DD10 and I had a great time yesterday. Although, I have a hard time imagining not. The parameters are pretty well set up to make sure it happens, barring something completely unforeseen.
We had our breakfast at IHOP. It was good. We did a monumental amount of shopping. Too much, really, but it's ok.
We saw the new Star Wars movie. It was better than I was afraid it would be.
All in all we had a very good time.
Progress
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Mommy/Daughter Day
Today will be mine and DD10 (nearly 11)'s 7th Mommy/Daughter Day. I started the tradition when she was 3, getting ready to turn 4. Two weeks before the girl's birthday, or thereabouts, the two of us go out for a fun-filled day of whatever the two agree would be a great day of things to do.
The first year I told the wee one that she could pick wherever she wanted to eat. I fully expected McDonalds (a favorite at the time) or maybe Taco Bell. I was flatly shocked when she said IHOP. How did she even know there was such a place? It was not on the list of restaurants we frequented with the kids. She even knew exactly what she wanted to eat.
It turns out there had been a commercial for International House of Pancakes on television. It had very adeptly showed their blueberry pancakes looking as appetizing as possible. It caught that 3 year old's eye and stayed in her mind for who knows how long waiting until she was given the choice of her "dream restaurant meal."
Every year since then that has been a staple of Mommy/Daughter Day, blueberry pancakes at IHOP. It is like a tradition within a tradition.
Last year DD got her ears pierced for the first time. She asked to do it again this year but I decided not to OK that. She did well taking care of herself this year, but I want her to learn some contentment with who she is and what she has rather than upgrading every year.
This year we are shopping for Webkinz, earrings, books, and possibly going to see a movie if there is anything worth seeing for an 11 year old. I'll let you know how things come out.
The first year I told the wee one that she could pick wherever she wanted to eat. I fully expected McDonalds (a favorite at the time) or maybe Taco Bell. I was flatly shocked when she said IHOP. How did she even know there was such a place? It was not on the list of restaurants we frequented with the kids. She even knew exactly what she wanted to eat.
It turns out there had been a commercial for International House of Pancakes on television. It had very adeptly showed their blueberry pancakes looking as appetizing as possible. It caught that 3 year old's eye and stayed in her mind for who knows how long waiting until she was given the choice of her "dream restaurant meal."
Every year since then that has been a staple of Mommy/Daughter Day, blueberry pancakes at IHOP. It is like a tradition within a tradition.
Last year DD got her ears pierced for the first time. She asked to do it again this year but I decided not to OK that. She did well taking care of herself this year, but I want her to learn some contentment with who she is and what she has rather than upgrading every year.
This year we are shopping for Webkinz, earrings, books, and possibly going to see a movie if there is anything worth seeing for an 11 year old. I'll let you know how things come out.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
As a Family
When I went away to college I took my sweet time in choosing a church in my new city, (read: I never went to church) Eventually I fell out of the habit and Saturday nights were way too much fun to cut short for sleep in order to get up early the next day.
The same thing happened to DH.
Both of us had come from church-going families and been regular attenders up until graduation. When we got married the habit of sleeping in on Sundays was strong. We never did attend church while we lived in Alabama unless it was while we were visiting family.
When circumstances led to our moving to Mississippi and living with my family we did go to the church my parents belong to. That was the easiest way to keep them from bugging us.
It isn't that we didn't believe or didn't want our children to learn about God, it was just too much of a hassle to do it normally and the reasons for going when we did go were all wrong.
Guess what, when we moved out and into our own place again which habit do you think won? The habit of sleeping in and ignoring church or going, like we had been for 2 years, albeit for the wrong reasons. You probably guessed right. We took our own sweet time finding a church in our new town.
After the move to this new house I decided we could spare one Sunday morning to check out the church down the road. (It was by no means the first Sunday morning we lived here. A couple of months had passed.)
The Sunday school lesson seemed pointed right at us. The sermon as well seemed to be speaking to the two of us about coming back after wandering.
We attended for a few weeks, dropped off a bit due to illness and death in the family, but came back. Last week DH and I decided that this church was where we should be. This morning we walked up and spoke to the pastor about joining.
The girls are excited. They love going to church and are thrilled that we have an actual church home now.
The same thing happened to DH.
Both of us had come from church-going families and been regular attenders up until graduation. When we got married the habit of sleeping in on Sundays was strong. We never did attend church while we lived in Alabama unless it was while we were visiting family.
When circumstances led to our moving to Mississippi and living with my family we did go to the church my parents belong to. That was the easiest way to keep them from bugging us.
It isn't that we didn't believe or didn't want our children to learn about God, it was just too much of a hassle to do it normally and the reasons for going when we did go were all wrong.
Guess what, when we moved out and into our own place again which habit do you think won? The habit of sleeping in and ignoring church or going, like we had been for 2 years, albeit for the wrong reasons. You probably guessed right. We took our own sweet time finding a church in our new town.
After the move to this new house I decided we could spare one Sunday morning to check out the church down the road. (It was by no means the first Sunday morning we lived here. A couple of months had passed.)
The Sunday school lesson seemed pointed right at us. The sermon as well seemed to be speaking to the two of us about coming back after wandering.
We attended for a few weeks, dropped off a bit due to illness and death in the family, but came back. Last week DH and I decided that this church was where we should be. This morning we walked up and spoke to the pastor about joining.
The girls are excited. They love going to church and are thrilled that we have an actual church home now.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
A question I have not asked in many years...
I stayed up until 3am this morning. DD10 and I watched some episodes of Monk we hadn't seen and the first episode of Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader? I had slept late yesterday and didn't really feel like going to bed since there was no one there to sleep next to.
