recalled due to the potential for overdose.

While I appreciate the action, perhaps you could save some money--and children--if we just found a way to print the information large enough for bleary-eyed parents to read!

As a maternally-aged mother, trying to read the Tylenol bottle at 0-dark-thirty proved nearly impossible.  (I am only 37 and my eyesight is normally fine but after rising with an infant as well as a sick child, my eyes don't focus quite as well in the wee hours as I'd like).

Luckily I could read the dosage amount (though I already knew that as my daughter had already had one dose earlier).  With the combination of my poor memory and lack of sleep however, I wanted to check to ensure that she could get another dose at 4 hours rather than 6.  While I suspect part of the problem is that I may be contracting her cold as well, it was still excruciating trying to read the tiny print on the side of the bottle.

I know you must include all of the side effects and possible drug interactions but I would not have been able to read those, either.  Can't we include that on the insert but print the dosage information in larger print?

Sincerely,

Sleepy in Indy

Not the Same Street!

I saw this back in November and it has been sitting in my "drafts" folder ever since.  Except for the re-runs, it seems Sesame Street has changed right along with the rest of our neighborhoods!

I haven't watched SS in a few years and it'll likely be another year or so before J discovers it--I wonder what we'll be in store for then!  I know Kermit and Miss Piggy have moved to Hollywood and everyone can see Snuffelupagus now.  I wonder if the head-banging musician is still on?  Oh, I'll never get it!  Never!  Never!  Never!

Quick! Vote!

No--this has nothing to do with primary fever.

Here's my dilemma:

My daughter is getting to be as forgetful as her mother.  The problem is--my memory was FINE when I was NINE!  She is allowed to forget her gym clothes only so many times before she has to sit out--and she loves gym!  She is either down to one more time or no chances left and I just found her gym bag by the back door.  Should I take it to school?

(I'm thinking NO.  Maybe she'll finally learn and it is her responsibility.)

In the same vein, my son was sure he did not need his warm jacket today and just wore a wind breaker but I took the recycling out and it's COLD today!  (After 67 degrees on Monday and about 60 yesterday, we have forgotten it's January!)

SO--should I rescue my kids and take the gym bag and jacket to school?  Let me know but vote now--gym class is in an hour!

Laissez les bon temps roulet!

As I am nursing our son, I feel like I can't "diet" and cut out too many calories right now -- but I've got to shed these many, many baby pounds.  So--I decided to start exercising regularly again with the new year and to try to cut sugar out of my diet.

I was finally successful in having a completely sugar-free day yesterday.

My husband came home from the store with this last night.  (He found one in Indiana!)

I finished off my son's piece after he went to school this morning so I guess I just shoot for a sugar-free afternoon, today!

Light at the end of the tunnel

J went to sleep a little earlier than usual last night (after taking micro-naps during the day) and slept almost 6 hours straight!  (By the time I got the kitchen cleaned up, dishwasher running, etc., that meant I got about 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep!)

FIVE hours.  Life is good.

After he had breakfast and a diaper change, he went back to sleep--about an hour before I had to get his older siblings up for school.  So I managed to have a cup of (hot!) coffee, read a little and take a 15-minute micro-nap myself before he woke again--5 minutes before I had to get the others up!  I don't need an alarm with this little guy!

I don't know if it was the REM sleep or the fact that I've had almost 3 cups of coffee now but my morning is zipping along nicely!  I hope yours is as well!

That's my girl!

I have asked my mother repeatedly over the years to remove the curse.  You may have heard of it:  "I hope one day you have a daughter just like you!"  I got one and I get it!

Last night however, I smiled when she sent me an email telling me her New Year's Resolutions.  Here is her list:

1. Be more organized.

2. Exersize

3. Right a book

New beginnings at the end of the year

Today we had our son baptized so it's a new beginning for him in his spiritual life.  (Not that he is aware of it quite yet!)  Our priest really involved our other two kids so that was wonderful!  Two of my nieces, along with my sister and parents were able to be there so the day was made even more special.

2008 will bring many changes!  It is amazing to see how much J has changed in two months and this is just the beginning!

Speaking of beginnings, the hubbie and I got a joint Christmas gift the day after Christmas--a new computer!  We were deciding whether to upgrade or get something new and decided on an iMac!  It's wonderful and easy but different enough from my PC that I'll be spending a little time just getting adjusted to a new way of doing things!  (Though I'm excited as some great writing software out there is available for Mac only and now I can try it!)  (If they just had one that could write the perfect ending for me, I'd be set!)

I hope this holiday season has been going well for all of you!  Happy New Year!

It's that time of year!

It's that time of year when I can't manage to post blog entries, apparently!

The baby is six weeks old and seems to think that he should get more attention than the computer--go figure! I am TRYING to get Christmas cards out and tried to save time by having our names pre-printed on them this year. (Yes, I am that lazy). My name came back misspelled however, so I am picking up a new batch later this week. So if you are expecting snail mail from me, it won't be any earlier this year! (I don't think I've ever gotten them out much before Christmas so why mess with tradition now?)

Today is also my 14th wedding anniversary! The hubbie does not read the blog but I figure 14 years is worth mentioning and celebrating!

I hope you all are doing well and surviving--I mean enjoying--the holiday season! ;)

One can dream!

Hubbie and the two older kids are at a basketball game; the baby is lying on his playmat, gazing right past the colored lights and music floating above his head and I have just finished putting groceries away. So, I'm pouring a glass of red wine and I'm ready to curl up with a good book.
(Instead, I'm going to sip my wine while I fold laundry but I'm going to think about which book I hope to get to!) ;)

Are you enjoying your weekend?

'Tis the season

We received our first measurable snow of the season during the night. Every other school in town seems to be on a two-hour delay except for the school my children attend. It doesn't bother me a bit but they were a little sad to get out of the car and gingerly traverse the school parking lot at the normal time this morning.

I think the temps will warm to the 40s tomorrow so it won't stick around too long but I think we'll get more this weekend. I guess I know what our (their) Saturday plans will be!

How's the weather where you are?

It's a new day!

I may not finish the novel but I have more hope today. Everything looks brighter today! J slept in his bassinet for almost 5 hours last night! It is amazing how much brighter life seems after a little R.E.M. sleep!

The rest of my family spent the night up at South Bend last night and will return this afternoon. Who knows what the little one and I can accomplish in the meantime? :)

I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

Nano a no go

I said they were good INTENTIONS, right?
I have given birth to yet another "velcro child." He sleeps during the day--when he's being held!
It's progress. When I first brought him home, he wanted to be held all night but would sleep in a bassinet or pack-n-play during the day. I was hoping we'd get the days and nights worked out so I could sleep at night. We've gotten that far!
However, I was hoping to do some writing during the day and that is very hard to do one-handed! I have some great new ideas but typing one finger at a time is slow going and I don't have the energy to do much now (11:30pm).
SO...stay tuned this time next year...maybe I'll have made more progress by then! (If he hasn't started walking...)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

I lost 2 inches

J is now 11 days old and is so well behaved! ;) He accompanied me to the salon this morning and was kind enough to sleep long enough for me to get a few highlights and have 2 inches cut off of my hair!

I'm not quite back into my pre-preggo jeans yet but after going darker last month, it was time to lighten the hair up again and lose some weight there! It's amazing how much lighter I feel already just by making my hair shorter and blonder!

I'm trying to lose a few baby pounds as well by exercising my will power each time I pass the kids' Halloween candy!

We are still here!

We're settling into our new routine--if you can call it a routine already! After a week of not driving, I'm back to taking the kiddos to school successfully without arriving much later than we used to. (Most days we could not afford to, anyway!) So...we have work to do to get the kids there early enough to socialize with their friends before school but otherwise, I'm managing getting out of the house with three kids (so far)!

I've also made the insane choice to attempt Nano again this year. What makes me think I can reach 50,000 words this year if I could not last year? Limited time. Last year was the first year that my son was in school every day. It was half-day kindergarten but I finally had "free time" every morning. With Joshua's arrival, I have lost guaranteed free time again for the next few years but I'm hoping to use some of his naptimes to sit down and speed-write. That's the goal of Nano anyway, right? Just to write without stopping to edit or consider whether what your writing has any redeeming value. So if my fingers can ramble on during some naptimes and I can grab a nap myself during others, I'll be successful! (Shocked but successful!)