Once there I read for another hour and then got to sleep.
I had told DD10 that I will get her up when I get up and that if she gets up first she should remember to start the laundry and wake me up.
When I got up the sun was going down, 7-ish at this time of year. I didn't hear the girls. It is nice when they don't argue all day. They hadn't done their chores, but that is actually normal if I sleep all day. I don't see any reason we can't do school and laundry over night if we all want to be night owls.
I know we need to get some groceries today but I really didn't feel like going to Wal-Mart. I planned to order a pizza for dinner. Not healthy, I know, but easy and lower on the hassle-meter.
I got dressed and came out to the computer. Despite the large picture windows things were a bit grey out here. I sat down, turned on my lamp, and started to boot up the computer.
My DB was eating his dinner at the table. He is eating cereal, which the dudes around here sometimes do when there isn't anything else, even for supper. I guess he didn't feel like waiting for me to order the pizza. I can understand that. I asked him where the girls are. He said he thought they were still asleep. (I think he doesn't like that I let them stay up all last night and then sleep all day. Oh well. My kids, my business)
The computer boots up. This thing is moving SLOW (cue blurry worm-hole effect and low, drawn out voice effect there.) I started flipping through the book I had been reading in the wee hours this morning to find the pages I wanted to email quotes from to DH in Chicago, in case he does get a chance to read emails. My eye glanced to the clock in the lower right hand corner of my screen.
7:04 AM
What the...? The virus I have been suspecting is making my computer super slow has screwed up my clock! No, wait...
Deep thinking for a few seconds. (cue cute-because-it-is-cliche elevator music)
I ask DB if I can ask him an embarrassing question. He says ok, but I can't bring myself to get out those words I haven't spoken since college (the first time around.) You know, the ones usually reserved for the wasted college students or the trans-oceanic traveling types. Is it morning or night?
So, I wuss out and ask him if he is getting ready to go to class. Yes, he is, he says. At that point I hang my head and tell him why I asked. We both get a little laugh. He points to the window and says "The sun is coming UP, not going DOWN."
Yes, well, it is hard to tell on a cloudy morning at this time of day at this time of year.
You know who I blame? DH
If he had been here he would have been getting ready to go to work and I would have KNOWN it was morning.
Tell me, how in the world I could feel so awake after 3 hours sleep that I could even POSSIBLY mistake it for 12+ hours!
Then again, if I am making that sort of a mistake, perhaps I am not as refreshed as I think.
You know what annoys me the most? I was looking forward to the pizza and now I can't order it(at least not for many hours.)
Once there I read for another hour and then got to sleep.
I had told DD10 that I will get her up when I get up and that if she gets up first she should remember to start the laundry and wake me up.
When I got up the sun was going down, 7-ish at this time of year. I didn't hear the girls. It is nice when they don't argue all day. They hadn't done their chores, but that is actually normal if I sleep all day. I don't see any reason we can't do school and laundry over night if we all want to be night owls.
I know we need to get some groceries today but I really didn't feel like going to Wal-Mart. I planned to order a pizza for dinner. Not healthy, I know, but easy and lower on the hassle-meter.
I got dressed and came out to the computer. Despite the large picture windows things were a bit grey out here. I sat down, turned on my lamp, and started to boot up the computer.
My DB was eating his dinner at the table. He is eating cereal, which the dudes around here sometimes do when there isn't anything else, even for supper. I guess he didn't feel like waiting for me to order the pizza. I can understand that. I asked him where the girls are. He said he thought they were still asleep. (I think he doesn't like that I let them stay up all last night and then sleep all day. Oh well. My kids, my business)
The computer boots up. This thing is moving SLOW (cue blurry worm-hole effect and low, drawn out voice effect there.) I started flipping through the book I had been reading in the wee hours this morning to find the pages I wanted to email quotes from to DH in Chicago, in case he does get a chance to read emails. My eye glanced to the clock in the lower right hand corner of my screen.
7:04 AM
What the...? The virus I have been suspecting is making my computer super slow has screwed up my clock! No, wait...
Deep thinking for a few seconds. (cue cute-because-it-is-cliche elevator music)
I ask DB if I can ask him an embarrassing question. He says ok, but I can't bring myself to get out those words I haven't spoken since college (the first time around.) You know, the ones usually reserved for the wasted college students or the trans-oceanic traveling types. Is it morning or night?
So, I wuss out and ask him if he is getting ready to go to class. Yes, he is, he says. At that point I hang my head and tell him why I asked. We both get a little laugh. He points to the window and says "The sun is coming UP, not going DOWN."
Yes, well, it is hard to tell on a cloudy morning at this time of day at this time of year.
You know who I blame? DH
If he had been here he would have been getting ready to go to work and I would have KNOWN it was morning.
Tell me, how in the world I could feel so awake after 3 hours sleep that I could even POSSIBLY mistake it for 12+ hours!
Then again, if I am making that sort of a mistake, perhaps I am not as refreshed as I think.
You know what annoys me the most? I was looking forward to the pizza and now I can't order it(at least not for many hours.)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Chicagoland
DH said he had already seen some crazy people just going from O'Hare to the hotel. Mostly he said he was referring to people behind the wheels or cars.
He did cut them some slack, though. He said he didn't blame them since driving in 6 lanes (each direction) would drive anyone nutty.
That reminded me of my high school trip to New York City. You have to wonder if the tax payer money spent to buy street lane paint might have been better spent, since the lane lines were all but ignored by the vehicles. He said that pretty much summed up Chicago where he is as well.
He and his coworkers (let's call them Brian and Bernie) walked (can you blame them?) down the street to get some dinner earlier. DH said that, other than the national chains (more Subways in one block he has never seen!) every restaurant they saw was either a PUB or a Tavern or a BAR. If you were lucky it was a Bar and Grill.
They walked past one bar near the hotel and someone pointed it out and said that place has the best steaks in Chicago.
DH said he couldn't get used to it. Things just aren't like that in Mississippi or Kentucky. I told him that it was just a selling point for restaurants that are probably just like the ones here inside, more or less. He acknowledged that, but said it was still weird.
They ended up going to a place called Paizano's (sp?) Since he was in Chicago he wanted some local cuisine. Not being a fan of hotdogs with a bunch of weird gunk all over them he opted for ... you guessed it ...PIZZA! Mmmmm!
He said the crust was deep, but not especially bready (whatever that means). The sauce was thicker and more prevalent (again, whatever that means). He said it had less fennel and more basil than what he usually gets. He impressed his co-eaters, sounded like a "reglar con-su-er," he joked. Just because his wife make her own pizza sauce HE gets to be impressive.
He said it had less cheese than what he usually likes. Next time he'd order extra cheese. He said he did order extra sausage because he could, and he thought it would be good, and it WAS, he said. The sausage was spiced differently than he is used to, but in a good way.
All in all, Chicago may not have impressed him much so far, but the pizza was great. If we ever go as a family we will have to make sure to get some of that.
He did cut them some slack, though. He said he didn't blame them since driving in 6 lanes (each direction) would drive anyone nutty.
That reminded me of my high school trip to New York City. You have to wonder if the tax payer money spent to buy street lane paint might have been better spent, since the lane lines were all but ignored by the vehicles. He said that pretty much summed up Chicago where he is as well.
He and his coworkers (let's call them Brian and Bernie) walked (can you blame them?) down the street to get some dinner earlier. DH said that, other than the national chains (more Subways in one block he has never seen!) every restaurant they saw was either a PUB or a Tavern or a BAR. If you were lucky it was a Bar and Grill.
They walked past one bar near the hotel and someone pointed it out and said that place has the best steaks in Chicago.
DH said he couldn't get used to it. Things just aren't like that in Mississippi or Kentucky. I told him that it was just a selling point for restaurants that are probably just like the ones here inside, more or less. He acknowledged that, but said it was still weird.
They ended up going to a place called Paizano's (sp?) Since he was in Chicago he wanted some local cuisine. Not being a fan of hotdogs with a bunch of weird gunk all over them he opted for ... you guessed it ...PIZZA! Mmmmm!
He said the crust was deep, but not especially bready (whatever that means). The sauce was thicker and more prevalent (again, whatever that means). He said it had less fennel and more basil than what he usually gets. He impressed his co-eaters, sounded like a "reglar con-su-er," he joked. Just because his wife make her own pizza sauce HE gets to be impressive.
He said it had less cheese than what he usually likes. Next time he'd order extra cheese. He said he did order extra sausage because he could, and he thought it would be good, and it WAS, he said. The sausage was spiced differently than he is used to, but in a good way.
All in all, Chicago may not have impressed him much so far, but the pizza was great. If we ever go as a family we will have to make sure to get some of that.
Business Elite
So, DH is off to Chicago for his business convention. (I miss him.) He just called and we talked for an hour or so (actually more now that I look at the clock.) He talked about the cab ride. Going into Chicago from out takes and hour. Going out from in takes 30 minutes. Why? "There are too many people in Chicago," says the cab driver.
At the hotel, he is staying at the ... rhymes with Rilton ... they had two lines for check in. One for Rilton Elite members and one for the regular schmoes. He and his coworker were in the Elite line (by decision of whoever booked and arranged everything.) DH said after a few minutes it became obvious that the Schmoe line was moving faster.
Coworker- (leaning in to speak privately) You watch. They (Schmoe people who arrived at the same time as DH and DH's Coworker (let's call him Brian) will be served before we are.
Man nearby- The line you are in is for people who are willing to pay more in order that the hotel take the time to do anything they want. Not to move through quickly.
Sure enough, checking in took longer in the Elite line.
He also commented that his room was much smaller than the room we had stayed in in Tupelo. It was at the ... rhymes with Rarriot. I have no real illusions that it is specifically the hotel chain. I bet the Rilton in Tupelo has bigger rooms (for comparable class) than the one in Chicago and the Chicago Rarriot probably smaller. Anyway, my point is his room is small.
Said small room was reserved at the exact same time as Brian's room. It has the same confirmation number. They were on the same receipt. For some reason the desk clerk said Brian's room is $350 and DH's $450. They worked out what was going on there. Good thing they were in the Elite line, I guess.
DH also said that he didn't have free internet in his room. See, now that I have a laptop we have begun to notice and appreciate (on the rare occasions we travel) that most hotels now offer wireless internet access. One thing I have appreciated is the fact that at the Rarriot (in Tupelo, at least) and the Romfort Inn said internet access has been free of charge.
Not at the Rilton in Chicago. Apparently, the wireless internet access is part of the Business Perks package (no italics for lack of actually being able to quote the name of said business package) For a mere $17.99 per day the traveling businessman can enjoy wireless internet, free unlimited local calls, and they can drink the water in their room.
That last bit caught my attention when DH said it, seeing as how he is in Illinois, not Mexico.
You can drink the water in your room only if you buy the Businessman package? The sheer mechanics involved in having two water systems, one safe, one not were an interesting thought. The fact that they would charge to have you switched from one to the other rather than installing only the safe ...
No, no, of course that is not it. There is bottled water in the room. Normally, if you drink it is runs about $13 per bottle (because apparently the Rilton Hotel chain only serves water from a cool mountain spring in the French Alps that has been poured into the Holy Grail and from there into cut crystal bottles with gold foil labels that say Je suis plus que tois.)