How many of my writing pals out there are doing Nano again this year? Good luck!

He's here!

Our little bean arrived on Thursday! Joshua Thomas was born at 2:03pm, weighing 8lbs, 3oz.
My parents are still here helping out and baby is settling in and doing fine.

Hope you're enjoying November!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! Hope you get some great treats! ;)

(As for us, the doctor tried to help things along but we may not such a big treat today! If not, the doctor will try inducing tomorrow!) So I may be out with my knight-in-shining-armor and Hannah Montana after all!

I'll try!

Anyone aiming for writing a novel in a month this year? I'm still toying with the idea of doing NaNo again...though with a newborn, this is likely more of a dream than publishing a novel at all!
Anyone else?

My parents are here to help but no baby yet! I'll keep you updated on that front, too!

Still hanging in there...

No--I can't blame my lapses in blogging on actually giving birth. The little bean is still hanging in there! Between making sure he has a clean outfit to wear home from the hospital, making sure that I have a clean outfit to wear home, homework and costumes and reports for the other two--I haven't had much creative energy left!

Yes, my children will be wearing store-bought costumes for Halloween once again this year!
How are you? Are you ready for Halloween?

Rock Star

So the hubbie wants to take the kids to the Hannah Montana concert, along with all the other parents trying all means necessary now to acquire tickets!!

Shhhhhh!

I'm sending you off to another blog today but come back! I promise a post of my own, soon!

For now, go read this wise post over at Lessons from the Laundry!

In other words

Bad spellers of the world--untie!

Take a break from your crossword puzzles to check a few other word-related posts today!

Margie has a great post on favorite sayings and Sweetviolet posted a link to an entertaining lecture from Erin McKean. (I used to take issue with words-that-are-not-real-words being in the dictionary--like "muggle." After listening to this talk however, I've decided I should be much more open-minded!)

Respect

As I was finishing the book, preparing to put some new tactics to use, my daughter won the "virtue of the week" last week at school--for respect! My kids are pretty respectful out in the world already--what I really need is a book to help them remember to be more respectful at home! (Of course, the traits that really irk me --like sarcasm and the eye roll--are the ones she has learned here at home.)

Whether your children are the most or least respectful little people on the planet, Ms. Rigby's book offers some helpful, hopeful advice. Ms. Rigby offers suggestions similar to those I found in Sheperding a Child's Heart but her book is much easier to take. Check it out for yourself!

Simple math

I'm trying to teach our daughter that sometimes an answer is not wrong but you have to consider the context for the best answer. For instance, on a math word problem, your reply should be a mathematical answer.

She brought home "money math"--a sheet of money related addition and subtraction problems. However, at the end there was a word problem:
"If you put the money from each money bag into one large money bag, will you be putting in an amount that is greater than or less than $10,000?"

My daughter's answer: "Yes, you would."

Glamour is in the eye of the beholder

The woman who cut my hair yesterday asked if I worked before I had kids. I answered in the affirmative (without moving my head, of course) and went on to describe a few secretarial and administrative positions. I remarked, "nothing glamourous!"

Then I came home. I was actually happy to find that Sno-Bowl, unlike bleach and various other cleansers and toilet bowl cleaners, actually does remove hard-water stains from my toilet bowls! (Sno-Bowl was only 97 cents and actually advertised that it would remove the hard water stains but I thought I was too smart to fall for the hype on the label).

Then I did laundry and found several pairs of soiled underwear, stuck to the bottom of a hamper.

In the afternoon, I picked up the kids and my daughter--who had stayed up too late finishing a book the night before--burst into tears 4 separate times before 4:30pm.

We made it through homework, studying for quizzes, dinner and bedtime. As I sat down to read a children's book last night (to help quiz my daughter, who has been having trouble with reading comprehension quizzes), it occured to me that I was wrong.

I used to wear heels and makeup, drink coffee with adults and no matter how busy my day was, I could usually manage to still squeeze in a game of computer solitaire. My house was fairly neat (we weren't home a lot and we did not have much stuff) and I could go several DAYS without loading my washing machine. Ah, the glamorous life!