However, if you pay for the business package your bottles are included in the $17. Nifty
He opened his curtains for the first time while on his phone, to see what sort of view he had. He got the fine privilege of looking out onto the courtyard space in the center of the building and the windows of other rooms. Good thing I didn't bother sending the digital camera with him.
So far he said he wasn't too impressed with the Rilton experience.
At the hotel, he is staying at the ... rhymes with Rilton ... they had two lines for check in. One for Rilton Elite members and one for the regular schmoes. He and his coworker were in the Elite line (by decision of whoever booked and arranged everything.) DH said after a few minutes it became obvious that the Schmoe line was moving faster.
Coworker- (leaning in to speak privately) You watch. They (Schmoe people who arrived at the same time as DH and DH's Coworker (let's call him Brian) will be served before we are.
Man nearby- The line you are in is for people who are willing to pay more in order that the hotel take the time to do anything they want. Not to move through quickly.
Sure enough, checking in took longer in the Elite line.
He also commented that his room was much smaller than the room we had stayed in in Tupelo. It was at the ... rhymes with Rarriot. I have no real illusions that it is specifically the hotel chain. I bet the Rilton in Tupelo has bigger rooms (for comparable class) than the one in Chicago and the Chicago Rarriot probably smaller. Anyway, my point is his room is small.
Said small room was reserved at the exact same time as Brian's room. It has the same confirmation number. They were on the same receipt. For some reason the desk clerk said Brian's room is $350 and DH's $450. They worked out what was going on there. Good thing they were in the Elite line, I guess.
DH also said that he didn't have free internet in his room. See, now that I have a laptop we have begun to notice and appreciate (on the rare occasions we travel) that most hotels now offer wireless internet access. One thing I have appreciated is the fact that at the Rarriot (in Tupelo, at least) and the Romfort Inn said internet access has been free of charge.
Not at the Rilton in Chicago. Apparently, the wireless internet access is part of the Business Perks package (no italics for lack of actually being able to quote the name of said business package) For a mere $17.99 per day the traveling businessman can enjoy wireless internet, free unlimited local calls, and they can drink the water in their room.
That last bit caught my attention when DH said it, seeing as how he is in Illinois, not Mexico.
You can drink the water in your room only if you buy the Businessman package? The sheer mechanics involved in having two water systems, one safe, one not were an interesting thought. The fact that they would charge to have you switched from one to the other rather than installing only the safe ...
No, no, of course that is not it. There is bottled water in the room. Normally, if you drink it is runs about $13 per bottle (because apparently the Rilton Hotel chain only serves water from a cool mountain spring in the French Alps that has been poured into the Holy Grail and from there into cut crystal bottles with gold foil labels that say Je suis plus que tois.)
However, if you pay for the business package your bottles are included in the $17. Nifty
He opened his curtains for the first time while on his phone, to see what sort of view he had. He got the fine privilege of looking out onto the courtyard space in the center of the building and the windows of other rooms. Good thing I didn't bother sending the digital camera with him.
So far he said he wasn't too impressed with the Rilton experience.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Fabulously Interesting
Well, to ME it is.
I found a couple of websites that have basic lessons in speaking MODERN Greek. I had a lot of fun going over them and learning what was there. It was also fun to see the difference between MODERN Greek and the ANCIENT Greek I have taken classes in at Ole Miss.
Remarkably, a lot is the same. Some words are not changed at all. Some words are new (meaning changed from their Ancient counterparts) , and some words are completely new. Homer didn't write much about the televisions (teleorase) and computers (upologistes) of his day, so Academia doesn't know what the words for those things were. I don't think centaurs even had a word for "laptop."
I was reminded yesterday at our PEAK Science expo that it is only a few weeks until our Geography Fair. The girls and I need to get cracking. Of course, since DD10 wants to do Greece I am totally justified in these hours spentwasting time in research. I can even make her learn some of it.
I promised DD8 that she could learn the Greek alphabet and we would send "coded" messages with those letters used instead of regular letters, still in English words, though. That would be fun if I wasn't afraid it would hinder her actual reading efforts.
Monday I will have the girls write up and Tuesday we will mail off (since Monday is holiday) letters to the embassies of Greece, India, and Canada requesting information. DH says I should just go to the embassies' websites and download what they would send us. I probably will do that, but I want the girls to get the experience of writing polite correspondence. Also, they will love getting something addressed to them in the mail.
We will be making a sari as an example of traditional Indian garb and a peplos as an example of ancient Greek fashion. What should we do for Canada? We live in Mississippi. I don't have any parkas handy. (haha, just kidding, Canadian readers) No, seriously... what should we use? We might have to resort to simply cooking some traditional Canadian food....um...I am going to need to do some research.
So, we'll be learning to count to 10 in Hindi, and maybe another Indian language or two, to showcase that there are many; Greek, of course; and French.
I think I will make DD9 do her entire presentation in both English and French (meaning what she has written on her presentation board, not her oral presentation.) That would be cool.
Does Oh, Canada have French lyrics? I bet I could find out online. Learning to sing it, that is another story.
I'd bet money it is easier than the Greek or Indian anthems, though.
I found a couple of websites that have basic lessons in speaking MODERN Greek. I had a lot of fun going over them and learning what was there. It was also fun to see the difference between MODERN Greek and the ANCIENT Greek I have taken classes in at Ole Miss.
Remarkably, a lot is the same. Some words are not changed at all. Some words are new (meaning changed from their Ancient counterparts) , and some words are completely new. Homer didn't write much about the televisions (teleorase) and computers (upologistes) of his day, so Academia doesn't know what the words for those things were. I don't think centaurs even had a word for "laptop."
I was reminded yesterday at our PEAK Science expo that it is only a few weeks until our Geography Fair. The girls and I need to get cracking. Of course, since DD10 wants to do Greece I am totally justified in these hours spent
I promised DD8 that she could learn the Greek alphabet and we would send "coded" messages with those letters used instead of regular letters, still in English words, though. That would be fun if I wasn't afraid it would hinder her actual reading efforts.
Monday I will have the girls write up and Tuesday we will mail off (since Monday is holiday) letters to the embassies of Greece, India, and Canada requesting information. DH says I should just go to the embassies' websites and download what they would send us. I probably will do that, but I want the girls to get the experience of writing polite correspondence. Also, they will love getting something addressed to them in the mail.
We will be making a sari as an example of traditional Indian garb and a peplos as an example of ancient Greek fashion. What should we do for Canada? We live in Mississippi. I don't have any parkas handy. (haha, just kidding, Canadian readers) No, seriously... what should we use? We might have to resort to simply cooking some traditional Canadian food....um...I am going to need to do some research.
So, we'll be learning to count to 10 in Hindi, and maybe another Indian language or two, to showcase that there are many; Greek, of course; and French.
I think I will make DD9 do her entire presentation in both English and French (meaning what she has written on her presentation board, not her oral presentation.) That would be cool.
Does Oh, Canada have French lyrics? I bet I could find out online. Learning to sing it, that is another story.
I'd bet money it is easier than the Greek or Indian anthems, though.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Grrr! This makes my teeth itch
Cassy Fiano has a blog entry concerning an article in Oprah Winfrey's magazine concerning women, marriage, and divorce. Here
I am beside myself. I am also apparently deluding myself and I don't have many friends. I was under the impression that I am married to a great man, that he is my best friend and that my parents and grand-parents are to be commended for staying together forever. Obviously delusional, according to this writer (and, I suppose, Oprah, by association)
I get angrier and angrier the more I think about it. Since I cannot slap this woman across the face, I will do - not the "next best thing" - a better thing. I am going to cook a wonderful dinner for my best friend and his kids, and later enjoy some alone time together with him.
I guess he is so great it makes me crazy.
I am beside myself. I am also apparently deluding myself and I don't have many friends. I was under the impression that I am married to a great man, that he is my best friend and that my parents and grand-parents are to be commended for staying together forever. Obviously delusional, according to this writer (and, I suppose, Oprah, by association)
I get angrier and angrier the more I think about it. Since I cannot slap this woman across the face, I will do - not the "next best thing" - a better thing. I am going to cook a wonderful dinner for my best friend and his kids, and later enjoy some alone time together with him.
I guess he is so great it makes me crazy.
Monday, August 25, 2008
First Day of School
Things went rather well, actually. We had to do our grocery shopping and that didn't go as well as I would have liked, but all in all it was a good day.
My sister brought us some books that she won't be using this year. One of them is a pre-Algebra text that is just what DD10 is ready for. We started today at the beginning of the book.
I did addition flash cards with the younger two girls. They did great so we moved into the math text book that I already had. It is a little advanced for where they are, but I will dip out of the book when we get to that part and do our own thing until they catch up and then we'll go back into the book. Easy-peasy
We did a very broad overview of osmosis for science. Some of the things were too out there, but I am confient that they get that the water wants to even things out. we are doing experiments with cucumbers later this week.
In history we started reading Story of the World Book 1. DH had suggested that we do American history this year, but we bought the world history books and never fully used them. We'll go through those and then move to American history (which is one of the books DS gave)
No worries.
I am ready to go relax for a while. luckily, DD10 is cooking dinner and I don't have to worry about it.
My sister brought us some books that she won't be using this year. One of them is a pre-Algebra text that is just what DD10 is ready for. We started today at the beginning of the book.
I did addition flash cards with the younger two girls. They did great so we moved into the math text book that I already had. It is a little advanced for where they are, but I will dip out of the book when we get to that part and do our own thing until they catch up and then we'll go back into the book. Easy-peasy
We did a very broad overview of osmosis for science. Some of the things were too out there, but I am confient that they get that the water wants to even things out. we are doing experiments with cucumbers later this week.
In history we started reading Story of the World Book 1. DH had suggested that we do American history this year, but we bought the world history books and never fully used them. We'll go through those and then move to American history (which is one of the books DS gave)
No worries.
I am ready to go relax for a while. luckily, DD10 is cooking dinner and I don't have to worry about it.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tribbles
Well, after the very emotional episode of Eureka earlier, I decided to lighten my mood by watching something fun.
I puttered around online to see what there is to see and found ... Trials and Tribble-ations ... the Star Trek Deep Space 9 episode where they go back in time into the Original Star Trek series episode Trouble With Tribbles. I missed it when it was on the air back when I was in college in Alabama and have never managed to catch up with it since then (must be around 15 years)
It was awesome, and it performed its duty of making me smile and laugh quite well.
The bar brawl was my favorite part, I think, as it was in the original.
I puttered around online to see what there is to see and found ... Trials and Tribble-ations ... the Star Trek Deep Space 9 episode where they go back in time into the Original Star Trek series episode Trouble With Tribbles. I missed it when it was on the air back when I was in college in Alabama and have never managed to catch up with it since then (must be around 15 years)
It was awesome, and it performed its duty of making me smile and laugh quite well.
The bar brawl was my favorite part, I think, as it was in the original.
Eureka
Yes, I am a TV junkie. Odd for someone who does not have cable, but I manage.
I am also a Sci Fi junkie. I love Science Fiction, well...I love good science fiction.