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I was going to insert a link up there for "Sno-bol" from Amazon.com but felt I should add a warning here! When you pull up the product, it mentions a "high acid level" and adds that it "kills Gems!" (Take off that jewelry before scrubbing the pot!!!) ;)

What is the what?

Valentino's father tells the story of creation--the beginning for the monyjang people.

--Yes, he continued, God showed man the idea of cattle, and the cattle were magnificent. They were in every way exactly what the monyjang would want. The man and woman thanked God for such a gift, because they knew that the cattle would bring them milk and meat and prosperity of every kind. But God was not finished.
--He never is, Sadiq said, to a wave of laughter.
--God said, "You can either have these cattle, as my gift to you, or you can have
the What." My father waited for the necessary response.
--But...Sadiq said, helping out, --What is the What? he said, with an air of theatrical inquisitiveness.
--Yes, yes. That was the question. "What is the What?" the first man asked. And God
said to the man, "I cannot tell you. Still, you have to choose. You have to choose
between the cattle and the What."

We catch glimpses of what the "What" may be as Valentino's story progresses. Dave Eggers has novelized the story of Valentino Achak Deng, a Sudanese refugee now living in the United States and working to improve the lives of his family and countrymen back in Sudan. It is an inspiring tale of survival and hope.

Proceeds from the purchase of the book also go to the Valentino Achak Deng foundation, which is working to rebuild Marial Bai, Valentino's birthplace. So simply buying the book helps--and reading it gives you a better understanding of the civil war that raged for so long in southern Sudan and still affects areas such as Darfur.

You can read more at http://www.valentinoachakdeng.org/.

Invasion of the Webkinz

My son saved enough money to buy a webkinz for himself so now he's hooked, just like his sister.

Although they have a computer for their use in the basement, now they want to borrow the laptop, too so they can invite each other to their "rooms."

When I explain that they each have their own rooms upstairs that they can invite each other too--they just roll their eyes. I should be happy to have quiet, contented kids who are playing "with" each other; I am disturbed however, that I have no computer access while they use TWO to play 10 feet from each other!

(These kids are never getting cell phones! I can already see them sitting at opposite ends of the couch, texting each other!)

Roll over, Pachalbel!

A friend emailed me this link--I'm still laughing and crying! Go check out THE bedtime song!

http://www.readysetmom.com/readysetmom/2007/09/a-bedtime-song-.html

Step on a crack...

Step on a crack, break your mother's back. It's old, been tried and is tired. It's the 21st century -- a sidewalk crack isn't going to hurt anyone. You need something new--something different.

Look around your garage. If your family moves often, that will help. If you have a dad and grandad that might have built a custom crate for some of the items you've moved a few times--that would be ideal!

Wait until you and dad have opened the crate and removed all the toys you need in your new garage. Go ahead and play with your sister--act like having the scooter and the hula hoops out for the first time in months is enough diversion and your parents will let you two play in the garage unsupervised. After you've played for a few minutes, it is time to put the plan in action. If your sister is old enough to figure out how to pry the nails up from the plywood with the back of the hammer, this will save you much time.

The key is to do this quietly so that mom will wonder what you're up to and will come out to the garage--you need her to come to you for this!

When she wonders how you got the lid open again and extolls the dangers of playing near an open box with sharp nails protruding from the lid, simply explain that you desperately need a tire pump that is clearly not in the box.

When she looks once more to appease you, try to "help" by shifting the lid a little. This looks frightening and if you are 6 years old, it IS frightening so quickly drop the lid! Mom only yells for a second--the blood spurting from her arm surprises everyone!

This is much more effective than trying to find a crack in a brand-new sidewalk.

I am an underachiever

Granted, I'm not functioning at 100% with this head cold. I made it to Mass with the kids today but was looking forward to a nap when I got home! Having just one sick child home all day yesterday tired me out!

Before napping however, I made a bowl of oatmeal and turned on the TODAY show. They were interviewing the Duggar family. The couple brought all of their seventeen children to the show. Not only do they have seventeen children--ranging in age from a few months to 19 years old--but they homeschool all of them as well.

Devastated by a miscarriage many years ago that the couple learned was related to a prior use of some form of birth control, they asked God to please bless them with children. Mrs. Dungar even said that she'd love to have more!