Anyway...the series Eureka on the Sci Fi channel certainly qualifies. It is hilarious and brilliantly written and acted.
This week was the first episode to make me cry. I won't discuss why, in case you haven't seen it and might want to in the future.
It is not the first episode of of TV to bring on the water works, nor even the first sci fi show (R.I.P. Dr. Janet Frazier) but I haven't cried during Eureka until now.
This was by far the LEAST funny "time loop" episode I have ever seen of the various shows that have them. Window of Opportunity (Stargate: SG1) was HILARIOUS. Even the recent episode of Supernatural where Dean dies over and over again was funnier than this episode of Eureka.
It was refreshing to see a new take on a plot cliche that is usually done for laughs. It was certainly exciting in that Eurekan "we have to save the Universe from the science gone wrong that we have made" way.
And in the end they succeeded.
*sigh*
I am also a Sci Fi junkie. I love Science Fiction, well...I love good science fiction.
Anyway...the series Eureka on the Sci Fi channel certainly qualifies. It is hilarious and brilliantly written and acted.
This week was the first episode to make me cry. I won't discuss why, in case you haven't seen it and might want to in the future.
It is not the first episode of of TV to bring on the water works, nor even the first sci fi show (R.I.P. Dr. Janet Frazier) but I haven't cried during Eureka until now.
This was by far the LEAST funny "time loop" episode I have ever seen of the various shows that have them. Window of Opportunity (Stargate: SG1) was HILARIOUS. Even the recent episode of Supernatural where Dean dies over and over again was funnier than this episode of Eureka.
It was refreshing to see a new take on a plot cliche that is usually done for laughs. It was certainly exciting in that Eurekan "we have to save the Universe from the science gone wrong that we have made" way.
And in the end they succeeded.
*sigh*
Sunday, August 17, 2008
The Birthday Girl tries out a Gift
Here is my
She specifically requested curlers. She has never had her hair set like so before, just playing around with her aunt and a curling iron. I am not sure "leave-it-alone-until-it-dries has quite sunk in yet.
Also, she didn't quite grasp the need for promptness after the bath, so some of her hair was dry before we rolled it (no squirt bottle handy) and we are not expecting much from the result except fun.
Curly hair or not, that smile is enough for me.
Happy Birthday, Baby Girl!!!
My baby is 8 years old today. Wow! I remember turning 8. For some unfathomable reason I considered that the threshold between "little kid" and "big kid." So, no more babies now. I have three big kids.
She was disappointed that we aren't having her birthday party today. She was only a little satisfied when I said we would still have a party, just later than her actual birthday. She was ok with the whole thing when I told her she would still be able to open her family presents today.
She has been delighted by all of her gifts. There was a Strawberry Shortcake doll from her grandparents. A Polly Pocket Cinderella from her DS10 and a Polly Pocket Belle (Beauty and the Beast) from her DS9. I got her some cute shoes that were on clearance, plastic hair curlers (per her request), a Kelly doll that has 3 little bunnies, and a Bitty Baby from American Girl.
Her father got her a Magic: The Gathering booster card pack. He has just recently begun teaching her to play his favorite game. She loves it and she loved the cards.
On a side note, if any of you know Magic cards...
Two of her Swamp cards (not even by the same artist!) look like the touchy-feely-est, Rainbow Connection-est, Golly Mom can we move THERE-est pieces of ---WETLANDS (I cannot even call them Swamps) I have ever seen. One of them even has lily pads...complete with BLOSSOMS! Now I know there are real-life swamps that look like this. Swamps CAN be pretty. But GEEZ! Why not just use Monet's Water Lilies? I want to believe it was art already extant that the rights to use on the cards was contracted for, but I don't actually think that is the case. Part of me wants to say..."Maybe someone knew that this booster pack would be going to aseven eight year old girl." Now, "hand of God" I'll buy, but Magic cards seems a little beneath His notice, AND she'll be seeing the icky cards in play anyway, so what would be the point? I am not conspiracy-theorist enough to think Wizards of the Coast knew she would be getting those cards. So, I think it is just a falling down somewhere in their art or art acquisition department.
You don't power death and decay spells with a KOI POND!!!!
(Some of the Mountains and Islands she got also looked a little greenie. I swear I almost expected to see that they were some kind of multi-land or new addition to the game, like "Snow Covered" was for Ice Age.
Eco-Walk Enchantment
No elf with Eco-Walk can be blocked if the target player has a land in play on which the card looks like a peaceful bastion of hope for endangered species, regardless of actual color.
Eco-Rage - tap 1 green mana - All elves with Eco-Walk gain +10/+10 Trample whenever any damage is done to the pretty mana card, or even if the owner dares so much as tap it.
She was disappointed that we aren't having her birthday party today. She was only a little satisfied when I said we would still have a party, just later than her actual birthday. She was ok with the whole thing when I told her she would still be able to open her family presents today.
She has been delighted by all of her gifts. There was a Strawberry Shortcake doll from her grandparents. A Polly Pocket Cinderella from her DS10 and a Polly Pocket Belle (Beauty and the Beast) from her DS9. I got her some cute shoes that were on clearance, plastic hair curlers (per her request), a Kelly doll that has 3 little bunnies, and a Bitty Baby from American Girl.
Her father got her a Magic: The Gathering booster card pack. He has just recently begun teaching her to play his favorite game. She loves it and she loved the cards.
On a side note, if any of you know Magic cards...