God bless 'em! (I'm still trying to convince the hubbie that we will be able to handle 3 kids! We can. I am not promising that we will also retain any form of sanity but I don't think that is necessarily a requirement for good parenting!)

I'm not going to win the race!

I am still behind...at least on blogging! (...and exercising, and sleeping, and getting the baby's room set up--spent this morning trying to decide on a "theme" for the nursery!)

At least I'm getting caught up on laundry!

Still behind...

I'm still not keeping up but I'm trying! Both Pavarotti and Madeleine L'Engle passed away this weekend. You can find a lovely, albeit brief, tribute here:

http://www.novelspot.net/node/1862

Keeping up!

I guess we have not been keeping up with the latest trends. (Not that I'd advocate it, anyway.)

However, I thought my daughter was turned on to something new when her friend introduced her to Webkinz this weekend! Apparently, they're just new to us!

Up to now, my son has spent hours on video games and the computer and my daughter has just played along for a short while. Until she discovered Webkinz online!

When we moved here, I planned to share the laptop with the hubbie and let the kids use the PC in the basement. However, the PC is faster so I have not completely made the break. I may need to now as I had to quickly squeeze in my turn this weekend so she could get back and "do her jobs" online! If only I could get her to be so prompt with her real-life chores!

I am a bit off-balance!

I've already mentioned the stretching but I thought my expanding torso was less alarming when covered up. Apparently, this is not the case.

This morning I smiled at a perfect stranger.
"When is your baby due?" she asked.
"Halloween."
"You have that long to go?"
I nodded.
"Are you having twins?"
"Nope--just one boy." I'm still smiling.
"Wow!"

Still smiling/gritting teeth...

Just smile and wave, boys!

Last week, we had a great increase in the number of Canada geese in the pond across the street. I realize that they are migrating about this time. I don't know if my daughter's imagination was fueled by hopes that it was cooling dramatically here or if she saw one odd looking bird but she is convinced that among the geese, she saw a penguin at the edge of the water!

Random information

I saw this at Tracy's blog. Here is how you play!

• Leave me a comment saying anything random, like [the food you hate most in all the world]. Something random. Whatever you like.
• I respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better.
• You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
• You will include this explanation and offer to ask someone else in the post.
• When others comment asking to be asked, you will ask them five questions.

And now...my questions from Tracy!

1 - In what genre would you categorize your novel-in-progress?
Historical Fiction.

2 - What is the best parenting or baby book that you have read?
Hmmm...I need to find and re-read some of the baby books! This 6-year age gap between my youngest and this bean on the way makes me think I might need a review!
I am currently reading Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World. I have not finished it yet so I can't give it a fair rating but it's worth a look.
I don't know that I have ONE favorite but I found Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline very helpful and I loved The Three Martini Playdate!

3 - What is your best advice for getting out and meeting people when you move to a new town?This one is hard but gets a little easier with each move--especially with children! I could sit at home all day and become a hermit but I can't let my children live that way (or have them kill each other when they are each other's sole playmates)!

Go to the playgrounds or even play outside in your front yard! Even if it seems incredibly hot, kids in the neighborhood sense when there are other kids outside--especially new ones! Sooner or later, they bring their parents along to say hello, too! Trying to get your kids involved with things means you meet other moms in the process. They're always my first friends!

My kids go to Catholic school which means they don't attend the same public school as most of the neighbors. My daughter especially is very shy at the beginning of school so I made a concerted effort this summer to track down families attending their school so the kids would recognize a few friendly faces on their first day. (I, in turn, knew a few moms on the first day, too!)

4 - How does Indiana compare to Kansas?
I see more cornfields!! ;)
We have found the people to be so friendly, welcoming and helpful both in Kansas and Indiana. While I've certainly seen "southern hospitality," our neighbors in both Midwestern states have really gone out of their way to welcome us!

5 - Is everything prepped and ready for Little Bean's arrival or do you still have lists of stuff to buy and organize?
I am most certainly not skipping around repeating Spongebob's motto! I am NOT ready! We have been getting other rooms in order so that we appear "moved in." The baby has a room but it's empty! I started shopping for bassinets, cribs, etc. but haven't actually purchased them yet. I will start this week!