Two of her Swamp cards (not even by the same artist!) look like the touchy-feely-est, Rainbow Connection-est, Golly Mom can we move THERE-est pieces of ---WETLANDS (I cannot even call them Swamps) I have ever seen. One of them even has lily pads...complete with BLOSSOMS! Now I know there are real-life swamps that look like this. Swamps CAN be pretty. But GEEZ! Why not just use Monet's Water Lilies? I want to believe it was art already extant that the rights to use on the cards was contracted for, but I don't actually think that is the case. Part of me wants to say..."Maybe someone knew that this booster pack would be going to a
You don't power death and decay spells with a KOI POND!!!!
(Some of the Mountains and Islands she got also looked a little greenie. I swear I almost expected to see that they were some kind of multi-land or new addition to the game, like "Snow Covered" was for Ice Age.
Eco-Walk Enchantment
No elf with Eco-Walk can be blocked if the target player has a land in play on which the card looks like a peaceful bastion of hope for endangered species, regardless of actual color.
Eco-Rage - tap 1 green mana - All elves with Eco-Walk gain +10/+10 Trample whenever any damage is done to the pretty mana card, or even if the owner dares so much as tap it.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Sheltered
Well, I have often said, tongue in cheek, that one of the drawbacks to home schooling was that the girls do not know as many swear words as other kids their age.
It looks like it extends even to harmless euphemisms for body parts.
The girls dressed up their Barbies with some old Barbie clothes I had. I informed DD10 that what she had as a hip-belt / low cumberbund thing should be worn "around her boobs" (my words)
"Her what?" (her words)
"Higher," I said. She looked at my in confusion. Then after a few seconds she said "Oh, you mean like a bra?"
Now, I don't have a problem with the word "boobs" personally. It just feels nice to know that she hasn't had any body-part discussions with other children.
It looks like it extends even to harmless euphemisms for body parts.
The girls dressed up their Barbies with some old Barbie clothes I had. I informed DD10 that what she had as a hip-belt / low cumberbund thing should be worn "around her boobs" (my words)
"Her what?" (her words)
"Higher," I said. She looked at my in confusion. Then after a few seconds she said "Oh, you mean like a bra?"
Now, I don't have a problem with the word "boobs" personally. It just feels nice to know that she hasn't had any body-part discussions with other children.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Little Bit of Weird
Yesterday I saw a StitchBow of cross stitch floss on the floor. (Not the weird part. I am not the best housekeeper. ) DD10 had been going through my stash to find something to stitch while we are at my in-laws' house. (We leave in a couple of hours. That is the plan, anyway. I am not the most prompt person around.)
It started me because my first thought was "Eww! Is that a giant praying mantis?!" (Is it prAying or prEying? With those bent arms and the insect's dietary needs, it could go either way.)
Anyhow, I of course knew it was NOT a 6 inch preying mantis (I decided to alternate spelling. Then I'd only be wrong half the time.) I stared at it for about 3 seconds and then realized, Oh, it's a stitchbow.
OK, so, like I said, we are leaving today for my in-laws'. Love 'em. Love going up there. I need to take something to do or I'll go crazy. I started last night (WAY too late. I am a bad procrastinator.) going through my patterns and stash. I decided to go with Celtic Cross by Theresa Wentzler. It is lovely. It is compact. And I have stitched it twice before and I KNOW I have the proper colors. I managed to round up every color I needed, minus gold braid (It is a finishing detail that goes on last. I am good without it for now.) Except one. That one color is DMC 869. It is a dark brown that is used (instead of the normal black) to backstitch around details when the piece is done. I figured I am good to go for a while without that one too.
So, I was just in the dining room getting a drink (store brand Pepsi knock-off) and I glance over to the window and see the "praying mantis." (Of course, it was still there. I am not the best house keeper.)
Hmmm, that is dark brown. Could that be...? NO! There is no way it is...! But you know what? It was. Preying Mantis=DMC 869
Cool
It started me because my first thought was "Eww! Is that a giant praying mantis?!" (Is it prAying or prEying? With those bent arms and the insect's dietary needs, it could go either way.)
Anyhow, I of course knew it was NOT a 6 inch preying mantis (I decided to alternate spelling. Then I'd only be wrong half the time.) I stared at it for about 3 seconds and then realized, Oh, it's a stitchbow.
OK, so, like I said, we are leaving today for my in-laws'. Love 'em. Love going up there. I need to take something to do or I'll go crazy. I started last night (WAY too late. I am a bad procrastinator.) going through my patterns and stash. I decided to go with Celtic Cross by Theresa Wentzler. It is lovely. It is compact. And I have stitched it twice before and I KNOW I have the proper colors. I managed to round up every color I needed, minus gold braid (It is a finishing detail that goes on last. I am good without it for now.) Except one. That one color is DMC 869. It is a dark brown that is used (instead of the normal black) to backstitch around details when the piece is done. I figured I am good to go for a while without that one too.
So, I was just in the dining room getting a drink (store brand Pepsi knock-off) and I glance over to the window and see the "praying mantis." (Of course, it was still there. I am not the best house keeper.)
Hmmm, that is dark brown. Could that be...? NO! There is no way it is...! But you know what? It was. Preying Mantis=DMC 869
Cool
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Where the Heck is Matt?
A friend of mine had this on her blog and I just absolutely loved it.
Who is this guy, and how do I get to go to all theses places? he definitely seems to be enjoying his time out in the world and others are enjoying it with him. Wow!
Addicted
DD10 asked if she could get a Webkinz toy. I told her she could if she spent her own allowance money. She got a panda (of course) and...since I was on Books-A-Million.com buying one anyway, and since they looked so cute, and so I could be assured that everything was safe and what-not, I bought one for myself.
Now I have two and I have spent WAY too much time at the website playing games and buying little virtual toys for the little virtual animals.
Unbelievable!
DH is about ready to cut off the internet access; I can tell. I need to try to ration my time better.
Now I have two and I have spent WAY too much time at the website playing games and buying little virtual toys for the little virtual animals.
Unbelievable!
DH is about ready to cut off the internet access; I can tell. I need to try to ration my time better.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Happy Birthday, Ginny!
We had Ginny's birthday party this afternoon, just one day late. She got a ball from Susan (DD10's doll), a stuffed bunny from Alice (DD9's doll), a beret from my doll Kit, a poncho from my Molly, and a hand bag from Samantha. Felicity also came, but did not bring a gift.
We had a good time eating a cake baked by DD10 (strawberry with white frosting) and drank water 9both refreshing and because the girls are grounded from anything else for a week)
It was fun. I'm glad it's done.
Cleaning Machine
I have the feeling I am not the girls' favorite person right now. I am sure they wish I would go back to doing my own thing (usually surfing the web) and stop giving them chores to do. The fact that I am doing chores too makes it harder for them to slack off.
It started when I decided to help DD10 out with the laundry (her normal daily chore) by starting a load before she got up. The laundry room (a place I never go) looked like a disaster area! So, I got to work on that and that got me in the mood to see to it that more of the house got cleaned. Oddly enough it did not get me steaming screaming angry. I am sure DD10 wishes I would just yell at her and be done, but I had a better idea.
First off, she has to clean the downstairs bathroom. She said she would rather do the laundry (now a Mommy daily job) I said she should have thought about that before.
Secondly, she cannot play with the webkins she ordered last Friday until I have the laundry caught up. So, that is in my hands. I don't plan to slack off the laundry just to lengthen her sentence. But the hole I am digging out of is of HER doing.
I suppose I could have said SHE had to do the laundry and that she could have her webkin once SHE had it caught up. But I told her that I was pretty sure she would cheat and cut corners and do a terrible job to get it done fast enough. She can't be trusted with a chore right now.
So, instead of a regular daily chore she gets a variable daily chore. Whatever needs doing for that day that doesn't already have a person assigned she gets it. She said she didn't mind that so much, since she pretty much got those anyway. (Actually, I spread those around, so she might get more than she thinks.)
I got the kitchen cleaned up nicely by taking matters into my own hands. The laundry is going well. I am going to tackle some more "been here since we moved in" piles a little later. Maybe in the sunroom. Right now my ankle hurts and I am going to put my brace on.
DD7 is cleaning her disaster of a room. She has already been caught once just playing. I had to remind her that she could not come out until it was done and playing made that take longer. She isn't sulky about it. She actually looked like she had forgotten why she was in there.
DD9 cleaned her room already, helped me with the laundry, swept the kitchen floor, and loaded the dishwasher. Weird
Oops, dryer has stopped. Time for me to go back to housework funland.
Here is a picture of my DD9 (age 3 at the time) getting her bottom spanked by a peacock.
It started when I decided to help DD10 out with the laundry (her normal daily chore) by starting a load before she got up. The laundry room (a place I never go) looked like a disaster area! So, I got to work on that and that got me in the mood to see to it that more of the house got cleaned. Oddly enough it did not get me steaming screaming angry. I am sure DD10 wishes I would just yell at her and be done, but I had a better idea.
First off, she has to clean the downstairs bathroom. She said she would rather do the laundry (now a Mommy daily job) I said she should have thought about that before.
Secondly, she cannot play with the webkins she ordered last Friday until I have the laundry caught up. So, that is in my hands. I don't plan to slack off the laundry just to lengthen her sentence. But the hole I am digging out of is of HER doing.
I suppose I could have said SHE had to do the laundry and that she could have her webkin once SHE had it caught up. But I told her that I was pretty sure she would cheat and cut corners and do a terrible job to get it done fast enough. She can't be trusted with a chore right now.
So, instead of a regular daily chore she gets a variable daily chore. Whatever needs doing for that day that doesn't already have a person assigned she gets it. She said she didn't mind that so much, since she pretty much got those anyway. (Actually, I spread those around, so she might get more than she thinks.)
I got the kitchen cleaned up nicely by taking matters into my own hands. The laundry is going well. I am going to tackle some more "been here since we moved in" piles a little later. Maybe in the sunroom. Right now my ankle hurts and I am going to put my brace on.
DD7 is cleaning her disaster of a room. She has already been caught once just playing. I had to remind her that she could not come out until it was done and playing made that take longer. She isn't sulky about it. She actually looked like she had forgotten why she was in there.
DD9 cleaned her room already, helped me with the laundry, swept the kitchen floor, and loaded the dishwasher. Weird
Oops, dryer has stopped. Time for me to go back to housework funland.
Here is a picture of my DD9 (age 3 at the time) getting her bottom spanked by a peacock.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
How could I have forgotten?!
Well, it is a good thing my girls have good memories! *sigh* I almost forgot that June 16th is Ginny's (my DD7 American Girl doll) 8th birthday. What horror! But, since DD7 remembered, that tragedy is narrowly averted and I can spend the next 2 days planning a birthday party for a doll. What joy
All sarcasm aside, I think we'll have fun. I'll be sure to take pictures.
DD said Ginny wants a butterfly party. Of course this is mere days after I deleted images and such from 2 years ago when DD herself had a butterfly party. Well, we'll get decorations from somewhere. I think I can convince the girls to draw butterflies. ;)
All sarcasm aside, I think we'll have fun. I'll be sure to take pictures.
DD said Ginny wants a butterfly party. Of course this is mere days after I deleted images and such from 2 years ago when DD herself had a butterfly party. Well, we'll get decorations from somewhere. I think I can convince the girls to draw butterflies. ;)
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